WA Home Inspectors Can’t Repair Homes They Inspect

We received a call from a Realtor recently asking if we do repairs on a home we inspect.  Absolutely not!  Even though there are home inspectors doing this, it is not allowed in Washington State.  The WAC 308-408C-020 (Code of Ethics) for Washington State Licensed Home Inspectors states “the home inspector must:

(8) Not for one year after completion of the inspection repair, replace, or upgrade for compensation components or systems on any building inspected – this section applies to the inspector’s firm and other employees or principals of that firm or affiliated firms.”

This Ethic is set in place to protect the home buyer/seller.  Otherwise, a home inspector could call out problems within the home just to create more work for themselves and additional pad their pocket.  You can view all the Ethics at the Washington State Legislature Website.

AMS Inspection Services is a home inspection company based out of Leavenworth, WA, with inspectors in Seattle, Wenatchee and throughout Chelan and Douglas counties.  AMS Inspection performs blower door tests for on new construction projects. 

Walk for Carol Kavanaugh, Douglas Co. Commissioner Candidate, in Apple Blossom Festival Classy Chassis Parade May 4th

JOIN FRIENDS & FAMILY IN SUPPORT OF

“I am a mom, a property owner, a business owner, and a long-time volunteer in our communities. I will work to create an inviting Douglas County.”  – Carol Kavanaugh

IN A CLASSY CHASSIS SORT OF WAY!

On Friday, May 4^th, join Carol Kavanaugh and her supporters as they walk in the Classy Chassis Parade! This will be a FUN and interactive way to show your support and say hi to all your friends along the way!

NOT A DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENT?

If you do business in or have friends or family that live in Douglas county, you need to support Carol Kavanaugh!  We need good, strong, healthy leaders that are there to support the ideas and concerns of the people. Her goal is to create a “County of Opportunity” and address “excessive and unnecessary regulation”.

Parade starts at 6:30 but they’ll be there an hour early!  Meet at the merry-go-round at the Eastmont Park at 5:30 to get T-shirts and cars are available at the end of the parade route to shuttle people back to their cars at the park .

Carol Kavanaugh is currently the President-Elect for the North Central Washington Association of Realtors.  In a recent press release from the NCWAR President, Paul Mares said, “Carol is extremely well versed in issues that affect housing, jobs, the economy, the rising cost of living and many others. It has been an honor to work with Carol, she is an extremely well-rounded candidate and will work tirelessly to represent Douglas County and help develop a stable future for its residents and the valley.” 

Carol has lived in the Wenatchee Valley for over 35 years and is presently with John L. Scott in Wenatchee and has been a real estate professional for 9 years.

NCW Association of Realtors Blood Drive March 19th

The 2012 NCWAR Blood Drive is quickly approaching, so set your calendar for March 19th and plan to attend between 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the Kings Orchard Church in Wenatchee.  Thank you NCW Windermere Real Estate for sponsoring this event.

AMS Inspection Services is a Leavenworth-based home inspection company providing services to Wenatchee and all of North Central Washington.  AMS Inspection is a member of North Central Washington Association of Realtors (NCWAR).

Leavenworth Food Drive Oct. 22nd

“Make A Difference Day” is Oct. 22nd.  The North Central Washington Association of Realtors is sponsoring a food drive in the following locations.  The donations collected in Leavenworth will be given to the UV MEND Community Cupboard.  If you’re not available on Oct. 22nd, contact a local real estate office.  Many of them are currently accepting food donations and will store them until then.

• Grocery Outlet ,Wenatchee 9 AM-2 PM
• Food Pavilion, E. Wenatchee 9 AM-1:30 PM
• Martin’s Market, Cashmere 9 AM-2 PM
• Dan’s Food Market, Leavenworth 9 AM-2 PM

Leavenworth Home Inspection Photo: Stick a cork in it!

I never know what I’m going to come across.  Check out this photo from a recent Leavenworth home inspection.  It’s an interesting way to fill a hole.  Now you know what to do with all those corks you get from wine tasting in Leavenworth!

Realtor’s Charity Putt-Putt Tournament: Having fun and supporting the community!

On Thursday our home inspection company sponsored the North Central Washington Association of Realtor’s “Golf for the Good” Putt-Putt Tournament at Desert Canyon near Lake Chelan.  The community fundraiser benefitted the YMCA Scholarship Program for Kids, Respite Care and the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. 

The day was a lot of fun and we raised quite a bit of money for local charities.  A huge thanks goes out to all the sponsors:  Wenatchee World, AMS Inspection, Pioneer Title, Mortgage Advisory Group, Pacific Appraisal, Laura Mounter Real Estate, Anita & Larry Day, People Bank, Banner Bank, Numerica Credit Union, US Bank Home Mortgage, Karie Rolen & John L Scott, Cashmere Valley Bank Mortgage, Sangster Motors, Jackie Blanchfield, Jeffers- Danielson- Sonn- Aylward, Ogden- Murphy- Wallace, Johnson- Gaukroger- Smith- Merchant, LocalTel Communications, Eagle Home Mortgage, Carole Keane, NCHBA and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

2011 Tour of Homes : Wenatchee, Chelan, Malaga & Peshastin

credit: http://www.nchba.cc

The North Central Home Builders Association’s annual Tour Of Homes is coming up on Sept. 22-25th.  Most homes are in the Wenatchee area but you’ll find one in Lake Chelan, Malaga and Peshastin.  For complete details about the tour, directions, coupons and more visit their website.  As members of NCHBA we are proud to be a part of this great event!  In Leavenworth pick up coupons at Marson & Marson Lumber or Dan’s Food Market.

Improper aluminum wiring ‘sparks’ interest in a hot water heater repair.

How hot is too hot?  We recently observed this hot water heater on a Leavenworth home inspection in the upper Wenatchee Valley.  Aluminum branch circuit wiring was used to supply the hot water heater’s energy.  Improper installation caused a potential dangerous situation.  The unions between the aluminum and copper wire created galvanic corrosion which can weaken the terminal at the switch, receptacle or union.  As the branch circuit is energized the aluminum and copper wires expand and contract at different rates causing the terminal termination at the switch, receptacle or union to loosen.  The loose connections can allow arcing and pitting, creating a hazard for shock or fire, and eventually causing the circuit to fail.  To learn more information about aluminum wiring read my earlier blog entry.

And the hot water heater was still being used, but not anymore!  Based on our inspection they hired a professional electrician to fix the improper installation.  Do you want to know how your home is performing?  An AMS Home Inspection can indentify potentially dangerous conditions.  Call today for more information on home inspections in Leavenworth, Chelan, Seattle, Wenatchee and surrounding areas.

Do you have aluminum wiring in your home? Is it safe?

At a recent Leavenworth home inspection we noticed aluminum wiring to the water heater and oven.  The home owner had some questions so we answered them.

Aluminum wiring became a popular alternative for use in residential construction during the 1960’s when the price for copper sky rocketed.  Underwriter Laboratories had previously approved aluminum wiring for interior branch circuitry as early as 1945.  Contractors searched for relief from the high copper prices and found aluminum to be an acceptable substitute.  The key to this conversion from copper to aluminum was in the installation.

 At the time very little stress was put on the aluminum wiring creep rating (rate of expansion and contraction) and not much information was provided on the proper installation of aluminum wiring.  Some things to consider when working with aluminum wiring is that it is much softer than copper and can’t withstand as much stress when pulled.  Therefore, aluminum wiring can become damaged if nicked or bent at extreme angles.  It also has at least one wire gauge larger than its copper counterpart for each current rating.  All terminations such as switches and receptacles must be properly rated Al or Cu/Al for the use of aluminum branch circuitry wiring.

 Due to limited code enforcement and the lack of information provided to home builders several homes built within the mid 1960-70’s were not outfitted with the proper type of receptacles, switches and other required devices.  Oxide inhibitors are successful in sealing out moisture and air while preventing oxidation but, unfortunately, were not widely used at this time.

 The misunderstanding of aluminum wiring installation methods enabled the theory of aluminum being an unsafe material.  What happened?  When dissimilar metals come in contact it causes galvanic corrosion and oxidation occurs at the screw head terminals.  The process weakens the terminal at the switch or receptacle.  As the branch circuit is energized the aluminum and copper wires expand and contract at different rates causing the terminal at the switch or receptacle to loosen.  The loose connections can allow arcing and pitting, creating a hazard for shock or fire, and eventually causing the circuit to fail.

 Is aluminum wiring safe?  The surprising answer is yes!  We inspect several older homes every year that still contain aluminum branch circuitry wiring and it is in serviceable condition.  Aluminum wiring has never been the problem.  The installation can dictate the longevity or security of any material.  The science behind the reaction and expansion rates of different materials has allowed us to understand mistakes made with aluminum branch circuitry wiring.  Aluminum wiring is still commonly used in new construction, particularly on larger circuits that do not require multiple terminations to various devices.

 Is your home is outfitted with aluminum branch circuitry wiring?  Identify your concerns with an AMS Home Inspection.  A thorough evaluation of each of the branch circuitry wiring must be performed to ensure your home and family’s safety.

Washington State building permits increase: A positive sign.

Now that our Seattle and Wenatchee home inspection company offers HVAC testing (duct blaster) for new construction homes we like to keep an eye on the new construction permits.  The 2009 Energy Code for HVAC Sealing requires a third-party verifier to make sure the HVAC system complies with the minimum performance requirement, therefore, we are hired to conduct the HVAC duct testing.

In the May/June issue of the BIAW’s Building Insight Newsletter the chart below displayed a positive sign of recovery in the building industry since 2010.  Spokane, Pierce, King, Franklin and Benton Counties helped to push the May 2011 building permits over the May 2010 totals.  The overall improvement for 2011 shows a 38% increase in building permits year-to-date in May.  Chelan, Mason, Kittatas, Cowlitz, Island and Jefferson Counties didn’t have much change from May 2010 to May 2011.  Let’s hope the trend keeps improving for Washington’s building and real estate industries.

Source: BIAW Building Insight, Residential Building Permits Issued May 2011