december 2015 reporter

INSPECTIONWORLD© SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE P6

REPORTERASHI

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

12.15 Why be an ASHI Member? P8

10 EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems)

16 January is National Radon Action Month

25 Making New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home

26 Marketing Your Home Inspection Business38 On My Mind: ASHI 40 Years of Trust

January 24-27, 2016Town & Country Resort and Convention Center

2 ASHI Reporter • December 2015 3December 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org 3

Departments 8 Being Frank Report From Headquarters

14 Insider Tips Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc.

15 Around the CoRner Jim Funkhouser, Speaker of the CoR

21 Affiliate Spotlight AccuStar 28 ASHI Community New Inspector Status, Chapter Events and Council News

32 Your ASHI Membership News, Event Calendar, Endorsed Member Programs & Anniversaries

34 The ASHI School TheASHISchoolStaff

36 Postcards From the Field It’s Wacky Out There

38 On My Mind Alden Gibson, ASHI President

Features 6 Schedule at a Glance InspectionWorld® 2016 Michele George, Director of Education and Events 10 EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems)

A simple Approach to a Complex Issue Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop

16 January is National Radon Action Month Carolyn Allen, AccuStar Labs

25 Making New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home Jay Gregg

26 Marketing Your Home Inspection Business: Challenges and Opportunities Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop

December 2015 Vol . 32, #12REPORTERASHI 12.15

3September 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org 3

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AccuStar Labs 20 AccuStarLabs.com

EBPHI 22 NHIEStudyGuide.org

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ASHI Reporter • December 2015 5December 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org 54 5ASHI Reporter • December 2015 5December 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org

ASHI MISSION STATEMENTTo 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.

ASHI National Officers and Board of DirectorsEducated. Tested. Verified. Certified.

Publisher: Frank Lesh

Editor: Carol Dikelsky

Art Director: Arlene Zapata, Jr. Designer: Juraj Ilavsky

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: [email protected]

Advertising: Dave Kogan

Phone: 847-954-3187, E-mail: [email protected]

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© 2015, 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.

Lisa Alajajian 2013-2015

Milford, MA, 508-634-2010 [email protected]

James Allen 2013-2015 Overland Park, KS, 913-894-5893 [email protected]

Bruce Barker 2015-2017 Cary, NC, [email protected]

Ken Harrington 2015-2017

Delaware, OH, [email protected]

C. Blaine Illingworth III 2015-2017

Harleysville, PA, [email protected]

Keven Kossler 2015-2017

Huntersville, NC, [email protected]

Bruce Labell 2015-2017

Scottsdale, AZ, [email protected]

Mark Londner 2014-2016 Purcellville, VA, 540-668-6339 [email protected]

Donald Lovering 2015-2016 Auburndale, MA, 617-698-3903 [email protected]

Scott Patterson 2013-2015

Spring Hill, TN, 615-302-1113 [email protected]

Robert Peterson 2013-2015

Carmel, IN, [email protected]

Tony Smith 2015-2017 Cedar Rapids, IA, 319-533-4565 [email protected]

Mike Wagner 2014-2016 Westfield, IN, 317-867-7688 [email protected]

Robert Walstead 2013-2015 Colorado Springs, CO 719-495-2652 [email protected]

Kevin Westendorf 2014-2016

Mt. Pleasant, SC, 843-881-7842kevinw@lowcountryhome inspection.com

Speaker, Council of Representatives: James Funkhouser 2015-2016 Manassas Park, VA, 703-791-2360 [email protected]

Alden Gibson, President Breslau, ON, [email protected]

Randy Sipe, President-ElectSpring Hill, KS, [email protected]

Howard Pegelow, Vice President Gilbert, AZ, [email protected]

Tim Buell, TreasurerMarysville, OH, 614-746-7485 [email protected]

Larry Cerro, SecretaryTallahassee, FL, [email protected]

Bill Loden, Immediate Past-PresidentMadison, AL, [email protected]

Officers

Directors

ASHI STAFFMain Phone: 847-759-2820, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Fri., CST

Executive Director

Frank Lesh, Executive Director, 847-954-3182, [email protected] Bruno, Executive Assistant, 847-954-3177 [email protected]

Education, CE Approval, Smart Track, InspectionWorld

Michele George, Director of Education & Events, 847-954-3188 [email protected]

Membership, Chapter Relations, Booth Rental, Product Orders

Russell Daniels, Assistant Executive Director, Director Membership and Chapter Relations, 847-954-3185, [email protected] Lester, Membership Services Coordinator, 847-954-3176 [email protected] George, Membership Services Supervisor, 847-954-3180 [email protected] Gallegos, Membership Administrator, 847-954-3175 [email protected] Accounting

Toni Fanizza, Bookkeeper, 847-954-3190, [email protected] Canham, Financial Assistant, 847-954-3184 [email protected]

Website, Information Systems, Database

Mike Rostescu, Director IT & Internet Communications 847-954-3189, [email protected] Publications, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations

Dave Kogan, Manager of Marketing & Business Development 847-954-3187, [email protected] Arlene Zapata, Graphic Design Manager, 847-954-3186 [email protected]

The ASHI School

Kendra Eiermann, Manager, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3178 [email protected] Steve Reilly, Senior Sales Representative, 888-884-0440 or 847-954-3181, [email protected] McGraw, Administrative Assistant, 847-954-3198 [email protected]

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IW San Diego 2016—Your Top Reasons to AttendInspectionWorld® San Diego 2016Expo and educational events will be held inthe Town and Country Convention Center

Schedule at a Glance includes Pre-Conference and Post-Conference courses • WWW.INSPECTIONWORLD.ORG

1. It’s in San Diego! We switch locations every year so we can provide our excellent education all across the United States and Canada. In 2017, we’ll be in Las Vegas and in 2018, we’ll go to Orlando.

2. There are 45 classes from which to choose! What other home inspection conference has this many options for courses? None! Not only that, but you receive 20 CEs for attending the classes, conference and expo. That’s all of your ASHI CEs in one fell swoop!

3. Pre-and-Post Conference courses! Your choice from reporting software training to sewer inspections to a commercial inspection class and a few in between.

4. Dunk tank fundraiser for InspectPAC! Know a board member you’ve been wanting to dunk? Now’s your chance! We’re not kidding. Dunk. A. Board. Member. You know you’d plunk down at least twenty bucks to dunk a couple of these guys. And it’s all in the name of fundraising!

5. President’s Gala! Party like it’s 1976! An awesome celebration of ASHI’s and CREIA’s 40th anniversaries! While we’re saying “party like it’s 1976,” we’re hoping that people do not take us literally and show up in flair-collar shirts, bell bottoms and funky-colored clothing.

6. One heck of a packed expo hall! Exhibitors, old ones and new ones, they’re all here under one roof in 40,000 square feet just to meet you! You’ll never want to leave the expo hall (much to the delight of the exhibitors!). Stop by and say “hello.”

7. Didn’t we just say “Dunk a Board Member?” Seriously. You can take advantage of our dunk tank and dunk a board member. To be on the safe side, maybe wear a mask so there are no repercussions.

8. The Annual Meeting and Luncheon prior to opening night! Presentations, board installations, awards, video and a special guest (but you need to join us to find out who it is because we’re not telling!).

9. Hey, spouses! Take a ride down through San Diego’s ‘hoods such as the Old Mission District to soak up the rich history of old San Diego; Little Italy for a delicious meal no matter where you go; the Gaslamp District to sip cool cocktails with the local hipsters; or become a true tourist and check out the local scene at Coronado Island, USS Midway and Seaport Village. There are memories to be made here people. All you gotta do is get out there!

10. Daily prizes! You have to come to InspectionWorld® to find out about the prizes. They’re well worth it.

Whatever your modus operandi is for attending InspectionWorld® 2016 San Diego, we know you’ll

AShave a blast, come away with excellent education, collect your needed CEs for ASHI and your state license, meet some excellent exhibitors and be filled with dreams of many more InspectionWorld® conferences to come. Register now at inspectionworld.org. H

Friday and Saturday, January 22 and 23, 2016

8:00 am – 5:00 pm Pre-Conference – California Plumbing Code Exam Certification8:00 am – 5:00 pm Pre-Conference – Certified Residential Thermographer Class

Saturday, January 23, 2016

8:00 am – 5:00 pm ASHI Board of Directors Meeting

Sunday, January 24, 2016

7:00 am – 9:00 pm Registration/Info Desk open8:00 am – 12:00 pm Pre-Conference – NADRA Deck Evaluation Certificate Class9:00 am – 12:00 pm Pre-Conference – Getting to the Root of It! – Sewer Line Inspections Class12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Annual Meeting Luncheon and 40th Anniversary Kick-Off/$500 raffle drawing3:00 pm – 4:00 pm “Welcome to ASHI” Event (for New ASHI Members and First Timers)3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Expo Hall open (Grand Hall)5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Opening Night Reception in Expo Hall7:00 pm – 8:00 pm The ASHI School Alumni Reunion

Monday, January 25, 2016

7:00 am – 7:00 pm Registration/Info Desk open7:00 am – 7:00 pm Expo Hall open (Grand Hall)7:00 am – 9:00 am Coffee Service & Breakfast (Foyer)7:00 am – 8:00 am DOE Home Energy Score Presentation in California Room8:00 am – 12:00 pm CoR Meeting9:00 am – 12:00 pm FEMA P50 – Part 1 Simplified Seismic Assessment of Wood-framed Dwellings9:00 am – 11:00 am Educational Sessions (5 tracks)9:00 am – 6:00 pm Spouse Lounge open9:00 am – 11:00 am “Marketing Your Business” in Spouse Lounge11:00 am – 1:00 pm Lunch in Expo Hall (for purchase)11:30 am – 12:30 pm Lunch n’ Learn Sessions1:00 pm departure Spouse Tour: 2-hour San Diego Bay Cruise1:00 pm – 3:00 pm FEMA P50 – Part 2 Simplified Seismic Assessment of Wood-framed Dwellings1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks)4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks)7:00 pm – 8:30 pm InspectPac Reception

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

7:00 am – 6:00 pm Registration/Info Desk open7:00 am – 4:00 pm Expo Hall open until 4:00 pm (Grand Hall)7:00 am – 9:00 am Coffee Service & Breakfast in Expo Hall9:00 am – 12:00 pm FEMA P50 – Part 1 Simplified Seismic Assessment of Wood-framed Dwellings9:00 am – 11:00 am Educational Sessions (5 tracks)9:00 am – 6:00 pm Spouse Lounge open9:00 am departure Spouse Tour: Old Town Trolley Tour of San Diego11:00 am – 1:00 pm Lunch in Expo Hall (for purchase)11:30 am – 12:30 pm Lunch ’N Learn Sessions1:00 pm – 3:00 pm FEMA P50 – Part 2 Simplified Seismic Assessment of Wood-framed Dwellings1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks)3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Refreshment Break in Expo Hall4:00 pm – 6:00 pm FEMA Disaster Inspections Session4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks)6:30 pm – 7:30 pm President’s Gala Reception 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm President’s Gala Dinner8:30 pm – 10:30 pm Dance Music

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

7:00 am – 4:00 pm Registration/Info Desk open7:00 am – 4:00 pm ASHI Booth / Cyber Café open in foyer7:00 am – 8:00 am Coffee Service & Breakfast 8:00 am – 10:00 am Educational Sessions (5 tracks)9:00 am departure Spouse Tour: Guided Tour of Balboa Park and Lunch Stop at Prado Restaurant8:00 am – 4:00 pm Spouse Lounge open10:00 am – 10:30 am Refreshment Break10:30 am – 12:30 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks)12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch (for purchase)12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Mike Crow Marketing Presentation2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Educational Sessions (5 tracks)4:15 pm Closing $500 Grand Prize Drawing in foyer4:15 pm Conference concludes – See You at IW 2017 in Las Vegas!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

8:30 am departure Guided Tour of the University of California, San Diego – Earthquake Shake Table Location

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, January 28, 29 and 30, 2016

(3-day class) Post-Conference Course offered by The ASHI School – Commercial Building Inspection Course

The schedule is subject to change without notice. Check with the Registration/Information Desk for the latest schedule.

When thinking about attending the largest home inspection conference and expo in North America, one’s imagination easily turns to ASHI’s InspectionWorld®. Out of all the established and newly created home inspection conferences,

there just isn’t any comparison to our conference.

Why is there no comparison? Because ASHI offers so much beyond what any other conference offers. There are so many classes, activities and events at InspectionWorld® that it is sometimes hard to fathom. So, we created a list of reasons

why you should consider this must-attend event and see for yourself why InspectionWorld® is the best conference and expo for home inspectors:

http://www.inspectionworld.org


Next, let’s look at Tested. In order to become an ASHI Certified Inspector (ACI), we have to take the National Home Inspector Ex-amination. The NHIE is the only psychometrically designed home inspection test, and it’s the only test accepted for ASHI membership.

We verify applicants for membership by requiring they send in five completed home inspection reports that are Verified by retired mem-bers who make sure the reports comply with the ASHI Standard of Practice. If the reports fail the verification, the applicant must send in another set of reports until their submission meets our SoP.

And finally, an ACI is Certified. ASHI has attained the right to use the term Certified the old fashioned way…we earned it. We are the only third-party accredited home inspection organization in North America. There are other organizations that sell or give away the “certified” label, but only ASHI has received the approval from the Institute for Credentialing Excellence™. That is an earned honor that must be rigorously renewed. True third-party certification cannot be used by any other home inspection organization.

So, if a potential client asks, “Why should I hire you?” you can say, “Because I’m an ASHI member, and that’s saying a lot!”

Since it’s the holiday season and most of us are in a giving mood, why not give yourself a couple of presents this year? I have two great suggestions:

The first is a gift that keeps on giving: Renew your ASHI membership for all the reasons mentioned above.

The second: Register to attend InspectionWorld® 2016 San Diego. From January 24-27, you will learn from industry leaders how to perform and how to improve your inspection techniques while, at the same time, enjoying the warm California sun!

Have a great Holiday Season! H

Frank Lesh, Executive DirectorAmerican Society of Home InspectorsDirect: [email protected] • www.ashi.org

Why be an ASHI Member?

From ASHI’s Executive Director

That’s an honest question. If you want just one answer, it couldbe the “Find an Inspector” button on ASHI’s home page. There

were over 61,000 hits on that button last year. That comes out to more than 10 visits per member. If you turn one or two of those into inspections, you’ve paid for your dues for the year! But, of course, there are many more benefits to being a member of ASHI. Maybe a better question is this: What separates an ASHI Certified Inspector from any other inspector?

Here are four answers: Educated. Tested. Verified. Certified.

Those four words are proudly placed on our web-site. They’re on our brochures. They’re on our new banner stands. They epitomize what it means to be an ASHI member. It’s important to know the reason that we use them so frequently, which is because they state:

• what we are continuously required to do

• how we have to do it

• how ASHI makes sure we did it

• and most importantly, what we earn that no otherhome inspection organization has

Let’s start with Educated. ASHI provides free online education that any member may use to complete their annual continuing education (CE) requirements. In addition, by attending Inspec-tionWorld,® a member will receive all of the 20 CE requirements needed for the year.

But another way to achieve the CE’s needed for membership is to attend local chapter seminars. All chapters are able to offer enough hours of educa-tion to meet the requirements of membership. Plus, chapters also give the best type of education there is: face-to-face camaraderie.

SM

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10 11ASHI Reporter • December 2015 11December 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org

EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) A Simple Approach to a Complex Issue

By Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, www.carsondunlop.com

Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), or synthetic stucco, as it is often called, is complicated. In this short discussion, we

will touch on what EIFS is, what problems it has had and what home inspectors should watch for.

Note: This article cannot do justice to this topic. Please accept my apologies for all of the omissions and simplifications. We understand that there are many variations of both materials and installation methods. We also recognize that there is a separate and much more in-depth method for evaluating this cladding system using specialized equipment and invasive testing. Our focus is restricted to the scope of a general home inspection.

What Is Synthetic Stucco?Synthetic stucco is an exterior wall cladding system from Europe that was first used in North America in the 1960s and became very popular in housing in the 1990s. Originally used on masonry walls, it became popular on wood frame homes. It was used because of its relatively low cost, good insulating levels and architectural flexibility.

We will look at the most common variations, which include the following:

• a sheathing (substrate) such as plywood and oriented strand board (OSB)

• a water-resistant barrier (WRB) over the substrate—optional• a drainage plane—in newer installations (This may be vertical

strips of adhesive over the WRB.)• insulation board (usually expanded polystyrene) adhered or

fastened to the substrate• a 1 ⁄16-inch to 1 ⁄4-inch thick water-resistant base coat (commonly

cement mixed with acrylic polymer) troweled on, with a glass fiber reinforcing mesh embedded

• a finish acrylic coat sprayed, troweled or rolled on, which provides the color and texture

What’s in a name? Synthetic stucco may be called EIFS, thincoat, softcoat or PB (polymer-based) stucco. Traditional stucco may be called hardcoat, cement stucco, Portland cement stucco, lime- cement stucco or thickcoat.

How is EIFS/synthetic stucco different from conventional stucco? It’s different in several ways. Here are some:

Problems With EIFSProblems with EIFS in homes in the United States surfaced in the 1990s and included class-action lawsuits. The initial problems were identified in the southeastern United States, but problems have been found throughout North America. The problems centered around water damage to wood framing members. In some cases, significant rot was found within the first year or two after construction.

What Happened? EIFS over wood frame walls forms a watertight skin on the outside of the building. It’s a little bit like putting a building in a plastic bag. The idea is to keep the water out of the building. These systems are referred to as “barrier” or “face seal” systems.

Why Different From Conventional Stucco?Synthetic stucco problems develop when water gets into the wall assembly through the skin. This often occurs at joints and penetra-tions. Once water gets past the skin, it gets trapped in the wall and is unable to escape or dry out. The walls are said to have very low “drying potential,” unlike conventional stucco, which is much more porous. Trapped water leads to mold and rot.

Conventional stucco is more porous, as mentioned. Water can move through both in and out. The stucco itself acts as a reser-voir. Conventional stucco often has a convenient, if unintentional, drainage plane at the back of the system. A double layer of building paper, for example, forms a great drainage plane.

Common problem areas include the following:

• around and below doors and windows• at wall penetrations for pipes, conduit, vents, electrical

fixtures, railings, etc.• at roof and deck flashings• where EIFS goes below grade• complex architectural details

This illustration shows an older system with no water-resistant barrier or

drainage plane.

The joint between the synthetic stucco and windows is a vulnerable area.

This system appears to be in good condition with a well-caulked joint.

Workmanship is often an issue, as seen on this windowsill.

Here’s what it looked like when we opened up a wall where the detail work

was not so good.

Kickout flashings prevent water from getting behind stucco at the bottom

of adjacent roofs.

There is no kickout flashing on this new home. This is likely to be a

problem area.

EIFS/SYNTHETIC STUCCO CONVENTIONAL STUCCO

Insulation board over the substrate

No insulation board

No secondary weather barrier on the exterior of substrate

Building paper or housewrap on the exterior of substrate

Drainage plane on newer systems

No drainage plane

Polymer-based cement base coat

Portland cement base coat

Fiberglass fabric mesh reinforcement

Wire lath reinforcement

Thin, flexible acrylic finish coat Thicker, brittle cement finish coat

> EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems) A Simple Approach to a Complex Issue



ASHI Ad.indd 6 3/25/15 10:33 AM

As problems were recognized, the installation approaches changed. A drainage plane was added behind the insulation to allow water to escape by draining down the wall and out through the bottom. This approach addressed the reality that water would probably get through the wall at some point and provided a way to get rid of it.

This illustration shows a more modern approach with a series of drainage

strategies.

Don’t bother trying to memorize these assembly details. As home inspectors, we never get to see a cross-section of the wall. We only get to see readily accessible performance issues.

These approaches, introduced around 1997, have not been univer-sally successful and are dependent on good installation techniques and detailing. Vented rain screens using more formal drainage approaches are more successful, but not as common in residential construction. Identifying EIFSDifferentiating hardcoat stucco from synthetic stucco is largely a tactile experience. Tapping and pressing on hardcoat and synthetic stucco yields very different sounds and feels. Tapping on hardcoat stucco feels like tapping on thin concrete. It sounds solid. Tapping on softcoat stucco has more give, and typically yields a hollow sound or very little sound. Tapping on hardcoat stucco with a bare knuckle hurts more than tapping on synthetic stucco. There is no substitute for experience here.

You may be able to see the fiber mesh reinforcement at open-ings or surfaces, as we saw on the windowsill in the photo at the bottom right on Page 11. You may be able to see the wall detail at the bottom with a mirror, for example. You may be able to see the insulation, fiberglass mesh or the thick (approximately 2-inch) wall system projection typical of synthetic stucco. By the way, you should not be able to see the insulation or the mesh.

Intricate architectural stucco details including dentils and quoining are difficult to achieve with hardcoat stucco. These details often

indicate synthetic stucco. These complex exterior details are also often problematic.

Note: There are lots of variations, and there are always exceptions. There are hybrid systems that have acrylic

finish over a hardcoat base. There are walls that are hardcoat stucco walls with the architectural details at the perimeters done in synthetic stucco. If you are not sure, do not guess!

What to Watch ForInspecting synthetic stucco walls is tricky, and the home inspection scope wherein we are visually inspecting readily accessible items presents some significant limitations. Damage to wall systems typically is concealed behind the synthetic stucco skin. We look for evidence of distress and clues that may suggest concealed problems. Here is a list of the most important things to watch for:

• Stucco bulges or cracks (often at or near openings due to stress concentration)

• Dark streaks below the corners of windows and any dark areas consistent with moisture

• Loose stucco• Mechanical damage• Unfinished edges and exposed fiber mesh reinforcement• Stucco extending down to or below grade (It should stop at

least 6 inches above grade.)• Missing kickout flashings• Poorly installed flashings above door and window openings

and at roofs, decks, etc.• Poorly sealed openings around doors, windows, pipes, conduits,

railing connections, electrical fixtures, etc.• Evidence of patching, caulking and other temporary repairs• Flat roofs with no overhang (Large overhangs help protect walls.)

Problems around windows are more common than any other. Pay close attention around and below windows, inside and out.

Illustration courtesy of STUC-O-

FLEX International. Here we can

see the drainage layer behind

the stucco. The drip screed/weep

screed at the bottom directs

water out through the bottom

of the wall. In a true vented

rain screen, the cavity behind

the stucco becomes pressurized

by the force of the wind. This

reduces the pressure differential

across the stucco and reduces

the amount of water driving

through the siding. We don’t get

to see walls and cross-sections,

so you won’t often know how

the stucco assembly was put

together.

Continues on Page 22

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Help Your Customers and Boost Your Business

htoyh.com 800-201-3829

Homeowners will refer often to How to Operate Your Home – and see your contact information each time. This high-quality book, packed with helpful information and clear illustrations, makes you look great. And educating your customer reduces liability. The most comprehensive trade-oriented manual on the market, it retails for $18.95, yet you pay as little as $4 apiece when purchasing in quantity.

160 pages, 350+ illustrations, helpful indexGuides to seasonal maintenanceHot and cold climate informationExplains the operation of all systems in a home Custom cover printing available

Speaker: Jim Funkhouser 571-214-4039 [email protected]

Alternate Speaker:John Wessling St. Louis, MO [email protected]

Secretary:Brendan Ryan 724-898-1414 [email protected] Leaders

New England/CanadaMike Atwell 617-630-5629 [email protected]

New York/ New JerseyKevin Vargo 732 271 1887 [email protected]

Mid-AtlanticHollis [email protected]

MidwestMichael J. Von Gunten 262-945-2446 [email protected]

South AtlanticRichard Hart 770-827-2200 [email protected]

GulfJohn Knudsen 334-221-0876 [email protected]

South Midwest John Wessling 314-520-1103 [email protected]

North CentralDave Haught 304-417-1247 [email protected]

MountainKurt Salomon801-523-6060 [email protected]

PacificDarrell Hay 206-226-3205 [email protected]

ASHI Council of Representatives Speakers and Group LeadersFrom The Speaker of the CoR

Around the CoRner

T hank you for your letters. Please know that all of your ideas and concerns are being reviewed by the Council Group Leaders, and they are working hard to fix the issues you’ve described.

This month’s featured letter comes from Tom Bossard, ACI, from St. Louis ASHI. Tom writes:

“All ASHI inspectors conduct their inspections according to the ASHI Standard of Practice and Code of Ethics whether it’s their first inspection or their 1000th. For this reason, all inspectors from Associate to ACI should be entitled to be listed on their chapter’s website as “Members in Good Standing” if they pay their dues. If the national ASHI byLaws need to be changed for this to happen, then so be it. If new members are the future, they must be treated fairly, with respect, and they must be able to clearly see the benefits of joining ASHI, both locally and nationally. Allowing their names to appear on the chapter website would go a long way in achieving the targeted result.”

Tom, all I can say is AMEN! All chapters should allow all of their members, not just ACIs, to vote, be chapter officers, serve on chapter committees and be listed on the chapter website. The only thing an ASHI Associate is not presently allowed to do is to vote in National elections or to hold National office…and I think that, too, is outdated. If we as a society expect to grow, we must fully welcome the newest among us as equals. The membership classification is to show dedication to being a professional outwardly to those we market to, but once you are an ASHI member, you should be an equal member. The Council will be deliberating this in January 2016 at InspectionWorld® to decide the proposal of a bylaws change to allow Associates the same rights as the other members. I will also be contacting the chapter presidents to ask them to please include the names of all members on their websites.

Next time you see Tom, pat him on the back. Great Idea!

Now, what’s YOUR great idea? Write me at [email protected] and share your ideas with the CoR.

James Funkhouser • Speaker, ASHI Council of Representatives • [email protected]

Cold-climate attic moisture problems are caused by warm, moist air leaking from the heated space into the attic. It’s all due to air

leaks–period. This is not a ventilation issue. Not an insulation issue. Not a surface permeability issue. It’s just air leaks.

We’ve all read codes and heard building professionals talk about us-ing attic ventilation and proper insulation to keep an attic dry. Folks have tried to solve moisture problems with more ventilation. Wrong.

In the past 20 years, building scientists have discovered that air leaks from the heated space cause attic moisture problems. That’s because moisture moves with air–in fact, lots of moisture moves with air. And the stack effect moves heated air from the living space into the attic.

Air Leaks AboundAir leaks occur in many spots. Around masonry chimneys–we need that 2- to 3-inch space for fire safety. Bath fans dumping air into the attic. Dropped soffits with no blocking, just insulation over the opening. Around plumbing and electrical penetrations. Around and through can lights. Through the attic access door.

Leaks also occur at the tops of all interior and exterior walls. Wood plates shrink, leaving gaps at the vapor barrier. Air enters the wall at penetrations and moves up into the attic at the gaps.

Remember: The insulation (either fiberglass or cellulose) is not an air barrier or moisture barrier. Fiberglass, after all, is used in filters for a forced-air furnace. Lift a little fiberglass insulation around a chimney or at the tops of partition walls and you may see black stains in the fiberglass–that’s dirt from air flow.

Signs to Watch forLook at the stains that often occur around a ceiling attic hatch that is not tightly sealed. You will find dirt deposits and maybe even black or green mold stains.

Insulation can compound the problem. Have you ever seen a mois-ture problem in a 1950s-era house with original insulation? Never, because all the leaks and lack of insulation keep the attic warm. The warm attic temperature is above the dew point temperature, so there is no condensation. Add insulation and lower the temperature below the dew point–now we have a moisture problem.

The one major compounding attic moisture issue involves keep-ing the relative humidity in the living space very high. Then, when there are air leaks, the air carries even more moisture into the attic. Invisible water vapor moves from the wet living space into the drier, colder attic.

Inspection Essentials During inspection, you should note any signs of excessive moisture in attics and recommend evaluation by a professional. Always recom-mend consultation with someone trained in building science. Always recommend air sealing between the heated space and the attic, not just insulation and ventilation.

Tom Feiza has been a professional home inspector since 1992 and has

a degree in engineering. Through HowToOperateYourHome.com, he provides high-quality marketing materials that help professional home inspectors boost their business. Copyright © 2015 by Tom Feiza, Mr. Fix-It, Inc. Reproduced with permission. H

Tom is presenting “Water Intrusion into Buildings Forensic Investiga-tions,” at InspectioWorld® at 1 pm on Monday January 25, 2016.

http://www.htoyh.com


TARGETPROFESSIONAL

PROGRAMS

ASHI is pleased to announce that Target Professional Programs is now our endorsed partner for Professional Liability Insurance.Serving Home Inspectors Across the U.S.

Target has been serving home inspectors’ professional liability insurance needs for over 22 continuous years. Their Professional Liability coverage (aka: Errors & Omissions or E & O)includes General Liability (for bodily injury and property damage), and optional Inland Marine Coverage (to cover inspection tools and gadgets). Target even includes Identity Theft Coverage at no additional premium.

In addition to offering all ASHI members a 15% discount on insurance premiums (the highest discount available in the marketplace), Target is now offering a $25 CE credit to home inspectors who are ASHI Members and Target Customers. The CE credits must be earned at an ASHI event (national or regional), and the credit is offered one time per year to one inspector from the insured business.

GET A QUOTE!

We encourage you to support all of our endorsed business partners. In this case, we suggest you get a quote (or a premium estimate) from Target Professional Programs. Visit their website www.TargetProIns.com for program details and applications, or contact Lisa Belz, Senior Underwriter at 860-899-1870 or [email protected]

15 % Premium Discount and $25

CE Credit

Target will be exhibiting at Inspection World, January, 2016 in San Diego.

Stop by and say hello!

© 2015 Target Professional Programs is a division of and operates under the licenses of CRC Insurance Services, Inc. CA Lic No. 0778135. No claim to any government works or material copyrighted by third parties. Nothing in this communication constitutes an o�er, inducement, or contract of insurance. Financial strength and size ratings can change and should be reevaluated before coverage is bound. This material is for educational use only. It is not meant to be an o�er of insurance directly to insureds or business owners. Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORSEducated, Tested, Verified, Certified.

As a trusted ally in the home buying process, home inspectors enjoy a unique

and valuable status with their clients, the buyers. Many buyers work with dual agents who, although they may be dedicated to finding a buyer’s “dream house,” may not be as interested in fulfilling complete due diligence about the chosen favorite. Con-sidering that their paycheck is wrapped up in the transaction, it is understandable that agents begrudge home inspections in general and may openly resist suggestions for ancillary services such as environmental testing. However, the home inspector has the distinct opportunity to both educate agents and protect the buyer from hazards in the home. It is important to urge every buyer to test for radon.

Radon is an example of a potential defect in the home. As such, sellers and their agents prefer not to acknowledge it. Because radon is completely undetectable without using a testing device, it is easy to simply deny that radon even exists. How many inspectors have heard these types of statements: “Oh, there isn’t any radon in this part of town” or “We have a map, and this neighborhood is not in the red zone.” Unfortunately, these statements are quite common.

If radon is acknowledged, often its impor-tance is downplayed. For example, it is not unusual to hear statements like these: “Oh, we don’t know if it was radon that actually caused anyone’s lung cancer” or “If radon is so dangerous, there would be a legal re-quirement to test for it.” Agents and sellers may use these statements to reassure buyers; however, they are seriously misrepresenting the facts.

So, what are the facts about radon? More importantly, what do we need to say about radon? The professional should choose words that will accurately describe the

radon problem and resonate with the listener. In my 25 years of working with radon testing, I’ve learned many successful ways to discuss radon with impatient agents and naive buyers. My advice for home inspectors is to stick to the facts and then interpret the facts in a credible way.

KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT RADON Radon gas is everywhere. Radon is a gas that comes from radium, which is a chemi-cal element found everywhere in the earth’s crust. Radon is inert, meaning that it is drawn by pressure differentials. Because it is everywhere in the ground, it has the potential of getting into every home. There are some exceptions, such as beachfront houses and homes built on piers, but the majority of homes have a potential for high concentrations of radon. Radon maps can show the general geographic areas that are likely to have high levels of radon in homes, but radon maps cannot predict the specific radon test result for any individual home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one in every 15 homes in the United States has a high level of radon.

Radon is a radioactive soil gas. This fact means that radon is subject to radioactive decay, a process which releases energy and matter in the form of subatomic alpha particles. We call these decay products, or progeny. We breathe radon gas and its decay products into our lungs.

Radon is a class A carcinogen. Breathing a high concentration of radioactive radon causes damage to delicate lung tissue. Some of the damage is not repaired by the body and over time, this damage can mutate into cancer. Radon has been shown to cause cancer.

Radon does not smell and you cannot see it. The only way to find radon is to test for it.

UNDERSTAND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RADON EXPOSUREIn a 2009 presentation to the President’s Cancer Panel, Dr. R. William Field, a pro-fessor and epidemiologist from the Univer-sity of Iowa, stated, “In a similar manner to smoking, where we are essentially allowing a ‘bioterrorist within’ to attack over a mil-lion Americans each year, radon is a ‘dirty bomb’ within our homes that attacks millions of people each year.”

January Is National Radon Action Month What’s Your Radon Message?By Carolyn Allen, AccuStar Labs

A. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Report: EPA’s Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes. EPA 402-R-03-003. 2003. Available at: http://pubweb.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html. Estimates are rounded and are subject to uncertainties as discussed in the report.

B. Assumes constant lifetime exposure in homes at these levels. C. The report did not specify excess relative risks for current smokers.

Radon Level [pCi/L]B

Never Smokes Current SmokersC General Population

20 36 out of 1,000 26 out of 100 11 out of 10010 18 out of 1,000 15 out of 100 56 out of 1,0008 15 out of 1,000 12 out of 100 45 out of 1,0004 73 out of 10,000 62 out of 1,000 23 out of 1,0002 37 out of 10,000 32 out of 1,000 12 out of 1,000

1.25 23 out of 10,000 20 out of 1,000 73 out of 10,000

The table provides a helpful tool for understanding the risk of cancer from radon. Lifetime Risk of Lung Cancer Death (Per Person) from Radon Exposure in HomesA

http://www.TargetProIns.com

18 19ASHI Reporter • December 2015 19December 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org 18 ASHI Reporter • December 2015 19December 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org

As explained by the Minnesota Department of Public Health in “Comparative Risks of Multiple Chemical Exposures: Final Report for the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources,” published in 2000: “Cancer ‘risk’ is the probability of a lifelong exposure causing cancer and is expressed as a statistical probability; for example, 1/1,000,000, 1/100,000, or 1/10,000. …When applied to assessment of risk from exposure to individual chemicals, this is an incremental risk; that is, it is the risk above the background rate of cancer. For many regulatory programs, including those run by the U.S. EPA, risk management occurs be-tween 1/1,000,000 and 1/10,000.” Exam-ples include metals such as arsenic in water, nickel, chromium in air, lead in water and the carcinogenic, volatile organic compound benzene.

Limiting our exposure to radiation reduces our risk of cancer. Consider a visit to the dentist during which you undergo routine mouth X-rays. There is a good reason the technician lays a lead apron across your body and leaves the room to push the button. Physical damage to our bodies from radiation is cumulative, so it is important to limit the amount of exposure at every op-portunity. It is similar with radon gas.

KNOW YOUR RADON MESSAGE AND PRACTICE DELIVERING ITThe impact of radon exposure in our homes is shocking. The U.S. EPA estimates that

each year approximately 22,000 people die from radon-induced lung cancer. That means that approximately every 22 minutes, someone in the United States dies from radon-induced lung cancer. “Between 10 percent and 14 percent of all lung cancer deaths per year may be attributable to radon,” says Dr. Jay H. Lubin, a senior health scientist with the National Cancer Institute. Those deaths could be prevented. Don’t wait for your clients to ask for a radon test. Offer it. Don’t be afraid to answer questions or address their skepticism. If you know the facts and have practiced your presentation, you will be offering a credible solution to a potentially deadly problem.

I emphasize the dangers from radon exposure at every opportu-nity. Fear is a powerful motivator. Some may say that this is a sensa-tionalist approach, but I maintain that it is entirely appropriate. Our understanding of the risks from exposure to radon is supported by peer-reviewed research that has been conducted in many countries, not only in the United States. In fact, the World Health Organization has recommended that countries adopt a reference level for radon of 100 Bq/m3, or approximately 2.7 pCi/L.

LEVERAGE YOUR RADON MESSAGEContact the media. Many coordinators of statewide radon programs put forth extra time and money during January to educate the public about radon. Because January is National Radon Action Month, journalists working for online sources, newspapers, television and radio are receptive to public interest stories about radon. Many will gladly accept articles and schedule in-terviews. Raising awareness about radon during National Radon Action Month can be an easy way to gain free publicity for your business and become known as a source for useful content for media outlets.

Here are some other suggestions for outreach:

• Review the radon pages of the U.S. EPA website (http://www2.epa.gov/radon). Specifically, be sure to check out the pages on National Radon Action Month and Publications for creative ways to spread the word.

• Drop a link to a free, radon public service announcement on your business website.

• Get a few members of your local chapter to join you in sponsoring a booth or a table at a school’s sporting event or a regional home show to highlight the facts about radon.

Educate kids. Another great way to educate people about radon is to provide information to school-aged children who will then share what they learn with their parents. There are many opportunities you could pursue.

• Contact a middle or high school science teacher and offer to lead a class discussion about radon.

• Offer to show a group of scouts or mem-bers of a school’s science club how to build a radon cloud chamber or conduct a radon testing project.

• Let your local school districts know about the national radon poster contest that is sponsored by the National Radon Program Services group at Kansas State University. Visit www.sosradon.org for more information.

Connect with your legislators. Don’t forget to contact your legislators. With the 2008 enactment of the Illinois Radon Awareness

Act—a collaborative effort by radon professionals, lung health organizations, home builders and real estate agents in Illinois—the number of homes tested for radon during real estate transactions in-creased to 42% of all homes sold in the state. Most legislators respond well to solutions that increase business in the private sector while benefiting public health initiatives.

DO WELL WHILE DOING GOOD

Home inspectors have a prime opportunity to discuss potential hazards in the home. As a source of objective information, they enjoy a position of trust. People are receptive to addressing poten-tial health hazards in the home during the real estate transaction. Moreover, with the right group of professionals working together, you can leverage your efforts to reach an even wider audience. Delivery of your radon message in a factual, appropriate manner not only gives you the opportunity to provide an additional service, but it also can save lives.

Carolyn K. Allen is president of AccuStar Labs, a provider of radon testing products and services with two locations in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Actively involved in the radon industry since 1991, Ms. Allen was president of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) from 2010 to 2012. She currently serves on the AARST Board and on the Executive Stakeholder Committee for the AARST ANSI Standards

Consortium. H

THIS JUST IN!ASHI is proud to announce a

collaborative effort among leading organizations across the United States

These Organizations have designed a strategy to dramatically

reduce the number of deaths from radon exposure. For more than two years, ASHI has worked with AARST, the American

Lung Association, U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Health and others

to produce the National Radon Action Plan (NRAP).

The plan will emphasize the need for more home inspectors to perform radon testing across the country. For detailed information, go to ASHI’s website and click on the rotating image when it appears.

> January is National Radon Action Month > January is National Radon Action Month

WANT TO SEE YOUR INSPECTION PHOTO ON OUR WEBSITE, IN THE REPORTER OR MEMBERSHIP MATERIALS?

Please email a high- resolution photo (300 dpi or higher) of you doing an inspection to [email protected].

IMPORTANT: Include your name, company, city & state. We will include it on the photo credit for printed materials..

Motion:Motion was made and seconded to update Policy 12.3B.4 as presented. PASSED

Motion:Motion was made and seconded that all committee annual budgetary requests must be made in writing with rationale to the Finance Committee via the Board Liaison by May 31. PASSED

Motion:Motion was made and seconded that the Board provide the 2015 Strategic Planning Committee’s Report to the Staff for guid-ance in future ASHI operations. PASSED

Motion:Motion was made and seconded to dissolve the Drone Task Force. PASSED

REPORT OUT

ASHI BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 23-24, 2015


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21,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

0

17,400

8,000

3,900430

RADONDRUNK DRIVING

FALLS IN THE HOMEHOME FIRESCARBON MONOXIDE

DEATHS PER YEAR COMPARISONDEATHS PER YEAR COMPARISON

SHORT-TERM DEVICES

(GENERALLY 2-5 DAY)

LONG-TERM DEVICES

(GENERALLY 3-12 MONTHS)

CONTINUOUS RADON MONITORS

(PROFESSIONAL USE)

3 WAYS TO TEST FOR RADON

5 REASONS TO BREAK INTO THE RADON MARKETIf you aren’t already testing for radon during home inspections, you’re missing out on thousands of dollars of additional business each year…and the opportunity to save lives. The following are just 5 of the many reasons to add radon to your home inspection services:

1 21,000 people die every year from radon-induced lung cancer, and homes with dangerous levels of radon have been found in all 50 states. By testing for radon and recommending the installation of a radon system when needed to reduce a home’s level as low as possible, you will be helping to ensure a safer home environment for the family who lives there.

AccuStar® offers three types of radon testing devices: short-term, long-term, and continuous electronic monitor. All AccuStar laboratories are nationally certified and licensed in states where required.

2 A large percentage of homeowners, buyers, and sellers still are not aware of the threat radon poses, and the death toll continues to rise. At least 1 in 6 homes is affected by an elevated level of radon, and there is no shortage of new homes, commercial buildings, and schools to test. Both the national and international markets for radon testing and mitigation continue to grow.

RadStar continuous radon monitors from AccuStar® are available with readings in picocuries for the U.S. and becquerels for international use.

3 With EPA guidelines, Reducing Radon in New Construction (RRNC) efforts, state radon legislation, national associations, national awareness campaigns, and many more resources, there is already a support network in place to help you regulate and expand the radon portion of your business.

AccuStar® supports ASHI, the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, the American Lung Association, other national associations, and grass roots organizations such as Cancer Survivors Against Radon (CanSAR), in their efforts to advance radon awareness and legislative programs.

4 Real estate agents, builders, designers, engineers, environmentalists, ventilation specialists… The list of potential radon testing referrals continues to expand. It is easy to find your place and connect with other professionals who can help your business grow.

AccuStar® and RadonAway® have funded an educational website, RadonIsReal.org, to encourage radon testing through awareness and education. The site also provides another tool to gain business in the radon market, a link to RadonAway’s “Find a Mitigator” referral service, which is also available through a link on accustarlabs.com.

5 You can build your business in an industry with a low barrier to entry. Radon certification courses are available in classrooms across the country, or they can be taken conveniently via webinar or home study. To be certified in radon measurement, professionals must take 16 total hours of study and pass a certification exam. Certification prep (entry-level) courses typically cost $300-500; however, Spruce Environmental Technologies, with support from RadonAway® and AccuStar®, offers entry-level webinar courses starting at only $149.

For information on Spruce Radon Training classes for certification or continuing education, contact [email protected]. Spruce entry-level radon courses are approved by ASHI.

Radioactive radon gas is the number one environmental health threat in the United States. With people spending two-thirds of their lives indoors, inspectors truly are on the front lines of the effort toward safer, healthier homes. With a vast professional community of resources and quality products from trusted radon industry leaders like AccuStar® and RadonAway®, breaking into the radon market can only aid your business.

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IE Hom

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The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) is devel oped and maintained by the Examination Board of Profes-sional 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.

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 ser-vices they provide, and the components they inspect. The questions in the NHIE are derived directly from this survey, and constitute the knowledge base for an entry level home in-spector. This manual is the first of its kind to follow this format. It also informs the candidate about the knowledge base behind the current examination questions, and pro-vides a technical reference for the experienced home inspec-tor.

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The National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) is de-veloped 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 study guide, and the associated NHIE Home Inspection Manual, were devel-oped to address this need.

The NHIE Home Inspection Manual addresses the technical aspects of the NHIE. This NHIE Study Guide addresses the non-technical aspects. Many come to the home in-spection profession as a second or a third career, and may not have taken a professional entrance exam for many years, if ever. This study guide helps to familiarize the candidate with the examination itself, and with the asso-ciated administrative procedures. It also includes helpful insights into the types of questions the exam contains, and techniques for success.

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Continued from

Further InvestigationSome home inspectors offer stucco evaluation services. This can include inspection with penetrating moisture meters (probe testing), scanning moisture detection devices, infrared thermography, borescopes and so on. There are training programs and protocols that should be considered before offering these. Many inspectors simply recommend further investiga-tion by a specialist for homes with synthetic stucco.

Thanks to Roger Hankey and Kevin O’Hornett for their many valuable contributions to this article. H


Fourth Annual Hampton Roads ASHI Holiday Season Tech-TalkWhen: December 5, 2015

Where: Chesapeake, Virginia

Mike Casey Presenting

ASHI National President

Alden Gibson and more.

Contact: Kenny Hart at theplumbing

[email protected] or

Go to www.facebook.com/

plumbingandhvacguy

and click on Upcoming Events

OAHI/CAHPI-ON 2016 Educational ConferenceWhen: March 4–6, 2016

Where: Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and

Conference Center. Burlington, ON

Corporate Head Office / Training

Centre 1515 Matheson Blvd. East,

Suite 205 Mississauga, ON L4W 2P5

CEUs: 18 ASHI CEs

Contact: 416-256-0960 [email protected]

Ohio and North Central ChaptersOhio Home Inspectors ExpoWhen: March 4–6, 2016

DoubleTree Hilton Columbus/

Worthington

175 Hutchinson Avenue

Columbus, OH 43235

Speakers Bruce Barker and Alan Carson

Contact: George Basista

[email protected]

NC ASHI Education EventWhen: January 8–9, 2016

Where: Winston Salem, NC

CEUs: 12 North Carolina CEUs, 8 ASHI CEUs

Subjects: Deck inspections, inspection legal

issues, fuel gas appliance

inspections

Speaker: Bruce Barker

Contact: [email protected]

ASHI Central PA Chapter Education Conference When: March 5, 2016.

Where: Park Inn by Radisson

(Harrisburg West), 5401 Carlisle Pike

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Subject: Heat pumps/HVAC systems,

foundation issues and repairs

CEUs: TBA

Speakers Cecil Johnson, Andrew Gray

ASHI Chapter Education

It’s rarely this dramatic, but

watch below windows!

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The new year is coming soon and, as is tradition, it’s time to make some resolu-

tions. Many of us make personal resolutions to improve our daily lives—exercise more, eat better, lose weight, put family before work—but what about making New Year’s resolutions for your home? For 2016, consid-er making these resolutions for your home and suggesting these ideas to your home inspection clients.

Make It SafeSo many homeowners focus on making their homes beautiful, but have they also made it safe? There are a few things every home-owner should do to ensure they’re not living with a potential health or fire risk.

First, check your house for radon. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this colorless, odorless gas causes approxi-mately 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year due to the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe. Many homeown-ers have never heard of radon, but one in 15 homes has elevated levels. A qualified home inspector can offer thorough testing.

As long as we’re talking about colorless, odorless deadly gas, it is absolutely essential that every homeowner installs a working carbon monoxide detector on every bed-room floor in addition to smoke detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide can back up into your house and kill you. Like a radon test, a carbon monoxide detector is a small invest-ment for such an important safeguard.

Homeowners also should pay attention to the lint in their clothes dryer. Sure, you clean the little trap inside the door, but most homeowners neglect to clean the ducts and vents behind the dryer. A little lint may seem innocent, but it’s highly combustible. According to estimates provided by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System and the National Fire Pro-tection Association’s annual fire department experience survey, more than 15,000 home structure fires each year (from 2006 to 2010) involved clothes dryers or washing machines.

Finally, make sure your house can breathe. It’s surprising how many bathrooms and at-tics aren’t properly vented outside the house and how many homes have vents that are

covered by shingles. Poor ventilation makes your home a prime candidate for develop-ing mold, which comes with its own host of health hazards.

Reduce Your Energy FootprintReducing your energy footprint is good for the environment and for your wallet. Start with your HVAC ductwork. Ducts are notorious energy wasters, leaking your heating and cooling air through holes and loose connections. Sealing and insulating your ductwork can improve the efficiency of a home’s heating and cooling system by as much as 20%, which can amount to annual savings of $200 or more. Having a more efficient system also helps extend the life of your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump.

Ducts are often hidden inside walls, ceilings, attics and crawl spaces, which can make this a difficult DIY project for the average home-owner. Depending on the size of your home and the accessibility to your ductwork, a professional heating and cooling contractor could charge from $1,000 to $4,000, plus the cost of materials, to do the work. However, insulating your ductwork may qualify you to receive a rebate from your state or local municipality, so be sure to check the Data-base of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (http://www.dsireusa.org/).

If a homeowner decides to take the do-it-yourself approach, it’s important that they

use a duct sealant called “mastic” or metal-backed tape to seal the seams, holes and connections. Because of its name, duct tape sounds like it would be a good solution, but it is not. Be sure to seal connections at vents and floor registers, as these are the most likely places leaks will occur. After seal-ing ducts, wrap them in fiberglass insulation. Most hardware stores will have insulation wrap products made for ducts.

Purify Indoor AirPoor indoor air quality is among the top environmental health hazards, especially during winter months when windows and doors are sealed up tight. Indoor air is full of potential contaminants such as dust, mold spores, pollen and viruses. To help eliminate harmful lung irritants, maintain your HVAC system and change your furnace filters regularly. Use the highest quality filters you

can afford and change them every month during peak heating and cooling seasons.

Use localized ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms to remove cooking fumes,

smoke and excess humidity. Make sure ventilation systems exhaust the air outside your home, rather than into your attic crawl space or between ceiling joists. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove, be sure to burn real firewood instead of pressed wood products that may contain formaldehyde. And consider using a portable air cleaner to help cleanse air in single rooms. Types of portable air cleaners include mechanical air filters, electrostatic precipitators, ion generators and ultraviolet lamps. Just know that each type of air purifier is designed to remove specific pollutants and that no single portable purifier will remove all pollutants. Be wary of air cleaners that generate ozone, a known lung irritant.

Control TemperatureYou can cut your home heating and cool-ing costs each year simply by installing a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats are designed to adjust the temperature according to a series of settings that correspond to the time of day. This allows the temperature to change so that less energy is used when no one is at home, and the thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature to the preferred setting for when you are home. Because these adjust-ments are made automatically throughout the day, homeowners can use energy as efficiently as possible.

In addition, weather-stripping doors and windows, filling holes in walls and using seasonally appropriate drapery are ways to help control your home’s temperature and cut energy costs. In the winter, heavy drap-eries help keep heat in and cold out; in the summer, lightweight sheers aid in cooling ventilation.

Making simple changes such as these can improve your health, well-being, state of mind and finances as 2016 begins. And, unlike your determination to give up sugar once and for all, many of these resolutions are easily accomplished by a single task. Take one improvement at a time and you’ll be living in your best home in 2016. H

Making New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home By Jay Gregg 2016

http://www.ahomewarranty.com

http://www.fortreports.com

http://www.rtca.com


> Marketing Your Home Inspection Business: Challenges and Opportunities

Marketing most businesses is reasonably straight forward. You introduce your product or service to

prospective clients and you explain the value of your offering, including the benefits and features.

Marketing can take several different forms such as a retail store-front, a website, social media, email, paid advertising, brochures, published articles, press releases, trade shows and conferences, presentations and referrals. The goal is to connect with your target audience so that they can make an informed decision about your services.

A Few Words on Sales and Pricing To my way of thinking, marketing and sales are educational processes that help clients understand how your service will help them. It is not about convincing someone to buy something they don’t need or want. It’s about providing the best value rather than the lowest price. As my father used to say, “You get what you pay for.” We could provide $99 home inspections and increase our market share. We could not, however, provide good value for our clients and sustain our business.

The goal is to get the message about the benefits of your service to those who need it. Let’s look at how you might do that.

A Unique Challenge for Home InspectorsMarketing a home inspection business is challenging for a number of reasons. The majority of home inspectors are sole proprietors. I think of them as operating a consulting practice.

Having a website and a presence on Facebook are typical market-ing strategies, along with having brochures and business cards, but there is often not much money available for a marketing budget. In fact, most home inspectors have no marketing plan at all.

This may seem strange at first, but it’s quite understandable. Many consulting and professional practices don’t do a lot of advertising. This includes many dentists, accountants, lawyers and others. With home inspection and other consulting businesses, it’s difficult to zero in on your target market. It’s not easy to identify people who are about to buy a home. An advertising or marketing campaign would have to reach out to the entire population, which can be a daunting and expensive proposition for most home inspectors.

The marketing issue is further complicated by the fact that the total revenue from a home inspection is typically only a few hundred dollars. There is usually no recurring revenue, since most people don’t buy homes on a regular basis. Home inspection is an event business rather than a revenue stream business. This contrasts with dentists, accountants and others with private or consulting practices, who tend to work with clients over a long term.

Client ReferralsMany consulting and professional practices grow on the strength of referrals from satisfied clients. This is true of home inspectors as well. A referral from a satisfied client is a powerful and effective marketing tool. The challenge is that most new home inspectors don’t have a large enough pool of satisfied clients providing occasional referrals to drive their business. And again, each referral provides only a single sale with no recurring revenue.

A secondary issue is that most people will forget who did their home inspection within months of the inspection itself. Client referrals are not always a long-term revenue driver. That’s why some home inspectors send monthly newsletters to past clients, for example, to keep their name fresh in clients’ minds.

The IntermediaryMany inspectors have recognized that the real estate salesperson is a conduit to people who are about to buy a home. Real estate agents are easy to identify and are typically working with people looking to buy or sell a home. The real estate community is a much easier audience to target because they are a much smaller group than the entire population and they are highly visible.

On the surface, it sounds like a good fit. Clients need a home inspection when they are buying (or selling) a home. Real estate

agents help people buy and sell homes. Real estate agents and inspectors should work together. However, it’s a little more complex than that.

The goals of the various parties don’t always align. Homebuyers want to know as much as they can about the property, including its physical condition. Home inspectors help clients understand the condition of the home. So far, so good. However, the business goal of a real estate salesperson is a home sale. Without a trans-action, they have no revenue. Home inspectors get paid for every inspection they do. Real estate agents only get paid when there is a home sale.

The Home Inspector’s DilemmaThere is an inherent potential conflict in the relationship here. The home inspector wants to tell the buyer about the condition of the home. The agent wants their client to buy the home. The challenge is obvious—clients may be discouraged from buying the home if it is not in the condition they expected.

Resolving the DilemmaDifferent inspectors approach the issue in different ways. Some choose not to work through real estate sales people and instead rely on other marketing approaches, including their website and personal referrals, for example. This strategy is easier for well- established inspectors than for new inspectors who do not have a significant client base.

Some inspectors attempt to provide reports that help ensure the home will sell. This shortsighted strategy leads to home inspectors with unhappy clients, resulting in a very short and unpleasant home inspection career.

Many inspectors work with real estate professionals who understand the dilemma and take a long-term view of their business. Most successful real estate salespeople understand the importance of sat-isfied clients over the long term. Referrals are a very important part of how they grow their business. These professionals want a good quality home inspection so that their clients make informed decisions that result in a positive homeownership experience. That reflects well on the real estate agent and helps them grow their business.

What do these real estate agents look for? They look for home inspectors who are competent and credible; those who are presentable, good communicators (both verbally and in writing); those who are fair and evenhanded; and those with the ability to provide information in layman’s terms and with an appropriate perspective. As in every relationship, when goals are aligned and every party gets what they need, the relationship flourishes.

AlignmentThe real estate sales community is like any other. There are many different business philosophies and personalities. The

same is true of the home inspection community, for example. The most successful business relationships are among those with similar philosophies.

Working With Real Estate AgentsSome home inspectors choose to focus exclusively on the client; others work with the real estate community. Our approach is to work with members of the real estate community whose goals align with ours—to provide homebuyers and sellers with important in-formation about the physical condition of the property, provided in a clear, balanced format that is neither alarmist nor sugarcoated. The benefits of this approach include long-term relationships, revenue growth, enhanced credibility, professional respect, reduced liability, and the simple but rich satisfaction that comes from focusing on doing the best job possible for clients.

In any business, the relationships that succeed are the ones in which everyone wins. When the home inspector and real estate agent work together to provide clients with the information needed to make great decisions about their home, it’s good for all the parties. Home inspectors do more work; real estate agents reduce their liability, have more satisfied clients and thus more referrals; and clients get the information they need to make informed decisions.

SummaryAmong the many marketing approaches that can be applied in the home inspection business, finding clients and working with them through an intermediary—a real estate salesper-son—is both a challenge and an opportunity. After 37 years, we are very comfortable with our approach and enjoy many successful long-term relationships with members of the real estate community. We hope this discussion is useful to you and helps you confirm your current approach or consider an alternative.

Thanks to Kevin O’Hornett and Roger Hankey for some very helpful input on this article. H

Marketing Your Home Inspection Business: Challenges and OpportunitiesBy Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, www.carsondunlop.com


Chapter News from Washington StateThe ASHI Western Washington chapter held its 2015 Fall Seminar September 11-12 in Shoreline, WA. With 104 attendees, it was one of the chapter’s largest seminars to date! Most attendees are licensed Washington State home inspectors, and home inspectors from Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho and Oregon also attended.

ASHI Certified Inspector John Bouldin, Ph.D., traveled from Blacksburg, VA, to be the chapter’s out-of-state expert. John offered excellent presentations on engineered wood products, trusses and decks.

The attendees also heard presentations on these topics from these speakers:• Siding—Paul Merrick, regional sales manager, LP Building Products• Risk management—Aaron Menlove, InspectorPro E&O carrier• Roof flashings—Hugh Kelso and Don McFeron, ASHI Certified Inspectors and

chapter members• Kitec plumbing—Brian Connolly, NW Mechanical• How good houses go bad—Larry Stamp, ASHI Certified Inspector and chapter member

The Western Washington chapter leaders thank all of the presenters for their participation and for the information they relayed to the attendees. They also thank all the attendees who decided to spend what would have been a great boating and hiking weekend at the seminar! Here’s to welcoming Seattle’s famous cooler, wetter weather that is on the way. H

ASHI Western Washington chapter Supports Habitat for HumanityOn September 9, ASHI Western Washington chapter members met at the La Frontera project in Renton, WA, to support Habitat for Humanity. Karl Neuffer, chapter Vice President, organized the day. He was joined by Howard Maxfield, Mike Miller, Mike Brisbin, Reid Guthrie and Thurston McMurray. Karl’s daughter Erin joined the group at the last minute. The group started out with a hearty breakfast, worked together on the project, and ended the day with a few minor aches and pains but also with a great sense of community. H

John Bouldin, Ph.D., featured speaker, starts his

presentation on engineered wood products .

Mid Missouri ASHI Chapter Community Work Day at Coyote Hill

The Mid Missouri Chapter had its commu-nity work day at Coyote Hill in Columbia, MO, September 11. The Chapter was vol-unteering time to build a jungle gym for the children who live at Coyote Hill. Coyote Hill provides homes for abused and neglected children. H

Morning Crew: (from left to right)

Joe Pangborn, Rob Smith, Keith

Proctor, Bobbi Wilson, Stuart

Spradling, Scott Wilson, John Corn

and Jay Creasy

Afternoon Crew: (from left to right)

Lance Rainwater (Coyote Hill), Keith

Proctor, Scott Wilson, Bobbi Wilson,

Stuart Spradling, Joe Pangborn,

Mario Trevino, Mike Rawlings and

Coyote Hill Director, Larry McDaniel

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H Denotes graduate of The ASHI School

New ASHI Associates As of October 1, 2015

H Meta WingardWingard Services, LLCFairhope, ALH Raymond WingardWingard Services, LLCFairhope, ALDonald HensonHomewood, ALGreg PearcyDecatur, ALBo DavisBirmingham, ALTim WardFive Points, ALChristopher AndertonA Home MaintainedMaylene, ALRichard PageA-Plus Home Inspection, LLCAndalusia, ALGregory WhiteGreg White Construction & Consulting Witter, ARMark VittoreTempe, AZC A (Skip) HicksVeterans Home Inspections, LLCAvondale, AZCameron JonesRichmond, CAH Steve CollinsWest Sacramento, CAEric MeyerMarell Inspection Services, Inc.Oakland, CADan PeltonHome Inspection ServiceLos Gatos, CADan MeagherOceanside, CAJames PrudenJustin, CAChris Lam HaSan Diego, CAMark MyersPoway, CAMartin MartinezSan Diego, CAPeter DuckworthEscondido, CAJohn RobinsonJ & B Home InspectionsTracy, CAErick DavidsonTLC Construction ServicesSoulsbyville, CAArmando SanchezSacramentoSacramento, CAScott MeyerMontara, CA

The Chapter Listing is Online Please visit: www.homeinspector.org/Chapters/Listing

Derek ToddArroyo Grande, CAYuan ZengSan Ramon, CANoel RamosNPR InspectionsValleso, CARuben RamirezHomeGuardSan Jose, CAMike SullivanHomeGuard Inc.San Jose, CAEd’Ward RhoneLancaster, CADavid BighamPro View Property InspectionSalinas, CA Les FaunceA&J Property Inspections Greeley, COH Christopher LothropAurora, COBryan HollisHappy Tree Home, LLCLongmont, COH Sean McGuireBaseline Inspection, LLCBoulder, COH Corey JensenColorado Springs, COWilliam WitwerA Peak Inspection, LLCParker, COGary WillefordPayton, COGeorge TurnerTiger Group Inc.Madison, CTH Cyril TeagueKissimmee, FLH Benjamin MatanleNew Port Richey, FLH Dion PowersClearwater, FLJustin HenryTampa, FLBrad GieselerOrlando, FLJason BiggsWesley Chapel, FLWilliam RudolphCocoa Beach, FLJimmie NelsonTampa, FLJames DuckworthEllenton, FLWellington OrozcoFreedom Home InspectionFort Meyers, FLTimothy ButtsOrlando, FL

Jason Stewart Palm Beach Gardens, FLBrian Powers Osteen, FLStratton ZervosParrish, FLScott MarkMark Home InspectionDeland, FLDonald Houldsworth H & H Home InspectionsOcala, FLRandy TorraoPalm Bay, FLGonzalo LopezSt. Petersburg, FLGarey TyghterSt. Cloud, FLTommy WilliamsTommy Williams Property RentalsApopka, FLBradrick WalkerJacksonville, FLNick ConwayJacksonville, FLMark HutchinsonHutchinson Contracting, Inc.Lithia, FLRoy DolleyKPLOrlando, FLTom TarbunasLakeland, FLDavid YackoffHome Inspection MastersFleming Island, FLDan RobertsonDan Robertson Home InspectionsStockbridge, GAAnderson ChildersAmeriSpec Inspection Services Atlanta Woodstock, GAH Samantha KorotkinAtlanta, GAAaron Glascock912 Inspections, LLCSavannah, GAHenry BeersNational Home inspectionsMacon, GABrad GranthamWest Point, GAJeff BrazenasInspect-All ServicesConyers, GAJames DavisJ Arthur InspectionsAvondale Estates, GATyler ArnoldAmeriSpec Inspection ServicesHiram, GA

Rex MulaneyHiram, GAJason Henning360 Complete Property Inspections, LLCEstherville, IAAllen WittTrusted Inspect, LLCCedar Rapids, IAMatthew KrezelStreamlined Inspections Inc.Palos Park, ILNicholas BroylesSpringfield, ILJoe Spalding Decatur, ILMatthew FrawleyCollinsville, ILChristopher RouecheCTR Home Inspections, LLCPeoria, ILMark GalvinPekin, ILSteven MorganHigh-End Home Spec.Mt. Zion, ILDavid StewardsonTaylor Ridge, ILErle PillaDes Plaines, ILIan GlonteaMontgomery, ILJoe DunfordNew Lenox, ILAnthony KnuthHuntley, ILKen HerrimanBuffalo Grove, ILLuis MuñozAurora, ILShane NewtonNewton Inspections, Inc.Wayne, ILJohn MeltorSycamore, ILJoseph HarfordGrayslake, ILTimothy SeckmanQuincy, ILMary StolzNaperville, ILAlex CenedellaRedwood City, ILDaniel EscarezWaukegan, ILJeremy DiehlSiteshield Home Inspection, LLCWolcoddville, INJames JaraczHobart, IN

Nick WrightWright Choice Home InspectionNew Albany, INWilliam HairstonIndianapolis, INJoe ThurstonTerre Haute, INTroy ClementsGaston, INNick FonsecaIndianapolis, INCary WeaverFarnklin, INKris HartwigGold Key Home Inspections Ft. Wayne, INJared RehmlLinten, INRussell WallsWorthington, INJames CravensDanville, INChristian MillerNashville, INBrad BurkhartHuntertown, INTodd AustinFremont, INRichard TruscottKnightstown, INJovan HowardJunction City, KSNicholas GardnerPrairie Village, KSJohn CarpenterOwl Environmental, LLC Peabody, MAReynaldo MendezLeesburg, MAH Steven PedersenEngineered Property InspectionsBaltimore, MDRonald Humphreys Kingsville, MDStephen Forrester-ClarkHomes By CynthiaLusby, MDMatthew KnightAlmost Home Inspections, LLCParkville, MDH Andrew, DoakCheck Home Inspections, Inc. Grand Haven, MIH Levi RostGrand Rapids, MIDavyd SawyerBitely, MIMark TestaseccaMirowski InspectionsSpringfield, MO

Tim PryorMirowski InspectionsSpringfield, MOH Georgetta RoblesFrazier Home Inspections Lees Summit, MOJohn WatkinsWatkins Home Inspection, LLCJefferson City, MOMark SpaenyMirowski InspectionsSpringfield, MOThomas DuganBuyers Protection Group St. Charles, MOJason GarrisonSurefire Home Inspections, LLC Independence, MOKevin LahaySt. Louis, MOBarry FondawBarry Fondaw Home Inspections, Pillar to PostPevely, MOAnthony VecchioPillar to PostSt. Louis, MOShaun VasalloSt. Charles, MOLee WaltersDelta Home Inspections, LLCWarrenton, MOH Scott FabacherGulfport, MSVincent NunezIII, LLCPass Christian, MSGary HaggardComplete Inspections, LLC Pearl, MSGary RinaldiMooresville, NCAndy WellsHendersonville, NCChris CarlayHickory, NCMichael RobelottoMint Hill, NCPaul DeFalcoInfinite Home InspectionsClayton, NCMichael MerrittCharlotte, NCJonathan BennettRaleigh, NCDaniel PowellIndian trail, NCH Shane BowmanFargo, NDDennis LindahlLindahl Management Stanley, ND

INSPECTOR

To submit your materials for moving up, please contact Janet George at 847-954-3180 or [email protected]

New ASHI Inspectors As of October 1, 2015

Steve MehringPrecision Home Inspections, LLCAnchorage, AKMartin GarciaValley Building Inspections, Inc.Peoria, AZTadd TrumbullInfrared Real Estate Inspections, LLCClearwater FLScott Randolph360 Home InspectionsDade City, FLAndrew NightingaleSaco, MENathan ShoretteCandid Home Inspection ServiceArnold, MORichard Haas WIN Home Inspection South County Arnold, MODan McCormickEagle View Property InspectionsFort Harrison, MT

Hunt StevenEagle River, AKParsons LeeBuyers Protection Group / Inspection ProsAlameda, CAIvers Christopher Universal Inspections, LLCOlathe, KSStanisic NicholasCoastal Home InspectionsSilver Spring, MDGoodman MarkBrewer Inspection ServicesArnold, MOScott Tyler7 Oaks Home InspectionWarrenton, MO

New ASHI Certified Home InspectorsAs of October 1, 2015

Derek BlantonOmaha, NEAlexander PalikMcCool Junction, NEMichael McGonigleHomestead Inspection Services, Inc.Mickleton, NJDaniel BogotaDaniel Home Inspections, Inc. Toms River, NJDavid ErnstEast Windsor, NJMichael HernandezAdmiral AgencyRoswell, NMLarry ToddSparks, NVNicholas MancusoAlways Guarding YOUHome InspectionOceanside, NYMichael NitkaBrooklyn, NYWayne WallaceInspection Plus Ltd.Loveland, OHPatrick NaughtonInspection Plus Ltd. Cincinnati, OHJack WilliamsOn Target Property ImprovementsCincinnati, OHH Richard DruffelCincinnati, OHH Dylan DruffelTerrace Park, OHRonald ReevesProgressive Inspections, LLCNew Albany, OHThomas JacobsPremium Home InspectionNorth Royalton, OHDavid HardyPillar to Post Home InspectorsCanfield, OHAlexander FlemingWIN Home Inspection RoyaltonColumbia Station, OHAndrew MendozaNorton, OHTed GebaczCrafthouse Properties, LLCAustintown, OHJohn FullerBrook Park, OHAnthony EspositoA & E InspectionsWarren, OHMichael HelminkBrunswick, OHCasey SpancerMedina, OH

H Sarah DudekPittsburg, PAJoshua LindnerAllegiance Home Inspection Springdale, PATimothy DelonEagle Eye Home Inspection Services, LLCCranberry Twp., PANathan BradenLatrobe, PAKyle NewmanThe Greg Newman Team of Pillar to PostNazareth, PAJoseph PavlickHome Diagnostic ServicesFreedom, PABryan GriestSafe House Home Inspections, LLCButler, PAFlynn MayerNorristown, PASalvatore VellaNorth East, PAChristopher WilliamsYemassee, SCMargaret MonprodeBuyer’s Inspection GroupGreenville, SCJohn ButlerButler Construction Services, LLCMoncks Corner, SCKelly OldenkampHighlands, TXH Corey OlsonInspect-It 1st Property InspectionCenterville, UTH Greg ScottPark City, UTAaron BellPillar to Post Cedar City, UTH Brannon HittAlexandria, VAAtseez NushinWoodbridge, VADawn BaerLinden, VAH Charles BradleyPurcellville, VAShannon LewisABI Home InspectionsLively, VADaniel FreemanEnvirotex Environmental ServicesHaymarket, VACarl CraigHome Team Inspections Services Northern VirginiaAlexandria, VA

Eric GoodsellBedford, VARobert MacAdamSpanaway, WAH Kelly MauckAll Phase Home Inspection Services, LLCCamano Island, WAEarl KuespertELK Point Property InspectionsSeattle, WANick AbplanalpMadison, WIClarke HurlburtPrimrose Real Estate Mercer Island, WIBrain BreaultSt. Croix Falls, WIErin DavidsonGreen Tree InspectionsWatertown, WIGreg NeumanAntigo, WIGregg SpaeteStevens Point, WIAlan RingmeierRingmeier Home InspectionNeshkoro, WILeonard WilkoszMadison, WIDennis Wildes Sun Prairie, WIJeremy LeitzkeWaupaca, WIMatthew MichelSuamico, WIKenneth PizzurroJanesville, WIMark DeVriesHoricon, WITroy DulakRosholt, WIMichael ParrottPortage, WIJan HarbourHuntington, WV Georges MassereyOttawa, ON CANElie Leduc KhouryCandiac, PQ CANMassoud Matt MojbafanPointe-Claire, PQ CANNancy FappSainte-Sophie, PQ CANSerje ClementWestmount, PQ CANStéphane BlanchardLaval, PQ CANYoun BoulaisMontreal, PQ CANJocelyn LusignantSt. Valerein Cle Milton, PQ CAN

Jon BosseyProSpect Property InspectionsTilton, NHMichael CotterCTR Home InspectionsBlauvelt, NYTedd SchrothHome Check, LLCRocky River, OHDoug GiallucaSmart Move Home Inspections, LLCCanton, OHJarrod LapeFamily 1stMonongahela, PAG. Steven EhlyMason Dixon Home Inspections Services, Inc.Boiling Springs, PAMichael MartinAdvanced Inspection ServiceDallas, TXTom IovanneWatermeade Valley Home InspectionOlympia, WA

SEE PAGE 22 FOR CHAPTER EDUCATION.


CURRENT ASHI

MEMBERSHIP

ASHI Certified Inspectors: 3,443

Inspectors/Logo: 114

Associates: 2,507

Retired Members: 103

Affiliates: 75

Total: 6,220 Members as of 11/7/2015

ASHI-ENDORSED PROGRAMSASHI’s E&O Insurance Program: Target Professional Programs www.targetproins.com 860-899-1862

ASHI Personal Lines Insurance Program: Liberty Mutualwww.libertymutual.com/ashi

ASHI Service Program BuildFaxTricia Julian, 877-600-BFAX [email protected]://go.buildfax.com/ASHI

ASHI Customer Appreciation Program: Moverthankyou.comBrent Skidmore, [email protected]

HomeAdvisor.comBrett Symes, 913-529-2683www.homeadvisor.com [email protected]

LegalShieldJoan Buckner, 505-821-3971buckner.legalshieldassociate.combuckner@legalshieldassociate.com

InspectionContracts.comDave Goldstein, 800-882-6242www.inspectioncontracts.comdavid@inspectoreducation.com

OneSource Solutions877-274-8632www.osconnects.com/ashi/

Porch.comEliab Sisay, [email protected]

ASHI Rebate ProgramQuill.comDana Fishman, 800-634-0320 x1417www.quill.com/[email protected]

ASHI-ENDORSED EXAMSASHI Standard and Ethics Education ModuleGo 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 [email protected]

The ASHI SchoolKendra Eiermann, 888-884-0440 [email protected] www.TheASHISchool.com

PLATINUM PROVIDER Millionaire Inspector CommunityMike [email protected] that you are an ASHI member

ASHI Event Calendar � December 10, 2015

AEI Board Meeting ASHI Headquarters Des Plaines, IL

� January 24-27, 2016 InspectionWorld® and ASHI Board Meetings San Diego, CA

ASHI MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT PROGRAMS

Twenty-Five Years Craig Hallett

Twenty Years David LarsonThomas WilliamsMichael DeeterWilliam HatchettSidney Chaisson, Jr.Douglas HordJohn YoderPaul BrunettiTimothy TuckerRussell HarrellJohn DawsonMarc WigginsPaul Perry Marur Dev Steven O’Donnell

Fifteen Years Dean KalmukosTodd WiessnerGerry RushtonHarold BurnsMark WaltersWilliam WingF. Michael McNamaraJohn GrahamS. Scott BrownWilliam SchwahnGreg NoyesBarry HoskinsJerry BurnsRobert WilliamsRick SimonKendall BrannJohn Badger

Ten Years Dan BackDrew ArcomanoPhilip LeBlancLee CunninghamSteven DuketteDavid MoersenDavid RossinowDavid HaughtDean CushingKen Van DykeMichael FoschaarClyde HughesOzzie Azziem ShahJohn PetruccelliMatthew GladstoneMichael MotylinskiBrian ConnellyRyan Heyl George Scott

Five Years John SteitzTony DominguesTedd SchrothPaul WehrliC. Maggie BowersRandy ZabaR. Sean TroxellDouglas MickleHarris Gross

December Anniversaries

Leadership Training Conference – October 22-23, 2015By Mike Conley, Chapter Relations Committee Chair

That was one fantastic two days! I know you hear that a lot, and quite honestly, it is overused. But this time it applies! Why? Because we had one of the greatest lineups of

speakers and activities of any in the past. ASHI’s Leadership Training Conference (LTC) was packed with top-draw speakers from all over the United States and Canada.

They covered meat-and-potatoes subjects including:• Understanding and applying social media• How to build team cooperation in your chapter• What’s the Dark Net all about?• What’s going on with ASHI, from the President• Mentoring and coaching skills for newbies (who will be the future of this profession, if

this profession is to survive)• Understanding your thoughts and emotions, which can make you a better, more successful

inspector and human being• What the Council of Representatives (CoR) is all about• Organizing killer educational programs• Asking about and discussing legal situations and issues with an attorney who specializes

in defending and guiding home inspectors

Did I mention the camaraderie, the food, the great weather in Chicago, the vendors and the fact that ASHI was giving away great stuff? Where else but at the LTC can you get this kind of information, which you can use to encourage and enrich your chapter and yourself? H

IW Drawing Winners

Top: Joe Pangborn, ACI,

Columbia, MO

Mid-Missouri Chapter

Left: John Wessling, ACI,

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis Chapter

� April 21-23, 2016 AEI, Finance Committee, ASHI Foundation and ASHI Board Meeting

� July 21-23, 2016 AEI, Finance Committee, ASHI Foundation and ASHI Board Meeting

� October 22 , 2016 ASHI Foundation and ASHI Board Meeting


A roof is probably one of the most dangerous sites to inspect. Although The ASHI School teaches students how

to inspect roofs, we also want everyone to be aware of the safety concerns associated with inspecting a roof. Working in these high places on potentially slippery surfaces, home inspectors often are subjected to windy conditions and the forces of nature.

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provides information and guidelines for the roofing industry. NRCA has a technical database to help workers find out anything they need to know about the roofing industry. NRCA’s mission is to help homeowners and building owners (and building inspectors, for that matter) make informed decisions about maintaining or inspecting their roofing system. For more details, visit http://www.nrca.net/roofing/Free-safety-training-344.

Here are a few suggestions and tips to remember when you are inspecting a roof:

Types of RoofsThere are two basic kinds of roofs: flat and pitched (sloped). Most home inspectors should be trained to work with either kind of roof. Flat roofs usually are found in larger projects such as office buildings, and pitched roofs are more likely to be found on smaller buildings and personal residences.

Fall ProtectionEach day that a home inspector goes to work on a roof, he or she should ask these questions before taking the first step:

• Will I prevent falls?• Will I protect myself from the effects of a fall?• Will I do nothing at all?

Inspectors should follow exacting safety standards when working on a roof. Fall protection, such as the use of roof brackets on especially steep roofs, is recommended. Roof brackets are readily available at hardware stores.

The ultimate protective device for preventing falls is a safety harness. Many times workers are poorly trained or simply inexperienced on a roof. Using a proper safety harness (especially when inspecting a steep or slippery-surfaced roof) may mean the difference between a successful inspection and a disaster.

Electrical SafetyElectricity can leap or “arc” from a wire to a ladder several feet away. Make sure to use a non-conductive ladder made of wood or fiberglass when working near wires. Never touch electrical wires with your hands or with tools. Remember that metal materials such as flashing and drip edges should never touch electrical wires.Important note: If it’s necessary to inspect areas near electrical wires, call the power company first. The power company’s technician should inspect and insulate the wires, if necessary.

Asbestos ExposureUntil the past couple of decades, many roofing and siding products were made with asbestos. Inspectors can be exposed to harmful as-bestos dust when working with these asbestos-containing materials. Handling or disturbing severely worn or damaged asbestos tiles, shingles or other products can allow the release of asbestos particles into the air and into your breathing zone.

Most roofing and siding products today are made without asbestos, but older products that are found on many homes still may contain asbestos.

Remember, just having asbestos siding and roofing on a home does not pose a hazard to your health. Asbestos-containing roofing and siding that are in good condition are best left alone. However, damaged roofing and siding should be handled carefully. H

Upcoming Classes at The ASHI School

January 4-15, 2016• Des Plaines, IL• Leesburg, VA

January 11-16, 2016• Nashville, TN

February 1-12, 2016• Cypress, CA

February 8-19, 2016• Columbus, OH

February 15-26, 2016• Cumming, GA• Tampa, FL

February 22-March 4, 2016• Bellevue, WA

March 7-18, 2016• Cincinnati, OH

March 21-April 1, 2016• St. Louis, MO

March 28-April 8, 2016• Lakewood, CO

Safety Concerns Up on the RoofBy The ASHI School Staff

http://www.inspectorinsurance.com


NEW POSTCARDS EMAIL!! Please send your name, city, state, photos, headings & captions to: [email protected]

I Don’t Need No Stinking’ Female Plug! Drove My Chevy to the Levy

I’ve been thinking of taking up diving and I have an old water heater…hmmmm

Chris McDougallApex Home InspectionAroma, CA

Why not flash all the leaking skylights with shingles?

Frank GlombTerra Home Inspections LLCNorth Plainfield, NJ

The power is out and, for some reason, my emergency release won’t open my garage door.

John Gamache, CCI, ACI Capstone Home Inspection Service Escondido, CA

Creative SupportShingle Flashing

Curious Antiquity

Chevy hubcap used to replace a furnace flue cap.

Eric KorponSuper Snooper Home InspectionsRehoboth Beach, DE

“Does this ductwork make my butt look big?”

Tom Sherman Absolute Home Inspection, Inc.Baldwinsville, NY

GOT GREAT POSTCARDS?

We are running out!

Please send your 1. name, 2. company,

3. city, 4. state, 5. photos, 6. headings & 7. captions

to [email protected]

Santa Night Light Last Supper

Mike Stephans3-D Home Inspection, Inc.St. Charles, Illinois

You never know where you might be spending Christmas this year!

Morgan CohenMKC AssociatesArlington, MA

Two were invited for dinner, none came out.

The other one is at the bottom of the panel.

Ron PassaroRes-I-Tec, Inc.Danbury, CT

Can we say Red Neck?Who Needs a Drone When You Have Rocky to Inspect the Chimney?

Lawrence TransueBuyer ProtectionGroupEaston, PA

Mike LaubySunland Home InspectionMyersville, MD

A Few More Nails Should Fix It

...meet me at the vanity doors.

Doug AdamsDouglas InspectionsMarlton, NJ

Calling All Drains Pipes...


By ASHI President, Alden Gibson

ASHI 40 Years of Trust

ASHI will mark its 40th year as a society in 2016. With 6,000 members, ASHI is respected and trusted by clients, lawyers, bank-ers, insurance companies and the general public. The ASHI designa-tion is a reminder of that respect and should be used to provide your business with that same respect and credibility.

I learned to use the ASHI designation as a part of my home inspection uniform 23 years ago when I completed my Inspec-tion Training Associates (ITA) course in Toronto with instructor Alan Carson. The ASHI logo is the finishing touch of my uniform.

Home inspection is a professional busi-ness; therefore, professional attire is ap-propriate as my uniform. Any time that I travel for business, I always dress profes-sionally, including having the ASHI logo visible. Wearing the logo has often led me to have conversations with others about ASHI, and I can convey the positive image of ASHI and represent the organization well. You, too, can convey ASHI’s attributes and your company’s attributes by using the ASHI logo.

During my ITA training session, it was suggested that my uniform should be a professional one, consisting of dress pants, dress shirt and a tie. This professional uni-form differentiates me from the standard,

blue jeans–wearing contractor. There are numerous excuses for not wearing professional attire, such as it’s too hot, it’s unsafe, it might be a safety hazard and so on. Simply wearing coveralls over my “uni-form” when the home inspection takes me to areas of the property where I might need to protect my clothing can erase many of these excuses. My uniform often provokes a positive response from the homeowners, when the “blue jeans and casual shirt ap-proach” may not produce the same result. The professional uniform is part of the first impression. The first impression occurs within the first 30 to 45 seconds, and that first impression is important. Often, the first impression is what determines whether or not the client will give a posi-tive referral. Ultimately, the dress pants, shirt and tie are tools to improve your business—tools that are just as important as your knowledge, your ladder and the other items you use during the inspection process.

The ASHI logo represents credibility, and with 40 years of experience built into that logo, you should use it! Gold Enterprise Marketing (GEMarketing) can put the ASHI logo and your own business logo on any items to help promote your business. Contact GEMarketing through their web-site at www.gemmarketing.net. H

WE ARE COLLECTING PHOTOS FROM ASHI'S 40-YEAR HISTORY FOR A PHOTO AND MUSIC PRESENTATION AT INSPECTIONWORLD®.

TO HAVE YOUR PHOTO CONSIDERED, EMAIL IT TO [email protected].

http://www.sunradon.com

40 ASHI Reporter • December 2015 PBDecember 2015 • www.ASHIReporter.org

http://www.homegauge.com

december 2015 reporter

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