tnpappas

Thank you, gentlemen. As always I have learned so much from all of your feedback. I really do appreciate you all helping me to improve my reporting skills. Have a good day inspecting!

161 views and only one person had anything to offer. Help me learn here people. I promise this is the last mock inspection I am putting up for review here. Again, I appreciate all of you who have offered their reviews previously. I thank you as well Hank for your comments on this report.

I appreciate everyone who has provided their insight, comments, judgments and advice about my previous mock inspection reports. I tried to incorporate the advice I received on this latest mock inspection. So for those of you who have the time and are willing to help, or maybe looking for a little laugh, let me know what you think. All advice is welcome. No need to hold back. I can not improve if I am not aware of where I am making mistakes. The report is at http://www.troypappas.com/uploads/Mock4.pdf

There is no electrical disconnect near the compressor cabinet. The house is forty years old so I don't know if this was not a requirement at the time or not. Should this be written up as an improvement or improper installation since this system is eleven years old? Click to Enlarge 41.28 KB

I believe it is some type of plumbing connection. I could not trace it to its origin after it entered the wall. Any thoughts? Click to Enlarge 16.84 KB

What are some of the more common issues you find with spiral staircases? Is is acceptable to be the only means of internal access to the upper level of the house? Do you call out the open risers like these as a safety hazard? Click to Enlarge 40.33 KBClick to Enlarge 38.54 KBClick to Enlarge 33.76 KBClick to Enlarge 21.1 KB

Shouldn't there be an access panel to do work on this type of tub? Click to Enlarge 23.93 KB

Is this cellulose loose fill insulation? I am writing up the lack of insulation and the fact that the wiring is laid over it. Just double checking on the type. Click to Enlarge 62.6 KB Click to Enlarge 55.83 KB Click to Enlarge 54.67 KB

These were terminated due to a remodel.

Just curious if having multiple venting systems on the same roof is beneficial. This roof had soffit and ridge vents, turbine vents, and fan assisted gable vent. Is there a point of diminishing return with to many systems working at the same time, or will they all compliment each other?

There are a couple of vent stacks on this roof that were covered with foil tape. These vents wobbled back and forth quite a bit because they were cut off in the attic. Would you suggest to have them removed and the roof repaired, or terminated with a better method? Click to Enlarge 77.31 KB Click to Enlarge 27.16 KB

At least half of the outlets are open ground 3-slot outlets. This pictures below are of the wiring in the attic. What is this wiring called? Looking for wording about the danger of open ground 3-slot outlets. Should these outlets be protected by a GFCI breaker or outlet, and labled no ground? Click to Enlarge 54.67 KB Click to Enlarge 54.11 KB

I am pretty sure this is asbestos siding. There are a few areas with minor damage. This siding is on the right and left side of the house, and vinyl siding on the front and rear. With only minimal damage would you write it up to have damaged sections sealed or have it all replaced and removed? What wording do you all use in your reports when reporting on asbestos? Click to Enlarge 29.82 KB Click to Enlarge 23.48 KB Click to Enlarge 22.1 KB Click to Enlarge 32.89 KB

This is directly under the kitchen sink. What is the purpose of the extra pipe material? Click to Enlarge 41.16 KB

The water heater vent is tied into the furnance vent. The vent to the exterior is practically horizontal. This is a five year old water heater. Is the damage here being caused by backdrafting or poor connection of the water entry pipes? Click to Enlarge 44.26 KB Click to Enlarge 45.21 KB

This recessed light is not to be within 3" of insulation. Is it a hazard to be so close to the bottom chord of the truss? Click to Enlarge 53.94 KB Click to Enlarge 27.7 KB

Do you test appliances? If so how do you report it? I believe it was on these items I reported functional at time of inspection. I just want it to be known that at the time of the inspection the respective appliance was: model or type, it was operated and functioned at the time of inspection. How else do you all handle these items?

My question here is who gets to decide what is acceptable?. I have put in the report what the condition is, and who to have fix it. I don't think in this case it is a condition that is unacceptable. This window was in a corner of an uninsulated garage. As long as I document the condition and appropriate method of repair I don't think I need to also determine what is or is not an acceptable condition. Please, let me know if I am way off base here. I would think that there is always going to be a number of conditions in a report that a buyer would be willing to accept. As long as it is not a safety issue, do I need to determine what is an acceptable condition?

Alright gentlemen, here we go again. I tried to incorporate as much of the excellent advice that I received previously I am looking for advice on content, layout, and clarity of the report. So let me have it again, and just try to take it easy on each other.[:-slaphap The only way I can learn is if I receive honest and constructive critiques of my work. Download Attachment: Mock3.pdf 910.23 KB

Their is no drip edge on this roof. The shingles are laying into the gutter to drain the roof. The last two pictures show moisture and efflorescence on the rake board. So here there are two problems to address. Do I just state the problems, and tell them to have a roofer fix them? Or do I state these are the problems I see, have a roofer evaluate the condition and recommend the appropriate repairs. Click to Enlarge 12.53 KB Click to Enlarge 29.14 KB Click to Enlarge 43.44 KB Click to Enlarge 42.67 KB Click to Enlarge 46 KB

These notches are in a rafter board at the gable end. There are braces in the notches that are connected to truss framing. Not all of the notches are directly over a stud. Is this an acceptable method? Click to Enlarge 54.88 KB Click to Enlarge 23.65 KB Click to Enlarge 52.09 KB

This photo is a little better. It is not dryer lint. Really looks like tiny mushrooms everywhere. Just not sure if that is an issue. It does not look like any other kind of fungus or mold. Click to Enlarge 71.76 KB

I am not sure what this stuff is. It looked like a tiny little mushroom farm growing on the floor joists. This was a very cool and damp crawl, which I believe are conditions that are conducive to mushroom growth. What would you report here? You have shrooms under your house, have tested, or this is just a common condition that needs no mention. Click to Enlarge 22.11 KB Click to Enlarge 12.34 KB Click to Enlarge 13.1 KB

I want to reiterate my thanks to everyone who offered their commentary about my report. This thread seemed to drift just a bit about who said what, and what should or should not be said. When I put this report out there for all to review, I knew what I was getting into. I would rather put out my first mock inspection report to be picked apart by more knowing eyes, than wait until I felt safe only to then find out about all the mistakes I had been making. Of course everybody loves to here platitudes and atta boys when they put their neck on the line, but putting whip cream on a crap sundae does not mean that you are not serving up crap. I came here to learn, and I that is what I did by posting this report. If some criticism is more harsh than others then so be it. I do not believe that when I start inspecting for a fee that there will be any clients, agents, or contractors who will hold their tongue just because I am the "new guy." My skin is thick and my desire to learn is fierce so let the reviews continue. I think this was a perfect section to post the report so that all could review and comment. A section may need to be added to accommodate some of the verbal sparring matches that tend to develop though.[]

Let me begin by stating that I really appreciate all the input offered here. I especially want to thank Jim K. for taking the time that he did to lay out a detailed outline of where I need to improve. I understand that I have a lot to learn, and that is why I put my first mock inspection report out there for review. I feel the best way to learn is to put what I have out there for examination by those have the knowledge to teach. I was under no pretense that I had put together a first rate home inspection report. I know I relied on heavily on pre-programmed inspector talk. As it was pointed out in a number of posts, none of it sounded like anything I would ever say, much less the way I would say it. I want, and will take my lumps now from all that are willing to offer their knowledge and experience. I have no intentions of offering my services to a paying client until I have gleaned every bit of knowledge I can from you all. Again, I thank all of you and will have my next mock inspection ready for review in a few days. To change up an old proverb a little, “When the student is ready, the masters appear.â€