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…
Introduction: At Sunshine Home Inspection, we recently conducted a lead paint test in a historic home undergoing renovation in the Marigny district of New Orleans. Our mission was to ensure the safety of the workers and future occupants by providing accurate and cost-effective lead paint testing. We understand the importance of preserving the city’s rich…
It’s truly remarkable what was unearthed beneath a raised home in New Orleans – the remnants of an ancient pier. The extent of the mortar deterioration and the fallen bricks reveal that very little remains of this once-sturdy structure. It’s clear that the pier has reached the end of its lifespan, and the entire structure…
Many don’t like spray foam but this is a missed opportunity for energy efficiency. During a recent inspection of a home in New Orleans, a concerning issue came to light – an improperly applied closed-cell spray foam insulation. The photograph showcased a mere quarter-inch thickness of insulation, which falls far short of the recommended 1.5…
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…
Older galvanized water supply pipes can have issues. Many home buyers around New Orleans are not aware of this or have ever heard of galvanized pipes. These water pipes are always older and they have a lifespan. When I see a 100 year old home with these pipes, I can expect that they are at…
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…
