Spire Home Inspection

08/11/2026

An $800,000 house…and a plastic bin in the attic. 🤔

During this inspection, I found a plastic container sitting directly below a plumbing vent.

It wasn’t being stored there.

The vent flashing had apparently been leaking, and instead of correcting the source of the leak, someone put a container underneath it to catch the water.

Problem solved? Not quite.

The container might catch some of the water, but moisture can still affect the roof sheathing and framing around the pe*******on. And eventually, containers fill up.

It’s also a good example of why inspecting the attic matters. Everything inside the living space can look perfectly normal while the attic tells a completely different story.

Expensive homes have problems too.

08/05/2026

Aluminum wiring in an older home does not automatically mean the entire electrical system is unsafe—but it does deserve professional evaluation.

Small solid-aluminum branch-circuit wiring was installed in some homes during the 1960s and early 1970s. The primary concern is often at the connections, where loose, oxidized, damaged, or incompatible terminations may overheat or arc.

Larger aluminum conductors are still commonly used for service entrances, panel feeders, ranges, dryers, and other high-amperage equipment. These should not automatically be confused with older small branch-circuit wiring.

When visible aluminum branch wiring is observed during a home inspection, I document it in the inspection report. A licensed electrical contractor should evaluate the electrical system and recommend any appropriate repairs or improvements.

Spire Home Inspection provides thorough, personally performed inspections throughout Waynesville and Western North Carolina.

🌐 spirehomeinspection.net

07/18/2026

When Plumbing Goes to AutoZone

Every now and then I look under a sink and just stop for a second.
Not because I’m confused.
Because I’m impressed.
This was one of those times.
At first glance, it almost looks like plumbing. There is a pipe going down. There is something shaped like a trap. There are hose clamps. Water probably leaves the sink and goes somewhere, which is always a nice start.
But then you look a little closer.
That is not a plumbing fitting.
That is a radiator hose.
Somewhere along the way, somebody crawled under this sink, looked at the problem, and said, “You know what this needs? A trip to the auto parts store.”
Now I have questions.
Was the plumbing aisle closed?
Was there an old Ford Ta**us parked in the driveway missing parts?
Did someone hold this hose up and say, “That’ll do”?
Did the words “universal fit” get taken way too seriously?
I’ll give credit where credit is due. It took creativity. It probably even works. A lot of strange repairs do. That is how they survive long enough for me to find them.
But just because water goes through it does not make it proper plumbing.
Sink drains are supposed to be installed with approved plumbing materials and fittings. Automotive radiator hoses are made for cooling systems in vehicles, not household drain lines. They are not intended to be permanent drain lines under a sink. Over time, they can sag, clog, deteriorate or leak.
During a home inspection, I check visible plumbing wherever I can safely access it. Most of what I find is pretty normal: loose traps, minor leaks, corrosion, poor slope, or old repairs.
Then there are days like this.
Days when a radiator hose decides it is tired of living under a hood and wants to start a new career under a sink.
I don’t know what vehicle this hose originally fit.
But I do know this:
It was not born to be a P-trap.
A plumber should repair conditions like this using proper drain materials and fittings.
Until then, somewhere out there, a car is probably wondering why it keeps overheating.

Spire Home Inspection
Finding the things you would never think to look for.

07/18/2026

This is why electrical panels should be inspected.

This photo shows overheating of the main service cable. That is the connection point where the main service conductor terminates in the panel.

This is a serious safety concern. Conditions like this can be caused by a loose connection, corrosion, overheating, or other electrical defects. When a main service connection overheats, it can damage the conductor, panel components, and create a significant fire hazard.

This is not a DIY repair. A condition like this should be evaluated and repaired by a licensed electrician as soon as possible.

During a home inspection, removing the panel cover can reveal hidden safety concerns that may not be obvious from the outside.

Spire Home Inspection
Protecting buyers one inspection at a time.

07/13/2026

Check this out ..

View this luxury Single Family Home/House in Maggie Valley listed for $599,000.00. Browse 41 photos and property details.

06/24/2026

💨 Don't Forget the Dryer Vent

A clogged dryer vent was noted during a recent inspection.

Lint accumulation inside a dryer vent can reduce efficiency, increase drying times, and contribute to overheating. Regular cleaning and maintenance help improve performance and reduce potential safety concerns.

Routine maintenance items like this are easy to overlook but can make a big difference in the condition of a home.

11/01/2024

Done. First time I've voted early.

06/28/2024

Let's get ready to rumble!

06/25/2024

Aren't you done with your paper work yet?

06/13/2024

Hard at work today!