I enjoy reading a good blog post from a home inspector, especially when it’s about something interesting they’ve discovered while doing an inspection. Not only has it helped me to better understand what our clients face, but it’s helped me become more aware of how my own home was built, what I should be doing to maintain it, and the hidden exceptions that may cause issues down the road. So, I thought I’d compile a list of 5 of my most recent favorites for you to browse at leisure.
The following blog posts show that it doesn’t matter what age the property is, inspectors find issues with both older homes and new construction.
1. “An idea whose time has not come.”
By. Charles Buell
I was a design build general contractor for more than 30 years and I have been a home inspector for more than 10 years. I have seen a lot of interesting things in houses over all those years. At a recent inspection, I found a type of window installation from the 1930’s that I had never seen before. Read more…
2. “The Gravity Check – Insulation Slips Inside Walls!”
By. Jay Markanich
Gravity works, and I can see it especially in older homes when I perform the gravity check – insulation slips inside walls! This house was built in 1951. And I see this all the time. Doing a thermal sweep around the house each room demonstrated exterior walls that looked something like this. Read more…
3. “Are You Ignoring the 800 Pound Gorilla?”
By. Michael Thornton
Years ago, the cost of heating and cooling one’s home was fairly reasonable. Today, it seems as if folks are in a constant daily battle as rising utility costs dig deeper into the pocket book. As a result, more and more folks are turning to LED’s, CF’s and other energy saving devices to help defray rising utility costs. While these help, many are ignoring the 800 pound gorilla that is in everyone’s home. Aging ductwork. Read more…
4. “How Did this Happen?”
By. James Quarello
A short time ago I was contacted by a past client, an attorney, who has a client in need of my services. The woman had recently purchased a new, ranch style condominium, a higher end unit located on the water, perched at the top level of the building. Problems became dramatically apparent shortly after she moved in. Read more…
5. “Testing the Plumbing In New Construction – Here The Master Bath Shower.”
By. Jay Markanich
This can happen when testing the plumbing in new construction – here the master bath shower. Builders never like to see this happen. I have even been blamed in the past for making it happen! But this is why we do the inspection! You would think that this shower had been tested, and examined, more than once by now by the installing plumber and the supervisor building this house. Read more…
We always recommend a full home inspection when purchasing a resale property, but new construction can be a hard argument, especially when purchasing with a builder that has a good reputation. We always want our buyers to feel comfortable with their purchase. If that means ordering a home inspection for a newly built home, then they should request one. If you aren’t sure you want to request a home inspection, the following blog post may help you decide.
Inspections On New Construction By. Dan Polimino
It’s one of those frequently asked questions: “Should I get an inspection on a newly constructed home?” Great question and I usually tell my buyers that the answer is yes/no and I’ll explain why. Read more…
If you have any questions about buying a home in the Wilmington area or would like the name of a good local home inspector, give us a call or send us a message through our Contact page.
