On a recent inspection of a new home in Houston, inspecting the second level balcony I discovered that the builder failed to fasten the railing post tops. These solid concrete balls weigh about 45 pounds and if pushed over could kill someone standing on the patio below.

These are the types of situations Houston home inspectors find every day, so when I hear someone say, it's a new home what could possibly be wrong with it, I refer them to videos like this one.

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.

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.

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.

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.   

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.

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.

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.

Thanks again for this fantastic website.  Really wish we had you here in San Antonio.  I attempted to fix a corner crack area using vinyl concrete patcher (Quikrete) this weekend. 

I was stunned to find a void of 1/8" under the parge coat near the top of the foundation.  In addition, I found a gap of nearly 1" between the stucco cladding and the foundation itself.

After chipping away at the outside a bit, I tried to stuff the vinyl concrete patcher into the 1/8" gap.  Not sure if that worked or not.  I also fully filled the 1" gap at the bottom. 

I have about six bricks that have hairline cracks running from top to bottom as well as some mortar that's broken.  There's no deflection and they're still perfectly level. 

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.

Most homes on concrete slabs will at some point have corner cracks. As Houston home inspectors this is one of the items we are often asked about.

During the home inspection the  home buyer should be advised that this is not a structural isssue. The repair for this, if the corner section falls off, is to use a good construction cement to glue the corner back in place. In only a hanful of cases have I found that the crack extends far enough along the side to effect the brick column.

In this video we’re looking at a problem with a kitchen sink drain.  When qualified Houston home inspectors examine the kitchen sink area he/she will check for several items.  These items should also be reviewed by the homeowner. One of the first is the condition of the vegetable sprayer and connecting hose, he will also want to make sure that water to the main faucet shuts off when the vegetable sprayer is used.  The faucet itself will be checked for leaks around the stem, and to make sure that the swing spout doesn’t leak and is easy to turn. He/she will also be checking to make sure that the faucet is tight on the countertop and sink itself is securely attached.

Under the sink, the inspector will want to make sure the plumbing connections are not leaking and a proper P- trap is installed. He/she will also check to make sure the drain is draining water quickly from the sink.  Any water damage to the bottom of the cabinet will also be noted.  Most cabinet bottoms today are manufactured with a very thin particle board, substance.  Even a small water leak under the sink can cause quite a bit of damage in a short period of time.

One of the other items that the inspector will want to check, while looking under the sink, is to make sure that the dishwasher drain line has an air gap, we will talk more about this item in a later post.

In this Houston home inspection video we're talking about the proper installation of a draft hood for a gas water heater. The draft hood serves two purposes, the first is to provide the water heater vent system with additional air supply so combustion gases can be properly pulled away from the heater and deposited outside of the house.  The second purpose of the hood is to prevent a sudden draft of wind from extinguishing the gas burner of the unit. When installed correctly draft hoods do a good job at both of these functions with very little maintenance.  However, when the draft hood is not installed correctly, carbon monoxide gas may be expelled into the attic and the chance of blowing out the burner or pilot light of the unit exists.

As a homeowner, you may want to take a look at your water heater and make sure that the draft hood is installed correctly.  These units have a tendency to become dislodged or completely removed when a house is being re-roofed.  Also, while you are looking at the unit, you will want to check the water pipe connections to make sure you don't have a leak.

As a homeowner, most of us don't pay much attention to the roof of our house until it starts to leak.  However, the roof of our home provides protection from one of nature’s most destructive elements. Water leakage inside the home results in some of the most expensive repair costs and can significantly reduce the life and value of a home.

One of the ways to avoid roof problems is to periodically inspect the roof. This roof check should be performed at least two times each year preferably in the spring and fall.  During the fall inspection you want to make sure that leaves are cleaned from the roof surface, and all gutters are intact and clear of debris.  During the spring inspection, you should be looking for weather related damage such as shingles missing and flashing missing or pulling away from walls and chimneys. 

A roof inspection can be performed from the ground, with a ladder at eves or on the roof.  If you're making the inspection on the roof surface, don't try to walk on a roof that has a steep/severe angle. Loose asphalt shingle granules and /or a damp roof surface can present a slipping hazard.  You may want to give some thought to having a qualified roofing contractor provide the inspection.

During these roof inspections you are trying to accomplish three major activities.  The first is looking for any repairs that should be made.  The second is to make sure that the roof is performing appropriately and the third is to identify areas of weakness, hazards or deterioration.

Your check of the roof should include the following;

• An examination of the all the roofing materials, asphalt, wood or metal roofing panels.  You should be checking for excessive wear, loose shingles, and blistering in flat or rolled roofing.
•  The structure of the roof decking should be reviewed to determine any areas where the roof is starting to sag or pull away from a wall.    
• An examination of all metal flashing such as step flashing at the intersection of a roof and wall, roof jacks around all vent pipes and other attached items to the roof such as a satellite dish.
• Verifying that the roof gutter system is complete with downspouts and splash blocks at ground level.  All screens over the gutters or leaf guards should also be examined and repaired or replaced, if necessary.
• Housekeeping of the roof, such as cleaning drains, and blowing off leaves and pine straw.

As the moderator of the blog, I'll try to answer any questions as quickly as possible. I will also be posting general information and new videos weekly.

Since this is a new blog answers to some common questions can be found on the FAQ page of this website.