Sewer Scopes and Why they are Needed
This is a sewer scope on a new build. My Dads actually, lucky for him he knows a home inspector. This spike/nail was about 60 feet down the line. You can see it already holding debris on a new build that hasn’t been lived in. This will cause major problems. It was in the street and will cost some big bucks to fix. People always ask me if they should get a sewer scope on a new builds, the answer is YES!
Did a sewer scope on a new build and look at what was in the line just after the new line. Looks like construction debris. I recommend getting sewer scopes done on new builds for this very reason.
Other common issues we see doing sewer scopes are roots in the line causing backups. Pipes that are disconnected at the joints, called an offset. Bellies which are areas that are lower than the main line. They usually are holding water and debris. Many other defects can be found and its generally a costly fix. Contact us to schedule a sewer scope with your home inspection.
Common Plumbing Defects Found During a Home Inspection
This is called an “S Trap” it was used in the past, but no longer. The trap will dry out if not used frequently and you will smell grey water gases(wastewater). Recommend licensed plumber repair.
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Here’s a clogged dishwasher airgap. You can see that when it drains it shoots out into the sink and countertop. Recommend repair.
Here’s some disconnected plumbing straps in a crawlspace. This is a common issue. You can see that it puts extra stress on the plumbing joints. This one so much that it was leaking. The first photo has the leak on the under side of the pipe.
Here’s a plumbing vent that’s venting to the attic. It should be routed through the roof. It’s used to exhaust off gases from the drain waste lines. Recommend repair.
Common Roof Defects
This roof ridge cap is the incorrect shingles. It should be ridge cap shingles, not regular shingles. You can see the problem with them installed this way. They curl, which can cause it to be wind damaged and leak. Recommend licensed contractor repair.
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This is a newer roof, probably put on by a homeowner. You see the valley is improperly installed. The shingles are over lapping up hill. This will possibly cause leaks under the shingles. Recommend licensed contractor repair.
This is a dryer duct vented to a roof vent on 1999 house. This has a few issues. First the roof vent is improper and not the right kind. The screen was all clogged. It should have the right kind of vent that has a flap. Second the vent in the attic is flexible. The flexible line can only be used from dryer to the wall. It should be a solid line to reduce the friction of grabbing lint. Possible fire hazard, recommend repair.
Here’s some nails on the roof that should be sealed to prevent leaks. Any exposed nails on roof vents, shingles, plumbing vents, and flashings should be sealed. Recommend repair.
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Common Issues Found in Attics & Crawlspaces
If you are in the market for a new home, it is likely true that crawlspace and attic inspections are not even on your radar. Details Home Inspections is excited for you to start your new life in a new space, which is why we pay extra attention to these areas, so you don't have to.
Your trusted home inspectors in Vancouver WA want to make sure that the attic and crawlspace are not overlooked because these areas often reflect the history of the home. They can provide clues to serious problems underneath the surface that might not be disclosed or even known by the current owner of the home.
When we inspect an attic here are a few things we are looking for:
Supporting Truss or Rafter Damage: A roof inspection won't necessarily show the defects within the structure of the attic. The roof might look secure and sound, but inside the attic, it is possible to find broken trusses or rafters, showing the truth behind its condition.
Previous Fire Damage Noted in Attic Inspection: In some cases, the inspector will find that that the rafters are a color other than natural wood, which may tell you that the home sustained a fire at some point. In the case where the wood is black or scorched, a major fire likely occurred in the home.
Adequate or Inadequate Attic Insulation: Your inspector may find that your new home is inadequately insulated. If this is the case, it could lead to higher heating and cooling costs. This might be a major factor in whether or not you want to purchase the home. Alternately, he may find that the attic is well insulated and that is also important information to have at hand when making these decisions.
Water Damage: Having water damage in your attic can be expensive to fix. Since water flows from the top down, inspectors will look for staining on the wood supports or on the walls. This would be evidence that water has leaked or is currently leaking through the roof.
Chimney Access to the Attic: Since you cannot inspect the interior of the chimney from the attic, your inspector will make a note regarding whether or not the structure itself is solid. To determine if the chimney is deteriorating from the weather, your inspector will look for cracks in the bricks and also whether or not the mortar has started to crumble.
Squirrel, Raccoon, and Rodent Damage in the Attic: If your home is infested with squirrels, raccoons, or rodents, the first sign will be the telltale evidence of tiny poop pellets left behind. These animals will often enter attics through the eaves or loose boards and can cause considerable damage to a home.
When inspecting your crawlspace, your inspector will look for some of the above situations, but also consider the following:
o Visible or burrowing Termites
o Damp insulation, condensation, warped or cracked materials
o Mold or mildew
o Wiring or plumbing problems
o Cracks, settling or shifting in the foundation
o Damage to the wooden supports of the door framing
o Presence of pests, vermin, and other animals
o Sufficient ventilation
o Quality and presence of vapor barriers
These are just some of the things that a good home inspector will look for when inspecting your attic and crawlspace, and the things they are looking for in these areas often go hand in hand.
At Details Home Inspections, we know that every home is different, and also to expect the unexpected. Our main goal is to provide you with all of the knowledge you need to make a well-informed decision about purchasing a new home.
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Everything You Need To Know About Your Camas Washington Septic System
At Details Home Inspections, one of our goals is educating homeowners. The city of Camas Washington has an interesting and unique approach to sewage/waste management. We get questions about this a lot and you should know that if you live in Camas Washington your home is tied into the City of Camas sewer main as a part of the municipal wastewater treatment system.
As your professional home inspectors in Clark County WA, we would like to share some important information about the Camas WA systems so that you can come to understand what this means to you and how it might impact your home buying or home selling process.
An Overview of Septic Tank Systems
Over time, solids collect in the septic tank and are pumped out by the City of Camas every 6-10 years. In this process, the wastewater is filtered and then pumped out to the wastewater system. You can reduce waste and protect the wastewater treatment system, your home plumbing systems, and even the environment by avoiding flushing items that do not degrade easily.
If you have a septic tank in Camas Washington, you will have one of the following systems on your property:
A STEP System- Septic Tank Effluent Pumping System: This is your sanitary sewage system which pumps the fluids from a collection tank into the pressurized mainlines using a high head pump, alarm system, and a control panel.
A STEF System- Septic Tank Effluent Filter System: This system works by siphoning the waste instead of pumping it using a high-level alarm and an electrical panel.
How do you know which system is on your property?
A professional home inspector can help you identify which system has been installed on your property, or a property which you're considering purchasing. We can also recommend a suitable maintenance plan and show you how to turn off the alarm. If the alarm goes off, this generally means the system needs to be serviced by the city.
Who claims ownership of the STEP/STEF system on your property?
Once your installed STEP/STEF system has been inspected and accepted, the City of Camas will actually be the owner of all components of it. The only part of the system you own is the sewer line from your residence to the tank. With the city being the owner of the system, they are also responsible for all maintenance of it and will need to be able to have access to it at all times.
What happens if there is damage to the STEP/STEF system?
While the city claims ownership to the system, if there is damage that is due to negligence, gross negligence, or intentional acts, you as the owner will be responsible. This includes any clogging that occurs because of improper use, as stated in the City of Camas Ordinance 13.62.070.
Can I landscape over my STEP/STEF tank?
The main issue with landscaping is that the green riser lids cannot be covered up by any landscaping you choose to do on the property. This is because these lids need to be accessible at all times to ensure that the city can access it in a timely manner in the event of emergency or maintenance call.
At Details Home Inspections, we can help you Identify the type of system you have in your current home or in a home you are planning to purchase. We can also educate you on what the presence of the system means for your life in the home and how to protect the system from damage due to improper use. Together we can come up with a maintenance plan that will work for your family.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection with your trusted home inspectors in Clark County WA or check out our Facebook page for more tips for loving your home.