JerryM

I agree with MJR as it looks like a bad concrete mix coupled with exterior moisture infiltration. If there's any steel rebar in that foundation wall it will only get worse, but by the age of the building I doubt they used steel rebar? Start by checking the exterior grade and seeing if you don't have ponding against that section of foundation in wet weather.

Scott's answer best case scenario. There's plenty of risks in doing property inspections with looking for one like that. Say what you see and what you could not see, and why you couldn't see it.

"With this kind of foundation, it's nearly impossible to keep rodents out from under the house. Expect mice, rats, chipmunks, voles, shrews, etc, etc." AND, even a RE agent or two? [:-party] Jim is right, post and pier support systems went out with the Studebaker. You'll need to be in overdrive during your inspection and then you'll be a hero to your client and pond scum to the agents. Image Insert: 87.92 KB

After sitting a bar for a few hours and having enough to drink anything in a dress who walks in may look good? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but is it functional, in satisfactory or serviceable condition?

I agree with Jim Katen’s opinion, but would like to add that what was the first thing the job foremen shouted when the concrete truck arrived? “Add 10â€

How come I can't see any details, photos, drawings, etc. of that sink's drain lines?

Chimneys & Vents: IRC, Chapter 18. Chimneys & Vents: UMC, Chapter 8 Image Insert: 48.43 KB Image Insert: 25.74 KB

A man who will not put his opinion in writing, sign and date it is not worth the paper it's printed on, not. You did your job Philip, move on and don't worry about folks who appear felony stupid.

Landing yes, concrete no. IRC 2006 311.5.4.

Yes. Got code book? Read IRC 2006 312.

I neither need nor desire to explain and/or defend what I classify as a classic psychometrically valid exam. The only thing I will attempt to explain is that if you have ever been to Disney Land I’m sure you’ve noticed those horizontal bars at a certain height where the line forms to get on the ride. If you can walk under those bars without hitting your head you didn’t ride, but if your head hits it you got on. Basically both NHIE and CREIA’s entry exams are set up in the same way to help determine if an entry level person’s knowledge about conducting a home inspection is adequate. Most entry level folks walk cleanly under the bar their first attempt, but after study many are able to retake and pass on their second attempt. Having worked on CREIA’s exams since 1999 and being very familiar with the NHIE exam it’s my opinion they’re the top two exams in the home inspection industry from what I have seen. ASHI did the smart thing in divorcing themselves from a national entry level exam for home inspectors otherwise I don’t think many states would adopt any entry level exam from any inspector association if they where licensing their Home Inspectors? BTW, if anyone thinks writing a psychometrically valid exam is simple, well – God love em…………………...

Brian has it right in speaking to defensive writing as a serious problem in inspection reports. Ah, the French thought the Maginot Line was defensible, but the Germans just went around it. Lawyers will do the same with that type of writing. I wish the great majority of inspectors would quit trying to be clever defensive writers, they’re lousy at it anyway, and just keep it simple and direct. When I review an inspection report where I have to wade through a fancy cover pager, 3 pages of fluff about the inspector’s fabulous background and training, 3 more pages of “it’s not my faultâ€

My theory is that most inspectors “borrowedâ€

I’ve used the word “appearsâ€

Words that should never be used within reports: Marginal – what mean? Appears – it is or it ain’t Good – a totally subjective word - would you say the roof covering is bad? Exactly who determines if it’s applicable? The Golden Rule of reporting: Report the current condition of everything you see and report everything you could not see and why you couldn’t see it.

"A rose by any other name is still a rose."

Time has shown that over the long haul you can’t fool the smart ones, at least not for very long because they can usually sniff out phonies within minutes. Therefore, it follows that smart home buyers and smart real estate agents will on average retain top-drawer inspectors. The result is that during what the real estate industry likes to call a “market adjustmentâ€

Scott I've talked to the folks at ICC about the type of exam you posted, but when one figures the start-up investment and then the maintenance it's just huge. The big problem is that far too many states want to legislate their own brand of licensing and the requirements differ by what interest group is in charge. But some day, who knows?

INTERNACHI - Hmmmmmm? I think I’ll start a new association and call it INTERGALLACTIC-ACHI. [:-slaphap I’m sure Nick won’t mind. Send me a check and I’ll send you my thanks.

The terms “habibilityâ€

A professional inspector is a highly trained observer and reporter of “conditionsâ€

I thought I knew a thing or two about writing exams, but this deal below has me somewhat stumped. Perhaps JK or some other learned member on this BB could interpret? [:-crazy] Thanks in advance. To earn the title of Certified Inspector, XXXXXXXXX has passed a test that has been developed consistent with the AERA, APA, NCME Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing to include a documented content framework and test blueprint which has been validated via a role delineation study, documented field testing, and statistical analysis documenting among other things “mean p-values,â€

Gerry Please excuse my late entry to this thread as I just found it because I have only recently joined this group. As a long time member of the entry level & master exam committee of the California Real Estate Inspection Association (1999) and an associate professor at the College of San Mateo's Building Inspection Technology division since 1994 I’m quite familiar with quizzes and exams. Having never seen the NATCHI exam I’m curious to know how it was put together? Was there a committee involved? Was a role delineation study performed and are the exam questions and selected answers psychometrically validated? Composing a really excellent exam for any industry or profession is very difficult at best and takes an enormous amount of committee work. I know this only through the experience I’ve gained through both CREIA and my teaching career. I’m sure Jim Katen will back me up on this and anybody who has served on the NHIE committee. It truly is ass-numbing work. BTW, your pass rate for first time takers is in the general ball park.

They don't build fireplaces like they used to..... thank God! Image Insert: 143.19 KB