Weathervane Home Inspections, LLC

The builder developing my neighborhood lets me tour his builds, so I spent this morning observing his pros do what they do best.

Once upon a time, the consensus was that homes needed to be built "loose" in order to allow the structure to "breath," per se. Modern building science now directs us to make homes air tight; sealing all gaps and equipment penetrations through the exterior walls is a requirement to maximize energy efficiency and maintain HVAC equipment in good working order (as well as to keep out moisture and pests).

It was definitely time well spent this morning, getting out in the field and observing the techniques employed (and the level of attention to detail applied) by the folks constructing our homes and building our communities.

If you are buying a new construction or having your next home custom-built, consider having a pre-drywall inspection conducted on your future property. It is misconception that these inspections are the same as whole-house inspections, "just without the sheetrock." Give us a call if you have any questions or are ready to schedule your inspection!

Apologies for my absence, folks - I took some time away to focus on a few personal goals while the market was in its slow season, but we're back in the saddle and getting back after it. Stay tuned for more material, and reach out when you are ready to schedule your home inspection.

Go Chiefs!

"What a long, strange trip it's been."
- Grateful Dead

What a ride those 21 years were. The Army took me to such crazy places and gave me unbelievable experiences, and throughout it all connected me with incredible people that I would call comrades and friends. It had its challenges - not just for me, but for my wife and family, and I will always be grateful for their support through thick and thin.

I always feel embarrassed when people thank me for serving, because serving this country was one of the greatest privileges of my life. It was an absolute honor, and I would do it all again if it were asked of me.

Notes from the field.

The tape caught my attention first.

In terms of timelines, my guess is that the home had a mid-efficiency furnace that was upgraded to high efficiency. It explains the wye fitting in the metal vent; the taped off portion was an improvised attempt to seal off the run that most likely went to an old furnace (the other run ties into the gas water heater).

Using aluminum tape is better than cloth-backed tape, but all adhesives eventually fail. My recommendation was to replace the junction and run a dedicated double-wall vent to the water heater. And then I noticed the run was a combination of single and double wall vent materials and taping.

Carbon monoxide is not something to take lightly, and safety is not worth gambling on improvisation and improper equipment installation. My recommendation to the client was to have a licensed HVAC specialist reevaluate the whole system.

Notes from the field.

Glad to see that the sidewall-roof intersection was flashed - I just wish it was on the correct side of the sheathing.

Metal flashing helps keep rain water away from the wooden structural components that comprise the roof structure and exterior walls. What I found in this particular home was that the step flashing presented on the interior side of the wall, when it is supposed to be on the exterior side of the wall between the sheathing and cladding (in this case, the vinyl siding). Signs of water infiltration and subsequent wood deterioration were present in sections where the flashing had been removed.