Research & Writing Assignment:
During the great depression the government established the FHA. Federal Housing Administration. This was in response to the 1.5 million foreclosures during this time period. The FHA uses funds collected to cover the foreclosure cost to banks so the banks can stay in business. As if the Banks don’t already make enough profits.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
As homes become clustered closer together, the chance of a neighbor’s care for their property can impact our space. The tree in the photo fell across the owner’s yard and landed on the neighbor’s home. The neighbor received very costly damage through no fault of his own. He had no choice in the planting of the tree or it’s upkeep. He had no opportunity to remove the tree when it died and became a danger to his home.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read an article about manufactured homes. Manufactured homes became very popular in the "70’s. Modern manufactured homes are not all trailers that are pulled to a site and set on jacks so the wheels can be removed. Now they can be designed and assembled on site.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Many of the issues that were covered in this course had to do with the health concerns of dense amounts of people in close proximity to each other. The inability to attain clean potable water or the ability to safely dispose of wastewater, lead to many of the health issues such as the ones in London and New York around the turn of the century. One of the recurring issues was that of mold. the main factors of mold are when an organic material is introduced to an excessive amount of liquid (water) and its inability to dry out. Since we cannot adequately control mold growth through temperature, the most effective way is through limiting the presence of moisture.
Research & Writing Assignment:
One of the best takeaways for this course is how we arrived at the moderns safety standards that we have in most US homes and that we inspect on a day to day basis. Our modern plumbing distribution system is a critically important method of keeping occupants healthy and disease free.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
For this particular essay I have a picture of a home that was built in 1954, but has different building styles developed over the years in expanding the home and the foundation. There were different combinations of stone, poured concrete and masonry blocks used in the construction over the years.
Research & Writing Assignment:
For this particular essay I looked into the different forms of apartment buildings that had been constructed before and during the industrial revolution. Many changes and laws had been enacted after sanitary, living and dwelling issues. Some styles of buildings have been eliminated because of it.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This Condo is a form of modern day living with the old building ways of multi-living spaces within one building. They each have their own utilities and living space but with shared common areas. With modern advances in home building safety and materials, today’s homes will be tomorrows education to better our homes health.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture is of operating windows in the living space. Early urban dwellings often had not source of ventilation or natural light. With the move toward suburban dwellings windows were implemented to promote healthier living conditions. Window screens were also utilized to promote a healthier living environment.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The image selected is of a balanced ventilation system. During the period of early urbanization and subsequently suburbanization, little thought was given to the idea of adequate ventilation in dwellings. The use of certain building materials in the construction process in connection with the lack of fresh air exchange in the dwelling lead to numerous health hazards. Ventilation greatly improved the environmental conditions inside the dwelling.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Safety and regulations have change for the well being of our homes and us personally over the years. For example, from the days of no electricity, to having electricity, and now having GFCI’s and AFCI’s installed. Todays modern and continued advances of safety have improved and changed our lives and well being.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
A permant dwelling, such as this farm house, was built and designed with the idea in mind that the surrounding land could provide long term food, agricultural, and natural resources for the occupants also while meeting political and social needs.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The home inspection should include flushing every toilet in the house. Inspecting the toilet for cracks, a lose connection at the floor, and proper flushing and tank re-fill are important. There are many different styles of toilets on the market. Some have duel flushing and vacuum flushing. Regardless of style and age, they should all be free from cracking and leaking.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Prior to the 20 century, housing for the masses in large cities was mostly dark, dirty and unsanitary. The living conditions were extremely unhealthy and very over crowded which meant the easy and speedy movement of disease throughout the general population. Clean water, either hot or cold, was not readily available and central heating and air conditioning was still a thing of the future.
Research & Writing Assignment:
The article “Lead for Home Inspectors” points out that lead was used in variety of ways in homes up to the mid to late 20th century. The health problems caused by the use of lead was not fully known until lead poisoning was found to be a problem in children. Lead used in the plumbing industry and painting industry were found to be major contributors to the public health problem and laws were passed to protect communities from future lead poisoning. Lead poisoning from out dated pubic water systems in certain parts of the United States is still a problem that is being corrected.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
I inspected this house recently for an investor,it was built in the early 1800’s,salt box style with additions on the water in a local coastal town.The workmanship was amazing but unfortunately its a teardown due to the sufferings from hurricane Sandy.He did buy it and is building a new house on the lot.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Over-Occupancy Rental Laws for Inspectors.While studying this course I noticed that in the early years of tenement buildings and older apartments, that they were very susceptible to over crowding much like over occupancy.I am sure there were not as many laws about it back then but it had to be unsanitary along with all the other reasons for our over occupancy laws of today.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This home was originally built in 1874 as a multifamily home. Over the years it had been renovated, turning the basement into a garden apartment. The architecture as well as the interior spaces are reflective of the time. Brick exteriors, now fully being utilized by most builders in this neighborhood, represented the progress in building materials the technology of the day allowed. The brick was noncombustible and allowed for decreased fire risk in close quarters.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Bedrooms in basements are required to conform to certain standards of the IRC for safety reasons. A conforming basement bedroom will have a conforming egress the exterior of the home. If a basement is finished, it must have a conforming egress. These egresses save lives by offering quick exit to the occupants and/or entrance of Emergency Response Personnel.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This image would be representative a permanent suburban dwelling, built not only for shelter, but for comfort. It provides adequate ventilation, light and comfort. Not shown, is that it also provides for good potable water, connection to a public sewer/sanitation system with high efficiency heat and cooling installed.
