45th Parallel Home Inspection

In the Pacific Northwest, we live in a very active seismic part of the world. It is very important for water heater tanks to be properly secured to prevent overturning during any seismic shaking. Proper strapping of water heaters with seismic straps is considered a safety related item, and should be performed if not already currently installed. Water heater seismic straps should be installed in the top 1/3 and bottom 1/3 of the tank with seismic straps (not plumber's tape), and lag bolted to the home's structure. This means that it should be secured to the studs in a wall, or bolted into concrete, not just secured to drywall or plywood etc. If not done currently, have a contractor or plumber do this for you because this is a safety issue. Water heaters lacking seismic straps can also cause delays in the appraisal process and should be accomplished prior to an appraisal during a real estate transaction.

⚠️ Don’t let mold take hold!

Mold and fungi isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can signal water problems in your crawlspace or attic. Molds belong to the Fungi kingdom, and some fungi consume wood rather than just grow on it, so it can also potentially cause damage to the home's structure. Some people are also very sensitive or allergic to mold mycotoxins. At 45th Parallel, we don’t specifically do mod inspections or treat mold, but we do offer inspections to identify areas of concern that can lead to mold growth, like water in the crawlspace and improperly vented bathroom fans in the attic.

If you need help identifying conditions that could lead to mold growth, let us know. We can help with an inspection of the attic and crawlspace!