Let’s Play Property Inspector See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns

What’s Wrong Here?

What’s Wrong Here? Deteriorated flashing will leak water into the home.

Any Theme Here?

Rotten trim around window and door. Any Theme Here? Rotten trim around window and door.

Any Electrical Concerns Here?

Any Electrical Concerns Here? Sharp edges can damage insulation on wire.

What About Here?

What About Here? Open knockout is box is an electrocution hazard.

Would Anything Here Be of Concern?

Would Anything Here Be of Concern? Electrical panel behind bed is difficult to access in an emergency.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

Why Are You Concerned About a Little Leak?

Why Are You Concerned About a Little Leak? If it’s leaking on the outside, it could be leaking inside the wall.

Can You Identify Three Concerns Here?

Can You Identify Three Concerns Here? Here’s a hint:

Can You Identify Three Concerns Here? No. 1: Insulation fallen down

Can You Identify Three Concerns Here? No. 2: Glue joint between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe not allowed

Can You Identify Three Concerns Here? No. 3: Wood debris on ground can attract termites.

Evidence of a Leaking Toilet Flange (as viewed from below the floor) Pipe is wet Water evidence on subfloor and joists

What Issue Is Pictured Here?

What Issue Is Pictured Here? Moisture intrusion into crawl space.

Any Concerns Here?

Any Concerns Here? Little ground clearance between siding and ground can be an invitation to wood-destroying insects.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

This One Should Be Easy

This One Should Be Easy Broken vinyl siding.

What Hazard Do These Photos Have in Common?

What Hazard Do These Photos Have in Common? Tripping hazards

Is There Any Inefficiency Here?

Is There Any Inefficiency Here? Air leakage around pull-down stairs.

Is This Coiled-up Pipe Supposed to Be Here?

Is This Coiled-up Pipe Supposed to Be Here? Bathroom vent pipe should direct discharge out of the attic.

Shouldn’t the ENTIRE Ceiling Be Insulated?

Any Safety Concern With This Electrical Panel?

Any Safety Concern With This Electrical Panel? Open breaker space is an electrocution hazard.

Can You Read the Label on the Range?

Can You Read the Label on the Range? Evidently a lot of installers can’t. Anti-tip brackets are often not installed, allowing for possible burn accidents.

Any Problem? (Hint: Look hard behind the plant and curtain.)

Any Problem? (Hint: Look hard behind the plant and curtain.) Drapes against an electric baseboard heater are a fire hazard.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

Isn’t That Diverter Spout Supposed to Seal a Little Better Than This?

This One Should Be Easy

This One Should Be Easy Broken sink stopper.

And This One Might Not Be So Easy …

… Without a Closer Look

… Without a Closer Look Cover on meter base is not sealed properly.

Dryer Vent OK?

Same Vent, Different View

Same Vent, Different View Lots of lint buildup equals fire hazard.

Anything Missing on This Water Heater Installation?

Anything Missing on This Water Heater Installation? No shut-off valve!

No Need for Clearance Between Trees and Houses, Right?

What Do These Two Furnace Photos Have in Common?

What Do These Two Furnace Photos Have in Common? The fan door safety switch is disabled. The fan could draw carbon monoxide into the home if the door is removed.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

Could an Open Junction Box REALLY Cause a Problem?

Could an Open Junction Box REALLY Cause a Problem? Like fire or electrocution?

What’s Wrong With This Electrical Panel?

What’s Wrong With This Electrical Panel? Hard to tell, since it’s inaccessible.

Could the Stains on the Ceiling and Wall Be Caused by a Leak?

Some Confirmation From the Attic Water evidence on sheathing and framing.

Any Hazards Associated With These Stairs?

Any Hazards Associated With These Stairs? Bottom riser is shorter than the others, creating a tripping hazard.

High-end Dishwasher: No Problem?

High-end Dishwasher: No Problem? Except for the water it dumps on the hardwood floor.

What’s the Black Stuff on the Crawl Space Floor?

What’s the Black Stuff on the Crawl Space Floor? The remains of a black plastic moisture barrier that melted due to fire in the crawl space.

What’s the Black Stuff on the Crawl Space Floor? Evidence of fire in the crawl space.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

How’d That Go? Something About Step on a Crack and Break Your Mother’s Back?

How’d That Go? Something About Step on a Crack and Break Your Mother’s Back? Well, that crack might just be a tripping hazard for mom.

This Is Normal, Right?

This Is Normal, Right? Rotten wood is not normal on a home.

Dishwasher Looks OK?

Dishwasher Looks OK Buttons are optional! So is being securely fastened to the countertop.

What’s the Concern Here?

What’s the Concern Here? If the key isn’t left in the lock, then escaping during an emergency might be hampered.

Easy One for You?

Easy One for You? Broken receptacle. But does it have GFCI protection?

Why Would You Need Clearance Between Roofing Materials and a Gas Vent Pipe?

Why Would You Need Clearance Between Roofing Materials and a Gas Vent Pipe? Roofing material is combustible; gas vents can get hot. This is a fire hazard.

Are Tree Roots Supposed to Grow in the Crawl Space?

Are Tree Roots Supposed to Grow in the Crawl Space? Tree roots can damage foundations over time.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

We’ve All Heard That Water and Electricity Don’t Mix

We’ve All Heard That Water and Electricity Don’t Mix Maintaining the sealant can help keep them separate.

What Are the Two Splash Block Issues?

What Are the Two Splash Block Issues? Left: Installed backward. Right: Slopes toward home. Neither do a good job of directing water away from the home.

Would You Want Your Hot Tub Wired This Way?

Would You Want Your Hot Tub Wired This Way? Proper installation would protect the wires from damage and protect people from the wires.

Must Be Some New High-efficiency Vents

Must Be Some New High-efficiency Vents No covers to impede airflow — or to keep the rain out.

Some Might Call This a Soffit

Some Might Call This a Soffit Birds might call it an entryway.

Water Heater Installation Look OK?

Water Heater Installation Look OK? Except for a lack of clearance between foam insulation and gas vent pipe.

How Do You Inspect the Attic? Or the Furnace in the Attic?

How Do You Inspect the Attic? Or the Furnace in the Attic? Not very practical unless someone moves some stuff.

Same Location (Garage), But Different Issue. What’s the Concern?

Same Location (Garage), But Different Issue. What’s the Concern? Carbon monoxide could enter the home through the HVAC vent.

Is Aluminum Trim Supposed to Do This?

Identify the Issue With These Steps

Identify the Issue With These Steps Loose bricks are a tripping hazard.

Electrical Service Cable: Any Concerns?

Electrical Service Cable: Any Concerns? Sharp edge on aluminum trim could cut through the wire insulation and energize the siding.

Want to Play Property Inspector? See how well you do at identifying problems, issues and safety concerns.

What Causes the Shingle to Lift?

What Causes the Shingle to Lift? Nail pop on layer below. Nail can work its way through the top shingle.

Can the Cracks in the Top of the Chimney Cause Future Problems?

Can the Cracks in the Top of the Chimney Cause Future Problems? Water intrusion can lead to deterioration of the chimney.

Should I Be Able to Stick My Probe Into the Floor In Front of the Bathtub?

Should I Be Able to Stick My Probe Into the Floor In Front of the Bathtub? Looks like there might be some water-caused damage.

Fogged Windows

Fogged Windows A sign of failed seals in thermal-pane windows.

Common Neutral/Ground Bus NOT Allowed on Electrical Subpanels

Any Concerns With the Attic Access Hatch in the Garage?

Any Concerns With the Attic Access Hatch in the Garage? Hatch panel and trim are wood. Garage ceiling is fire-rated drywall.

Do You See Two Problems Behind the Dryer?

Do You See Two Problems Behind the Dryer? Vent not connected properly (note gap). Electrical cord not installed properly.

Gas Line Union Is Supposed to Be OUTSIDE the Furnace Cabinet

Thank You!