Donald Hester
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member #NACHI10022401
509-670-9572
Contact Us
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member #NACHI10022401
509-670-9572
Contact Us
Reference Documents
Age Charts- HVAC/Water Heater Age Charts
Furnace/Water Age (Building Intelligence)
Water Heater Age Chart
Heat Pump Pricing Guide
Mini-Split Heat Pump Homeowners Guide
Air quality and Energy Information
Indoor Air Quality Publications - CPSC
Washington State Energy code for foundations/crawlspaces
Washington State Energy Code/Insulation
Washington State Energy Code/Compliance
Thermal Bypass and Air Barriers
Air bypass and sealing (DIY guide)
Air Leakage and Moisture Control (WSU Builders Guide)
2015 Washington State Energy Code (Prescriptive Checklist)
Air Leakage Test Requirements (2015)
Air Sealing (New Construction)
Requirement for backflow protection (Lawns)
Building Materials
Fire Resistance Design Manual- Gypsum systems
Straw Bale Construction- IRC 2015
Post Fire Assessment for Structural Wood
I Joists Squash Blocks (From APA)
I Joists Filler Blocks (From APA)
AWC- Details for Conventional Wood Frame Construction
Building Envelope
The Evolution of the Residential Air Barrier (Building Science Corp)
Common Building Materials R- Values
Construction/Building- Notches and Holes
Allowable Holes in IB LVL
Allowed hole charts for TrusJoist products
Field Notching and Drilling of Glued Laminated Timber Beams
Notching and Drilling of Wood Framing
Chimneys/Vents
Flashing a Chimney (JLC)
B-Vent instrallation (DuraVent)
Efflorescence in Masonry
Reinforcing new and old masonry chimneys
Repair of Damaged Masonry Fireplace Chimneys - FEMA
Construction/Building
Decks
Deck Guardrail attachment- Decklok test
AWC Deck Building based on the 2012 IRC
Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (Tip sheet) (2015)
Basic Deck Construction Tip Sheet (2015 IRC with Washington Amendments)
LedgerLok Instillation Guide – FASTENMASTER TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Simpson Deck Connection and Fastening Guide 2017
Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (Tip sheet) (2012)
AWC DCA6 Deck Building - Based on the 2015 IRC
AWC Deck Building based on the 2009 IRC
APA Products Guide- Engineered Wood Products Guide
APA Roof Sheathing and Installation
Cutting and notching of structural members
Electrical- General Information
NEMA White Paper on Aluminum Wires-
Evoluition of aluminum wires and the difference between 1350 Series and 8000 Series Aluminum
History of Wiring
Influence of Damage and Degradation on Breakdown Voltage of NM Cables (UL)
Homeowner Guildlines for doing electrical work on their property (From St. of Idaho based on 2014 NEC)
Residential Electrical Inspection Guidelines (Washington State)
Oily Residues and Plasticizer on wires and equipment
General Wiring Requirements (Residential)
Service Panel, Distribution Panels, Grounding and Bonding (Based on the 2008 NEC)
Standard for Good Workmanship in Electrical Construction
Standard for Installing and Maintaining Panelboards
Electrical Wiring Devices Code Changes 2014 NEC
Aluminum Wiring Repair - (Solid aluminum wiring found in 60's to '70's homes)
2009 IRC Junction Box Volume Calculations
Exterior Guard/Post for outlets
Electrical- Grounding and Bonding/Surge Protection
Grounding and Bonding
CSST Bonding Requirements (corrugated stainless steel tubing for gas appliances)
Protection of Grounding Conductors (excerpt from electrical currents)
Electrical- Double lugging
Cutler Hammer Breaker (for two wires on lug)
Can Multiple Neutral Conductors be Terminated in a
Panelboard Termination?
Double Lugged/Tapped Grounded/Neutral Conductors- Siemens
Electrical- AFCI's and GFCI's
Home Remodeling and AFCI protection. Why you should upgrade to AFCI protection when Remodeling
GFCI Fact Sheet (From CPSC)
GFCI requirements-2014 NEC -By Jerry Peck- Jerrypeck.com
AFCI Requirement-2014 NEC - By Jerry Peck -Jerrypeck.com
Double Pole GFCI on MWBC (Multiwire Branch Circuits)
Electrical- Lowvoltage systems
GE Low Voltage Remote Control Wiring Systems
Electrical- Zinsco and FPE
Understanding Risks Associated with Zinsco Circuit Breakers
FPE Panels-Hazard or Hype? by Douglas Hansen
Electrical- Generators
2007 Washington State Generator Information (LNI)
Generac Aitr Cooled Generator Installation
Exterior Drainage
Gutter and Downspouts Reference
Principles of exterior drainage
Fireblocking
Fireblocking (JLC)
Fireplaces and Woodstoves
Woodburning stoves installation and procedures- NAMIC
https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/ordinances-and-regulations-wood-burning-appliances
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/indoor_woodsmoke/wood_smoke_page.htm
Heartland Wood Cook Stove Manual
Superior Fireplace Installation
Foundations and Structural
Owners Guide to a Better Foundation
Notching and Boring Guide (2012)
Garages and Carports
Garage Vehicle Barriers
Dwelling (Home)-Garage Separation (2015)
HVAC- Radiant Flooring
HVAC- Thermostats/Whole House Ventilation
Honeywell PC8900 Thermostat
Honeywell W8150 - Whole House Ventilation Controll
HVAC- Ducting
HVAC- Filters
Trane Cleaneffects Air Filtration
HVAC- Maint
Cadet Wall and Baseboard Heater Maintenace
Insualtion Information
John Mansville Batt Insualtion
25 Checkpoint for insulation instillation
Log Home Information
Log Home Building Standards (2000)
Prevention of Air and Water Infiltration
Log Crown Repair and Selective Replacement (Tech Notes)
Care and preservation of Historic Log Buildings
Dovetails and Broadaxes: Hands-On Log Cabin Preservation
Fasteners for Log Homes- Log Tech Note
Manufactured Homes
Manufactured Home Alterations
(Check here to see if the the work to be performed will need permits)Manufactured home are under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Labor and Industries.
Manufactured Home Alteration Guide Sheet
Minimun Header Structrural Requirements (MFG Homes)
Adding Drywall/Sheetrock to a manufacured home (Wash St L&I)
Manufactured Home Polybutylene Re-Pipe Pre-inspection check list
Manufactured home Guide (2015 Pierce Co.)
Manufactured Housing Products Catalog (Tie Down Engineering)
Retrofit of Blown Attic Insulation in Existing HUD-Code Manufactured Homes: Needs Assessment Report (2019)
Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing (HUD 1976)
ANSI Standards A225.1 1994-Manufactured-Home-Installations
Manufactured Home Installation Guide (Skagit Co)
Oil Tanks (residential)
Underground Tank Pollution Insurance
Residential Heating Oil Tanks (Washington State DOE)
Underground Storage Tanks (Wenatchee requirements )
Performance Guides and Evaluation
Residential Performance Guideline -4th Edition
Log Home- Prevention-of-Air-Water-Infiltration
Plumbing
Plumbing for Homeowners (From Klickitat County)
Plumbing for Homeowners 2017 (From Klickitat County)
Plumbing Guide and Helpful Hints (2015- Lincoln Co Oregon)
Carbon filters for Vents - Orenco
Plumbing- Gas Piping
Gastite CSST Installation (2017)
Plumbing- Hose Bibb/Sillcocks
Arrow Frost Free Hose Bibbs
Woodford Frost Free Hose Bibb - Instillation
How Frost Free Hose Bibbs Work (Woodford)
Pools and Safety
Child Safety - (Safe Kids. org)
Drowning Facts and Prevention
Planning For Unexpected- Drowning
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
Single Main Drains- Guidelines for Regulated Pool Owners, Operators, and Builders- Washington State
Indoor Pool Design- (Natatorium) From Seresco
Roofing- Asphalt Roofing
Certainteed Shingle application Manual
GAF Designer shingle installtion guide
Wind damage (Wind effects on asphalt shingles)
Cautions Regarding Laminated Shingles and Water-Shedding Roof Systems that are Specified on Lower Slopes
(technical bulliten from WSRCA's steep-slope Roofing Committee
Roofing- Concrete and Tile Roofing
Concrete and Clay Tile Roof Design Criteria Manual for Cold and Snow Regions
Roofing- Metal Roofing
Delta rib Metal roof installation
Fabral Metal Roof Installation
Metal Roof Installation Manual- MCA
Roofing Anchors and Fall Protection
Roofing Decking and Structure
Roofing- Skylights
Roofing- Ventilation
Certainteed Intake Ventilation Installation
Fundamentals in Roofing Ventilation and Ventilation Applications (Owens Corning)
Siding and Claddings
EIFS (Synthetic Stucco) Home Owners guide
LP Smart Trim and Facia Installation requirements
LP Smart Siding Installation Requirements
LP Installation Information
Composite Wood Siding Maintanence
General Contruction Information (Raised Floor Living) Very good information
Hardie Plank Installation Eastern Washington (2010 Instillation Guide)
Hardi Plank HZ5 Instillation Guide (2018 Instillation Guide)
James Hardie Siding Products Expansion Characteristics of Technical Bulletin (2012)
James Hardie Butt Joint & Horizontal Lap Treatment Technical Bulliten (JUNE 2014)
Certaineed Cement Fiber installation
Fabral Metal Siding and roofing
Siding - Exterior Veneers
Adhered Concrete Veneer Installation Guidelines
Masonary Veneer Manufacturer's Asso. Installation Guide
Brick Veneer on Wood Stud Walls
Coronado Stone Veneer Installation Guide
Cleaning Brickwork - Brick Industry Asso. technical notes
Efflorescence on brick- Masonry Institute of America
Water Penetration Resistance- Design and Detailing (Technical Note The Brick Industry)
Stairs and Guardrails
Illustrated Stairs design (2006 IRC)
2012 RESIDENTIAL STAIR GUIDE ( Colorado)
Stairs Building Codes (2006 IRC)
Purpose of Handrails (Seatttle 2007)
Means of Egress (From Stevens Co-2012)
Residential Handrails and Guards ( Bellingham 2015 )
Guide To Handrail and Guard Railing Building Codes and Standards
Basic Stairs (2015 IRC)
Smoke Detectors/CO Detectors
Washington State CO Detector Law
First Alert CO Detector Manual
Carbon Monoxide vs. Air (weight and gravity)
Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems
Tiny Homes
There is no official definition of “tiny home”. All “tiny homes” in Washington must meet either the State
Building Code requirements (RCW 19.27.031), Park Model RV (PMRV) requirements, the Recreational
Vehicle (RV) requirements (RCW 43.22.340) or the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety
Standard (CFR 3280) depending on how it will be used and constructed.
Tiny Home Handout -2017 (WA Asso, Building Official)
Park Model RV- (Recreational Vehicle Industry Asso)
Trusses
Truss Repair (information on the proper way to repair an engineered truss)
Ventialation Information
Fresh Air Ventilation (Seattle 2015)
Spot Ventilation (Kitchens/Baths/Laundry etc...)
Proper Attic Ventilation
Understanding Attic Ventialation
Houses Need To Breath (Good article on proper ventilation)
House as a System
Mold in your Home (great video on mold and indoor air qualitiy and how to mange it)
Water Heaters - Installation
Rheem Water Heater Manual
Water Heaters - Heat Pump Water Heaters
Rudd Hybrid Water Heater
Rinnai R53i/e installation and Maintenance
Wells and Septic Systems
Private Wells for Home Owners (Wa DOE/DOH)
Septic Systems
How to Take Care of Your Wastewater System (From Orenco)
Nibco Anti Spihon Repair
Windows
Windows in Masonry Wall (Pella Guide)
WINDOW AND DOOR DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDE (2011)
Windows in Masonry Wall (Pella)
Window Flashing (DuPont /Tyvek)
Vycor Flashings Installation Contractors Guide
Edge Deletion of Sputtered LoE Coatings- Cardinal Glass - Low E Window Failure
Windows- Emergency Escape and Rescue
Basic Requirements for Emergency Escape and Rescue Windows (Spokane County)
Emergency Escape and Rescue Windows (Based on 2015 IRC)
Wood Destroying Insect and Organisms/WDO
Termite Biology and Prevention
Key to Indentification of Pacific NW Wood-Detroying Pest Based on Wood Damage
Misc. Information
Chelan County Good Neighbor Handbook
Dock Standards - Chelan County
Residential Sharps Information (Needles/syringes etc) Dougals County
Manuals and Information
Flir Ex Series Users Manual
Nu-Heat Model NTG5110 Manual
Manuals and Information- Appliances
Wolf Gas Range - Model VPFSGE365D