You know what you know, or do you? Wenatchee and Leavenworth Home Inspection

Let’s start this blog with a quote from Mr. Samuel Clemons- “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”

Well this may very true, and I may be guilty as charged. Funny how memory works, and as I progress in my years it seems that I trust what I think is so is less and less assured.

As a home inspector there are things I do know and luckily for me I have sources to check to ensure that it is so.

Case in point in a recent home inspection the home I was evaluating was maintained at a much higher level than most. The home owner hired a contractor/handyman to do maintenance and repairs on the home.  

With any older home you are grandfathered in with regards to many new building code requirements. But soon as you do a remodel that all changes… you now may be required to bring up the home in the areas remodeled to current standards. The only way this can be relieved from this responsibility is from the local municipal building inspector or authority having jurisdiction.  (Washington Building Code resource)

The owner had to have the deck guardrails replaced. This deck is at the second level of the home. This is where the knowing comes in. When any project is performed you should call to see if you need a building permit. This would set the standards that need to be met with the work to be performed.

The contractor/handyman replaced the deck guardrail. But it did not meet the requirements for a guardrail. Decks attached to single family detached homes are regulated under the rules of the International Residential Code (IRC).

From the 2009 IRC-

Code reference R312.2- Height. Required guards at open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, porches, balconies or landings, shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm) high measured vertically above the adjacent walking surface, adjacent fixed seating or the line connecting the leading edges of the treads.

Code Reference R312.3- Opening limitations. Required guards shall not have openings from the walking surface to the required guard height which allow passage of a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter.

So the home owner was trying to maintain the home but due to someone “Not Knowing” this work was performed substandard and should be redone.

Knowing in the long run most likely will save you money. Hiring a professional more times than not will be the most cost efficient choice. If a contractor balks at wanting to pull a permit it is time to get a new contractor.

I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.

Abraham Lincoln

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…       

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

509-670-9572 or on the web at www.ncwhomeinspections.com