Tim H

Bain, I worked in an upholstery shop as a kid, and my job was to strip (by removing thousands of staples) furniture. There is a neat little tool that upholsterers use to quickly remove staples. Slide it under the staple, press down and twist, and viola. I could remove a staple every second or so with it. The Berry remover is the one that I used. Tim http://www.garysupholstery.com/upholstery-tools.html

Its not just out west. At least 95% of the homes that I inspect that are 20 years old or younger have outside disconnects. This mornings inspection was the first (panel) I have encounteed that was padlocked.

Wellll, he IS an Auburn Man.[:-graduat

Hey Jim, Going by feel, there was bitumen under the cover. No bitumen was was visible, however. The silver material was 'rolled' around the edges sthat I could not see a cross section. It was profenally done, and except for som air bubbles that you can see in the photo,it looked like a solid installation. Tim

Hey Mike, , I didnt measure the width[:-censore Here are the closest I have to close ups. The glare was so bad I couldnt get many decent photos. Image Insert: 59.92 KB Image Insert: 51.89 KB Thanks

I have'nt seen this material before. Image Insert: 63.47 KB It was installed on a low slope lean-to addition. I just dont know what it is and would like to look up the manufacturers specs. Thanks,Tim

Does it make any sense to insulate the ceiling and exterior walls of an attached garage? My thinking is that the living space is already enveloped by insulation and insulating the garage would not have any benefit.This would be for a single story, slab on grade in Huntsville Alabama (zone 8?) Could there be a downside? I never see ceiling insulation installed over garages like this, but a friend is building and thinks that it would be a good idea to insulate the ceiling and walls. Thanks, Tim

What is going on here? The second section (from the top) of the flue liner is missing. Any good reason for this? Image Insert: 65.05 KB Thanks Tim

Hi Larry, Since no one else mentioned it, I strongly suggest that you pick up a copy of 'Electrical Inspection of Existing Dwellings' by Doug Hansen, Redwood Kardon and Mike Casey. Amazon should have it. A must for a new inspector IMO. Good luck, Tim

This is the first roof of this type that I have encountered. The 'butterfly' roof over the main structure drains onto a flat roof that covers an addition. There are some problems that are obvious, but I found no signs of leaks in the attic. The flat roof has extensive alligatoring, but I do not think that it is a built-up asphalt roof,but maybe a rolled roof that has been patched with asphalt. I think that the 'butterfly' roof is a modified bitumen, but I am really unsure. It is stretched like a trampoline over the valleys (not bonded with the decking), and has signs of ponding, along with some questionable flashing. When the client (pre-listing), can find a reputable roofer with flat/low pitch expertise, they are going to have it evaluated and repaired (or replaced). Any comments as to materials or improper design/installation would be appreciated. Thanks, Tim Download Attachment: roof1.JPG 66.6 KB Download Attachment: roof2.JPG 72.83 KB Download Attachment: seam.JPG 88.06 KB Download Attachment: alligatoring.JPG 91.58 KB Download Attachment: chimneyflashing.JPG 62.97 KB Download Attachment: flashing.JPG 68.96 KB Download Attachment: flatroof-bubble-seam.JPG 116.89 KB

I would agree with you on the asbestos, Mike. The clients thinking on replacement has more to do with cosmetics than function or asbestos concerns. While there is a bunch of moss (common with this material as it ages, I have come to understand), the shingle are keeping water out of the structure. I would guesstimate that this cover has been in place better than 40 yrs. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know of a good way to get rid of the moss on a cover of this type without damaging the shingles?

Shoot, that aint half bad[:-crazy] If it were a brand new 500k McMiniMansion, they would have done it like this: Download Attachment: 10.JPG 52.9 KB

Thanks Bill, Cement asbestos shingles it is. After reading your article I am relieved that I followed my instincts as to the brittleness of these shingles (and the danger of walking on them). I'm fairly nimble, but at 6'4" 215, I'm not so little. Tim

This roof is on a 1913 farmhouse. Are these shingles properly called transite shingles? Ambler shingles? While there is a lot of moss on this roof, it shows no signs of leakage with the exception of the chimney flashings. I was concerned with the shingles breaking, so I did not walk the roof (and I really wanted to look at those flashings). Anyone have experience walking these roofs? While I know that a test is the only way to tell for certain if there is asbestos present, the client is aware that there very likely IS asbestos, and plans to replace the cover. Download Attachment: transite1.JPG 110.74 KB Download Attachment: transite2.JPG 58.98 KB Download Attachment: transite3.JPG 58.21 KB

For mild to sever cases of roof itch. LOL. A little too much time on your hands on a Saturday, Terry?

This is a new one to me. Asphalt shingles, 13 yr old roof. There are small (1/4"-3/8")bumps on some of the shingles. They are primarily on the darker colored shingles (which has me thinking manufacturers defect), and occur on all sides of the roof. I do not see any damage or break through on the back side of the shingle. There are micro cracks on the surface of the bumps. Obviously not a good condition, but I was wondering if anyone has seen this before and could comment on the cause. Thanks - Tim Download Attachment: PB230104.JPG 64.05 KB Download Attachment: PB230105.JPG 75.38 KB

It is the AHW program. Not unethical I suppose, but not for me. Tim

Further thread drift Scott, I agree completely about both Brinks and mold. That is why I was scratching my head when I opened my new member package from ASHI last week and the biggest, brightest and most prominent brochure in the box was from Brinks. I found this surprising and dissapointing. After two years in the business, weighing the relative merits and liabilities of the various HI groups I decided to cast my lot with ASHI and my first mailing includes promo material for a program that seems to run contrary to ASHI's mission and standards . I only bring this up here and now because of your comments regarding Nicks group and the Brinks program. I know you are a national player in ASHI, and I wonder if you knew of our (ASHI's) involvement (and defacto endorsement) of the Brinks program. Best regards Tim

Thanks Scott, That is almost word for word how I reported it, I was just curious about the code thing. I looked and didnt find indications that a deck was there previously, but I agree that there must have been one (home is over 30 yrs old). Thanks again

This photo shows a second floor sliding glass window. I called out the fact that there is no balcony or guard installed. I believe this to be a common sense safety issue, but I am looking for an opinion as to whether or not this violates IRC 312.01 which requires a guardrail for any 'walkoff >30" above floor or grade". Does a threshold 4" from the floor make this a window and not a sliding glass door? Thoughts? Thanks Tim Download Attachment: photo28.JPG 58.74 KB

I appreciate your response, but I didnt really have a question about reporting or defects, I am just trying to increase my knowledge of Stucco systems (so that the next time I encounter a similar system, I can speak with some degree of authority). Of course, I did call out the areas of damged/missing stucco and trim for the reason(s) you pointed out, but FWIW (and at the risk of thread drift) I am very hesitant to fill my reports with disclaimers. I would rather go the extra mile and gather all the information that I can on behalf of my client. Thanks again, Tim

Stuccoman- "In your third picture it looks like there is a wire mesh of some kind." It does seem to be a wire mesh, and the openings between the mesh appear to be 1". Is this something you have seen before? I am familiar only with the fine mesh such as that pictured on your web site. Thanks for the reply. Tim

Not much Stucco in these parts (central Alabama, mostly brick veneer and EIFS), and this is my first Stucco in over 200 inspections. I could not view a cross section from any penetrations, but I got a peek from some areas where the trim/fascia was damaged. I could make out felt paper vapor barrier and a composition substrate. I did not see any lathe that I have ever seen photos of or reference to. Rather, there was a heavy guage wire that appears to be spaced 1" apart vertically (I could only see one horizontal wire). The system thickness was difficult to determine because of the irregular surface finish, but there seems to be only two coats. Accessory joint were present at the corners of windows and doors, and there were only a very few minor hairline cracks present. The home and exterior finish are 34 yrs old. This doesnt appear to be a conventional application (at least one that I am familiar with through training or reading), but it is holding up very well. Any thoughts on what type of system this is, and why there is no mesh lathe present? Thanks. Tim Howe Download Attachment: P7190071.JPG 57.28 KB Download Attachment: P7190072.JPG 68.84 KB Download Attachment: P7190074.JPG 48.76 KB

Home built in 1976, AL branch circuits. When testing the lights switch in a bathroom, there was a buzz that did not have the characteristc 'sputtering' associated with arcing, rather a low pithed humming buzz. This lasted for about 1-1.5 seconds, at which point the buzzing stopped and the intensity of the lights increased dramatically. Popped the cover and the first thing I notice is that the switch is rated (marked) 'CU ONLY'. Cycled the switch several more times, and did not see any arcing, nor was there visible evidence of previous arcing. Of course I called for the switch to be replaced and I recommended that the electrician check the other switches in the home. My question (just to satisfy my curiosity) is what may have been going on and was it potentially dangerous? What are the differences in switches manufactured for CU only v. AL/CU or AL only? Thanks, Tim

"Here's a good one though; one of the organizations has a statement in their Code of Ethics saying; 1.3 Member Inspectors shall NOT overly scrutinize the property." I'm not sure which organization has this in their COE (I know which one DOESNT). For anyone who is a member of this group, I would (seriously) like to know why any inspector would be associated with that statement (and not be furious with the organizational 'leadership'). A code that prohibits a good inspection.....? I wonder if the ABA prohibits members from 'overly representing a client in a legal proceding? Statements like that are detrimental to ALL HI's, affiliated or not. My advice is to find out which org. has that statement in their COE and avoid them like the plague. Tim www.rqahomeinspections.com