A Northern Virginia Home Inspector's Perspective

The great reveal of this new home was ... revealing.When a final walk through is scheduled on new construction, to happen a week or so before closing, the idea is to show the house off!  And let the buyer see the features, and get a feel for the depth of craftsmanship and construction.This was a ...

This expansion tank is probably too heavy for the plumbing.This brand new house is fitted with the plastic CPVC plumbing.It's fine material, when installed right, and has been used around here in residential construction for about 20 years.But, it is plastic.  It does not have the same strength a...

It's called an AC pan condensate float switch because it floats.There are many detection devices to hopefully avoid a leak problem from a clog in the AC condensate drain line or drip pan.One of those devices is a float switch which turns the unit off if there is a clog.All HVAC units have a prima...

Not a roof leak repair you want to see.Almost any roof can leak at any time given the force and direction of driving rain.My roof leaked in two different places during Hurricane Sandy.  It had not leaked before and has not leaked since.In this house there was evidence of a roof leak that was repo...

This is a must - access to shut-off valves "shall be provided."And especially the water main valve.Why wouldn't easy access to the water main valve be provided?  It's an ESSENTIAL valve!  If water to the house needs to be shut off for emergencies you want quick and easy access to the valve.The co...

Replacement windows DEMAND replacement insulation!Replacing old windows with newer, more efficient windows is a big business.It isn't cheap.  But the companies all promise savings.About 30% of the energy efficiency in the house is lost through windows and doors.  Therefore the promised savings va...

Flexible gas tubing should not be bent like this.This is an unprofessional installation.Or, perhaps, through the years, it has been bent over and over in different ways as the range has been moved out and then back in.All of these twists and turns put stress onto the gas line.This is a flexible g...

Do you think this energy loss all over the house doesn't add up?Perhaps 10% of the energy loss in your house happens through exterior wall penetrations like receptacles, switches and canister light fixtures.Spots this poorly insulated can be a significant loss of energy over time!Some builders wi...

What happens in a flip when the new range is deeper than the old one?And, (this is a big AND) the dishwasher door no longer opens!Surely the Flipper knew the dishwasher door cannot be opened.The dishwasher cannot be moved further to the side.And the range cannot be moved further toward the wall.N...

What would you think at final walk through if landscaping was dead?We scheduled the walk through.  We went to the walk through.  The doors were unlocked by the builder for the walk through.It was time for the grand presentation - the great reveal - of my clients' new house.  And we were there to ...