The word “plumbing” comes from the word plumbum, which is Latin for lead. This is also why lead is abbreviated as Pb on the periodic table.
The first patent for a flushing toilet was issued in 1775 to a man named Alexander Cummings. However, he was not the first man to invent the flushing a toilet. A man named John Harrington did this in 1596, which is why we sometimes refer to the bathroom as “the John”.
Albert Einstein said if he could do it all again, he would be a plumber.
Hardscaping elements—people-made features (such as paths, walls, or patios) used to enhance landscaping efforts—can add some pizazz to a home if done correctly.
However, sometimes mother nature has other plans.
During a recent inspection in Sedro-Woolley, I noticed settlement at hardscaping elements adjacent to the home’s driveway. In my report, I recommended the settlement be further evaluated and repaired by a qualified masonry contractor. I also added that the issue did not appear to be of any structural concern to the home itself.
If you have questions or comments about hardscaping issues or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).
Unless it’s contained in a sink, pipe, or directed with intention and control in confined areas, water is typically the greatest threat to building structures. While issues such as roof leaks, pipe leaks, and crawl space flooding usually get all the headlines, water damage can also appear through more subtle means.
Case-in-point: I recently came across a home during a Sedro-Woolley inspection, where I noticed a vulnerable, uplifted flashing detail. Flashing is a thin layer of waterproof material that prevents water from penetrating areas where it may cause damage (such as the interface of a roof and siding, or a deck and siding).
Bottom line: pay attention to these seemingly small details because they may save you some big money.
If you have questions or comments about flashing details or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).
You know them as the world’s greatest artists. Van Gogh. Monet. Rembrandt. Da Vinci. And…your window?
Yes, it seems windows are not immune to creating art (albeit without intention).
In this case, the canvas is the walls of your house, and the paintbrush refers to deteriorating window gaskets. As you can see in our example pictures from a recent inspection in Sedro-Woolley, the seals have gone full Jackson Pollock.
Unlike most art, however, this piece has only critics because window gaskets perform an essential function: they help to keep the cold and the heat out of your house. Gaskets are typically comprised of neoprene or butyl rubber and are installed to seal and lock windows in place.
If the seals do deteriorate, air and water can also breach the window elements. While the scene may look dramatic, keep in mind these windows may not have reached the end of their serviceable life, and there may be options for repair.
If you have questions or comments about windows or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).
The DeLorean DMC-12 (commonly referred to simply as the DeLorean as it was the only model ever produced by the company) is a sports car manufactured by John DeLorean’s DeLorean Motor Company for the American market in 1981–83.
An average professional football game lasts 3 hours and 12 minutes, but if you tally up the time when the ball is actually in play, the action amounts to a mere 11 minutes. Part of the discrepancy has to do with the basic rules of American football.
The original alphabet was developed by a Semitic people living in or near Egypt. They based it on the idea developed by the Egyptians, but used their own specific symbols. It was quickly adopted by their neighbors and relatives to the east and north, the Canaanites, the Hebrews, and the Phoenicians.
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).
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).
Share your Northwest Washington imagery with the All Islands Home Inspections community. Simply take your photo and/or videos, and tag it with #AllIslandsLife on Twitter or Facebook.
Throughout the year, those who tag with #AllIslandsLife will have a chance to win some fun prizes, such as a $20 gift card to Starbucks (which happens to be this month’s prize)!
To be eligible for this first contest and a chance to win a whole lot of caffeine, please tag your imagery by Feb. 25, 2019. We’ll announce the winner in our new, shiny newsletter, so make sure to subscribe using the signup form below.
Do you have questions or comments about island living or home inspections in general? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).
If you’re Dick Van Dyke as Bert in Mary Poppins, you might view this as job security. For the rest of us, it’s a hassle that needs to be cleaned up.
To what am I referring?
A whole lot of creosote and tar glaze I noted at a wood stove flue pipe during a recent home inspection in Sedro-Woolley. I also pointed out the lack of a rain cap over the open flue pipe. As a result of my review, I recommended further evaluation and cleaning of the wood burning stove and flue by a qualified chimney sweep.
“Chim chiminey, chim chiminey, chim chim cher-ee…”
Do you have questions or comments about home inspections in general? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).
So, what is crossover ducting? It may sound like an iconic basketball move, but it’s actually ducting that transfers air (either heated for cooled) from one side of a home to the other. If you notice that your house is not symmetrical in its heating or cooling capacity, there may be an issue with your crossover duct.
I recently came across an issue with furnace supply crossover ducting in a crawl space underneath a home in Sedro-Woolley. The ducting was mechanically damaged, and I recommended it be further evaluated by a qualified HVAC contractor.
Do you have questions or comments about heating systems or home inspections in general? Go “All” in and tweet us (@AIHomeInspect).