Yesterday, I got a call from a real estate agent on one of our inspections. They were all in a tizzy, the customer was all upset because they had just moved in and the water heater needed to be replaced. The plumber that was representing the home warranty company said that this was a pre-existing condition and that it was not covered and they would have to pay $850.00 for a new water heater. He voluntarily went on to say that the home inspector should have told them that the water heater was shot, the flue venting was not to codes, and that the water heater was not installed to codes…
To make a short story long, the agent and the homebuyer wanted us to replace the water heater. Hold the phone here folks, we AIN”T codes inspectors! Never have been and never will be!
To ease the situation, I told the agent that I would look at the inspector’s report and get back with them. The inspector noted that the water heater was functioning, water temperature 117 degrees, there were gaps in the flue venting and it was not properly installed, that there were rust stains on the exterior cabinet, water on the floor, a drip coming from the connection above, that the installation appeared questionable, the TPR valve extension used improper materials (PVC), the unit was at the end of its serviceable life, and to have a professional further review the water heater and installation before closing at escrow. The customer didn’t do this.
I spent about 2 hours explaining to the customer and the real estate agent at the customer’s house, that as home inspectors, we are not codes inspectors. We do not know what the codes for every municipality are and whether an item even complies with codes. It’s not our job. Our purpose is to raise “red flags” and report accordingly in an unbiased professional manner.
Far too many times, tradesmen seem people go out of their way to make mountains out of molehills just to make themselves look like geniuses and other professions look like bumbling dolts. Furthermore, they bring up the ‘codes’ word. “This is not installed to codes”, and always seem to say, “The home inspector should have known this, or I’m surprised that they did not tell you this.”
In my humble opinion, a statement like this goes far beyond professional ethics and goes beyond what home inspectors are supposed to do, and this is be a generalist. We are not trained to be a specialist in any field. What tradesman doesn’t realize, or care to realize, is that our profession doesn’t do codes and we have to stay within the governed confines as mandated by our State’s Standards of Practice or if we belong to a professional organization such as ASHI or NAHI, their Standards.
Once tradesmen start sowing seeds doubt in the homeowner’s mind, then the whole inspection/sales process begins to be scrutinized. Did the agent work in my behalf, the agent referred this idiot, where is the agent’s liability, did the inspector really catch all that they were supposed to do, and the list goes on. Irresponsible statements by other professions reflect poorly on the agent, the inspector and the whole sales transaction and process.
So Mr. tradesman, before you open your yap and start degrading another person’s profession or work, take a moment to see what their standards are, and don’t be so quick to condemn or pass judgment. So lets agree that you won’t do home inspections… and I will not do the trades…
Tags: Miscellaneous // Add Comment »
