Richard Moore

Hunting is not my cup of tea, but I really have no problem with regulated hunting and responsible hunters. The lack of natural predators (wolves, etc) does mean overpopulation in many game species and I think it is a very valid food source for many. I do suspect that the high priced, un-natural, game parks attract the "screw-the-hunt-I just-want-to kill-something-and-boast-about-it" crowd and they stretch my tolerance. But, to be fair... I googled a little bit on the photos and one savvy hunter noted that there weren't any gun-racks on the vehicles and he believes they are simply for "visual" safaris, albeit with drinks, rather than roving gun platforms. The one photo that does really disgust me is the guy in the hot-tub. I doubt that he's going to jump out naked (except for the hat) and make sure he hasn't just wounded some hapless critter. That particular "gentleman" is likely from a shallower gene pool than the one he is sitting in!

I like to think I have a fairly good grasp of residential wiring and I am now absolutely certain that it is only residential! To paraphrase Kurt and Bob..."Whoooosh! Huh? Say What?" [:-dunce] I do understand the bit about the tape being orange! [:-graduat

Here's the same photo lightened. Image Insert: 114.28 KB You can see the handle-tie across all three poles. But, from this "distance", I guess we should say we sure hope it's a three-phase system.

[:-taped]

Now, where in the hell did I say that? [:-bigeyes That's a bit like me inferring that you don't think properly written narrative is that important because a few might not understand it! My point was that while some photos can be, and often are, helpful they are not a substitute for the written word. If anyone feels that sticking a 100 photos in a report excuses them from fully describing the issues in clear language, then I have to disagree.

Sorry, this is getting a little off-topic but, don't you explain GFCIs to all your clients (verbally and report)? I'm sure you actually do but, if you feel that a client needs a photo of one, then wouldn't you include a photo whether one is bad or not? I don't use a lot of pure boilerplate but GFCIs, AFCIs, smoke detectors all get descriptive "fluff" recommending regular testing. I also explain the "downstream" protection while on site and identify where the actual GFCIs are. A photo of something that, IMO, does nothing to illustrate the fault is a waste of ink and electrons, and probably detracts from the really useful pictures. (My 2 cents)

So...I'm thinking of wearing a head mounted video camera and posting each entire inspection on YouTube. Seriously though, while I think photos help, and I do use them sparingly, I also think that if you are incapable of describing the issue clearly and concisely in words, then maybe you shouldn't be writing narrative reports at all. I really don't care if it's "boring". I'm not writing a best seller. The whole report may be for your client, but, like it or not, we are also producing a negotiating "tool" and any particular section describing a needed repair is possibly going to be faxed to the listing agent/seller for remedy. As I doubt the pictures will often accompany that, the wording needs to stand up by itself. I saw a report a little while back that had a close-up photo of a GFCI receptacle with the caption "GFCI did not trip when tested". Do we really need photos of everything?

Hey Chad... I'll bite, but in return you can do the same for me (not up for "everyones" comments). So that we aren't cherry-picking, I'm also going to send you my latest, from Saturday. BTW...your sample report link isn't working.

Cool! Wanna see it! I signed up online (not the most intuitive sign-up, but fairly simple to work out once you have set up an account). Besides the facility, I'm also interested in seeing IR in action. Anyone else going? Think I'd better turn off the ol' pooter. Wind storm just starting and my lights are blinking. I hope tomorrow's inspection has power...and a roof.

"Plug cap would accomodate an 18ga lampcord, one steel blade and one brass, both same size..." One last guess: The different materials are interesting, and kind of "modern". Perhaps someone worked out the dangers of reversed polarity (power to shell, not switch, etc) and what we have here is America's very first polarized plug? I would imagine the receptacles and "DIY" plugs were sold as sets. Obviously, I had the day off and I'm bored!

Les... I found this... http://www.mosaicshades.com/antique2005 ... /index.htm . It's mostly about the history of lamp sockets but if you scroll down to the last photo, the middle plug looks similar. Tough to tell which way the prongs are oriented, but I suspect they went a few different ways until everyone settled on a standard. Interesting article for you lamp socket history buffs.

Perhaps they were "shaped" that way to designate a switched circuit for plug in lamps. Just another WAG!

Les...was there metal or continuity between the prongs in the plug? The only thing I can think of is that they "switch" on the adjoining receptacles (or used to). In that case, you wouldn't measure any current between the two holes unless there was actually something plugged in, and turned on, at the receptacle. Very odd! Ok...just looked closer at the 3rd photo and saw the hole in the plug. Scratch all the above! [:-dunce] I'd now guess for lamp cords but no idea why the weird pattern.

John...there's two blowers. One for circulation, moving air accross the evaporator heat exchanger, and the other for the "outdoor" exchanger. It seems to work in the same way as a split system, but with everything kind of folded up in a single cabinet. And yes, the unit "exhausted" through a very large roof vent (badly flashed) and was drawing outside air from the crawl. No one else, here or at that "other place", has owned up to seeing one of these before so I guess it is an oddity at best, and totally unsuitable at worst. I told my clients on-site that this was an unknown beast as far as I was concerned and referred them to the ubiquitous "well qualified HVAC contractor" for repair, service, and evaluation. Not necessarily in that order!

It's not OK in ANY panel unless the lugs at the bar are specifically designed for more than one current carrying conductor. As I'm not aware of a residential grounding/neutral bar that has special lugs, it's safe to say it's wrong. It's been wrong for a long time and is well supported by NEC code. There's a couple of issues, one being that the screw may only be torqued down on one of the wires leaving the other loose in the lug and, therefore, a source of arcing or a potential "open neutral"...both bad. It's a "quality of connection" thing, same as why "double-tapping" regular breakers is wrong. Basically, one neutral, by itself, per lug is allowed. Grounding conductors, because any current they might carry should only be momentary, may usually be 2 or 3 per lug, depending on the "listing" in the panel.

Large townhouse complex built in 2001. My unit was a 3 story, mid block unit with a tandem garage occupying almost the entire lower level. Furnace was a very normal Carrier 80% induced draft model. Both the return and supply plenums had fire dampers installed. I presume the purpose of these is to stop the spread of smoke (and flames?) from a fire in the garage, and I have no problem with them being there. The flaps inside were open, and while I'm not clear on the "triggering" mechanism I would assume it's heat? But...I've done countless similar townhomes, many from the same era and in the same jurisdiction, and I've never seen these installed before. Actually, never seen them in any residence. I guess I'm not used to builders installing extra safety devices unless they are forced to. So my question is...Is there any reason these might be "required" in a particular complex or unit? Download Attachment: firedampers.jpg 158.03 KB

Mike... I'm not trying to minimize the possible dangers or precautions. In fact, when I talk to my clients about it I use a line from the EPA that they should assume it does contain asbestos. I was just wondering about testing. BTW, I did find vermiculite about 12 days ago. Image Insert: 68.85 KB But...it was a real POS fixer in Burien. I wouldn't have paid $150,000 total for the place, never mind an additional $150,000. So...I'm guessing I'm not that other guy! [:-paperba

Mike, Obviously, the presence of vermiculite needs to be reported but I was under the impression that current testing is unreliable. I try to give my clients the best link I can find. It used to be Puget Sound Clean Air agency but they seem to have removed a bunch of asbestos info from their site. The link I use now is http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/insula ... WhatShould . It's an EPA page labeled "Current Best Practices for Vermiculite Attic Insulation - May 2003". This extract talks about testing (or rather not testing). "Currently, there are specific technical issues involving vermiculite sampling that can complicate testing for the presence of asbestos fibers and interpreting the risk from exposure. EPA and ATSDR are not recommending at this time that homeowners have vermiculite attic insulation tested for asbestos. As testing techniques are refined, EPA and ATSDR will provide information to the public on the benefits of testing that produce more definitive and accurate test results." I can't find anything on the EPA site newer than that. For my education (and my clients) has something changed since then?

Has anyone seen one of these in a stick built home? Download Attachment: ConsolidatedInsider.jpg 78.4 KB It’s a Consolidated Technologies “Insiderâ€

There was a “driftâ€

I see a lot of homes with vaulted ceilings that are a lower slope than the roof above. These typically have a "normal" attic for part of the house and then a much tighter space where the vaulted sections are. You can see across them but impossible to access much beyond arm's reach. Mark's may have been one of those. I would have added..."I tested both areas with a non-invasive moisture meter and found no indication of a current high moisture content. I recommend you ask the seller about the history of these areas"...or something along those lines.

This stuff Mike? Image Insert: 104.49 KB I "temporarily" repaired some wind damage on my own house with the stuff. I found it at a local lumber yard. 6" wide in my case. The repair actually lasted about 5 years until I finally had the re-model done. But...I thought it was intended for temp repairs and not a whole roof?

New Zealand is experiencing an EIFS-like epidemic, they refer to as "Leaky Buildings". I'm going there to investigate with the wife as a paid secretary. Think that will fly with the IRS? Nope? Me neither. Nevermind. Truth is the wife has an unusually long break between semesters this winter so we decided to take our main vacation then. Lets see...it will be winter here and the start of summer in NZ. Sounds good to me. SWMBO went to NZ 25 years ago, loved it, and has been wanting to go back with me. We both prefer the small, out-of-the-way places and wandering "aimlessly". Hence the camper van. I'm sure we will alternate with B&Bs, etc, but the van allows us to not have to be anywhere in particular at at any time. Christmas in summer will be a little wierd, but I think I'll handle it fine with a beer and some sun-screen. Plus, I can check if gravity really does work upside down...oh, and that anti-clockwise drain thing. PS...for potential burglars. There will be house sitters here!

Talking of paint jobs... I have one of these reserved for most of December and into the new year. http://www.escaperentals.co.nz/photos.asp I'm told that as I'm arriving early in the morning I should have a good selection to choose from. Any suggestions? There's 6 pages of the goofy things. Evidently, van art is very common in NZ and you actually stick out more as a tourist in a plain white one.

My first guess would just be years of poor filtration caused by a cheap, dirty, poorly fitting, or missing filter and that this register is often or normally completely closed, forcing the air out in the pattern you see. I also like the circulating candle smoke thing. I doubt that the cheap filters would remove much of that.