270 ONBOARD REFERENCE LINKS!

They're for inspectors: the following reference material links are permanently installed onboard my Hive Residential template, giving you immediate access to a huge amount of accurate information during the inspection.

They're for clients: these links can be pasted into comments to give clients more detailed information about a condition.

All links live under a single title in each section so they don't clutter the template.

ROOF

COMMON ROOF ELEMENTS

  • Roof Coverings: IRC Links   Links to all the roof-covering materials in the International Residential Code
  • InterNACHI Roof Standards of Practice: onboard notes
  • Inspecting the Roof Structure Exterior
  • Steep-slope Roof Drainage
  • Low-slope Roof Drainage
  • Roof vent Identification   See what these vents serve with a glance at the roof!
  • Combustion vent Termination Heights   This link is to UP Codes. Select your state and look for IFGC 503.6

STEEP-SLOPE ROOFING

ASPHALT SHINGLE REFERENCE LIBRARY

One onboard link gives you access to a page with the following links::

  1. Asphalt Shingle Inspection Concerns;
  2. 2021 IRC R905.2 Asphalt Shingles;
  3. Mastering Roof Inspections ; (Asphalt Shingles (#55-#109)
  4. Asphalt Shingle Inspection Field Guide,, $18.99, by Kenton Shepard
  5. Inspecting Shingle Bonding;
  6. Craze-cracking;
  7. Identifying Wind Damage;
  8. Batch Problems;
  9. Blisters VS Hail Damage;
  10. Biological Growth;
  11. Uniform Granule Loss;
  12. Racking of Shingles (GAF Technical Advisory Bulletin)
  13. Buckling of Shingles
  14. About Shingle Warranties
  15. Factors Affecting Shingle Aging
  16. White/Brown Stains below Roof Vents;
  17. The History of Asphalt Shingles (CASMA)
  18. Asphalt Shingle Sealant Strips (Donan Engineering)
  19. Impact Resistance of Asphalt Shingles  (Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety)
  20. 66 GAF Technical Bulletins
  21. Telescoping Ladder Maintenan
  22. FM Global: Roof Inspection Resources
  23. Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association
  24. InterNACHI Asphalt Shingle Inspection online video course (3.25 hrs, InterNACHI members only)
  25. Building Codes At this page, for general IRC information, choose ICC, for jurisdictional (state and city) building codes, choose UP Codes. go to Chapter 9, Roof Assemblies.

Other Steep-slope Roof-covering Materials

  1. Concrete Tile Reference Library
  2. Tile Roof Inspection Field Guide PDF $18.99, by Kenton Shepard
  3. Clay Tile Reference Library
  4. Metal Roof Inspection Concerns
  5. Stone Slate Reference Library
  6. Slate Inspection Field Guide  PDF  $18.99 by Kenton Shepard
  7. Composite Slate Reference Library
  8. Roll Roofing Reference Library
  9. Wood Shake Inspection Concerns;
  10. Wood Shake & Shingle Inspection Field Guide PDF $18.99 by Kenton Shepard
  12. Wood Shingle Inspection Concerns;
    1. Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau:
  13. Wood Shake & Shingle Inspection Field Guide PDF
  14. Fiber-cement Reference Library

LOW-SLOPE ROOFING

  1. Built-up Roof Reference Library
    1. Identifying the number of Built-up Plies
  2. EPDM Reference Library
  3. Modified Bitumen Reference Library
  4. TPO Reference Library
    1. View photos of TPO flashing
  5. PVC Reference Library
    1. View photos of PVC flashing
  6. Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Reference

EXTERIOR

  1. InterNACHI Exterior Standards of Practice: onboard notes
  2. Underground Fuel Oil Tank Reference
  3. Driveways/walkways: Visual Inspection of Concrete: a comprehensive article on inspecting concrete.
  4. Stair Checklist
    1. Using UPCodes, you can look up stairway code provisions for your state here. Stair provisions are located in Means of Egress, chapter 3.
  5. Clearances: Combustion Exhaust vents VS Door and Window Openings and Fresh Air Intakes

EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS

  1. Brick
    1. Inspecting Brick Walls
    2. Brick Cladding VS. Solid Masonry Walls
    3. Types of Brick
  2. Structural Brick
    1. Brick Cladding VS. Solid Masonry Walls
    2. Inspecting Brick Walls
    3. Structural Brick Wall Failure
  3. Inspecting Composite Siding (LP Smartside)
  4. Inspectors without special training should disclaim inspection of EIFS, DEFS, and hard coat stucco. Training is offered by both InterNACHI and the Exterior Design Institute.
  5. Inspecting Fiber-cement Siding
  6. Vinyl Siding
    1. Inspecting Vinyl Siding
    2. Vinyl Siding Installation Manual (Vinyl Siding Institute)
  7. Inspecting Wood Siding
  8. Inspecting Wood Shingle Siding
  9. Inspecting Manufactured Stone veneer

DECKS

  1. Deck Inspection Concerns
  2. Deck Ledger Attachments: Best Practice (by siding type)
  3. Minimum deck clearance for Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings.

GARAGE

  1. Garage Inspection Concerns
  2. Inspecting the Overhead Garage Door
  3. Inspecting Automatic Openers
  4. IRC stair provisions (by state)
  5. Fire Separation Walls/Ceiling
    1. For fire wall/ceiling separation provisions, go here
    2. For local codes, go here, choose your jurisdiction, and scroll to the relevant provisions.
  6. Garage Electrical: onboard notes
  7. Inspecting Roof Trusses
  8. Inspecting Conventional Roof Framing 

GENERAL STRUCTURE

GENERAL STRUCTURE REFERENCE LIBRARY

One onboard link gives you access to a page with the following links:

  1. Notching and Boring Guides for sawn and Engineered Lumber, Studs, Joists, Beams, and Glulams.
  2. Adjustable Steel Posts
  3. Wood Deterioration and Decay
  4. Simpson Strong Tie Wood Connectors catalogue ( you may need to update this link occasionally)
  5. Inspecting Floor Structures
  6. About Shear Walls
  7. Expansive Soil
  8. Crack Analysis
  9. Post-fire Assessment of Framing
  10. Building Science Corporation: An important source of free information on building science. Select "Articles and Papers".

Other Structure Links

  1. InterNACHI Structure Standards of Practice: onboard notes
  2. Foundation Wall Reference Library
    1. Inspecting Adjustable Steel Posts
    2. View the standards for wood foundation construction.
    3. Efflorescence in Foundation Walls
    4. Reinforced Concrete Damage Ratings 
  3. Concrete Foundation Walls
    1. Efflorescence in Concrete Foundation Walls
    2. Crack Analysis
    3. Reinforced Concrete Damage Ratings 
  4. Framed Floor Structure
    1. Inspecting Floor Structures
    2. Notching and Boring Guides for sawn and engineered lumber, studs, joists, beams, and Glulams.
    3. Inspecting Adjustable Steel Posts
    4. Perimeter Bearing Requirements: onboard notes
  5. Basement
    1. Inspecting Adjustable Steel Post
    2. Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings Choose your state and look in IRC Chapter 3
  6. Crawlspace: onboard notes

ATTIC

  1. Attic Access: onboard notes
  2. Attic Thermal Envelope
  3. Attic Thermal Insulation
  4. Attic Utility Inspection Concerns
  5. Potential Hazards of Radiant Barrier Sheathing:
    1. Radiant barrier sheathing Study 1
    2. Radiant Barrier sheathing study 2
  6. Attic Pests and Inspector Safety
    1. Personal Protective Equipment
    2. If You Encounter Bats!
  7. Attic Chimney Inspection Concerns: onboard notes

ROOF STRUCTURE

  1. Roof Structure Ventilation
  2. Inspecting Conventional Roof Framing
  3. Inspecting Truss Roof Framing
  4. Inspecting Roof Sheathing
  5. Inspecting Roof Framing Fasteners and Connectors
  6. Post-fire Assessment of Roof Framing

GENERAL INTERIOR

  1. InterNACHI Interior Standards of Practice
  2. Wood Flooring
    1. Wood floor inspection
    2. Problems, Causes and Cures: manual by the National Hardwood Floor Association
  3. 2021 IRC Required Lighting Locations
  4. Inspecting Doors
  5. Inspecting Windows
    1. Inspection of Window Interiors; Links to a page listing common concerns including safety glass requirements.
    2. Thermal Pane Window Failure (an excellent explanation from Pella Windows)
  6. Stairways
    1. Stairway Inspection Concerns
    2. Using UPCodes, you can look up stairway provisions for your jurisdiction here. Stair provisions are located in Means of Egress, chapter 3.
  7. Inspecting Dryer Vents 
  8. Fire Related:
    1. Use this link to look up the fire safety codes for the areas in which you inspect.
    2. For fire separation provisions, go here, Select your jurisdiction, and scroll to Fire Separation R302
  9. Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings by jurisdiction
  10. Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings  (web page with diagrams)
  11. Environmental Hazards
    1. About Mold
    2. About Radon
    3. Radon Certification

KITCHEN

  1. Inspecting Kitchen Appliances
  2. Kitchen range
    1. Inspecting Kitchen Ranges
    2. Inspecting Gas and Electric Ranges InterNACHI article

ELECTRICAL

  1. InterNACHI Electrical Standards of Practice: onboard notes
  2. Electrical Service
    1. Inspecting the Service Drop
    2. Service Clearances can Vary!
  3. Links to the major US electrical utilities
  4. Service Panel
    1. Service Panel Inspection Concerns
    2. Double-tapped breakers Identification and fix
    3. Backfed Breakers
    4. Shunt Trip Breakers
    5. Panel Labels
    6. Conductor Types
    7. Bonding Bushings
    8. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Hazards
    9. Zinsco Panel Hazards
    10. Square D QO model RECALL (details provided)
    11. Neutral Conductor Concerns
    12. Types of Panelboards
  5. Service Panel Grounding and Bonding
    1. Service electrical Grounding
    2. Service electrical Bonding
  6. Sub-panel Inspection Concerns
  7. Sub-panel Grounding and Bonding
    1. Floating Neutral Bus Bar
    2. Outbuilding Grounding Requirements
  8. Branch Circuit and Device Reference
    1. Branch Wiring Inspection Concerns;
    2. GFCI Location History (when and where it was required);
    3. AFCI and GFCI Requirements by State;
    4. Testing GFCI Receptacles
    5. Outbuilding Grounding Requirements
    6. Bootleg Grounds
    7. Conductor Types

PLUMBING

  1. InterNACHI Plumbing Inspection Standards of Practice: onboard notes
  2. Approved water distribution Pipe Material and Mimimum Support Intervals
  3. Water Heater
    1. Water Heater Inspection Concerns
    2. Find the date of manufacture using the serial number
    3. Temperature/Pressure Relief (TPR) Discharge Pipe Regulations
    4. Water Heater Backdrafting: Causes and Recognition
    5. Why Water Tanks Leak
    6. Discolored Hot Water
    7. Rumbling, Cracking, Popping Sounds
    8. Electric Water Heater
  4. About Water Temperature
  5. Gas System: onboard graphics
    1. 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
    2. 2020 LP Gas Code
    3. Approved gas pipe distribution materials and maximum support intervals
    4. Gas vent termination minimum heights above the roof
    5. Inspecting CSST
  6. Toilet: onboard notes
  7. Bathtub: onboard notes
  8. Shower: onboard notes
  9. About Plumbing Cleanouts
  10. Sewer/waste pipe maximum support intervals
  11. About Sewer Scope
  12. Sump Pump Inspection
  13. Inspecting Sewage Ejectors
  14. Water Wells
    1. Inspecting Private Water Wells
    2. InterNACHI Water Well Inspection Course
  15. Septic Systems
    1. About inspecting Septic Systems
    2. National Association of Wastewater Transporters (NAWT)  training

HVAC

  1. InterNACHI HVAC Inspection Standards of Practice: onboard notes
  2. Furnace Reference Library
    1. 2021 International Fuel Gas Code ( IFGC)
    2. Gas Furnace Inspection Concerns;
    3. Gas Furnace Operation;
    4. Find the date of manufacture using the serial number.
    5. Combustion Air Requirements;
    6. Furnace Efficiency;
    7. Venting High-Efficiency Combustion Appliances Into Masonry Chimneys;
    8. By-Passing Unfamiliar Thermostats;
    9. Carbon Monoxide;
    10. Identifying A Cracked Heat Exchanger;
  3. Inspecting Humidifiers
  4. Cooling Reference Library
    1. Inspecting Split AC Systems;
      1. Acceptable refrigerant line temperatures.
    2. Heat Pump Inspection Concerns;
    3. Inspecting Mini-splits.
    4. HVAC Mfg. Date Codes (find the date of manufacture using the serial number)
    5. Temperature Stratification in Multi-story Homes
    6. AC Warranty
  5. Inspecting HVAC Ducts (article)
  6. Return Air Information: onboard notes
  7. Boiler Reference Library
    1. Inspecting Gas-fired Boilers InterNACHI article
    2. Find Date of manufacture here using the serial number
    3. TPR Discharge pipe Regulations
    4. Gas Vent Termination Heights
  8. Fireplace: : onboard notes
    1. National Fireplace Institute
  9. Heat Pump Inspection
  10. Inspecting Mini-splits

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

  1. Mold Reference Library
    1. About Mold
    2. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology on mold
    3. EPA on Mold
  2. Radon REference Library
    1. About Radon
    2. Becoming certified to perform radon measurement in real estate transactions
    3. U.S. EPA page on radon
    4. Cleveland Clinic on health risks from radon
  3. FEMA Earthquake Hazard Maps 
  4. Wildfire
    1. Wildfire Risk Map
    2. INL Wildfire Survey Template
  5. Wildlife Hazard Information: onboard notes
  6. InterNACHI's Lead-Safe Work Practices for Home Inspectors Course

POOL  and SPA

  1. InterNACHI Standards of Practice for Inspecting Pools and Spas: onboard notes
  2. Barrier Sstems
    1. 2024 International Pool and Spa Code (Section 305 Barrier requirements)
    2. 2024 Pool and Spa Code (by jurisdiction).
  3. Pool Decks
    1. 2024 International Pool and Spa Code (Section 306 Deck requirements)
    2. 2024 Pool and Spa Code (by jurisdiction). 
  4. Coping
    1. 2024 International Pool and Spa Code (Section 306 Deck requirements)
    2. 2024 Pool and Spa Code (by jurisdiction). 
  5. Inspecting Pool Vessels
  6. Inspecting Residential Pool Drains
    1. Virginia Graeme Pool and Spa Safety Act
  7. Pool/Spa Electrical Systems
    1. Inspecting Pool Electrical Systems
    2. 2024 International Swimming Pool and Spa code (Section 322. Lighting)
    3. 2024 Pool and Spa Code (by jurisdiction). 
    4. 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) (Section E4203 Equipment Location and Clearances)
    5. 2023 National Electric Code (NEC) Swimming  (Pool Grounding and Bonding)
  8. Inspecting Swimming Pool Pumps
  9. Inspecting Swimming Pool Control Systems
  10. Inspecting Automatic Sanitation
  11. Inspecting Pool Heating Systems
  12. Inspecting Pool Plumbing Systems
  13. Inspecting Pool Filters
  14. Inspecting Hot Tubs

LOG HOME

  1. Log Home Reference
    1. Log Home Inspection Concerns
    2. 2022 ICC 400 Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures
    3. InterNACHI's Log Home Inspection course (I wrote it)
    4. International Log Builder's Association
    5. Log Home Inspection Checklist only $29.99!
  2. Find advice and products here:
    1. Sashco
    2. Permachink
  3. Inspecting Log Home Roofs
  4. Inspecting Log Walls
  5. Wall log Settling and Shrinkage
  6. Inspecting Corner Notches
  7. Inspecting Log Extensions
  8. Log Home Chinking
    1. Inspecting Chinking
    2. Common Chinking Problems
  9. Inspecting Log Floor Structures
  10. Inspecting Log Finish Coatings
  11. Wood Decay
    1. Inspecting for Wood Decay
    2. About Wood Decay

BUILDING CODES

UpCodes  has most state/jurisdictional-specific building codes

ICC Codes has the basic ICC codes without jurisdictional adjustments

REPORT WRITING

  1. Report Compilation Time and Length
  2. The 3 Functions of a Narrative;
  3. Urgency in Narratives
  4. Citing Code Provisions in the Report
  5. Including Photos and Videos
  6. How will AI Affect Home Inspection Businesses?
  7. Developing a Recommendation Lexicon
  8. Report Writing Guide, $29.95 by Kenton Shepard