Home Inspection Safety for Client and Home Inspector

Submitted by MichaelMerino on Mon, 02/28/2011 - 03:02.
When a home inspector is performing a home inspection he/she has to be thinking about safety. As a Tinley Park home inspector I will note safety issues that are present in and around the house; but we also have to be thinking about safety practices during the home inspection for both the clients and the home inspector. The goal is to perform the home inspection in a manner that protects the client, property and the home inspector, safety first as the saying goes. But, many times home inspectors will get very involved with the inspection process, and there will be that one second lack of diligence, the one time the home inspector didn't pay attention, and there is an injury. God forbid that there is an injury to the client, as for me I would rather get injured than cause an injury to the client or anyone else attending the home inspection.

This is exactly what happened to your Tinley Park home inspector. I severely sprained my ankle during a home inspection in Mokena. It was about four days after the February blizzard in the Chicago area, and the grounds of the house where snow covered. During the home inspection, while inspecting the windows in the basement, I noticed that the covers for the window wells were the thin plastic covers that will keep out the elements, but would not hold the weight of an average person. I mentioned to my client that he should have the covers changed so that if anyone steps on them there would be a better chance of them not falling into the window well and getting injured. He even mentioned to me that he never thought of that and that my advice was a good idea. I felt good about giving him that advice since he seemed so grateful for it, as a home inspector I did my job and gave my client the information needed that was more about education and safety that it was about a defect, since there are many homes that have these types of window well covers.

The home inspection process went without a hitch until it was time to inspect the exterior of the house. The exterior of the house was done and I noted that only one drain of the two sump pump drains was visible and told my client that the other is probably buried under the snow. He asked if we could find it and I agreed to take a quick look. We both began to clear the snow near the foundation with our feet and the next thing I remember was being in the bottom of the window well with severe pain in my ankle/foot and leg. Your humble embarrassed home inspector had stepped on the flimsy window well cover and plummeted about four feet to the bottom and injured myself. It happened so fast that I do not remember much, except the pain. My client helped me get out of the well and I made a light joke that "I did that to illustrate the importance of having the more sturdy weight bearing window wells installed", he laughed and wished me well in the healing process.

This whole story illustrates the need to be conscience of our surroundings during a home inspection. Home inspectors should always remember that safety is first for both them, their clients, family members, agents and anyone else attending the home inspection. Remember safety first!!

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Merino's Home Inspection & Education Inc.
9029 Pebble Beach Lane
Orland Park, Illinois 60462
708-535-6057
708-612-6679


Orland Park home inspector
Tinley Park home inspector
Illinois Home Inspector License 450.010091
Illinois Home Inspector Entity License 451.000851