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Did you know McLendons accept your old holiday lights, working or knot. Bring in your giant balls and knots of lights and drop them off. Feel good that they will be recycled, not just thrown in to a landfill. It’s a win win for all.
Tankless Coil and Indirect Water Heater Basics Tankless coil and indirect water heaters use a home or building’s space heating system to heat water as part of an integrated or combination water and space heating system. HOW TANKLESS COIL AND INDIRECT WATER HEATERS WORK A tankless coil water heater uses Read more
I was called out to take a look at a new torch down roof. My client was concerned that the roofing was not installed correctly. There is significant puddling in the corner, and the water is not going down the drain instead it runs into the corner and leaks into Read more
We do a lots of practice electronic quizzes, by the time we finish class, our students have answered approximately 800 practice questions! We believe this is important since most of us haven’t had to take tests in years. By practicing these tests are students sharpen their knowledge and prepare themselves Read more
We always inspect chimneys closely. Be sure to always have your wood burning chimneys swept and inspected regularly. Creosote build-up is one of the leading causes of chimney fires. Always burn seasoned dry wood and avoid smoldering fires to reduce the problem with creosote. Flashing problems A brick chimney should have Read more
This deck collapse in Indiana injured many people and sent 7 to the hospital. It had a faulty construction, the beam was not placed above the post. It appears to have been attached to the post themselves If you watch the video you can see the beam breaks and falls Read more
SOPHI Recommended Fieldwork Professionals During Active Fieldwork: Always dress in a professional, safe, and functional manner from head to toe. Arrive on time, prepared with necessary tools and attire.Check with your mentor(s) prior to inspections regarding special instructions as they may vary between mentors. Please wait patiently in your vehicle Read more
Yes that is a real thing!The pressure-assisted toilets made by the Sloan valve company sold under the name flushmate have had recalls. (501-b and 503) https://schoolofprofessionalhomeinspection.com/lib/vid/Exploding%20Sloan%20Toilet%20Tanks.mp4 These pressurized toilets are known to fail and cause explosions. Significant property damage and some injuries have occurred due to these failures. There are Read more
Holy smokes that’s one burnt up meter. Gives you great respect for the power of electricity. There was a failure at the transformer that transformed the house. ” The transformer at the pole blew out that powered the home. My electrician friends, what could cause this? Fried the service feeder Read more
We cover so many new topics for our students that we spent extensive time taking quizzes. These are great learning experiences and allow us to see the progress of our students as they are learning their new skills. This is a Zoom Quiz we had and our students really show Read more
The pleasure of inspecting of a pretty nice manufactured home today. It had been really well-maintained and look like a very pretty home. As in all things what really matters is what you don’t see. That’s why they hire us. At the end of the inspection we get a chance Read more
Copper has been the mainstay of plumbing supply systems for decades. While the system is very popular it is particularly susceptible to freezing. Copper plumbing is rigid and does not stretch when ice forms. Water expands approximately 9% when it freezes. Plastic plumbing systems have some stretch to them and Read more
Today I have the pleasure of inspecting possibly the most dangerous, certainly the dumbest furnace install I’ve ever seen. If you look at the air intake and exhaust for this high-efficiency furnace they have been swapped. This is causing soaking wet exhaust from the furnace to vent into the attic. Read more
This is a live panel, still working after 100 years. Just a few dangerous things in here, like live conductors everywhere and a little asbestos liner too boot.
Here is a sample question you might expect on the Washington State Home Inspection Exam: What is a likely reason for a gas furnace to shut down after firing up? A) the filter is dirty B) disconnected inducer fan C) a tripped primary control D) ignitor failure If the filter Read more
Happy Monday, everyone! We hope you can still fit in crawlspaces after all of the Thanksgiving feasts! Here’s a quick reference on crawlspace regulations. Have a great December in the field, and may you always fit into the “tight” squeezes. The inspector is not required to: • Enter (a) Subfloor Read more
We just got a new card from a student, Kevin Chen is a super-smart inspector. He is bilingual, speaking Chinese witch should be super useful in our area. Congratulations! We look forward to seeing you out int he field! Kevin Chen SOPHI Certified Home Inspector 206-475-5897 Speaks Chinese The Trusses Read more
Water hammer or hydraulic shock is often caused by a lack of air chambers. When a valve is shut off quickly (washing machines and dishwashers, for example, can turn off the water very fast) The air in the chamber will compress, absorbing the shock that would normally be passed down Read more
November ended our 2019 school year. Class 23 saw bright future inspectors score 90% and higher on their final exams. After 120 hours of classroom education our students are on the path to their new careers. Are you thinking about joining us in a 2020 class? Here are the basic steps you need Read more
When you begin your new career as an inspector, you will likely venture out on your own. Many seek out an inspection career due to the common American desire to own their own business. A career in home inspection allows flexibility and peace of mind that many people crave in Read more
Our planet is changing, and many of us around the world are changing how and what we choose to build with. Green, eco-co-conscious building is gaining ground every day. Implementing sustainable methods and materials new and old alike have a positive effect locally and globally. Recycled materials as well as Read more
Each year, thousands of American families suffer swimming pool tragedies—drownings and near-drownings of young children. The majority of deaths and injuries in pools and spas involve young children ages 1 to 3 and occur in residential settings
We just wrapped up our twenty first Home Inspection Fundamentals class (whew!) and I was going over our student’s exit surveys. Thank you for choosing SOPHI Greg. was a pleasure to have you in class. What would help to make this class more effective? “I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t Read more
Home inspection is a job where you are always on the road. The commute from one job to another can often take up several hours or more a week. Now you can pass the time by listening to an informative, intriguing podcast about your profession. When Preston Sandlin created ” Read more
Floating homes also offer the benefits of living on top of the water. Unlike houseboats, however, a floating home is designed to stay put, much like a traditional land dwelling home. Both types of unique structures require extra inspection and particular attention traditional homes do not