Weather Conditions

[Vince Santos]

Just curious what the rest of you do in extreme weather conditions while inspecting the exterior. Obviously snowfall limits visibility but what about a torrential downpour or bitter cold? Do you do put the exterior off until last or do you just get it over with?

When it's raining I wear a full body rain coat w/attached hood. It works great and keeps me dry. I also take along an extra pair of hiking boots when the ground is muddy or snow covered.

Today presents a different situation and I'm dreading this mornings inspection. It's -16ºF (20-30 below with wind chill) right now and I know my hands will freeze. It's impossible to wear bulky gloves and snap pictures.

[Michael Larson]

-26 here this AM

I have more problem with my camera lens and glasses.

Yesterday I snapped pics of the outside with one gloved hand and coat pocket for the other in -12 weather.

When I came inside my camera lens fogged badly and my glasses actually frosted up.

I snapped some interior pics before I realized the camera was fogged and had to retake them later.

It's a pain but several short trips around the exterior and warming up in between in my truck works for me. I have also considered buying a new shooter's glove with the trigger finger that can be moved out of the way for taking pics. the one I have is too bulky but there are some thinner ones.

As far a snow covered roofs I disclaim them and offer to come back when the snow is off but pay particular attention to attic inspection. Most people understand.
I had one earlier this week that had 8" of fresh snow and I couldn't see anything.

[Dale Duffy]

Anyway you look at it, has to be a nightmare----

This is my indoor camera, this is my outdoor camera---

These are my outside boots, these are my inside shoes---

This is my full bottle of Jack when I started the exterior, this is my empty bottle of Jack when I finished the exterior, I'll be back in the morning for the interior, have a nice day---------

[Kenneth Lott]

Originally Posted by mlarson

-26 here this AM

I have more problem with my camera lens and glasses.

Yesterday I snapped pics of the outside with one gloved hand and coat pocket for the other in -12 weather.

When I came inside my camera lens fogged badly and my glasses actually frosted up.

I snapped some interior pics before I realized the camera was fogged and had to retake them later.

It's a pain but several short trips around the exterior and warming up in between in my truck works for me. I have also considered buying a new shooter's glove with the trigger finger that can be moved out of the way for taking pics. the one I have is too bulky but there are some thinner ones.

As far a snow covered roofs I disclaim them and offer to come back when the snow is off but pay particular attention to attic inspection. Most people understand.
I had one earlier this week that had 8" of fresh snow and I couldn't see anything.

These are what you need up there Michael...check these out! http://www.freehands.com

[Michael Roberson]

How I did my inspection yesterday....

Step 1:
Snow blow my own driveway so I can get there. Get dressed up in CARHART coveralls, CARHART coat, and Super insulated Boots. Spend 45 minutes clearing my 130 foot driveway.

Step 2:
Proceed to take off all my stuff, and realize I will have to put them back on once I get there. Have my wife hand me my inspection gear and thermal camera, load up my ladder, and trudge to site.

Step 3:
Spend another hour on the outside of the house. (6 F midday) I HAVE to keep my right glove off to take pictures. I line up 3-4 shots, pull my naked hand and camera out of pocket, and shoot away. Turn camera off, and retreat to warmer pocket. Repeat.

Step 4:
Make the client happy and earn my paycheck. Be happy I don't live in Florida with Hurricanes, or California with wildfires and earthquakes, or Canada with..... Canadians. (just kidding guys, My Grandpa was Canadian)

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

I call in sick any time the temperature nears 20 degrees F. I think I'd call in "dead" if it were -12.

[William Warner]

I use fishing gloves similar to shooting gloves and the freehands that Ken posted, but in this weather not much helps. I keep the cameras strapped around my neck and make frequent trips back to a protected garage or my vehicle.
Be careful out there. Frost bite can occur within 20 minutes or less to any exposed skin.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by jpope

I call in sick any time the temperature nears 20 degrees F. I think I'd call in "dead" if it were -12.

Don't move to Maine Jeff, my home town of Madawaska was 35 below this morning and 20-25 below in Central Maine.

You'd like it in the summer time though.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Don't move to Maine Jeff, my home town of Madawaska was 35 below this morning and 20-25 below in Central Maine.

You'd like it in the summer time though.

I think I'll stay in SoCal.

I have an 11 am appointment at this house today. It's 76 degrees with a slight breeze.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by jpope

I think I'll stay in SoCal.

I have an 11 am appointment at this house today. It's 76 degrees with a slight breeze.

That's right Jeff, rub it in.

The ink in the pen will freeze here.
The LCD on the gas pumps takes forever to come one.
If I was younger I think I would move to.
Ahh well, Spring around the corner.

[Blaine Wiley]

I wear a jacket when it's cold like now (67 degrees) and wait 5 minutes for the rain to go away and the sun to come out during our daily rain in the summer (feb to nov).

If a hurricane is supposed to hit, we just postpone to make sure there is still a house there after it passes. I've only ever lost one inspection to a hurricane, the roof ended up in the river and the silly buyer really wanted a roof on the house...

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I don't think anyone would have wanted to be stranded in the Allagash Woods of Northern Maine.

News just stated one place was -47 degrees below zero. brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
-20 here was bad enough.

Marcel

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Woo-Hoo...
We broke ZERO today !!!

Hourly Weather Summary

Friday Afternoon, January 16

7am

-20° F
Sunny

8am

-17° F
Sunny

9am

-11° F
Sunny

10am

-6° F
Sunny

11am

-2° F
Mostly Cloudy

Noon

0° F
Snow

1pm

1° F
Snow

2pm

1° F
Snow

[David A. Andersen]

This is my full bottle of Jack when I started the exterior, this is my empty bottle of Jack when I finished the exterior, I'll be back in the morning for the interior, have a nice day---------

Good Man!
We (in Tenn) appreciate your support!

[Jae Williams]

Originally Posted by dduffy

This is my full bottle of Jack when I started the exterior, this is my empty bottle of Jack when I finished the exterior, I'll be back in the morning for the interior, have a nice day---------

I strongly recommend you invite Jack for the second day, as well--good assistants like Jack can be hard to find.