Richard Moore

Richard, I don't think it's as black and white as that. There's no reason why you can't do a thorough, unbiased inspection, and still get referrals from realtors. Sorry, that came out wrong. Well, at least as a stand-alone line. The "sucking" I was referring to was the inspection and sugar coated reporting. I agree with you. I don't give a rats ass where referrals come from. It should make no difference at all to the way you inspect and report.

I do think it's a conflict of interest...for the "large RE company". In return for two or three hundred bucks they are willing to, effectively, recommend you to their clients by putting you on their free folders? If you don't pay, do they just go on to the next guy who will, no matter what his qualifications? That's how they show their potential clients they care about them? Really?! For you, I don't see it matters that much. You are either an ethical inspector, working only for your client, or you are a total sleaze bag sucking up to agents. There's a lot of chatter about how inspectors get referrals but, IMO, those are the only two options when it comes to doing the actual job. Personally, I wouldn't encourage the RE company by paying to be on the folder. But, if you can overlook that part and need the work badly enough, I wouldn't get on your case as long as you know who you are working for and act accordingly.

Also signed up although I don't yet know where I'm going or what time. I've asked for details. (I changed Mike's thread title) (And I've now received the flyer. 8:00 am - noon, Residence Inn, Bellevue)

I never use the word myself as I'm not sure exactly what part of the service mast it applies to. But it actually is an "official" term here in Seattle. From...Seattle City Light customer application ( http://www.seattle.gov/light/electricse ... ackage.pdf ) Download Attachment: seattlestrike.jpg 185.5 KB But when Googling that, I also came upon a couple of Electrician forums where Sparkies were asking the same "What's a strike?" question. Must be one of those very regional things.

The new service is grounded and bonded, yes? If so, I'm having trouble imagining how this would be more of a shock hazard than any other bonded metallic bit, such as the panel itself or metallic piping. It's goofy, and I think it should be tidied up by removing the old neutral feeder, but I don't see it as that much of an immediate threat.

Anywhere near one of those natural gas "fracking" sites?

We'll be back. The wife has an long time friend in Friday Harbor, so it's a natural stopover for us. Also just a cool place to hang out, as you already know. Perhaps a beer next time? I could do a joint like that using just a router and a simple MDF template but, yeah, there's probably CNC in all but the smaller workshops nowadays.

I've already got one of those moveable waterfront places. Center of the photo, just right of the plane. You should recognize the harbor. Download Attachment: 2010SJ 029x.jpg 256.96 KB Back to the flooring...I think, as a woodworker, I am more taken with the ability to joint long boards like this than with the actual look. I know that if I had walked into a house and seen this for the first time, my mind would have been boggled imagining the work involved. "...available at a price not considerably more than today’s fine wood flooring." I wonder what that actually means? On the "defect in a plank" concern...I was reading the accompanying story and it stated that the company keeps the individual CAD files on record and could reproduce any board if one was damaged.

Not something we are likely to see outside of a super-customized home...but very cool use of available technology. http://www.bolefloor.com/en/#p=home I think it would look terrific in the great room of my multi-million dollar hunting/ski lodge. []

I sure hope our new friend is being sarcastic with his first post?

Follow our intrepid DIY network hostess as she shows us how to plumb a vessel sink drain, step by step. Click to Enlarge 24.7 KB Click to Enlarge 19.69 KB Click to Enlarge 19.84 KB Click to Enlarge 22.23 KB Click to Enlarge 20.83 KB Nailed that! [:-bigeyes On to the supply lines. Click to Enlarge 22.41 KB I wasn't even really watching this. Just happened to have the TV on the DIY channel when I quit a recorded show and caught this sequence. After doing a double take at the end result, my DVR allowed me to go back and take some screen shots with my camera. Please tell me that homeowners don't actually use this crap for educational purposes.

Wow! All Gurus. Bill's is good but a little strong on the "I'm a home inspector" bit. Yeah, mine's a bit wordy but it does sound more like me. I also would rather not get involved beyond making them aware, so I'm not including my phone number or company info. This home wasn't on one of my normal dog walking routes. I had booked a new construction inspection last night that had no listing and decided that the 5 mile round trip was just right for a good stroll to check for ladder needs. Anyway, the original is now in an envelope, addressed, sealed and stamped. I'm comfortable enough that it fulfills my civic duty and think I'll just stick with that. Thanks guys! BTW...still smoke free (almost 4 weeks now). Probably because of that, the weight loss has stalled a bit (now around 30lbs) but at least I'm not putting it back on.

So I'm out walking my dog this morning and as I'm passing by the side of a house on a corner lot I hear weird burbling noises coming from the cat iv flue termination. It sounds like the underwater exhaust on a boat. I can see over the fence and clearly see water being occasionally ejected from the standard PVC snorkel. This is in my neighborhood but still far enough away that I don't know these people or the house. No one in the yard and I didn't feel like cold calling at the door, especially with a 100lb mutt. I also don't want to appear to be soliciting so I came up with the following which I'm going to mail to the "occupants" in the morning.

It's wrong and I suspect it's wired that way simply because that's what they had on hand. Funny thing is, if it's just the single 120 volt circuit feeding the receptacles, then they didn't need the panel in the first place. The breaker at the main panel was all that was required. As wired, it's not actually or practically dangerous, although it would be with single pole breakers (fused neutral). But, that's only if no one ever tries to add anything! I would probably suggest they simply replace the panel with a j-box and a GFCI receptacle feeding the others.

I see a bonding strap on that bar so, presumably, it is service equipment and therefore no harm having grounds and neutrals on the same bar.

What's all this talk about a needing a GFCI breaker to maintain the four outlets? A single GFCI duplex receptacle could easily feed the other duplex and accomplish the same thing.

Looks to me like it's shaling like shale, or at least that's what I would call it. I think of sandstone as having a bit more integrity than that flaky stuff.

I'm going to go with "Whole House Nutmeg Grater"...but then, I'm odd! [:-spin]

No, I'm still standing with you. There's just been a few times when folks forget their checkbook, or have some equally lame excuse. I simply need to offer the service, and this is as cheap and easy as anything I've seen. Also always been only cash or check. Even when they forget the checkbook, I have always got one quickly in the mail. In other words, I have never been burnt. But, having the ability, on rare occasions, to take credit cards without any monthly fees is very tempting. Trouble is, I would have to finally upgrade my original iPhone as it only works on the 3G and up. Well...I've been looking for an excuse to do that anyway.

Yeah, the whole thing was a funky set-up in an added greenhouse/conservatory. Half sun-room, half this bathroom. Almost every window badly fogged. There were 5 other bathrooms in this large, otherwise classic, old house so it's hard to imagine why they did this in the first place. Client plans to tear the whole thing down and replace with an open patio area. That's a good thing, but is going to take some service relocation.

...if you can comfortably reach the 200-amp service disconnect when soaking? Download Attachment: 110317E 032x.jpg 124.79 KB []

BTU rating probably enters into the equation. The codes basically say to manufacturer's specs for direct vent. This is just a WAG off the top off my head but perhaps the consistent, steady draft isn't quite as important for a, glassed in, gas fireplace. It's not like you can blow a lot of combustion gases back into the room. Obviously, draft is necessary, but maybe they decided that clearances to eddy creating walls, etc, can be less with with sealed, direct vent appliances?

It sounds like you are trying to reinvent the wheel by making it less convenient to use. Why not just use one the readily available "freezeless" hot/cold hose bibs. Click to Enlarge 6.35 KB Under $100 at http://www.plumbingsupply.com/woodford.html . Easier to use, and future homeowners will also understand and appreciate it (ability to mix would be good for washing the dog, etc). Also seems like it would be simpler to plumb than what you are suggesting.

Mike, I don't much feel like getting into my code books at the moment, so I'll try logic instead. You say this is the first time you have seen a newer furnace without a disconnect or direct line of sight to the breaker. If it wasn't code, then don't you find that odd in this era where most contractors will only do what is required, and no more?

Also not good for plenums... Click to Enlarge 71.8 KB No idea what they were trying to achieve here, but it's falling off.