4/3/2019 1 Comment roofing, flashings and chimneysIntroduction
The primary function of the roof system is to protect against and manage the weather elements, particularly precipitation, thereby protecting the interior and structural components of the home. For the purposes of a home inspection, the roof system consists primarily of the roof coverings, flashings and chimney.
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2/3/2019 7 Comments rubble concreteA rubble stone, or rubble trench foundation is an ancient construction practice, popularized in the early 20th century by American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959.) Loose stone or rubble reduce the volume of concrete and promote drainage, however this practice is not suitable for some soil conditions, or for excavated basement areas which will not support the rubble from both side of the foundation wall. Other probelms include poor, or unsuitable mixtures of cement including lime mortar, the use of un-washed, native sand and other aggregates, and the use of salts to promote curing in cold weather. 2/3/2019 0 Comments will your roof leak?The component of sloped roofs most vulnerable to early deterioration is the area around the flashings (chimneys, plumbing stacks, valleys, etc., and particularly skylights.) It is not uncommon for these areas to develop a leak before the rest of the roof material has aged significantly. 2/3/2019 0 Comments career infoPhoto: PCDI Canada
In response to a flood of inquiries about getting into the home inspection business, we offer the following notes on becoming a Professional Home Inspector, which we hope are helpful in evaluation of this profession as a career objective: 1/3/2019 0 Comments partition separationPartition separation is cracking that develops between interior partition walls and ceilings or floors, usually characterized by gaps opening in winter and closing in summer. 1/3/2019 0 Comments grow houses
Courtesy Carson Dunlop Have you ever wondered why your neighbors never surface from their home, rarely have any garbage to pick up, always have the blinds down or windows covered, come and go at unusual hours and never invite you over for a barbecue? If this is the case, there is a possibility you are living beside a grow house. With an estimated 50,000 grow houses in Canada, there is growing concern about health, fire, safety, and structural implications for home buyers. But what risk is there in owning a grow home?
(NC) Some homeowners just don't seem to get it! They expect their heating systems to keep chugging along, year after year, with little or no maintenance. Then they complain when their 20-year-old furnace breaks down which usually happens in middle of winter... largely because things things don't tend to break down when you're not using them! |
AuthorGil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario since 1994. CategoriesAll Appliances Buying And Selling Cooling Electrical Environmental Exterior Health And Safety Heating Home Improvement Home Inspection Insulation Insurance Interior Plumbing Roofing Special Structure Archives
January 2024
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