TECHNICAL RESOURCES

American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI ® - Professional Home Inspection 

Code of Ethics

ASHI Standards of Practice.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls and Notices

Consumers' CHECKBOOK Homepage

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

Contractor's List  A list of professionals in all types of home improvements and repai

  ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

ASBESTOS: For information and guidelines on asbestos and vermiculite in attic insulation go to:  http://www.epa.gov/asbestos

"Attic Insulation Concerns: Good News and Misleading Warnings"  the Schundler Company - http://www.schundler.com  this article is listed under basic vermiculite information on their home page.  

 FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

ICC : The International Code Council (ICC) is a member association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention.  ICC develops the code and standards used to construct residential and commercial buildings including new homes and schools.

 

 MOLD: In addition to FEMA (above) the following sites have Mold information  and resources.

 "The Facts About Mold" - AIHA    http://www.aiha.org/content/accessinfo/consumer/factsaboutmold.htm

 The Center for Disease Control -  Mold Facts: http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

 Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

RADON:  New Radon Scare - Is Radon Emitted from Granite Countertops?

 About Your Test Results From Envirometric Laboratories - also includes numbers to call for more information about radon and abatement technologies.

DEFECTIVE CHINESE DRYWALL

For help with remediation go to:  www.cleansealep.com

 Lawsuits have been filed in Florida, California, Louisiana & Arkansas. For information about the investigation in Florida go to the Office of the Attorney General of Florida

ARTICLES

Even High- End Homes Can Hide Huge Flaws  Reprinted from the Washington Post 

The Dishwasher Exploded  Possible hydrogen gas build up in hot water lines in vacant houses where water been shut off for several weeks. 

 

GROUNDS AND APPURTENANCES
1.1 Plantings, trees, etc. 
1.2 Retaining walls
1.3 Fencing www.petguardians.com/   http://www.homelandfence.com/
1.4 Driveways  http://www.durasealasphalt.com/
1.5 Walks http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/6-23-1995/iicppo.html
1.6 Patios http://www.brickpatios.com/ Bob Vila's Patios
1.7 Decks http://www.trex.com/ http://www.hometime.com/projects/deckprch.htm
http://www.decksunlimited.org/ http://www.decksusa.com/
1.8 General grading and drainage http://www.builderswebsource.com/techbriefs/drainage.htm
1.9 Grade and slope at house wall shttp://www.acefoundation.com/dg/drain.html
1.10 Window and Stair Wells http://www.windowwell.com/

  1. EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING / Architecture / Construction
    2.1 Visible foundations http://www.modernpouredwalls.com/  
    2.2 Exterior walls /   /www.masoniteclaims.com / EIFS - Exterior Design Institute - EIFS  / The Siding Book
    2.3 Windows http://www.doorandwindow.com/ http://www.andersenwindows.com/ 
    2.4 Doors http://www.doors-windows.com/ http://www.door-doors.com/
    2.5 Paint  http://www.paint.org/  
    2.6 Porches http://www.coastalporches.com/
    2.7 Railings, lights, hose bibbs, etc. http://www.deckrailings.com/  

 

  1. ROOFING, GUTTERING , AND CHIMNEYS Roofing
    3.1 Main roof, type GAF & Other Fiberglass Asphalt Shingle Failures Information and Claims Website http://www.roofingexperts.com/ http://www.roofingmall.com/
    3.2 Other roof sections http://www.custombiltmetals.com/  http://www.americanslate.com/ http://www.harmonyrooftiles.com.au/
    3.3 Flashings & Stack vents http://www.roofcenter.com/
    3.4 Gutters, downspouts, splash blocks and water runoff provisions http://www.gutterworks.com/ http://www.bcity.com/seamless/
    3.5 Chimneys Chimneys. COM / Chimneys and Flues / CPSC Safety Alert Chimneys
    3.6 Cornices and Trim
  2. GARAGE, CARPORT, AND OUT BUILDINGS
    4.1 Roofing & Exterior walls  http://www.roofingexperts.com/ The Siding Book
    4.2 Doors, Windows & Floors http://www.doors-windows.com/ http://www.door-doors.com/
    4.3 Grading and Drainage http://www.builderswebsource.com/techbriefs/drainage.htm
  3. BASEMENT, CRAWLSPACE & FOUNDATIONS  /

    5.1 Slab on Grade
    5.2 Crawlspaces (including Ventilation and Insulation)
    5.3 Basement finish
    5.4 Framing
    5.5 Foundation walls
    5.6 Floor
    5.7 Water penetration: Signs
    5.8 Sump pump system
    5.9 Rot and/or Termite damage
  4. ELECTRIC SERVICE / Holt's National Electrical Code  / Lightning Strike Risk Assessment, Protection System Information & Services / Electrical / 
    6.1 Voltage and Current ( including circuits and adequacy) /
    6.2 Type ( fuses or breakers) Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) Circuit Breaker Panel Fire Hazard-Summarized
    6.3 Conductors and Ground connection Aluminum Wiring Hazards

    Counterfeit electrical products flooding the market  http://counterfeitscankill.com:80/

  5. PLUMBING Plumbing /  Water Online/ Water, Water Supply, Wells / 

    7.1 Water Service Pipe Lead in Drinking Water Advice
    7.2 Interior water pipes  polybutylene plumbing info at Univ Arizona / 
    7.3 Waste pipes The Septic Information Website
    7.4 Well system Water Testing Advice /Water pressure tanks 
    7.5 Septic system Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems / /
    7.6 Laundry ( including Hookups and Machines)
    7.7 Fuel Pipes( including storage tanks) Underground Storage Tanks - Buried Oil Tanks
    7.8 Hot Water heater
  6. HEATING Heating Systems /  BTU Calculators / Fuel Cost Calculator / The TRANE Company Preston's HVAC Guide Books list Mfgs, Models, Capacity, Etc. / Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler-gas valve recall-repair / CPSC  Safety Alert Chimneys / Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler-gas valve recall-repair
    8.1 Type, Brands & Zones Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection-Warranty Program Carbon Monoxide Warning / Plastic Heating Vent Pipe & Other Heating Safety Recall Notice 
    8.2 Output capacity
    8.3 Condition / Underground Storage Tanks - Buried Oil Tanks
    8.4 Distribution Carbon Monoxide 
    8.5 Humidifier
  7. COOLING / Air Conditioning & Cooling Systems
    9.1 Type, Brands & Zones
    9.2 Capacity and Compressor running amps
    9.3 Condition
    9.4 Distribution
  8. ATTICS
    10.1 Insulation
    10.2 Ventilation
    10.3 Whole house attic fan
    10.4 Condensation or rot signs
    10.5 Framing Type
    10.6 Access & Storage
  9. BATHROOMS
    11.1 Tile
    11.2 Fixtures
    11.3 Plumbing
    11.4 Ventilation
    11.5 Electrical
  10. KITCHEN
    12.1 Sinks and plumbing
    12.2 Cabinets and counters
    12.3 Dishwasher
    12.4 Range And Oven
    12.5 Refrigerator
    12.6 Fan/Hood and Disposal
    12.7 Extra Equipment
    12.8 Floor covering

  11. GENERAL INTERIOR
    13.1 Walls
    13.2 Ceilings
    13.3 Floors
    13.4 Stairs Koffler  Stairs
    13.5 Doors
    13.6 Windows and Storms
    13.7 Fireplaces / Coal, Gas, Pellet, Wood Appliances & Fuels
    13.8 Smoke Alarms
    13.9 Electrical fixtures and outlets

 

 

Home Inspection Services
Residential & Commercial Building Inspections 
 Radon, Lead, & Environmental Testing
  Dispute Resolution


Continental Inspection  Agency
Represented by
 Claxton Walker & Associates

626-C Admiral Drive #124 Annapolis, MD 21401 

DC Metro (301) 970-1911
Potomac (301) 299-2755 Fax (410) 849-2566