May 2016 Reporter

5.16

ASHI

Reporter

2017 Elec Inform tion at on Pa ion ge 33

Inspection News & Views from the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc.

Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings

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6 Around the CoRner 14 Florida’s Stucco Disaster, Part 1 18 AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire and Action, Part 2 20 Vinyl Siding: Facts and Foibles 24 All Inspectors on Deck: May is Deck Safety Month 40 Postcards From the Field 42 On My Mind: Traveling…Around the Country and On the Pathway to ACI Status

5.16

Reporter ASHI

Features

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The Industry’s First AFCI Outlet

May 2016

Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings: An Opportunity for Home Inspectors to Learn (and Earn) Green

An Interview with Mike Collignon, by Carol Dikelsky

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Florida’s Stucco Disaster: What Every Home Inspector Should Know Part 1 Mark Cramer, ACI

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A New Approach to Relationship Management in the Real Estate Industry Joel L. Singer

AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire and Action, Part 2

Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop

Vinyl Siding: Facts and Foibles Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop

24 All Inspectors On Deck! May is Deck Safety Month

Compiled by Carol Dikelsky

Departments 6 Around the CoRner Jim Funkhouser, Speaker of the CoR

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You Tell Us Letters From Our Readers

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2 leviton.com/afci 5 healthyhomescheckup.com 7 perma-boot.com 11 palm-tech.com 11 wagnermeters.com 13 fortreports.com 13 844-268-2677 17 RTCA.com 17 HowToOperateYourHome.com 19 3Dinspection.com 19 AmericasCallCenter.com 21 inspectorinsurance.com 23 www.pati-air.com 25 www.OREP.org 26 www.theASHIschool.com 27 allenins.com 35 ahomewarranty.com 37 InspectIT.com 38 NHIEStudyGuide.org 39 www.TargetProsIns.com 43 sunradon.com 44 HomeGauge.com

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26 The ASHI School Top Student Recognized at InspectionWorld® 2016

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ASHI Community

Chapter Listing, New Inspector Status, Chapter Events, Council News and Education

Membership News, Event Calendar, Endorsed Member Programs & Anniversaries

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THE FUTURE IS ON®

Your ASHI

Postcards From the Field

It’s Wacky Out There

On My Mind

Randy Sipe, ASHI President

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© 2014 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

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AFCI ASHI AD 7.375x9.875.indd 1

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

10/2/14 1:22 PM

3May 2016

• www.ASHIReporter.org

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ASHI National Officers and Board of Directors Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.

A SH I M ission S tatement To set and promote standards for property inspections and to provide the educational programs needed to achieve excellence in the profession and to meet the needs of our members.

Randy Sipe, President Spring Hill, KS, 913-856-4515 randy@familyhomeinspections.com

Tim Buell, Treasurer Marysville, OH, 614-746-7485 tim.buell@gmail.com

Howard Pegelow, President-Elect Gilbert, AZ, 414-379-4186 hpegelow@yahoo.com

Scott Patterson, Secretary Spring Hill, TN, 615-302-1113 scott@traceinspections.com

Robert Walstead, Vice President Sun City Arizona, 623 695 4789 rwalstead@aol.com

Alden Gibson, Immediate Past-President Breslau, ON, 519-648-3963 alden@inspectgib.com

Directors Bruce Barker 2015-2017 Cary, NC, 919-322-4491 bruce@dreamhomeconsultants.com

Donald Lovering 2015-2016 Auburndale, MA, 617-928-1942 lovering@earthlink.net

Shannon E. Cory 2015-2017 Fayetteville, GA, 770-461-3408 Shannon@rainbowhomeinspections.com

Blaine Swan 2016-2018 Columbus, OH 614 506-0647 goodeyeinspections@gmail.com

Richard Hart 2016-2018 Conyers, GA, 770-827-2200 ashi1@comcast.net David Haught 2016-2018 Huntington, WV, 304-417-1247 inspector@wvchi.com Keven Kossler 2015-2017 Huntersville, NC, 704-875-3200 Team@CastleCheck.com Bruce Labell 2015-2017 Scottsdale, AZ, 602-765-2140 inspect@cox.net

Tony Smith 2015-2017 Cedar Rapids, IA, 319-533-4565 inspecthathouse@netscape.net Mike Wagner 2014-2016 Westfield, IN, 317-867-7688 mwagner@ralis.com John Wessling 2016-2018 St. Louis, MO, 314-520-1103 john@wesslinginspections.com Kevin Westendorf 2014-2016 Mt. Pleasant, SC, 843-881-7842 kevinw@lowcountryhome inspection.com

Frank Lesh, Executive Director, 847-954-3182, frankl@ashi.org Jen Gallegos, Executive Assistant, 847-954-3177 jeng@ashi.org Education, CE Approval, ASHI Online Learning Center, InspectionWorld

Michele George, Director of Education & Events, 847-954-3188 micheleg@ashi.org Membership, Chapter Relations, Booth Rental, Product Orders

Russell Daniels, Assistant Executive Director, Director Membership & Chapter Relations, 847-954-3185, russelld@ashi.org Janet George, Membership Services Supervisor, 847-954-3180 janetg@ashi.org Kathy Harris, Membership Administrator, 847-954-3175 Kathyh@ashi.org Mark Lester, Membership Services Coordinator, 847-954-3176 markl@ashi.org Accounting

Toni Fanizza, Accounting & Human Resources Manager 847-954-3190, tonif@ashi.org Beverly Canham, Financial Assistant, 847-954-3184 beverlyc@ashi.org Website, Information Systems, Database

Mike Rostescu, Director IT & Internet Communications 847-954-3189, miker@ashi.org Advertising, Marketing, IW Expo Hall, Public Relations

Speaker, Council of Representatives: James Funkhouser 2015-2016 Mark Londner 2014-2016 Manassas Park, VA, 703-791-2360 Purcellville, VA, 540-668-6339 jfunkhousr@aol.com mark@LBIhome.com

Dave Kogan, Manager of Marketing & Business Development 847-954-3187, davek@ashi.org

Publisher: Frank Lesh Editor: Carol Dikelsky Art Director: Arlene Zapata, Jr. Designer: Kate Laurent

Kate Laurent, Junior Graphic Designer & Administrative Assistant, 847-954-3179, Katel@ashi.org

American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. 932 Lee Street, Suite 101 Des Plaines, IL 60016

847-954-3186 Reporter calls only 847-299-2505 (fax) Reporter only E-mail: frankl@ashi.org Advertising: Dave Kogan Phone: 847-954-3187, E-mail: davek@ashi.org

ASHI REPORTER – ISSN 1076-1942 – the official publication of the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. (ASHI), 932 Lee St., Suite 101, Des Plaines IL 60016, is published monthly. Annual subscriptions: $44.95 to non-members. Periodical postage paid at Des Plaines, IL 60016 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ASHI Reporter, 932 Lee Street, Suite 101, Des Plaines, IL 60016-6546.

Copyright© 2016, ASHI. None of the content of this publication may be reproduced, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Inclusion of or specific mention of any proprietary product within does not imply endorsement of, nor does exclusion of any proprietary product imply non-endorsement, by the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. Opinions or statements of authors and advertisers are solely their own, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of ASHI, its agents or editors. See above for information pertaining to submission of articles, advertising and related materials.

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Main Phone: 847-759-2820, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri., CST Executive Director

Officers

Ken Harrington 2015-2017 Delaware, OH, 614-507-1061 inspectorken@rrohio.com

ASHI Staff

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

Graphics, Publications, Member Logo Design

Arlene Zapata, Graphic Design Manager & “ASHI Reporter” Managing Editor, 847-954-3186, arlenez@ashi.org

The ASHI School

Bonnie Bruno, Manager, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3178 bonnie@theashischool.com

IT’S HERE! healthyhomescheckup.com

Steve Reilly, Senior Sales Representative, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3181, steve@theashischool.com Kimberly McGraw, Administrative Assistant & Sales Representative, 847-954-3198, kim@theashischool.com © 2016 HEALTHY HOUSING SOLUTIONS, INC.

5May 2016

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Around the CoRner

From the Speaker of the CoR

H

ow many times have we all heard the statement “Well, it’s always been that way” after we report a defect? As if saying that will make us change our minds about what we’ve found!? When hearing this statement, I sometimes think to myself, “Why, you say it’s always been that way? Exactly like that? Well, I’ll be! Let me just erase that from my report right this very minute. I mean, gosh, if it really and truly (no pinky promises now) has been just exactly, identically like that, nary a molecule moved in any direction East, West, North or South...then, by golly, I have no business whatsoever suggesting you do anything about it at all! I have to ’fess up and tell you, Sir and/or Madam, that I did remove the fork from the dryer’s electrical receptacle—I mean, after dousing the flames and all—and I feel right bad about that now. Should I put it back?”

We face similar situations from time to time with ASHI, as with any organization. The “that’s the way we’ve always done it” attitude.

Well, times change, situations change and needs change. Sometimes the way we do things can seem silly, though it’s likely you’ll receive a long explanation as to why it is done this way (as if it won’t continue to seem silly after hearing the explanation). We hang on to tradition and repetition as an anchor, steadying us as we do our jobs. But, as with anchors, they don’t let you make any progress,

they just keep you in the same place all the time. That is, in part, the purpose of the Council of Representatives (the CoR)—to identify those things that ASHI can be doing better or more efficiently and to “raise the anchors,” so to speak. It is your job to help point things out to your Council Representative that you feel could be done differently or more efficiently. We on the CoR look to you for the next great idea that can improve membership in ASHI. Please contact your Council Representative, or if you do not have one, contact me with your thoughts and ideas. Believe me, I will listen eagerly to all of your ideas and work to bring them before the CoR for action.

I assure you, I am not “panda-ring” :)

Alternate Speaker: John Wessling St. Louis, MO 314-520-1103 John@wesslinginspections.com

Kevin Vargo 732-271-1887 kpvargo@comcast.net

Mid-Atlantic Hollis Brown 703-856-7567 Hollis@thorospec.com

Secretary: Brendan Ryan 724-898-1414 brendan@csahomeinspection.com

Midwest

Group Leaders

New England/ Canada Mike Atwell 617-630-5629 mike@jmhi.com

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New York/ New Jersey

Problem Solved: The Perma-Boot is a gasket-less, high performance pipe boot system designed to permanently repair the most common type of roof leak, the leak around the vent pipes that penetrate the roof.

ASHI Reporter • May May2016 2016

Pacific

Ray Baird 615-371-5888 bairdr@comcast.net

Darrell Hay 206-226-3205 darrellhay@aol.com

John Knudsen 334-221-0876 jgknudsen111@ elmore.rr.com

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Dave Haught 304-417-1247 inspector@wvchi.com

South Atlantic

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North Central

Bryck Guibor 520-419-1313 bryck@msn.com

The plumbing vent pipes that penetrate your roof are typically sealed with a rubber gasket to keep rain from entering the home. These rubber gaskets deteriorate when exposed to the sun and high temperatures. Over time they get brittle and crack thus losing their ability to protect the home from water intrusion.

James Funkhouser, Speaker, ASHI Council of Representatives, Speaker@ashi.org H

John Wessling 314-520-1103 john@wessling inspections.com

Michael J. Von Gunten 262-945-2446 mike@lahigroup.com

The Problem:

What’s YOUR Great Idea? Write me at Speaker@ashi.org and share your ideas with the CoR. ~ Jim

South Midwest

Mountain

The vent stack gasket

While modern roof shingles often offer a lifetime warranty, these rubber gaskets usually deteriorate in as little as 3 to 5 years.

As a result, water begins to flow into the home causing damage to roof shething, insulation, ceilings, interior walls and carpet.

ASHI Council of Representatives Speakers and Group Leaders Speaker: Jim Funkhouser 571-214-4039 jfunkhousr@aol.com

The weakest link in a modern roof:

Would you like to see your photo used in ASHI print and digital materials? We like to feature our members!

Please send a photo of you doing an inspection, your name, company name, city and state to: arlenez@ashi.org

*Also available for new construction!

www.perma-boot.com 919-662-9894

7May 2016

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> Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings

Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings: An Opportunity for Home Inspectors to Learn (and Earn) Green An Interview with Mike Collignon, by Carol Dikelsky

Note. The April issue of the Reporter featured an article about HRVs, ERVs, high-velocity systems and ductless mini-splits.

Mike Collignon and I talked with experts in these modern HVAC systems because, as part of more sustainable, green building practices, the use of these and other energy-efficient systems is increasing in homes across the country.

This month, we focus on two other aspects of green and sustainable buildings—energy and water ratings, which are two of Collignon’s focus areas.

In communities across the country, homeowners are becoming more aware of the benefits of knowing their home’s energy score, energy efficiency rating and water efficiency rating. With this knowledge, they can make changes to have a more energy- and water-efficient home and, in some cases, receive financial incentives or tax credits. According to Mike Collignon, Executive Director of the Green Builder® Coalition, “The results of some analyses—for example, the Home Energy Score (HES) and Home Energy Rating System (HERS)—can affect the transaction of a home just as much as the results of the home inspection. These auditing systems represent a simple performance path (HES) and a more complex performance-based system (HERS) toward energy efficiency.”

Collignon encourages home inspectors to learn about these and other green rating systems and consider capitalizing on the green and sustainability trend by becoming an assessor of energy or water efficiency.

Why Going Green Can Be a Good Fit for Inspectors Collignon stated, “With vast background knowledge about homes and their systems, 8

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

inspectors are well-suited to seek the type of training and certifications that would allow them to offer ancillary services, such as assessing energy efficiency, rating water efficiency and more. Inspectors are trusted by, and have credibility with, home buyers looking for information and guidance to solidify their decision about a major investment. Because determining a home’s energy performance could carry with it financial incentives, homeowners may find it reassuring to turn to their inspectors for guidance in this area as well.”

Home Energy Score (HES) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has advanced the efforts made by the home-building industry to improve sustainability and energy efficiency. The DOE developed a Home Energy Score (HES) that can be assessed by experts and applied to existing homes. People who request an HES assessment receive the score itself, facts about the home and a list of recommended improvements that, if implemented, can increase the home’s future HES and improve energy efficiency.1

He added that home inspectors are well-equipped for this opportunity because they are: • specialists in analyzing systems and reporting details about their findings; • proven experts in performing the objective, third-party role of assessing a home; • w illing to continually add to their knowledge, training and experience; • regarded highly by clients; and • open to new avenues to expand their income and business contacts.

Reasons why a homeowner might want a HES report Making recommended improvements found on an HES report can potentially save the homeowner money on utility bills and raise the home’s future HES rating, which they can showcase when refinancing the mortgage or selling the home. In addition, addressing the recommendations can enhance the home’s comfort level and improve its air quality.1

The DOE and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are working together “to initiate an incentive with some other loan programs…. [such as] offering a 2% stretch to expand the amount that people would be qualified [to borrow] in terms of their debt-to-income ratio.”2 By purchasing an efficient home or by making improvements, the home’s HES will improve, and this improvement could factor into a lender’s decision on a loan transaction.2 Path to become an HES Assessor: 1. Work with a participating Home Energy Score (HES) Partner. Two partners are ASHI and Building Performance Institute (BPI).

2. Hold a relevant credential, such as ASHI Inspector or ASHI Certified Inspector.

3. Pass a free, online test.

For more details, contact ASHI or BPI, or refer to the information provided by the DOE.3 Home Energy Rating System (HERS) The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is another widely accepted rating tool for auditing home energy efficiency.4 HERS is an energy rating index, and as such, is accepted as an alternative compliance path to the residential version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Updated every three years, the 2015 IECC is the current model residential energy code and is the first edition of the IECC to include the Energy Rating Index (ERI) path, which is supported by home builders and energy efficiency advocates.5 The ERI path is akin to a performance path that helps home builders try to hit benchmarks and address performance levels, while still meeting building envelope requirements.

“Although HERS was intended to tie energy efficiency into mortgage rates and underwriting, it has not been able to achieve

that success yet. However, an ERI does provide an analysis of a home’s projected energy consumption, as opposed to assessing the behavior of the occupants,” Collignon said. The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), a national nonprofit organization that coordinates standards for energy efficiency rating and certifications, promotes the use of HERS and offers accreditation for Home Energy Raters according to RESNET standards.6,7 Reasons why homeowners might want a HERS rating Collignon explained that the use of HERS ratings grew in popularity during and after the housing bubble. Over time, HERS ratings have become linked to some state and local energy efficiency programs, as well as some state and local energy codes.

He added that the ERI path gives builders flexibility, which they generally like because it gives them more independence and, to comply, they simply need to be at or below a specific number to achieve energy efficiency.

For example, if a home’s HVAC equipment is the most energy-efficient on the market (with the highest Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio [SEER] rating), but builders install the lowest-performing windows allowed by code, as long as they achieve the proper ERI number for their area, then all is well.

“In most cases,” Collignon said, “seeking a HERS rating is voluntary. The homeowner requests an independent third party to assess the home, and that rater looks at the entire envelope of the house, by checking the home from the outside in. In other words, the assessor notes the existence and status of the insulation, the walls, windows and roof. The energy rating does not include choices the home buyer made on parts of the exterior of the home. And although the original homeowner of a residence likely would know the home’s energy rating, unless that documentation is transferred, subsequent homeowners of the same residence might not know about these ratings.”

Path to become a HERS Rater: The knowledge base and skill sets for Home Energy Raters are defined by RESNET standards, and training providers must be accredited by RESNET. Home Energy Rater candidates must pass a national online

Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings

test and perform five ratings under the supervision of a certified RESNET Home Energy Rater before becoming certified by a RESNET-accredited Rating Provider.7 Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS) Ensuring water quality and efficiency is a major issue across the country. You need only look to the headlines about the distressing water quality problems in Flint, MI, or the chronic drought conditions limiting access to water in several Western states to know that our water supply is a constant concern.

C

ollignon explained that RESNET is developing its own water efficiency rating index, but all subgroups and committees have yet to work together. Furthermore, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) develops standards and publishes codes, including the Uniform Plumbing Code. IAPMO is developing a water efficiency standard (WE Stand) and has a formal Process and specific timeline.

It plans to publish WE Stand by the end of 2017.

During a webinar conducted in March 2015, Joan Glickman, a presenter from DOE, said, “I know the Department of Energy and other federal agencies like [the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)] are very concerned about water. It’s clearly a problem for this country and the world. We do not, unfortunately, have a plan to incorporate it [into the HES] right now. But that said, I think there are talks of others getting involved in seeing if there’s some kind of companion piece that might be potentially used with the score…[We’ve] been talking to EPA about different kinds of collaboration we have with their tools, so maybe that’s a role that they can also play.”2 Collignon stated that one program that has been created is the Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS). Water ratings are similar to an energy rating, in that a property can achieve a specific score on a scale of 0 to 100, in which a lower score is more desirable. The WERS program is performance-based and assesses the design and product choices for a new or existing single-family or multifamily property.

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Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings

Reasons why homeowners might want a water rating: • To comply with a code. For example, in Santa Fe, where city officials plan to add WERS into the residential green building code, homeowners will need to stay at or below a specific WERS. • To access tax credits. WERS is an option that helps certain homeowners qualify for New Mexico’s Sustainable Building Tax Credit (see sidebar).

• To be a part of a green building program.

GreenStar, a green building program based in the upper Midwest, is phasing the WERS program into its water criteria.

The WERS program is still in the business development stage as stakeholders learn how they can best utilize WERS for their specific situation. For some, that might mean using it in conjunction or in compliance with a code, as an incentive or as a way to differentiate their homes from another builder’s.

Path to become a WERS Verifier: Led by WERS faculty, students attend a three-day course that includes both classroom and onsite instruction. On the final day, students take one written exam and one field exam.

In the

Once the student passes both exams, he or she needs to complete two probationary WERS verifications before becoming an accredited WERS Verifier.

The inaugural WERS Verifier training course was held at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) in early March 2016, and SFCC has already scheduled another course for mid-June. Discussions are underway to hold classes in Georgia, Florida and Illinois later in 2016. Interested students should contact the Green Builder® Coalition for information about future classes.

Go Green to Get More Green If becoming a certified rater or verifier for HES, HERS or WERS seems like a logical addition to your list of ancillary services, perhaps it’s time to seek training to add these certifications to your toolkit. Your clients may be interested to find out that they can get this information from you at the same time they are seeking a home inspection, or they may turn to you for consultation years after purchasing their home in an effort to seek new information, to make improvements and pursue tax incentives or as they strive to live more sustainably in the community.

Mike Collignon described some noteworthy green building

issues happening across the country.

New Mexico offers a sustainable building tax credit New Mexico encourages residents to pursue energy efficiency. To receive a tax credit, homeowners must prove that their residence meets or exceeds certain sustainability requirements, including a specific HERS score. This program has been so successful that, in 2015, the funding source was depleted before it could support all the tax credits for which homeowners successfully applied. On average, tax credits provided ranged from $9,000 to $11,000. New Mexico has extended the program and will include new requirements, such as increased water efficiency.

Massachusetts stretch code Massachusetts implemented a stretch code (with a HERS path) that amended the base code (IECC 2009) so that homes achieved approximately 20% improvement in building energy performance.8 Residents were encouraged but not required to participate; some homeowners liked receiving the certificate even without receiving a financial incentive. It’s likely that the changes will be included in the next state energy code.

2015 IECC adoptions As of March 30, 2016, Alabama, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Vermont had adopted the 2015 IECC (or equivalent) as their effective code. Other states, including Iowa, are considering it as well.

10

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

( “Becoming a rater could

The BEST Home Inspection Software App Just Got a Whole Lot Better!

be a great fit for inspectors, given that they are already familiar with many aspects of the energy code,” Collignon stated.

He added, “Because they become a confidante of the homeowner and already have experience analyzing systems and providing comprehensive information, taking on this unique opportunity to deliver a projection of the home’s anticipated energy and/or water bills could enhance their business.”

With some effort, inspectors could get the required training and then market this new service to clients to give them confidence that, by either partnering with a local contractor or doing the work themselves, they can make plans to improve the energy and/ or water efficiency of their home. The benefit to clients is they can get a rating that can amount to a palpable return on investment from an inspector they trust. The benefit to inspectors is having an additional skill set that can lead to new business prospects and an increased bottom line.

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Mike Collignon is the Executive Director of the Green Builder ® Coalition, an organization he co-founded in 2010. He engages in national and statelevel advocacy, co-produces quarterly research reports and publishes a monthly member publication and a monthly feature in Green Builder ® Magazine. He has presented at EEBA, RESNET, the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, Better Buildings: Better Business (Wisconsin), Green Building Focus, StormCon and the Sustainable Disaster Recovery Conference. Mike has also delivered testimony at the IECC and IgCC final action hearings. He also has served as the moderator for Green Builder ® Media’s Impact Series webinars from 2012 to 2014 and became the host in 2015.

Continues on page 12

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Energy and Water Efficiency Ratings

About the Green Builder® Coalition The Green Builder® Coalition is a not-for-profit association dedicated to amplifying the voice of green builders and professionals to drive advocacy, information and education for more sustainable home building practices. It is an action-oriented community of green builders and professionals dedicated to uniting and growing our joint expertise, values and voice to create stronger standards for sustainable, more environmentally responsible home building. The Coalition is also the national program sponsor of the WERS program. For more information, visit www.greenbuildercoalition.org.

1. Energy.gov. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Home Energy Score. Available at: http://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/ home-energy-score. Accessed March 16, 2016.

2. E nergy.gov. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Home Energy Score Update: New Simulation Training and Requirements for Assessors Webinar—text version. Presented in March 2015. Available at: http://energy.gov/eere/ buildings/home-energy-score-update-new-simula-

tion-training-requirements-assessors-webinar-text.

Accessed March 28, 2016.

3. Energy.gov. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Home Energy Score: Information for Interested Assessors. Available at: www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/homeenergy-score-information-interested-assessors.

Accessed March 16, 2016.

4. Green Energy Money (GEM). Not HERS and His, but HERS and HES. Available at: http:// greenenergy.money/not-hers-and-his-but-hersand-hes/. Accessed March 17, 2016.

5. International Code Council (ICC). Overview of the IECC. Available at: http://www.iccsafe.org/ codes-tech-support/codes/2015-i-codes/iecc/.

Accessed March 17, 2016.

6. Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). The History of RESNET. Available at: http://www.resnet.us/about/our-history.

Accessed March 17, 2016.

7. Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). What is RESNET? Available at: http://www.resnet.us/about/what-is-resnet.

Accessed March 17, 2016.

8. Summary of the Massachusetts ‘Stretch’ Energy Code. Available at: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/ doer/green-communities/grant-program/stretchcode-summary-jun20-2011.pdf. Accessed March 17, 2016. H

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ASHI Reporter • May May2016 2016

When a Chapter Becomes a Family Tri-State ASHI has been many things to me over the years. First, it was my introduction to a profession that has served me well for almost 30 years. Being part of it has taught me things I would have never known because of members who are willing to share their knowledge, talents and experiences over and over again. Their advice and coaching has made me a better inspector and has helped me save my clients from the turmoil of the unknown and unexpected financial burden. I, too, have shared my experiences to help others in their quest to be better at their profession.

For years I attended meetings and listened and contributed when I saw the need. I gradually stepped up my game to give back a little for all that I’ve received from the chapter. That’s when I began to realize the extreme effort and time put forth by the board. I consider “the board” to include all the members who put forth extra effort to make the chapter work. It takes a lot of work to make a successful organization.

Tri-State ASHI is lucky to have many longtime members, including ASHI past presidents and founding members. The resumes of our members make up a Who’s Who of the inspection and construction industry.

These members continue to contribute to the chapter, they regularly attend our meetings and their voices are always full of wisdom.

Recently Tri-State ASHI had a great loss in the death of Blaine Illingworth, a good man and a dedicated longtime chapter member.

It was a privilege to have Blaine on board.

He worked effortlessly on any task at hand.

His knowledge of the profession was unsurpassed, and his presence made us a better chapter. He was a go-to man for everyone in the chapter and a friend to all.

The chapter’s response to Blaine’s passing was overwhelming. We had just seen Blaine at our February chapter meeting; I’m writing this message in March, and he is no longer with us, physically, that is.

I know that his spirit will always be with the Tri-State chapter—that is how “big” he was to us. When the chapter heard the sad news, we invited Blaine’s family members to attend our March meeting. We had no idea what to expect or even if they would come.

They did come: A family group, including Blaine’s wife, son and close relatives. Just days after Blaine’s passing, we had an opportunity to pay our respects. This was the moment when Tri-State ASHI became a real family. As we shared our thoughts and memories about Blaine, we let his family see what it was like for Blaine to be part of our family. The exchange was unforgettable. It gave what some would call “closure,” but I would call “a new beginning,” in which work plays second fiddle to the importance of life and sharing comfort with those in need.

( I am truly proud to be

part of the Tri-State ASHI chapter and the greater ASHI family, for I now realize what it means to be part of something special that extends well beyond a monthly meeting.

Tri-State chapter members will not forget Blaine and his family. I am sure he will be guiding us in our endeavors to educate and to make family members of all those who take the time to come out to a chapter meeting on a Tuesday night. H

ELIMINATE HoMEwork On January 23, 2016, retired ASHI Member Jack Fehlandt held his yearly, free home safety class for 13 families who have received Habitat For Humanity homes in the Phoenix, AZ, area. Each family receives a copy of Tom Feiza¹s (Mr. Fix-It) “How to Operate Your Home - Professional Edition.” They also received 10 pages of informational handouts.

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This was our second two-hour Class called “Maintenance II” held in Phoenix for the Habitat for Humanity home recipients who had already attended the class on January 23. Fourteen people attended and there were a lot of Q&As.

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Sincerely, Gerry Gavin Tri-State ASHI Membership and Education Chair

13May 2016

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Florida’s Stucco Disaster: Part 1

Florida’s Stucco Disaster: Part 1

Florida’s Stucco Disaster: What Every Home Inspector Should Know Part 1

By Mark Cramer, ACI

T

housands of homeowners in central Florida are facing a stucco disaster.

Cracking stucco, water entry and the resulting rotting of wood frame structures has become a nightmare for homeowners and home builders. One national builder has set aside more than $40 million to repair improperly installed stucco. In most cases, the structural damage is concealed and can’t be discovered without destructive inspection.

During the 2005-2010 construction boom, shoddy workmanship and lack of supervision, combined with lax or no inspections resulted in a perfect storm of stucco disasters. Here’s a link to a recent news story about the problem: http://www.wtsp.com/ story/news/investigations/2015/06/24/ floridas-billion-dollar-stucco-problem/29073195/.

Stucco takes time. It’s very time consuming to properly install the backing and accessories. Production builders live by the “cheaper is better” model. Anything that takes time tends to go by the wayside in the world of production building, where a twostory home is built in 30 days.

In the past year, I’ve conducted more than 100 destructive inspections of improperly installed stucco on homes in central Florida for homeowners who are making construction defect claims. I’ve learned every possible way you can imagine that you can improperly install stucco, and some ways that you or I couldn’t imagine.

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016

As home inspectors, we face a dilemma. Most of these defects can’t be discovered or proven until you break things apart. Many of them, however, can be seen without performing destructive inspection. As consumers become aware of these issues with stucco, their expectations increase regarding what they want a home inspector to tell them about stucco.

In the first part of this two-part article, I’ll share some of the points you can observe in the course of a visual home inspection that will help you and your clients avoid an expensive problem. Fixing these problems isn’t cheap. Removal and replacement costs can range upwards of $50,000. Part 1 covers issues involving lack of drainage, no drainage at horizontal returns and stucco that’s too thin. Part 2 will cover improperly installed paper-backed lath, improperly installed control joints and lack of casing beads and caulked joints—watch for the second installment in the June issue of the Reporter.

Lack of Drainage (photos – #1-4) All vertical panels of stucco have to drain water at the bottom. In central Florida, the typical production home is concrete block on the first floor and wood frame on the second floor. You need to see a weep screed at the bottom of all wood frame walls above a masonry wall or foundation. This has long been required in the ASTM standards that are referenced in the model building codes.

In 2005, the Florida Building Code added a specific requirement for drainage at this point. I’ve seen many homes without this drainage or with it improperly installed.

Reference: ASTM C-1063: 7.11.5 Foundation Weep Screed—Foundation weep screed shall be installed at the bottom of all steel or wood framed exterior walls to receive lath and plaster.

Photo 4: Water stain at the top of a garage wall below a wood frame wall. Stains like this indicate concealed damage to the wood frame wall above the masonry wall.

No Drainage at Horizontal Returns (photos 5-9) Where vertical stucco surfaces meet horizontal surfaces, drainage is required.

All wood frame walls must drain water at the bottom. This is easy for home inspectors to see.

Photo 6: Here’s what the home inspector can see looking up at the underside of the horizontal surface. Note the small crack and faint stains bleeding out.

Drainage is specifically required here by the ASTM standards referenced in the building code. Any water that enters here is trapped as it can’t drain out at the bottom of the vertical panel. When water entry occurs, the wood structure is damaged.

Photo 1: No drainage at bottom of second story wood frame walls above first floor masonry walls.

Reference: ASTM C-926: A2.2.3 Where vertical and horizontal exterior plaster surfaces meet, both surfaces shall be terminated with casing beads with the vertical surface extending at least 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) below the intersecting horizontal plastered surface, thus providing a drip edge. The casing bead for the horizontal surface shall be terminated not less than 1⁄4 in. from the back of the vertical surface to provide drainage.

Photo 7: Here’s what the structure looked like after the stucco was removed. If you can see stains bleeding out, it’s very likely there’s heavy damage.

Stucco That’s Too Thin (photos 10-12) ASTM standards require that stucco on wood backing be 7/8-inch thick, exclusive of texture. Stucco that’s too thin isn’t as strong and is more likely to crack. Cracks admit water. The wire lath rusts and expands, allowing more water entry and causing more cracking. Often these cracks on a second story wall are too small to see from the ground. You can get an idea of the thickness by looking at the dimensions of casing beads or weep screeds at the bottom of walls above roofs, or by inserting a thin ruler above the top of the stucco at the soffit level.

Photo 10: Measuring thickness at top of wall. Thickness here is about 5/8 inch.

Photo 11: A 3⁄4-inch casing bead. The stucco cannot be 7/8 inch thick.

Photo 8: If you see this on the underside of a horizontal return, you can be certain there’s heavy damage.

Photo 2: No weep screed at bottom of first floor wood frame wall. Casing beads do not drain water.

Photo 5: No drainage at horizontal return below vertical stucco walls.

Photo 3: No weep screed at bottom of second story wood frame wall. Casing beads do not drain water.

Photo 9: It probably looks like this.

Photo 12: Stucco gets noticeably thinner away from accessories such as weep screeds and control joints.

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Florida’s Stucco Disaster: Part 1

Conclusion (photo 13) Florida’s stucco problem is real. It’s big, and it’s getting bigger. Don’t let yourself be caught on the wrong side of a lawsuit because you failed to point out potential problems and explain the implications of the problem. Always make your client aware of the potential for significant concealed damage. Recommend destructive inspection. You won’t be very popular with agents, but you’ll sleep better at night. I’ve had to defend a home inspector in a concealed damage claim over stucco. It’s not pretty.

A New Approach to Relationship Management in the Real Estate Industry Submitted by Joel L. Singer, Applica Solutions, email jsinger@applica-solutions.com, www.applica-solutions.com, 508-281-2050.

Dateline: Marlborough, MA, February 9, 2016

The real estate industry poses very unique challenges for maintaining long-term relationships with homeowners and potential real estate clients.

However, there are changes affecting the industry that are creating new opportunities for overcoming these challenges. A company named Applica Solutions is emerging as a leader in leveraging these changes to develop a fresh approach to maintaining real estate client relationships and building personal brands, by providing low-cost and nocost tools that enable establishing ongoing personalized essential home care connections with clients and prospects.

Unique Challenges in the Real Estate Industry Photo 13: Destructive inspection can include drilling holes and measuring moisture with a meter, or simply breaking open the stucco to see what was done wrong underneath the surface. Both have their places.

Also understand that it’s useless to recommend “further evaluation by a stucco contractor.” These are the folks who created this mess. They’re likely to say it’s all just fine and you need a little patching. That’s just kicking the can down the road.

For those of you in other parts of the country, the issues are the same, not only with stucco, but with artificial stone veneer, which is essentially nothing more than lumpy stucco. Similar disasters are widespread almost everywhere.

Mark Cramer is home inspection veteran and a Florida-licensed contractor who has 25 years of experience performing home inspections, construction progress inspections, commercial building inspections and insurance inspections. Mark also works as a litigation consultant and expert witness in matters relating to construction defects and home inspection. He’s performed more than 100 forensic inspections of stucco failures.

Mark has more than 5,000 hours of experience training home inspectors in classroom and seminar settings. A longtime ASHI member, Mark was one of the founding members of the Suncoast Chapter of ASHI. He’s held numerous local and national positions within ASHI, serving as chair of several national committees and as National President of ASHI in the year 2000. H

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016

Jeffry D. Wiren, Principal Broker with RE/MAX Equity Group, says, “There are two big challenges with maintaining long-term client relationships in the real estate industry: 1) consistency—having a system that will consistently deliver content to the client over time; and 2) meaningful content— having content that matters and is of value to the client. Most clients don’t need another chocolate chip cookie recipe, but information on how to help them maintain their largest asset is pretty important.”

This is echoed by Ken Brittain, owner of Home Vue Inspection Services LLC, who says, “A major challenge is how to remind or reinforce your brand and the services you provide. It’s been said that, on the average, people move every seven years. So if I do a great job for them, will they remember me in seven years? Probably most will not. So I need to remind them periodically during this time.”

Changes Creating New Opportunities Fortunately, there are changes affecting the industry that are creating new opportunities for overcoming the unique customer relationship management challenges of the real estate industry.

Three such changes include the explosive growth in the use of tablets and smartphones; increased Wi-Fi availability and dramatic reductions in mobile data plan costs; and increased capabilities of high-speed, cloud-based software applications.

The combination of these three factors has enabled the development of sophisticated low-cost customer loyalty tools that can be customized for the specific needs of individual users, where this level of personalization would not have been practical before.

According to Wiren, “I think in the service economy we are in, customization of resources is the biggest opportunity moving forward. Customers are not one size fits all, they have specific

needs and wants, and they live in a world that caters to that level of specificity. As real estate professionals, we must offer resources that can be customized and specific to a client’s needs.”

Applica Solutions Introduces New Approach A company named Applica Solutions (www. applica-solutions.com/tools) has developed a suite of tools called Home Wizard (www.home-wizard. com), which includes easily customizable mobile apps, web tools and a newsletter that allow home professionals to give their clients branded, essential, monthly home care reminders that are personalized based on their home type, home features, personal goals, priorities, location and knowledge level. And like other cloud-based business tools such as Skype, Dropbox and Google Drive, most of Applica’s tools for home professionals are free, with optional premium services.

Wiren says, “From my experience, Home Wizard has the great benefit of letting customers customize the experience based on their home and their needs. This is critical because people don’t want to make time for information that is useless to them.

If the maintenance reminder system is consistently sending reminders that don’t apply to clients based on their home, they’ll stop looking, and the value of that benefit is eliminated. The ability for clients to customize their reminders and access the information on a mobile platform is a big win.”

Using Home Wizard has helped brand my business, increase the recognition of my brand (logo) and brought in new and repeat business,” says Brittain.

Jeffry D. Wiren is a Principal Broker with the RE/ MAX Equity Group www.equitygroup.com, www.jeffwirenhomes.com, a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and Past President of the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors,® email: jwiren@remax.net, 503-869-3513.

Ken Brittain is the owner of Home Vue Inspection Services LLC www.theconcordhomeinspector. com, a member of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) and a member of the North Carolina Licensed Home Inspector Association email: homevueinfo@ gmail.com, 704-455-0482.

Applica Solutions develops customer loyalty solutions that combine data sciences, behavioral economics and emerging technologies. At Applica’s core are skills for developing the complex algorithms that drive its solutions. Applica currently focuses on three industry verticals: home professionals, the pet care industry and retailing.

For more information about Applica Solutions or Home Wizard, refer to www.applica-solutions. com/tools, www.home-wizard.com or call 508-281-2050. H

According to Brittain, “I’ve found that Home Wizard provides a vehicle that delivers a useful product on a regular basis without over doing it and becoming annoying. In the year or so that I have used Home Wizard, it has adapted and changed to meet the needs of the cyber landscape.

It not only provides a better end-user experience, but also provides more tools for the sponsors.

From my experience, the ability to customize and personalize Home Wizard is a plus from both the customer and sponsor side. Tracking also provides a valuable tool for the sponsor to monitor the success of the CRM campaign and the quality of its contacts.”

Benefits of Home Wizard “Applica’s Home Wizard tools are a valuable resource that demonstrates to my clients that I care about them and that I have the competence to know what type of resources matter in helping with their real estate portfolio,” according to Wiren.

“The content is great and very useful, and is not cluttered with annoying ads or pop-ups. The best part is I don’t have to develop the content, which is a huge timesaver for me. There is no doubt that CRM tools like Home Wizard are effective and bring in new and repeat business. Overall, my experience and those of the users have been positive, and it has been well received by most.

17May 2016

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AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire and Action, Part 2

ACTION

AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire and Action, Part 2

By Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, www.carsondunlop.com, 800-268-7070

I

n Part 1 of this series, we introduced the first three components of AIDA marketing: Attention, Interest and Desire. Now in Part 2, we examine the final component: Action.

ACTION—Give Them a Reason to Act At the end of your advertising piece, public relations notice or sales message, remember to ask the reader to do something. This is the call to action. Make it easy and obvious for the reader to take the next step. If you don’t, your message is empty, and the reader is likely to do nothing.

EXAMPLES OF CALLS TO ACTION > “Call now to receive a FREE Home Improvement Costs package.” The word “free” is powerful. “New,” “improved” and “more” are effective as well. Offer something of value, such as a free downloadable booklet of common problems. Collect email addresses from your audience by having them complete a form before they can access the download. > “Contact Mike now at 555-555-1212 or email mike@company. com, or visit us at www.inspectioncompany.com to book your inspection.” Including your phone number, email and website, even if they also appear elsewhere in the piece, is a great idea.

Keep in mind that providing a person’s name and a local phone number is preferable to providing a company name and an 800 number. > “Inspection times book up fast. Call now to reserve your preferred time.” This call to action creates a sense of urgency.

Home inspection is a time-sensitive service. Highlight your online booking feature on your website as a special convenience that is “Available 24/7.” > Use dramatic photos of house defects. Including photos of house defects on your promotional piece can help make your message more powerful. These images can raise buyers’ awareness of risk and highlight the value you bring.

AN EXTENDED EXAMPLE OF AIDA MARKETING The following example of an advertisement offering an indoor air quality evaluation to clients who have settled into their new home walks you through the AIDA process. Be sure to copy the notice feature and benefit statements. Please note that this ad is simply an example that illustrates the AIDA process; the statements are not facts.

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016

ATTENTION & INTEREST IS YOUR HOME KILLING YOU? Is your health suffering?

Do you or your family often feel ill in your home? Many families spend their lives breathing contaminated air. They never make the connection between their poor health and the air quality in their own home.

Fact: One in 12 people suffers from asthma.

Fact: Although there are treatments for an asthma attack, the best solution is to remove the asthma triggers from your environment.

Call 555-555-1212 now to book an assessment. Mention this letter to receive $55 off our normal fee of $300.

Don’t forget: Make sure that you plan to spend time with our expert while he or she is in your home. Our clients say that the education they get during the evaluation is as valuable as the report itself.

USE THESE AIDA IDEAS ON YOUR NEXT MESSAGE TO CLIENTS Keep this article (and Part 1 that appeared in the April issue) handy so you can refer to it as you develop or review your marketing messages.

Reviewing these AIDA ideas can help you to help your clients understand how your services will help them. H

Fact: Allergies have a compounding effect, and most people with allergies are allergic to several things. If you are allergic to dust, pollen and smoke, you may be able to get rid of all your symptoms by reducing only one of these three allergens.

Fact: The air quality in nine of 10 homes can be improved by 75 percent at little or no cost to the homeowner.

DESIRE Our indoor air quality assessment can help you get you the answers you need. As a previous client, you will enjoy a reduced fee of only $245, rather than our standard fee of $300.

We identify sources of indoor air contaminants, and we give you expert, unbiased advice on how to improve the quality of the air you breathe. We have no affiliation with any contractor or manufacturer, and we do not do repairs or sell products. We just give you the advice you need. Often, you can implement our recommendations at little or no cost. You and your family will enjoy a healthier and more pleasurable home life.

Here’s what our customers are saying: “Thanks so much. The solutions you gave us are worth their weight in gold. We never knew it was so easy to improve the quality of the air we breathe.” – D. Johnson, Washington, D.C. “I can’t thank you enough. Because you put the cover back on the furnace filter cabinet, my headaches have completely disappeared.”

– J. Walsh, Chicago, IL 19May 2016

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Vinyl Siding: Facts and Foibles

Vinyl Siding: Facts and Foibles

By Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, www.carsondunlop.com, 800-268-7070

V

inyl siding is America’s most popular siding material, accounting for more than one-third of installations across the country.

It is inexpensive, relatively easy to install and low maintenance. Introduced in the 1950s, the early versions were susceptible to fading as well as becoming brittle in cold weather and buckling in hot weather. Vinyl siding has come a long way.

The Vinyl Siding Institute published an installation manual in 2015. You can refer to it online here: http://www.vinylsiding.org/wp-content/uploads/ 2014/02/2015-Vinyl-Siding-Installation-Manual.pdf.

The siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a common plastic used in many building materials. It may contain a number of additives. The quality varies, with the premium products tending to be thicker. Better vinyl siding comes with a 50-year warranty or a lifetime, prorated warranty. Light colors are common because they stand up better to heat and sunlight. Darker colors typically have more additives to help stabilize the vinyl.

The common problems that we see with vinyl siding include buckled and wavy siding, loose siding, flashing and caulking defects, mechanical damage and fading. In this article, we focus on buckled siding.

Buckled and Wavy Siding Building settlement may cause siding to buckle, tear or come loose, although that is rare. Movement due to thermal stresses is far more common. All things expand and contract with temperature changes. PVC does so more than a lot of other materials. It has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. A 12-foot length of vinyl siding expands and contracts ½ inch or more.

Good installation helps prevent buckling and wavy siding. Here are some guidelines: • Nails should be driven through the center of the wide slots at the top of the siding. This allows the siding to expand and contract stress-free in the horizontal plane.

• Nails should not be driven tight. The siding should hang on the nails to allow movement.

• Fasteners should go through sheathing and at least ¾ inch into studs or furring.

• There should be a fastener every 16 inches for horizontal siding, and every 12 inches for vertical panels.

• Panels should overlap by at least 1 inch.

• Adjacent panels should interlock.

• There should be at least a ¼-inch clearance at all openings and stops.

• Nailing strips between overlapping pieces should provide a ½-inch gap to allow for movement.

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016

The illustration shows some of the installation points described.

Poor installation can result in buckling, especially in hot weather.

Home inspectors typically cannot see how the siding was installed, and siding that looks good in cold weather may deform in warm weather.

Siding is wavy because of poor installation.

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Affiliate Spotlight

Vinyl Siding: Facts and Foibles

Buckled siding due to poor installation.

The circumstances that cause this phenomenon include the following: •A n adjacent building has windows facing the vinyl siding.

• Th e windows are exposed to direct sunlight.

• Th e windows are double- or triple-glazed, and may be low-e glass.

Siding in danger of blowing off; pieces are not interlocked properly.

Siding is not well secured below window.

Siding is poorly secured.

Buckled vinyl siding due to reflected sunlight from windows in adjacent building.

Note the “stars” of reflected light.

(Photo courtesy of Don Lovering)

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016

• The outer pane of glass deflects inward due to barometric pressure differences, creating a concave surface like a magnifying glass, which concentrates the reflected sunlight.

• I f the concentrated reflected light reaches the vinyl siding, the siding may overheat and deform.

•V inyl temperatures can be well above 200°F. Vinyl siding typically begins to soften at roughly 160°F. • Th e lower the angle of sun hitting the window, the more likely the problem is to occur. Spring, winter and fall come to mind, although low outdoor temperatures, of course, cool the siding.

• Th e closer the adjacent buildings, the more likely the problem is to occur. Problems most often happen with buildings less than 30 feet apart, although damage has been documented with up to 100 feet of separation.

This issue has been documented by the National Association of Home Builders (www.nahb.org) and the Vinyl Siding Institute (www.vinylsiding.org). Over 2,000 incidents have been informally reported over a 10-year period. The problem has appeared in all states, although it seems to be more concentrated in Northern states.

Reflected sunlight: Properly installed siding also may buckle, due to heat. When caused by grills, barbecues or heating appliance venting, for example, the damage is typically quite localized. However, there’s another fascinating issue that may affect large areas.

Reflected sunlight from windows in adjacent buildings can cause significant failures. See the photographs showing examples.

** Now Available **

Vinyl siding damaged by reflected sun from nearby window.

What to Watch For When inspecting any exterior cladding, you should be looking for surface anomalies. Where you see vinyl siding that is buckled or wavy, look for an adjacent building with significant window areas.

You may see the bright star-shaped spots on the vinyl siding if it is sunny. Dark siding may be more vulnerable than light siding because it absorbs more heat.

Low-e glass may make the problem worse because it increases the amount of reflected ultraviolet (UV) light, although you will typically not be able to determine this. Argon-filled windows also may exacerbate the problem.

Continues on page 38

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(TMVOCs). It is a simple test that is done in conjunction with your visual inspection. The air sample is sent to our accredited Prism offers the IAQ Commercial Survey. This is a laboratory for analysis of over 500 different chemical simple, comprehensive and cost effective test that compounds and a concise, easy to understand report evaluates the presence of over 500 different chemical is sent two business days after receipt of the compounds. An easy to understand, concise report is sample at the lab. The report also identifies generated that determines the total level of VOCs (TVOCs) as sources of the chemicals so, if required, well as active growing mold (TMVOCs). Sources of the chemicals action can be taken to improve the air are identified so a corrective action plan can be established to improve quality before moving in. This testing the air quality. Testing and corresponding action creates better air quality. along with your visual inspection This leads to increased worker productivity, job satisfaction and an overall healthier gives your clients additional infwork force. ormation and peace of mind that their family is not only COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, OFFICES, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, WAREHOUSES moving in to a safe and sound home but a healthy one too.

(989)772.5088 prism@pati-air.com www.pati-air.com 23May 2016

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“Thank you. We sure do appreciate everyone at OREP. Worry free service year after year!”

— Alan, HousePro Home Inspections

All Inspectors On Deck!

May Is Deck Safety Month®

Complete Coverage Should Never Be Optional Home Inspector E&O & GL Broad Policy, Peace of Mind

Compiled by Carol Dikelsky

May kick-starts the summer season, with more people getting outdoors and using their decks.

May is also Deck Safety Month® so make time to review your knowledge of deck safety to ensure that you’re providing a comprehensive inspection and the most critical information to your clients.

Use NADRA Resources ASHI partners with the North American Deck and Rail Association (NADRA), whose goals include reducing injuries related to decks, increasing awareness of potentially unsafe structures and offering solutions to resolve and prevent unsafe situations. NADRA provides continuing education and certification for inspectors.

NADRA Executive Vice President Michael Beaudry said, “Our goal is to have at least 1,000 ASHI members certified as deck inspectors by the end of 2017. With great turnout and fantastic responses to our classes held at ASHI events since January 2015, we are well on our way. Home inspectors are very open to learning more about decks, and they understand that certification can add to their professionalism.

Deck inspections can present new business and income, especially in states that require annual deck inspections.”

NADRA recommends that all homeowners have an annual deck inspection. By becoming certified by NADRA, you can enhance the quality of your inspections of decks, stairs and railings. Your extra efforts will show your commitment to addressing deck safety challenges and reducing injury statistics.

Beaudry encourages ASHI members to review these online resources and features:

•D eck Safety Month® resources (nadra.org/

consumers/deck_safety_month.html), including a video encouraging homeowners to have a deck inspection.

•G eneral consumer information about deck inspections (http://www.nadra.org/consumers/deck_inspections.html).

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016

•A detailed Deck Evaluation Form (http://

nadra.org/Deck_Evaluation_Form.pdf) for inspectors, also available as an app. NADRA plans to analyze and apply data collected from users to improve awareness and injury-prevention efforts.

•N ADRA membership information for

inspectors (http://nadra.org/About_NADRA/inspectorfaq.html). Membership includes a personalized online profile that generates leads within your community.

Over time, you can tally the number of inspections your NADRA profile page has sent your way.

• T raining and certification (http://www.nadrablog.com/?p=2155%20or%20nadra.org/ Education/Education_Home.html).

Link Clients with the Check Your Deck® Consumer Checklist NADRA created a checklist for consumers (nadra.org/NADRA_DSM_Checklist.pdf) that offers details about critical issues including split or decaying wood; flashing; loose or corroded fasteners; stairs, railings and banisters; cleaning and maintenance; grills, fire pits, chimneys, heaters and candles; and lighting and electrical. It cautions that checking your own deck does not ensure that your deck complies with codes and recommends hiring a professional inspector for a complete evaluation. NADRA makes it easy for members to share this information with clients by sending out a fill-in-the-blank “Check Your Deck” press release.

Offer Clients a Free Deck Inspection Consider promoting (or perhaps even suggest that your ASHI chapter coordinate) a drawing for a free deck inspection. For example, you could post a link highlighting Deck Safety Month on your website or social media feed or send an e-mail blast or letter to your former and potential clients, with a request to “like” or reply to the post or message. Explain that you’ll enter respondents into a random drawing and give the “reveal” date for finding out the name of the winner.

This idea came from an ASHI program implemented in 2011 in partnership with Simpson Strong-Tie. The two organizations

teamed up to turn attention to the importance of deck checkups by offering free deck inspections to homeowners in Seattle, Atlanta and Chicago. More than 40 ASHI members participated, and the program served its purpose to encourage deck safety, with the bonus of earning accolades for local inspectors and for ASHI. Read more about this successful program here: http://www.ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/Deck-Safety-Week/2157.

Share Your Knowledge with the Media Contact the media about the importance of deck safety and offer to be interviewed about the topic. In 2008, ASHI Executive Director Frank Lesh promoted deck safety by sharing tips during a segment on NBC’s Today Show (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=2QkzQdNq7K8). More recently, he was interviewed for an online article on This Old House (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/ toh/article/0,,20933543,00.html).

You don’t have to contact the national media, of course, but you could send that Deck Safety Month DIY press release available from NADRA to your local media.

If you do, consider adding some specifics that you’d look for in a deck safety inspection. For example, Frank Lesh mentioned rusted fasteners and connectors, damage from bugs, cracks, rotted wood, loose railings and mold and mildew in his interviews. Most importantly, emphasize the importance of getting an inspector’s opinion and hiring a professional to make needed repairs.

 Included: E&O, General Liability, termite/pest, commercial, radon, lead paint, pool/spa, EIFS/stucco, indoor air quality testing, green building inspections, infrared thermography, rodent inspections, and more. Mold and Septic/Water testing available. (Coverage/premiums vary in HI, NY, MA.) Plus  “A” Rated, Admitted Carrier, Prior Acts, Additional Insured for Agents and other Referring Parties.  No Hassle, No Quote Application saves time.

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$300,000 Limit/$1,250

Get on Deck!

Whatever you do—even if it means simply rechecking your own deck—be sure to pay special attention to deck safety in May. One final note: Beaudry encourages you to submit your most shocking deck inspection photos and captions to info@nadra.org.

NADRA posts these online, much like the Reporter runs “Postcards from the Field,” so your name and business will be in the spotlight along with your photo. H

Discounts f ASHI Memb or ers

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• www.ASHIReporter.org

25

Top Student Recognized at InspectionWorld® 2016

By Carol Dikelsky

J

on LaRose, a home inspector based in the suburbs of Seattle, WA, recently achieved a perfect score of 100 on The ASHI School’s final examination. Jon’s road to this distinction came after hurdling two big obstacles: dealing with serious health issues and making a career change.

About two years before he took The ASHI School’s two-week course in May 2014, Jon was diagnosed with celiac disease. His allergy to wheat had manifested in severe inflammation throughout his body that significantly affected his brain. He said, “There was so much pressure on my skull that I had many problems with memory. Once my doctors figured out the problem, I was able to address the issue and gradually recover.

In the process, I lost 60 pounds.”

During his recovery, Jon decided to reassess the course of his career. Like many others, he did not have a direct path to home inspection. After graduating with a degree in economics from the University of Washington, he got married and worked in finance and benefits, including having positions at Coopers & Lybrand, Merrill Lynch and Boeing.

But soon after he and his wife bought their first home, Jon found that taking care of and working on the house brought him much more joy than his 9 to 5 life. Years later, while working for Boeing, the diagnosis of celiac disease brought him to a breaking point. During the several months he spent going through tests, treatment and recovery, Jon decided that he wanted to do what he liked doing for a living. So he decided to take a chance and forge a career path in home inspection.

With this new start in mind, he started researching how to become trained as a home inspector. Jon said, “ASHI had the best educational offerings by far. I signed up for The ASHI School course in Bellevue, WA. Taking the course confirmed that I was going in the direction that I wanted to go. I just ate it all up and thoroughly enjoyed the education.” Jon was impressed by the knowledge

26

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

and skills of the four dedicated instructors, including lead instructor Rod Beacham and associate instructors Michael Wicklund, Howard Maxfield and Karl Neuffer. After taking the course, Jon secured employment with The Sterling Inspection Group, owned

by Michael Wicklund. He said, “Michael became my mentor and now he’s my boss.

I like that I’m still learning all the time.”

At InspectionWorld® 2016 in San Diego, Jon attended The ASHI School Student Reunion, and although he didn’t see any of his classmates there, a few of his instructors attended as well as a few students he knew who took the class after he completed it.

At the event, The ASHI School presented Jon with a plaque to award his achievement on the final exam. Jon said, “Getting the award was a complete surprise. It was nice because my boss Michael was there to see it. With all the struggles I’ve had with my health and especially with my memory, acing the exam was a really nice bookend to the experience.”

For Jon, home inspection has been an excellent career change because he finds the process both exciting and rewarding.

“I really enjoy being part of the process of going into a home and giving my assessment. I understand that my role plays a part of a huge decision, and I feel good being able to advise people about it.”

Although working in the Seattle area sometimes requires driving long distances to a job site, Jon said, “I love it. I have freedom, and my work is not the same each day. It makes life interesting, and I am so much happier not working in a cubicle. I like to have fresh projects and new clients. It’s really been a great change to my life.”

On behalf of The ASHI School, congratulations, Jon! H

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27May 2016

• www.ASHIReporter.org

27

New England/Canada North Central ASHI Central PA

www.ashicentralpa.com Second Monday, 6 pm, except Jan. & July, Bonanza Steak House, Walnut Bottom Rd., Carlisle William Weitzel, 717-919-5087 bill@centralhomeinspections.com

Keystone (PA)

www.keystoneashi.org First Monday, 5:30 pm The Crowne Plaza, Reading David Artigliere, 610-220-1907 artihi@gmail.com

Ohio

www.ohioashi.com Howard Snyder, 330-929-5239 ohashi@neo.rr.com

North Central Ohio

www.ncohioashi.com William Stone, 216-308-9663 wstonehomeinspection@gmail.com

Pocono-Lehigh (PA)

www.pocono-lehighashi.org Third Tuesday, Tannersville Inn, Tannersville Ronald Crescente, 570-646-7546 amerispec@pa.metrocast.net

PRO ASHI (PA)

www.proashi.com Second Wednesday of Jan., March, May, July & Nov. John Fleenor, 412-862-1443 jthefleenor@gmail.com

Tri-State (DE, NJ, PA)

www.tristateashi.org Second Tuesday except April, Aug. & Dec., Dave & Buster's Plymouth Meeting, PA Peter Muehlbronner 215-8527319 peter@ahiconsulting.com

Midwest Central Illinois

www.cicashi.com Second Monday, 6 pm Kevan Zinn, 309-262-5006 info@inspectwithzinn.com

Great Lakes (IL, IN, IA, KY, MI, MN, OH, WI) For monthly meetings: www.greatinspectors.com/ schedule-of-events/ Carol Case, 734-284-4501 carol@greatinspectors.com

Greater Omaha (NE)

www.ashiomaha.com Rick Crnkovich, 402-779-2529 Rick2@cox.net

28

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

Heartland (IA, MN, ND, SD, WI)

www.ashiheartland.com Reuben Saltzman, 612-205-5600 info@ash.heartland.org

Indiana ASHI

www.inashi.com Quarterly Danny Maynard, 317-319-7209 danny@inspectinc.net

Iowa ASHI

www.iowaashichapter.org Fourth Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Clarion Inn, Cedar Rapids Craig Chmelicek, 319-389-7379 elitehomeandradon@gmail.com

Kentuckiana (IN, KY)

www.ashikentuckiana.org Allan Davis, 502-648-9294 elitehomeinspections@ insightbb.com

Mid-Missouri

www.midmoashi.com Second Thursday, 12:00 pm, Even months of the year; Columbia Board of Realtors office.

2309 I-70 Drive NW, Columbia, MO Stuart Spradling, 573-874-9797 Stuart@SpradlingInspections.com

Northern Illinois

www.nicashi.com Second Wednesday (except Dec.) 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm Crazypour, 105 E. North Ave., Villa Park, IL Jeremy Meek, 630-854-2454 jeremy@discoveryinspector.com

Mountain Arizona

www.azashi.org Tony Hecht, 480-507-0837 tony@tonyhecht.com

New Mexico

www.ashinm.org Every other month, Second Saturday, (Jan., May., Sept.)

Mimi’s Cafe Albuquerque - 9:15 am Bodega Burger Co., (March, July) Socorro - 11 am Lance Ellis, 505-977-3915 lellis@amerispce.net

Northern Rockies (ID, MT) Lamar Rase, 406-531-4848 completehomeinspectionsinc@ msn.com

Rocky Mountain Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm Kathleen Barbee, 303-646-3413 info@ab-inspections.com

Southern Colorado

www.ashi-southerncolorado.org Second Thursday, 6:30 pm Valley Hi Golf Club, Colo. Springs Mike Meyer, 719-686-8282 mikehome07@msn.com

Utah

www.ashiutah.com First Tuesday, 7 pm Marie Callender’s, Midvale Fred Larsen, 801-201-9583 Fred.larsen@pillartopost.com

Pacific

SOUTH MIDWEST Arkansas Lonnie Moore, 479-503-5792 mhinsp@cox.net

Great Plains (KS, MO)

www.ashikc.org Second Wednesday of even months The Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City Doug Hord, 816-215-2329 doug@firstchoice.com

Midwest PRO ASHI (KS) Jack Koelling, 316-744-9990 jackkoelling@cox.net

St. Louis (MO)

www.stlashi.org Second Tuesday, 6:30 pm Spazio’s at Westport Frank Copanas, 314-456-0783 Acropolis-inspection@live.com

Alaska Meeting dates: Jan 1, March 1, Aug 1, Nov 1 Location varies each meeting David Mortensen, 907-243-4476 dave@discoveryinspect.com

ASHI Hawaii

www.ashihawaii.com Alex Woodbury, 808-322-5174 Woodburya001@hawaii.rr.com

California Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com

Central Valley CREIA-ASHI Peter Boyd, 530-673-5800 Boyd.p@comcast.net

Golden Gate (CA)

www.ggashi.com John Fryer, 510-682-4908 johnfryer@gmail.com

Inland Northwest (ID, WA) Chris Munro, 208-290-2472 chris@peakinspections.net

Orange County CREIA-ASHI (CA) Third Monday, 5:30 pm Hometown Buffet, 2321 S. Bristol, Santa Ana Ralph Bertke, 714-317-3792 ralphbertke@msn.com

Oregon

www.oahi.org Fourth Tuesday, 6:30 pm 4534 SE McLoughlin Blvd., Portland Jay Hensley, 503-312-2105 jay@carsonconstruction.com

San Diego CREIA-ASHI First Tuesday each month Dave and Buster’s, San Diego Sean Blasius, 619-804-8111 sean@bestpropertyinspections.com

San Joaquin Valley (CA)

British Columbia

www.cahpi.bc.ca Gary Poirer, 604-220-0305 gary@walkaboutinspections.com

CAHPI Atlantic

www.cahpi-alt.com Blaine Swan, 902-890-0710 goodeyeinspections@gmail.com

CAHPI Ontario

www.oahi.com Donald Beneteau, 519-995-0235 don@beneteauinspections.com Coastal Connecticut www.coastalctashi.org Third Thursday, 6 pm, Westport VFW Lodge, 465 Riverside Avenue, Westport Gene Autore, 203-216-2516 gene.autore@gmail.com

New England (ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)

www.ashinewengland.org Fourth Thursday, 5 pm The Lantana, Randoph, MA Michael Atwell, 617-630-5629 mike@jmhi.com

Los Angeles-Greater San Gabriel Valley Second Tuesday, 6 pm Old Spaghetti Factory, Duarte Larry Habben, 714-685-0321 habbenshome@earthlink.net

Los Angeles-Ventura County ASHI-CREIA First Thursday, 5 pm Holiday Inn, Woodland Hills Bob Guyer, 805-501-0733 guyerinspections@roadrunner.com

South Bay (CA) Webinar meetings Randy Pierson, 310-265-0833 randy@southbayinspector.com

Western Washington

www.ashiww.com Michael Brisbin, 425-742-1735 seaviewinspections@comcast.net

Quebec AIBQ

www.aibq.qc.ca Germain Frechette, 514-694-4350 Insp.glf@sympatico.ca

Southern New England (CT)

www.snecashi.org First Tuesdays, 6:30 pm Billy T’s, 150 Sebethe Dr., Cromwell, CT Richard W. Hall, 860-281-4238 rhall@usinspect.com

New York/Jersey/ Delaware Capitol Region (NY)

www.goashi.com Third Thursday, 7 pm, Doratos Steakhouse and Pub, Guilderland Robert Davis, 518-885-7949 rdavis@home-inspection.com

Central New York

www.cnyashi.com Second Wednesday, 6 pm, Tony’s Family Restaurant, Syracuse Peter Apgar, 315-278-3143 peter@craftsmanhomeinspection. net

www.greaterbaltimoreashi.org Third Thursday except July & Aug., 6:30 pm, Maritime Institute Conference Center, 5700 N. Hammonds Ferry Rd., Linthicum Heights, MD George Fair, gfair2004@yahoo.com

Gulf ASHI South (AL)

www.ashisouth.org Quarterly, Homewood Library, Homewood Derl Nelson, 205-529-1657 dbnelson@bellsouth.net

Central Florida

Hampton Roads (VA) Second Thursday, 7 pm, Cypress Point Country Club, Virginia Beach Guillermo Hunt, 757-245-3100 huntshomeinspections@gmail.com

www.centralfloridaashi.org Second Tuesday, 6:30 pm Bill Labita, 407-977-9182 hbis@cfl.rr.com

Greater Rochester (NY)

MAC-ASHI (MD, VA)

FLASHI (FL)

www.mac-ashi.com Second Wednesday, Rockville Senior Center, Rockville John Vaughn, 800-767-5904 John.vaughn@yahoo.com

First Tuesday except July, 6 pm Golden China, 11112 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville David Sorge, 904-484-4847 safetekk@comcast.net

Hudson Valley (NY)

NOVA-ASHI (MD, VA)

Florida Wiregrass

www.ashirochester.com Second Tuesday, 6 pm, Murph’s Irondequoit Pub, Irondequoit John White, 585-431-0067 john@iihomeinspections.com Second Tuesday, 6 pm Daddy O’s Restaurant, 3 Turner Street, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Michael Skok, 845-592-1442 ashistatewide@yahoo.com

Long Island (NY)

New York Metro

www.cahpi-ab.ca Chris Bottriell, 780-486-4412 api94@shaw.ca

Greater Baltimore (MD)

www.gardenstateashi.com Second Thursday, The Westwood, Garwood Bret Kaufmann, 973-377-4747 bretkaufmann@optonline.net

Prairies (Alberta) (CAHI)

Silicon Valley ASHI-CREIA (CA)

Second Monday David Reish, 208-941-5760 dave@antheminspections.com

Garden State (NJ)

www.nnec-ashi.org Bob McDonald, 207-475-7758 omnispect@gmail.com

Northern New England (ME, MA, NH, VT)

Southwestern Idaho

www.firststateashi.org Third Wednesday, 7 pm The Buzz Ware Center, 2121 The Highway, Arden Mark Desmond, 302-494-1294 mark@delvalleyhome.com

www.liashi.com Third Monday, 6 pm, Domenico’s Restaurant, Levittown Steven Rosenbaum 516-361-0658 inspector@optonline.net

Third Tuesday, 6 pm Rice Bowl, Bakersfield, CA Raymond Beasley, 661-805-5947 rbinspector@aol.com Mail: 3305 Colony Oak St. Bakersfield, CA 93311 www.siliconvalleyinspector.com Felix A. Pena, 510-573-0367 homesavvyinspections@comcast.net

First State (DE)

www.nyashi.com Last Thursday, Eldorado West Restaurant-Diner, Tarrytown Raymond Perron, 914-329-2584 pres@nyashi.com

Southern New Jersey (NJ)

www.southernnjashi.com Third Wednesday, 6:30 pm Ramada Inn, Bordentown Rick Lobley, 609-208-9798 rick@doublecheckhi.com

Western New York Second Thursday, 6:30 pm Tony Rome’s, West Seneca Andy Utnik, 716-636-9676 esimail@aol.com

Mid-Atlantic Central Virginia

www.cvashi.org First Thursday, 6:30 pm, Capital Ale House, Midlothian, VA Bronsoson Anderson 540-932-7557 2inspect4u@gmail.com

www.novaashi.com Fourth Tuesday, Associate hour 6-7 pm, Membership meeting 7-9 pm Northern Virginia Resources Center, Fairfax Ferando Barrientos 703-255-6622 fernando@abodecheck.com

Piedmont ASHI (VA) Robert Huntley, 540-354-2135 rwhuntley@cox.net

South Atlantic ASHI Georgia

www.ashigeorgia.com Shannon Cory, 404-316-4876 shannon1943@comcast.net

East Tennessee

www.etashi.org Third Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. and Nov. Paul Perry, 866-522-7708 cio@frontiernet.net

Mid-Tennessee Ray Baird, 615-371-5888 bairdr@comcast.net

Mid-South (TN) Steven Campbell, 901-734-0555 steve@memphisinspections.com

North Carolina

www.ncashi.com Third Wednesday, 3 pm, Quality Inn at Guilford Convention Center, Greensboro Andy Hilton, 336-682-2197 hiltonhomeinspection@gmail.com

www.ashiwiregrass.org Second Wednesday, 6:30 pm Hyundai of Wesley Chapel Nancy Janosz, 813-546-6090 ProTeamInsp@aol.com

Gulfcoast (FL) First Thursday, 7 pm, The Forest Country Club, Fort Myers Len Gluckstal, 239-432-0178 goldenrulehi@comcast.net

Gulfstream (FL) Ralph Cabal, 305-256-7369 info@cabalinspections.com

Lone Star (TX)

www.ashitexas.org Craig Lemmon, 817-291-9056 craig@reioftexas.com

Louisiana Quarterly Michael Burroughs 318-324-0661 Mburroughs2@comcast.net

Suncoast (FL)

www.ashisuncoast.com First Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Please see our website for meeting locations.

Steve Acker, 727-712-3089 steve@buyersally.com

Southwest Florida

www.swashi.com Second Wednesday, 6 pm Holiday Inn, Lakewood Ranch 6321 Lake Osprey Drive, Sarasota Michael Meesit, 941-321-6962 mike@acu-spect.com

South Carolina First Saturday of Feb., May, Aug. & Nov., 8 am Roger Herdt, 843-669-3757 herdtworks@msn.com

29May 2016

• www.ASHIReporter.org

29

To submit your materials for moving up, please contact Janet George at 847-954-3180 or janetg@ashi.org

New ASHI Associates As of March 1, 2016

H Denotes graduate of The ASHI School

Jill O’Neill

Devin Morante

Matthew Fulmer

Dustin Price

John Cousler

Brian Walker

James Spencer

HomeGuard Incorporated San Jose, CA

Sage Inspections LLC. Englewood, CO

DBJ Home Inspections, Inc. Port St Lucie, FL

Vigilant Home Inspections, LLC Cedar Rapids, IA

785 Home Inspections Manhattan, KS

Bel-Air, MD

en-Vision Property Inspections Washington, MI

Columbia, MO

H Hector Sanchez

Kenneth Schipper

Damon O’Donnell

Neal Peter

Jessica Roberts

Joppa, MD

Carl Mulder

Smithville, MO

A Professional Inspection Service Gulf Breeze, FL

Polk City, IA

JR Certified Home Inspections Rantoul, KS

Michael Brown

Corona, CA

Colorado Springs, CO

Edmonton, AB

Murrieta, CA

Danny Schultz

Christopher Scott

Jordan Agen

Peter Collison

Flawless Inspections Wasilla, AK

Benchmark Property Inspection Encinitas, CA

Schultz Building Inspection Services Garden Grove, CA

Scott Home Inspection LLC Berthoud, CO

Anchorage, AK

Harold Ellis

Jonathan Brooks

Inspections For Esckow Porterville, CA

Andalusia, AL

Jeff Houston First Choice Home Inspections LLC Birmingham, AL

Christopher Hufham Anchors Aweigh LLC dba Amerispec Mobile, AL

John Mize Chelsea, AL

Charles Squires Southern Home Inspectors LLC Fairhope, AL

Joseph Thomas Danny Thomas dba National Property Inspections Gadsden, AL

Matthew Brentlinger 4 Counties Inspection LLC Huntsville, AR

Keith Caldwell

Tony Genova BPG Inspection Torrance, CA

Randall Goad A2Z Home Inspection Vista, CA

Shawn Gravelle H2H Inspection Services Thousand Palms, CA

Paul Harriott The Home Inspection Company San Diego, CA

Jason Havel Nation Wide Inspections San Diego, CA

Jerry Holt Palmdale, CA

Toby Lowder InspectPros Camarillo, CA

Cabot, AR

Jeffrey Mann

Duane Smith

Elite Home Inspection Discovery Bay, CA

Reliable Choice Home Inspections Inc. Sherwood, AR

Carl Johnson

Jose Mendoza RM Home Inspection Services Chula Vista, CA

Just the Facts Arizona Home Inspection Mesa, AZ

Harry Muller

Josh Lind

Christopher Nealis

Scottsdale, AZ

Aztec Property Inspections San Diego, CA

Allen Rice

BPG Inspections Palmdale, CA

American National Home Inspections Phoenix, AZ

Eric Reece

H Eddie Bableyan

Matt Reid

North Hollywood, CA

BPG Inspections West Hills, CA

Bob Beeston Pillar to Post Home Inspection Elk Grove, CA

Pierre Belanger

30

Christopher Reynolds

Graham Shawn

H Larry McBain

The Lighthouse Group Westminster, CA

William Reid RemodelWest Saratoga, CA

Steven Strunk Broadway Home Inspections Viallejo, CA

James Taylor

William (Bill) Wysong Fortress Home Inspection Colorado Springs, CO

Ron Belanger

Home Pro, Inc. Seeley, CA

RW Construction + Shady Oaks Assisted Living Farmington, CT

Donald Wilson

Ernie Cullinan

Buyers Protection Group Desert Hot Springs, CA

Hamden, CT

Andy Wilson

Redding, CT

Imazing Properties, LLC Aubrun, CA

Tim Byers Accurate Home Inspection LLC Westminster, CO

Paul Calhoon C-2 Building Concepts Grand Junction, CO

H William Dazzo William Mgarian

Naugatuck, CT

Joseph Padilla West Haven , CT

Ryan Wilcox

Jason DeWitt

F.A.C.E.S. LLC Washington, DC

Norman Fink Trinidad, CO

Brian Henderson Elizabeth, CO

John Klein Denver, CO

Jeff Krause Denver, CO

Michael Lobato Canyon Property Inspection, LLC Grand Junction, CO

John Maldonado The House Whisperer Home Inspections, LLC Colorado Springs, CO

Michael McCarren Colorado Certified Home Inspection LLC Colorado Springs, CO

David McQueen

H Ryan Renfro Pacific Grove, CA

A1 A Home Inspection Services Colorado Springs, CO

Jennifer Blue

Elias Reyes

South Shores Home Inspection Dana Point, CA

Guaranteed Property Inspections Orange, CA

Greg Meckling Animas Inspections, LLC Bayfield, CO

B.P.G. Rockledge, FL

Jason Wigginton Certified Home Inspectors of Florida Ocala, FL

Ellen Yarrkin Neal Development Group, Inc Tavares, FL

Wyatt Novak

Shelden Faison

Egging Home Inspections Colorado Springs, CO

Robert Wartell

Prism Home & Building Inspections Savannah, GA

Westminster, CO

Tom Egging

Florida Gulf Coast Home Inspections, Inc Ft. Myers, FL

Randall Baise

Suffield, CT

Dewitt’s Inspection Services Grand Junction, CO

Dennis Wagaman

West Simsbury, CT

Lori Coates

HomeGuard Incorporated San Jose, CA

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

See page 32 for chapter education.

Michael Hemeon Home Inspector Inc. Washington, DC

Gregory Burns Reliable Home Inspection Service Wilmington, DE

Skip Jenkins

H Travis Bell Miro Home Inspection Decatur, GA

Ellis Childers Dahlonega, GA

David Del Giorno DLJG Enterprises, LLC dba Pillar to Post Canton, GA

Kenny Dyer Rincon, GA

Travis Heringer Suwanee, GA

John Hudson

Pro-Spect Inspection Services Dover, DE

Hudson & Co. Home Inspections Lilburn, GA

H Barbara Bates

Jeff Kinton

Orange City, FL

Michael Burlington Homosassa, FL

William Chandler Property360, LLC Fleming Island, FL

H Nancy Coughlin iProtect Home Inspections Jacksonville, FL

Wallace Lawson Buy Right Home Inspections Plantation, FL

Dave Marvel

Cornerstone Inspection Group Atlanta, GA

Thomas Lloyd BPG Inspections Canton, GA

Mark Lotane HomePro Home Inspections of Georgia., Inc. Watkinsville , GA

Kenneth Sherriff Jonesboro, GA

H Charles Thompson Lawrenceville, GA

Peace of Mind Home Inspection, LLC Bradenton, FL

Leroy Williamson

Bob Massanova

H Gary Spicer

SWF Home Inspections Venice, FL

Williamson’s Home Inspections Savannah, GA Spicer Property Inspections Kailua-Kona, HI

Ken Thomas Tag’s Professional Home Inspections Mitchellville , IA

Roy Wier Vigilant Home Inspections Lisbon, IA

Ted Clarke Crescent Springs, KY

Jack Fuller Comprehensive Property Management Benton, KY

B. Bradley Collier

Victor Garcia

Galesburg, IL

Louisville, KY

Michael Davis

Jeff Mason

Pillar to Post Washington, IL

Mayfield, KY

Mike Dilger

AAA Professional Home Inspectors Louisville, KY

Healthy Homes Inspection Services Royal, IL

Kenneth Endres Chicago, IL

Jason Grischkat Buyers Protection Group Hinsdale, IL

Matthew Hawley Hawley Home Inspections LLC Pocahontas, IL

Bob Madewell Madewell Inspections East Alton, IL

David Yost Quality Building Inspections, Inc Glen Ellyn, IL

Jack McNear

Dale Miller On Your Side Home Inspections (OYSHI) Louisville, KY

Brandon Pickett B+P Home Solutions Florence, KY

Tony Ponte Greenlight Home Inspections LLC Louisville, KY

Thomas Schwager Thomas Schwager LLC Louisville, KY

David Willoughby

Isaac Fruchey Joseph Greely Joppa, MD

Jonathan Handy Darnestown, MD

David Kemp 4U Home Inspection Ellicott City, MD

George Leone A Comprehensive Home Inspection Service, LLC North East, MD

Todd Lewis Laurel, MD

Charles Seubert

Havre de Grace, MD

Richard Stearns Elkton, MD

Michael Stone Rite-Time Inspections, LLC Cambridge, MD

Richard Thacker

Julius Zsako

Jeff Callahan

Pillar to Post-Franchisee Marshfield, MA

Griffith, IN

Mark Hardwick Inspect It 1st - Indy Browsburg, IN

Rodney Nissley Brick & Beam Home Inspections LLC Pierceton, IN

Beth Robinson Wrubel Home Inspections New Albany, IN

Nick Young Pillar to Post Portage, IN

Woodrow Bates JMJP Inc. dba National Property Inspection Kansas City, KS

Brett Boswell

Christopher Ready Sherman Home Inspection, INC North Dighton, MA

Robert Arlington Edgewood, MD

Paul Baker Baker Home Inspection Inc. Salisbury, MD

Ken Ball Ken Ball Home Inspections LLC Northeast, MD

Bryan Bandy Blue Crab Inspections Abingdon, MD

Robert Burgee Complete Home Solutions Lothian, MD

Hutchinson, KS

Brad Cale

H Zach Nash

Baltimore, MD

Crown Home Inspections Lenexa, KS

Leader Home Inspections Gaithersburg, MD

DeWitt Kimball Complete Home Evaluation Services LLC Brunswick, ME

Randall LaClaire RKL Home Inspections Poland, ME

Mike Millett 207 Inspect, LLC Raymond, ME

Christopher Ross North Coast Home Inspection, LLC York, ME

Tom De Jong My Home Inspection Services, LLC Caledonia, MI

Andy Neering The Home Inspector, Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI

Pillar to Post Home Inspectors Missoula, MT

Scott J Adams Property Inspections Warrensburg, MO

Jim Anniss Two Pointers Inspection Omaha, NE

Kurtis Grassett Norway Hill Home Inspections Hancock, NH

Ryan Benton Rediscovered Properties LLC Kansas City, MO

Gordon Brandt Warrensburg, MO

Scott Johnson WIN Home Inspection Seacoast Stratham, NH

Jed Kelley

Kevin Clark

Newmarket, NH

Lees Summit, MO

Home-Trust, LLC Kimberling City, MO

Craig Henriksen

R. Dean Indreland

Scott Adams

Anthony Webber

Holland, IN

Montana Home Inspection Billings, MT

Mound, MN

Scott Elkins

Lancaster, KY

H Levi Gill

Cole Young

HomeRite Real Estate Inspections, LTD White Hall, MD

Meridian, MS Duck Hill, MS

Stahler Inspection Service Pine Island, MN

John Atwell Inspections dba Pillar to Post Hazelwood, MO

Jim Daniels Matthew Rainey

Michael Stahler

John Atwell

Melvin Stachura

R&M Home Inspections Service Augusta, MO

Twin Ports Home inspection, LLC Duluth, MN

Kamal Singh Baltimore, MD

Richard Williams

Christopher Schrock

Abingdon, MD

iKON Home Inspections Silver Spring, MD

Terry Boehm

A+ Certified Home Inspections LLC North Mankato, MN

Steven Teachout

Angelo Bencivenga Curb 2 Roof Home Inspection LLC Cranford, NJ

Imperial, MO

Donald Grindle

Anthony Delia Lexington Home Services Whippany, NJ

Greg Johnson A-Okay Inspections LLC Blue Springs, MO

Daniel Laverty Ocean City, NJ

Michael Ludy

Frank Mitchell

ELM Home Services, LLC Parkville, MO

Trinity Inspections Services, LLC Mullica Hill, NJ

Stephen Martin

Stewart Ewing

Blue Springs, MO

The Ewing Company Santa Fe, NM

Ryan McCarthy BPG St. Louis, MO

Ron Pofeet Southwest Home Inspection Aztec, NM

Patrick McLaughlin Lake Ozark, MO

David Creighton

Phil Perry

Beacon, NY

PLP Properties LLC Barnhart, MO

Thomas Dhinsa Brooklyn, NY

Curtis Reeder

Kenneth Hayes

Orrick, MO

Port Crane, NY

Justin Shelton Cardinal Guaranteed Inspections St. Louis, MO

Charley Smith Show-Me Inspections, LLC Nixa, MO

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ASHI Chapter Education ASHI Suncoast Suntech Conference When: May 6-7, 2016 CEUs: 16 ASHI CEs Subject: Trusses/Crawl Spaces/Wind Mitigation/

Fireplaces & Chimneys/Plumbing/Tie-

downs & Anchors/Foundations and more Where: Hampton Inn, Oldsmar, FL

4017 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, FL Contact: Kevin Koplar, ashisuncoast@gmail.com

MAC-ASHI Technical Seminar When: May 14, 2016 Where: Johns Hopkins University 9601 Medical Center Drive Rockville, MD 20850 CEUs: 4 ASHI CEs - Understanding and

Applying the MD Home Inspector SOP

4 ASHI CEs - Inspecting Old Houses Contact: www.mac-ashi.org

South Carolina ASHI Chapter Event When: May 15, 2016 Where: Holiday Inn, Columbia, SC Subject: Moisture Intrusion in

Cladding Systems Speaker: Tim Thigpen CEUs: 2 ASHI CEs Contact: Brad Johnson 864-580-3547 orchamist@aol.com

Great Lakes Chapter

Keystone ASHI Inspection Seminar

When: July 22-23 Where: Holiday Inn - Mt. Prospect, IL (near Chicago O’Hare Airport) Subjects: Friday: Peer Review, Board Meeting, Hospitality Suite

Saturday: Vendors, Asphalt Shingle

Roofs/Attics – Proper Inspection and

Reporting/Tom Feiza, Business &

Marketing/Toby Adamson, IL CE Approved Course/Speaker TBD Contact: 734-284-4501 www.greatinspectors.com

When: October 14 & 15, 2016 Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading

701 Penn Street

Reading, PA Subject: 2014 NEC updates, Stucco & AMSV, Fuel

& Appliance Venting, Reporting, Attic

Ventilation, Roofing, Infrared and Mold CEUs: Up to 16 ASHI CEs Contact: www.keystoneashi.org

Southeastern Home Inspector Conference

When: November 4, 2016 Where: Columbia Board of Realtors Office Columbia, MO Speaker: Shannon Cory CEUs: 8 ASHI CEs Contact: mark@inspectcolumbia.com

When: September 7- 11, 2016

Please go to the web site for Location

and additional information.

Contact: www.sehomeinspectorconference.com

Great Lakes Chapter When: September 23-24 Where: Grand Rapids, MI Subjects: Friday: Peer Review, Board Meeting, Hospitality Suite

Saturday: Vendors, Furnace Inspections/

John McAuliffe, Infrared Technology/Bill

Fabian, Exploring the Metal Roof/

Mike Griffin Contact: 734-284-4501 www.greatinspectors.com

Keystone ASHI Inspection Seminar When: October 14 & 15, 2016 Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading

701 Penn Street, Reading, PA Subject: 2014 NEC updates, Stucco & AMSV, Fuel

& Appliance Venting, Reporting, Attic

Ventilation, Roofing, Infrared and Mold.

CEUs: Up to 16 ASHI CEs Contact: www.keystoneashi.org

ASHI Event Calendar July 21-23, 2016 AEI, Finance Committee, ASHI Foundation and ASHI Board Meeting Des Plaines, IL

32

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

October 22 , 2016 ASHI Foundation and ASHI Board Meeting Des Plaines, IL January 22-25, 2017 InspectionWorld®

and ASHI Board Meeting

Las Vegas, NV

Mid-Missouri ASHI Chapter Educational Seminar

To have your chapter seminar listed in this section, email all information about your chapter seminar to: micheleg@ashi.org.

Be sure to include all information: seminar subject, when, where, CEUs & a link for more information or contact information.

IMPORTANT Reporter Deadlines: • JULY ISSUE - 5/23/16 • AUGUST ISSUE - 6/20/16 • SEPTEMBER ISSUE - 7/20/16 • OCTOBER ISSUE - 8/19/16 • NOVEMBER ISSUE - 9/15/16 • DECEMBER ISSUE - 10/14/16 • JANUARY ISSUE - 11/15/16 • FEBRUARY ISSUE - 12/15/16

Elections

Inspectors by Oct. 31, 2016, and the election will close Dec. 5, 2016.

Officers The following ACIs were selected to serve on the Officers Nominating Committee:

Campaigning: According to the Policy and Procedures Manual, campaigning positively by or about any candidate is permissible as long as no ASHI assets are used. Staff, Nominating Committee and Election Committee members shall not participate in campaigning. Nominees or petition candidates for an officer or Board of Director position may purchase mailing labels or lists of qualified voting members’ contact information from headquarters at cost. Negative campaigning (against candidates or nominees) is not permitted. The Election Committee should preview campaign statements or materials in advance if there is any uncertainty about the appropriateness of their contents.

Ballots will be counted the first week in December and election results will be published in the January 2017 issue of the ASHI Reporter.

Brendan Ryan Miki Mertz Jules Falcone Tom Lauhon

John Biegalski Bryck Guibor Hollis Brown George Basista

The immediate Past-president Alden Gibson serves as chair. The committee is accepting nominations for the Society officer positions of president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer for 2017.

Any ASHI Certified Inspector in good standing may be nominated to any office. Self-nominations are permitted, and all nominees must agree to serve if elected.

ASHI Nominating and Election Guidelines require that all nominations include a completed Matrix for Evaluating Nominees. The official matrix is available on HomeInspector.org in the Documents section of the Members-Only Extranet. The matrix also can be obtained by contacting ASHI headquarters, HQ@ashi.org.

As matrices are received at headquarters, the staff will verify that all nominees have agreed to serve and have submitted the necessary background information, including a response to all matrix questions. Headquarters will verify the nominees’ status as ASHI Certified Inspectors in good standing. Nominations will close Aug. 15, 2016, and the matrices will be distributed to the members of the Nominating Committee.

Nominating Committee Purpose: The objective of the Nominating Committee is to identify and name candidates who meet ASHI’s leadership requirements for the offices of president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer. All contents, discussions and documents from the meetings and their results are strictly confidential.

Petitions: After the Nomination Committee names its candidates, a petition of 10 percent of ASHI Certified Inspectors in good standing can cause the name of a qualified ASHI Certified Inspector to be added to the ballot for a specific office. Petitions must be presented on a special form available only from ASHI headquarters and require the name (printed) and the signature of each petitioner, as well as the office in which the petitioner would serve, if elected.

The form must be received by mail or fax at headquarters at least 10 days prior to the distribution of the ballots. Staff will verify the validity of the petition prior to placing the name of a candidate for office on the ballot. Ballots will be mailed to ASHI Certified

Comments and questions about the nomination process are welcomed. Please contact ASHI headquarters at HQ@ashi.org.

Directors The following council representatives were selected to serve on the Directors Nominating Committee: Skip Walker Eric Barker

Brian Murphy Tony Hecht

Brendan Ryan was appointed to chair the committee.

Nominations are being accepted for three new, non-officer Board members and one alternate for 2017. Nominees shall be ASHI Certified Inspectors in good standing who have served a minimum of one year on the Council of Representatives, the term beginning no later than Oct. 1, 2015. Nominees must be on the council during the election process, up until the time the ballots are counted. If elected, the council member must step off the council and the chapter will be allowed to fill the vacancy.

The Directors Nominating Committee will submit names of possible candidates, and any COR member may submit his/ her name or any names as nominees. All candidates must agree to serve and provide background information, as required on a matrix that is available from HQ. Nominations close Aug. 15, 2016, and the Directors Nominating Committee selects a slate in September. Ballots then are mailed to Council representatives on Oct. 31, 2016.

If you have questions, please contact Frank Lesh at HQ , frankl@ashi.org. H

33May 2016

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Education–ASHI Online Learning Center Now available: Unlimited free continuing education hours for your ASHI CE requirements. Just log on to the ASHI website, put the mouse on the Education tab, click on the ASHI Online Learning Center, log on to the Learning Center with your member number and the word “password” and begin taking these exciting education modules. You earn two CEs upon successful completion of each module.

You can also view a list of state-approved online education under each of the past IW course descriptions. A certificate of completion will be available to print out. H

CURRENT ASHI Membership ASHI Certified Inspectors: 3,281 Inspectors/Logo: 114 Associates: 2,987 Retired Members: 111 Affiliates: 68 Total: 6,561 Members as of 3/31/2016

May Anni versa ries

Thirty-five Years Lon Grossman

Thirty Years

Kevin O’Hornett

Twenty-five Years

ASHI Membership Benefit Programs ASHI-Endorsed Programs ASHI’s E&O Insurance Program: Target Professional Programs www.targetproins.com 860-899-1862 ASHI Personal Lines Insurance Program: Liberty Mutual www.libertymutual.com/ashi ASHI Service Program BuildFax Tricia Julian, 877-600-BFAX x161 TJulian@BuildFax.com www.buildfax.com http://go.buildfax.com/ASHI ASHI Customer Appreciation Program: Moverthankyou.com Brent Skidmore, 864-386-2763 www.moverthankyou.com Brent@POWRsoft.com HomeAdvisor.com Brett Symes, 913-529-2683 www.homeadvisor.com ashi@homeadvisor.com LegalShield Joan Buckner, 505-821-3971 buckner.legalshieldassociate.com buckner@legalshieldassociate.com InspectionContracts.com Dave Goldstein, 800-882-6242 www.inspectioncontracts.com david@inspectoreducation.com OneSource Solutions 877-274-8632 www.osconnects.com/ashi/

ASHI Rebate Program Quill.com Dana Fishman, 800-634-0320 x1417 www.quill.com/ashi dana.fishman@quill.com ASHI-ENDORSED Exams ASHI Standard and Ethics Education Module Go to www.homeinspector.org, click on Education and Training, then click on the link for the ASHI Standard of Practice Education Module.

NHIE Exam: 847-298-7750 www.homeinspectionexam.org ASHI-Endorsed Training Programs ASHI@Home Training System 800-268-7070 education@carsondunlop.com The ASHI School Kendra Eiermann, 888-884-0440 kendra@theashischool.com www.TheASHISchool.com Platinum Provider Millionaire Inspector Community Mike Crow www.mikecrow.com dreamtime@mikecrow.com Mention that you are an ASHI member

Charles Itte Paul Maida Keith Oberg

Twenty Years

Mark Bishton Michael Brisbin Frank Buraski Jim Fahs Russ Garmon Gary Gentry Timothy Hull Anthony Infelise Arnis Kengis Rick Lobley Tate Mackenzie Thomas McInerny Christopher Miller Sr. Peter Muehlbronner John Olson Hans Peters Gary Roark Troy Rudy Joel Schmitz David Sherwood Brian Vanden Heuvel

Fifteen Years Bruce Czech William Dennis George Jellison Todd Johnson Robert Kille James Makara Mark Panetti

Ten Years

Michael Ashburn Kathleen Barbee Charles Buell Steve Calhoun Bernie Catanzareti Jim Cook Eugene Godowski Michael Harrison David Jenkins Reis Pearson Felix Peña Jim Robinson Melvin Robinson David Thompson Gary Tucker

Five Years

James Adkins John Botto Robert Brander Kim Christensen John Ciambello Glenn Crowl Marc Davis Don Fountain John Gamache Keith Holsinger Lee Kastberg Kerry Koontz Richard Lahr Jesse Makainai Bryan Parrish David Smith Jeffrey Tosh James VanSuch Derek Wetlaufer

Porch.com Eliab Sisay, 206-218-3920 www.porch.com Eliab@porch.com

34

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

35May 2016

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35

Continued from Page 31 Mark Hicks

John Wasson

Sam Mudlin

Lionel Philip

Poughkeepsie, NY

Boone & Fox Home Inspection North Lawrence, OH

Advantage Property Inspections, LLC Piedmont, SD

Houston, TX

Paul Hunt Shirley, NY

Kimberly McCauley

Julie-Ann Musial

OKC Inspections Edmond, OK

Otisville, NY

Peter Picciano

National Property Inspections Sioux Falls, SD

ACISS Home & Commercial Inspection Consultants Burlington, ON

James Bond

Ron Bovee

Jason Dillon

Strukture Home Inspection & Construction Serv, LLC Vida, OR

Home Inspection Headquarters Bronxville, TN

Salt Point, NY

Paul Bukeavich

Knoxville, TN

Dan Wagner

Healthy Home Inspections Ashley, PA

GPS Home Inspections Commack, NY

Scott Saso Certinspectors Highland, NY

James Schiller

Advanced Home Inspection of WNY LLC West Seneca, NY

Brian Ball

John Ciliberto Real Estate Inspections Broomall, PA

North Canton, OH

Brian Elwood

David Detty

Pillar to Post Willow Grove, PA

InspecTek, LLC Grove City, OH

Hunter Duerig Dover, OH

Richard Hart Hart Home Inspections Bedford Heights, OH

H Kathryn Hart Hart Home Inspections Bedford Heights, OH

Tim Hoffman Homespec LLC Inc Toledo, OH

Tyler Johnson On The Nose Home Inspections Canton, OH

Anthony Jones Rid-All Corp Cleveland, OH

Chris Letson Certified Home & Property Inspection LLC Stow, OH

Ron Lopez Westgate Home Inspections, LLC Toledo, OH

Brian Mangelluzzi Belief Core Inc. Mayfield Heights, OH

Tejinder Singh AQuality Inspections Dublin, OH

Paul Thompson Pillar Home Inspection Wooster, OH

36

Allan Spisak

Brian Shabino

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

Edwin Frable Advanced Choice Home Inspection South Abington, PA

Kevin Grove Grove Home Inspection Inc. dba HouseMaster Thorndale, PA

Corwin Jackson Core Inspection Group Philadelphia, PA

Sarah Jameson

Jameson LLC Franklin, TN

Troy DuBose Martin Gill Memphis, TN

Jonathan Kallin Cookeville, TN

Allen Pfingsten All’n the Details Mulfreesboro, TN

Dana Timmcke Lighthouse Inspection Services Monterey, TN

Barry Young BSR Home Inspections Cookeville, TN

Billy Bender Brenham, TX

Rodney Dunn Inspector Clouseau Home Inspections San Antonio, TX

Shamokin, PA

Nicolas Galan

Esdras Pagan

Houston, TX

Pillar to Post Willow Grove, PA

Matt Gilchrist

Adam Smith

Ross Hoskinson

ValueGuard Home Inspections Philadelphia , PA

Philip Williams Meridian Home Inspections, LLC Lionville, PA

Andrew Wolfe ATWHLW LLC dba Pillar to Post Shewsbury, PA

Hank Richter

Corpus Christi, TX Pasadena, TX

Walter Jackson Houston, TX

Richard Kinder 2K Inspections Willis, TX

Kenneth Merenda

Blossom Inspections San Antonio, TX

Ryan Campbell

Reid Anderson

Dean Madsen

Buyers Protection Group Capistrano Beach, CA

J-Pro Inspects Magna, UT

Aaron Bailey Bailey’s Property Inspection Ashland, VA

Timothy Early Virginia Beach, VA

Todd Hall

Parce Inspections LLC Harlingen, TX

George Baral RELIANCE Home Inspections Los Angeles, CA

Perry Farnum Farnum Inspection Service Cupertino, CA

Steve John

Stuarts Draft, VA

All Pro Home Inspections San Diego, CA

Nicolas Landers

Chris Magill

Pillar to Post Williamsburg, VA

Scott Robbins Quality Assurance Inspectors Virginia Beach, VA

Christopher Wilson Grafton, VA

Thad Bamford PNW Home Inspections, LLC Shelton, WA

Aztec Property Inspectors, Inc San Diego, CA

Brian Smay US Inspect Berkeley Lake, GA

Cory Funkhouser Maury Home Inspections, LLC Bethesda, MD

Romano Pietrobono

Bothell, WA

The Building Inspectors of America Silver Spring, MD

H Alexander Fisher

Gregory Moos

H Robert Breznen Tacoma, WA

Wiscasset, ME

H Jared France

John Medina

NW Inspections Shelton, WA

Jeremy Hooper Advanced Home Inspections Longview, WA

H Wendy McDowell Handigirl Home Improvements Monroe, WA Craig Thomas Shoreline, WA Northwoods H.I Ashland, WI

James Bruton

INSPECTOR

GDC Partners Ogden, UT

Harvey Haukaas

Fred Parce

As of March 1, 2016

Ronald Sutton

Gary Nelson Pillar to Post Savannah, TX

H Todd Eastland

Houston, TX

Seabrook, TX

Homepro Inspections of RI Corp Coventry, RI Bruton Home Inspection Greenville, SC

Steven Schilling

New ASHI Inspectors

Jeffrey Davis

South Metro Home Inspections LLC New Prague, MN

Anders Hyatt First Choice Home Inspection Co. Inc Huntingdon Valley, PA

Michael McBride Michael McBride Pillar To Post Home Inspections Wayne, PA

Continues on Page 38

Davis Home Inspections LLC Westover, WV

Harvard Pham Houston, TX

Westminster, SC

ASHI Ad.indd 6

37May 2016

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37

>

Nontraditional HVAC Systems: What Should You Know?

Continued from Page 36

Continued from page 22

What to Do Solutions include blocking the path of light from the windows to the siding. If the siding has been badly damaged, replacement may be necessary. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) siding is a more expensive alternative, although it may not be completely immune to the issue.

New ASHI Certified Home Inspectors As of March 1, 2016

Mark Vittore Tempe, AZ

Dominic D’Ambrosio

Windows with capillary tubes between multiple panes, which are common in some Western states, have less deflection and thus are less susceptible to this problem.

Final note: You can learn much more information about building issues and inspection strategies in the ASHI@HOME training program.

Thanks to Don Lovering, Daniel Friedman, Kevin O’Hornett and Roger Hankey for their valuable contributions to this article. H

HomeGuard Incorporated San Jose, CA

Gerald Cleland Icomc Inc. Property Services Yorba Linda , CA

Theo Wilson Sunset Property Inspection San Diego, CA

Bruce Carnes Pillar to Post Littleton, CO

Gary Graham Graham Home Inspections Orlando Ltd. Orlando, FL

Michael Fiola Q-Spect Home Inspections, LLC St. Petersburg, FL

ofessional Home Inspectors

Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) is devel oped and maintained by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors (EBPHI). This board has received many requests over the years for a study guide to assist those taking the NHIE. This manual, and the associated NHIE Study Guide, were developed to address this need.

n Manual addresses the technical his NHIE Study Guide addresses s. Many come to the home inecond or a third career, and may sional entrance exam for many y guide helps to familiarize the ination itself, and with the assocedures. It also includes helpful f questions the exam contains, ss.

This NHIE Home Inspection Manual is based on the most recent Role Delineation Study (RDS). This study surveys thousands of home inspectors in order to determine the services they provide, and the components they inspect. The questions in the NHIE are derived directly from this survey, Exam Administration and constitute the knowledge base for an entry level home inspector. This manual is the Content first of its kind to follow this Exam Outline format. It also informs the candidate about the knowledge base behind the current examination questions, and proHow to Take an Exam vides a technical reference for the experienced home inspector. $98.50

ISBN 978-0-9964518-1-9

9 780996 451819

$29.95

52995>

NHIE Study Guide

100 Review Questions

ISBN 978-0-9964518-0-2

HomeInspectionExam.org HomeInspectionExam.org

59850>

9 780996 451802

Sidney Carter

Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

NHIE Home Inspection Manual

ector Examination (NHIE) is deby the Examination Board of ectors (EBPHI). This board has over the years for a study guide e NHIE. This study guide, and e Inspection Manual, were develd.

g

>

Vinyl Siding: Facts and Foibles

NHIE Home Inspection Manual Components and Systems Typical Defects Maintenance and Safety Issues Industry Standards References 100 Review Questions HomeInspectionExam.org

The NHIE Study Guide and the NHIE Home Inspection Manual together contain over 750 pages of technical and administrative information and are produced by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors.

They will benefit the exam candidate along with being a great technical reference for the experienced home inspector.

Be prepared.

Get the NEW

Study Guide and Home Inspection Manual Available from the

Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

The Cornerstone Inspection Group Marietta, GA

Reese Hamilton Buyers Protection Group Chicago, IL

Benjamin Hollis PHI dba HouseMaster Westfield, IN

Richard Brooks National Property Inspections Union Mills, IN

Bob Murphy Camelot Home Inspections Inc. Germantown, MD

Erich Faulstich House to Home Inspections, LLC Fenton, MO

Chris Sears Pro-Tech Home Inspections Starkville, MS

Randy Moya Santa Fe, NM

Mark Benzel Expert Home Group LLC Kennett Square, PA

Daniel Goodson

www.NHIEStudyGuide.org

Pillar to Post Knoxville, TN

Troy Pappas Safe House Property Inspections Virginia Beach, VA

Michael Marzion Five One Home Inspections Wauwatosa , WI

38

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

39May 2016

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NEW POSTCARDS EMAIL!! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: postcards@ashi.org

Just in Case you Didn’t Know

Here a Defect, There a Defect, Everywhere a Defect

Back to the Future Don Fischer Extra Eyez Inspection Woodstock, IL

The roof is propped up by the ceiling below, lead paint, vermiculite, galvanized pipe, effloresce, knob and tube.

Rick Hiddemen Delaware Property Inspections Wilmington, DE

Beg, Borrow or Steal 1955 original kitchen and bathroom - all in working order.

Only missing the refrigerator that hung on the wall.

Kevin Lantaff Discoveries Home Services Commerce City, CO

Snapdoor

We apologize for an incorrect photo credit for this image from March 2016, page 41. The correct photo credit is:

I didn’t appreciate finding THIS in the attic! It’s fake, but there’s that split second.

Dave Maudlin Indy Pro Inspection Service, Inc. Carmel, IN

Matthew Steger WIN Home Inspection Elizabethtown, PA

Blaine DeVoy HKI, Incorporated, Building Inspections Seattle, WA

Knock, Knock. Who’s There?

Got GREAT Postcards?

Call Sparky for Repairs The Mama Bandito, oh dear!

John Prescatore All Through The House LLC New Egypt, NJ

Electrical service conductor, splices and all, laying in a nice bed of kindling on the roof.

We are running out!

Gil Hendrickson Kokomo, IN Advertising picture of 1955 refridgerator

40

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

Howard Altman, New Jersey Property Inspections, Ringoes, NJ

Test Your Knowledge Photo Correction

1 One-Thousand, 2 One-Thousand, 3... ...Let’s scare the inspector when he finds me!

This explains why the backwash hose for the pool filter was to short.

Please send your 1. name, 2. company, 3. city, 4. state, 5. photos, 6. headings & 7. captions to postcards@ashi.org 41May 2016

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41

By ASHI President, Randy Sipe

Traveling...Around the Country and On the Pathway to ACI Status W

ell, it’s now May, and I’ve traveled to attend several conferences on behalf of ASHI. Traveling is an experience in itself, especially when you live 50 miles from nowhere, and it takes an hour and a half to get to the airport. Being inspectors, we are all very aware of what’s going on around us, and at the airport I find that I get a good variety of people to watch. I’ve always told my wife that someday, upon semi-retirement from my home inspection career, I might continue to work but that my next job won’t be a very “good” one (by choice).

Well, I think I know now what I want to do. I want to be the guardian of the airline loading gate. I can sit on my motorized Jazzy and thump people on the head with my cane if they think they are above the rules. I’m talking about the line-busters and the people who don’t quite understand what “carry-on” means. When the attendants say that they are now loading group 3, and there is a person from group 5 trying to cut in line, it will be my job to send that person to the back of the line. And you can bet that I’ll be there when someone boards the plane with a rollerbag sporting 22-inch rims and tries every angle and direction to get it into the overhead luggage compartment.

These are the same people who never quite mastered the square peg in a round hole test in kindergarten. So, in my next job, you might hear me paraphrasing Walter from “The Big Lebowski”: Rules are rules, dude.

Now on to ASHI Business As ASHI President, I’m bombarded with facts and figures about the organization.

The number one thing that jumps out at me is the number of inspectors who haven’t taken the National Home Inspectors Examination (NHIE). Previously I told you how my local ASHI chapter helped me get 42

ASHI Reporter • May 2016

through this process. Back in the day (and, yes, I said “back in the day”), we didn’t have books or study guides that helped us prepare for the test. Now all of that has changed with the NHIE Home Inspection Manual and NHIE Study Guide. Often I hear people say, “I just don’t test well.”

Guess what? Every day you’re doing a home inspection, you’re being tested on your knowledge. The only difference on the exam is that you’re doing a virtual home inspection and answering questions in a different format instead of writing a report.

With a number of states now requiring that home inspectors take the NHIE for licensing, I suggest that you get in gear and get it out of the way. I always recommend these four resources for reference: • Code Check • The Illustrated Home • NHIE Home Inspection Manual • NHIE Study Guide Let me tell you, reviewing the NHIE Study Guide will absolutely prepare you for success on the exam. In fact, because of the importance of this resource, last year the ASHI Board approved funds to provide a copy to every new ASHI member. If you don’t have a copy, you can purchase one from ASHI at a discounted rate (http://www.ashistore.com/).

I encourage all ASHI chapters to get copies of these books for their resource libraries and set up study review sessions for inspectors who want to participate.

With a little time and effort, you can successfully complete this exam and continue stepping up to the highest ASHI level—that of ACI, the ASHI Certified Inspector. What makes this something to boast about? ASHI Certified Inspectors are

the only true third-party certified inspectors in the profession who are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) after successfully completing the exam and 250 inspections.

Remember that you can complete the required 250 inspections before or after taking the exam. When you’ve become an ASHI Certified Inspector, you can proudly use the gold ACI logo, displaying to all that you’ve achieved the highest level of competency as a home inspector.

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If you have any questions along this path, whether it be how and where to take the exam or how to set up a study group in your area, please email me (randy@familyhomeinspections.com) or Russell Daniels (russelld@ashi.org) at ASHI headquarters.

We can help you gain success and continue your career with confidence that you’ve achieved the highest level in the inspection profession.

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Until next month, inspect safe and just do the right thing. H

Your Partner in Radon Measurement 43May 2016

• www.ASHIReporter.org

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ASHI Reporter • May 2016