Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The chimney cap and siding have defects. The chimney cap has rust forming around the screw heads and on the metal cap, the siding has some rotting areas on the bottom of the picture. These issues could be the start of moisture intrusion inside the home.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Lateral movement happens when the moisture saturated soil helps to build up the hydrostatic pressure above the moisture impervious soil, outside of a basement or crawlspace wall. It will then push against the wall and cause it to move inwards causing cracks.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When I inspect a roof, if it is safe and will not cause foot damage, I will walk the roof. My inspection will include looking for any damage shingles, missing flashing, caps, and anything that might cause water intrusion. If anything does not appear to be right, I will recommend an inspection by a qualified roofer.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Air Handler Brand: Trane Model # & Serial # shown in photos I sent you
Location: hallway outside of guest bathroom
Manufacture Date: 9/2008 (10 years of age)
Recommending having this system serviced immediately a licensed and insured HVAC company. The system is 10 years of age and should be repaired or replaced. It is not operating properly. The system is in need of being replaced if it cannot be repaired.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of a crack in the plaster of an interior wall in an 1889 home. Inspection of the other side of the wall did not find any damage. The basement and attic were inspected to see if there was any visual structural damage, none was found. It was reported as cosmetic damage.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I choose to look and a image from the gallery. It was in child safety, and it was a image of some railing. It show that the maximum distance between balusters should not be more then 4". It to prevent small children from getting their heads stuck in between the baluster or falling through. As a new inspector I should add a 4" sphere of some type to my tools so that i could check it instead of eye balling it.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose “deck obstructing emergency egress” as the topic of my essay. If I was completing a home inspection and saw something like this I would take several pictures and document very well what I saw and explain that obstructing emergency egress is something that is very serious and it could be the difference in life or death for someone and when inspecting a home there will be nothing more important to me then the safety of my client and their family.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose “deck obstructing emergency egress” as the topic of my essay. If I was completing a home inspection and saw something like this I would take several pictures and document very well what I saw and explain that obstructing emergency egress is something that is very serious and it could be the difference in life or death for someone and when inspecting a home there will be nothing more important to me then the safety of my client and their family.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
I chose to do my essay on the inspection of a commercial restroom. As I was inspecting the toilet I checked for the correct water volume to flush properly, I checked for leaks around the fittings and at the floor where the wax ring might need to be replaced. I checked the hardware connecting the toilet to the floor, as well as, the bowl for cracks and damage. Everything worked properly and had plenty of water volume. The one thing that needs attention for the support of the piping is where the pipe comes through the concrete block wall. The hole in the wall is not sealed and does not support the piping. The pipe is functioning properly at this time.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
When one observes this roof, they might notice the obvious tears, holes, and general misfortune this roof has experienced. The holes and tears can be caused by any number of things; including weathering, debris falling, poor repairs or installations, etc. Before my client does anything with this house, I suggest getting a professional to give it a more in depth look and a repair in order to bring the value and safety to this home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is located in the kitchen near the sink and is meant to protect residents from an electric shock that can be caused from a short circuit. When tested, this outlet was tripped along with the other outlets near the sink and was successfully turned back on using the reset button.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read an article on toilet inspections. An inspector must look for cracks on any parts of the toilet and also flush the toilet to see how long it takes the toilet to flush, how long it runs after flushing, and how long it takes to fill to determine if the toilet is working efficiently rather than wasting water.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
It’s pretty scary to think that the TPR valve on your water heater could be the source for the water heater to act like a bomb. I have come across many homes that are missing the TPR pipe. Many TPR valves are pointed right at the back side of the door. I would hate to be on the receiving end of a blown valve while it’s relieving the pressure.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When the water heater heats the water in the tank, the water expands. I have heard that testing your TPR valve by manually activating the valve is good so that if corrosion has built up this action will allow the valve to function properly. Others have said not to ever touch the valve because the one time you do, it will forever leak
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a photo of foundation settlement. These are many ways a home’s foundation can settle into the soil. We can suggest that the foundation of this structure is settling because of the location and size of the cracks that are present.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I chose a photo of a chimney that does not have the proper clearance on a roof. From what I’ve learned, a chimney should extend 3 feet above the highest point of the roof, and 2 feet above any other penetration within a 10 foot radius.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Pride and professionalism are extremely important in growing your business, brand and reputation as a whole. In the article Inspectors: Do You Take Pride in Your Ride? while humorous, points out the largest, simplest and highly visible reflection of you, your vehicle! You have heard numerous people that you have lent them something (car, tools, etc) or youre an investor/property owner and the tenant or friend says I treat your stuff as my own! When have you ever heard or had someone return in better condition than you gave it to them, NEVER. People always treat their own stuff badly. You need to treat your vehicle as if it is your clients. It is nothing to run your vehicle through a car wash daily. I have to drive by a Car Spa (drive through carwash) every day. They run a special Unlimited washes, hand drying & interior detail for less than $50 a month. Best $50 bucks Ive ever spent. I get the interior detailed twice a week and the truck washed almost daily. While I sit in the lobby waiting for the interior detail to finish Im able to grab the laptop to finish reports, work on scheduling, and growing my business. I no longer have to spend any more valuable time cleaning my truck. Multitasking at its best!!! Plus, there is FREE coffee in the lobby. How can you go wrong? But, if I see a school, church, or community fundraiser I hit those. Even if I just left the Car Spa. Networking, Networking, Networking. So, if you use the old saying if you look (professional, successful, etc), if you act (professional, successful, etc) you will be (professional, successful, etc). Remember We are what we repeatedly do, Excellence then is not an act but a habit!
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The purpose of gutters and downspouts is to direct water from the roof and away from the structure. The gutters and downspouts protect the siding from damage or discoloration from splash back, damage to vegetation surrounding the structure and the foundation of the structure. Discharge from the downspout should be directed at least 6 from the building and ensure that grading continues at least 1 per foot to protect from the water returning to the structure.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
New roof covered with asphalt shingles is in good condition. Roof deck has no obvious signs of deflection. Penetrations through the roof for vents are flashed and are sealed properly.Gutters are attached securely and are oversized to meet the needs of a larger roof. Downspouts are secured to walls and run off flows away from the building.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Dryer Vent safety. Dryer venting ducting is often overlooked but can pose a serious fire risk. Many use ribbed, flexible ducts that give lots of areas for highly flammable lint to collect. This, along with numerous bends and kinks in the duct reduces air flow causing heat to build up. As many as 13,000 fires in one year could have been prevented by maintaining or replacing dryer vents with smooth metal interior as IRC dictates.
