This vintage log cabin in North Bend, Wa. had several materials used for the sanitary waste lines,
Creative Plumbing
Copper, rubber, galvanized, and electrical tape. I’m not sure what is hidden under the electrical tape as the (2) rigid pipes are not in alignment. No leaks !
On my summer road trip to the Southwest I saw this older home in Douglas, Arizona. The roof appears to be caving in on itself.
As I was fumbling with my digital camera in a dark attic, I pressed the wrong button. To my surprise, I was blinded by the flash instead of hearing the lens retract into the camera.
This is a very un-posed photo
Home Inspector Self Portrait
yes, it is a nylon sock
The dryer vents into the basement. No worry about the moisture being pumped into the basement; just catch the lint !
Dryer vent lint trap
Dryer vent
A few months ago, I performed a Home Inspection at a house in Bellevue, Wa. The electrical panel could not be accessed and also was a safety hazard due to the proximity to the water heater. The owner hired a contractor to move the water heater.
Water heater in close proximity to electrical panel
The furnace was not inspected as the circuit would not turn on. I returned to the house today to inspect the furnace.
The water heater had been moved to a new location. I looked at the original flue to see if it had been capped (it Y’s into the active furnace flue.
Water heater flue capped with salsa jar
Close up of jar lid
A perfect fit !
The homeowner is going to have a discussion with the contractor
This new construction home has a plumbing mistake that was made at rough-in. The water supply pipe to the toilet in the Master Bathroom is from the hot water pipes.
The current tenant said that it is awkward to sit on a toilet after flushing as the water temperature could be as high as the water temperature setting of 120 deg F.
As there are cold water supply pipes and a crawl space below, the repair is a fairly simple fix.
Infrared Image of hot water in toilet
A homeowner hired me to perform a limited Home Inspection for their Bellevue area home as they were concerned about foundation hold-downs.
The home has substantial shaking from front to back during the earthquake several years ago.
The blueprints showed a full height foundation wall up to the floor joists in the area that had excessive shaking.
Upon inspection, I found a strip-footing with a 2 x 4 framed wall, approximately 3′ high, up to the floor joists. The framed wall was sheathed with 1/2″ plywood on both sides. My assumption is that the builder failed to pour the wall and obtained the engineers and/or building departments approval to substitute the double sheathed wall for the poured concrete wall.
Since the original construction, this home has had a problem with excess moisture in the crawlspace. A prior homeowner and/or contractor did work to increase ventilation.
It appears in order to increase cross ventilation, the sheathing has been cut out between every stud bay. As a result, the sheathing is worthless
Double sheathed wall in crawlspace
Close up view of damaged sheathing
My recommendation was for a review by a structural engineer and repairs as needed
The Home Inspection was done for a 23 year old home built by a well known Eastside King County builder. This home would be considered a move up residence.
Clue # 1: My first concern was when I pushed the plug tester into the wall. The outlet and plate cover came back out with the tester. Was the outlet box not nailed to the stud, or had something happened to the structural integrity of the stud.
Clue # 2: The hardwood floor in this area had substantial gaps. The adjacent hose bid pipe had problems in the past as the drywall had been removed in the garage. I don’t think this is the problem as most of the damage appears to be 2′ away from the plumbing pipe.
Clue # 3: I took a moisture reading of the area by the outlet. The reading was 40%. A reading 5′ away on the same wall was 13%.
Clue # 4: An infrared image was taken of the wall. The area by the outlet was reading colder. Wet insulation will produce a different reading than dry insulation
Darker areas indicate potential moisture inside wall
Clue # 5: While inspecting the adjacent garage, I found moisture ants on top of the foundation wall adjacent to the wet area inside the house
Moisture Ants
Clue # 6: The crawl space inspection revealed moisture ants and repairs made to the mudsill, rim joist, and a scabbed on joist beneath the wet area of the house. This problem was known to the Seller as an attempt to repair damage was done in the past
Floor joist, rim joist, and mudsill repair
Clue # 7: The siding by this area was very soft; I could have pushed my hand through it if I tried. The concrete foundation wall had discoloration and pitting from the constant moisture
Pitted Foundation wall
Clue # 8: The source; a very poor design which is conducive to failure. My best guess at this time is that the moisture problem is from a valley in the roof that dives into the corner approximately 2′ horizontally from the wet spot in the house.
Probable location of moisture intrusion
As a part of my Home Inspection report, I recommended that the drywall be removed in this area until (1) full stud bay in each direction is dry without any evidence of moisture. The damaged areas should reveal and verify the location of moisture intrusion. It is most likely this repair will involve replacement of structural components.
The gas piping added in the crawlspace of this 20 year old home is supported by a piece of scrap wood.
I’m sure the gas line was installed without a permit by either the homeowner or an unqualified contractor.
Handyman gas line support
In my Home Inspection report, I recommended proper pipe support to the joists or beams above
As a part of my Home Inspection, I verify that each heat register is producing a reasonable amount of heat for the space.
This image is of a typical bedroom heat register
Typical infrared image of floor register
When inspecting the adjacent bathroom, this image verified no heat flow
No heat to bathroom register
It could be a blocked or pinched heat run or maybe the builder installed the register boot and never connected to the duct-work.
The most likely cause was confirmed in the crawlspace. The flex-duct from the trunk line had separated from the connection for the wall stack.
The prior occupant was paying to heat their crawlspace.
Wall stack with no flex duct connected
Flex duct disconnected from wall stack
The repair for this problem was simple; a few sheet metal screws and duct tape