January 17th, 2009 at 5:09 pm

 

 

In this video of a recent Houston home inspection, we discover that the wood trim around the rear exit door is rotted. During the inspection, we find that the house has been poorly designed.  We see this in many newer homes in Houston. It seems that the architect failed to provide adequate coverage over the rear door and windows of the house. In most every case, where we find little or no coverage over the back door, wood rot it is evident.

Other then installing an awning or some type of covering over the doors and windows, a second alternative would be to provide gutters along the rear of the house.  Most Houston home inspectors will recommend that gutters be installed around the entire house.  This recommendation is made primarily to help drain water away from the foundation.  However, in the situation we are reviewing today, gutters will provide some protection from rainwater coming in around the back door. 

Most of the gutters installed today in the Houston area are made of aluminum.  Houston home builders will normally only install the very minimum amount of gutters along the front of the house.  The home owner  should contract with a reputable construction company to install the additional gutters needed around the entire house.

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December 30th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

 

The recent hurricane that struck Houston a few months ago has caused numerous hidden damages to homes. On a recent Houston home inspection I noticed that the strong wind had moved the water heater draft hood away from the top of the unit. This situation poses a hazard to the homes occupants and should be corrected as soon as possible.

All Houston area homeowners should make it a point to visit the attic area. All water heater and furnace vent pipes should be evaluated for proper attachment and alignment on the respective units. If you are unable to gain access to your attic contact a Houston home inspector for assistance.

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December 30th, 2008 at 11:16 pm

 

In this video we are looking at a recent Houston home inspection of a newer home. Although it was not raining at the time a significant backyard drainage issue was discovered.

 

In Houston most all of the newer subdivision lots are designed with the highpoint of the yard at rear fence. This allows the water too drain toward the house, break about the middle of the yard and drain down one or both of the side yards and eventually to the street. In this home inspection we noticed that the homeowner had extended his patio completely blocking the side yard. This yard has no way to drain except onto the empty lot on the left side of the house.

 

The problem will become evident when a home is built on the left side, the yard raised with grass sod and leaving no place for the water too drain. Like the previous yard drainage issue where the homeowner blocked the side drainage plains, this will become a significant problem.

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December 29th, 2008 at 9:01 pm

 

In this video we are looking at a recent Houston home inspection on an older house. While performing the home inspection I was wondering why the kitchen smelled like an open sewer drain.

 

While inspecting the kitchen sink drain lines, I noticed that the home owner used automobile radiator hoses as drain lines for the sink. Automotive grade hoses are far more durable than standard PVC drain pipe; however, the drain line did not have a proper trap so sewer gases were flowing into the kitchen, kind of like cooking in a port-a potty. Hope your Houston home inspector, performing your Houston home inspection  finds this one before it’s too late.   

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December 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm

 

In this home inspection video we take a look at hurricane Ike storm damage. This house was abandoned by the owner shortly after the storm and is currently in foreclosure. Our client is a Houston real estate investor and plans on making repairs and selling the house.

 

Home inspections conducted for investors focus on the large/big ticket items in the home that need repair and/or replacement.  Most experienced inspectors can offer rough estimates of repairs. Once the inspection is completed the buyer will have a list of needed improvements and a reasonable estimate of repair costs.

 

Bank owned houses are usually sold as is, so it is incumbent upon the buyer to make sure he has calculated all repairs.   

 

In this home the entire roof covering will need to be replaced along with several sections of roof decking. Major sections of sheetrock will need to be replaced and the floor coverings will also need to be replaced.

 

We are finding that most homes in Houston sustained some type of storm damage. This damage is often hidden in the attic or areas of the roof where the home owner cannot see. Many water heater and furnace vent pipes are no longer connected.

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December 17th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

 

This home inspection video examines the damage to wood floors from a long term slow leak from the refrigerator water valve. Houston home inspectors will often find small leaks from this valve; however in most cases the refrigerator blocks access.  All plumbing drains as well as fixtures are part of a comprehensive home inspection. Drain leaks are a major cause of water damage and mold within the structure.

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December 11th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

 

 

Recently I was inspecting a new house in Houston, for the home buyer, just prior to closing. I filled the upstairs master bath Whirlpool tub with water and made my usual checks.  When I finished, I opened the drain to make sure that the tub would drain quickly.  When I walked back out into the hallway, outside the master bedroom, I noticed what sounded like someone taking a shower downstairs.  Unfortunately, I was the only one in the house, so it was either haunted or there must be a problem.  Once I made my way downstairs, I realized that water was pouring from the HVAC register and recessed lighting.  Several gallons of water had already drained onto the new hardwood floors of the kitchen and dining room area.  I rushed back up stairs to close the tub drain, but most of the water from the tub but already leaked out.  So I spent the next hour cleaning up water so that the hard wood floors would not be damaged. The problem stemmed from an improperly installed gasket on the bottom of the tub drain. The moral to the story is Houston home inspectors should always carry a mop and bucket in the truck.

 

The ironic thing about this incident is that a prospect called me shortly after I finished cleaning up the water and I could not convince him that even new homes in Houston have problems. He decided to forgo the home inspection. I guess when he hears water running in the house it will be a ghost.

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February 25th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

 

When Houston real estate inspectors are contacted by a home buyer one of the questions they are usually ask is, will I need a termite inspection. If the house is over one year old it is recommended. Most termite inspectors like to say there are two types of homes in Houston ones with termites and one that will have termites. So when you’re setting up your Houston home inspection go ahead and plan on having the termite inspection done at the same time. Termite inspectors are licensed by a separate Texas agency not the Texas Real Estate Commission. Most Houston home inspectors can coordinate the termite inspection to take place during the Houston home inspection.

 

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February 24th, 2008 at 9:50 am

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