On Monday I did an inspection on four townhouses at a beach resort. The structures were done at or better than code compliance.
Because each of the townhouse is insulated with a foam type of insulation the gas operating water heaters in each unit do not conform to the International Residential Code because of a couple of reasons:
1.) The flue vents for each gas operating water heater cannot be in contact with the foam insulation (this is explicit in the flue vent manufacturers specifications and should be a minimal of 3 inch clearance or what the manufacturer of the foam insulation requires.
2.) Each of the water heaters need a vent to the interior of the attic space because with the foam insulation the free air for combustion is now limited.
There were other problems with the water heater plumbing techniques in each of the townhouse units. The minimum size of the drain line for the safetypan under each water heater did not meet today's standards of 1" pipping.
In addition, all Temperature and Pressure Relief (T&P) valve pipping that is supposed to lead to a drain or exterior were all to small and have more than 4 elbows. If a T&P valve were to operate, which I would hope never happens, the pressure and temperature of the water will be so much that the pipe from the T&P valve would rupture and possibly cause damage. That is why the manufacturers of the T&P valve specifically state that no more than 4 elbows should be used in the T&P drain line.
The electrical systems were lacking Arc Fault breakers for bedrooms and living spaces in each unit. In addition, some walls that require electrical plugs were not visibly installed.
There were other problems in each unit that can be taken care of. The townhouses are close to the beach and have quite a few bells and whistle. Once everything is corrected, they can sustain plenty of people who will want to get away from the "City" and relax at or near the beach.
In new home construction, the builders, supervisors, sub-contractors and foremen are lacking the knowledge that is needed to have a safe home. This is the reason why builders are required to have independent Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licensed or Professional Engineers (PE) inspectors inspect the new houses that they build. Unfortunately, some of the Inspection Companies are not updated and are lacking proper training. One of the many examples is what is easily installed at the time of building is step flashing. Throughout the Gulf Coast area in Texas and even along some of the bordering counties, the International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Roofing Contractors Association and manufacturers of asphalt shingles require that step flashing methods be employed at all walls to roofing sections. A brand new home that I recently inspected did not have the step flashing in place. A photograph below shows the commonly used "L" or "J" flashing is still being used in the areas where over 90 mph winds were felt in the past Hurricane that hit the southeastern Texas. Some of the reasons why "J" flashing is not recommended by the manufacturers and the other organizations is because of the wind shearing effect on the portion of the roof shingles that are not fastened to the decking. Another reason why the "J' flashing is not used is due to water seepage. Any wind swept rain that gets in under the shingle runs down into the decking and possibly into other areas of the house. With step flashing, under each shingle there is a niled piece of metal that prevents any water from intruding into the underlayment. 
Also some of the new (already a year old) are the National Electric Codes, 2008 edition (NEC). There are many requirements that are needed and are still not being done with regards to properly building and wiring the homes. One example of a house that is new and the buyers hired me to inspect it prior to signing the deed, is that the NEC requires that all electrical outlets on new construction be child proofed. The cost is minimal to the electrician installing the correct electrical outlets. Another small but important code that is not being done on new house construction, at least in the counties that I have visited, is a new Code for Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers for all livable space except bathrooms , kitchens and utility rooms. These are codes that should have gone in effect as of January of 2008 but up to September of 2008 was given to the electricians within the city limits (depending uponcity and building official jurisdiction) As one can see in the photo below, only three arc fault breakers are used in a four bedroom three and a half bath house.
As of February, 2009, a TREC licensed inspector must use the newest of the Standards of Practices that has been established by TREC. These newest stadards can be found on the TREC world wide web site listed: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/inspector/SpecialTopics/SoP_Changes_2008.asp
If you are building your dream home, remember that a qualified TREC licensed and properly educated inspector can thoroughly go through the house and find some of these areas that are lacking proper installation procedures during the building of the house.
Sweetwater Home Inspection does a thorough job of inspecting residential and commercial properties anywhere in the state of Texas. From pre pouring of foundation to a final inspection.
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