Home Inspection Services

Need A Light? Kick The Habit

2010-01-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

The next time you need a light call an electrician. Take a look at this picture.

Here is a make shift light set up in a garage work shop.

As you can see in the picture, the light socket is screwed to the bottom of a wood shelf. Not a smart move.

Kick the habit this year, do things right...

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Carbon Monoxide Warning

2010-01-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

On A recent home inspection in the city of Ontario Ca. I found this wall heater with obvious signs of carbon on the vent grill. This goes beyond the average dust one might find on a heater grill. This is caused by high levels of carbon monoxide.

At David Home Inspection we use a TIF 8500A Carbon Monoxide tester to locate and measure the leak.

This wall heater had a high reading of 178ppm and a low reading of 84ppm. These are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Known as the silent killer CO2 can kill while your sleeping. It is an orderless and colorless gas. At lower levels it causes headaches and flushing in the face. Rosy red cheeks in small children. At high levels like this it can be fatal.This heater will require a full services by a licensed HVAC contractor.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Tub Water Damage

2009-11-29T09:36:00.000-08:00

Caulk Your Tub, Look At This Damage

Los Angeles Home Inspector warns. Water damage is more about what you can't see. Take a look at these pictures. Here is a picture of a common tub one would find at any home inspection. There were signs that a shower door had been removed at some point. What is hard to see is that the tub was not level. A good home inspector will check if the tub is installed correctly. Your inspector should also stand in the tub to insure the floor below is not soft or spongy.

We did and here is what we found. The wood subfloor below the tub area is where the deferred maintenance has taken it's toll. We found severe damage to the floor boards and floor joist. This is a costy repair. The tub and tile will need to be removed in order to make the needed repairs. However our client had planed a complete bath remodel. The floor repair will add to the budget.

Below more visiable water damage to the subfloor

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection Nightmares.

2009-11-29T09:35:00.002-08:00

Garbage Disposal Wiring Gone Wrong

Home inspection Nightmares. Here we have a common household garbage disposal. Take a look at these pictures. As a home inspector in Southern California we have seen it all. There are a lot of was to install a garbage disposal correctly.

It always surprises me just how creative people can be when it comes to doing it wrong.

This one is missing the cord connector and ground. Along with it access cover.

Here we have the cord cut and spliced together under the sink.

Here the cord goes into the wall and up to the switch.

Well they did use spray foam to fill the hole in the wall.

We will make the recommendation that the garbage disposal be installed and wired by a Professional.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Bath Vent In The Kitchen?

2009-11-29T09:35:00.001-08:00

Bathroom Vent In The Kitchen? Are you Kidding Me?

This is a picture from a home inspection we did Wednesday. A bathroom ventilator was use over the to of the cook-top. As you can see from the pictures the grill is covered with grease. The bath vent is not designed for use over a cook-top. It dose not have a means of filtering the grease nor does it have the ability to move the amount of air needed to appropriately vent the heat and grease from the kitchen.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Inspecting Hot Water Heaters

2009-11-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

The Old Girl Aint What She Use To Be. Water Heater Gone Bad!

This old hot water heater has given her last hot shower. Here are two pictures from a home inspection I did yesterday. Take a look at this tank. She was installed back in 1987 it was a 9 year tank. I would say they more than got their moneys worth of of the old girl.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, Electrical

2009-11-23T09:49:00.001-08:00

Electrical, Wires And Nuts" Los Angeles Home Inspection Blog.

You have got to be NUTS to do this kind of wiring in a home where your kids sleep at night. Take a look at these two pictures from a home inspection I did in Lakewood. Here someone installed two lights in the garage. To get to the power they cut into some accessible Romex and wire nutted it together. The owner had his two small children sleeping in a bedroom next to the garage. Also note the outlet missing it's cover in the same picture.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspector News

2009-11-23T09:46:00.001-08:00

Building A New Home. Hiring A Independent Home Inspector Could Save You Thousands.

Inspecting a home in the rough in phase is a tough job but one that we are use to at David Home Inspection Services. Take a look at these pictures. Here is a home my client is having built in the Rancho Cucamonga area in Southern California. On this phase of the inspection we are checked all the homes systems. The plumbing, electrical, HVAC along with rough framing and windows.

Here we are inspecting the tubs, showers for leaks.

Below is a picture taken of the tub located on the second floor of the home. The picture shows a leak at the wast and overflow. A leak of this nature can cause water damage and mold. The plumber was on site and was able to make the repairs. So even if the home your buying is brand new, a independent home inspection can often find building defects that can save you thousands. We found other defects on this phase of the inspection, all were corrected right away by the builder.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, Tub Safety Issue

2009-11-23T09:44:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles Home Inspection Turns Up Bath Dangers!

On a home inspection today we found this bath tub with glass window surrounding it. After a close inspection only one of the windows had safety glass. It was the picture window above the tub valve. One slip and it could be a deadly one. 80% of slip and falls in the home happen in the bath. We called it out as a safety issue to be aware of. Also the total lack of privacy glass in this bath. Check out the house in the back ground it looks like two eyes looking into the bath. CREEPY

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection Pex Plumbing Pipe

2009-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles Home Inspection. PEX PIPE It's Not Plumbing. It's PEXING!

Well it's here to stay PEX pipe for residential construction. love it or not, it has impacted the construction industry in a big way. But is everyone out there trained on proper installation? We found several installation errors in this home we inspected for the buyer today. The days when "plumb"ing meant something is gone. Now anyone can run the spaghetti any way they want to.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, New Doors

2009-11-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Aluminum Thresh-hold Over Concrete Slab

Here we have a aluminum threshold over concrete slab. In most cases the thresh-hold would corrode in only a matter of a few years. With this installation a black plastic barrier was use to prevent corrosion.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, New Homes

2009-11-23T09:38:00.001-08:00

Check The Blue Prints When You Inspect Newly Built Homes..

As a home inspector you will need to be able to identify the location of structural supports and straps. Here we have a Simpson tie holding a support beam in place. It is imperative that the blue prints be used as a reference to check nailing guides and schedules set forth by the engineers. If you miss a strap or hanger it could come back to haunt you...

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, Garage Fire Danger

2009-11-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

Home Inspection Turns Up Garage Carbon Monoxide and Fire Danger

Home Inspection Turns Up Garage Carbon Monoxide and Fire Danger. Take a look at this picture. I inspected a home that was 3 years old yesterday. In the garage a section of drywall was removed from the wall nearest the cieling. On closer inspection it was observed that a section of the sheer wall was also removed. Trying to figure out why, I was ably to find a Romex wire run from a junction box in the wall cavity run to a ceiling fan in the bedroom. The box was ungrounded and the fan box was not properly supported. This 3' x 3' hole would allow harmful carbon monoxide gas to enter the living areas and provide a path for possible fires to rush up into the attic. Easy fix just replace plywood, drywall and fire-tape. Safety before comfort!

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection Electrical Panel

2009-11-23T09:34:00.000-08:00

Home Inspection. Wow! What Is That Going To Cost To Fix?

Los Angeles Home Inspector Blog. Wow! What Is That Going To Cost To Fix? Los Angeles home inspection turns up a costly upgrade. Take a look at these pictures. Here we have a meter socket and panel. The electrical panel was installed in 1949. It was MFG by Zensco. It is a 120 /240 volt system rated for 60 AMPS wired for 50 AMPS.This is a common find in the older homes in Los Angeles Ca. This home has had some new circuits installed over the years. As well as a swamp cooler and garbage disposal. The panel was never designed to carry such loads but the previous old just kept adding circuits. and when the breakers would trip they just put in a bigger breaker.

Bellow you can see that the panel is full of wires and even a few thin breakers to allow for extra room.

Here is where you get the picture of what the danger really is. This panel will need a 100 amp minimum upgrade to carry all the connected load in the home.

And yes that is a 14 AWG wire connected to a 20 Amp breaker.

Upgrading this panel will run in the area of $2,000 on the low end to $3,500 on the high end.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection Garbage Disposal

2009-11-23T09:32:00.001-08:00

Inspectors Blog. Look At What I Just Found.

Here we have a garbage disposal with everything wrong. The garbage disposal was working at time of inspection. The unit is a Badger 1 MFG INSINKERATOR.

What A Mess But Fixable

In this picture below you will see that the Badger disposal was wired with Romex. This type of wire in intended to be installed in walls where not it is not subject to physical damage. The wire enters the disposal without the proper wire connector. This will cause chafing and damage to the wire insulation.

Below we have the power supply to the switch for the disposal. Note the exposed wire and armored cable has pulled from the connector.

And last we have the switch it is located under the lip of the counter top. Locating the disposal switch at this level allow small children to operate the switch while someones hands are in the sink.

It is advised that garbage disposals be installed by a professional to prevent fire and safety dangers.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, Pipe Damage

2009-11-23T09:30:00.001-08:00

Home Inspection. What Would You Do If Your Pipes Failed While You Were Gone?

As a home inspector we find plumbing leaks on a regular bases. In the picture below we have a 3/4 galvanized pipe with a level of corrosion that shows signs of near failure. It's important to check your visible plumbing pipes for corrosion so you don't have to worry about leaks and failures.

So What Would You Do If Your Pipes Failed While You Were Gone?

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection, Block Wall Damage

2009-11-23T09:28:00.001-08:00

Home Inspection Blog. Up-Rooting Your Property Wall. (edit/delete)

Look at all the damage cause by the trees in the pictures below. As a home Inspector we find damaged caused by trees and tree roots all the time. I recommend not planting trees within 10 feet of a structure wall or foundation.

Planting trees too close to a property wall can be costly.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Home Inspection Hot Water Heater

2009-11-23T09:25:00.000-08:00

Home Inspection Blog. Hot Water Heater Inspection. Are You Kidding Me? (edit/delete)

One thing a great home inspector will do for their clients is test for carbon monoxide leaks at and around the hot water heater vent. Not all home inspectors provide this level of service. We at David Home Inspection do. We could point out the many things wrong with this water heater. But lets take a closer look at the venting or lack there of..

This is how I found it. You got to be kidding me right? Astounding no one has died in this home. The hot water heater is located in a closet off the kitchen. Take a look at the vent, it's not even attached to the top of the hot water heater. Also note the heavy use of JB liquid weld around the hot and cold water lines. The one thing that I noticed was the copper lines look to be only a year or two old. Not sure why the heater was not replaced then. It was installed in 1994 and was a 5 year tank.

Way to go JB liquid weld, for holding it together.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

2009-09-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

As a home inspector in the Southern California housing market for the past 11+ years I have see trends come and go. One trend I am not to keen on is the self venting range hood. As it goes a vent hood is use to remove heated air from the cooking area and to prevent grease an odor's from depositing on kitchen surfaces. With a self venting hood the heated air is not removed but forced back into the kitchen. We have all seen grease filters clogged and in need of replacement. The filters in the average kitchen can become clogged in three to six months. On one hand some self venting hoods are built specifically for this purpose and do a far job at removing grease and odors from the air but not heat. Kitchens that have been remodeled is were we find the cheep self venting range hoods the most. Just plan laziness on the part of the contractor in my opinion. The hoods are the ones that one would find at the local Home And Garden stores. Theses hoods when installed according to the manufactures recommendation should be duct to the outside air using a 4x10 duct or 6-8" round duct. The size of the duct will be determined by CFM and distance to the outside air. One should not settle for this type of installation it's just another short cut. Get it ducted!

HomeInspectionServices.org

10 Reasons Buyers Walk.

2009-08-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

Expert describes top ten reasons home buyers walk away.

As a person who has been involved intimately with the housing market for 11 years as a Master home inspector in the competitive southern California market. I have seen many things that would scare the average person out of a real estate transaction. Keep in mind that money can fix just about anything. It’s important to know your budget

I am going to list the top ten reasons that cause people to WALK AWAY.

Foundation cracks that are beyond normal. Small hair line cracks are considered normal and are caused by the shrinking and settlement of the concrete itself. Larger cracks are sometimes caused by large tree roots or poor compaction of the surrounding soil. Even poor soil conditions can cause foundation failure.
Mold. At times mold will come up on the report. Mold In large amounts can be caused by long term roof leaks, plumbing and irrigation damage. The health effects attributed to mold exposure may be Respiratory failure/asthma, Flu symptoms/headaches; Nose bleeds/bleeding lungs, Dizziness, Learning disabilities. The more serious health effects attributed to mold are more commonly found in people who already have compromised systems. Most people are not noticeably affected by small levels of mold.
Asbestos. Any home built before 1978 will contain asbestos of some type, unless it’s been removed. In older homes where the new owner wants to renovate the entire home, it is best to know where the asbestos laden products are and call a professional to remove them. This can impact the renovation budget heavily.
Lead. For young families with small children a home with lead paint can be a big issue. Many times I find paint peeling or flaking off. Small bits of paint can then be ingested by children. The lead paint removal process is a timely and costly.
Roofing system replacement. The roof system is one of the most important parts of the house. Replacing a roof can cost thousands and in some case even over ten thousand. Wood damage under the roof will cause the replacement price to escalate quickly.
Wood destroying insects and organisms. Subterranean termites are the most common termite in the United States. A mature colony has from 80K to 400K workers. The average colony can consume a one foot length of 2x4 in 118 days. The Powder post beetle. The most common evidence of a powder post beetle infestation is a talcum powder-like substance known as frass. This frass falls from exit holes made by the beetles. The Carpenter bee. The carpenter bee will bore into the wood six to ten inches and nest in weathered or unpainted wood. They lay their eggs in the nest and seal them with a chewed wood pulp plug. The bees then emerge from the hole in the spring. The carpenter ant. This ant hollows out wood to create nests called galleries. Though they do not eat the wood, the boring activity can lead to structural damage in wood components. The by-product of the boring is called frass and looks similar to sawdust or pencil shavings. Frass is the most common evidence of carpenter ants infestation. Wood-Decay Fungi. White rot leaves wood with a bleached appearance and a spongy and stringy texture. Brown rot leaves wood with a dark brown, checkered appearance and a brittle texture. Note: wood that exhibits brown rot has lost its structural integrity and is easily crumbled. Water-conducing fungus or "dry rot" produces decay similar to brown rot, but may vary in color. Fungus (fungi, plural) is a plant that lacks chlorophyll. Unable to synthesize their own food, they feed off of cells in the wood. The fungi secrete enzymes that break down to wood (into usable food) and can significantly reduce the strength of the wood. Long term infestation by any of these WDI can lead to the loss of structural integrity.
Household pests. This includes a variety of crawling insects, arachnids and rodents that enter the home to feed, nest or breed. Rats and mice are the most common finds in Southern California homes. This is especially true in homes that have a variety of fruit trees and date palms. Rodents can cause thousands of dollars in damage to the homes systems and equipment. They can eat the insulation off electrical and control wires. They can nest and destroy HVAC ducts as well. Rat and mice can nest in the wall and ceiling cavities. The damage may not always be seen. A lot of time the wires and insulation damage will be concealed in the walls.
Missing or damaged systems and equipment, such as plumbing, electrical and heating and air condition equipment. Many homes are being sold as is. Many are Bank Owned. When homes are left unattended they are subject to thieves removing HVAC equipment appliances, copper wire and plumbing. Damage to masonry fireplace or chimney from earth quakes or differed maintenance can be costly repairs.
Signs of past fire damage. Even after repairs have been made many people can’t get past the feeling of bad luck that come with a home that’s been involved in a house fire.
Death or Murder in Home. We saved the worst for last. Everyone has seen Amityville Horros. I have never met anyone who went thru with the purchase of a home after this kind of disclosure.

David Salvato

Founder of www.HomeInspectionServices.org

Owner of David Home Inspection Services

Expert Author for Enzine Articles

"O" Natural Pool

2009-08-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

Though fairly common in Europe, "O"natural swimming pools are in their infancy in the United States. Ask most American swimming-pool contractors to build a backyard pool and chances are they'll roll out a long list of goods, including rebar, gunite, fiberglass, chlorine and an energy-sapping filtration system. But in recent years, a few builders and a growing number of homeowners have learned how to build pools without relying on a mass of manufactured materials and chemical additives. They've found it's possible to construct pools that are more about building with nature and blending into the natural landscape. Natural swimming pools use gravel stone and clay in place of concrete or fiberglass, and aquatic plants instead of harmful chemicals and complicated mechanical filtering systems. The plants enrich the pool with oxygen, support beneficial bacteria that consume debris and potentially harmful organisms, and give habitat to frogs, dragonflies and other water life. The result is a beautiful, ecologically diverse system that is relatively inexpensive to construct. (A natural pool can he constructed for as little as $2,000 if you do it yourself, while conventional pools can cost tens of thousands of dollars.) Natural swimming pools require no harmful chemIcals, are fairly low-tech, and once established call for only a modicum of management. You won't have to drain the pool each autumn. Except for topping it off now and then, you'll fill the pool only once.
The cheapest and most ecologically sound way to build a swimming pool is simply to hollow a hole in the ground. You can make your pool as shallow or as deep as you want, but the key is to make sure the sides slope: Otherwise the soil will cave in. The ratio should be a 1-foot vertical drop for every 3 horizontal feet. "It's not a bathtub effect, but more like a soup bowl,"One of the main reasons traditional swimming pools are constructed with a steel framework is to ensure the walls stay vertical and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the pool. Construct a pool with sloping sides and you'll eliminate the need for any steel reinforcement.
Reserving at least 50 percent of your pool's surface area for shallow plants, either at one end or in a ring around the sides, eliminates the need for chlorine and expensive filters and pumps. You'll want to separate the swimming area of your pool and the filtration area, or plant zone (see the illustration). A rim within an inch of the water's surface keeps plants in their place but allows water from the swimming area to move to the plant zone for filtering, As water passes through the fibrous root structure of the plants, bacteria concentrated on the plants' roots act as a biological filter, removing contaminants and excess nutrients in the water. Decomposer organisms, also found in the plants' root zones, consume the bacteria, effectively eliminating underwater waste buildup.

The water needs to circulate continuously for the plants' roots to cleanse the pool. You also may need to aerate the water so the water organisms' oxygen needs are met. (Without adequate oxygen, your pool could become stagnant, harboring odoriferous anaerobic bacteria.)

Water can be channeled from your pump into your plant zone through the use of PVC tubes. In any climate, bury the tubing in the soil about 18 inches deep. Underwater aeration, which uses less energy than constructed waterfalls and circulates water more effectively, involves diffusing air at the pool's bottom. You can build your own aerator, using an air compressor (1/4-horsepower for a pool smaller than an acre) and high-strength tubing that connects to a diffuser. The diffuser (see "Equipment Sources"), which bubbles air through the water, rests in the deepest part of the pool, where swimmers are not likely to damage it. Connect a brass manifold to the compressor to regulate the air pumped into the pool. I suggests aerating the pool four to eight hours a day: in the morning, when oxygen demand is greatest, and again in the evening. Place your aerator, pump and skimmer in a plastic container, such as a bucket or large plant container, and put a steel-mesh filter mat over the top, to keep debris out of your equipment. Expect to pay $1,000 to $1,200 for a quality underwater aeration system.

Some folks use skimmers hooked up to an additional small pump, to suck off floating undesirables. While these devices are not essential, you might want to consider purchasing one if leaves or seeds from nearby trees and shrubs are likely to litter your pool. The skimmer removes detritus that would otherwise sink and contribute to algae growth.

Installing pumps and compressors can be a tricky business because you're running electrical devices near or in water, You'll want to connect electrical hardware to your home power supply through a buried conduit. Do not run your power through an extension cord. Hire a skilled electrician who will ensure the safety of the system.

Dig you hole and line it with bentonite. Bentonite works as a glue, bonding with the soil particles and preventing pool water from seeping into the ground. Some soils may contain enough clay that simply compacting the pond bottom will enable it to hold water. Talk to local pond builders to find out for sure. But beware: Bentonite doesn't bond well with sandy soil. Particularly sandy soil can require up to 12 pounds of bentonite per square foot, as opposed to 6 pounds in clay-rich soil. Bentonite also can be troublesome when the surrounding soil is very dry. In arid climates, Zingaro recommends bentonite be applied beneath a plastic liner that is woven or textured on the bottom. This liner keeps the bentonite from shifting. In more humid climates, bentonite can be applied directly to the soil. Before treating your pool with bentonite or any other clay powder, thoroughly compact the soil. You can do this with a lawn roller or a plate compactor. Then, while wearing a mask, spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of bentonite powder along the pool sides and bottom. Pack it down with a tractor or plate compactor. Then apply another foot of quality topsoil and compact again.

If you choose a liner, select one made of ethylene propylene diene monomer rather than PVC. EPDM is a synthetic rubber twice as expensive as PVC, but it's worth the extra cost. It has protection from ultraviolet rays, and unlike PVC remains flexible in cold weather. If your soil has a lot of rocks or roots, select a 45- or 60-millimeter liner. You can use a 30-millimeter liner if your soil is very sandy and smooth, and if you and your guests aren't likely to tear holes in a liner while frolicking in the pool. Before laying your liner, compact the sod and cover it with a layer of sand or an absorbent material such as old carpeting or newspaper. Newspaper is a good option: When wet, it bonds to the liner, providing extra protection if the liner develops a small hole.

After the bentonite clay or a liner is installed, cover the bottom of the pool with 4 to 5 inches of gravel. The gravel provides a habitat for beneficial bacteria, which help biodegrade leaves or other natural materials that sink to the bottom of your pool. Make sure you use clean gravel. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with a spigot with some of the gravel you intend to use. Open the spigot and run water through the gravel. If the water comes out dirty, you need to clean the gravel (a taxing, water-wasteful process) or find another source. Expanded shell aggregates and other manufactured gravels are likely to be clean enough to use in your natural pool. In addition to lining the pool with gravel, many people opt to build cobblestone steps for access into and out of the pool. A cantilevered dock built out over the water also provides an easy way to get in and out of the pool, and helps protect the pool's sides. Now fill with water and have a great summer.

Property Profile Info

2009-08-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

How to get information on a property?
As a home inspector I find myself many times looking for information on a property. We at times are hired to look into the property history. So I thought I would share a few of my techniques.

Property Search in Public Records. Every city has a place where the public can go to search for information on property. Property records are maintained at either the county courthouse, county recorder, city hall or another city or county department. Many public offices are staffed by knowledgeable personnel ready to help you find property deeds and encumbrances.

Once you find the owner of record, if you don't have an address or the person has moved, you can order reports online to find that missing person. These companies charge a fee. You can also search at your public library.

Many counties maintain records online. Search for property tax records, where you can find out:

Name of the owner
Tax ID number or parcel number
Amount of present taxes and whether the taxes are paid.

Dozens of other Web sites offer consumer information for free. Many Web sites let you search for property by area, and some give data on unlisted homes not for sale. Here are a few:

Title Company Property Search

Call a local title company and ask for customer service. Many title companies will give you a free property profile. Ask for copies of property deeds and mortgages.

Some title companies will also do a search for the seller's name to find out if there are judgments or liens filed against the seller. If the seller has a common name, however, this information may not be useful because you cannot always easily ascertain whether the public record name is your seller's name.

Due Diligence on and estate or property to insure no undue hardships await.

www.HomeInspectionServices.org

Inspection Repairs

2009-07-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

After a home inspection who should make the repairs.
When you receive your home inspection report you will find many things that will need to be fixed or repaired. Somethings will be small and other repairs will be large. In some cases a handyman will do. In other cases a contractor will need to be called in. It is important to ask the inspector his opinion on the matter. Most Home Inspectors will not reinspect the repairs on a home or property unless they were made by a qualified licensed contractor. Even then the best home inspectors will want to see invoices for the completed work. So when the seller of the home wants to fix a broken door knob or the chalking around a window it's pretty safe to say that would be OK... Plumbing, roofing, electrical, foundation, stucco and framing should be left to the professionals.

http://www.HomeInspectionServices.org

Will You Fix it?

2009-07-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

In the state of California your home inspector can not make any needed repairs on the home or property for a minimum of 12 months. If your home inspector offers to make any repairs, call someone else. Get a second opinion.

http://www.HomeInspectionServices.org

Island Sink Venting.

2009-07-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Venting kitchen sinks:
I find sinks that are not vented property all the time. When you talk to the home owner they will be the first to tell you that the sink gargles and gulps and drains fast then slow. Remember for water to leave your sink it needs to draw in air. If the vent is not installed correctly it will cause drainage issues. Island sinks are a special problem because there is no place for the drain vent. No one wants a vent pipe coming up through their granite counter-top. To solve this problem, make a loop vent in the island. Create the beginning of the drain and loop vent by test-fitting a drain trap, waste T, two 45º elbows, and a 90º elbow, linking them with 2" lengths of pipe. Measure the width of the loop between the center-points of the fittings. The top of the loop should be as high as possible under the sink. Both legs of the loop attach to a drainage line under the floor, but one leg has a vent tee installed immediately under the floor and above the drainage line. Attach your horizontal vent line to this tee and run it to the nearest vent. You need your horizontal vent pipe to rise 1/4 inch per foot from the vent tee to the vertical vent, and any horizontal drain pipe to fall 1/4 inch per foot. Consult your local plumbing code for specific municipal regulations.

www.homeinspectionservices.org

Sell Your Home Faster

2009-07-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

It's true, homes that have a basic home inspection during the listing process sell 40 times faster than ones that do not. You really don't need a full blown home inspection. All you need is a basic home inspection. A basic home inspection will consist of the roof, foundation, plumbing and electrical. This is not and exhaustive inspection but more of and overview of the systems and structure. Most home inspectors will perform this type of inspection for half the cost of a general home inspection, generally around $150. The value to the potential buyer is huge. They know that the big issues are out of the way. When you hold your open house you have added information to share with prospects. It adds a call to action value as well. When prospects know it's ready to be sold they tend to move on the buying emotions they feel when returning home. If the inspection turns up issues they can be repaired quickly and invoices can be provided showing the work has be completed by a qualified contractor. This adds more value. Most home repairs are made by off the cuff handy man service types and are not licensed. So set your home apart from the others get your basic home inspection and sell it quick.

Reasons to get a basic home inspection

Shorter time on market.
Peace of mind in the eyes of the buyer.
Peace of mind for the seller.
Confidence builder for the Realtor.
No big surprises at closing.
Home will sell for more with little to be done at closing.
Puts the home in a better selling position over other homes in the area.
Low investment big return. Only $150 in most cases.

Visit David Home Inspection Service
www.homeinspectionservices.org

Sewer scope.

2009-06-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sewer scope:
Still not a popular thing in the California housing market yet. We have done video sewer inspections for years. However it's not part of a general home inspection. Many plumbing contractors offer this services for a fee, from $200 -$400 depending on length of line and accessibility. But how important is it? Well when you consider that the average services call to clear a drain runs $50 to $100. Couple that with clogs on a monthly bases and it adds up quick. In California we have earthquakes. We have had many earthquakes. This alone would be reason enough to get the sewer line scoped. Another reason is tree roots. When a sewer line cracks it allows tree roots in infiltrate the line causing clogs and sewer backups. Other things that can cause a sewer line to become damaged would be heavy landscaping, over watering of the yard and city works of improvement in the street near the curb.

Here is a good testimonial on why you should have your sewer scoped.
Just as getting a home inspection is important for countless reasons so is a sewer line inspection. There are several companies in who only perform these inspections and not the repairs.
When we purchased our home in Corona California it was beautiful. It was only 5 year old. But shortly after moving in we started to have issues with the sewer backing up. Come to find out that the sewer line was damaged by heavy equipment used to build the pool in the back yard. Had I paid $225 to David Home Inspection "homeinspectionservices.org"for the sewer scope to begin with I would have saved the $4,635 in repairs, permits and landscape repairs. Scope before you close so you can go back to the negotiating table with all parties concerned.

Trisha M Trask
Dhi Client

www.homeinspectionservices.org

Fireplace and Chimney Detail

2009-06-20T09:06:00.001-07:00

Chimney Diagram
Ever wonder what your fireplace looks like? Here is a cut away view? Click to enlarge pictures.
As a home inspector you will need to identified and describe all of the components of the fireplace and chimney to your client. Customers have many questions as it pertains to the fireplace in the home. Remember only 47% of the people who buy a home with a fireplace have ever use one for themselves.
Home Buyers should make sure their home inspector checks the functionality of the damper assembly and overall cleanliness of the fire box and flu stack. Another big part of the inspection is the chimney cap and screen. Here inspectors find many deficiency. Cracks in mortar missing spark catchers, screens or undersized screens are common finds.
Some chimney inspections turn up major defects such as bricks that have deteriorated, missing mortar that causes bricks to come loose. Structural defects caused by settlement or earth movement. Cracked or damaged flu liners. At times a home inspector will find chimneys that have pulled away from the home completely. Another form of fire place is the combination wood and gas burning firebox. Similar to wood burning in the form of maintenance and cleaning. This type of system will have a gas log lighter add to help with lighting the fireplace. On the other hand many homes today are built with Gas only fireplaces. This is a big departure from the wood burning fireplace. Modern gas fireplaces are easy additions to most remodeling projects. Using only a fraction of the floor space need by a traditional masonry fireplace, their efficiency and heat output can rival a traditional furnace. 40,000 Btu units, for example, can heat a small home. Some units will come as a direct-vent or even vent-free models are available. If you need a inspection on your fireplace or chimney contact us.

David Home Inspection Service
www.homeinspectionservices.org

Prefabricated Fireplace Diagram.

17 Fixes To A Better Inspection

2009-06-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

At DHI we use a state of the art electronic home inspection program that allows us to group deficiencies by city and neighborhood. After 11 years and 4600 home inspections we are able to see trends in building defects and deficiencies. I wanted to give you the top 17 fixes to a better home inspection. Take a look around your home and make repairs as need. Remember you only get one chance at your first inspection. If you plan on listing your home for sale, this repair list the worth it's weight in gold.

Wood Rot damage due to deferred maintenance. (replace and paint as needed on wood trim)
Roof leaks caused by deferred maintenance. ( Seal roof penetrations and flashing's)
GFCI, AFCI missing safety devices. (Install GFCI outlet per NEC for safety)
Improper breaker size for circuit. (Call an Electrician to properly size and install breaker)
Improper grounding of main/sub electrical panel. (Call an Electrician to properly ground panel)
Water leaks at sink trap. (Replace or repair plastic "P" trap)
Water leak and corrosion at angel stops (Replace angle stops under sink)
Water supply line connection under sinks, toilets and washer. (Should be replaced with steel braided type)
Dishwasher damaged or missing proper air gap. (Install approved air gap)
Water heater not vent properly (Call plumber to vent water heater)
Water heater Supply lines corroded (Replace with steel braided supply lines)
Water heater temperature and pressure relief valve missing discharge pipe. ( Call plumber to install discharge pipe per local building codes)
Fire Place Chimney flu needs sweep.
Chimney cap and screen missing (Install approved chimney cap and screen)
Toilet not secure to the floor bowl wax leaking. (replace bowl wax secure toilet properly)
Smoke Detectors need new batteries.
Shower tub enclosure needs caulking. (Use approved caulking to seal around tub and shower)

We know that no home is perfect. A good home inspector is likely to find more deficiencies than what I have listed here. However if you you take care of the small things your report will be much more appealing to potential home buyers.

www.homeinspectionservices.org

Electrical Panel Dangers

2009-06-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

Danger of Fire or Electrocution:

Federal Pacific electrical panels are something we see a lot of in Southern California. The main defect of this type of panel are the circuit breakers. Although buss bars have also been known to fail. Stab-Lok breakers fail to trip during short circuit and or overload conditions. Note Stab-Lok has a failure rate that exceeds UL test. Furthermore they fail at a rate 99 time higher than breakers of like equipment manufactures. Test show that the rate of failure is close to 82%. UL Tested other major brands and found them to only fail to trip in response to an over-current or short circuit only 0.85% of the time.

When an overload or short circuit occurs in an electrical device, the circuit supplying electricity to the device is supposed to be interrupted by the breaker. This interruption of electrical power is intended to minimize the resulting fire hazard of electrical overloads or short circuits. With the federal Pacific electrical panels this does not happen. A circuit breaker that fails to trip is unsafe. It fails to protect the electrical circuit and the building and building occupants where that circuit breaker is installed.

It is always recommended to remove and replace this type of panel as well as others that have a high failure rate. Names like Bull Dog Push-Omatic and Zinzco are panels that need to be inspected regularly to insure the panel is in good working condition.

www.homeinspectionservices.org

Trees And Your Home

2009-06-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

Trees And Your Home:

Keep Them Small...
I recently did a home inspection in Newport Beach Ca. This was a high profile home with 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. The home was well kept and clean throughout. When I pulled in front of the home I was able to see a beautiful pine tree to the rear of the home. Upon further inspection it was evident that this tree was causing major damage to the homes roof system. The home had two layers of roofing. The first layer was a heavy wood shake roof with a 30 pound felt under-layment and 1x6 skip sheeting. On top of that was two layers of 15 pound felt and a 30 year composition shingle. When walking the roof it was very spongy in the location of the tree. There was visible sagging as well. Pine needles from the past 10 years lay piled up along it's valley. This caused water to back up under the shingles and soak the wood shingles below. The water could not evaporate as it should. This caused a wood fungus to grow on the shingles sheeting and rafters. Although the home was well maintained both in and out, the home owner was unable to view the roof system from the ground and the tree was never trimmed back. Over all, nearly 25% of the roof and deck will need replacing on a 5,500 square foot home.
Any tree planted within 10' of a home can cause major damage. Not only is the roof at risk but so are the walls, foundation and under ground plumbing.

www.homeinspectionservices.org

Two or Three Prong Outlets

2009-06-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

Two Prong Three Prong:
Homes built before 1960 often have ungrounded and polarized receptacles. These are two-plug outlets. You cannot change out a two-prong for a three-prong outlet without grounding the receptacle or installing a GFCI protected outlet. Check with a local licensed Electrician or contact your city official for code requirements.

While there is nothing wrong with two prong outlets, it's not a good idea to plug in sensitive electronic equipment such as computers or televisions to an ungrounded outlet, much less appliances that draw a lot of power such as microwaves or newer refrigerators. It's always best to run dedicated circuits for such loads in the home.

When inspecting a home built before 1960 remember to count how many outlets have been swapped out to three prong and note it on the report. Always use a circuit analyser to find false grounds and shared neutrals. Most electrical products on the market today are double insulated and offer extra protection from electrical shock and grounding issues.

Nominal Rated Circuit Capacity	Continuous Rated Circuit Capacity
5 amps	4 amps
10 amps	8 amps
15 amps	12 amps
20 amps	16 amps
30 amps	24 amps
50 amps	40 amps
100 amps	80 amps
200 amps	160 amps

Home Inspection Services

Need A Light? Kick The Habit

Carbon Monoxide Warning

Tub Water Damage

Home Inspection Nightmares.

Bath Vent In The Kitchen?

Inspecting Hot Water Heaters

Home Inspection, Electrical

Home Inspector News

Home Inspection, Tub Safety Issue

Home Inspection Pex Plumbing Pipe

Home Inspection, New Doors

Home Inspection, New Homes

Home Inspection, Garage Fire Danger

Home Inspection Electrical Panel

Home Inspection Garbage Disposal

Home Inspection, Pipe Damage

Home Inspection, Block Wall Damage

Home Inspection Blog. Up-Rooting Your Property Wall. (edit/delete)

Home Inspection Hot Water Heater

Home Inspection Blog. Hot Water Heater Inspection. Are You Kidding Me? (edit/delete)

10 Reasons Buyers Walk.

"O" Natural Pool

Property Profile Info

Title Company Property Search

Inspection Repairs

Will You Fix it?

Island Sink Venting.

Sell Your Home Faster

Sewer scope.

Fireplace and Chimney Detail

17 Fixes To A Better Inspection

Electrical Panel Dangers

Trees And Your Home

Two or Three Prong Outlets

Inspect It Before You List It.

A Partial Inspection

Home & Pest Inspection

Real Estate Due Diligence

Get ready for the inspector

Can I Test For Mold

Do I Need an Electrician

Just Listed Home Security

Makeup In The Carpet

Handyman Services

New Blog template

Inspecting a home

Test Your Smoke Detectors

Do you have Lead Paint?

Asbestos In The Home

Asbestos Hazards In The Home

Blow in wall insulation

Got Insulating Questions?

Ping. Or your not being seen!

Earth Quake Inspections

Rats in the attic!

$5 in Steel Covers Saves Deal

Roof Certifications.

Water heater and insulation

Tank Type Water Heater.

Instantaneous H-2o heaters

Garbage Disposal

Garage Door Safety

The Garage Door Opener

A Word On Mold

Toilets whats new

"High-tech" toilets

Foundation and Footings

A chimney

What is the IAPMO

2009 Plumbing Code gets Help

1926 LA plumbing Inspectors

Uniform Plumbing Code

Pool and Spa Fencing

Where you need the GFI

Use the right Connector

Understanding GFCI AFCI

Some Clean Power News

240v outlets need a ground

Not registered with NFPA?