Air Conditioning

Let's talk central air systems! More specifically let's think about the air conditioning side of your system. In basic terms everything about your AC system has to do with air flow.

Better air flow at the air filter, evaporator coil, condenser coil and ducting all lead to an efficient system. As you can see in today's picture the condenser coil is in substantial disrepair with damage to the cooling fins and housing. Time to get the HVAC Contractor out for a visit as this coil is in need of replacement.

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout Southern California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com

RHIS - Rental Housing Inspection Service

The goal of our "Rental Housing Inspection Service" (RHIS) is to identify and document substandard conditions in rental properties,
promote greater compliance with basic health and safety standards and preserve neighborhood quality and property values.

My service focuses on identification and documenting health and safety issues in residential rental properties that are:

• Issues regarding occupant safety - (Unsafe Conditions)
• Threats to structural integrity of the building - (Unsafe Conditions)
• Items having a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhoods

Our "Rental Housing Inspection Service" (RHIS) for single family dwellings, duplexes, and apartments. The inspection objective is to identify, report and correct substandard housing conditions through voluntary compliance from landlords and property owners. This will ensure that residential properties meet minimum health and safety standards.

It is our intent to educate property owners of the need for preventative maintenance to ensure residential properties meet minimum health and safety standards. In many instances, the owner/tenant may be unaware of the property conditions and issues.

Inspections identify inadequate sanitation, structural hazardous, hazardous electrical, plumbing, or heating systems, faulty weather protection, fire hazards, inadequate exits, and unhealthy or unsanitary premises. The identification and correction of substandard housing helps property owners improve their property and neighborhood. This will help to ensure that families are living in a safe property and also benefit the property owner through improved tenant relations and revenue metrics.

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout Southern California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com

Water Heater Safety

Today's picture is of an interior mounted water heater in a 1980's condo somewhere in Irvine, CA. This particular unit is "Gas" fired. There are a host of issues with the installation, none more important than fire safety.

As you can see in the picture, the close proximity of stored chemicals and combustibles is unacceptable for a gas fired unit. The fire box of the unit is blocked and facing the stored materials as well. Nice touch with the fire extinguisher...

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout Southern California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com

Electrical Alterations

So today's photo is of a 1970's vintage home in Mission Viejo, CA. The home is tenant occupied and has had electrical wiring, switch, light fixture and or outlet alterations and additions throughout the home.

This particular issue is regarding electrical wiring splices. We'll refer to this configuration as an exposed pig tail splice without proper junction box.

In most areas of the U.S. you may not have exposed 120v or higher wiring in the interior of the home and it would NEVER be acceptable to have an exposed splice as shown in the photo.

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout Southern California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com

Termite Inspection?

So today's topic, "Should I get a Termite Inspection" for my home purchase? I'm surprised how many buyers are moving forward in their purchase without a Termite Inspection. In the old days many lenders required a termite clearance prior to funding the loan. Today, there are many loan options that don't require it.

I'm also finding many of these "No Termite Inspection Loans" are occurring in low income areas where the properties are in distress, poorly maintained and in serious need of the very inspection and repair that they are being exempted from.

These new low income home buyers will be shocked and devastated when they begin to realize after close of escrow and move-in just what repair costs they're going to face. Termite Inspections, Wood Destroying Organisms Report, Structural Pest Control Report or whatever they're called in your part of the country. Don't purchase a home without one!

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout Southern California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com

Insulation

So today's picture is off a large sub area in a 70's hillside home. Owner had been complaining about high energy bills and wasn't sure if the home was insulated in the attic and or sub areas. As you can see from the picture, it was sort of insulated...

Not only do we need insulation but we need it to be intact, installed correctly and functioning as originally designed by the OEM, (Original Equipment Manufacturer). This particular home has approximately 2500'sf of sub area with most the the insulation either missing, out of position or damaged from rodent debris and or water.

We must also ensure that the combustible vapor barrier not be left exposed. The barrier must face the living area of the structure and installed in a manner to ensure fire safety. Again always refer to the OEM safety installation instructions.

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout Southern California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!
www.progressiveinspection.com

Asbestos Ducting

Today's picture appears to be a possible damaged, altered and or disturbed asbestos bearing ducting system in a 1960's vintage home. Let me first state if your inspector believes a damaged or disturbed asbestos system is present it should be verified and reported on by a "Certified Asbestos Consultant".

The "CAC" would them determine what remediation protocol is best suited for the particular property and or project. A homeowner or buyer could then begin the process of bidding the necessary remediation with a defined scope of work.

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com

Deck Support

So today's photo is of a condo inspection in Dana Point, CA.. This particular unit had two exterior decks. The lower level deck has a isolated support post system resting on a masonry block retaining foundation wall.

As you can see in the picture, substantial wear, damage and or rot is present at the post. The metal bracing securing the post is rusted through and in complete disrepair. Here in California we experience earthquakes and it is very important that this type of framing configuration be intact and well maintained.

Remember, always use licensed contractors when working on your property, pull those permits when required and when in doubt, error on the side of safety.

Call us today - we perform home and commercial inspections throughout California including Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and a community near you!

www.progressiveinspection.com