Test - InspectionNews

wayne soper · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 05:13 PM

What would your determination be as you walk up these stairs?
If you know for sure, wait a few days. This is something you don't normally see and a good lesson in observance.

Jerry Peck · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 06:11 PM

Not sure what you are asking, but what I see is that very limited photo is:
- risers not of equal heights, exceed 3/8" difference
- risers not of equal heights across riser, i.e., tread slope exceeds 1/4" per foot
- nosings unequal
- tread depth unequal, exceed 3/8" difference

Not sure what else you are trying to show or ask.

fritzkelly · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:20 PM

First, I would say that it is a 2 or more story house (the only thing I can say for sure). Second, it looks like there is soot on the riser. There is no rail on the right side. The landing has been replaced.

Billy Stephens · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:39 PM

Fire !!!!
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wayne soper · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 08:51 PM

Yes Billy is the winner as expected but a week early, You Donkey.
Jerry. This is right up your alley. Thought you had this one for sure.
What I saw going ot this inspection was,
Older stairway, re-used in present renovation
Water stains on kicks with black sooty borders

FIRE, FIREMEN, HOSES,WATER
So I looked in the attic
Burnt rafters, New Sheathing
So I looked in the basement
Burnt Joists, New floor underlayment
So did the Inspector who did the buyers inspection see these things also?
We will see in the next installament.
I only meant this to be an educational post for newer inspectors who have never seen evidence of past fires.
Many times what you are left to view is minimal because the evidence has been concealed behind finished surfaces. Hope fully contractors would do what's required. But as you will see in the photos. NOT!!!!
Arrows in first photo point to holes drilled through removed main beam that was burnt 90% through but still seemed acceptable to someone enough that they would drill and run wiring though to install recessed lights in the living room ceiling.
Making a buyer aware of possible unseen problems in these situations is Key. What we see on the surface is our paycheck, what we see behind the walls is our longevity and what is expected of us by our clients.
I wonder how this home would look with IR photography?
What is the first thing in your mind when you see painted floor joists?
SUSPICION!
Last pic is the stairway as it was prior to renovation, But that was just too obvious. I had to look behind the garage to find that top section in a pile of debris and set it back in that location for the picture.
Enough said. I hope someone has learned something from this.
Hee Haw Billy, You da MAN
http://images.search.yahoo.com/image...sigb=11vukn11q

Billy Stephens · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:03 PM

Tell the Trim Carpenter to install the missing stair nosing.

* must screen calls, must screen calls, must screen calls *
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Rick Hurst · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:06 PM

Here's SWAG

rick

wayne soper · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:13 PM

That's pretty good Rick, But it was a big 10"

Ted Menelly · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne soper

That's pretty good Rick, But it was a big 10"

Does size realy matter

Rick Hurst · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Does size realy matter

Yes sometimes it does matter.

wayne soper · #11 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:38 PM

Looks like a Memphis cheerleader squad

HAWHAW

Billy Stephens · #12 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:40 PM

Sure Hope He Didn't Look Up!

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Jerry Peck · #13 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne soper

Jerry. This is right up your alley. Thought you had this one for sure.

I presumed those stains to be from age as they looked to be basement stairs - things being carried to and from the basement, dripping onto the stairs.

Of course, if you had posted the second stair photo the first time ... it would not have even been a guessing game - smoke which means fire (besides the charred end of the riser).

wayne soper · #14 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:53 PM

He did!

Ken Bates · #15 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 10:15 PM

Hey Wayne,

Even Sarah Palin would have discovered the damage.

Erby Crofutt · #16 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 04:21 AM

Shucks, I thought it was just a test to see if Jerry could wait a day or two (he couldn't) and give the newer guys a chance to guess at stuff before he provided the right answer. (He didn't, but then I missed the water stains too.)

wayne soper · #17 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 05:32 AM

Sarah Pailhead would have seen the stains if her team had prepped her to see them. I didn't hear one thing come out of her mouth that was not put there by someone else. Didn't answer one question with a straight answer.
So much for her
And Jerry, Why would you give the answer at the beginning of the test. That riser made it too easy. Should have had the smellovision in there too. Smelled like a boy sout camp in that house

Jerry Peck · #18 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne soper

And Jerry, Why would you give the answer at the beginning of the test.

Because you did not say it was for new guys?

Besides, I proved that us old guys are still learning too.

I get run over by a truck and I'm telling you what the tire tread was like, but you were asking 'Were you run over by a truck?' ... sometimes the obvious is 'too obvious', i.e., "hide in plain sight".

Billy Stephens · #19 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayne soper

He did!

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That's Not Funny. ( I'm Still Missing Meals.)

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