During a recent inspection in New Orleans, I discovered several significant issues with a gutter system that require immediate attention. The problems identified include an accumulation of debris, the absence of a proper drip edge, and shingles improperly installed behind the gutter. These issues, if left unaddressed, can lead to serious damage and costly repairs.…

This raised house in Uptown, New Orleans had a significant issue: mold in the crawl space. This was due to a lack of ventilation in the area, with no vent holes around the home. When I took this picture, the only light came from my flashlight, as no light entered from the sides. It was…

During a recent home inspection in Metairie, I stumbled upon an unexpected hazard: a dangerous air purifier. Yes, they actually exist. Most standard air purifiers employ a simple filter to trap debris, dust, mold, pollen, and other particles. Typically, these are purchased at common retailers like Lowes or Home Depot and replaced every few months.…

By Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC A rare fungal infection thought to mainly occur in the northern Midwest and parts of the Southeast is more common in other parts of the U.S. than expected, new research published Wednesday finds.  It goes without saying, New Orleans is in the Southeast. The illness, called blastomycosis, can be difficult to…

Discovering unique challenges during a recent home inspection in Metairie prompted me to share a noteworthy finding. In my extensive experience, encountering uncommon issues is not uncommon, and it often leads to contemplation about the intricacies of home structures. In this particular case, a distinctive concern emerged – a hole penetrating the concrete slab at…

Many don’t like spray foam for several reasons but this is a missed opportunity for energy efficiency. What is Closed Cell Spray Foam? Closed cell spray foam is a type of insulation that expands upon application to form a dense, rigid barrier. Unlike open cell foam, which is softer and more flexible, closed cell foam…

Pictured are several crawl space floor joists in a row with termite damage on a New Orleans house that I recently inspected.  You can easily see the termite trails going around the sill and into the joists.  The joists are crushing under the weight of the home.  There is obviously a big hole in the…

There are a few problems in this picture. 

Introduction For many decades, galvanized water pipes were a standard choice in home construction due to their durability and affordability. However, as plumbing technology has advanced, the limitations and potential health risks associated with galvanized pipes have come to light. This blog will delve into the history of galvanized water pipes, their advantages and disadvantages,…

Wood rot on the floor sheathing isn’t hard to spot.  Pictured you can see all the water staining around the lead to cast iron pipe coming from the toilet.  It’s extensive.  You can see different levels of floor sheathing that was installed over the years, which is an indication that some of the wood is…

The featured image shows a beam wedged in under a sill to support it. Unfortunately, it’s not proper and won’t do much at supporting the original sill.  So, I was confused as to why the supporting beam was put in at all.  There was somewhat of a long run on the main support sill, so…

Notice the plastic bubble wrap type of insulation applied to the underside of the joists in the crawl space.  This will trap humid air between the joists throughout the summer.  As air conditioning is used, it lowers the temperature of the floor to dew point and therefore dew forms on the wood.  Wet wood will…

Pictured you’ll see my screw driver stabbed into closed cell spray foam applied to the underside of the floor sheathing in a crawl space in New Orleans.  I always check to see if the foam was sprayed on correctly.  There should be at least 1.5 inches of closed cell to have a proper thermal break…

You can find lots of different numbers on the lifespan of a cast iron drainage pipe, but I can say that at 80 to 100 years of age, the pipe needs to be replaced if a couple things add up. This type of pipe is commonly rusted. But “very rusted” is something more substantial. When…

Several piers under this Metairie home were constructed with the wrong side up.  You should not see the holes placed on their side.  They should be aligned up and down to add more strength and support.  Placed on their side, these piers are structurally weak and may crack over time.  It is also best practice…

The pipe is sloping down! What could be the problem? This pipe may end up performing ok but there could be issues. Lets just ignore the codes and proper drop per foot. Home inspection, by definition is not technically exhaustive and we don’t report on code in our reports in Louisiana. It’s the law. So…

Do you see anything wrong with this picture in a New Orleans crawl space? There is no light shining through the sides. So there is no ventilation at all on the front half under the home. This can cause a buildup of mold. It is South Louisiana, right, we have high humidity. Fortunately, the back…

Some people that I ask do not know the signs of termites. Like in this photo, they make mud/excrement tunnels from the ground and up the piers to get to the wood sills. When I see these tunnels, I disturb them to flick away the dirt and sometimes that reveals the creepy crawlies. In the…

As a home inspector, I’ve seen worse but this New Orleans home had termite damage on three joists in a row. Two of the joists had crushed down about an inch so there was probably some sinking in the subfloor and main flooring above. Adding a new joist next to the old (called sistering) is…

There are so many things in a home that could go one way or the other. I wrote up this pipe laying on the ground in a crawl space. It’s not supported with straps from above. But is it worth trying to get discounts on the home price during a purchase? I don’t think so.…

Furnace Vent Defect I crawled into a Metairie attic and immediately sensed that it was too hot. I then smelled combustion fumes so that means CO/carbon monoxide, which is a safety hazard and it can kill. I could not see the exhaust pipe from the furnace because it was improperly installed where the rafters and…