ExperiencedAll CMIs® have completed at least 1,000 fee-paid inspections and/or hours of training and education combined.EstablishedAll CMIs® have been in the inspection business for at least three years prior to becoming Board-Certified.ProfessionalAll CMIs® abide by the inspection industry's toughest Code of Ethics.EducatedAll CMIs® have completed professional education prior to being approved.VettedAll CMIs® have agreed to submit to periodic criminal background checks.The BestNot everyone can become a Certified Master Inspector®. Hiring a CMI® means hiring the best.

Hot water boilers should be provided with expansion tanks. There are two types of expansion tanks designated for use with a residential boiler system. A non-pressurized tank is simply a cylinder filled with air set at atmosphere pressure. A pressurized tank is a sealed cylinder divided by a flexible diaphragm. An expansion tank provides space for the water to expand as it is heated, and it keeps the water pressure within the normal operating range while the boiler is working. Thank you www.nachi.org

Whirlpool/jetted bathtub fixtures must be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The bathtub may be filled with water and tested during the rough-in plumbing inspection.

The illustration above shows the difference between an S-trap and a P-trap. S-traps are not permitted due to siphoning problems. Complements of www.nachi.org

Unvented Crawlspaces

In most climate zones, conditioned crawlspaces perform better than vented crawlspaces in terms of safety, health, comfort, durability, and energy consumption. Research has demonstrated how these conditioned crawlspaces also do not cost more to construct than vented crawlspaces. Crawlspace venting is a widely accepted business practice across the U.S. However, in humid climates, the warm humid air entering the crawlspace is more likely to condense on crawlspace framing than it will to help dry out the crawlspace. This is because the outside air can often have a dew point that is higher than the interior crawlspace framing surface temperature. As evidence, existing vented crawlspaces have experienced serious moisture and mold problems, costing builders and homeowners significant resources to repair.

Check for downspouts diverters not discharging water far enough away from the house. Check floor lawn irrigation systems spraying water against the house foundation, and check for gardens or planters that are up against the house. These may be causing wet soil pressure problems for the structure.

There are two common styles of wood framing: balloon and platform. The main difference between balloon and platform framing is apparent at the floor lines. The balloon wall studs extend from the sill of the foundation all the way to the top plate of the second floor. The platform framed wall, on the other hand, is independent for each floor.

A slab-on-grade foundation is a type of foundation consisting of a structural concrete slab poured onto the ground, but usually, there is a layer of gravel and a vapor retarder between the ground and concrete. View illustration of a slab-on-grade installation. No accessible space exists in slab-on-grade construction. Slab-on-grade foundations are popular in areas where there is a high water table. For example, there are very few full basements in Southern Florida. In general terms, a slab-on-grade foundation is poured on the grade or ground. complements of InterNachi @ www.nachi.org

What's an Arc Flash?

An arc flash occurs when a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from one conductor to another, or to neutral or ground. It often happens unexpectedly and can be explosive but brief, or it can last seconds and be rather visually spectacular. It can cause a little damage or it can disable a system and require the replacement of equipment. An arc flash of any size is quite dangerous because its path is unpredictable; it will be attracted to the nearest item with the greatest conductivity, such as an unsuspecting rodent or house pet, or a person. An arc flash can cause a serious electrical burn or even fatal electrocution.

All electrical systems require a means of disconnection so that the service can be shut down quickly if any dangerous conditions exist. In this section, we will look at the types of disconnects, and the common problems that need to be reported.