InterNACHI is partnering with environmental testing giant PRO-LAB® to build a second House of Horrors® in Weston, Florida.
PRO-LAB® CEO James McDonnell recently toured the original House of Horrors® at InterNACHI Headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, where he and InterNACHI Founder Nick Gromicko worked for several days designing the House of Horrors® II.
The House of Horrors® is an entire house built inside InterNACHI Headquarters as part of the InterNACHI School. Students can practice performing home inspections by finding a thousand defects purposely installed to advance their inspection knowledge and skills. The House of Horrors® is open to everyone; members and non-members alike.
The House of Horrors® is built to intentionally include:
- improperly-wired receptacles
- plumbing code violations
- an electrical service full of issues
- 16 different exterior sidings and stucco finishes
- 31 different roofing systems
- cutaway drywall to expose framing members
- environmental hazards
- various types of insulation systems
- improper gutter and downspout systems
- heating systems with defects
- three different water heating systems
- green building features
- almost 200 different safety concerns
- an infrared camera training wall and roofing system with manipulated water leaks and electrical issues
- a sprinkler that simulates rain on the roof
- safety glass
- drainage issues
- roof penetrations
- notches and holes in joists
- a full masonry chimney
- damaged and clogged sewer lines for sewer scope training
- common code violations
- a full-size septic system with tanks
- vents
- crawlspaces that students can actually enter
- egress violations
- clothes dryer problems
- TPR discharge valves
- energy loss issues
- an exterior “deck of horrors” with dozens of issues
- a set of stairs to access the roof and chimney
- firewall issues
- appliances
- elderly, child, and pet safety issues
- an improperly installed radon mitigation system
- a full kitchen with defects
- a full bathroom with defects
- a steel grate floor that allows students to see the structure from above and below
Some of the Florida-specific features being built into the PRO-LAB® Campus House of Horrors® II include a hot tub and a partial swimming pool. Instruction will also cover inspections routinely performed in the State of Florida, including Wind Mitigation Inspections, Mold Testing, and 4-Point Inspections.
As with the Boulder Headquarters’ House of Horrors®, the InterNACHI School-PRO-LAB® Campus will employ only Certified Master Inspectors® as instructors.
Gromicko says, “Florida is home to nearly 2,800 InterNACHI members, more members than in any other state, so the decision to open another House of Horrors® in Florida was easy.” He continues, “Jamie has been a good friend to me and to InterNACHI going back 25 years, and this project helps meet both of our goals: to give home inspectors all the resources they need to be the best in the profession so they can give their clients the best service.”
