Upgrades and improvements

[tnpappas]

What are some of the more common items that you all suggest as upgrades or improvements? These would include stuff like safety items or convenience items.

GFCI's, pull down hatch access for attic, stainless steel braided washer hoses, etc....

Just a little curious.[^]

[John Dirks Jr]

I would skip the suggestion to add pull down stairs to attic access. Those things can be dangerous. All they do is encourage people to go places that they probably shouldn't.

Also, when they're installed in garages, most often they create a breach in fire stopping.

[inspector57]

Attic insulation and ventilation is almost always top of the list of upgrades with insulating and sealing the access hatch as a repair.

Most of the time I find R-30 levels present with R-49 recommended by EPA/HUD.

[Jim Katen]

What are some of the more common items that you all suggest as upgrades or improvements? These would include stuff like safety items or convenience items.

GFCI's, pull down hatch access for attic, stainless steel braided washer hoses, etc....

Just a little curious.[^]

Tamper-resistant receptacles.

Carbon monoxide alarms.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Brandon Whitmore]

Jim,

Are you recommending the upgrade to TR receptacles in all homes, or under certain circumstances?

[Jim Katen]

Jim,

Are you recommending the upgrade to TR receptacles in all homes, or under certain circumstances?

I've started to recommend it whenever the buyers have small kids. I might just start slipping it into every report, though. I think that the TR receptacles are a great idea.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Terence McCann]

Jim,

Are you recommending the upgrade to TR receptacles in all homes, or under certain circumstances?

I've started to recommend it whenever the buyers have small kids. I might just start slipping it into every report, though. I think that the TR receptacles are a great idea.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

You mean like this guy?

Click to Enlarge

4.01 KB

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Tom Raymond]

I was told by a rep pitching an energy consultant program that the push in safety covers reduce heat loss through receptacles almost as much as gaskets do. I'll have to experiment with them and the TR's with my IR camera to see if there is anything measurable, unless someone here already has.

Tom

[Brandon Whitmore]

I'll add a couple to the list:

Vacuum breaker devices on hose bibs

Returns on handrails

[kurt]

I also like the idea of tamper resistant recep's. My avatar is part joke, and part reminder of how stupid stuff happens.

After that, new GFCI's, new smoke detectors every 3-4 years. CO monitors that give a ppm readout, not just a beep.

Insulation in cold climates.