First Choice Home & Commercial Inspection Services, | New Hampshire

When does the home inspector invoke the dreaded Structural Engineer?

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:37:00 GMT

When does the home inspector invoke the dreaded Structural Engineer?

In my career as a home inspector, I have probably only had to recommend a Structural Engineer about six times. So it doesn’t happen very often.

In fact, when a home inspector says that a Structural Engineer is needed, it is typically the death nell for the transaction.

As home inspectors, one of the things that is expected is that we have a good bedside manner, and that we do not act in an alarming way toward the clients.

However, when you need to recommend a Structural Engineer, all that pretense pretty much goes right out the window. After all, you are saying that there is something so wrong with the structure, that it needs an opinion from an engineer.

That is typically the end of the transaction.

Only once or twice have my clients actually hire a structural engineer to look at the structure, and it’s usually the same conclusion. They typically agree with the home inspectors evaluation that the structure is deficient in some way.

On a few occasions, I’ve called for a structural engineer, only to find out from the listing agent that a structural engineer was already on the site the previous day or a few days before. So clearly in those instances, I wasn’t the only one that was concerned with something about the structure

So the bottom line is, if a home inspector says you need a Structural Engineer, there’s something pretty wrong with the house / structure. Home Inspectors don’t typically call out the need for a Structural Engineer unless it’s a huge issue.

Either way, get a home inspection! It’s piece of mind.

Mike McCarty
First Choice Home & Commercial Inspection Services

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Are there any issues with a house being located right next to a road?

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:24:00 GMT

Recently, I inspected a 150 year old home located exactly next to a busy road – a state highway in fact.

When the house was first built, the road was only a dirt road, and only hosted horses and carriages.

But over the years, the road was built up, encroaching ever closer to the house. And then the automobile came along, and soon we had paved roads.

150 years ago, homes were constructed with granite blocks and fieldstones. The fieldstones were literally taken from the surrounding fields located around the home.

The fieldstones were dry-stacked along the around the perimeter of the excavated basement cavity. And then the house was framed on top of the foundation.

And typically, barring any severe incidents of erosion or water intrusion, these types of foundations can last indefinitely if not disturbed, altered and/or updated.

However, this type of foundation can be problematic in modern times.

First of all, as we impose larger weight loads inside these older home in the form of larger pieces of furniture and big screen tv’s, we change the dynamic of the house. The heavier loads push down on the foundation, which was not constructed to support heavy loads.

Secondly, as previously mentioned, home inspectors often encounter foundations that have been altered. By altered, we are referring to when the joints / openings between the fieldstones are filled in, often times in at attempt to prevent water and air infiltration.

And lastly, when one of these older homes is located too close to a busy road, the vibrations from passing cars, and even more so passing semi-trucks, can actually cause portions of the foundation to be vibrated loose / dislodged.

How do you correct for this type of situation?

Alterations or upgrades to the foundation need to be made to correct for the damage caused by the vibrations. Poured Concrete buttresses can be installed around the interior perimeter of the basement to hold the fieldstone foundation in place.

The bottom line is, older foundations are a fixture of many of the homes we have here in New Hampshire as well as throughout New England. We just need to treat these old homes and foundations with more consideration.

Merry Christmas to all!

Mike McCarty
First Choice Home & Commercial Inspection Services

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Home Inspectors vs. Code

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:17:00 GMT

Sorry I haven’t blogged in a while! We have been so busy this past year. Every month of 2024 set new records for home inspections.

New Hampshirites can certainly claim that we live in an interesting state. The state motto of New Hampshire is “Live Free or Die.” Many that live here are very proud of the lack of oversight we have in this state.

New Hampshire has approximately 235 towns and cities all told. I have considered becoming a building inspector several times, and I was made privy to a statistic recently that didn’t surprise me. Only about 74 of the New Hampshire towns and cities even have a Building Inspector. That leaves approximately 161 towns without any oversight whatsoever.

I have overseen 203k renovation projects in towns with no building inspectors.

In at least one instance (I’ll omit mentioning the town in question), we were told that we could do anything we wanted to do to the home except for changing the color of the home.

After finding that out, I informed the contractor that we will be doing everything to code anyway, considering that I have to answer to HUD.

This is one of the realities of living in this state.

How does this pertain to home inspections?

Per our licenses, home inspectors are not allowed / authorized to enforce codes during home inspections.

Sometimes this leads to a situation after a home inspection where a contractor chastises the inspection report and says that the home inspector was negligent by NOT enforcing the codes.

As previously stated, we can’t enforce the codes. Our main mandate is the safety of our clients in their home.

A great example of this is GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection on outlets in kitchens and bathrooms. Again, we can’t enforce the codes, which clearly necessitate the need for GFCI protection in those locations, but we can express the need for safety in those locations. And how do you make it safer? GFCI protection.

So the bottom line is, we can’t enforce code, but we can enforce safety.

At First Choice, the safety of our clients is paramount!

Mike McCarty
First Choice Home Inspection

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What Does “At the time of the inspection” Mean?

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:07:00 GMT

What Does “At the time of the inspection” Mean?

There is a phrase that we use in the home inspection trade during every inspection. Home Inspectors use the phrase “at the time of the inspection” whenever we are referring to the conditions that we have encountered during the course of the home inspection.

Essentially the phrase refers to the items that we are finding during the inspection.

The reason this phrase is relevant is because sometimes we are joined on the home inspection by the seller / homeowner or the seller’s agent. FYI typically the seller is not present, and less frequently the listing agent is not present.

Inevitably in this scenario, the homeowner or seller’s agent will overhear the home inspector talking about an item that needs to be corrected or upgraded, and human nature compels the homeowner or their agent to say that the item will be corrected before the new owner takes possession of the home, or that the item is known to them, and is about to be corrected.

Regardless of the attempt at placation, the home inspector is required by their license to report what they see or have seen during the inspection.

This is a hot button issue for me personally, because I have had listing agents literally say to me, “that item will be fixed by tomorrow, so you don’t need to put that in the report.”

Au contraire my friend, I DO need to put that in my report because I just witnessed that item during the inspection, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t include the item.

Hence the use of the phrase, at the time of the inspection, I witnessed…

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # 1939

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The Pros and Cons of Buying an Old House

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:22:00 GMT

The Pros and Cons of Buying an Old House

I am always surprised when we are asked to conduct a home inspection on a 100+ year old home, and the buyers happen to be under the age of 30. And furthermore, it’s going to be their first home!

I’ve learned over the years that a lot of the draw / interest directed toward older homes is because of the charm and the unique architectural features that are found in older homes. Younger buyers are often attracted to the unique construction style, as opposed to the over-produced colonial-style homes that are constructed in huge numbers these days.

However, if someone is going to purchase an old home, there are items that need to be considered. Items that need to be taken into consideration that you won’t find in a newly constructed home. Some of the more notable items to watch out for: lead paint (both inside and outside the home), asbestos impregnated insulation and flooring, old and potentially unsafe electrical wiring, as well as the lack of insulation, little-to-no ventilation, etc.

When you decide on an older home, the aforementioned items should be anticipated.

Most of the time, home inspectors end up having to deliver the news that we have found some of those items in the home.

Now, it’s not the end of the world. It very rarely is. With very few exceptions, everything is fixable or correctable.

Of course, there is always a $ sign attached to the items.

For example, if Asbestos wrapping is discovered on the supply pipes for a steam boiler system, removal of the Asbestos material can be expensive.

Again, these are issues that you won’t find in newer homes. So, the moral of the story is, if you want an older home, be prepared to see these types of items in the home.

But on the pro side, you get a home that was built with a quality of workmanship that we don’t always see in new construction. And of course, you get those fantastic architectural features! For my money, you can’t beat the older homes!

At First Choice Residential and Commercial Inspections, we really appreciate and look forward to inspecting old homes.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # 1939

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Ughh, We Have Termites!

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 20:41:00 GMT

When I first discovered termites at my home, I initially said, “Wow! Look at these white ants!” Within a moment of saying that, I realized that there are no white ants.

Over the past 6 months, I have come across a significant amount of Termite damage / activity while conducting home inspections. The activity was mostly centered in the Nashua, NH area.

As someone who studied the writings and teachings of Sun Tzu in the past, I always endeavor to understand my enemy better.

So let’s learn about termites!

The first thing to know about termites is that most termites cannot be exposed to any type of light. Typically, exposure to light – even a lightbulb, can kill them.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Follow-up: Should a client attend the inspection?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:57:00 GMT

Hello again!

A few months ago, I addressed a frequently asked question – should a client attend the home inspection?

Both then and now, my conclusion was without hesitation, of course the client should attend the home inspection.

It is vital / essential for the client to be present for the inspection. If for no other reason, just for the simple fact that the only way to truly understand the relevance of the findings that arise during an inspection, is to witness the items in person and to speak with the inspectors in order to understand the relevance and the urgency of the issues (if any).

Reading about the items in the report simply does not cut it! I don’t care how many pictures you put into the report, or how detailed your narrative is about the item.

So we inspected an older home a few weeks ago – built in 1890. Now, for my money, these homes are typically some of the best construction that we encounter as home inspectors. The craftsmanship and workmanship employed in building the home were top notch.

The foundation was comprised of granite blocks – most weighing 2 to 4 tons (at a guess). And the woodwork throughout the home was exquisite. Most of the exterior architectural features were unique to the home.

However, older homes come with inherent issues that new homes don’t have. I’m referring to the potential for asbestos and lead to be present in the home, as well as Knob & Tube electrical wiring. All of these items are considered potential health / safety hazards, and all three items are considered insurance hazards by insurance companies.

And this house in particular, although meticulously cared for and updated in almost every category, still had all three of the previously mentioned items present in the home.

The paint on the exterior of the home (and no doubt inside the home) most likely contained lead (for the record, we did not confirm the presence of lead, but recommended testing the paint to confirm it).

There was Vermiculite insulation present in the attic. Vermiculite insulation can have asbestos impregnated in the material (all Vermiculite is required to be removed by insurance companies now).

And there was Knob & Tube electrical wiring that was present in the attic, and we confirmed that it was active / energized.

All three of these issues can be resolved. At a cost of course, but that’s why our client wisely ordered a home inspection.

Unfortunately, our client was not present for the home inspection. As a result, he had to hear about the issues when he read the report. And although I spend extra time elaborating on issues in the report when a client is not present during a home inspection, there is just no substitute for the client being there and hearing about the issues in person.

With the client present, we can describe the issues in detail, illustrate the concerns, and offer a path to solution (through recommended contractors).

But again, our client was not present. So as a result, the client backed out of the transaction.

I offered to speak with him regarding the report, but he did not take me up on the offer.

And that’s a shame, because it was a beautiful home! If I was looking for an investment property, I would have jumped at it.

So the moral of the story is, please try and attend your home inspection. If for no other reason, just so you can get an education about the home.

The inspectors at First Choice Home Inspection are ready to inspect your home!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Brand New Roof? Yeah right, and monkeys might fly out of my ***….

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 17:23:00 GMT

Hi folks!

I conducted a home inspection yesterday where the MLS listing listed that the roof was brand new. Now I didn’t know that when I first arrived at the home. I usually will not look at the MLS listing in order to prevent any bias on my part regarding the home.

So I simply climbed up on the roof and conducted my inspection of the roof as I always do.

My evaluation of the roof lead me to the conclusion that the roof covering was original to the home, which was built in 2001. So essentially it was a 22 year old roof.

The wear and tear on the shingles was the dead giveaway for me.

The extent of the wear and tear meant that the roof was original to the home.

Even after seeing these pictures, the listing agent was insistent that the roof had just been replaced in November. The agent said she witnessed the bundles of shingles being hauled up to the rooftop.

I noted that the ridge vent was brand new, however a new ridge vent does not make it a “new roof.”

The house was a recently flipped property. And one thing I know from 12 years of experience inspecting homes is that “flipped” homes are always renovated with as little money as possible invested back into the rehab in order to maximize the return of investment on the property.

Advertising the home as having a new roof is obviously a deceptive tactic used to entice buyers to the home. This situation is exactly the reason why it’s essential to have a home inspection.

Home Inspectors are the last line of defense for a buyer purchasing a home.

The inspectors at First Choice Home Inspection are ready to inspect your home!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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The Art of Inspecting Old Homes

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 12:56:00 GMT

As home inspectors, we are often called up to inspect very old homes. Now my friends who live in England laugh when I refer to an old home here in the United States – the oldest homes we have are 400 years old. In England, there are homes that had stood for centuries!

Anyway, I delight in inspecting old homes. It surprises me that there are home inspectors in the state of New Hampshire that won’t inspect old homes. I get it! They are a lot of work to inspect! But as I said, I love inspecting old homes.

I can’t help but consider the rich history in the home. How many families have lived within the walls of the home during the life of the structure?

A few years ago, we had the opportunity to inspect a home that was moved from Epsom, New Hampshire all the way over to Hopkinton, New Hampshire in 1948. So before the house was even moved, it had stood where it was for over a hundred and fifty years.

Today, the thought of moving a home is an aberration. Why would anyone go through all the trouble of moving a home??? That’s a 25 mile journey – I checked it on Google Maps!

Well no doubt someone found the house charming or interesting enough that they wanted to move it, and to continue to live within it’s walls.

This unique home had some amazing architectural features that I wanted to share with our readers.

The home came equipped with a set of stairs leading up to the 2nd floor that are referred to as “Good Morning Stairs.” Basically the stairs lead up from the front entry door foyer to a small landing, and then two sets of stairs lead up from the landing to the right and to the left with two bedrooms located at the top of each flight of stairs.

In the morning, when the occupants of the two bedrooms would meet at the landing on the way down to get breakfast, they would have the opportunity to say, “Good Morning.”

Also present in the home was a “Parson’s Nip,” or “Parson’s Cupboard.” This little hidden compartment was used to conceal spirits (liquor) for when the local clergy would visit the home. Apparently this was a way to curry favor with the parson and by extension with God as well!

There was a large, beautiful brick fireplace with an enormous hearth. The hearth was large enough for a cauldron, which would hang from the cauldron arm that swings back and forth in the fireplace.

The home also featured many of the original windows – with 9 over 6 sashes (referring to the glass panes in the sashed)! This particular type of window is not very common. All of the previous owners of the home had opted to leave them in place, giving the home a more distinct character.

Many of the glass panes were original with blown glass – exemplified by the bubbles in the glass, and the waviness in the glass panes. They are definitely not the most efficient windows!

There are so many interesting architectural features that are found in old homes here in New England. Inspecting homes in this region of the country requires a discerning eye, and a definite expertise in old construction.

The inspectors at First Choice Home Inspection are ready to inspect your home!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

Check out the following website to look at an older home in my home state of Massachusetts:

http://54lowellroad.com/

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Concealment / Memory Shoes

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 12:16:00 GMT

Memory / Concealment Shoes

A few years ago, I inspected one of the oldest homes in New Boston, New Hampshire. The house was built in 1787 and the current owners had been excellent stewards of the home and had done some wonderful work maintaining the house.

But the real beauty of an old home is the rich history that abounds. You just need to apply some thought to all of the people whose lives have touched the home, and imagine all the stories that have played out over the 240 year existence of the house.

Some of the typical architectural features that we find in old homes, such as “Indian Shutters,” were located on all the windows in the home. Indian shutters could be pulled together to block the window.

But I witnessed a curiosity that was new to me. The current owners asked if I wanted to see the “memory shoe” that had been found at the base of their chimney? I incredulously asked, “What exactly is a memory shoe?”

The current homeowners had engaged a plumber to do some work in the basement installing new plumbing supply lines, and the plumber had made an accidental discovery while shuffling around in the loose soil that comprised the basement floor. The plumber had stumbled upon a single old, baby-sized leather shoe concealed in a secret compartment at the base of the chimney.

The plumber emerged from the basement, and presented the tiny shoe to the owners. He said that he had only found the one shoe, but he was convinced there must be another one.

So the owners did some research into this phenomenon, and they discovered that this single shoe was left at the base of the chimney for a distinct reason. At some point in the past, one of the previous families living in the home most likely lost a baby or a toddler – which was unfortunately a common occurrence in colonial days. The mortality rates were very high amongst children.

The parents removed one of the child’s shoes after the passing, and buried it next to the chimney. This act is referred to as leaving a “concealed” or “memory” shoe in place.

In colonial times, it was often thought that the lost child that was taken by evil spirits. So by placing a shoe from the lost child at the base of the chimney, it would hopefully ward off other evil spirits from entering the home, and potentially save the life of other children.

This belief was so widespread in the colonies and in the England, that there are several museums with dedicated “Concealed Shoes” sections.

It’s stories and curiosities like this that keep me inspecting homes!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

Please check the following link for more information:

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The Reality of Radon

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 00:49:00 GMT

Like most people, I was not an expert when it came to Radon – even as a home inspector. That is until about 3 years ago when I came across a situation involving a person with a lot of health issues.

Here is the definition of Radon from the CDC website: Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rock, soil, and water. Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air. Over time, breathing in high levels of Radon can cause lung cancer.

www.cdc.gov > radon

According to both the EPA and the American Lung Association, radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon accounts for approximately 21,000 deaths a year – 2,900 of the deaths occur among people who have never smoked.

www.epa.gov > radon
www.lung.org > at-home

Radon is produced by the radioactive decay of radium-226, which is found in uranium ores, phosphate rock, shales, igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, gneiss, and schist, and to a lesser degree, in common rocks such as limestone.

And of course, New Hampshire is the Granite State. So yay for the residents of New Hampshire, we have some of the highest levels of Radon in the entire country.

So as I mentioned, there’s a story: As we often do as home inspectors, I travelled down to a home 2 days ahead of the inspection to set a Radon air test and take a water test.

The home was a 2 year old home, with the original occupant living in the home. I set the Radon air test in the basement and proceeded to prep for the water test. While I was taking the water test, I chatted briefly with the homeowner.

He proceeded to tell me a sad story of how his health problems had curtailed his life. He used to run a car dealership with 20+ employees. But everything in his life had spiraled downhill over the last two years. He was suffering from COPD and asthma, and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. His health problems forced him to give up his job. He was going to move himself into an assisted living facility, since he was finding it extremely difficult to get along on his own. And all since he moved into the home 2 years ago after the construction was completed.

Well I told him how sorry I was for all of his health problems, took my water test, and I wished him well.

2 days later, I performed the home inspection, and picked up the Radon air test and brought it to the lab.

Initially, because I was busy with other home inspections, I didn’t get a chance to look at the lab results.

But the day after the inspection, I received a phone call from a representative from the New Hampshire DHHS office. He was inquiring about the Radon air test that I conducted at the property that I had just inspected. He wanted verification on the Radon levels that I recorded. I admitted that I hadn’t yet looked at the results. Well he proceeded to tell me what the results were:

129 pCi/L air (4.0 is the accepted level in New Hampshire).

11,900 pCi/L (above 2000 pCi/L if Radon in Air levels exceed 4 pCi/L is the level for the water).

He indicated that the highest recorded Radon air level in the state was 138 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air). So he was looking for verification of the levels that I recorded. He wanted to know what test parameters I followed. I explained that I adhered to all the recommended test parameters. That’s all I could say.

But after that conversation, I began to think of the gentleman living in the house. No wonder he had so many health issues. He was getting blasted from both the air and the water in the home!

That inspection solidified for me why it’s essential to test for Radon – both in the air and in the water.

We offer Radon Air and Full Water Testing – including testing for Radon and Uranium.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Does a NEWLY constructed home need to be inspected?

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:27:00 GMT

I hear this line from people time and time again: “It’s a newly constructed home, so it doesn’t need to be inspected.”

That statement couldn’t be further from the truth.

Here in New Hampshire, we have numerous municipalities that have no building inspector on staff, or even any oversight available.

In those towns, it’s like the wild west. So how does a homebuyer protect themselves? Through a home inspection of course!

And I’m not saying that there aren’t good builders out there that have pride in their work – there certainly are! However, just like any other trade or line of work, there are always exceptions.

And we don’t know all the circumstances that occurred when the home was being constructed. Perhaps the builder’s normal crew wasn’t available for a particular home? Perhaps the crew no foreman on the job or no oversight during the construction?

We just don’t know. All I know, is that 3 out of the top 10 worst homes that I have ever inspected were brand new homes.

One of the homes was a newly constructed home in Weare, NH that had more issues than I have ever seen. According to the homeowner, the builder was building his first new home. Unfortunately, my clients were the recipient of the new home. Needless to say, there is now an ongoing lawsuit regarding this situation.

I also had a new home in Rochester, NH in a subdivision where the builder ran out of money on the last 5 lots / homes, and he sold off the remaining lots to local handymen etc., who proceeded to construct the homes with no prior new construction experience.

Recently, I inspected a newer home located in Tamworth, NH that was constructed using a dry stacked concrete block foundation. Never before in my career had I witnessed a home that literally was a total loss. The dry stacked foundation caused the entire house structure to settle. We saw evidence of settlement all throughout the home.

I asked the listing how did this home get constructed? His answer was very telling: “This is Tamworth man. There is no oversight up here.” Anyone can build a house in Tamworth, and there is no one to make sure that the homes were constructed to code, or more importantly, constructed safely.

So the bottom line, please get a home inspection. Not so we can make money, but because we (home inspectors) are the front line for homebuyers. That’s why our trade exists. Please get a home inspection!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Inspecting Generational Homes

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 17:30:00 GMT

We have been inspecting a lot of what I call, “Generational Homes” of late. A Generational Home is defined in most of the internet searches I conducted, as a home that has housed 2 – 3 generations of the same family.

We had the honor of inspecting a home in Goffstown a month ago that was built in 1854 and is considered one of the oldest homes in Goffstown, New Hampshire. And would you believe it, the same family has owned the home since it was constructed. So that home has been host to the same family for 169 years!

Now, as we are seeing a lot these days, the newer generations don’t want to carry on the tradition. So this house in particular was about to change hands / families for the first time since the home was built.

I’m a nostalgic person, so it broke my heart to hear that, but that didn’t deter us from inspecting the home.

As I mentioned before, it was an honor to inspect the home. You just don’t see the level of craftsmanship in modern homes that you see in the older homes. The architectural details alone were breath-taking to behold.

I spoke to the current homeowners for a few minutes before they left the home for the inspection, and they expressed regret about having to leave the home, but they were both in their 70s, and were just not capable of maintaining the home.

A few years ago, I inspected a home in Hollis, NH that had played host to the same family for over 200 years, and was changing hands for the first time. An older couple bought the home and I did the inspection. After 3 months of living there, the older couple decided that the home was too much upkeep for them, so they promptly sold the home to another couple.

So in the span of 5 months, that 200+ year old home played host to 3 different families.

It is sad to see these types of homes fall into neglect or be passed over simply because of their age.

At First Choice Home Inspection, we have a deep respect for older homes, as well as the knowledge and experience necessary to properly inspect old homes.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Compartmentalizing and Conducting Home Inspections

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 18:10:00 GMT

I thought of another word the other day that applies to how a home inspector conducts a home inspection.

The word I was thinking of was the word “Compartmentalize.” I found this definition on the Merriam-Webster website: “To separate into isolated compartments or categories.”

I think that word actually does a great job of describing what we (home inspectors) actually do.

When a home inspector enters a room, he or she must compartmentalize all the items in a given room.

I described to someone once all the items that we would inspect in a dining room. The person I was talking to was incredulous – how much could there possibly be to look at in a dining room?

So I work from the top down. So starting from the ceiling, this is what we have to look at:

On the ceiling:

We are looking for water stains from plumbing fixtures or from roof leaks.
We are checking for expansion / contractions cracks on the ceiling.
We are looking for indications of poor workmanship – including sheetrock tape around the edges of the room.
We are inspecting any hanging light fixture / chandelier.
We are looking for any indications of structural failure in the ceiling structure.

On the walls:

We are checking for expansion / contraction cracks in the walls.
We are looking for water stains from plumbing fixtures or from roof leaks.
We are looking for indications of poor workmanship – including sheetrock tape around the sheetrock seams on the walls.
We look at any decorative molding installed around the room.
We are inspecting any wall sconce light fixtures.
We are looking for any indications of structural failure in the wall structure.
We are checking windows for proper operation and functionality. We are checking the trim work around the windows as well.
We are testing entry doors, and looking at the decorative trim work located around the door(s).
We test the light switches and outlets in the room for proper operation; making sure the outlets are wired correctly.

On the floor:

We inspect the floor for any deficiencies or indications of non-professional workmanship. We look at the floor molding as well.
We look for any indications of structural failure in the floor structure.
We check the heating / air conditioning delivery systems in the room.
- For furnace registers, we inspect the interior of the register to see if the duct system needs to be professionally cleaned.
- For baseboard heaters, we inspect the heaters for cleanliness and potential leaks.
- For steam radiators, we look for potential leaks at the base of the delivery and return pipes.

So I wasn’t keeping track of how many items that was, but I know the “compartments” that the items fit into:

Electrical
Heating
Windows
Walls
Ceilings
Doors
Structure

I’m not an expert in mathematics, but that’s a lot of items to look at.

At First Choice Home Inspection, we provide our clients the MOST comprehensive inspections.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

The post Compartmentalizing and Conducting Home Inspections appeared first on First Choice Home Inspection .

Should the client attend the Home Inspection?

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:23:00 GMT

A popular question we are often asked as home inspectors – usually from the Realtors on behalf of their clients, is: “Should my client attend the home inspection?”

My answer is always an emphatic YES! They should try and be there.

Ideally, and if possible, the client should always attend the home inspection. It is essential for the client to be there in order to see and experience our findings in person, in order to understand the relevance of the condition, and the urgency of the need of a repair (if any is needed).

In my experience, 90% of the time, if the client does not attend the home inspection, once they receive the inspection report, they will freak out and not move forward with the purchase the home. And the reason is, they were not present during the home inspection to understand the relevance and urgency of the conditions noted at the home.

Actually seeing the issue and being able to converse with the inspector is integral to understanding what we are describing.

Most people need the experience of actually being there and seeing the condition.

Now for a home inspector, it IS better when the client isn’t present at the inspection, because it allows the inspector to move through the home faster and more efficiently. But for First Choice Home Inspection, that means the report is going to be more difficult to write, because more detail will be needed in order to better convey the information to the absent client.

And there are situations were it’s just not possible for the client to be there. A perfect example from my past was when a client called me up and hired me to inspect a potential investment property from Hawaii. I asked the gentleman, “Are you going to be present for the inspection?” To which the client responded, “Dude, I live in Hawaii! So, NO. I won’t be there.”

At First Choice Home Inspection, we provide our clients the MOST comprehensive inspection report. So even if the client does not attend, they will be able to understand everything that we saw in the inspection.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Climate Change and Inspecting Homes

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 01:18:00 GMT

I know this is a controversial topic, but as a home inspector, I have to say that the most popular question I get during home inspections is: “Is my basement going to flood?”

I never got this question when I first got started as a home inspector 11 years ago. But now, it comes up on almost every home inspection.

Our clients want to know if their basements are going to flood.

I noticed this evening when I was checking a listing on a popular website that there is an entire section dedicated to Climate Change. Climate Risk was the precise title.

There was a Flood Risk category. This category included information about whether the home was located in a “known” flood zone. This particular home had a rating of 1/10 according to FEMA.

There was also a Storm Risk category. A Drought Risk category.

Most telling for me was the Heat Risk and Fire Risk categories. These categories refer to “wildfires” and extreme temperatures.

The Heat Risk category had two graph charts. The graphs referred to the number of “Hot Days.”

Hot Days were defined as days that exceed 89 degrees or more.

One graph showed the current standard of “Hot Days,” with a listed value of 8 days. The other graph referred to the number of “Hot Days” projected for 2050 (only 28 years away), with a numerical value of 35 days.

So it appears that the Real Estate industry is now acknowledging the issue.

At First Choice Home Inspection, our inspectors are trained to look for issues regarding water infiltration – especially in basements.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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The “Practiced Eye” of a Home Inspector

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 20:35:00 GMT

If someone were to ask me what the most important trait is for a home inspector, I would say he or she needs a “Practiced Eye.”

So what exactly does that phrase mean?

I found several definitions online. The definitions usually revolved around the following: Having a Practiced Eye is referred to as having a lot of knowledge and experience with the way something looks – specifically the way something should look.

For a home inspector, it means having the knowledge and experience to be able to decipher what we are looking at.

The other day during a home inspection, my client said to me, “There is no way I (the client was referring to himself) would have ever noticed that.”

To which I replied, “Well that’s my job. To notice things. And then point it out to you.”

Having a Practiced Eye takes years to achieve.

I always say that it takes approximately 3 years for a home inspector to become effective.

All of our inspectors have 10+ years of experience. But even better than that, we are always continuing to learn. We are always trying to get better at our trade.

Our experience will bring you piece of mind.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Blue Jays Are Chipping Paint Off My House? WTF?

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 23:25:00 GMT

So I witnessed an odd phenomenon last year during the winter months. And of course the phenomenon has something to do with your house, or I wouldn’t be writing about it here.

I kept hearing what sounded like woodpeckers knocking on the exterior of our house. To my recollection, I couldn’t remember ever seeing woodpeckers during the winter, let alone woodpeckers that were knocking on the exterior of my home.

So I snuck over to the window and looked out on either side of my front entry door. I was shocked to see 5 Blue Jays staring back at me. And Blue Jays being the obstinate birds that they are, gave me a dirty look, and then went right back to what they were doing. They were pecking at the siding on the home.

What I witnessed was this: they were breaking pieces of my cement board siding off, picking them up, and then flying away – seemingly triumphant with their little prize!

The lower course of siding around my front entry door is comprised of cement board.

So I wondered what was behind this curious behavior?

I did what anyone would do in this day and age of information accessibility – I “Googled” it.

I was definitely surprised when I found two articles located on the internet regarding this same phenomenon – both of which referenced Blue Jays as the culprits. Thank goodness – I wasn’t going crazy.

So this is what I found out…

Apparently, in the winter months, songbirds (such as Blue Jays) experience a calcium deficiency. They can’t properly store calcium during the colder months of the year. And they need the calcium in anticipation of spring and the nesting season – presumably to help with the formation of the eggs. So they go in search of calcium sources wherever they can find them.

Limestone is an ingredient in the cement board, as well as in most types of paints. And Limestone is a source of calcium.

Somehow Blue Jays and other songbirds have discovered that they can get their calcium fix from exterior house paint and/or cement board.

Once again, mother nature finds a way to get around an issue…

Okay so great, I figured out what they were doing. But then the question arose of how can I stop this behavior to prevent further destruction on the entire exterior of my home?

Being an animal lover, I had to find something non-lethal to curtail the behavior.

Well thankfully the articles I found online offered a perfect solution.

I would just need to give the birds an alternative source of calcium!

Both articles I found recommended placing empty egg shells near the scene of the crime where the birds are continuously gathering to get the calcium. When the birds see that they have an alternative source of calcium being offered to them, they inevitably would stop assaulting the exterior of our home.

Thankfully, my wife and I eat a lot of eggs in our home.

So we simply placed the discarded shells on the front deck, and lo and behold, we watched as the Blue Jays swooped in and accepted our little offer of peace, and took all the shells.

Who knew this was even a thing?

So if you ever hear knocking on the exterior of your home, and discover damaged areas of paint or siding, the culprit may be the ongoing winter calcium shortage for Blue Jays. I mean, you can’t make this stuff up…..

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Asbestos Tiles

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 14:48:00 GMT

So with the crazy real estate market, and dwindling inventory levels, it’s no surprise that people are turning toward old homes as starter homes.

Older homes often come with charm, intricate workmanship, interesting architectural features, and unfortunately the occasional hazardous item.

We have been inspecting a lot of older homes lately. And we have been coming across a lot of 9 x 9 tiles – sometimes located beneath newer flooring.

To the general public, the term 9 x 9 tiles probably doesn’t mean much to the general consumer. But to a builder and an experienced home inspector, it typically triggers the need for a conversation.

6 x 6, 9 x 9, 12 x 12, and even 16 x 16 tiles can potentially contain asbestos fibers.

In fact, if the home was built between 1920 and 1960, it’s fair bet that the tiles would contain Asbestos fibers.

So let’s talk about Asbestos real quick. Asbestos it is not a man-made material. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral that is mined out of the ground.

The reason asbestos has been used in construction over the years is because one of the attributes of the material is that it’s a known heat-resistant material. It was widely used in this past century as a fire-proofing material.

Now of course, Asbestos fibers are also a well known health hazard. If the fibers enter into our lungs, they can’t get back out, and will eventually cause cancer or other Asbestos-related ailments. Our bodies are not able to reject the material.

For this reason, asbestos was eventually prohibited from use in modern construction. It was outlawed in the 1970s, but it was used right up until the early 1980s (when the material was allowed to be sold off from hardware stores).

Asbestos is considered dangerous when the material in question is “friable,” which means the fibers can be released into the air if the material deteriorates or crumbles.

How can the average person tell if you have asbestos tiles in your home? Well, if you can view a cross section of the tiles, you might be able to see if there are any asbestos fibers protruding out of the material.

Or, to be 100% sure, you can bring a sample to a local lab for testing (I recommend using Optimum Analytical and Consulting located in Salem, NH). You can place a sample into a baggie, and then bring it to their lab, and they will analyze it and give you the breakdown of what the material contains.

What do you do if you do have asbestos tiles installed in your home?

So there are two ways you can deal with it. The easiest was is to simply encapsulate the tiles – typically beneath a new floor. This is the solution we see most often as home inspectors.

Most of the time I wouldn’t even know the tiles are present in the home unless I open up a closet door and see the old tiles on the floor of the closet.

And even then, our home inspection license prevents us from positively identifying the material as containing asbestos. We have to defer to having the material tested in order to make an accurate determination.

Encapsulating the material is considered a safe option in most states and local municipalities. If you do chose to have the material removed, it should be done by a qualified contractor that will adhere to the strict parameters regarding the removal of the material from the home.

Be sure to check the local regulations before you move forward with the removal. Be aware that the proper disposal of the material is strictly regulated as well.

At First Choice Home Inspection, our goal is to educate you about all aspects of your new home!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

Please note this resource regarding exposure to Asbestos products:

pleuralmesothelioma.com/treatment/

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Plastic Electrical Panels? Plastic & Electricity?

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 14:20:00 GMT

On occasion, I come across the Unicorn of electrical panels – the Trilliant model plastic electrical panel.

I have talked to numerous master electricians in New Hampshire that have never even seen one of these panels, yet I’ve come across 4 – 5 now in my time as a home inspector.

Now, even if you’re not an electrician, if the idea of a plastic electrical panel seems odd to you, you are not alone in your thinking.

This type of panel was manufactured for only a short amount of time, and was not widely disseminated throughout the United States.

The reason for this, was that electricians generally viewed this type of panel as potentially flawed, and as a result, plastic electrical panels were never welcomed into the industry.

After a short manufacturing stint, the technology was abandoned.

The manufacturer for the panels that I’ve encountered was Square D – one of the most well known and respected names in Electrical Panels in the United States. The model name was Trilliant.

This model of panel was manufactured between the years of 1990 – 1996 by Square D.

Interestingly enough, plastic electrical panels were welcomed with open arms in Europe, but here in the United States, they were met with serious skepticism by most electricians, and as a result were not widely adopted in any area of the U.S.

Because of the skepticism, Trilliant panels and other types of plastic electrical panels (which apparently there were others), were effectively phased out of use here in the States.

There were no known major deficiencies that were associated with plastic electrical panels. But a byproduct of the panels not being adopted for use here in the U.S., was that the circuit breakers and other components of the panels are very expensive to replace.

The only know potential issue with the panel is an issue with the surge protectors that were designed for use in the panels. The surge protectors were recalled in 1995.

The plastic screws that hold the “dead front cover” in place are very difficult to operate and can be easily broken. And of course, the screws are very hard to replace if you do break them. And if you lose enough screws, you have an unsecured panel cover.

I can tell you from experience, that the covers are a pain in the butt to take off. But we take them off never-the-less!

At First Choice Home Inspection, our experience gives you piece of mind!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Dawn Comes Over Marblehead

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:40:00 GMT

I often times will use some odd euphemisms that I have picked up over the years while living in New England.

I recently rattled off the expression “Dawn Came Over Marblehead” in front of some clients the other day, before I realized that they were from another part of the country, and had no idea what I was talking about.

Being that I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts, some times we Bostonians will use our own language and vernacular such that people from other parts of the country have no idea what we are saying. Think Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and the Wahlberg family!

So what does “Dawn Came Over Marblehead” mean?

First off, the term applies to the beautiful, picturesque town of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Marblehead, MA is distinctive for many reasons, not the least of which is an item that distinguishes the town from any other town on the east coast of the United States.

Marblehead actually experiences two sunrises. How is this possible you may ask?

So there is a peninsula that stretches the length of the town located on the other side of Marblehead harbor. And if you stand on the peninsula before dawn, you will witness a beautiful sunrise coming up over the ocean.

And if you move quickly enough, and jump back into your car (drop the “r” and you’ll have the correct pronunciation for a Bostonian), and then drive back to the mainland, you can actually witness the sunrise for a second time as the sun crests over the peninsula and shines onto the town of Marblehead.

And this is where the phrases “Dawn Came Over Marblehead,” “Dawn Breaks Over Marblehead,” and “Light Dawns on Marblehead” came from.

I should say that I couldn’t find any concrete evidence to support this information for the blog on the internet. This information was shared with me on a day trip that I took to Marblehead back in the mid 90s. I had a conversation with a local gentleman that had lived his entire life in Marblehead and had witnessed the phenomenon numerous times.

So after speaking to home, I had to go down and make sure I witnessed the phenomenon myself.

So how the phrase work as a euphemism?

The phrase typically is applied to something that should have been obvious; for something a person didn’t immediately realize or understand. So when the realization hits the person, the phrase can be applied.

And of course the name Marblehead can be construed as having a double meaning, i.e. a thick person or someone with a rock in place of their head, or a person whom does not pick up on stuff quickly.

So how is any of this conversation relevant to a home inspection?

Well, during the course of most home inspections that we conduct, we may see something on one side of a home that doesn’t make any sense until we get to the other side of the home.

This is why we always ask our clients to let us finish a section of a home in it’s entirety, and then we will report back to them with our findings. That way, we are able to put all the clues together in order to form a more conclusive hypothesis.

At First Choice Home Inspection, our established process of inspecting a home helps to protect your investment!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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Indian Shutters

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 02:57:00 GMT

A few years back, I had the distinct pleasure of inspecting a 240 year old home located in Webster, NH. The home was a foreclosure and had been shut down and left abandoned and neglected for about 8 years.

As I was inspecting the home, I was marveling at the wonderful craftsmanship that went into the construction of the home and I pondered the generations of families that had lived in the home previously. The house had held up very well considering the age.

There was a beautiful library with custom built-in bookshelves encircling the room.

But there was one characteristic that was particularly fascinating to me. All of the windows in the home were equipped with Indian Shutters. There is a modern type of shutter that is referred to as Indian Shutter, but these were the definitive item – actually installed to protect the home from Indian attacks!

The shutters were perfectly concealed on each side of the window – in fact I almost missed them myself. They had graspable notches that could be used to pull the shutters out of the walls to be brought together in order to effectively block the windows off.

I had heard of these types of shutters in the past, but this was the first time I came across them. These particular shutter were all functional when I tested them.

Imagine a time when people felt it was necessary to install this feature in a home. The shutters were certainly a testament to colonial ingenuity!

What’s the old saying? My home is my castle…

At First Choice Home Inspection, we appreciate every aspect of the home!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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What is a Canadian Dormer?

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:53:00 GMT

We have a lot of French Canadian architectural features located here in New Hampshire – specifically in Manchester.

I’ve always been fascinated by unique or odd architectural features. I tend to ponder whether the feature has a deliberate function, or was it just for “show?”

So I noticed a feature that I kept seeing on older homes throughout the city, so I did some digging around, and asked some Carpenters, and I was introduced to a term I had never heard before: Canadian Dormers.

A Canadian Dormer, also known as a “Dramatic Dormer” is best be described as a very tall, steep sloped “A” Frame Dormer with a window. The high peak ends up being just an architectural feature, and doesn’t offer any additional “functional” space.

So again, not surprising considering the heavy French Canadian influence in Manchester.

We are not required as home inspectors to know all the names of all the architectural features that we see, but I like to know what I’m looking at, so I can share the history as well.

You could also just call them just regular dormers, and that would be a perfectly accurate description.

But since that we have all kinds of unique and odd architectural features here in New England, it’s fun to do the research and be able to share the information with our clients, especially for our clients that have come from outside of New England.

So be on the lookout for Canadian Dormers as you observe the unique architecture features present here in New Hampshire!

At First Choice Home Inspection, our established process of inspecting a home ensures you receive a thorough and comprehensive inspection.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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What Is a Beverly Jog feature on a home?

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 00:01:00 GMT

Often times, while we are conducting home inspections here in New Hampshire, we encounter peculiar features on the homes we inspect.

So the other day we came across an old home – almost 250 years old. In fact, this particular home is said to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest home in Francestown, NH.

The particular architectural feature is referred to as a “Beverly Jog.”

How the term “Beverly Jog” got applied to this architectural feature is unknown. But the obvious choice would be to look toward the nearby town of Beverly, Massachusetts. But again, no one knows for sure.

The feature is best described as an addition attached to the original home, and typically has a sloped, shed roof with a cliff-like face. The addition juts out from the main house, hence the application of the name “jog.”

The “Beverly Jog” was usually added to the home in order to provide extra space (more square footage), but also could be a means to enclose a set of stairs leading to the 2nd floor of the home without having to alter the original footprint of the home.

This particular “Beverly Jog” had been moved from 10 miles away, and was then attached to the existing home. The “Beverly Jog” was once a horse shed. Voila! Extra living space!

The pictures located above are from some famous homes located in Massachusetts with “Beverly Jogs” attached.

At First Choice Home Inspection, our established process of inspecting a home helps to protect your investment!

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

The post What Is a Beverly Jog feature on a home? appeared first on First Choice Home Inspection .

The Function of Curtains

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 14:35:00 GMT

Recently, I’ve had some conversations / arguments with my wife about the function of curtains, and it occurred to me that this subject might make an interesting blog topic.

My wife was convinced that curtains were only good for one thing – decoration. And as far as modern standards are concerned, she’s not mistaken.

But once upon a time, curtains had other functions…

The main function of curtains was to cover windows in order to prevent drafts. Older windows had none of the insulation and thermal properties of modern windows.

In the days of antiquity, curtains were comprised of animal skins and furs. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to realize how ineffective those solutions must have been. In short, I’m sure it was drafty!

Over time, with the advent of more modern sewing techniques, curtains evolved to become both functional as well as a decorative.

As for modern times, curtains provide a way for people who work the night shift to be able to sleep during the daylight hours.

Curtains also provide privacy to the people in the home, as well as a way to muffle outdoor noise.

Please check out the following website for a more comprehensive history of curtains:

https://www.chelseacleaning.co.za/blog/who-invented-curtains-a-brief-history/#:~:text=There’s%20not%20much%20evidence%20of,dividers%20in%20place%20of%20screens.

As for home inspectors, curtains is a detail of a home that tends to impede a home inspector’s ability to properly inspect the windows.

Thank you from First Choice Home and Commercial Inspections!

Mike McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
HUD 203k Consultant # 1939

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What is a Department of Energy Score?

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:31:00 GMT

Understanding Your Home Energy Score

After receiving your Home Energy Score, you may have some questions about what it means and how to improve your score. While your Home Energy Score Assessor will
know the most about your score and your home, the information provided here gives additional background about the Home Energy Score.
Your Home Energy Score report is comprised of three parts: the Score itself, facts about your home and its estimated energy use, and recommendations to improve your home’s score.

The Home Energy Score uses a 1 through 10 scale where a 10 represents the most energy efficient homes. The scale is determined using U.S. Census housing data, and is adjusted for local climate.

This way houses all over the country in different climates can be compared. Click on link for full write up of what my energy score means.

What Does My Score Mean Fact Sheet (1)

John Voisine, First Choice Home Inspection

CMI, Certified Master Inspector, Licensed NH Home Inpsector #294

Certified Home Energy Score Assessor by the Department of Energy

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Safe Home PDF Book

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 16:35:00 GMT

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HVAC Maintenance Guide

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 23:15:00 GMT

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Is a loose toilet a big deal?

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 16:05:00 GMT

Here’s an issue that we see in 90% of home inspections – Loose Toilets.

It sounds silly, but it’s true! We literally see this condition all the time!

So is this item a big deal in the great scheme of a home inspection? The answer is no – most of the time.

Usually, the fix is simply that the floor bolts just need to be re-tightened on each side of the toilet. This can be accomplished with just about any type of wrench and takes mere minutes to complete.

But occasionally, we run into a situation where the condition of the toilet being loose – usually for extended periods of time without being repaired, causes the toilet to be offset from the floor connection. There is a wax ring located at the base of the toilet that provides a gasket connection for the wastewater and solids to pass through.

Over many years, the wax ring can break down, which could cause leaking. But the condition of a loose toilet over time can also cause the toilet to become offset from the wax ring, which can also lead to leaking. This usually is from the simple rocking motion that people make when sitting on the toilet and/or getting up from it.

And over time you can end up with a scenario similar to the one that occurred in the pictures included here….

So I received a frantic phone call from a realtor friend of my wife who lives in Massachusetts, who suddenly noticed prominent water stains located on her kitchen ceiling.

My first question to her was, “Is there a bathroom located above the kitchen?”

The answer was yes.

So my direction to her was, “Please go upstairs and push on your toilet to see if it rocks back and forth.”

Lo and behold, the toilet was loose. In fact, it was very loose, rocking back and forth very noticeably she said!

So my next instruction was for her to tighten both of the floor bolts, which they promptly achieved.

And then I advised them to continue monitoring the kitchen ceiling, and if additional staining is noticed, at that point the wax ring under the toilet may need to be replaced.

Checking back with them a week later, they said they had not noticed any additional leaking.

But then they asked me how do they remove the stains located on the ceiling from the leak?

Well we’ll save that for the next blog!

Michael McCarty

NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316

HUD 203k Consultant # 1939

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Reasons why you should never waive a home inspection

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 23:05:00 GMT

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What’s in my Popcorn Ceilings? It sure isn’t popcorn!

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:25:00 GMT

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