Be Safe ~ Not Sorry...
When potential buyers look at a property, they are looking at the aesthetics not the functionality or safety features. When the untrained eye looks at the photo below, one sees a sees a cool looking stairwell, loft and a nice clean open space.
However, the trained eye of the home inspector sees something different.
1. Even though this is an older property, the balusters (spindles) on the guardrail and handrail exceed the current 4” spacing required for child safety.
2. The placement of the smoke alarms on both levels of the property are incorrect. Typically, they should be place within 12" of the ceiling.
Properly placed smoke alarms are vital for the safety of you and your family. In most states, properties that have been rehabbed need to be brought up to current standards of safety. These are some of the issues found with this property:
1. The alarms were not wired together – when one-alarm signals, all should signal.
2. The alarms were not installed in the bedrooms. Current safety standards require all smoke alarms to be placed in each bedroom and hallway of in each level of the property.
3. There was no function smoke alarm in the basement or the garage.
Did you know...
· Smoke alarms monitor the air 24 hours a day, every day. After 10 years, it's been on the job for over 87,000 hours. At this point in its life, it stands a 50/50 chance of failure. Do you want to trust your life to an aged device?. If you don’t know how old your alarm is, or if it is more than 10 years old, replace it.
· The battery back up in all alarms needs to be replaced annually.
· Smoke alarms need to be tested monthly.
· Vacuum the outside covers periodically to remove dust, dirt particles and insects.
This posting and the contents herein is the intellectual property of Michael Thornton, CEO of The Complete Group. We provide the highest quality service in the areas of home inspections and videos/photography for the web, corporate, businesses and the real estate industry. Complete Home Inspections, Inc. and Creative Video Concepts serves the Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville and the area surrounding Davidson and Williamson County TN. This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Good morning Sir Michael~ I see you are off to a good start for the year. One needs to be reminded of these things so they don't lose sight of the big picture and that is keeping people safe.
Hello Michael,
Not too many under stand the inportance of smoke detectors.
I am always advising owners how to and where to install them.
Great advice for all to know.
Have a great day my friend in Nashville.
Best, Clint McKie
Michael,
Another great post packed full of great information!
Thanks
I getting ready to re-blog this one!
Excellent job Michael. . by the time that alarm functions,it maybe too late.
Its no coincidence that you are our fave inspector. .
Thanks for the reminder on the smoke detectors, very important as well as Carbon Monoxide detectors. Good catch on the baluster spacing, I think I can fit through that spacing.
Michael: These are all important reminders for every homeowner. Checking smoke detectors monthly and replacing the battery packs annually provides peace of mind. Suggested
I'd have to wonder who put those smoke detectors in, that's a pretty rookie mistake and could have some major consequences if not fixed.
Good morning, Michael....this is a great post for everyone to read....smoke detectors save lives.....
And that's why we rely on the pros like you Michael..............great information in this post.
Fantastic post with great information. Thank you for the education!
Michael, and an important reminder and 9 times out of 10 I go into homes that have removed the batteries from their smoke detectors which makes me crazy!
This just emphasizes the importance of getting a great home inspector. that trained eye and trained mind is invaluable.
Michael, Great information and things that I'd suspect most people don't realize they need to do.
Michael- Most of us (unfortunately) take our smoke alarms for granted. My good friends lost their house last spring to a fire and it was only after the fire did they realize there was no smoke detector outside their master bedroom. Great post.
The trained eye makes a huge difference! Thanks for enlightening me to what I don't see that is right in front of my face. Excellent post!
Good morning Michael; Thanks again for great life saving tips and advice.
We don't see them that low too often, but every now and then a flipper will do something like that. Good reminders, Michael.
Michael, this is why I tell all my buyers: "For your protection get a home inspection." Enjoy your day!
I have never sold a home without an expert's opinion~~the home inspector! Thanks for the post.
A good reminder that a home inpsection is priceless when it comes to protecting your family from potential disaster.
Good information - I like how you showed the difference between how a possible home owner looks at a house and an inspector looks at them. . . it was good to see the difference! Enlightenling. Thanks!
Important information - I wasn't aware of the 4" rule or the 12" rule. Thanks for the blog!
Vacumming them occasionally keeps them from going off in the middle of the night ---OY! (Lesson learned). It seems little buggies and spiders like to cozy up to warmth of the LED on them and when they do it can set them off after a period of time.
Hi Michael. Your right. I would not of known about the spacing between the guardrails. That would of went right over my head, however, that smoke alarm placement certainly would of caught my eyes. It just looks out of place placed on the wall like that. That's for the info.
Good morning Michael and thanks for the focus here. Well done and appreciated. Have a productive day.
Hi Michael, those smoke detectors should be an easy fix and so important. Probably more people die of smoke inhalation than of fire, most often in their sleep.
Michael, very good information. Smoke detectors aren't really that expensive and easily replaced. Thanks for the reminder.
Michawl,
I would much rather my clients be safe than sorry. Love this smart and practical advice about smoke detectors. I did have friends buy a home for sale by owner that had a horrible spindles were too far apart and TOO LOW. It seems really dangerous to me!
All the best, Michelle
And this, my friend, is the reason why I am adamant about my buyers having a professional home inspection performed. Great post. Well worthy of that little gold star.
Great feature post Michael.
Good facts and photo illustration.
Excellent example of why a home inspection is important.
Excellent post! One that may just save a life one day! Thanks Michael and happy Friday to you!
Morning Feature God you....I never vacuum my smoke detectors and our are not wired to all go off at the same time....but, I check them monthly!
This is one of those issues that truly is about safety and not aesthetics. I can't imagine how many lives have been saved by correctly functioning smoke detectors.
Michael - Great post on some important safety issues. I never thought about a life expectancy for smoke detectors, but it will be stuck in my brain for all my future clients.
Good eye Michael. Thanks for the safety tips there. I am going to go home and check mine today.
Hi Michael, good information and timely reminders on smoke alarms.
Just goes to show how important a Home Inspector is !
Thanks for this info it is very Helpful
Hannah
This blog should be read by everyone who questions the need for a home inspection. Just because a home is well maintained and "looks good" does not mean it passes potentially life saving safety checks. Thanks for the very informative and visually engaging post!
All great reasons why a home buyer needs a professional to go through and inspect the home.
Hi Michael, Great review of an imp[ortant topic. Good tip to vacuum the outside of the detectors ! Be safe !
Big Scorpio - thanks for this critical information. We bought our home 5 years ago and I have no idea of how long our smoke detectors have been up. I'm going to replace them this weekend! Fire has always been my biggest fear and buying new ones is a small price to pay to have piece of mind! Have a great weekend!
Michael, I saw this post on Rob's reblog...an excellent post and as I mentioned to Rob, I don't believe we changed the batteries in our smoke detectors .. will definitely change them! Thanks for the reminder. I am going to reblog.
Michael
Here in California, they just required CO detectors besides smoke detectors be installed in ever home. I have heard they generally need to be installed lower to the ground but you need to read the manufacturers recommendation. The question I have, where would you best install a combined smoke/CO detector? thanks and cheers cvc
Here is a talented experienced pro who when it is his turn at bat, can get on base and or home run
This is some terrific information Michael. Many folks don't know the requirments for smoke alarms and they are almost an after thought. Those puppies can really save a life and should be looked after.
Michael, as a trained Home Inspector, you look at a home very differently than a buyer or a realtor. That is why your eyes, expertise and knowledge is such an important component of the home buying experience.
Michael: Photos tell the truth.
* TRUE - every buyer should not purchase a home without having the home inspected by a trained professional.
Michael ... That is the most interesting inspection issue I've seen in a long time! Thanks for sharing it!
Hi Michael--this is a great post with so many useful tips, especially on smoke detection systems. I never realized one should think about replacing the individual units after 10 years. My house is 8 years old now . . . . so you have me thinking.
Wow, that's a whole lot of work. I don't know. It seems so simple just to stick them anywhere you can reach...
Actually I have never seen one in a garage, and the NFPA suggests the garage as a not-so-good location for a detector. But if they are required there in TN, they are required there!
Good morning Michael - I would have probably missed the spindles on the railing, and it is dangerous if you have small children, good catch.
Wow, I feel like a slacker! I haven't replaced my alarms since we moved here! Thanks for the useful information!
Funny that you mention every 10 years. I have them all replaced on the properties that I have managed every 5 years. It's not only a tax write off, but it's a liability issue. It's safer to have a documented device on file that has an age of a few years than a device that has nothing on file.
At the end of the day, someone is going to hit you with a lawsuit, so a small expense to prevent you from being liable is well worth it.
Michael
Excellent reminder for home owners and tenants to make sure they have smoke detectors in the proper locations for the safety of their families.
This is a good reminder. Never take safety for granted.
Jerry Gray CRB,CRS,GRI,SFR / Allen Tate Realtors / Winston Salem, NC / 336-918-2433
Great reminder of the importance of (properly working) smoke detectors.
GREAT info! Especially the info on smoke alarms life-span!
A good reminder on the importance of smoke detectors and that they do not last forever.
Great information! I would not have caught the spindles or the smoke detectors. I would have been like, "Oh good, there are smoke detectors!"
Good observation and explanation. That's what HI is all about. Thanks.
Thats why we always suggest a professional inspector with qualifications, references and licensed to make sure that our clients dont just look at the asthetics. We want our clients to be able to make a decision knowing all of the information. Are the problems big enough to buy anyway if its a chort sale? If it is a reafualr sale or REO we can still request the seller to repair or replace
www.MarleneDietrichNewportCoastRealtor.com
Marlene Dietrich, Tony & Mike
I too recommend inspections to all our buyer clients. While I appreciate informing the buyer of current code, I have run into inspectors that did not know the local code and gave information that was not correct. In one case I had the county inspector come out and verify the code. It was not a safety concern and turned out not to be a violation. (not a faulty or misplaced smoke detector). Some things are open to interpretation.
I share my experience with home buyers so they can learn from my story.
My smoke detectors in my home came with a 5-year warranty. The manufacturer will stand behind their product for five years... after that, you're on borrowed time.
So I replace my smoke detectors every 5 years. Yes, they are wired together... county building code requires them to be wired together.
Erick Blackwelder
Washington DC suburbs
Exit 1st Choice Realty
703-677-1120
Equal Housing Opportunity
Michael, you are correct, the untrained eye doesn't know to look for these things. Any buyer who feels hiring a reputable, qualified home inspector isn't worth the price may be setting themselves up for future heartache. As they say "knowledge is power".
Why wait for the entire year to pass before changing batteries? I've always gone with changing batteries everytime we set the clocks forward and backward. It's so much easier t remember it this way, and the local advertisers and fire departments also promote this method.
Great info. Thanks for passing it along.
Michael~People tend look over the small things that could actually save their life. Have a home inspection is money well spent-PERIOD!
Have an awesome weekend!
I like the part about vacuuming the detectors and the distance the smoke detectors need to be from the ceiling. Of course, test and change the batteries frequently. When selling bank owned properties it has become apparent through time that those hired to do some work may not properly be trained even though they are working under a contractors license. I have noticed things like inadequate spacing with rails inside and outside and uneven steps on the exterior decks. Thanks, Michael! Very helpful!
Thinking about the service hours of smoke detectors really puts it into perspective. I've had sellers begrudgingly replace batteries. Such a small investment for major peace of mind!
Michael, Good information. Thank you for posting.
When we built homes in the past, I made a home owners manual! I wish I had saved a copy! Everything you buy down to a curling iron has instructions. I had stuff like caulk around bath tubs 1 a years. Clean furnace filters, check water lines for leaks and many other things that your every day home owner doesn't think to do or a young couple that has never owned a home knows what to do. Good post!
The smoke alarm in my basement is a cosntant annoyance - I changed the batteries and now cannot get those little clips to cooperate so I can re-attach it to the ceiling. I thought I had it the other day, but no - it stayed there for a few minutes than fell down. There it hangs by it's wires - looking ugly.
When it's time to buy new ones, I'm going to check to see if I can find some that aren't so frustrating.
It's so important to have a trained eye like yours Michael, thank you for showing us why.
That's why we have great home inspectors to look at our properties before they sell - better safe than sorry!
Thanks for the excellent reminder.
Michael~first of all, I always love it when one of my friends receives a Gold Star for a job well done. So there's THAT. Also, we now, in Oregon have to make sure that there is a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of the home. Along with those nasty new certified woodstove addendums, in Oregon, there is even MORE that realtors need to make sellers aware of that they are responsible for when selling their properties (and woodstoves include having a certified one in a shop, too!)
Michael - maybe a subject for another blog but what is the proper placement of smoke alarms? Above the doorway on the wall or above /near the doorway on the ceiling?
Michael, Seems that I see baluster spacing issues too often. But the battery change out on those detectors will be sweet ; )
And that is why we hire home inspectors. Great post. As a Realtor I look at homes different too, but still not like a Home Inspector.
Some very useful information here, Michael. I change the batteries ours every six months on the change of hours, that way they;re always fresh and I don't forget.
Great Reminder. I also recommend to a can of "compressed air" that one would use on electronic devices to blow the dust out of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors, rather than vacuuming them. It is easier on the sensors and can move dust that the vacuum leaves behind. I suggest this semi annually when you change the batteries. A good time is when you change your clocks.
I haven't seen this ever in my travels, but I can say that I slept through a smoke alarm going off. Perhaps I need one outside my bedroom and one at the head board.
Michael: Im impressed you even mentioned "child proofing" ! Its totally neglected by so many and yet so important. Thank you for mentioning it.
Mike (illinois Properties)
GREAT EXAMPLE OF the important stuff, sometimes the little stuff is the most important in the big picture!!
All the inspections I have seen, I have never heard to replace the smoke alarms after 10 years. It makes sense, but, strange, I have never hear an inspector bring that up to the buyer.
It's a really good safety reminder. I had a bad incident once in my new construction home where the smoke detector was hardwired & did not go off. Everything turned out ok but I never trusted those things again. We found it never was working! Anyway, every 5 years get new ones - same for carbon monoxide detectors.
Great Advise and pointers. You are spot on.
Great headline. Absolutely truer words were never spoken. Good tip about the smoke detectors. Some are defective right out of the box. I wish I could find the old post on AR very specifically about a bad run of detectors. Great post.
Michael,
Great tips. It is amazing what home inpectors find that buyers (and Realtors) overlook. A good home inspector is worth their weight in gold!
Great post Michael. I am going to check out the detectors in my home immediately. It is something that may not seem that important until it is too late. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Great info for the buyers, but even better for the listing agents to call to the Sellers attention!!
Great post!
Janet Gatseos SFR
Hi Michael, you made your point. Even with your hint in the text I did not spot the smoke detector in the otherwise simple photo.
Hi Michael. Great info as usual with this blog. Codes do change because of safety issues.
Michael - Your points are excellent for substantianting why home inspections are so valuable to the buying process.
Thanks for the excellent tips and suggestions, Michael. I am reblogging so that my subscribers don't miss this.
I didn't know the smoke alarm thing - I do know about the spacing on guardrail/handrails, that has come up on a few of my buyers homes, including one very recently. I definitely am not an inspector though - that's what we hire you folks for! :-)Kasey
So much wonderful information in one post! Thanks for sharing!
Great info! Thanks for clarifying.