Richard Moore

Thanks for the input. The "obligation" or requirements part was just for me. I don't really care if local codes or requirements have been met or not. As far as my client and the report are concerned, well, basically, it ain't working and it needs fixing, and that would be my response if I was challenged by the builder claiming he wasn't "required" to do anything. I had the client stick his head up into the attic, showed him the IR thermometer readings and made him well aware of the lack of ventilation and the possible consequences. Whether this unit, the neighboring one and the other 7 similar blocks in the complex ever get increased ventilation is now up to everyone BUT me. Vini, Vidi, Opini, Somnus (I came, I saw, I reported, I took a nap)

I had 1000sf upper unit in a 1983, three story condo (new conversion) block. 6, units per block (all “endâ€

LOL... Thanks, but not quite right! We want something a little more traditional for the French waterways and, frankly, bigger. This is more like we have in mind (albeit without the antiques). http://www.bowcrest.com/New%20Build%20B ... 0Coeur.pdf This is what we have booked for later this summer on our exploratory trip. http://www.locaboat.com/gb/penichettes/ ... p?pen=935R It's plastic and a LOT smaller, but it will give us a good feel for the canal environment. Au revoir. À bientôt.

I'm down quite a bit for the year, although much of that was the first 3 months. Things have since picked up and I'm in the middle of a very busy week (for me)...but it's still "spottier" than last year. The one thing I have definitely noticed is that I'm not doing any pre-offer inspections. Last year at this time I was often rubbing shoulders with other inspectors as our clients all tried to remove the inspection contigency in order to make their offers more attractive. Some houses would get a half dozen inspections or more! Kept us all nice and busy. I would sometime do 3 or 4 such inspections for the same client before he/she won a bidding war. THAT just ain't happenin' this year. But...I married well and really don't mind the idle time. Now...if we could only get some damn sunshine around here I could put the hammock to good use watching my grapes grow. Image Insert: 247.83 KB

No big deal, but I usually just go with "cable clamps". They clamp the wires in place but don't really "connect" anything.

Thanks Brian. I'll take your word for that and stand corrected. Still looks wierd though. I often see quad 1/2 size breakers (2 240 circuits, inner and outer), but I don't think I've ever seen a 1/2 size 240 standing alone like that.

Ah...the ole three wheeled Morgan! It may be white but, No thanks! Didn't like them when I lived in England and still don't. Three-wheeled cars became "popular" in England partly because they were classified as motor-cycles and you could drive one at 16 rather than the 17 needed for a normal car. The other "advantages", if memory serves, was cheaper road tax and, of course, just being cheaper overall to operate. Besides 0 to 60 being measured on a calendar for some models, the main problem was they had a tendency to just fall over in hard cornering. You say they are being made here now? Wow...someone must have a good liability insurance broker!

"City inspector is still wrong." Hmmm...I have to wonder about that John. Looking at your first post... "The owner called the chief city inspector here and he said I'm full of , well not goodness." ...perhaps the city inspector was able to determine over the phone (as you should have been able to on site) that it was a very common split-bus panel. Not all AHJ inspectors are "experts" but I have a hard time imagining any that wouldn't know about the 6 throw rule. The only thing I see that needs fixing is that half-size double breaker on the left. I realize there are no conductors to it, which is a good thing. Its position, "jammed" between two two full size mounting tabs is just wrong and I would recommend that it be removed and the gaps in the cover filled with appropriate plates. Tom...once again, it's a split-bus panel. In a typical split-bus panel, the upper section has room for 4 or 6 double-pole breakers, one of which feeds (not back-fed) the lower bus-bars. All 4 or 6 of those upper breakers ARE the main or service disconnect and no other is needed. Problems with excessive throws in a split-bus panel are often the result of changing from electric to gas (heat and water heater) and then re-using the top half for a variety of single-pole breakers and 120-volt circuits. FYI...here's a variety of split-bus panels. I've marked the brands and the lower half feed in each (except the Square-D...unlabeled, top right breaker). Note that these are for recognition only as there may be other issues with some (FPE, Zinnsco, etc). Image Insert: 93.67 KB Image Insert: 122.82 KB Image Insert: 96.99 KB Image Insert: 102.61 KB Image Insert: 239.66 KB Image Insert: 92.17 KB

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...or insulation, or guard rails, or GFCIs, etc, etc. Why is everything a "slippery slope" to some? It's only going to be required on NEW homes. However, I do hope there will be some leeway for those building within the lush (and rainy) canopy areas. I'd hate to see people forced to cut down trees just to get some sun on their panels.

'Tis the west coast Chad. Rarely is anything actually built using brick for support nowadays, but we are fond of tarting up a home with veneer. I think you are just seeing a gap under a "detail".

I'm guessing a filter, but I'll also defer to Bill. My other totally WAG...was there ever such a thing as a flouride "injector"?

Stop posting erotic photos Mike! Somewhere in this house are our 1986 wedding photos, including pics of the wife and me riding away on my 750 Virago. Funny stuff, with her wedding dress all hitched up and wedding crap all over the bike. The wife's away through this weekend, in Boston at some microbiology shindig with her publisher, but I'll have her dig them out when she gets back. That was my last bike. Sold it shortly after when the helmet laws came out, which ruined its appeal as a summer run-around for me. I know helmets are a "good" thing, but I just didn't want to always wear one, especially on a 90 degree day for a short cruise to the shops. I can't remember ever once doing the back seat thing myself. It sounds scary not being in control!

Enough! As Jim said, please take it outside or elsewhere.

Yep. There's some very nice big Japanese cruisers out there, and I'd take any one of them. I do have this thing for white bikes. I pass a Suzuki dealer every other day and they have a 2007, white Boulevard displayed in the window that makes my mouth water. Not gonna happen though. Image Insert: 23.18 KB We are planning on upgrading the wife's Yamaha 50cc scooter to a 200 or 250cc Vespa, but hardly the same thing! [:-irked]

Oh, great! Now he wants a Harley!

Kind of off subject, but Erby's link just gave me a marketing idea...The Naked Home Inspector! I could put out a brochure with a naked picture of me on it and, at my age and "shape", I feel quite confident I could just sit at home and people will send me money to NOT inspect their houses...or come anywhere near them. Brilliant! Image Insert: 65.38 KB

"...looks like the one Jodi has pictured where the wire goes under the screw head" Good spot Kyle. I didn't see that. Yep...I don't think any that are wired at the screw can take more than one. So...not "always". Thanks.

I recently cleaned out a cupboard and tossed out the large box containing almost all of the brochures I had made over 5 years ago when I started. I peppered the real estate offices with them the one time and I don't believe I got a single job out of it. Your mileage may vary. As for your brochure...what almost everyone said. Me, I'm just going to pick on the first page. Personally, those photos are about as far away from my dream as you could get. A generic McMansion with nothing but concrete and grass for a yard and the ubiquitous oak kitchen with no windows would be a frigging nightmare! Now, that's me, but it also probably applies to many others. I'm not sure what the cover says to you, but it says nothing to me about home inspections, and if I were at that stage in buying a home I would have no reason at all to pick it up, even if the photos were more attractive. If you are staying with "the next step to your dream" catchphrase, I'd find a picture of a castle, a palace, or at least something more fanciful than photos of a home that might be a downgrade to some. There...honest and not nice. But you asked.

It does have a plate, but it doesn't look anything like the Square-D and frankly, it doesn't look as good as the Square-D...but it is "listed". I have a close-up photo I took at the big box the other day... Image Insert: 113.93 KB

Gotta disagree with Tim here. For quite some time (maybe always), all Cutler Hammer type CH breakers, both single and double pole, up to 30-amps are listed by the manufacturer for one 8-14 AWG Al/Cu conductor or two 10-14 AWG Cu only conductors. It's not on that label in the photo. It's embossed on the side of the breaker. See photo. Image Insert: 93.66 KB Also see the Cutler-Hammer chart... Image Insert: 92.33 KB

Not sure what you want Eric. Ugly glue job? That is in fact an AAV. They appear to be approved in Florida (according to Studor's own web-site http://www.studor.com/approvals.htm ). It's not big enough to be the main stack. So, therefore, and judging purely by your photos, I suspect it is just fine. But...could just as well be wrong depending on other factors.

I agree with Les. Supposedly (from your vent photos), it's an engineered truss and the manufacturers didn't have a problem with the missing knot. Besides which, it's under compression, and without any lateral loads. I see nothing to report.

So...you can vent into a Studer?

Couple of IRC code issues with AAV's... AAV's in attics need to be installed a minimum of 6" above the insulation. Probably most important: P3114.7 Vent required. Within each plumbing system, a minimum of one stack vent or a vent stack shall extend outdoors to the open air. (my underline) In other words, the attic AAV can't be a substitute for the normal "free-to-air" main vent above the roofline. If it's just for an individual or branch vent, should be no problem...assuming, as Chad pointed out, it is a permitted AAV.