Author Archives: Tim Hance

IS YOUR GARAGE READY TO TAKE ON A FIRE?

Most of us keep all the highly flammable stuff we own in a specific area of the house. Typically, this is the garage. Or on the third shelf of the refrigerator (have you ever tried ghost pepper hot sauce? Yee-ow!) 

For this post, we’ll focus on the garage and not your condiment collections. So, what if your garage were to catch on fire? Good news: if it was well-made and is up-to-code, garage ceilings and walls are considered fire separation barriers. In other words, these walls and ceilings would (hopefully) burn first, and buy a little time before the fire department arrives and the rest of your home catches on fire.

During a recent home inspection in Mount Vernon, I came across a garage with holes in the sheet rock ceiling that needed to be taped, mudded and sealed. Again, that’s because the ceiling and walls of a garage are considered a fire separation barrier in a home. 

Is a fire separation barrier the same as a firewall? Nope. The Uniform Building Code defines a firewall as the following: 

FIREWALL: A fire-resistance-rated wall having protected openings, which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall.

“The closest thing you’ll find (to an actual firewall) in residential construction is a one-hour fire-resistance-rated wall,” wrote Minnesota-based home inspector Reuben Saltzman in a recent article. “This is needed between townhomes and two-family dwellings, with a lot of fine print and special requirements.”

While it probably doesn’t have a firewall, your garage should always be considered and maintained as a fire separation barrier and an extra level of safety for your home and those who live in it.

Do you have questions or comments about home inspections in general? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: FERRIES AT DAWN

On Saturdays throughout the year, I hope to give you a peek of what I see as a home inspector traveling around San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties through photos and videos I’ve taken along the way.

On Saturdays throughout the year, I hope to give you a peek of what I see as a home inspector traveling around San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties through photos and videos I’ve taken along the way.

I’m sure if you know or live in Northwest Washington, you probably feel the same about how special it is here. That’s why I invite you to share your Northwest Washington imagery!  Simply take your picture or video showing why you appreciate the region, and tag it with #AllIslandsLife on Twitteror Facebook.

If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

Fun Facts Friday

A crocodile can’t poke its tongue out.

If you were to stretch a Slinky out until it’s flat, it would measure 87 feet long.

New York drifts about one inch farther away from London each year.

A coyote can hear a mouse moving underneath a foot of snow.

LOOKING FOR HOME INSPECTION NEWS YOU CAN USE? I CAN HELP

Feeling social? Well, so am I. 

I thought I’d take a few minutes to let you know about the many ways we can connect on social media. When I post, my goal is to share useful information with my audience while having fun along the way.

Click on the links below for more details. Thanks for reading (and hopefully following!).

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allislandsinspections

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AIHomeInspect

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tim98hance

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allislandshomeinspections

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-hance-1aab1a9

MailChimp Newsletter: https://us19.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=d5233cbc96de02d1839a082e3&id=08a860b331

Do you have questions or comments about home inspections in general? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: STREAM SCENE

On Saturdays throughout the year, I hope to give you a peek of what I see as a home inspector traveling around San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties through photos and videos I’ve taken along the way.

I’m sure if you know or live in Northwest Washington, you probably feel the same about how special it is here. That’s why I invite you to share your Northwest Washington imagery!  Simply take your picture or video showing why you appreciate the region, and tag it with #AllIslandsLife on Twitteror Facebook.

If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: SAN JUAN ISLANDS ‘RUSH HOUR’

On Saturdays throughout the year, I hope to give you a peek of what I see as a home inspector traveling around San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties through photos and videos I’ve taken along the way.

I’m sure if you know or live in Northwest Washington, you probably feel the same about how special it is here. That’s why I invite you to share your Northwest Washington imagery!  Simply take your picture or video showing why you appreciate the region, and tag it with #AllIslandsLife on Twitteror Facebook.

If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: SNOWY BEACH

On Saturdays throughout the year, I hope to give you a peek of what I see as a home inspector traveling around San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties through photos and videos I’ve taken along the way.

I’m sure if you know or live in Northwest Washington, you probably feel the same about how special it is here. That’s why I invite you to share your Northwest Washington imagery!  Simply take your picture or video showing why you appreciate the region, and tag it with #AllIslandsLife on Twitteror Facebook.

If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).

TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR NEXT HOME INSPECTION

I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but a good home inspector is invaluable. 

Just ask the homeowner or Realtor who discovered significant issues before closing (or not closing). Like any major decision, it’s important to take your time when considering who to hire as your inspector. Furthermore, once you’ve made your decision, take the opportunity to prepare for the inspection.

Along those lines, I’d like to share a handful of articles that I hope will assist you in maximizing the value and effectiveness of your home inspection. Happy reading!

AuthorThe Balance

Title: “How to Get Ready for a Home Inspection

Recommended Because: Selling your house? Make sure to put your best foot forward and prepare yourselves accordingly for the inspection. 

AuthorZillow

Title: “How To Get The Most Value Out Of Your Home Inspection

Recommended Because: A summary of shrewd—but simple—tips to make sure your home inspection goes smoothly and efficiently. I especially appreciate the chance to meet with clients to address any questions or concerns. 

AuthorFamily Handyman

Title: “12 Tips for Getting the Most out of a Home Inspection

Recommended Because:This includes some of the same tips from the previous article, but a few extras are thrown in for consideration. While these are not the cornerstone ideas behind rocket science, they are essential. 

AuthorRealtor.com

Title: “Selling Your House? Better Prepare for the Home Inspection”

Recommended Because:Solid tips for real estate professionals on how to better prepare for inspections. 

Do you have questions or comments about home inspections? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).