Jay Markanich

You probably aren't a professional home inspector. But realty agents, buyers and investors should always be critically looking at houses before any final decisions are made and an offer extended. They have to. Can I suggest that during these "inspections" you employ some common sense?

Here are some things realtors and buyers can do before they hire a home inspector to look at the home someone wants to buy. They are not listed in any particular order, but any or all could be important during your house search. I am going to list many Red Flags in three different blog posts that could indicate house distress.

What is a Red Flag? It is any visual sign or indication of a defect in structure or property. Certain visual signs may or may not indicate a problem. If observed in multiple numbers, especially in the same approximate locations, many indicators can point to a Red Flag condition. A rule of thumb - the newer the property, the redder the flag!

These Red Flags won't be listed in any particular order, but any or all could be important during the house search. Some defects may be small but many of them add up. Others could be expensive to repair. The first few are as follows:

• Brown stains on ceilings and walls. You would think that a seller would repair, prime and paint such things, but many don't. A brown stain is mostly indicative of leaks. When? Don't be afraid to ask the history of such things. If the seller says they don't know, that is a Red Flag!
• Brown stains on foundation walls. The same applies here as was said above. On a foundation wall, such stains indicate ongoing moisture.
• Warped hardwood floors - especially near exterior doors. This also indicates water. Warping is not repairable. The flooring must be replaced, AFTER the problem is solved.
• A moldy smell. Your nose is your best mold detector. Employ it! Mold is not the original problem - it is a symptom of moisture. Look around, see if you can tell where the wet is coming from.
• Poor grading. Water is THE killer of houses, inside and out. Houses don't make very effective boats. Exterior water should not be encouraged to surround the foundation. Look for grading, downspouts or landscaping that encourages water away from the house, especially if the front or back yards slope toward the house.
• Chipping paint around windows. Sound small? It might not be, especially if it is happening on lots of windows. Water is getting into the wood. Why? Poor product or installation? Amateur work? How far has the water gone? Has it progressed into the house structure? Amateur work here could mean amateur work there...

My recommendation: make a list. Ask questions of the seller, if possible. Be proactive. Call somebody. Many realtors call me from houses when they have questions, on the spot! I encourage that and cheerfully provide answers if I can. (A Scout is cheerful, so the Scoutmaster BETTER be...) My realtor and investor clients use me as their consultant in their pockets. Feel free to call too!

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.

The eight (8) most economically prosperous countries in the world are those that most closely follow Adam Smith's economic model (The Wealth of Nations, circa 1776). The eighty (80!) or so least economically prosperous are those that are the furthest from that model. We have just voted a president, who, combined with a Congress so in lock step, has promised "fundamental change." That fundamental change is intended, yes intended, to take us further from Dr. Smith's 8 and more toward the 80. Pure and simple. THAT is what "spread the wealth around" means. Just two days ago, a congressman from Virginia, Jim Moran, said that it is about time that we disabuse "the simplistic Republican notion that those who have wealth should get to keep it." That is VERY close to a direct quote.

Yes, he said that... The word "wow" comes to mind... So if I spend my lifetime building a stamp collection, or numismatic coin collection, or antique furniture collection, bank account, IRA, business, or any such so-called wealth, it is time to disabuse me of the notion that I should get to keep it?

The last time this country elected a socialist, redistributionist president who promised "change" (Mr. Carter), it got what it wanted - change. Boy, did it get change! This socialist, redistributionist, economic mentality has never worked at any time, in any place.

But this time, yes this time, it will be different. If on nothing else then certainly on the many demonstrated, past successes and diverse, lush résumé of our new president, this time, it will work! HE will make it work! "Yes [he] can!"

I am to believe that this time, finally, socialism and appeasement will work!

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.

This is the last of my posts regarding new construction inspections. It is the sixth of six things that I am finding often in new construction, pre-drywall inspections. This list of six certainly does not represent all of what I am finding in new homes, but they are very common. This is another one of those construction mistakes that may not manifest for some time, but will be a big problem once it does.

It is this - plastic plumbing support!

Much new construction now utilizes CPVC for supply piping and almost all use PVC for drain, waste and vent lines. Often they are not supported well. Plastic is not as strong or as firm as copper. It needs different support.

1. CPVC supply tubing is often run horizontally. That is fine. But the support used is typically a nail with a rounded, plastic holder surrounding the pipe. Often they nail it too hard and it cracks. More often the nail is on the upper side and if that holder cracks and breaks there is no underneath support for the horizontal pipe. Then it sags. If it sags near a joint it is vulnerable to breaking. If it sags too much it is vulnerable too. This is pressurized water, so small leaks quickly become big breaks which leak furiously.
   
2. Plumbing vent stacks which pass through the roof. They do that to take advantage of atmospheric pressure to encourage gases to leave the house. This also expels otherwise noxious, toxic gases into higher air. These are often supported in the attic space with a small nylon or plastic strap. These can move over time. Or stretch. Or break. When they do the vertical tubing sags, becomes too short or actually passes through the roof and into the attic space. Sewer gas is then being expelled into the house! Yummie, I know. I see it all the time on one-year inspections. One day I was on the highway and saw a house in the distance that had both plumbing vents missing from the rubber sleeves still on the roof. They had both sagged back into the house! I did not have time to go to an exit, make my way to the neighborhood and try to find that house. I would have if I could have!
3. Often AC units are in the attic space. They are sitting above drain pans. In proper construction there are two condensate drain lines - the one tied directly into the unit (primary) and another tied to the drain pan (auxiliary). This tubing tied to the drain pan is of great interest. It works off of gravity and typically drains out the side or rear of the house. If you see it dripping, it means that the primary line has clogged and needs cleaning. BUT, it should incline gently and consistently to that exterior drain. Often it is not inclined or sags dramatically from lack of support. In that case, gravity cannot take over, the pan fills with water and the water leaks into the house. An upper-level AC unit can remove 8 - 10 gallons of water a day from the air. That water represents a huge leak into your ceiling and does a lot of damage.

All of these things are easily seen on a pre-drywall inspection. They are often hidden after and hard, if not impossible, to detect.

My recommendation - always suggest to your clients a pre-drywall inspection when the opportunity presents itself. Done properly, the money spent is valuable money spent, especially in the long run.

I am very proud for one of "my" boys! Tonight I had the opportunity to see another young man become an Eagle Scout. Tonight's event was for David S. I am always impressed with the humble simplicity of the event. It represents the culmination of many years of effort, and learning, and discipline, and encouragement. I am always impressed. With all the turmoil experienced by youth today, it is a blessing to me to be able to witness another one who is less influenced by the ever-increasing pap and emptiness that some of today's youth think is important. Many young people would consider what David has done to be useless pap and empty! They have no idea!

Since the first Eagle Scout in 1912, almost 2 million have achieved the rank. Only about 5% of all Boys Scouts achieve Eagle Scout. It is quite an accomplishment. Some of what they need to do is required, and some elective. But all with the goal of creating a well-rounded, circumspect, dignified young man. Robert Baden-Powell intended that to be the case, and had Luke 2: 52 as his model. What a legacy Baden-Powell has wrought!

David is one of "my" boys, for many years now. I have been involved with Scouting in one way or another for 47 years. Currently I am a Venturer Coach (the older boys) and merit badge counselor (13 I think). As leaders, we have had many, many boys reach the Eagle rank. We think of each of them as "our" boys. I think about them individually and collectively every day. Sure it takes time. But it is time well spent, very well spent. I do not mind. It rubs off and makes me better too!

Boiled down Scouting represents service. It is a program that gives - it gives to those who participate and to society in general. Some like to say that it is important that we all "give back." I SO disagree. We all need to give. It is the cheats, thieves, rapists, murderers, scammers and selfish, mean, societal scum who need to give back. Until it hurts. Had they spent more time "doing a good turn daily" than trying to take something that wasn't theirs to take, their lives may have turned out differently. We pay the price for their courses of action. Eagle Scouts, on the other hand, give us a great deal.

At each Eagle ceremony I attend, I always make it a point to say to the recipient that he doesn't yet realize what this will mean to him in life. This accomplishment will follow him all of his days. I tell him not to be shy to put on a resume or job application that he is an Eagle Scout. Think about it! What employer would not want to hire someone who has striven to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent?

I am very proud for one of "my" boys...

Every year I will be driving home and hear on the news that it will get below freezing during the night. Last night was one of those for me! Note: Obviously this is long past true for some of the country. When I hear that temperatures will dip below freezing, it reminds me to get into my fall/winter chore list. I thought it would be appropriate to share some of it with you.

• Winterize the exterior hoses. Turn off the interior valves, open the exterior bibs and loose the little cap beside the interior valve to let water drain out.
• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Spruce up any disastrous exterior caulking. Be sure to use the right caulk for the right application! Caulking is the cheapest and easiest energy saver.
  
• Boilers - check the safety relief valve.
• Steam Boilers - Each month, flush the blow-off valve on the low-water cutoff; test the water feed valves.
• Furnace - replace (or clean) the filters monthly; oil the fans or circulators; manipulate the duct dampers or register covers to divert more hot air downstairs and less up (do not close off air completely to any level or room). Oil furnaces should be checked for back puffing. Ideally, all furnaces should have annual maintenance exams by a licensed professional.
  
• Clean moss on the roof - be sure to use something that does not kill the grass or garden shrubbery. A product called "Spray and Forget" is a recent favorite of mine.
• Clean gutters of debris. If your house is near many trees, solid gutter covers are highly recommended.
• Place sticky cricket catchers in the basement and garage.
• Septic system - pump the tank if it is time. If you have two fields this is a good time to divert to the unused field.
• Check your chimneys for creosote and sweep if needed.
• Improve foundation drainage as necessary.
• Test GFI outlets.
• Check the garage door reversing mechanism.
• Gas water heater - drain some water from the bottom valve to remove sediment.
• Open crawl space vents.
• Dryer - clean behind, clean what is possible of the vent inside the wall and check the vent flap outside for lint.
• Private water system - pump air into the tank if the pump turns on often.
• Kitchen - clean dust from behind or under the fridge; clean the range hood fan and replace vent screens; clean disposal (vinegar and baking soda work well, followed by lemon peels).

This is by no means a complete list, but it will serve you well. Preparation is everything. As a Boy Scout Venturer Coach, I can tell you it is good to "be prepared...!"

My recommendation: Be regular and have foresight! Home maintenance, in the long run, costs about 1% of the value of a home per year. Pay attention to the small stuff, and the big things will take care of themselves.