|
Troubled Houses - The Home Owner's Resource sm
We see many interesting adverse conditions during our inspections, partly because of the unlimited number of ways people can mess up a house, but also because we do a thorough inspection to reveal these adverse conditions. We hope these stories and illustrations help home owners avoid these costly conditions by learning about causes, preventions, and remedies.
THANK YOU for visiting HankeyandBrown.com. Click here to learn more about our services, which now include IR Thermography, radon testing, and carbon monoxide tests. All photos copyright Roger Hankey, ASHI® Certified Inspector. All rights reserved. Licenses to use these copyrighted images can be arranged by contacting rhankey@hankeyandbrown.com
"Troubled Houses - The Home Owner's Resource" is a SERVICE MARK of Hankey & Brown Inspection Service Inc. (owners: Roger Hankey & Cheryll Brown)
NOTICE to readers accustomed to seeing many images on this page: The page has been converted into multiple pages to better serve you as The Home Owner's Resource. See the topics listed below for links to pages with many photos. We hope you like the new format. Click here to see the current photos of the month.
Click here to subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
TOPICS: Articles & Photos
Attic Bypasses aka Air Leaks Also see the Energy Savings & Ice Dam articles
Huge Air leak from house into attic at the chimney
Find the Heat Loss - Roof snow melt pattern
Multiple air leaks in a story and a half house
Typical air leak around a furnace vent
Carbon Monoxide Testing
Why we test for Carbon Monoxide
Water Heater making Carbon Monoxide
Deck Inspections
Very Insecure Deck railing
Potential deck collapse averted by home inspection
Details Matter: A screwed up deck
Faith in Bolts Deck beam
Decay atop decay - Wood deck on timber retaining wall
Electrical
Uncovering the unexpected - Electrical conditions can change
Find the circuit breaker panel
Switch improperly installed with aluminum wire in 1971 still in use in 2007
The Electric Shower
Beautiful but not practical - Obstructed breaker panel
More wires ≠ More power
Why we uncover the service panel
Little creatures = Big mess (mouse infestation)
Also see http://www.inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_Panel_Moisture.htm
Energy Savings also see the Ice Dam and Attic Bypass articles
Unfinished Basement Issues
Roof snow melt pattern = Missing insulation
Improper insulation and ventilation details lead to condensation damage
Protect your insulation
Vermiculite insulation
Exteriors
Garage Door Spring Containment Cables
Water entry - Subfloor damage (also available as a quiz)
The Disappearing Downspout
Details Matter - Water must drain off the building.
First Impressions - May lead to fall.
Heating & Cooling
Improper air ducts reduce comfort
Furnace inspections are critical
The Unintended Humidifier - Condensate leaks
Frosted (deteriorated) siding - Improper vent terminal
Incomplete return air duct installation reduces comfort
Undisclosed buried fuel oil tank - Abandoned
Chimney Cap Comparison
Why we inspect the attic. Squirrel damage
Sooty gas fireplaces are a potential hazard
Ice Dams Also see the Energy Savings and Attic Bypass articles
Condo roof gables form 52 valleys - Ice dams in abundance
Excessive Humidity Damages Attic - Extreme condensation
Indoor Environment
Strict new EPA rules for lead paint abatement
Old Gas fireplace with hidden adverse condition overlooked by HVAC technician
Multiple sources of potential mold growth
Landscaping
Snow covered grading problem.
Also see our Wet Basement page
Moisture Damage
A Broken Roof Drain and a Deck over a crawl space - A bad mix
Leaky chimney chase - structural water damage
Beware of Partial Repairs in Foreclosed Houses - Deck flashing
Water Woes - Windows, Flashings, Brick veneer, Vapor Barriers
Crawl Spaces and Attics - A building science lesson
Contemporary Stucco house - Moisture intrusion
Complex Roof & Missing flashing - Following the moisture path
Plumbing
Floor Drains - A potential sewer gas point of entry
Plumbing Matters - Water service - Sewer cleanout cover
Water heater vent connection - Wrong from the start
Water heater venting - An orphaned water heater
Size matters - or Deeper is not always better - Trap height
Warning? What Warning? Clothes Dryer venting
Sewer gas delivery system
Also see Moisture Mysteries and Experience
Poor Choices - Some conditions are best described by a photo and a few words
Not the recommended filter
The most dangerous electric service panel we have found
Fenced Egress Window Well
Uncapped Gas line
Chopped roofing
Electric Service in clothes closet
Thermostat wiring
Roofs
Improper Nailing leads to premature roofing failure
Roof Forest - Maintenance - Real Estate Sales Exaggeration
Unwanted occupant - Squirrel damage
Deferred Fall Maintenance - Clogged Gutters
Raccoon Chewed Lead Flashings at Plumbing Vents
Structure
"Sawzall" School of Plumbing - Cut Floor Joist
Watch Your Step - Stair Construction & Maintenance
Watch for Improper/Incomplete repairs on bank owned houses
The most common improper attached garage modification: Folding stairs in ceiling
The "Open Look" at stairs increases the potential for falls
Wet Basements
Recipe for a Wet Basement - Gutters & Site Drainage
Water Mismanagement -Basement edition
Also see Moisture Mysteries
Windows
Inspectors must open some windows - Decayed window sash
Small finding - Major benefits
Inspection Photos for February 2012
Sewer gas delivery system
Most central humidifiers, typically installed on the return air plenum (main duct) of forced air furnaces, utilize a continuous trickle flow of water through the system when operating. Therefore, the humidifier must have a drain hose to convey the excess water out of the humidifier. Typically this hose runs to a nearby floor drain. In cases where a floor drain is not present near the furnace some do-it-yourself installers look for creative ways to drain away this water. The photo below shows one method.
The DIY installer saw that the main waste pipe sewer cleanout cover was in the furnace room. They drilled a hole in the cover and installed a tap in the center of the cover. (detail shown below). The foil covered duct in this photo is a make-up air or combustion air duct.
When the furnace is in operation, the return air plenum -and the humidifier - are under suction (negative air pressure) and can pull sewer gas through the green hose into the circulating air of the home. Our recommendation in this case was to replace the sewer cleanout cover, and install a condensate pump beneath the humidifier to pump the excess water to the laundry sink in an adjoining room. Click here to return to topic list. Coming next month:
|
