Tim H

I have to disagree. Telling his client that the WH would last many more years is pretty much an implied warranty. There is a standard of care involved. The HI is the expert; his client relied on his opinion. You can disclaim anything you want; a judge could care less. A judge could also care less about a HI limiting his liability to the amount of the inspection fee, or how much the HI saved the buyer on other issues. The issue is the WH and the damage caused by the WH. If the bottom of the tank was in fact rusty, and if the HI did in fact erroneously tell his client that the WH would last for 'many more years' (which would be black hole stupid), the HI is going to pay for the water heater, the installation, and the damages caused by the water. He should just pony up and save himself the legal fees and court costs. He blew it and should pay for his mistake(s).

Combining sulphur dioxide and water produces what is commonly called acid rain. I am wondering where the current comes in to play, and how the current acts on the flue tile (failure mode). If the damage is caused by electrolysis, there would still have to be a source for the current, wouldn't there? Tim

Jerry, I am guessing that the current would be carried by the moisture? Is this something you have seen (measured) with a meter? How does the current act as a destrucutive force on the tile? Thanks, Tim

Hey Mike, I have been using IE for about 4 years now and I like it. A lot. Did you have a hand in writing the boilerplate? I have had to modify most of the boilerplate that I use (to accommodate regional differences, grammatical errors etc.), but it was worlds better than the other software that I test drove. Tim

D'oh. As they say around this part of the country; "if it was a snake, it would have bit me". Tim

Hi John, It is possible that water penetrated the cracks in the crown, and then froze (and expanded). The expansion moved the crown, and the crown then crushed the flue liner. Tim

Tough position. You've got to approach him with your hat in your hand and then point out that the situation is wrong for a different reason. He'll react badly because, in his mind, you already lost credibility. Yes. In a single family dwelling, there's no question that all of the main disconnects are supposed to be grouped in the same location. I've seen situations where the AHJ allowed this if each disconnect had a permanently mounted sign explaining where the other disconnect was, but that was in commercial buildings. There's really no excuse for this kind of gaffe in a house. The proper solution would probably be to install a main disconnect at the meter. - Jim Katen, Oregon Jodi, I am guesing that the homeowner is the seller and you did the inspection for a buyer? Is the homeowner your client? If not, should you tell him about the problem with 225.33. before telling your client about the error(s) and sending them an ammended report (and letting them decide whether to mention it or not)? I can see talking to the homeowner about the findings on your original report (assuming the client released the report to him), but wouldn't you need your clients permission to mention the 225.33. issue? Or, I am overthinking the entire thing? Good luck. Screwing up sucks, but we have all done it. Tim

Wow, Phillip, I don't feel as bad about missing the meeting now. I'll pile on and agree with everyone else about this. When possible, I try to follow the example that Katen shared on this site several years ago; "at the left whatchamacallit, I found that the doohickey was broken". In almost five years of inspecting, I have yet to have the first call asking me for clarification about what I found and where the finding was located (thank you Mr. Katen). I can't see how precision can be a bad thing. I test every accessible receptacle in the house anyway, so that part of his argument is moot to me. Tim

Thanks Les, Any idea or opinion on why roofers do not install underlayment on pent roofs (I couldn't resist using my new word)? Is there some convoluted roofer logic involved, or just laziness? Tim

Yes, I would. If there was an issue with a pent roof, before receiving the report, my clients would know exactly what it is from our discussion on-site. There would also be a picture with an arrow pointing to it in the report. Why make something up, if there's a word for it? If home owners don't know what the name of a house part is, why not tell them? I'd rather educate them then "dumb down" a report. If folks want to gather more information or discuss an issue with other professionals, I think the correct names for house parts would serve them better. For example, let's say they go to do some research, like Googling "little slopey-roof thingie". I'd think they'd find less than if they searched with the correct term. Thanks Bill - I had a feeling that you would know. I agree with you on using the proper terminology when known. I should have asked a long time ago. Now that I know what it is, looking in the glossary of 'American Houses-A field Guide To The Architecture Of The Home' gives me a good definition, and I now know what a pent eave and a penthouse are as well. Good stuff to know. Thanks again, Tim

That's pretty much how I have been describing it as well. I'm just trying to be as precise as I can. Any doubt that felt should be installed? No one has argued with me yet for calling it out, but I'm sure it's coming. Tim

What is the proper terminology for the area circled in the photo? I am also wondering if anyone else Image Insert: 64.18 KB is finding that the roofers are not installing felt under the shingles in these areas? I am finding that no underlayment is installed in this area on the majority of the homes that I inspect. Thanks, Tim

I think AU is over ranked and MSU has a vey good defense. The QB play is just not there for Auburn. The defense is very good, and might end up being very, very, good; but the O stinks. MSU did play an inspired game on defense, and the punter was unreal. I think we will see USC/Mizzou in the Mythical National Championship. Good teams with easy schedules. Tim

You have to expect a letdown after a big win. Bottom line is that they won. Petrino has coached Casey Dick to back to back 300 yd passing games (that has to qualify as a minor miracle), so Arky could be tougher than expected. UGA is an absolute beast, and AU and UA will have to improve greatly to play with the doggies. OM was very impressive to me. IMO, Jevan Snead is already the best QB (in the SEC) not named Tebow or Stafford. Nutt is going to make some noise in Oxford with that guy under center. Not to offend anyone in the Buckeye State, But OSU is pretty much a joke (I know Beanie was hurt, but still...). I cant see how they stay within three TD's of USC, and they would be a 4 loss team in the SEC. One thing I am sure of; they are not the 3rd best team in the nation. It's time to put the patsies behind us and get into some league play! War Eagle Tim

John, I have always interpreted this requirement as six movements while gripping the individual breaker handles. A 240 volt breaker would count as one disconnect, even if it is two single pole breakers with a handle tie. Tim

Every service requires a main disconnect. It doesnt have to be a single switch or breaker, but you have to be able to disconnect with no more than 6 hand movements. NEC 230-71a. Tim

Interesting that the foundation looks like newer concrete block, while the plumbing is pretty darn old. I have seen a few old post and pier buildings that have had a CMU "skirt" retroactively installed at the perimeter. That may be what we are seeing here. Tim

Hi Tim, I have done some in there. Which part of it will you be in? Give me a call if you have time while you up here and we do lunch or a cold one and shoot the breeze. 205-333-0102 Hey Phillip, The house is on Forrestal. Not sure what part that is. 7000 sq ft on a crawl. The buyer is a big shot in UA's athletic pgm. If we have time, I will sure give you a call. Never know what you'll run into on the big ones, though. Take care, Tim

Thanks to all. I agree on the application of common sense regarding the fire separation. I still dont like the flex ducts because of the possibility of CO getting into the (easily damaged) ducts. Am I over thinking this, or do you think my concern is legitimate? Tim

No, I can't belive the MSU Dawgs lost! They just gave it away in the last half of the game. Dang, Scott, I thought Sly had turned it around (not that one loss means that he has not). With the parity in CFB right now, it can (and likely will) happen to anyone. Well, maybe not USC - that is one team I am glad Auburn is not playing in the foreseeable future. The Trojans are scary good.

The Tide surley did roll! I know you enjoyed the heck out of that. Their dominance on both sides of the line of scrimmage was, well....dominating. Can you believe that MSU lost? My Tigers have a ways to go with the new offense, but the defense was solid. I'll be in your neck of the woods on Tues. Got a big house at the Yacht Club. Ever inspect anything there? Tim

Is anyone aware of an exception for fire separation requirements between a garage and a living space above, if there is a sprinkler system installed in the garage? Todays inspection (new construction), had the usual lack of fire separation and exposed vinyl flex ducts in the basement garage, but in this case there is a sprinkler system. I anticipate that the builder will use the sprinkler as a reason for no separation. Thanks, Tim

Finally: Flipping the lever is meaningless. There's no way for the "flip test" to predict the behavior or the water heater or the TPR valve minutes or years into the future. That is why I dont "test" them. You are not duplicating a failure mode when you use the lever. You are just testing the lever and the connection of the lever to the valve.

Langemeier, who just happens to also be a real estate broker, was quoted as saying, “ It’s pretty common that after high winds or a tornado, a guy with a pickup and a ladder becomes a roofer. “There is some of that going on in the home inspection business.â€

Thanks for posting that Phillip. I was going to shoot you an e-mail to see if you had run into the same thing. Tim