National Property Inspections of Rochester, NY Blog

Rochester NY Radon Tester Says Your Families Health May Be at Risk

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:33:30 +0000

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Watch this video to learn more about Radon. The invisible threat.

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National Property Inspections of Rochester NY

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:35:18 +0000

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The Perfect Christmas Gift

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +0000

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A Very Sad & Dangerous Inspection

admin — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:53:50 +0000

The Rochester NY Home Inspector thinks that you will find this article interesting. I am re-printing it here with the permission of the author.

I was called on to do a very sad and dangerous inspection.

The homeowner and a local County found me on line and teamed up to hire me to literally condemn a house. I have never been called on to do that before. Of course I have no ability or authorization to condemn anything. But my report can be used by County officials to justify it.
THE STORY – a soft-hearted homeowner hears of a circumstance of an 86 year-old lady, who’s husband had recently died, and a doctor has just “opened [her] up to close [her] back up giving [her] a short time to live.” This homeowner gave her a house to live in rent free, as a “Life Estate Gift,” for the rest of her life, so long as she maintained the property. She was to live in the house alone. Family was nearby to care for her, and could visit, but she was to live alone in the house. The house was built in the late 40s, and was in pristine condition, with recent updates.
THAT WAS TWENTY FOUR YEARS AGO. Over that time the rest of the family had moved in, and why not as it’s free living. Nobody works, all are on various assistance programs, federal and local, and ALL are on disability, including the children. The lady is still 86 years old… you get the rest. They have cost this soft-hearted homeowner tens of thousands of dollars since. They cost the taxpayer way into five figures EVERY MONTH.
At the time of my inspection the house is inhabited by 10-12 adults (nobody really knows), four children, four dogs, two pigeons and a million roaches and black widow spiders. Super healthy molds live everywhere. There is one bathroom, with a tub and shower that do not work, a small fridge, small range and small, one-bowl kitchen sink. There is hot water.
THIS PLACE IS A DISASTER. SO I WENT ABOUT MY BUSINESS, BUILDING THE CASE. SURPRISINGLY, UNHEALTHFUL LIVING CONDITIONS IS NOT SUFFICIENT REASON FOR CONDEMNATION!
Of course this is a sad circumstance, to say the least. But the County has had many, many dealings with this group for years. I was told there was a coffin (!!) in the house full of enough guns to field an army, so the County was sending two officials to protect me while there. Fortunately, knowing I was coming, it had been removed or hidden off site.
This group knew I was coming to “inspect” the house, but did not know the entirety of the reason for my visit. As such, thinking their complaints were finally being satisfied by my inspection, and the County was finally coming down on the homeowner, THEY WERE VERY NICE TO ME. Nonetheless, the County officials stayed in and around the house the whole time I was there. I politely said hello to everybody and struck up conversations.
Before I went in, the Code Enforcement Officer told me that they had cleaned up and it looked “one thousand percent better” than the last visit. But, I was warned about what I would see.
I discovered something the County did not know, after all these years and dozens of visits to issue citations.
A BASEMENT APARTMENT! Living room and bedroom, taking up about 1/3 of the basement.
This scene was frightful and exasperating! The family living here, and apparently the four children, sleep on the bed. The curtain on the back wall is carpeting hanging from the ceiling and “hides” the oil-burning boiler and water heater. That sofa at the moment of this photograph has about 100 roaches crawling on it. Roaches are everywhere – on and in everything. And that TV on the left is larger than any TV in my house, and one of five in this house!
How bad was the basement overall? Neither County official would go down there! And I had a cough the rest of the day.
THE INSPECTION CONTINUED DOWNHILL FROM HERE.
THE END RESULT?
Based on just my verbal report at the end of my inspection, the County condemned the house and began relocating this group.
For my safety, they asked me to leave before they went back inside to inform the family of the immediate decision. I was told by my homeowner client that they put a red sticker on the door. I was also told that many County officials were there for the rest of the day, and into the evening.
The homeowner said that demolition could begin as early as twenty four to forty eight hours after my inspection. Yes, demolition was the goal of my inspection!
There will be more posts about this house. The first thing I did coming straight home was to disrobe in the laundry room and put my clothing directly into the washing machine, and take a shower. A day later I am still coughing.
As I said, it was a very sad and dangerous inspection.

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia
www.jaymarinspect.com

Problems With Spray Foam Insulation

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:47:54 +0000


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Rochester NY Home Inspector finds problems with wood composite siding
admin — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:36:52 +0000
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This video shows what will happen to wood composite siding if it is exposed to moisture. With this type of siding you really need to go around it at least once per year and touch up any exposed areas with caulk and paint or the material will soak up moisture, swell and delaminate.
Go to our website at http://www.npiweb.com/sansone if you need information on a Rochester NY Home or Commercial Inspection.  



Rochester NY Home Inspector Finds a Hole In a Furnace Heat Exchanger
admin — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 19:43:07 +0000
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Watch this video to see what a hole in a furnace heat exchanger looks like.
If you or someone you know is in need of a Rochester NY Home Inspector then contact us at (585) 654-7294 or visit our website at http://www.npiweb.com/sansone



Rochester NY Home Inspector finds a failing garage floor and a flooded garage basement
admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:46:27 +0000
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This video was taken from an actual home inspection showing a deteriorated garage floor and flooded basement below the garage.
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Question: Should I Have PEX Plumbing Supply Lines Installed In My New Home?
admin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:15:46 +0000
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PEX; short for cross-linked polyethylene has developed into an affordable product of preference for a number of general contractors and plumbers. It has been used in the USA since 1980?s for a lot of installations which include basic plumbing and hydronic floor heating systems.

 PEX will never be freeze resistant, but is undoubtedly unlikely to burst especially during unusually cold temperature compared to almost every other type of plumbing. Because of overall flexibility PEX is often installed with a number of configurations as well as having a manifold and plumbing with a continuous home run for the cold and hot lines to each appliance. With this type of application there aren’t any plumbing connectors present to develop into water leaks inside crawl spaces, inside of walls or under cement slabs.

 PEX can even be installed by using couplings which can be attached with specific fittings. It can be used as the main service line from your road but it really should be protected inside a sleeve where it is going through your foundation structure directly into the house.

 PEX is typically offered in most plumbing sizes and in addition to that you will be able to purchase it color coded; red for your hot lines and blue for any of the cold water lines. It has many positive attributes however, there are a few facts that you should know regarding installation.

You should not install it in direct sunlight and you also really need to carefully consider thermal expansion which will be noticeable as sagging between hangers requiring the installation of more hangers.

 There are not many build-it-yourself individuals working with PEX because it needs some specific tools when it comes to installation, but it’s starting to be very well liked in remodels as well as improvements of existing homes.

As a professional home inspector in Rochester NY we have not discovered many issues concerning this particular product. We have been discovering a large amount of home owners having excellent results and would probably recommend it to everybody building a brand-new home.
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The Rochester NY Home Inspector addresses whether you and your families health is at risk due to asbestos exposure in your home
admin — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:52:21 +0000
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The path to home ownership can be a great time for you and your family. But this process is one that brings new responsibilities into the fold. Many older homes may contain harmful building materials and substances that need to be dealt with.
Homes or buildings built prior 1980 have a strong chance of containing asbestos, a fibrous mineral that was heavily used in building applications throughout the 20th century. Because asbestos has fire resistant and durable qualities, many in the construction industries viewed it as the ideal choice for insulation in piping, roofing and flooring. It was later discovered that the mineral can be highly corrosive and cause serious health problems.
Even homes built in the 1990’s have a small chance of harvesting asbestos due to the vermiculite insulation that came from a mine that contained a large amount of asbestos.
Through a professional home inspection process, you will receive information concerning all of the aspects in a home. As a homeowner, you can avoid asbestos exposure by taking some easy precautions. If asbestos is suspected, a property inspector will evaluate your home and make sure it is free and clear of any harmful materials!
Home Inspections & Asbestos Tips 
A home inspection is extremely important in a variety of scenarios. In order to protect your investment, professional consultants can provide an evaluation of the home. Consultants will identify material defects structures and components of the home, in adherence to or exceeding national, state, and industry regulations and standards.
Your home may need structural inspections or even renovations and a home inspector can identify any materials that will be a problem. Through a professional consultation, home inspectors equipment and expertise have made this into a valuable process that rapidly studies any areas of concern.
When dealing with any suspected asbestos, there are certain commonalities and themes to take into account. If asbestos remains un-disturbed and in good condition, it does not pose any health risks. If the asbestos is in a deteriorated state and loose, then it will be a problem because its toxic fibers will move into the air. As a home or property owner, asbestos can appear in roof shingles, attic insulation, pipe coverings, joint compounds, electrical wires, furnace cement, fire brick and gaskets.
When an individual inhales airborne asbestos fibers, it can lead to the development of a severe form of asbestos lung cancer called mesothelioma. This chronic illness has a latency period that can last 20 to 50 years until it develops. This makes a mesothelioma life span not as positive as one would hope because of the difficulty in diagnosing it. With the right amount of awareness and a home inspection, it is completely avoidable and preventable to keep yourself away from asbestos!
Asbestos Removal and Healthy Tips
Asbestos removal in public facilities, workplaces and homes must be performed by licensed abatement contractors who are trained in handling toxic substances. They will be familiar with the regulations in protecting you and themselves from exposure to asbestos. They must wear protective equipment such as masks and gloves to avoid any exposure. The area is usually isolated from the rest of the house by shutting down ventilation systems and sealing them.
The New York State Department of Health has an asbestos program that can assists citizens and homeowners with pertinent information in regards to the usefulness of a home inspection and the safe handling/removal of asbestos. (If necessary) These types of public programs help protect and promote the physical and environmental health of citizens from asbestos exposure.
There are many green, healthy materials that replace the need for asbestos and can reduce energy costs annually such as: cotton fiber, lcynene foam and cellulose. Cotton fiber is quickly becoming a favorite for home builders and renovators. Made from recycled batted material, it is also treated to be fireproof. If you are a home owner and suspect that asbestos is present, make sure to call a home inspector immediately to determine the proper course of action.
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