Tag Archives: Bow

CLEAN & EFFICIENT CRAWLSPACES 101

Vermin damaged and displaced insulation under homes is commonplace and a frequent discovery during the home inspection process.  Ensuring that insulation is properly attached to the underside of the home will take care of gravity displaced insulation.  Maintaining a proactive pest control regimen will help prevent vermin damaged insulation.  Check with your local utility provider before reinsulating as they may be offering attractive rebate incentives.  

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

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: THE BEACH IS BEAUTIFUL!

As a home inspector, I’m often on the road, traveling around San Juan, Island, Whatcom, and Skagit counties. Along the way, I’m often awed by what I see. On the first Saturday of the month, I plan to share some of these great scenes with you. 

I invite you to share your Northwest Washington imagery, too! Take your picture or video showing why you appreciate the region, tag it with #AllIslandsLife, and share via social media.

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

PRETTY IN PINK?!

Although pink is arguably one of the best colors, it’s not the best to have exposed pink foam board insulation in your attic or crawlspace areas for safety reasons.  I recommend that you cover exposed pink foam board in your attic/crawlspace with a noncombustible material, or remove it if that’s impractical. 

Exposed pink foam board insulation is combustible and could catch fire and creep up on unwary dwellers.  Either take that stuff out, or get it covered!

Having pink foam board insulation in your attic or crawlspace does not mean that your home will undoubtably at some point catch fire.  But because the possibility remains, I recommend you remove or cover pink foam board insulation.  

SATURDAY REVIEW: ‘WE NEEDED VERY QUICK TURN-AROUND AND TIM CAME THROUGH!’

A couple of Saturdays per month, I like to share recent customer reviews with you. I hope that these client testimonies—which come primarily from Yelp, Facebook, and Google Reviews—help you to feel more confident in my services while also saying “thanks” to clients who provide me with feedback.

This week, we hear from client Paul Porath.

My customers (you) allow me a chance to do a job I love in a place I’ve called home my whole life. Without you, All Islands Inspections wouldn’t exist. Thank you!

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

TO PREVENT ‘CHALKING’ PAINT, LISTEN TO RUSSELL WILSON

In recent years, Seattle Seahawk’s quarterback Russell Wilson would often say: “The separation is in the preparation.” 

While Russell was talking about football, he also could have been talking about exterior house painting. When exterior siding is not adequately prepared for painting (e.g., washing, scraping, caulking, priming, etc.), something called “chalking” can occur. 

“Chalking” is likely what you think it is: paint becomes “chalk”-like and separates (hey Russell even got this right!) from the painted surface. Poor preparation is not always the reason for chalking paint, but it certainly doesn’t help.

I come across this scenario often, as I did during a recent inspection in Bow. I recommended my clients budget for new paint and/or stain. 

Learn more about “chalking” by watching the short video in this post. 

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

(TRAN)SYLVANIA ZINSCO?

Sylvania Zinsco electrical panels are known to the inspection industry to be problematic (just like Dracula…) and should be further evaluated by a qualified electrician.  

But what exactly is so problematic about them?  This brand of electrical panel is a known latent hazard, risking failing to protect your home from a fire or injury should an over-current hazard occur.  Replacement is typically advised by qualified electricians, familiar with these panels, and certainly by myself.  How do you spot these panels you might ask? Sylvania Zinsco panels are easy to spot by their brightly colored and thinner (compared to modern electrical panels) breakers.  

Please check out this link for more information if you have concerns: Recalled Electrical Panels: What You Need To Know [With Photos] (sunelectrician.com)