New Home Inspections

Here are just a few of the items we find in newly constructed homes that need 'fixing' or modifications.

Garage Doors

Garage doors need to comply with certain safety standards, and 1 item that we find more than not is that the door is not balanced correctly; which could allow it to fall in the manual mode. (Dual Car garage doors can weigh 300+ lbs.)

Cleanouts

Cleanouts are those little plugs on the side of your house and they need to be accessible and not be concealed by permanent finishing material such as stucco, after all, if you ever need to work on a clog, who will be paying to replace the stucco you needed to remove to access the cleanout. (Hint: The plumber won't fix it.)

Damper Clamp

Although the term Damper Clamp is not used in the 'code' books, a damper clamp is a device that can prevent the flue from closing completely, which can prevent CO gases from entering the living area.

It is stated that in the California Mechanical code 602.1.1.3. "Where a gas log, log lighter, or decorative gas appliance is installed in a fireplace, the flue damper shall be blocked open where required by this code or the manufacturer’s installation instructions." Going further into the research it directs you to the National Fire Protection Association 9.9.1 which states "Manually operated dampers shall not be placed in chimneys, vents, or connectors of stoker-fired, liquid, or gas-burning appliances."

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So in a long winded way it indirectly states a flue damper clamp is required.

Water Heaters (Tanked)

Yes, some new homes are still getting tanked water heaters, which still seem to be installed incorrectly. Such as not having a 'Sediment Trap', this little inexpensive contraption is used to prevent, well you guessed it, sediment from entering into your water heater with the potential of reducing the lifespan of the unit.

Water Heaters (Tankless)

Tankless water heaters by name have no tank; however they do have water lines which can leak if not installed correctly. So if you see water draining from the unit into your drain pipe, well then you unit was not installed correctly or it needs adjustment.

Water Heater (Thermal expansion tank)

A thermal expansion tank is designed to prevent water damage due to pressure within the property, as is required on tanked systems if you have a water pressure regulator installed on the property.

Windows (Not staying open)

Most vertical windows have what is called a block and tackle window balancing system, which when the window is opened it keeps it in place, when you open a window and it does not stay open, or if you see the balancing mechanism leaning on the side of the window, then you need to replace the block and tackle unit.

Windows (Fogged)