Animal Access at Eaves
Introduction Poor detailing in siding is common in newer construction and is the most common cause for animal access in new homes. This is true for both fiber cement products and wood siding products although we are seeing a lot fewer wood siding products used in...
Value of Engineers After a Disaster
Value of Engineers After a Disaster Disasters such as hurricanes are cause for concern for everyone near the Gulf Of Mexico. Within minutes of a hurricane’s landfall, everything built in a span of few years, can be gone in seconds. Not only are properties affected,...
Components of a Residential Air Conditioning System
By D.M. Robinson, P.E. Introduction My last article I discussed what I thought a minimum home inspection should include to allow an inspector to be able to provide a statement of the general condition of the equipment upon completion of the inspection. I thought I...
Aging Galvanized Pipe
Many older homes in the Greater Houston area, those built before the mid-80s, rely on galvanized steel pipe for water distribution. For the Houston area, galvanized pipe has been considered a good quality material that provides a good service life. Typically, the...
Home Air Conditioning Inspection Basics
By D.M. Robinson, P.E. When I first got into the home inspection business, it was with a company named Associated Inspection Services. I was running a mechanical equipment installation/maintenance company called Triangle Service Company. At that time an acceptable...
It’s Hot Don’t Stop Watering!
We are still getting requests into the office for foundation inspections due to cracks in the walls, brick, and separations between construction materials. This time of year we are normally starting to get a bit more rain and cooler temperatures. These conditions are...
Flashing Roof Pipe Penetrations
Flashing used to seal penetrations through a roof system are commonly referred to as roof jacks in the Houston area. On a composition shingle roof, one of the most common roofs in our area, these flashing are often poorly installed by roofing crews creating a greater...
Is Water The Next Oil?
Is water the next oil? Water conservation is a growing concern among engineers working in water supply infrastructure in Texas and other western states. I attended a National Association of Building Inspection Engineers (NABIE) seminar a couple of years ago and one...
Cracks in Post Tension Slab?
I had a call this morning from a prospective client who was concerned about cracks in the concrete foundation of the home they were building. Most often the cracks extend across the entire foundation and occur prior to tensioning of the tendon cables. This is a...
Relief Trenches – Who Needs Them!
“What is a relief trench?” you ask. A relief trench is a ditch installed as part of site preparation for construction of a slab on grade foundation. A relief trench is intended to drain water from the forms to a safe location in the event of rain before concrete can...