Clayton, OH

I just hate it. It's snowing (3") and I get a call. Yes it is Sunday, yes I'm doing something other than work, but that doesn't matter. I tell all my clients that they can call me anytime (sometimes I'm not very bright), anytime at all. Clients don't call very often, but friends and relatives now that is a different story.

This morning the phone rings, and to be fair it wasn't early, it is a relative that has a problem. Their roof is leaking and it is ruining the ceiling. This is not what I wanted to do today. It wont take long, just find out where and we can put a temporary fix on it till the weather improves (famous last words). Remember there is 3" of new snow on the roof.

So, with an optimistic outlook and my trusty flashlight I set out to solve the mystery of the ages. Word of warning, you can't find a roof leak during a snowfall from the roof. Therefore, there is only one place to go, the dreaded attic.

When I get there there is a leak and it is definitely ruining the ceiling. It is coming through the ceiling in the middle of the house and looking from outside there are no penetrations through the roof even remotely close to where the leak is showing up. There is nothing to do but to search for the attic access. The only access is in the garage making it a 50+ ft. crawl in and around rafters to general area of the leak. Might as well start where the water is.

Now finding a leak in the roof seems easy. Find where it is coming through the ceiling and look up, right. There is insulation in the ceiling and it is doing it's best to hide the water. But after a series of taps on the ceiling by my relatives I find the water. I note the location and roll over to look up (remember I'm crawling). There are no telltale signs of a leak, no damp spots, nothing. Next, I know water always runs to the lowest point if it has an uninterrupted path. Okay, follow the wet 2 X 4 rafter until you find the leak (more crawling in insulation).

It has been an hour, I'm cold, now I'm wet, full of insulation, and it is still Sunday. Here it is, this has got to be it, a fireplace penetrating the low portion of the roof. The brick is dry though, I feel all around the chimney and it is dry. A number of expletives escape me, but that doesn't help either. Now I'm intrigued. This is becoming more a quest than a diagnosis. Wait here it is. Warmth coming off the chimney is melting the snow on the edge of the roof and the water is running 15' before reaching a low spot to soak through the ceiling.

The repair is outside. We shoveled the snow off the roof where the leak actually started and then swept it to get it all. Then we put plastic over this area before banking the fire to get rid of the heat source. When I left there were 3 hair dryers drying out the ceiling.

Moral of the story, don't answer the phone on Sunday.

When I was younger I had an Uncle that thought that a clothes hanger was the ultimate tool, the answer to everything that was broken. Later on that Uncle discovered duct tape and this took the load off my aunts supply of clothes hangers. Even later in life he discovered flex-duct and the world was a happy place. He could use clothes hangers and duct tape to install flex-duct. In minutes he could run duct work throughout an entire house. I have seen some of his work and it is, well...... creative, to say the least. He passed away not too long ago, but I believe that I underestimated him. It seems that during his lifetime he taught thousands of homeowners and tradesmen the use of his favorite solutions to repair anything.

This is duct tape. It has a specific purpose. It is not for hanging water lines, caulking windows (no matter what colors it comes in), covering hole in gas lines, or any number of non-duct uses.

This is a clothes hanger. It has a specific purpose. It is not for hanging water lines, coupling round duct, welding beams, supporting duct, or any number of non-clothes hanging purposes.

This is flex-duct. It has a specific purpose. It is not for exhaust vents, venting hot combustable gases of any kind (no matter what the appliance), or any number of other non-duct work purposes.

I tried really hard when my uncle was still here to convince him that most things have a purpose, but to no avail. His perfect hardware store would consist of these three items in different sizes. Oh, also two screwdrivers (straight edge and phillips) and assorted pliers.

The right materials for a job usually makes for a job done right (my grandfater said that).

"I don't understand why a home inspection costs so much?" I hear this so often that I want to record a response and play it back. Numerous times I have listed costs that are required (yes required) for a good inspector to perform just one inspection. For a short time (when I first started out) I included this list with my home inspection packet. I quit doing that a few years ago simply because I felt like I was doing my taxes.

I want to share some (just some) of these so that others beside my accountant can have some idea why a home inspection costs so much.

Education. I'll start with this since it is the first thing that a home inspector has to have. Education is the most important asset home inspectors have and very possibly the most expensive. First of all this is a continuing cost. I personally spend over 1.5k per year in education (yes that's dollars). I could get by on less, but I'm a firm believer in education.

Tools. This is a category that I have difficulty with, because like most home inspectors, I love tools. Therefore, I have to separate tools that I want from tools that I need. The way I do this is, if it will increase my efficiency and my quality of service then it is a needed tool. I presently have 12k worth of tools.

Insurance. I hate this category, it is a necessary, very evil. The insurance companies have convinced me that I need approx. 3.8k of insurance per year. I have "Stupid Remark" coverage, "Just Trying to Help" coverage, "Missed That Lint on the Floor" coverage, "Ten Minutes Late" (due to 12" of snow) coverage, and, of course, the ever increasing G & L, E & O and vehicle.

Truck. For a while I put this in the tools category, but found that I didn't want a new truck as much as I wanted a new tool. Truck is valued at 18k.

Incidentals. This is gas, shoe covers, and all consumables. I didn't, in the past, include these, but I do now.

Advertising. Business cards, pamphlets, web presence and the like cost about 3k a year. This includes my computer and in-house network, etc.

These expenses are variable and are different for every inspector. They aren't even all of the ones I have, but I started to feel like I was doing taxes again. One thing you must consider is that this is the list you have before you can do 1 (one) inspection.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection Services

Clayton, Ohio

Anyone who has looked at my website knows that I give either free or almost free inspections to returning service men and women.

With this in mind I want to say that I lost an inspection job today for one of our returning vets because of my price. Meeting all criteria for a free inspection I informed them that there would be no charge for the inspection. That made the cell phone go silent for a time, I thought the call had been dropped. Finally, the person came back on line and said that they could pay for the service. I, very confused, explained that I don't charge returning vets for inspections, my way of saying thanks. The only charge I have ever had for military returning from service was for a reinspect (only because it was 40 miles to the inspection).

I want to reiterate, any returning military personnel (from anywhere outside the US) that are buying a home, your inspection from me is no charge (within 40 miles of Clayton, OH). No strings. If milage is extensive I will ask for $20 to $40 for gas and travel. That's it.

This will be posted on my website and some other areas where it can get the maximum exposure.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection Services

Clayton Ohio

This time of year is usually slow for Real Estate inspections. So every year I try to plan all that I am going to do around the holidays. Of course, I really don't know what business will be like 2 or 3 months in advance when I start this list, so I normally have more list than I have time. Other lists take precedence, you know, get Christmas Tree, put up lights, shopping, visit relatives that we haven't seen since last Christmas and wash the dog (the last should be a blog by itself).

This year I was feeling a little out gunned (maybe even a little guilty) by some of the other inspectors who have this new tool or that new technological marvel. Well, threatened or guilty, I started taking some courses for expanding my offerings to my major clients (investors). Since I offer a few things to investors that not many inspectors do I have to put together my own little curriculum. Some of the courses are on-line and I figure That's Great! I can sit at home during the holidays, take the courses, study and all is well. Wrong.

Dads at home doing nothing he can watch the baby while we shop. Hey Jack, since your not busy will you come take a look at this, I have to have it fixed by Christmas. Can I just use the computer for a minute (the other 2 stations on the little network are already taken), I promise I wont be long. Hey Jack can you start dinner while I'm at XXX's house? I'll be back in a half hour. Since your not busy, here is a list for the store and while your out get gas and stamps. Oh, my favorite, your not ready, we're supposed to be there in an hour. Where?

I could go on, but I'm starting to get a little peeved. The car needs an oil change (so does the truck), the garage door doesn't go all the way down, the kitchen sink is stopped up (cookie dough), and I don't think the dog has been out all day.

I'm studying from 12 midnight till 2 am and no one better interrupt me.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection Services

Clayton Ohio