Posted on: June 7, 2011

Know the Code

Angie's List founder shares her not-so-secrets to maintaining and updating homes according to code

By Courtenay Edelhart
CTW Features

Building codes exist to provide a minimum level of safety for homeowners. Violations are common, but often homeowners don't discover them until something goes wrong or when making energy-saving updates.

Angie's List is a consumer membership club that provides discounts and consumer-generated reviews of service providers, as well as troubleshooting assistance when a project goes wrong. We sat down with founder Angie Hicks to discuss the most common building code violations and how to fix them.

"Too often, we think we can save money on home improvement by doing jobs ourselves or hiring someone who's really handy but doesn't have formal training, so the job costs a lot less," Hicks says. "Electrical and plumbing projects and those that affect your home's structural integrity should never be done 'off the books' or by someone without the proper qualifications."

Electrical code violations, for example, could lead to an electrical short and cause a deadly fire. Poor wiring accounts for 33 percent of all house fires, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Water leaks cost homeowners hundreds of dollars every year in wasted water - and thousands more in damage resulting from drips. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the average U.S. home loses nearly 1,000 gallons a year to running toilets, dripping faucets and other leaks.

Even if there's no catastrophe, code violations are usually uncovered during a home inspection when the property is put up for sale. Either way, they can potentially cost homeowners a great deal of money and are best caught sooner rather than later.

In the long run, it's simply better to hire someone to do it right the first time, Hicks says. Even if the house doesn't suffer immediate damage, a home inspection will catch code breakers. That project will eventually have to be brought up to code.

"You may even love the addition or remodeled room when it's done," Hicks says, "but when it comes time to sell the house, you're going to have to face the music."

Before hiring anyone, check references and get at least three written estimates for the work you need done, Hicks says. Determine what a community's license and certification requirements are and don't settle for anyone who doesn't happily show you proof of that, along with insurance and bonding.

Here are the five most common code violations:

DIY projects

Contractors and home inspectors agree the biggest code violations result from well-meaning do-it-yourselfers who either don't know or don't understand local building code requirements. Diehard DIYers need to get a qualified inspector or contractor to provide plans and a review of the finished product to avoid problems down the road.

No proper building permits

Home additions or remodeling projects done without proper building permits could cost homeowners twice as much. A good building code inspector will find structural problems and shortcuts that violate local codes. Homeowners will have to correct that before selling a home. That means paying for the project twice - once to get it done and another time to have it done properly.

Electrical issues

If a home's lights flicker every time the air conditioner kicks on, there may be a wiring overload issue or faulty wiring. If an electrical panel is hot to the touch, there's definitely an issue with the electrical load. Wires spliced together but lying on bare floors without a proper housing can spark a fire.

It takes the experience of a licensed electrician to test the electrical panel, its breakers and all the outlets to make sure everything works properly and can't cause a fire.

Plumbing problems

Even if a home doesn't have clogged drains or leaky faucets, don't assume the plumbing is problem-free. Certain sinks need special drains to prevent sewer gases from entering a home. Home inspectors often see drains that aren't connected to sewer lines properly, water lines that aren't hooked up well enough to prevent leaks and drains that aren't vented correctly. A licensed plumber can inspect pipes and see what needs fixing before a home goes up for sale.

Heating and cooling

A home's heating and air-conditioning system may still be shiny, but that doesn't mean it's operating well. The system has to be vented properly and must be the right size for the home. A system that isn't sized right or installed to meet a home's heating or cooling needs will cycle on and off frequently. Incorrect sizing also puts stress on system components, shortens the equipment's life and leads to wasted energy and money. The system has to be checked out for maximum efficiency and safety. Regular maintenance will save money and alert homeowners to bigger issues. Left unattended, an air conditioning unit will lose 5 percent of its energy efficiency annually.

Home inspectors aren't code police. They're on the lookout for how safe and structurally sound the house is. The best bet for any homeowner thinking about hanging up a "for sale" sign is to get a full home inspection before it goes on the market. That inspection will find things that need attention and get them fixed before a potential buyer's home inspector goes looking around the house looking for problems, Hicks says.

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