Tag Archives: Ferndale

FLASHING: AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF YOUR ROOFING SYSTEM

Roof flashing details are more than “details”: they are critical components of your home’s construction. Without proper flashing, you might as well open the front door to your home and invite moisture to make itself at home.

In our part of the country, where rain is prevalent, I often see rust and corrosion showing at roof flashing details and at other protective metal elements (such as chimney caps)—as was the case during a recent inspection in Ferndale. 

For flashing that is rusting but not too deteriorated, I recommend clients paint rusted areas to extend serviceable life while budgeting for its replacement in the future. 

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

A DISPOSAL THAT SHOULD BE DISPOSED OF

I try to poke my head in all sorts of places during an inspection, including under the kitchen sink. Poking around is what I get paid to do!

On a recent occasion, during an inspection in Ferndale, I discovered a crack in the garbage disposal appliance casing within the kitchen sink base cabinet. Upon closer look, I could see this was an older disposal and was not repairable, so I advised the replacement of the appliance.

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

INFOGRAPHIC: 4 COMMON ISSUES THAT HARM YOUR ROOF

When was the last time you got up on your roof (or hired someone to go up there) and showed it a little TLC? If it’s been a while, you may want to grab the ladder and a few simple tools.

Regular roof maintenance isn’t hard, but it is crucial. Take care of the roof that takes care of you, and you’ll be happy you did.

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

UNCONVENTIONAL VENTING: PLUMBING ISSUES NEED FURTHER EVALUATION

Recently, I inspected a house in Ferndale where I noted handyman drain-waste-vent plumbing practices at the exterior. 

The property owner had installed an exposed ABS drain line, and the laundry room utility sink was unconventionally vented adjacent to an exterior wall. A qualified contractor should always evaluate these types of unorthodox issues, which I cited in the report.

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

Fun Facts Friday!

A gallon of water weighs ten pounds, outside of the USA. 16 fluid ounces in a pint, is a measure of volume, not a measure of weight, which is an avoirdupois ounce (dry weight). A fluid ounce is equivalent to 1.0425 av. ounces. A gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds.

There is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. The water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank.

Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable.

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: COUNTRY CHURCH

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 me (@AIHomeInspect).

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: TREE ART

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 me (@AIHomeInspect).

STANDALONE SATURDAYS: GASSING UP

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).

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE ME TO ANSWER? LET ME KNOW!

When you are an expert in a particular field, it’s sometimes easy to forget that not everyone has the same background knowledge as you do. It doesn’t matter what industry you may be referring to—whether it’s home construction, dentistry, or owning a restaurant.

It’s also easy to forget that not everyone speaks the same language. As a home inspector, I try my best to break down information for homebuyers and home sellers in a way that informs but doesn’t overwhelm. My number one goal is successfully sharing useful information with my clients in a clear and thorough manner—without tons of jargon.

If my clients have questions—”What Romex electrical wiring?” or “What is an ABS vent pipe?”—I pride myself on being accessible and answering them promptly and thoughtfully. Today’s post is all about that accessibility.

I invite you to send me your home inspection questions (no matter what they are!) and I’ll do my best to answer them. You can tweet me (@AIHomeInspect), or send me an email. Thanks for reading!

SETTLEMENT MAY MAKE YOU A WORLD TRAVELER (BECAUSE YOU TRIP SO MUCH!)

Settlement issues at outlying walkways do not always equate to structural concerns for homes. In reality, most of the time they don’t. 

However, what settlement issues do often create are tripping hazards. I noticed an example of this during a recent inspection in Ferndale, where I found apparent settlement at an entryway concrete stoop.

I notified the homeowner that this issue could easily lead to an unwary passerby having an unfortunate incident. However, I also assured them that it didn’t appear to be of structural concern to the home itself. 

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