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Deck Ledger (Nails Only)
A ledger is the board or framing member that secures a deck or porch to the building. Deck and porch ledgers should be securely bolted to the building to prevent injuries from failure. If nails are the...
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Deck Ledger (Poor Flashings)
A ledger is the board or framing member that secures a deck or porch to the structure. These framing members are vulnerable to moisture damage as debris and water often become trapped between the...
View ArticleOverview
We use this (work in progress) glossary as a tool to provide background information for comments we make in our property inspection reports. These items are not necessarily stand-alone comments and...
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Water Pressure Regulator
Water pressure regulators are typically required by the City or County when the incoming water pressure exceeds 80 psi. The idea is to reduce the chance of pipes, hoses, appliances or supply lines from...
View ArticleDrain, waste and Vent Piping
The drain, waste and vent system is referred to by plumbers as “DWV” and this is the system that conveys waste and gray water to the municipal sewer system (or septic system if applicable). If you’ve...
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Service Grounding and Bonding
Electrical services should have grounding components at the main service that are designed to protect the system from lightning strikes and problems that could occur with the power lines from the...
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Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection is actually more important than grounding in preventing electrical shocks. Contemporary standards allow GFCI’s as replacement receptacles for...
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AFCI Protection
AFCIs (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters) are intended to reduce the chance of fires caused by electrical arcing faults; whereas, GFCIs are devices intended to reduce the chances of shock and/or...
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Gas Systym
The gas system conveys natural gas from the utility gas meter to the individual appliances that need it. This may be a wall furnace, forced air furnace, water heater or kitchen appliances. The system...
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Handrails and Guardrails
Handrails and guardrails are frequently outdated in older property. Building standards evolve over time, especially in response to injury, and while it is unlikely there would be any municipal...
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Kitchen Countertop Receptacles
While there is no requirement to upgrade the countertop receptacles in an older kitchen unless remodeling or renovation is undertaken, we recommend it as a prudent safety upgrade. All of the...
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Convenience Receptacles
Older buildings usually have too few receptacles compared to current standards. While there is no requirement to add additional receptacles unless remodeling or renovation is performed in the area,...
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Water Heaters
Overview image of a water heater installation: This image shows bonding at a water heater:
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