Issue: 64    Date: May 26, 2002

Polybutylene Plumbing

Aluminum Wiring

 EIFS

There has been much confusion among home inspectors about how Polybutylene Plumbing, Aluminum Wiring and EIFS should be addressed in our inspections and reports. The March edition of "PROBINGS" a publication of the North Carolina Licensed Home Inspectors Association reported the following action by the North Carolina Home Inspectors Licensure Board. The action is also reported in the Spring edition of "The Bulletin of the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board." This action which will have a direct affect on you and many of your clients. As this recommendation is followed the cost and time involved dealing with the purchase of a home which contains these components will increase considerably. Additional inspections and repairs related to these components will become necessary. 

Robert Schultz reported the Problem Building Component/System Task Force had considered several items for study. The Task Force proposed the following:

The NC Home Inspectors Licensure Board officially recommends that within the Summary Section of the home inspection report, the home inspector identify the potential problem with Polybutylene plumbing pipe, EIFS or Aluminum branch circuit wiring and the home inspector recommends further investigation, even though the Polybutylene, EIFS or Aluminum wiring does not affect the habitability of the dwelling.

In addition, the North Carolina Home Inspector Licensure Board officially recommends that the following paragraphs concerning Polybutylene plumbing, Aluminum wiring and/or EIFS be included in each home inspection report, if applicable.

For Polybutylene plumbing: "Polybutylene plastic plumbing supply lines (PB) are installed in the subject house. Ploybutylene has been used in this area for many years, but has had a higher than normal failure rate, and is no longer being produced. Copper and brass fittings used in later years seem to have made significant improvement in the failure rate. This subject property has (circle one) brass-copper-plastic fittings. For further details contact the Consumer Plumbing Recovery Center at (800) 392-7591 or visit its web site: http://www.pbpipe.com."

For Aluminum Wiring: "Aluminum wire is installed on 120VAC branch electrical circuits in the subject house. These single strand, branch circuit aluminum wires were used widely in houses during the mid 1960s and early 1970s. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, problems due to expansion can cause overheating at connections between the wire and devices (switches and outlets) or at splices, which has resulted in fires. For further information on aluminum wiring contact the US Consumer Product Safety Commission via the Internet at http://cpsc.gov/. It is recommended that the electrical system be evaluated by a licensed electrician."

For Synthetic Stucco: "The subject house appears to be clad with a product known as exterior insulation and finish system, "EIFS", also referred to as "synthetic stucco". EIFS clad houses have revealed moisture-related problems such as deteriorated wood framing and pest infestation. Testing of this cladding is beyond the scope of this inspection. Maintenance and testing guidelines are available from the NC Department of Insurance, Engineering Division (919) 733-3901 and on the Internet at http://www.NCDOI.com/ (type in EIFS in the search box). Additional information is available at http://www.ncstucco.com or by contacting the Senergy/Thoro Claims Administrator at (800) 350-4730."

The board approved these recommendations. 

What does this mean for you and your clients? If the home has Polybutylene Plumbing, single strand Aluminum wire on 120VAC branch circuits and/or EIFS, additional inspections are going to be recommended from a Plumber, Electrician and/or EIFS Inspector. In many homes problems, which will need to be addressed, which may not be evident in a visual inspection conducted by a Home Inspector will be found. If you have not already educated yourself on these subjects, the time has come. Information is available in back issues of this newsletter on my web site at www.chrisdhilton.com. (Clicking on this link should take you there).

"Hidden Drawer Leads to $20,000 Discovery"

 I can't say how many times someone has said to me at an inspection: "I hope you find the hidden money." Now that would be the way to make a seller smile. What I usually find costs money. The ASHI Reporter in its April 2002 addition reports that local papers, USA Today and the wire services have circulated an article about Stan Edmunds owner of Homespect in Keene, NH. It seems that Stan went through a door to the attic in the back of a closet three times as he was inspecting the attic of a home. The third time an unusual looking shelf support caught his eye. Reaching for it, out came a drawer filled with papers and bank deposit bags stuffed with $100 bills, totaling $20,000. Everyone else involved in the estate had missed the well hidden drawer, but not Stan the Home Inspector. Another good reason to push home inspections for your clients, what do you think?

Thought for the week
 
What do bullet proof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common? 
All invented by women.