mlparham

A two-year course? It takes eight years' minimum to become a PE. A four-year engineering degree from an accredited university, think big bucks, and four years of experience under the direct supervision of a PE. You also need references from three other PE's as well as a reference from your managing PE. You are then qualified to undertake 16 hours of examination. I respect what you do and I always consider the challenges that a tradesman encounters everyday. I seek the tradesman's advice when possible before issuing letters or designs. Professional Engineers are bound by law "to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public". If contractors would take the time to ask questions about the engineer's recommendations you would be surprised how willing most engineers are to address the contractor's concerns and make changes. Tip to tradesmen: Always read the notes on the sketch!!

Is this a condo building?

What is the exterior siding and age of the home?

I agree with Marc. The flame in the space heater does not look right. I would expect to see the flame covering the entire bottom of the heater. Check the installation directions and the trouble shooting section.

One can and will.

Moisture movement from the interior to the exterior. Any water related issues in the home?

Please do not try to repair any cracked tiles. It is very clear that you do not have the skills to replace tiles.

500 years old? I find that hard to believe.

My Sure Test analyzer will detect false grounds but my pocket tester will not. The Sure Test will also indicate a false ground if the receptacle within 15-20 feet of the panel.

It may be a combination termites and beetles as well as ants at the bottom of the pier. What is the age of the home and was the infestation found in a basement or crawl space?

My bible for this stuff is "Modern Hydronic Heating" by Siegenthaler. When you have two closely spaced tees on the primary loop there is very little pressure difference between them. And that's what you want. If the tees are far apart then there's a pressure difference, and that pressure difference will induce flow between the points through the secondary loop. To minimize turbulence in the flow you want at least 8 pipe diameters of straight pipe in the primary loop before the first tee, and at least 4 pipe diameters of straight pipe after the second tee. In Kurt's picture it looks like the primary circulator is bigger than the secondary, so you won't get the short circuiting. But Siegenthaler says that if the closely spaced tees principle is done right the primary circulator doesn't need to be any bigger than the others -- just sized right. Ahhh. The intention seems to be minimizing the influence of primary pump force on the secondry loops so that secondary flow rate follows as much as possible only the secondary pump force. These are obviously very low pressure loops. Thanks. Marc I expect this post to be deleted but what is the the difference between primary and secondary thrust modes? Maybe a nap?

Perhaps try again in English this time. Try it again with a with a paragraph or two. Your post is, to be kind, difficult to read.

I suspect some type of waste disposal.

Scott, You are right but it normally starts with "somebody hold my beer".

The insurance company does not want to insure the home but will not tell the buyer that fact. The buyer should just find another insurance company.

When you are done with burning ants try my favorite: The Potato Cannon!

Your contract for services should state that you use any standards of practice as a guideline for your inspection. Lunch with a former inspector turned expert witness was very informative. He said that he could always find a way that an inspector did not meet the standards of practice. He recommended that the SOP should be refereed to as a guideline. Never, never commit to fully meeting or exceeding the SOP requirements in a contract or in advertising.

Run a plumb or long level along the face of the retaining wall. If the top of the wall extends outside of the foot print of the footing the wall is in failure.

Jim is right, it is probably time to walk away. It has been my experience that house number two is loved more by the lovely wife than the first home. Good luck with your house hunting!

I suspect that the real problem with this home has not yet been identified. Repairs have been performed once and only a few years later additional repairs are needed. That is a real red flag to me. I realize that inventory in the Charlotte market is tight and finding a good home in a desirable neighborhood is difficult. I believe that it is time for you to seriously consider walking away from this home. There are just to many unknowns.

Does the homeowner park in the garage everyday? If so I would back drafting when the garage door is opened. If the homeowner does not park in the garage I would still back drafting.

Run!!

I did a short little test on my ac system today just to measure moisture output from the system fan running versus not running. The results were very interesting. Do you want 55% moisture air pumped into your for home over an hour?

I did a short little test on my ac system today just to measure moisture output from the system fan running versus not running. The results were very interesting. Do you want 55% moisture air pumped into your for over an hour?

I did a short little test on my ac system today just to measure moisture output from the system fan running versus not running. The results were very interesting. Do you want 55% moisture air pumped into your for over an hour?