Kevin VanderWarf
04-15-2007, 07:55 PM
I encountered one of the most structural deficient homes in my 7 years of inspecting this past Friday.
The home had already been inspected by the "realtor's choice" inspector who said the home was in good condition and found no problems other than some bare sub-floor that had not yet been covered.
I happened along in the middle of the deal at the request of the mortgage co. who needed a rural development inspection. This usually concentrates on windows, doors, insulation and any issues that just jumps out at you(real obvious stuff).
While walking around the place I noticed that the rear roof sagged toward the middle.
When I walked in the rear door, I noticed that all of the floors seemed to slope toward the center.
When I went in the attic, I found a main beam (you guessed it) in the center, that had been eaten away by termites. Now, I sometimes find termite damage that the pros(termite pros) don't find, but I'm still no expert, however; I don't recall ever finding termites in the attic without serious infiltration in the crawl space.
When I got to the crawl space, the whole front seal had been infested. As I made my way around the crawl space I saw more little termite trails than I had ever seen.
Every joist was sagging toward the center, the whole freakin place was sagging.
I suspect termites were in the walls and floors.
O.K. that was enough, but he also missed major duct work issues. The entire duct system should be replaced.
Not one of the circuits in the panel had a romex connector as it entered the panel.
The plumbing was not even tied in to the kitchen............etc.................
But yet this agents inspector said the home was fine.
The only home in 7 years that I crawled out from under and said don't buy it, is the same home that he said had no problems.
That my friends, is what weakens the integrity of our profession.
If part of your character is to B.S. people, sell cars or something (houses maybe) but for God sake leave inspecting to honest people.
The home had already been inspected by the "realtor's choice" inspector who said the home was in good condition and found no problems other than some bare sub-floor that had not yet been covered.
I happened along in the middle of the deal at the request of the mortgage co. who needed a rural development inspection. This usually concentrates on windows, doors, insulation and any issues that just jumps out at you(real obvious stuff).
While walking around the place I noticed that the rear roof sagged toward the middle.
When I walked in the rear door, I noticed that all of the floors seemed to slope toward the center.
When I went in the attic, I found a main beam (you guessed it) in the center, that had been eaten away by termites. Now, I sometimes find termite damage that the pros(termite pros) don't find, but I'm still no expert, however; I don't recall ever finding termites in the attic without serious infiltration in the crawl space.
When I got to the crawl space, the whole front seal had been infested. As I made my way around the crawl space I saw more little termite trails than I had ever seen.
Every joist was sagging toward the center, the whole freakin place was sagging.
I suspect termites were in the walls and floors.
O.K. that was enough, but he also missed major duct work issues. The entire duct system should be replaced.
Not one of the circuits in the panel had a romex connector as it entered the panel.
The plumbing was not even tied in to the kitchen............etc.................
But yet this agents inspector said the home was fine.
The only home in 7 years that I crawled out from under and said don't buy it, is the same home that he said had no problems.
That my friends, is what weakens the integrity of our profession.
If part of your character is to B.S. people, sell cars or something (houses maybe) but for God sake leave inspecting to honest people.