Notes From The Field
06.28.2007 | ELECTRICAL
OVERSPRAY IN ELECTRICAL PANEL
I have never run across overspray in a main service panel, but I find overspray in feeder panels (sub panels) quite often. I never really understood why painters would be so lazy as to just spray the entire sub panel, but maybe they teach it as a shortcut in painters school? Really, how hard could it be to tape and mask off the panel? Obviously not as easy as caulking and painting the dead front cover on, because I find that more often. So what is the big deal with paint or texture overspray? Read more...
06.20.2007 | ENVIRONMENTAL
GREEN BUILDING FOR HOME INSPECTORS
With the all the talk and news coverage about global warming lately, doesn't it make sense for home inspectors to take the lead with home buyers regarding energy consumption? If all homes used less energy, the US would produce less green house gases. Besides driving automobiles with better gas mileage and lower emissions, the biggest step one can take to reduce energy use and green house gases is by living in an energy efficient home. In the past, states have been spending all their money by making new homes more energy efficient. However, new homes only account for about 15% of all home sales. What about the other 85%? Read more...
06.18.2007 | ELECTRICAL
BREAKER INSPECTION SHORTCUTS
Do you have problems trying to differentiate between #14 and #12 copper wire when inspecting the wire size for 15 and 20 amp breakers? I found a little trick that you can use, especially on new service panels. For my time saving tip to work, the electrician had to have installed the 20 amp breakers in a row above or below a row of 15 amp breakers. In most newer service panels electricians tend to separate the different breaker sizes and install all the same sized breakers all in one group. Read more...
06.15.2007 | PLUMBING
CAST IRON DRAIN LINES
Cast iron drain lines were commonly installed in houses until the 1940's and World War II. The WW II US war effort required all available iron and during the war, we switched to Orangeburg. (If you do encounter Orangeburg, it wasn't designed to last long and probably needs to be replaced if it hasn't already.) After the war was over, plumbers began installing cast iron again, and it was used until the 1970's, though we usually see ABS in 1960's and 70's houses. Read more...
06.12.2007 | HOME INSPECTOR ASSOCIATIONS
STANDARDS OF PRACTICE & CODE OF ETHICS
I hope that all of you belong to at least one or more home inspector associations. Even if your state has licensing, belonging to a professional association that works hard to promote and forward our profession is important. There is no better way to meet other inspectors, learn new tricks, and advance your education. i-Course strongly recommends attending your local association's monthly meetings. The largest home inspection associations are ASHI, CREIA, NACHI, and NAHI. i-Course currently offers continuing education courses covering the Standards of Practice & Code of Ethics for ASHI, NACHI, and NAHI. As a member of your association you are probably aware of what is covered in these, but when was the last time you sat down and read them? Read more...
06.13.2007 | PLUMBING
Watts 210
All water heaters are required to have a Temperature and Pressure Relief valve (TPR) with a properly installed drain line. Any junior home inspector knows all about this requirement! Somehow licensed plumbers don't get the concept sometimes. That still amazes me! Temperature and pressure relief valves are very important safety features for all water heaters. Think of a water heater as a giant grenade. Water stores energy and as the pressure rises, the boiling point of the water rises. If these rise too much, the tank can explode. Exploding tanks are known to have shot in the air hundreds of feet, and rock houses of their foundations. What do you do when it isn't practical to install a TPR because of the water heater location? This happens in old houses where water heaters are installed in inside utility closets, during remodels, and when no forethought was used. Luckily there is an alternative to this. It is called the Watts 210 valve. Read more...