Brady Home Inspection

My post on electrical panel screws was featured on ActiveRain this morning!

Home inspectors have a relatively dangerous job. In 16 years of inspecting I have had my share of close calls. Part of my inspection involves removing the electrical panel cover to inspect the wiring, etc. inside the panel. At a recent inspection I had turned one of the screw about 2 full turns when sparks and smoke started coming out of the panel. I immediately suspected, then verified that the panel cover had been installed with improper screws. The screw I was removing had... cut through insulation on a hot wire in the panel, then shorted out against the electrical panel case, which is grounded. Fortunately the panel case is grounded and the circuit breaker was operational. If the panel was not grounded, I could have been electrocuted and if the circuit breaker didn't trip, there would have been more sparking and smoke. I have been aware that electrical panel covers should be secured with blunt ended screws for quite a while, but I never commented on it in my reports. We have a lot of older homes and un-permitted additions in this area and I already point out more things than some people like. After this I will include a preventative tip to replace the screws with the proper type when other electrical work is undertaken. This incident could be used by some home inspectors to justify why they don't remove electrical panel covers. Personally, I will continue to remove covers because there are multiple potential issues that can only be checked by removal of the cover. I have added a page to my Home Info pages to share my experience at http://bradyinspects.com/Panel-Screws.html.

For a couple of reasons, I have started a 'new' company. It's really more of a re-branding, but I am keeping the Brady Home Inspection web presence/site the same. Humboldt Home Inspection is the new name - I just produced my first report with the new name! Please help me out and 'like' Humboldt Home Inspection on facebook and check out the new website at www.humboldthomeinspection.com

Check out my home information page at http://bradyinspects.com/home-info.html. Many of the articles on this page were written by me.

It's been 15 years this month since I performed my first home inspection! I have never stopped working on improving my methods and report content. I am currently working on upgrading my report software and because of that, I am reviewing my entire report. If I move forward with the new software, I'll have a new report (very similar - same comment style) by the end of the year. I even have a couple new tools in my tool bag.