Fitting New Condo Safety Issues and defects into the Top 10 list is going to be a little tight, but you can find out about many other bad things from the Chicago condos by checking entire Chicago Condo Inspection Manual. You would think that after such a spectacular real estate meltdown, something would change in the Chicago construction business. I’m talking of course about some kind of an improvement,... 

To start your Chicago new condo water heater inspection you have to determine what type of a water heater you actually have. Below are 4 most common types of water heaters installed in Chicago new condos:Natural draft, tank type water heater with a metal vent pipe (galvanized steel – no aluminum) Power vent / induced draft tank type water heater with a PVC vent pipe Electric type... 

This chapter of the Chicago new condo inspection covers most common furnace installation issues (based on my inspections). Furnace air return port must be located at least 10’ from the combustion chamber(s) (where the burners are) of gas burning appliances or in a separate room. The exception from this requirement is when the furnace and other appliances (within that room and 10′)... 

Even if you know very little about Chicago history, I’m sure you have heard of the Great Chicago Fire that started on October 8, 1871 … maybe you didn’t remember the date … This chapter of your Chicago new condo inspection covers firewall separation between the condominium units, and it will tell us if we actually learned anything from the Chicago history. Actually,... 

This part will cover Chicago condo inspection combustion air requirements for the gas furnace and water heater installed inside your condo closet / utility room (not in the building common areas) – this is an extremely important section and you may need measuring tape. All gas burning appliances require oxygen for a proper, complete and safe combustion process / without creating measurable... 

Chicago new condo laundry room electricalYou can start your Chicago new condo laundry room inspection by looking at the electrical panel circuit breakers labels. Laundry room requires a dedicated (no other rooms, outlets, lights on this breaker) 20 amps rated circuit breaker to protect receptacles within that area. Outlet receptacles installed on that circuit must be also 20 amps rated.If... 

Chicago new condo kitchen electrical inspectionStart evaluating kitchen at the electrical panel section – check for kitchen labels, there are usually 3-5 (sometimes more) circuit breakers dedicated for kitchen circuits (depending on your kitchen features)Minimum of 2 x 20 amps circuit breakers are required for the kitchen countertop small appliance circuits, and they are usually marked as... 

// < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 120x600, condo bathroom inspect top */ google_ad_slot = "6392142509"; google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_height = 600; // ]]>Chicago new condo bathroom inspection All bathroom outlets must be 20 amps rated and must include GFCI protection (there might be one GFCI receptacle and other outlets connected... 

This section of my Chicago Condo Inspection Manual will help you to ensure that your property developer / electrical contractor followed local electrical code requirements while wiring your brand new condo or a gut-rehabbed property. You’ll find here general Chicago new condo electrical requirements and more details concerning your kitchen, bathroom and the laundry area will be explained... 

// < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 120x600, chicagosmokeCOtop */ google_ad_slot = "2507147129"; google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_height = 600; // ]]>Requirements for the smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors / alarms installation in the city of Chicago are slightly different than those from NEC (National Electrical... 

// < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 120x600, condo windorwall top */ google_ad_slot = "6010653880"; google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_height = 600; // ]]>Following section of the Chicago condo inspection concerning issues with hardwood / floating / tiled / carpeted / vinyl floors, windows, doors and wall surfaces may be considered as cosmetic (at least parts of it). Although,... 

// < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 120x240, condo entrance door top */ google_ad_slot = "8276350009"; google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_height = 240; // ]]>Let’s start your Chicago condo inspection from the unit entrance  doors. The entrance to your condominium from an enclosed staircase, hallway or a garage must comply with the City of Chicago... 

// < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 120x600, Chicago condo inspection top */ google_ad_slot = "2686236815"; google_ad_width = 120; google_ad_height = 600; // ]]>Purchasing a new condo in Chicago without a professional inspection carries significant risks, and naturally many buyers are taking their chances. Some are on a tight budget /... 

If you are looking for a new gut rehabbed condo in Chicago, or even a 100% brand new property – make sure that you inspect it before the purchase. Ask your real estate agent, call friends and find a home inspector with recommendations. Make sure that your home inspector will be able to check your new gut rehabbed condominium for violations of the Chicago building code. I’ve inspected hundreds...