Is it worthwhile for a buyer to hire an inspector to perform a pre-purchase inspection at a condo. The answer is "yes." Condos tend to have just as many problems as other residences and, in some instances, we find unique problems that are specific to multi-unit housing.Below is a video I produced
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04/09/2015
Metal B-vents are commonly employed at natural gas or propane appliances including furnaces, water heaters and boilers. Direct vent gas fireplaces are usually vented through metal coaxial concentric vents. As often as not, attic insulation will be packed tight around metal vents. In practice, the
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04/09/2015
Carpenter ants are commonly seen and among the most damaging of wood destroying insects. Working in Bellingham and Whatcom County as a home inspector, I often find evidence of their activity. The photo below is typical of ant shavings or frass and the shot is from a crawl space. All the black sp
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03/08/2015
In the wet Pacific NW, missing metal flashings at critical and weather exposed locations can result in serious consequences -- rot of siding, moisture intrusion into walls, rotted flooring. When a flat surface such as a deck or a porch attaches to the exterior wall of the home, with few exception
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02/08/2015
The next Washington state approved home inspection training course, to be offered on campus at Bellingham Technical College, will begin on February 2, 2015. This was the first course to receive approval from the Washington State Department of Licensing back when home inspector licensing began i
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12/20/2014
A few times a year, I find fuel-burning (gas-fired or oil-fired) appliances installed in unsuitable and unsafe locations. About a year ago, shortly after arrival at an inspection, I was walking around the exterior of the house. The old masonry chimney, a commonly seen situation, was retrofitted
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12/17/2014
Often, at a deck or landing, the home inspector will find that handrails and guardrails are not in accordance with safety guidelines. Another area where deficiencies often stick out like a sore thumb, include when the inspector is hired to inspect an outbuilding. The photo below, stairway to a ba
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11/09/2014
Bellingham Technical College has hired Don Hester of North Central Washington Home Inspections in Wenatchee, Washington, to be an adjunct faculty member and field trainer as part of the college's state approved home inspector training class. Don Hester, onsite wi
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10/05/2014
Home inspectors see many instances of deferred maintenance when inspecting the average home. The newer the house, usually the less of that the inspector sees. We might note oversights and deficiencies that will lead to problems over time, but usually not deterioration at a new house. At a propert
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10/01/2014
It is not good news, but to be truthful, it is iffy as to whether or not a home inspector will be able to reliably detect subtle seepage around skylights. Many factors and variables are involved and sometimes you can, sometimes you cannot. Flashings and seals around the glazing
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08/23/2014