Top home inspection finds of 2009

In the spirit of the new year here is a sample of my findings over the past year.  Enjoy the pictures and comments

It is the Top 9 Finding of 2009

Check Your Sump Pump

With wet weather the chances of getting a wet basement increases. If you have a sump pump it is important that you check to see that is is working. If it is old but still working it may still be a good idea to replace it to avoid problems.

In the image you can see a sump pit filled with water. The teathered float is trapped against the side of the pit preventing the switch from turning on the pump.


If you have this type of sump pump you should check it to make sure it is not able to get trapped leading to standing water in your basement.

Feel free to share this with others such as friends, family, clients, ect

Jim Troth, Certified Home Inspector
Habitation Investigation LLC
Ohio home inspection

Ohio Home Inspection Company checks for Recalled Appliances

Ohio Home Inspection Company checks for Recalled Appliances

Dryer vents

In this image is a duct for a clothes dryer. As you can see it is in desperate need of being cleaned.

Having too much lint build up is not only slows the flow of air, increases the drying time and increases the costs of drying your clothers. A build up of lint such as this is also a fire hazard.

This is just one of the things I come across while doing home inspections.

Protect your image

It is likely that you have heard of the story about Tiger Woods and the his alleged affairs. He was thought of as clean cut role model and he sought ofter by sponsers, but now with the recent information coming that has changed. He is no longer seen as a great person nor as a role model. He is still a great golfer and always be known as a great golfer, however sponsers will not desire him as they once did. His reputation is tarnished and will never be as clean as it once was.

Remember when you market yourself and your home inspection services to never be dishonest, your reputation and the amount of business yiou get depends a great deal on it.

http://ping.fm/HFFZV

Contests

Running short contests as part of your marketing can be an effective way to stay on the top of the minds of your clients and primary referral sources. Current events are great for coming up with ideas. You need to be careful so make sure your are not offending someone.

No matter what your business, it is important that you be consistant with your marketing. http//:www.homeinspectionmarketing.com

I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy the extra time with family and friends and remember to pause and give thanks.

On this foggy morning, I am driving to Belle Center, Ohio for a home inspection with coffee in hand.

This what can happen if you allow rain to enter into flue. Be sure that you have a rain cap on flues.

Being flexible with the days in which a company provides service is a great way to go the "extra mile" that many business do not go. This is another way to set your business and service apart from the others.

Market looking forward

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Darrell Royal

"Prepair for winter business by marketing in the fall." Jim Troth

There is often a delay between implementation of a home inspection marketing idea and the realization of the results. Always market and monitor the results of your home inspection marketing.

In Panera, finished a report on a condo in Columbus, soon heading off for a home inspection of a house in Hilliard. It is important to allow time between inspections to get things done and just in case things take longer than expected.

long day again tomorrow, need to head off to bed soon. But first, hang out with the wife.

Effecient

I have been working on my home inspection marketing website. My goal is to have it run as effeciently as possible. I know now how to set things up so that my members and visitors can download items. This will help them improve their marketing skills faster, no time of mine is spent burning cd's and making trips to the post office, plus I can pass these savings on to the buyers.

My home inspection marketing website is: http://ping.fm/wwCKx

At todays home inspection near West Liberty Ohio I came across a double tap before the main breaker. This a big safety issue.

The wiring coming away from that extra tap into the main is completely without breaker protection.

I once inspected the home of a building contractor. He had done this for the new master bedroom he had built himself.

Goes to show that just because someone should know better does not mean that they will act better.

To see my home inspection website visit my Home Inspection Site Here

Long day planned for tomorrow. I am glad that the weather will not be hot. http://ping.fm/bAgFl

It is all marketing

Read something today that stated that all that we do in a business is a form of marketing. How we act and perform our duties sends a message and that message states good or bad things regarding the service and company.

Home inspection is a business in which inspectors have many opportunities to market themselves. However most miss the opportunities.

People who want to sell their home should give the impression that they took good care of the home so as to protect it from damage.

This is why it often surprises me during home inspections that people who want to sell their home will often neglect cleaning the gutters. When I see a home with stuffed clogged gutters I know that the home owner tends to be neglectful when it comes to taking care of the house.

This sends a bad message to potential buyers. There is no need for this to happen, especially when services are out there that will actually clean the gutters for you such as The Gutter Sweep in central Ohio.

So if you are selling your home or plan on having your home always be nice keep your gutters cleaned. You homes value will thank you.

Toledo trip

Heading up to Toledo, Ohio today to tend a bit on a house we rent to others. When you are self employeed you need to make great use of your time. To be more efficient for this trip I am doing a reinspection on a house I inspected a few weeks age. The home buyer wanted to make sure the requested repairs were completed by the seller. After this I will market that city, Bellefontaine, and then continue on up to Toledo.

So I will inspect, maket and perform maintenance in one trip. I also have scheduled a visit with a long time friend in Toledo.

Always be effecient.

Charred Roof

The other day at a home inspection while traversing an attic. I squeezed through an opening to get to the other section of the attic. While there I saw what is imaged to the right. It is charred roof sheathing. It is charred because the gas water heater vent is disconnected and the exhaust is not being directed safely outside, slowing buring the wood.

The roof had been recently replaced so perhaps the roofers accidentally loosened the vent while working.

If my extra efforts of actually climbing through a hot dirty attic was not made then who knows what would have happened eventually. I am certain that the clients are very happy I saw this.

I encourage you to periodically inspect these areas of your house or have someone do it for you.

Check your crawl spaces

Crawl spaces are dirty places that are usually containing cobwebs and excess moisture. This post is to remind you to check the crawl space under your house. The other day during a home inspection I can across an issue.

The crawl space did not have adequate ventilation and moisture had been entering the space. This created an environment condusive for mold/mildew. The result is a few floor joists rotted and in need of replacement/repair. I could even poke a screwdriver through the joist.

If you do not inspect your crawl space yourself then hire a home inspector to do it for you before undesireable things happen.

Never stop marketing

I help coach a few home inspectors. One inspector recently told me that basically he was not going to do much marketing till homes started selling and the housing market was going better. I hope I misunderstood him.

No matter what business you are in never turn off your marketing completely. Slow times are excellent opportunities to gain market share.

Roof inspections

Roof inspections are an important part of the whole house inspection. That is why I try to walk every roof. Some roofs cannot be walked such as slate or too steep. The other day the slope on the rear of a house was 12/12, way too steep. The front part was walkable and good thing I did.

The shingles on the ridge were not secure. These will likely blow off someday. It should be an easy repair but important to do.

Home Inspections in Ohio

Travels

Driving to home inspections can take me many areas. The other day I was definitly off the beaten path. The house to be inspected was beautifully situated "way" off the road. So far off that if a person does not own a four wheel drive truck then they will be stranded /stuck in the rutty dirt driveway heading to the house several times a year. I drove past sandstone cliffs, small ponds and lots of trees getting to the place. At one point I could see the house overlooking a small valley, but I still had approximately a three minute drive on the driveway because I had to drive along the ridge to get there.

The home inspection found nothing of major concern, for me the minor adventure of getting there is the memory.

There were signs posted for a Moonshine Festival that is held annually in that area. I feel the urge to check that out.

How to Pick an Ohio Home Inspector Tips

How to pick an Ohio Home Inspector

Free tips on picking a home inspector to check out the home you are about to purchase.

Click HERE

Oh the sights I see....

While I am doing home inspections in Ohio I come across many things. Most are minor issues that should be improved. Some things seen are dangerous.

It is hard to see in this image. This panel has condensation on all the breakers and conductors. The floor beneath it is wet due to the recent flooding of the basement.

In this case it is definitly not safe to operate any of the breakers. Never operate an electric panel that is wet or if the floor you will be standing on is wet. When both occur do not even think of doing anything beyond looking.