Ark Inspections

In response to [redacted] ’s statement and request, I would like to explain the reason why I don’t believe her claim is warranted for a refundI wish she would have called me first before the Power Company got involved, it would have saved her a lot of griefI didn’t call her back right away, because I was on an inspection and it’s rude to answer and have a conversation on the phone while I’m working with a clientI listened to her message and after I was finished, I waited to respond to her until I did some research firstI spoke to the realtor right away to find out what was going on and whyHe explained that she started to experience health issues once she and the children moved inThe realtor only mentioned it was her and not the kidsHe further said that she told him, she went to the ER and hospital because of her illnessOnly to find out from her statement, that it was high blood pressure causing her conditionI also believe she wasn’t totally convinced at the medical professionals diagnosis or opinionI can’t say for sureBut she researched further on the internet and her symptoms read that she was experiencing Carbon Monoxide poisoningImmediately I think this frightened her and that’s why she called [redacted] to come out and look at her appliancesNo blame for thatI wish she would have thought through more clearly, because Carbon Monoxide won’t discriminateHer children would have experienced the same symptomsThere is no mention that the kids had the same issues, from the realtor, or her statementAlso why didn’t the CO detectors alarm go off if there were high levels of COThe detectors tested serviceable at the inspectionI also spoke with the [redacted] Company that was called out to take a look at the appliances since I was told by the realtor that the seller had purchased a Home Warranty for the condo and proof that the furnace was serviced by a licensed contractorThe company told me that the furnace was fine and they were going to replace the water heater, because it was oldWhen I got home I looked up to review the reportIn my Inspection report to [redacted] , I stated with photos that the furnace needed serviced because it was short cyclingAlso I stated that the water heater was old and at the end of its life spanRecommend monitoring or replacingNo leaks todayNow the [redacted] employees came out and used a gas detector and red tagged both units claiming of natural and carbon monoxide gas leaks from the unitsI’m not disclaiming their findings and not sure how they are trained in checking for gas leaksI’m also not sure of their experience or licensingI do know they scared her half to deathThat would only add to her high blood pressureA water heater will spill CO out of the vent bonnet when it first fires upAlso I know that the pipe putty used to seal the threads at the gas connections can cause a detector to go off as wellThe [redacted] Company commented that the levels were not too concerningHe even said that [redacted] would red tag a furnace valve sitting out in his truckWhen I inspected the furnace I never noticed a smell of natural gasIf I did, I would have pulled out my gas detector to confirmThere was no noticeable smell of CO at the water heater as wellI look at these units pretty closeWhich means my face is very nearIf there were any suspicions, I would have respondedNever the less I advised [redacted] to replace the water heater and have the furnace servicedWhat more could I have done to advise her further? I am confident that I gave her an accurate account of the condition of the home that dayWhat’s done with that info is beyond my control? I always recommend to my clients that a home warranty should be purchased for this very reasonWe are not there for days until closingSometimes things can happen that we have no control overEverything works today but can fail tomorrowSince our phone conversation went sour pretty fast [redacted] , I hope this statement cleared things upThis is why a refund is not warrantedFurnace was serviced twice and the water heater replaced at a co pay of 55.00.Unfortunatly this is the life of a home ownerI apologize for all the stress you went through

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: The high blood pressure diagnosis was based on my symptoms at the time and my trip to the ER, no one knew at that moment that I had been exposed to carbon monoxide & gas, including myself. After seeing my doctor he determined I had carbon monoxide poisoning NOT high blood pressure. As for my kids, they are not with me all the time, I share custody so they were not exposed to it at the levels I was. During the holidays, they were with their father for a week & a half and a few days into the new year they moved into a new house with their father which kept them away for another week and half. As for the cost out of pocket on the water heater, the home warranty company did not cover the entire cost, I had out of pocket expenses of $510. Not to mention the out of pocket costs I have associated with the ER visit & my doctor appointments which I have not asked you for. It is *** ***'s job to determine if there is a gas leak or carbon monoxide in the air, they are skilled workers, they use meters, they don't make mistakes and they keep people safe, carbon monoxide & gas leaks are a dangerous thing to mess with. It is not for you to determine how this has affected me, only my family & I know how lucky I am to be alive. It is your responsibility as a home inspector to use a meter to check for these leaks. Just do the right thing here, you have caused me a ton of money & a whole lot of anguish.
Sincerely,
*** ***

In response to [redacted]’s statement and request, I would like to explain the reason why I don’t believe her claim is warranted for a refund. I wish she would have called me first before the Power Company got involved, it would have saved her a lot of grief. I didn’t call her back right away, because...

I was on an inspection and it’s rude to answer and have a conversation on the phone while I’m working with a client. I listened to her message and after I was finished, I waited to respond to her until I did some research first. I spoke to the realtor right away to find out what was going on and why. He explained that she started to experience health issues once she and the children moved in. The realtor only mentioned it was her and not the kids. He further said that she told him, she went to the ER and hospital because of her illness. Only to find out from her statement, that it was high blood pressure causing her condition. I also believe she wasn’t totally convinced at the medical professionals diagnosis or opinion. I can’t say for sure. But she researched further on the internet and her symptoms read that she was experiencing Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Immediately I think this frightened her and that’s why she called [redacted] to come out and look at her appliances. No blame for that. I wish she would have thought through more clearly, because Carbon Monoxide won’t discriminate. Her children would have experienced the same symptoms. There is no mention that the kids had the same issues, from the realtor, or her statement. Also why didn’t the CO detectors alarm go off if there were high levels of CO. The detectors tested serviceable at the inspection. I also spoke with the [redacted] Company that was called out to take a look at the appliances since I was told by the realtor that the seller had purchased a Home Warranty for the condo and proof that the furnace was serviced by a licensed contractor. The company told me that the furnace was fine and they were going to replace the water heater, because it was old. When I got home I looked up to review the report. In my Inspection report to [redacted], I stated with photos that the furnace needed serviced because it was short cycling. Also I stated that the water heater was old and at the end of its life span. Recommend monitoring or replacing. No leaks today. Now the [redacted] employees came out and used a gas detector and red tagged both units claiming of natural and carbon monoxide gas leaks from the units. I’m not disclaiming their findings and not sure how they are trained in checking for gas leaks. I’m also not sure of their experience or licensing. I do know they scared her half to death. That would only add to her high blood pressure. A water heater will spill CO out of the vent bonnet when it first fires up. Also I know that the pipe putty used to seal the threads at the gas connections can cause a detector to go off as well. The [redacted] Company commented that the levels were not too concerning. He even said that [redacted] would red tag a furnace valve sitting out in his truck. When I inspected the furnace I never noticed a smell of natural gas. If I did, I would have pulled out my gas detector to confirm. There was no noticeable smell of CO at the water heater as well. I look at these units pretty close. Which means my face is very near. If there were any suspicions, I would have responded. Never the less I advised [redacted] to replace the water heater and have the furnace serviced. What more could I have done to advise her further? I am confident that I gave her an accurate account of the condition of the home that day. What’s done with that info is beyond my control? I always recommend to my clients that a home warranty should be purchased for this very reason. We are not there for 30 days until closing. Sometimes things can happen that we have no control over. Everything works today but can fail tomorrow. Since our phone conversation went sour pretty fast [redacted], I hope this statement cleared things up. This is why a refund is not warranted. Furnace was serviced twice and the water heater replaced at a co pay of 55.00.Unfortunatly this is the life of a home owner. I apologize for all the stress you went through.