Oak Ridge Home Inspections

Came across some “knob-and-tube” wiring today.
Except there’s no knob… no tube… just a handful of wires tangled like they’re fighting for custody.

At this point I’m just impressed the lights even turn on.

During a recent inspection, we found a steel I-beam that had rusted so badly at the base it broke free from the concrete floor. The beam was originally installed to help stabilize a foundation wall, but years of moisture caused it to fail. Without proper reinforcement, there’s nothing stopping the wall from continuing the same movement it was originally installed to correct. Another good reason to have a home inspection.

Downspout installation sponsored by trial and error. (Mostly error.)

💨 Got a window that looks like this?

That foggy or hazy look between the panes happens when the seal fails and the insulating gas escapes — letting moisture in and causing that cloudy appearance. This is one of the most common defects we see during inspections.

It’s not something you can clean off, and the fix usually means replacing the glass unit or the whole window.

A couple things about this old chimney…
This home was built around 1900, and if you look closely you’ll notice the chimney has a slight lean. That’s what’s known as a witch’s crook. Legend says it was built that way to keep witches and evil spirits from sliding down into the house. 🧹🔥

Fun story… but here’s the real concern 👇
See that daylight shining through around the flashing? If light can get in, so can water, critters, and cold air. That’s the kind of thing we flag during an inspection.

Old houses always have a story to tell — sometimes it’s folklore, sometimes it’s a repair waiting to happen. 👀🏚️

Take a look at this panel I opened up. The main breaker is rated for 200 amps, but the service wires feeding it are only sized for about 100 amps. That means the wires could overheat and fail long before the breaker ever trips.

This is the kind of safety issue that most homeowners would never notice — but it’s exactly why a professional home inspection matters.

👉 When you hire an inspector, you’re not just getting a report. You’re getting someone who knows when something doesn’t add up, and who’s looking out for your safety and investment.