Ask the Home Inspector

What Really Matters in a Home Inspection Author Jason McGuire Re/Max Infinity Are you thinking about selling your home? Did you know that preparing for a home inspection is an important step in selling your property? However, many homeowners don't know what to expect from the inspection. In most cases, home inspections are scheduled after the signing of a purchase agreement, but before the closing date. This time may be stressful. Sometimes it's easy to forget about the inspection. Getting your home prepared for the inspection is always a good idea, says RE/MAX Infinity . That's why, in this article, we'll go over the major points of focus of home inspectors. Also, you'll learn how you can be better prepared when the inspector knocks on your door. What really matters in a home inspection? Home inspections can be daunting. It's hard to predict without any prior knowledge what the home inspector will check. Most of the time, home inspectors...

AFCI protection is sooo important.We often recommend GFI protection and forget to recommend AFCI's. Testing one inside a sub panel recently it did not trip as required leaving the bedroom circuit unprotected. If you have one in your panel you should check it per manufacturers recommendations, typically once per month. An  arc-fault circuit interrupter  ( AFCI ) also known as an  arc-fault detection device  ( AFDD ) [1]  is a  circuit breaker  that breaks the circuit when it detects an  electric arc  in the circuit it protects to prevent electrical fires. An AFCI selectively distinguishes between a harmless arc (incidental to normal operation of switches, plugs, and brushed motors), and a potentially dangerous arc (that can occur, for example, in a lamp cord which has a broken conductor). AFCI breakers have been required for circuits in residential bedrooms by since 1999

Now that we use infrared cameras with some frequency, it's amazing to see things almost like a TSA agent might. The following view was taken in a living room looking up toward the ceiling/attic area Instead of seeing a skeleton of sorts when someone walks through the security camera, we can see framing behind the drywall. We are actually seeing a temperature difference, and in this case it's "Thermal Bridging" Thermal Bridging  is the movement of heat across an object that is more conductive than the materials around it. The conductive material creates a path of least resistance for heat.  Thermal bridging  can be a major source of energy loss in homes and buildings, leading to higher utility bills

This is a brand new home in an elite neighborhood. Apparently the cost of the home doesn't matter. This builder didn't bother putting in 2 kick out flashings where the roof & wall meet over the back porch. Already water is staining the wood below

This home I inspected was missing some "End Dam" flashing details. Less than $100. worth of material will leave this home owner paying thousands of dollars in repairs. Make sure you get your home inspected

Dishwasher Tip Let dishes air-dry instead of using the drying feature of your dishwasher. Not using the drying feature of your dishwasher reduces its energy usage by about 50%

The manufacturers installation instructions on most attic pull down stairs that I see state "Drive nail through hole in metal bracket" A huge majority of the time I see them installed with drywall screws, just as the set in this photograph show. This can lead to sudden failure resulting in serious injury.

In the recent past months I have found a very  high percentage of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are outdated. A majority of detectors require replacement every 10 years or if they "chirp" even after replacing the battery. Our state home inspection standards require us to: "Check the presence or absence of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms" So, we are not required to test these devices, though it's very rare that we do not. I came across this article recently and felt it worth sharing. In short, the article is stating several states now require combination units to be installed in new homes, which I think is a huge step in the right direction. The full article is in the Columbus Dispatch http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/home_and_garden/2016/03/27/01-state-code-embraces-photoelectric-smoke-alarms.html Prices on these units are typically less than $25. each. Certainly not worth waiting until it's too late

This chimney looked questionable as we were standing on the ground. The closer we got the worst it looked. It's past time to rebuild this chimney. The buyers are considering options such as rebuilding or perhaps removing it entirely or making it cosmetic only

Not even close...Our society's needs and demands have certainly changed over the years. Look at all the different types of receptacles available in the photograph below

I don't know how many times I have climbed up onto a/c platforms to gather information, check siding, electrical panels, etc. Today was not a good day for Hunt Henning to be doing so. The platform was improperly secured with approximately 14 twelve penny nails instead of using lag bolts

Do you know often you should be testing and resetting your GFCI outlets? You are not alone; many people don't know you often you should, and even different manufacturers have had different requirements throughout the years. Leviton who makes lots of electrical equipment says "Press the TEST button (then RESET button) every month to assure proper operation. If the Indicator light does not go out and come back on or if the GFCI cannot be reset, then it must be replaced." I have been inspecting homes for almost 20 years and have not met anyone that says they follow these guidelines. I strongly suggest checking per manufacturers recommendations to help protect you and your family.

This home inspection I did the other day had water front property. It literally had water running under the house both currently and lots of it in the past Lot of reasons for it not to be there. Undermining the foundation, inviting termites, mold, elevated moisture levels etc. There was so much humidity that the insulation underneath the home would stay up and the wood flooring inside was warped. The property had a brook running beside it when it rains and a high water table in the area. This will take a creative and knowledgeable contractor to keep water out and add enough ventilation to prevent mold concerns again later.

Personal belongings often restrict some viewing of ceilings, walls, flooring and appliances. According to state guidelines, we are not required to move items. However, if we can do so without risk or injury to ourselves or the home owners personal belongings we will do so. In some cases there is just too much "STUFF" in the way. This is very typical of garages and most interior closets.

I performed a home inspection on this fairly new exclusive house recently. All around the perimeter of the 2 story home they omitted a "Z" flashing above the 2nd floor line, allowing moisture to get behind the siding and run down inside the wall. This is causing lots of wood rot and mold. This simple flashing would have saved thousands of dollars!

There were so many ants inside this water meter I couldn't open it, remove the dirt and check the water meter. Though we carry wasp/Bee spray, it didn't bother these guys at all

Water damage can have lasting effects, even after it's dried.

All the way at the far end of this attic, I found the kitchen exhaust duct vent did not exit to the exterior as required with the gas appliances. Grease can build up inside the duct causing a fire, combustion gases can remain in the home, neither one of these is a safe condition.