Global Inspector School®

Take a look at a few lesson samples, to get a feel for the Global Inspector School® online Home Inspector Training Program.

Each lesson presents detailed information by explaining it in easy-to-understand terms. The lessons contain thousands of real inspection photographs. All the lessons are interesting and engaging. Lessons contain image hotspots, videos, flash cards and quizzes to enhance your learning experience. The quizzes use various types of questions to test your retention of the material: True/False, Multiple Choice, Short Answer and Fill-in-the-blanks.

The Global Inspector School® online Home Inspector Training Program was designed to help make it easy for you to become a successful Home Inspector!

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Standards Of Practice For Attics & Crawlspaces: The inspector shall inspect windows, door, vents.

This metal bathroom fan exhaust connects to a vent through the roof. This one is not insulated but some of the newer ones are. If the bath exhaust line isn’t insulated, during winter months it is prone to frosting up in northern climates. When someone is taking a hot shower, the steam is exhausted through this vent and freezes on the inside of the vent walls. When the temperature eventually rises, the frost melts and drips out of the fan in the bathroom.

This is an insulated bath vent.  New inspectors should not mistake these insulated bath vents for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) vents. ​ This bath exhaust is clearly going through the roof.

This is a plastic bath exhaust fan that is vented into the attic and is pointed at a can/box vent on the roof.  This was very common in the past, but is no longer allowed.  Bath exhaust fans should blow to the exterior of the building to expel moisture and avoid mold growth in the attic or crawlspace. 

Home Inspector sample comment:  “Bath fan exhausting into attic.  This was common practice in the past, but is no longer recommended, because it blows warm moist air into the attic and may cause fungal growth.​”

Here is an example of some fairly common water damage, in the middle of a basement wall.  These are rod holes that have staining, due to leaking ground water.  Rod holes are created in the foundation when it is poured and there are generally two rows of rod holes in a poured concrete foundation. One row is high, as shown in this picture, and another row is close to the floor. In the past, a typical repair for rod hole leaks was to dig out the old patching material, like hydraulic cement, cork and replace it with a newer product like urethane and epoxy type products.
In the picture above, there is a bare concrete wall, so the leaks are visible.  If the basement was finished, this would not be visible. The water runs down the wall, and shows up at the bottom and everyone assumes that the water is coming in from the bottom of the wall.

This is a rod hole leak near the bottom of the wall, and you can actually see where the water has run down and onto the floor.

In basements, water is generally the cause of much of the damage to surfaces and structures.  In a basement, the most water damage will typically be found at the top and the bottom.

We once trained an older guy to be a home inspector. He had a wealth of commercial construction experience and had been all over the world building commercial buildings. He had also taken a very well-known and respected home inspection training course, before we began training him, and he had no idea what a rod hole was. ​ All of our students know about rod holes and how they leak!

Lights in the soffit should be checked for operation. If you cannot find the switch, or if it is on a timer, document that in your home inspection report. We always document it as a defect and explain why. We also include a comment for the customer to follow-up with the seller.

Modern kitchens should have at least two GFCI protected 20-amp circuits on the countertops for small appliances. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection is required in receptacles or outlets installed near a water source. Thirty years ago, Matt was an apprentice electrician and wired many houses and kitchens. The company always put all plugs on countertops on a GFCI circuit, whether there was a water source or not, because that was what the electrical inspector wanted.

Pier Caisson Foundation

This is what a home inspector in-training will study.

A pier caisson foundation is a type of deep foundation system that is utilized to support structures where the surface soil is insufficient to bear the weight of the building. This foundation method employs cylindrical shafts, referred to as piers or caissons, which are drilled into the ground until they reach a stable layer of soil or bedrock.

Key Features Of A Pier Caisson Foundation:

• Deep Support: Pier caissons are installed deep into the earth, transferring the load of the structure to stable soil or rock layers, which is crucial for large buildings or those constructed on weak or loose surface soils.
• Construction Method: The construction of pier caissons typically involves drilling a hole in the ground, placing a steel reinforcement cage, and pouring concrete to create a robust, load-bearing pier.
• Load Distribution: Pier caissons effectively distribute the weight of a building, reducing the risk of settlement and structural failure, making them ideal for areas with poor soil conditions, slopes, or near bodies of water.
• Versatility: This foundation type is utilized in various types of structures, including residential homes, commercial buildings, bridges, and more, providing stability and support based on varying project requirements.

Advantages Of A Pier Caisson Foundation:

1. Adaptability: Can be used in different soil conditions and terrains.
2. Reduced Risk Of Settlement: By reaching deeper into stable ground, pier caisson foundations minimize settlement issues.
3. Long Lifespan: Made from durable materials, they can withstand environmental stresses and last for many years.
4. Customizable Depth: The depth of the piers can be adjusted based on the soil conditions and specific building requirements.

Disadvantages Of A Pier Caisson Foundation:

1. Higher Cost: The construction process can be more costly than shallow foundation systems, due to the specialized equipment and methods required.
2. Time-Consuming: The installation process may take longer than other foundation types.

Conclusion Pier Caisson Foundation:

In summary, pier caisson foundations are an effective solution for providing durable and reliable support for structures built in challenging soil conditions. They ensure that buildings maintain stability and safety, making them a preferred choice for architects and engineers in various construction projects.

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The Global Inspector School® online Home Inspector Training Program includes hundreds of detailed inspection pictures, to help you learn what you need to know to get started as a Home Inspector.

Click on the blinking dot below for more info:

Video:

This short video demonstrates a properly grounded electrical system.

Our YouTube Channel has a playlist for each lesson in the Global Inspector School® training program.

Test Your Knowledge:

After completing the online courses & lessons, studying the pictures and viewing the videos, home inspectors in-training will be required to pass quizzes. After each lesson & quiz is completed successfully (for each course such as roof, kitchens, foundations, etc.) you will receive a certificate-of-completion. You can use these to help market yourself as a knowledgeable and educated home inspector.

Select the best answers below; click Submit for each question to see the correct answer.

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This is just a small sample from a few lessons. The Global Inspector School® online Home Inspector Training Program contains a thousand more actual home inspection photos, several dozen more videos and hundreds more different questions!

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