Asbestos dangers within the home. Inspection findings. At Desert Sun Home Inspections, we want our clients to be safe in every way possible. When ever we find issues with a hazardous materials within or outside the home we list this in the report for the buyer to be fully aware the issue is there and needs to be addressed. Asbestos was used in the manufacturing of a lot of home products throughout the years. When it was determined that asbestos caused cancer in humans it was discontinued and has been abated from many homes. But the real threat of contamination continues with a lot of homes. The homes that have asbestos need special attention when it comes to handling the asbestos. Asbestos can be found in siding, roofing materials as well as piping insulation and vent pipes. Abatement c... 11/18/2012

Uncle Bob working hard plumbing the bath. Yes Uncle Bob has been hard at work trying to plumb the bath after the new vanity had been installed. There are things that are done inside and outside of homes that need a person that knows what they are doing so the job gets done correctly. This was not one of those jobs that got done correctly. Can you tell what in the world is wrong with this "P" trap assembly? I have seen a  lot of Uncle Bob's work in New Mexico. And all over the nation. But this drain for the master bath takes the cake. The sewer gasses will get into the home and could cause illness if not reapired and installed correctly. When I first saw this all I could say to my self was "what in the world". Have a great day everyone. This is  post number Six for the November Challenge.   11/05/2012

This time a seller listened to me and the inspection report. On the first inspection the home had a few issues. The buyer said they wanted the issues repaired and the seller did'nt want to do anything. They wanted to sell the home "As Is". The only problem with that is... there was an inspection on the home and there are issues with the home. First off the electrical system had a Federal Pacific Panel and I had warned the buyers of the potential dangers of the panel I also included the link to find out more about the panel and breakers. After five months of wrangling the sellers agreed to make the repairs. The panel had been replaced and upgraded service with a new Square "D" panel and breakers. The sellers were told and shown the report. They did install new GFI plugs for the wet areas... 09/13/2012

Venting leaves the client venting. What not to do when venting baths. Here is a classic example why there are fewer plumbing and mechanical contractors out there today. They know the rules. The guidelines and the proper way of doing things the right way. But yet they persist in trying to get by the quickest way possible. The exhaust vent in question was installed by a licensed contractor. The seller had hired the "experienced contractor" two years earlier to do the job for the half bath and the dryer vent.  Now think of this. The dryer vent should not be that difficult to do. Or was it. This dryer vent was installed and the owner was told the vent "met code", I told him the vent cannot terminate within the home. It was quite a fancy lint catcher. This second picture is the result of pai... 09/11/2012

  AREA 51 Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz Rachel Nevada www ...   www.ufosaliens.org/?p=283 Jan 15, 2012 – Home · About · ← Did Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz see a UFO in the desert of Las Vegas Nevada? Science fiction or Truth … UFOs & Aliens → ... ufosaliens.org | do you believe?   www.ufosaliens.org/ Mar 1, 2012 – Roswell New Mexico July 4th 2011 UFOs/ Aliens & Vegas Bob … Las Vegas Nevada to interview Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz for a Japanese ... Did Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz see a UFO in the desert of Las Vegas ...   www.ufosaliens.org/?p=278 Nov 20, 2011 – That's right Robert (Vegas Bob) Swetz will be in Roswell New Mexicofor the UFO Convention Celebrating the UFO crash on July 4th 1947. Vegas Bob's Interview in Rachel Nevada (AREA 51) | ufosaliens.org   www.ufosaliens.org/?p=205 May 8, 2011 – ... 07/03/2012

The home owner said "minor repairs to the roof". Who are they kidding? It seems all sellers want is to get the home sold. They want to sugar coat things till it seems there are only small issues with the home and the buyer must be on guard when the seller is at the inspection. This was an inspection where the seller was there. Not only the seller but his wife and his three kids. Then there was his handy man, no not named "BOB" believe me I asked.  Then there was myself and the buyer, his wife and the buyers agent. It was a full house. The "handyman" followed me around with a note pad making notes as I went through the inspection process. I always laugh when client's and or sellers do this. I am not going to mention every single thing that I see when I inspect a home to the handyman or t... 07/02/2012

Home inspections in Chaves county New Mexico. Attic safety. There are a lot of different types of attic's that can be in a home. In this inspection I found a "KNEE WALL ATTIC". This attic was not protected from the invasion of children. Children are inquisitive. They will check out things even  when they do or should know better. Protect your children from a simple mistake that could lead to heartache in the future. This door has no lock and nothing to keep the children out of the knee wall attic. This splice in the electrical was in the knee wall attic. If children were to get into the area. This could have become tragic. Remember to be safe everyone.   06/11/2012

If you want it right, get ready to write a big check. The home is 3,200 square foot home. Built in the 1930's The additions have been added throughout it's life. The electrical has been added as well. But never has the electrical been upgraded to the point it was ever brought up to code. I saw this when I inspected the home and found that the breaker boxes were Federal Pacific panels. "OUCH". When I saw the panels I realized the home was never upgraded from the original installation. The home owners just kept adding panels and wiring. Then I took a look inside the panels. The lugs 13-14-15-16 all double tapped. Then we got a good look in the crawl space. Where do I begin? Probably with the "LIVE KNOB AND TUBE", them move on to the junctions without a box, all the splices, then the wirin... 06/09/2012

You are going to need an electrician. That's what I told the buyers of this home. It all started out with the inspection outside of the service line coming to the home. As you can see in the first picture it's been trying to go on vacation. Could part of the problem be the tree that is on the supply lines to the home? The tree has pushed and pulled on the supply lines till the mast has been bent beyond repair. Now the mast needs to be replaced with a new straight mast. Remember the rule of thumb is the "five foot rule". Keep tree limbs back at least five feet from any and all power lines. Remember when the wind blows the tree will too. It will push anything in the limbs path "out of the way". If you "LIKE" this post hit the "LIKE" button please. Have a great day everyone. 06/05/2012

Proper attic venting makes all the difference. Inspecting homes for me is a lot of fun. But not at the buyers expense. "Uncle Bob" Seems to be hard at work in this part of the country. This vent is a homemade dryer vent on the roof. Why. There are vents just for the occasion that a dryer vent is needed on the roof. They are made with a back flow preventer and are made of sturdy steel construction. So why would you take the time to build your own vent? It's probably because "uncle Bob" was too cheap to get a "REAL VENT". Notice the "Chicken wire"? I had to laugh at this one. "Uncle Bob" Needs to stay away from thinking he can do anything. Yes this was done by a licensed contractor. And yes this was approved by the mechanical inspector. The list just keep growing. Have a great day everyone.. 05/27/2012

After thirty years, it was about time. I was told by the home owner that she had planted this yucca plant back thirty years ago. This was the first year that the plant had ever went to seed. Notice the seed pods? This plant is over thirty years old. The seed pods look like a bunch of bananas. This next picture is a bush that has interesting blooms on it.   The blooms on this bush were very interesting. It is about nine foot high. I hope everyone has a great day in the Rain.   05/22/2012

Dropping A/C boots. Finish the job. I have been running into a lot of attics that have had a new furnace or A/C unit along with new duct work installed. At the end of the duct work are the drops or boots. If they are installed correctly, the the home will be more energy efficient than before. If they are not, then it could cost you big money in the future. In this first shot, the A/C duct work was installed and properly attached to the drop. Problem is the contractors workers removed the insulation to get to the are to work on and never replaced the insulation back to the original area. Thus leaving a open area with no insulation on the ceiling. I think the mechanical inspector has no thoughts as to whether the insulation is correct. I have looked in the code s and I see nothing when it... 05/20/2012

Now you know why you need a home inspection. I'm sure you have heard it before when trying to sell a home. "Why do I need a home inspection"? Newer homes and even brand new homes that have never been lived in need a home inspection. There are a lot of short cuts that contractors will try to slip by the "unsuspecting home owner". This is why you the "Buyer" and in many cases the seller, needs a home inspection. Remember to give the buyer peace of mind. Then the sale will go through. On this home the "FLIPPERS" are done. But not the work that needs to be. I know this do'es not look like much, But we have had a lot of rain as of late. The electrical contractor must have been in a hurry. A bird could find this very appealing as to a place to nest as well. This could end up causing a electri... 05/18/2012

When you vent...vent properly. It seems there are more and more problems with venting a home properly. It never ceases to amaze me that there can be so many code violations on a single home. As in my last post about how the mechanical inspector did'nt even go in the attic, there seems to be a trend of this type of "non-inspection" going on. You get paid to do a job. Simply put... DO YOUR JOB. This home was built in 2005. This is a look at the "dryer vent that do'es exit the home at the roof. Problem is it do'es not have a back draft flapper door. This keeps unwanted wind and air pressure from entering the home. Then there are other issues with the homes exhaust venting as well. None of the bath or utility room fans are connected. They are simply there but not hooked up. Another issue wi... 05/15/2012

Home Certificate of occupancy approved. Really. Here is a home built in 2005. The mechanical inspector was there and approved everything in the home. Then the home was issued a certificate of occupancy. This certificate of occupancy cannot be issued if there is anything that needs to be finished and or repaired to code. At a home inspection yesterday I was in the attic of this 2005 home. I entered the attic through the access door in the Master bedroom closet. As soon as I entered the attic. This is what I saw. Of course it was a little more hidden than what you see. I did open up the insulation for a better picture. I noticed this as soon as I entered the attic. Why did'nt the Mechanical inspector see this and have the repairs made before issuing a C of O? The really sad part is, there... 05/13/2012

Water heater with a "FIRE" hazard. Here is another fine example of our mechanical inspectors doing a great job. I'm sorry I did'nt word that right. It should read.... Here is another example of our mechanical inspectors "NOT"doing a great job. This water heater was installed with all the bells and whistles for the eye to see. But what about when you look into the installation? Then what do you see then? When I viewed this water heater I thought, good job. The exhaust was in place and did go into a "B" vent before it entered the ceiling and then the attic.  But this is just "part of the home inspection process. I still have to go up onto the roof and check things out up there. Yes you probably guessed it by now.... The vent coming from the water heater was a "B" type vent in the water he... 04/30/2012

Home inspections in Chaves county New Mexico. Attic's and child Safety. Normally when we think of attic's and child safety, we don't usually put the two together. But in this case we need to. As a parent we want our children to be safe. We install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors so we can sleep better at night thinking we did everything we could to make the home safer for the children. But what if?  This home is about 1,400 square foot and has a vaulted ceiling. There is a collar beam attic. But there is also three knee wall attics. These need to be secure to insure the children don't enter these areas. Children are very inquisitive. They want to explore and see what they don't know or can't see. There are dangers in most attics that children and most adults don't even know a... 04/09/2012

Bath fans, they need some TLC as well. I did a home inspection on a multi unit complex this weekend. The units for the most part was sound with exception of some  issues like a new roof and windows etc. I had inspected the upper bath when I ran accross this bathroom. There the fan was for all to use when in the bathroom. So why not use it? I asked the tenant if she used the fan on a regular basis. She told me Not really. She never thinks about using the fan when in the bathroom taking a shower. I explained to her the benefits of using the fan and she seemed to be disinterested. There is no window in the bathrooms. There for the fan was needed to give the room the proper ventilation. Remember if you have a fan in the bathroom you are using. Use the fan. And remember when you do your "spr... 03/04/2012

A Normal inspection? Far from it. I get this type of inspection from time to time. The mortgage company requests an inspection too soon. The mortgage company is requesting a site verification. A contract verification and a home inspection. The only problem was nothing was ready for a inspection. I mean nothing. Note the water well drilling rig at the rear of the home. The well had not been completed when I had arrived. From the front of the home all looks as it should. But wait till I get out of the truck to start taking pictures. As you can see, the backfill for the ground level set has not been completed. Plus there are no steps/ decks to the home yet. Septic had been installed and connected. But the water well was not completed either.   I think it's going to be about a week before t... 01/30/2012

A home inspection re inspect. Sometimes you just need to agree to disagree. What happens after the repairs have been made by the owner of the home? Remember the home with the duct work running all over the roof? I went back to see the repairs for my self. This was a reinspect for the buyer. Before the repairs were made. After the repairs were made. Very nice job indeed. But there were other issues with the home that were not addressed properly. When I first inspected the home, there was not a drip leg on the gas line to the water heater. The client added a drip leg to the water heater. This drip leg was installed, but it was installed with the wrong fittings. These are made of a galvanized metal instead of a black gas fittings. And yes this was installed by the same plumbing company tha... 01/29/2012