Pre-Inspection Checklist: Basic Homeowner Maintenance

This list is limited to basic, low-risk homeowner maintenance and visual checks. Items requiring disassembly, specialized tools, or work beyond basic homeowner-level maintenance are excluded. The purpose is to reduce minor or maintenance-related findings so all parties can focus on material conditions and avoid unnecessary distractions. For clarification on any item, submit an information request ... Read more

More Real Inspection Defects in New Homes: Part 3

These examples continue to demonstrate the value of a home inspection in new construction. Unsecured electrical wires Disconnected HVAC duct Reverse sloped plumbing drain Open electrical junction box Incomplete vapor barrier Plumbing vent terminates in attic Schedule a New Construction or 11-Month Warranty Inspection → Inverted plumbing vent roof flashing Inadequate capillary break at floor ... Read more

More Real Inspection Defects in New Construction: Part 2

There is no shortage of examples demonstrating the value of a home inspection in new construction. Missing CSST gas pipe protective bushing Radon vent pipe installed above vapor barrier Support post not load bearing on pier pad Buckled fiber-cement siding Improperly installed gas sediment trap Incomplete pressure relief valve discharge pipe Schedule a New Construction ... Read more

Additional New Construction Defect Examples

These are real examples of defects found during a home inspection of new construction homes that passed municipal code inspection. Missing cripple wall stud in floor structure Fireplace gas shut-off valve not connected Disconnected gas water heater vent adaptor Fungi / Mold on attic sheathing Open electrical wire splice Missing gas pipe bonding clamp Schedule ... Read more

Should You Block Crawlspace Vents in the Pacific Northwest

A Generational Tradition and the Evolution of Building Science Seasonally blocking crawlspace vents has been passed down for decades. Every winter, big box stores sell pallet loads of foam blocks. The logic seems simple: block the cold air, warm the floor. Building Science Has Evolved: From Ventilation Theory to Modern Crawlspace Insulation Vented crawlspaces have ... Read more

Vent Register Filters — Don’t Choke Your HVAC System

A solution looking for a problem—adding extra filters to supply or return HVAC registers. Big box stores sell these by the thousands across Clark County. HVAC technicians rarely look for them during routine furnace or heat pump service. They appear to improve indoor air quality (IAQ); in reality, they increase operating cost and can shorten ... Read more

Why is Mold Growing on Eaves?

A paint problem or a physics problem—both. Mold on eaves is common in newer construction, after roof deck replacement, or where exterior maintenance has been limited. Material preparation and paint quality are contributing factors. In residential construction, primer is rarely applied to raw eave lumber before painting, and paint film thickness is not measured as ... Read more
WEB & SEO