Jim Ellis's (shamus) Blog

At an inspection yesterday all flashing and window sealants looked terrible. I expected to find lots of damage. Though I did get some elevated moisture readings, I probed to find no damage under windows or kick out flashings. Here is a picture of how someone added a kick out flashing. It's a grea...

At an inspection yesterday out in the country, I found some nearly empty barrels of some unknown fluids stored in the pump house. While going into the crawlspace the first thing I noticed was a familiar site, black beams and joists. I assume it's creosote but recommend they make sure it's dispose...

The home inspection this morning in Pensacola, Fl reminds me why the Humane Society likes older houses. The ducts in the attic are so open and damaged it is keeping the bugs and critters warm all winter and will likely cool them off this summer. Some of the holes in the ducting are large enough t...

While doing a stucco moisture inspection in Gulf Shores, AL the other day they had some interesting kick out flashings. (at least they had them)  They are a home made brand that will hold any and all debris and water from completely draining. These flashings will need to be cleaned out more than ...

This home I inspected the other day had some normal "plumbers helpers" items. I can picture this clearly, the plumber is setting the toilet in this brand new home. He realizes the floor joists are in the way. What would you do, of course, cut the floor joists. Call for your helper and tell him to...

There have been some good posts about moisture and stucco. Spring time we always do more stucco inspections than the rest of the year. I'm not sure why, I guess it's the beautiful Pensacola and Gulf Coast weather and people are getting outside. I would like to show you what I put in every report....

My inspection this morning had some handy man work done. Just as an example someone ran the cables from 2 Dish satellites through the top of a plumbing drain waste vent, made a hole in the pipe into the attic and had it exit to the bedrooms for TV! Certainly no short term problems here, but, poss...

Here is a question I'm frequently asked. "Do I need Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter devices (GFCI) even though my home isn't new." Answer: Absolutely! Today GFCI electrical outlets are required in all wet areas around the home, i.e., kitchens, and baths, garages, basements and on the exterior of...

Since we have slowed down in the home inspection business, I am reminded of how the mind can drift. What seems like a lifetime ago I was in the automotive business. During some of those slow times my mind would wander and that's when I would make mistakes. I know it is important for me to keep my...

I recently saw a TV commercial from a large drinking water company advertising how much we Americans fill the dumps with plastic bottles. Now they want to help save the planet by suppling us water in their filtered containers. They still offer the other non re-usable bottles. It seems like a doub...