Ask the Home Inspector

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.

It’s not uncommon to find cracks in a brick veneer sided home. Lots of different reasons are possible. Most often in our area, it’s minor settling of the slab and or foundation. An inspector would have to look at the entire homes surroundings to help determine the cause and perhaps any correction needed. In this case, the cracks are from the slab footing cracking due to water being directed toward the home. Water sitting next to a foundation is never a good idea.

So many things have been neglected under this home I recently inspected, that by the time I saw it, it's a disaster! Water has been running underneath, a lack of proper ventilation, leaky plumbing from supply pipes, shower, toilet and sink water make a great place for mold. There were some floor joists I could literally put my hand straight through without any resistance.