Fort Worth Home Inspections | Builder's Warranty Inspections | Home Energy Audit inspections | House Exam Inspection & Consulting » Surprising Inspection Discoveries

Fort Worth Home Inspector Finds Gas Leak At Builders Warranty Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:45:13 +0000

Our home inspector discovered a gas leak at a tankless water heater during this Irving home inspection a little while back. He was performing a Builder’s Warranty Inspection for the clients.

These owners were fortunate that the unit was mounted and installed at an exterior metal cabinet. It’s not uncommon to see these newer units installed inside a metal cabinet inserted into a niche in the exterior wall. But a gas leak is uncommon, and as always, it is best taken care of immediately so as to pose the least amount of hazard to the occupants.

Gas fittings are usually pretty safe and, when tightened to the correct pressures, will not leak. This one had not been properly tightened and was leaking just enough for our detector to register the leak.

There is another problem we are finding frequently with these niche cabinets and covers. The cabinets seem to be considered universal, since we find several brands of tankless units installed inside them. The problem is, however, that the mounting slots are at slightly different locations on different brands. So, when some units are mounted inside, the gas flue discharge port is off center, and the cover will not fit back on properly. If you notice in the photo, the cover has been bent with pliers or some other tool to make the cover fit.

The result? We’ve seen the covers lying on the ground before, where they just fell off because they were not secured properly. Others were on so tightly they had to pried off. We think this is pretty sloppy, and we don’t think the manufacturers would appreciate the treatment. In fact: they might void the warranty on the water heater!!

More and more new construction home owners in the Metroplex are deciding to have a property inspection performed on their homes before the builder’s one-year warranty expires. We happen to think that is a good idea, and we stand ready to help. But, whether you use House Exam or another company, you should protect your investment by making the builder repair what he is responsible to do correctly to begin with.

Leave your comments or questions below. We are open for questions, and we’d be glad to hear from you.

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Aluminum Wiring Problems Revealed at Home Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:59:43 +0000

We found Aluminum wiring attached to switches and outlets that were approved for Copper wire only at this home inspection in the Grand Prairie area. Watch the video below while our inspector explains the procedure for inspecting a house with aluminum wiring at the electrical outlets and switches.

And let us work for you. We specialize in providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision about the house you are buying.

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Home Inspection Client Asked, “Do You Inspect In the Rain?”

FtWorthInspector — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:33:07 +0000

People sometimes ask if we inspect in bad weather. When I answer, I tell them stories. Here are two.
It was one of those rare days last summer when it not only rained – it poured. I was doing a final phase inspection on a newly constructed home. During the inspection the bottom fell out and it rained so hard that the clients and I were stuck in the house. Water was running down the street from curb to curb, like a river. We were talking as I inspected about how badly we needed rain, not just a “gully-washer.”
As we walked into the garage, I noticed two puddles of water. The puddles were on opposite sides of the garage. Each puddle was gathering at the floor, running from behind the sheetrock walls.
Upon entering the attic I found two distinct spots on the bottom side of the roof decking where the rain was coming in, dripping onto the sheetrock below, and running to the walls and below.
The moral of this story is, I would never have located those roof leaks on a dry day, and the home buyers wouldn’t have found them until they were home owners.
Recently, I was inspecting early in the morning after a hard over night rain. What made me think of this article was what I saw outside the home that morning. There was a 10-12 foot wide pool of water standing at the foundation on one side of the house. All along that side of the house, the water was puddling, and not running anywhere. My thought that morning was that the ground actually looked like it would drain pretty well, down the side of the house and off the property. The moral of this story is the same: Though we always check for grading and drainage problems, I would not have suspected that water would stand along the side of that house, unless I had been there after a hard rain.
We inspect in bad weather. We do so, because the inspection schedule doesn’t allow for a whole lot of juggling, but also because we know that when you buy that house, you will be living there in good weather and in bad. And you deserve to know our best opinion. So, give us a call and let us put our hard work to work for you.

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Fort Worth Inspector Found “Shocking” Problems At This Arlington Home Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:29:55 +0000

Our inspector was “shocked” to find at least three electrical surprises at this home inspection in west Arlington. First, there was a lone wire inside the electrical panel, which should have had no power present, that tested hot for power being present. There was a wire nut protecting the metal parts from contacting the wire, so it was relatively safe. It was unusual, but as we tell clients, no one should be inside the panel unless you have a license and know what you are doing.

As the home inspector continued, he found two more live wires inside the attic. These were not so well protected. In fact, if someone were not careful at the top of the attic ladder, there was a chance that one of those wires could have been accidentally touched, and a shock or electrocution would have occurred.

While we don’t like to see these dangerous conditions in any home, we are glad when we find them, so that folks can be informed, repairs can be made, and the homes can be returned to a safe condition before someone gets hurt. We consider it part of our job to pay attention to how safe the home appears to be. We think it is what our clients want.

Another part of the equation is for us to notify parties on both sides of the transaction of any unsafe or unhealthy condition. Whether our client buys the home or not, the Seller often is still living in the home, and their family should be safe in the home as well. So we inform the Seller’s agent when we find an unsafe or unhealthy condition. If the Seller is there, we inform them directly, and none of them has ever complained about our honesty and alertness.

All licensed home inspectors should be on the look out for such hazards as these. It is what the public needs. It is what our clients and home owners deserve from us. At House Exam Inspection, scores of our clients rave about the way we deliver our information regarding the safety conditions in the homes we inspect. They say that the calm and clear way we explained these conditions was helpful in keeping them focused on the purchase decision rather than some repairable problem. We simply explained that a licensed electrician could assess the condition and provide repairs as needed. Many of these clients went ahead to purchase these homes with confidence.

Every home needs some repairs, some more serious and perhaps more costly than others. But, if we do our job properly, folks can make a calm and rational decision, based on facts and information, rather than emotions. It’s what we would want if we were buying a house.

Give us a call for you inspection needs (817) 797-2461

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Wind Damaged Roofs Throughout Metroplex – Schedule a Roof Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:08:44 +0000

This week’s surprising inspection discoveries were not spotted during an official home inspection. These photos of roof damage were taken in neighborhoods where we were inspecting last week. These are shingles which have been damaged by high winds. And there are storm damaged roofs all over the Metroplex.

It’s not unusual, either. All it takes is a high fastener raising a shingle tab up so the wind can get under it. Maybe the roof was installed on a cold or damp day, and the shingle tabs never stuck like they were supposed to.

So, here’s the question, “When was the last time you looked at your roof surface?”

Storm Damage Happens Around Here
Thunderstorms happen in various parts of the Metroplex on a fairly regular basis. Granted, we just passed through a pretty dry summer, but do you know if your roof suffered any damage when those rare storms came through? Do you have roof damage that you haven’t seen? Wind-damage to shingles doesn’t require a bad storm, either. Shingles can be easily damaged if they were not installed properly.

Storms aren’t the only thing that can cause damage. Shingles can be easily damaged in high winds if they were installed incorrectly. Or other damage can occur while a roof is being replaced. See the post in this section “Hazards Caused By New Roof Installation” about damage we found on an inspection, which had been caused by careless roofers.

From now until December 15, 2011, House Exam Inspection offers a stand-alone Roof Inspection. We’ll come and examine your roof for $99.00. That’s $30 off our regular price. We’ll let you know exactly what the damage is, where it is and how to present a claim to your insurance company along with our letter. No more wondering. No more guessing. You will have the factual information for your peace of mind.

So call to schedule a Roof Inspection, and get the Peace of Mind you are looking for.

Call (817) 797-2461

Fort Worth Home Inspector Finds Hazards Caused By A New Roof Installation

FtWorthInspector — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:45:15 +0000

At a recent home inspection in northeast Tarrant County, our inspector saw these safety hazards in the water heater closet. He knew right away what had happened. When new roof shingles were installed a few months earlier, the workers on the roof knocked the gas flue vent pipe loose, dislodging it from the top of the water heater inside the house. No one noticed it from inside the house, because the water heater was in a garage closet. The roofing crew saw enough of the vent pipe sticking out above the roof that they thought everything was OK. So no one suspected a problem.

Since this savvy home buyer decided to have a professional home inspection, however, our inspector saw several things wrong. Let’s count them.

First, the gas water heater has heated gas fumes coming out the top of the unit when the burner is fired up, and the water is heating. See the open draft hood at the top of the unit in the photo? That’s where the pipe was that ran all the way through the roof. With that pipe gone, there is nowhere for the heat to go but the drywall ceiling inside the closet – fire hazard!

Second, if the gas burner is not burning efficiently, there may be carbon monoxide byproducts hanging around in the air – health hazard.

Third, since the vent pipe at the roof is not fitting properly, water is coming down the pipe when it rains, wetting the drywall inside the closet. In this photo, you can see that the ceiling has been wet. Look a little lower on the wall and you can see that it has been wet there, too. If a moist, dark, unvented area stays that way for long, it will create a perfect condition for mold – health hazard.

Our client, the home buyer, was very pleased that we found these deficiencies while he was still in his option period, because he and his real estate agent can ask the home seller to make the necessary repairs before they proceed with the purchase. We have found such problems, worth thousands of dollars for our previous clients.

In our seven years in the inspection business, we have learned that it is a good idea after a new roof is installed to have an experienced home inspector come around and look things over. In fact, a professional inspector can help you make sure that any home repairs are done properly and safely. If you have questions about home repairs, call us, or post a reply below, and we’ll be glad to respond. At House Exam Inspection and Consulting, we’d like to be your home inspection and maintenance consultants for life.

This Type of Duct Wastes Energy AND Money

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:15:38 +0000

Our Fort Worth inspector found “grayflex”-type insulated flex duct in this 1980s Arlington home recently. The early versions of insulated flex duct were marketed too soon, because the defects didn’t show up until hundreds of thousands of feet of it were installed in attics all over the country. As you can see from the video, with attic heat and exposure to minimal amounts of UV light, it begins to shred and then fall apart.

We find it often in early 1980s homes, and we recommend our Clients consult a heating and cooling specialist, BEFORE THEY DECIDE. Take a look and see how energy-efficient you think a house would be with this installed.

Foreclosure Inspection Reveals Dangerous Fireplace Hazard

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:22:25 +0000

Our Fort Worth home inspector found this extremely dangerous condition in a Grand Prairie, TX home inspection. This was a foreclosure inspection, where obvious remodeling had been started before the owner lost the home. What our inspector found in the fireplace and chimney surprised even him. Watch, and be sure to LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

Roof Damage Discovered During Recent Home Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:25:39 +0000

A recent home inspection uncovered significant roof damage in the back of this attic. This estimate for repair was over $700 over the whole roof. If your inspector is not going the extra mile to find damage, you could be paying extra money later. See for yourself, and LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

Fort Worth Inspector Makes A New Little Furry Friend

FtWorthInspector — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:41:10 +0000

A nap interrupted

It was a rather cold morning last week. Kind of morning that most of us look for a little warmth. Rocky was no different. He was curled up in a not so little round furry ball in the attic of this home in west Fort Worth.

Not wanting to disturb his nap — for more reasons than one — I was glad he gave me a photo opp. fortunately the owners called a local critter rescue and relocation company.

Do I really get paid enough to do this job?

Leave a Comment below. Tell us your critter stories.