Take a close look at this photo. Notice where the load point is from this valley rafter. It rests on two 2x4's horizontally laid flat spanning over two ceiling joists. During a heavy snow storm, the weight of this valley area of the roof rests on these two 2x4's! This was found on a high-end
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11/30/2010
This roof had a whole bunch of surface cracks in the shingles throughout. Some of the cracks had developed all the way through the shingle and a few had the tabs blown off. I see this quite frequently. One of the possible causes is inadequate attic ventilation. During the hot summer months, t
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11/29/2010
The basement in this high-end custom built home was finished by a professional. Unfortunately, that professional didn't know how to install drywall around the main panel so when you put the panel cover on, it sat flush with the breakers. Anybody can reach right in beside these breakers and touc
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11/24/2010
Air conditioners and heat pumps need to be able to expel heat during the cooling season. When vegatation or other obstacles block the air movement around the fins, it makes them work much harder. This can cause your cooling system to wear out faster and your utility bills to run higher. Keep th
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11/20/2010
Hardboard siding is basically sawdust and glue which if kept sealed properly should last a long time. The problem is most homeowners don't keep up on their paint and caulk as much as they should. Cracks form in the caulk, the Builder's painter misses some bottom edges, the sprinkler system has
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11/19/2010
Rather than list the obvious benefits of a pre-inspection, I'm going to share real pre-inspections and their outcomes. I've had 2 inspections in the last week where the Sellers were on top of their game. They hired me up front to look over their home to alert them to any major issues that might
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11/17/2010
The 2 photos below are of a water heater flue pipe that is oversized. As a result, the flue gases aren't drafting properly up and out to the atmosphere. They are cooling off before they make it to the top, churning, and causing the B-vent to corrode. This could also lead to backdrafting of car
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11/15/2010
Buyers: please read this before you hire your home inspector. Agents: please research the home inspectors before you refer them. ASHI Code of Ethics 1 & 1C 1. states: “Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise, or appear to compromise, professional independence,
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11/04/2010
This is one of the more extreme shifted clay-tile lined chimneys I've ran across. Usually on older homes from the 1940's-1960's, they'll have a clay-tile liner. Most often, the mortar joints have deteriorated out allowing the flue gases a secondary avenue to flow. Shifted liners and cracked li
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11/02/2010
Expansion joints serve an important function on concrete flatwork. On this Wahoo, NE driveway, the expansion joints were missing around the brick veneer at the garage. When the street expands and contracts, the driveway needs a place to take that absorption. If it can't, something will give.
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11/01/2010
