In the recent past I have started using a full face respirator. Currently model 3m 6898 which gives me lots of protection form respiratory stresses. It feels somewhat claustrophobic at first, but after some time it gets easier to use. Just being in  a crawlspace can be touch enough, it’s dusty, wet, stinky and usually very close quarters. This face mask allows easier breathing, literally. During an inspection last week, the mold was so bad under the home some of the floor, jo

Some months ago we starting looking into drones. We have gone ahead and purchased a Phantom III for testing and hopefully we will be able to use it as part of our services soon. Yesterday I pulled up to my inspection and found out it was a 3 story commercial building with no roof access. It didn’t take long for the lights to come on in my brain….so, I called my wife who is becoming the operator of the drone and she showed up on site an hour later. The video is a shortened ed

We found these problems with this chimney during a recent home inspection. The base flashing had been removed and someone painted on roofing cement in an ill attempt to stop water leaks. From the ground these repairs looked a little off, but nothing very alarming. My home inspector antennae went up just enough to make sure I got a closer look. These repairs have been leaking for sometime and there is an unknown amount of wood rot surrounding the chimney in the attic. The chim

As I have discussed before safety is always a concern during home inspections. Whether I’m in a crawlspace with vermin and mold, a roof too steep or too high to climb and some wild animal life around the home there is always some danger. The other day I encountered all of these at one inspection. This building was being guarded by an alligator and shark! #handyman #homeinspection #myths #safety

We are often confronted with potential unsafe conditions. Whether it’s entering crawlspaces under homes or trying to make it through a golf tournament. You just never know all the Things We Do. #clean #homeinspection #crawlspace #responsiblities #safety

Yes, more fire safety talk. It seems everywhere I turn lately there is more convincing evidence that most of our current smoke & carbon monoxide detectors are not as safe as we would like to think. I’m talking about Ionization type. A few quick Google searches and a newer type called “Photoelectric” will keep popping up. Both types can and do alert us, but there are some big differences. Below are some samples of what I have come to learn recently along with some interesting

Our governing bodies from Florida & Alabama tell us we do not have to light any gas appliances. It is an individual inspectors choice weather we choose to light them or merely say, “it’s beyond our scope” and let it go. Tommy, a good friend of mine and fellow inspector and myself choose to light these appliances. As you can see from the picture it’s not always a good safety idea to do so. He took this picture of the exploded gas line into the fireplace after turning the gas d

In my 12 years of performing home inspections I have seen many changes on how reports get done. We started with NCR forms, which were difficult to read at best. Then trying to get all parties involved a copy was another story. Whoever ended up with the bottom of the NCR form couldn’t read much of it. Plus, they had to try and read my hand writing which was and still is terrible.  A few years later we added a book with some pre-printed forms which was nicer. But, we still had

I inspected this home a few days ago in Gulf Shores, AL. Someone has removed the hard wired smoke detectors. #carbonmonoxide #smokedetector #warnings #safetyplan #safety

Faulty GFCI outlets and breakers are very common here. High salt content in the air seems to be a big enemy. #defective #fault #GFCI #safety

I recently inspected this home built in the early 1970’s. The ceiling was a textured type and it looked like the older Celotex type covering. It felt more like Styrofoam. So, I found a loose piece of about 2″ square and brought it home to do some research. I got out a lighter and held it onto the piece for seconds – it didn’t stop burning and smoking for over a minute! #home #inspection #safety #smoke

If no anti-tip brackets are installed, this will allow the stove to tip over if someone should lean on the door. This could cause burn and physical damages. #antitip #brackets #safety #stove

During this home inspection the other day, I walked into the master bathroom to find a hair dryer, plugged in and sitting inside the sink. This is just one reason why we have safety devices. People not using their heads. I checked the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI’s) circuits and found it working in the outlet and in the dryer itself.   Still… #Addnewtag #gfcii #hairdryer #safety

Here is a question I’m frequently asked. “Do I need Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter devices (GFCI) even though my home isn’t new.” My Answer: Absolutely! Today GFCI electrical outlets are required in all wet areas around the home, i.e., kitchens, and baths, garages, basements and on the exterior of the home. Whenever we perform a home inspection on an older home (pre-1990’s) and they are not installed, we do recommend an upgrade. They are an inexpensive way to protect your