Inside Edge
  • Home
  • Services
  • Mike's Blog
  • Contact
  • Qualifications
  • FAQs
  • Sample Report
  • Pricing
  • Guarantees

Mike's Home Inspector Blog

InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector
Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Virtues and Limits of Data

9/10/2023

0 Comments

 
As a professional home inspector, my journey has been shaped not only by my keen eye for detail but also by my proficiency in collecting and analyzing data. This skill, honed through many years of experience, has allowed me to derive valuable information from the reports I generate. In this blog post, I'll delve into how my data-driven approach has transformed my inspections, enabling me to make informed decisions, identify trends, and avoid baseless speculation.

Harnessing the Data Advantage
In a previous role, I experienced a dramatic reduction in my workload by applying my data analysis knowledge, which also granted me the time to pursue my dream of becoming a home inspector. Armed with the insights I've gained over the years; I now use data to support my instincts and bolster my assessments with hard evidence and facts. This approach allows me to provide more comprehensive and accurate home inspections.
​
Identifying Trends: Examples from the Field
Let's take a look at some real-world examples of how data has enhanced my ability to conduct inspections:
  1. ABS Waste Pipes: Through my inspections, I've discovered that approximately 90% of the homes I've examined use ABS (black plastic) waste pipes. This information serves as a valuable baseline when evaluating a property's plumbing system.
  2. Sump Pumps: Surprisingly, about 95% of the homes I've inspected do NOT have a sump pump. However, I anticipate that this statistic may change rapidly as homeowners become more aware of the benefits of this feature in preventing basement flooding given the torrential rains we have experienced in Nova Scotia this year. 
  3. Wall Materials: In 100% of the homes I've inspected, I've observed that the majority of interior walls are either constructed with drywall or plaster. This data point helps me establish a norm for wall materials and back up what I already knew from field experience. 

By consistently collecting and analyzing data on these aspects, I've gained the ability to quickly assess whether a home's features fall within typical parameters or if there's something unique to investigate further. This approach not only streamlines the inspection process but also motivates me to delve deeper into rarer building materials, expanding my knowledge base. I can use this information to better inform clients on the site during the inspection process. 

​The Limitations of Data
While data is a powerful tool in the home inspection arsenal, it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations. Data should not be used as a shortcut to draw conclusions without thorough examination. To illustrate this point, let's consider a non-related example:
Picture
Lots of data, all of it useless!
Imagine a casino game of roulette where a screen displays data on past spins, such as the percentage of spins landing on red versus black. This data may seem helpful but is entirely irrelevant because, in reality, the odds of the ball landing on a specific number in each spin never change. It's a constant probability as each spin of the wheel is independent of the last.

Bringing it Back to Home Inspections
In the world of home inspections, data can reveal statistical trends. For instance, I can share that 3-tab shingles are statistically more likely to have problems than architectural shingles (almost solely based on the fact 3-tab are generally much older), which, in turn, are more likely than metal roofs to present issues. However, the real world is filled with surprises. I've seen homes with old shingle roofs that exhibited no leaks and, conversely, brand-new roofs with leaks.


Ultimately, while my knowledge of statistics and data helps me identify trends and streamline my work, it is no substitute for the hands-on inspection process. Home inspections demand a thorough, physical examination of each property, leaving no room for shortcuts or assumptions.

In the realm of home inspections, the fusion of expert observation and data analysis is a powerful combination. It empowers inspectors like yours truly to make informed assessments, identify trends, and offer valuable insights to clients. Yet, it's essential to remember that data alone cannot replace the meticulous, on-site examination required to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of a property. The art of home inspection lies in striking the right balance between data-driven analysis and the hands-on inspection experience.
​
0 Comments

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021

    Categories

    All
    AED
    Aerial Photography
    AFCI
    AI
    Air Conditioning
    Aluminum
    Anode Rod
    Ants
    Arcs
    Arsenic
    Asbestos
    ASD
    Attic
    Autism
    Balcony
    Basement
    Brick
    Building Inspector
    Carbon Monoxide
    ChatGPT
    Children
    Chimney
    Chinese Drywall
    Christmas
    Circuit Breakers
    Cliches
    Clocks
    CO Detectors
    Communication
    Concrete
    Contractors
    Copper
    Cost
    Criticisms
    Current
    Data
    Deck
    Doors
    Drains
    Drone
    Drywall
    DWV
    Eavestroughs
    EIFS
    Electrical
    ERV
    Exterior
    Failed Seals
    Female Inspectors
    Fiber Cement
    Fibreglass
    Fibreglass Shingles
    Fireplaces
    Fire Safety
    First Aid
    First Time Homebuyers
    Flips
    Flooding
    Flooring
    Fluoride
    Foundation
    Framing
    Fuses
    Garage
    Garage Doors
    Garage Safety
    Gfci
    Growops
    Heating
    Heat Pumps
    Hgtv
    Hoarding
    Home Inspectors
    Hrv
    Humidity
    HVAC
    Ice Dams
    ICF
    Infrared
    Insulation
    Ionization
    Joe Mazza
    Kitchen
    Kitec
    Knob & Tube
    Lead
    Manufactured Houses
    Marijuana
    Masonry
    Meth
    Mike Holmes
    Mineral Wool
    Mini Homes
    Misconceptions
    Mobile Homes
    Moisture
    Mold
    Newcomers
    New Inspectors
    Oil Tanks
    Open Concept
    Orangeburg
    Patina
    Personal Decor
    Pests
    Photoelectric
    Plumbing
    Polybutylene
    Pressure
    Price
    Professionalism
    Psychrometrics
    Radon
    Rain Gutters
    Real Estate Agents
    Regulations
    Remodelling
    Renovations
    Resistance
    Ridge Vent
    Roofing
    Rust
    Safety
    Scams
    Septic
    Sewer
    Sewer Scopes
    Sheds
    Shipping Containers
    Siding
    Smoke Detectors
    Smoking
    Soffits
    Staircases
    Steel
    Stove
    Structure
    Stucco
    Sump Pump
    Swamp Coolers
    Temperature
    Termites
    Trailer Parks
    Trees
    Value
    Ventilation
    Ventless Heaters
    Vinyl
    Voltage
    Walls
    Wasps
    Water Heater
    Water Testing
    WDOs
    Windows
    Wiring
    Wood
    Wood Rot

    RSS Feed

Picture
Inside Edge Home Inspections Ltd. 
Halifax, NS
902-209-9921
[email protected]
Proudly Serving the HRM & Central Nova Scotia
Picture
  • Home
  • Services
  • Mike's Blog
  • Contact
  • Qualifications
  • FAQs
  • Sample Report
  • Pricing
  • Guarantees