Ask The Tennessee Home Inspector

  When inspecting a log house, there are some special key characteristics that are unique to log houses that require close scrutiny. I have outlined some of them below to help on an initial visit when considering purchasing a log home: 1. What is the general condition of the logs? Deferred maintenance can lead to trouble for any home, but especially log homes.   Generally, log homes require staining frequently to prevent deterioration. The frequency is dependent on the quality of the stain and the exposure of the log walls.   Then there is the question of whether the stain on the logs is latex or oil based.   Oil based stains tend to last longer, but latex stains are being engineered better as time goes on.   The worst thing that anyone can do to a log wall is apply paint to the outside.   Solid color stains are difficult sometimes to tell from paint on the initial inspection.   The reason you want to avoid paint is that logs, being cellulose like cotton, have a natural “moisture r

  1. Moldy smells..Mold is everywhere, but when water leaks occur, mold can become a serious problem.  Mold can be present in crawl spaces and can cycle to dormant during dry periods and come back during high humidity and warmer months.  Sometimes sellers will surface clean an area thinking they have removed the mold, but often mold is hidden and will come back when moisture is re-introduced. 2. Burning smells…Some burning smells are harmless, but others can be electrical problems.  3. Water stains, rust and damaged finishes. You may have plumbing, roof or basement issues that need to be addressed soon before more damage occurs. 4. Gutters missing or spilling…We live in a “temperate rainforest”. Needless to say, water control is vital to the longevity of any house in our area. Failure to keep a home high and dry can result in a host of water related problems. 5. Strange sewer smells in the yard…Septic failure can happen anytime.  You should always ask the owner when the sep

  Is Venting A Crawl Space Needed?   Traditional crawl spaces have typically been built over a dirt floor with ventilation air from foundation perimeter vents.   Recent building science studies conducted by various institutions including the University of Tennessee challenge this old way of thinking and indicate that we need to rethink traditional methods of building related to venting a crawl space.   As a Home Inspector, Home Energy Rater and Building Scientist I have witnessed many problems that moisture in crawl spaces can cause including condensation, wood rot, mold, buckling hardwood floors, smelly moldy carpets, mold in the attic, sticking doors and windows, dust mites and wood destroying organism/insect activity. I have often thought that crawl spaces are the most neglected areas of homes, and for good reason. After all, who wants to crawl into a moist, insect and rodent filled area?   In fact, most homeowners don't go there, shut it out of their minds and never thi