Photos from Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector
Historical marker designating site of slave cemetery on Murray Lane in Brentwood.Located in: Brentwood, TN
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...
Invention Is the Mother of Necessity...
...or is it the other way around? At my age, I get so easily confused. When I get in those revolving doors sometimes I forget if I am coming or going.
Plastic dryer vents have been banned for use as dryer venting material for some time. These are considered fire hazards. It seems as if this homeowner must have heard about this as the dryer venting going to the attic has been abandoned.
Question is, how does one get the dryer vented when the laundry room is in the middle of a converted garage? Easy my dear Watson, just take the kitchen vent that was going to be tossed during the previous renovation and recycle it. 
Now the open brush configuration on the open winding motor causes sparks. And with all that dry dryer lint floating around can we spell ignore-ray-moose? For you northerners, that is a southern term for being a complete idjet. What can I say, invention is the mother of necessity.
© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...
Friday's Fotos - X marks the spot...
Yesterday while on my evening walk, I happened to look upward to see this large X floating above my head. No, I do not believe that it is an alien plot to take over the world. However it is interesting to see what is floating by isn't it?
© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...
Are Go and Blow Duct Suckers Sucking the Money Out of Your Pocket?
We have all seen their coupons in the coupon clipper magazines. Many folks in the industry refer to them as go and blow duct suckers. They go into your home, blow dust around, and suck the money right out of your pocket. So is air duct cleaning really worth the investment? The answer is yes, if you have the right company do the work.
The EPA recommends air ducts be cleaned every 5-7 years and they should be inspected every 2 years especially if you have floor vents. Floor mounted air duct supply registers will capture more biological contaminants while horizontal mounted air duct supply registers will capture more debris. Supply vents in high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens will capture more contaminations and biohazards whether they be horizontal or floor mounted. These biohazards can be circulated throughout your home through the air ducts and circulation system.
New construction is not exempt. Builders do not want to talk about dirt in the boots and ductwork system. Subcontractors toss everything into the air ducts. I have found anything from last weeks lunch to discarded coveralls in the supply and return air ducts. Given the right conditions, mold will grow on the dirt and contaminants.
If you are considering haveing your air ducts cleaned, and to protect yourself from these blow go and blow duct suckers check their credentials:
1. Are they members of IAQ (Indoor air Quality Association)
2. Are they Certified ASCS (air systems cleaning specialist)
3. Are they members of ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America)? Members are top rated for the restoration of air systems and ducts.
4. Are they members of NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association)
5. Always ask for references
What do they do?
1. Do they cover your furniture to protect it from cross contamination?
2. Do they set up containment to ensure no cross contamination enters the living space?
3. Do they remove vent covers, wash and dry them?
4. Do they repair loose air ducts and boots?
5. Do they properly re-install vent covers?
6. Do they clean the exterior of the air handler if it is an interior installation?
7. Do they clean evaporator coil, coil drain pans and blower wheel? In some states, only certified HVAC contractors can do this.
8. Do they fog the system if it has evidence of microbial contamination (micro-biocide).
Air ducts cannot be sanitized. Depending upon the state, if a biocide is used in air ducts, the applicator must have a pest control license. Check with your city or state licensing boards. The company should have a MSDS sheet on all the products they use. Ask for copies. By following this simple guideline, you can keep Go and Blow Duct Suckers from Sucking the Money Out of Your Pocket.
© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...
Inspection Photo of the Day ~ Recycled Building Materials...
With times being what they are, as a professional home inspector in the Nashville, TN real estate market, I often see used building materials being recycled. If the material is in good usable condition, I really think that this is a great idea and great for the environment. However, taking used building material and putting something together in a "Willie-Nillie" fashion just because some unsuspecting buyer doesn't know any difference is a different story.
Whether you are using new or used building materials, if you are doing a reconstruction, it must meet current building standards for the Nashville area. Since this property will not be inspected by the "codes" department, the buyers decided to get an independent home inspection. Here is a list of what was found with just the steps:
I strive to keep an open mind when inspecting older properties, because they are what they are. But some things really make me wonder if the contractor would have been better off using all new material instead of using recycled building materials.
© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
Helping YOU Live YOUR American Dream...
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Complete Home Inspections, Inc. is a full service, company which is large enough for excellent service and small enough to care. Serving Brentwood & Nashville Tennessee since 2001. Call 615-661-0297.
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If at the end of the inspection, you are not 100% satisfied, we will not charge you and pay for the inspector of your choice to inspect your new home. Check our website for details.
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I have several areas of interests, and I enjoy writing about several topics. Below are some links to some articles that I have written as well as other links of interest or organizations.
I have long been a history buff. Williamson, Davidson, and the Middle Tennessee area is rich in history and culture. Click HERE to the left to read some posts that I have written about areas of interest here in the Middle Tennessee area. Feel free to comment as this is an open forum.
Photo of the day is a series of posts on some of the things that I find while doing home inspections. Many of these are the things that either unhandy home owners or paid contractor do in order to save a dollar or two.
blogs.chiblogs is one of my websites where I post articles about home inspections, the Standards of Practice for the industry, explain why home inspectors do what they do, and other articles. Feel free to browse around and make comments. This is an open forum.
Click on this hyperlink to take you to the ASHI website. You can use this site to find an ASHI certified home inspector for your area.
The ASHI Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics can be found on the ASHI website by clicking the button the the left. These can also be downloaded as a PDF file.
The Indoor Air Quality Association is a site designed for the exchange of information concerning the indoor air quality of your home. I have been a member of IAQA member for several years.
Mold - The attached link will take you to the Governments EPA website. There you can hyperlink to several sites to learn about mold and how it affects you, your house and your environment. Many home inspectors will not test for mold. We offer this as an ancillary service to our business.
Radon is another ancillary service that we offer our customers. Radon is second only to cigarettes as the leading cause of cancer in the United States. Properties found in the high range will have a 1 out of 3 chances for a high reading. Middle Tennessee is in the high range for Radon.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission keeps an eye on products in or around your home that may pose a potential safety hazard to you or someone you love. Currently, there are over 15,000 items under the agency's jurisdiction. Check here often as recalled products change from time to time.
This link to the Consumer Products Safety Commission gives a complete listing of product recalls by category. Here you can search for a product type or manufacturing company. Once again, a helpful tool. Check here often as products keep being added to the list.
Real Estate Partners
Name
blog site
Profession/
Location
Website
Description
Larry Brewer Real EstateI am a Broker, Realtor, with Keller Williams Realty and specialize in working with clients seeking homes in the Brentwood, Tennessee area. I am a former Brentwood educator.
Elizabeth Payne Real EstateSuzette Johnson has been serving Williamson County Tn as a local Realtor for 20+ years. She and her husband work selling Real Estate in the Franklin /Cool Springs and Brentwood area. 615-351-1202.
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