David Home Inspection

Los Angeles Home Inspector warns. Water damage is more about what you can't see. Take a look at these pictures. Here is a picture of a common tub one would find at any home inspection. There were signs that a shower door had been removed at some point. What is hard to see is that the tub was not level. A good home inspector will check if the tub is installed correctly. Your inspector should also stand in the tub to insure the floor below is not soft or spongy.

We did and here is what we found. The wood subfloor below the tub area is where the deferred maintenance has taken it's toll. We found severe damage to the floor boards and floor joist. This is a costy repair. The tub and tile will need to be removed in order to make the needed repairs. However our client had planed a complete bath remodel. The floor repair will add to the budget.

Below more visiable water damage to the subfloor

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Los Angeles Home Inspector Describes The Differences In The Common Outlet. 

A two prong duplex outlet. This receptacle is commonly used in older homes that were wired with a two wire system. This outlet does not have a ground wire. A big mistake that Do It Yourselfer's make is they replace this type of outlet with the more modern and common three prong outlet shown below.

The three prong duplex outlet is one of the most common recepticals one will find in a modern home. The outlet slots are polarized so the plug can only go in one way. It is important that when a three prong outlet is used that the ground terminal be effectively grounded. When a home is inspected for sale a great home inspector will check to insure the outlet is properly grounded.

The GFCI duplex outlet is used in such areas as kitchens, baths, garages and outdoor location. The National Electrical Code (NEC) is a fantastic reference for the proper location and operation of such devices. This safety device is a life safety device. It was designed to protect from electrical shock in wet locations. During a home inspection your home inspector will test the operation of the GFCI devices in the home. Not all inspectors test the device according to the NEC guidelines. Specialized equipment is needed to properly test this type of safety device. We have all seen Inspectors with a outlet testing devices that plugs into the outlet. They commonly have a push button on top. This tester will only" test trip " the the GFCI device. Some Inspectors use the test button on the device itself. This methods of testing is old school and non effective. David Salvato Expert Author and owner of David Home Inspection Services in Los Angeles County says "Trip times and fault currents must also be measured." You will find that most home inspectors don't own this highly technical equipment. At David Home Inspection we understand that life safety devices are a very important component in the home and should be thoroughly tested. We use GFCI as well as ARC fault test equipment on every home inspection. Realtors, Home Buyers and sellers know after we inspect a home the safety devices have also been properly inspected and tested.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

West Covina, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

What Does 20 Year Three Tab Refer To? Below you will find a great illustration of a 20 year three tab asphalt shingle. You will also find the fastener location and a self-sealing strip. If the roof is installed in the cold winter months the self-sealing strip may not get hot enough to bond. If heavy winds occur the shingles may be damaged. Install you shingles in the summer so you don't find your shingles standing at attention.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

West Covina, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

The Renaissance Doors And Windows Co In Mision Viejo. This company provides services all over the South Land of Southern Callifornia. We just had a custom made set of doors for our home. The cost $9,275. So I was exspecting a lot. And I got a lot. I would recommend this company to anyone in need of high end door systems. Below you will find all the services provided.

Design Services and advice by expertly trained designers.

1. They supply drawings of all products and details.
2. Field Engineering by experienced employees.
3. Manufacturing of clad and wood products locally.
4. Finishing (paint or stain) in thier factory.
5. Trained employees do all the installation work, They will  provide all the construction services necessary for enlarging, shrinking, or moving doors and windows, including headers, framing, electrical, drywall, and stucco.
6. If necessary, all permits and inspections are coordinated.
7. They will service and warranty all products.
8. Upon completion a thorough cleanup and walk-through are conducted to assure your satisfaction and understanding of the products.
9. When thier installers leave, you are left with more than new doors and windows. They leave you with an assurance that the products we installed will perform as specified, beyond the warranty period.

I give them 4 1/2 stars!

David Home Inspection Services

Vinyl Windows. What Buyers Want? It's easy to see why vinyl replacement windows have become one of the most popular home improvements in Southern California.

1. They reduce noise and energy use while increasing your property value and enhancing the appearance of your home.
   
2. They can be installed quickly without major construction headaches and the price is relatively affordable.
   
3. Vinyl windows can add to your home's resale value.
   
4. Unattractive windows can be a deal-killer for even the most beautiful home. It almost stopped us from buying our home in West Covina Ca.
   
5. Figures vary, but some studies show that new vinyl windows can add $20,000 - $30,000 to a home's asking price.

Vinyl dual-pane windows also offer sun protection. Many companies apply a "low-e" coating to the glass, which blocks out a significant percentage of the sun's harmful UV rays. This protects your carpets

and your furniture and, most importantly, your family from sun exposure.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

West Covina, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California

Carpet V.S Hard Wood and Laminate floors.

In Southern California carpet floors have been taking a back seat to the hard wood floor sector for the past 10 years. However now that people have been living with the laminate floor system for 10 or so years some things are coming to light. Many laminate floor systems are not holding up to the 10 or 15 year warranty that they came with. People are also finding that the cost to remove and replace this type of floor system is considerably higher than carpet. Some true hard wood floor systems can be more costly to install but have a much longer life. True hard wood floors can be refinished more than once. The fee that most re-finisher's charge is $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot depending on finish. These days carpet is making a come back. Installation and removal in most cases is a breeze. The carpet manufactures in America have responded to the "Go Green " movement and have created many natural fibers that stay fast and ware well in a busy home.

David Home Inspection Services

626-629-8499

We Proudly Serve The Areas Of

West Covina, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside County California