George Hallaron

The electrician is right about having to run a whole new cable (or wires, if they're in conduit). There's no way around that. In these kinds of discussions, I try to keep the "this thing is wrong" discussion separate from the "seller should fix this thing" discussion. When I make that distinction, the tradesman & I usually agree pretty readily about the first part. Most of the time, his objection is that he thinks that it's unfair that the seller should have to pay for the repairs. I try to gently remind him that it's not his call and that the issue has already been negotiated and agreed to. Very well put.

In the world of real estate transactions, people often forget that there's a big difference between, "this thing is wrong and should be corrected," and, "the seller must correct this thing." Agents, buyers, and sellers always want us to help them with the second thing, but we can really only help with the first. Regarding the first thing: * It wasn't allowed 50 years ago and it's not allowed today. * It was done *all the time*. * Someone should probably fix it. Regarding the second thing: * If the seller doesn't want to fix it, he should just say so. Heck, I would. Most sellers are "out of the house" long before they're out of the house. The last thing that they want to do is fix up the house for someone else. If I were the seller, I'd just say, "Yeah, too bad about that. Well, have fun fixing it. I'm outta here." Jim, From the words you wrote, it sounds like you were party to this happening. The seller originally agreed to have it fixed and the electrician started to balk saying, "that's just how they have done things around here" and preceeded to tell me that he would have to run a whole new wire from the main panel in order to accomplish what I was requesting. I got tired of arguing with him and told him to write a letter of safety clearance and attach his licence number so I could move on. I knew I was right, my mistake was just not forcing the issue. That will never happen again.

Mark, Thanks for the feedback. Yes you are correct, there are no state requirements. Only seven or eight conties in the whole state have any type of code enforcment laws enacted. The county that the house is located in is one of the counties thave have code inforcement. Pearl River Co. enacted code inforcment back in 06 after Katrina. They follow the 06 addition of the IRC. The county said that is how it was done before they enacted the code. They said that unless they have a reason to inspect a home such as: A.) Any alteration of service. B.) More than 50% of the house is under construction. C.) If the house has been unoccupied. That it should be considered grandfathered in. I was always under the impression that it has never been allowed. Where is your refrence pulled from?

Good morning everyone, I had an inspection on a house the other day that is pushing 50 yrs old. The house was wired with a three wire system and has a main service disconnect on the exterior wall with a sub-panel about fifty feet away in the center of the home. The neutrals and grounds are sharing the same lug bars and in some instances, the same lug. I recommended separating and isolating the neutrals in the sub-panel. The listing agent had an electrician look at it and said that separation was not necessary. Would anyone care to elaborate on this topic? Thanks,

Thanks for the response plummen, Yes, they have been keeping the filter changed regularly and the coils appeared clean and free of any debris.

Thanks Jim, Thats the ammunition I need to present to my clients. It does seem however, that it's an inherent manufacturing processing defect for cost cutting purposes.

Has anyone had any experience dealing with this issue of the heat pump blowing a sour smell when you first reverse the cycle or it drops below 40 degrees? I have a client that is at their wits end. The hvac contractor is blowing them off, and the Trane unit is still under it's one year service warranty. As I know only what I have read about the condition, any insight would be appreciated. Thanks,