MastersHomeinspectiontips

Is there a difference between "not readily accessible" and "I don't have to go in there"?  How about we change the context just a bit..."I physically cannot access" vs. "I am not even going to try".  Let's try one more..."I should make access" but my standard of practice says "I don't really have to"... In very general terms, a home inspection is a visual evaluation of the systems and components that make up the working features of a house.  Sometimes, the "visual evaluation" of systems and components requires the inspector to go places that they don't really want to go.  This would include roof tops, attic spaces and crawl spaces.  However, many professional organizations adopt standards of practice that allow the inspector a lot of leeway in terms of how these specific areas are evaluated.  Let's take a look at some examples: "The home inspector is not required to - Traverse a

As winter continues to set in, we must take appropriate measures to protect our home against the freezing temperatures.  We all know about the common chores; turning off water flow to outside faucets, having our heating system checked and serviced, cleaning the gutters etc.  But have you ever thought to take the appropriate steps to protect against ice dams? First, lets define what exactly an ice dam is: An  ice dam  is a ridge of  ice  that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof and into the gutters. The water that backs up behind the  dam  can potentially leak into the home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. So now that we have a general understanding of this issue, let's look at some ways to help prevent ice dams: Consider a home audit to ensure your attic is properly insulated.  "R" values change as insulation becomes compacted, worn or breaks down over time