homnspector

I do use the gas detector occasionally when I smell gas but can't figure where it is coming from, spray stuff actually works just as well or better. When I started out, I bought a Tiff with the understanding that it detected CO. It does, in very high concentrations, it detects any carbon based gas but doesn't tell you what it is detecting. I don't know about the 775 but don't get fooled. My feeling about gas detectors is the smaller the better. Anything big will end up collecting dust in the truck.

Mark, that cap covers a regulator adjustment that varies the gas flow and output of the burner flame. This is a GE water heater manufactured by Rheem. I don't know who manufactures the control. Apparently Fort Knox if it costs $400. On these controls, the black knob is pushed down to light the pilot, not the tan cover. If it is broken or missing it doesn't make any difference, replace it with Chad's Lego. Here are some Pics Download Attachment: IMGP9728.JPG 52.81 KB Download Attachment: IMGP9729.JPG 42.09 KB

That is one cool house. Move it brick by brick?

Looks like torch down to me, and a crappy roofing job. All of the roll roofing I have seen is 36 inches with about 6 inches of overlap. That looks wider than 30 or 32 inches.

I also do not actively solicit Realtor referrals (I used to) but get plenty of them. I work with some good people. Buyer brokers and others that sincerely want the best for their clients. They refer their family and friends to me and I do all the inspections for properties they buy. Why would I turn this down? It sounds really scary "back east". Those Realtors must be the devil incarnate if they can manipulate you like that! I too would stay well clear of any Realtor referrals if I had the experiences you all have had. Boy, be careful out there!!

"Because I have viewed and reviewed many reports from "inspectors" in our profession." So, that is the assumption if we market to Realtors? I strongly disagree with that assumption. Are you afraid if you market to Realtors you will fall into this trap, that you will "forget" who your client is? I personally do not have that problem, but I can see where it would be a problem for some.

Why would anyone, as a home inspector, let a realtor influence their report? You guys who are so afraid of realtor referrals, do you modify your report depending on the client you are working for? Do you maybe gloss over some things when you are doing a pre listing inspection for a seller?? Of course not! So why do you think that we who market to Realtors would?

I pulled the rubber cap off my maglight and sprayed a bit of wd-40 into the hole in the center of the switch. it worked great. I have found that the switches for the stingers are cheaper than sending them in for repair and fairly easy to replace.

Robert, its not as bad as you think. The office meetings are usually a dozen people or less. Just sitting around a table, show them a report, explain to them how your service is better than the others out there, bring some donuts, leave some brochures, etc. Nothing formal. Also, you might want to go to the larger area meetings and get to know people and leave brochures. Another advantage is you figure out pretty quick which agents are selling the most and which ones you would be able to work with. There are lots of inspectors on this forum with more experience and knowledge than me who have "never set foot in a Realtors office". Frankly, I don't know how they do it. Word of mouth is great, but are there that many old clients who know people purchasing homes? Maybe you will hear from some of them with ideas of how to build your busuness without the Realtors. Personally, starting out, I would'nt go after the pre-listing inspections. It's much better at the start to have a client that is happy with your work, not pissed.

"Lots of tips from older... inspectors." Thanks, we needed that. I work with several Realtors who I trust and who trust me. I would starve without their referrals. Personally, I don't see a problem with it. A good way to start is call or stop in and offer to give a short presentation at one of their weekly meetings. Realtors love meetings and are always looking for ways to fill the time.

Weird rule. Around here the Realtors Association tells the agents it is better not to be present for the inspection as they may be tempted to say, or inadvertently say, something to the client that they could be liable for, like "Oh, we see that all the time, its nothing". This rule (actually a suggestion) suits me real fine, no matter how much they are getting paid.

Looks like the black conductor probably is double tapped to the other hot lug. "the red wire may melt down and cause a fire". I think I would change "may" to "will" or "is likely to". You probably know this, but you have also got equipment grounds on the grounding bus and double lugged grounding conductors. No grounding of the panel that I can see.

Another nice link. I too have been down this road, now you have me wanting to try it again. Kurt, I am assuming your system is database based like 3D. Have you messed with Alpha 5 software? The learning curve is long but it is pretty cool and fairly cheap. http://alphasoftware.com/

Oh, I understand what you mean now about tripping the breaker. Seems like it would.

I see a guy advertising on TV alot for free courses on CD (probably $10 s&h but still maybe a good deal). Next time I see it I'll write it down.

"Uh, if the element is grounded then the wiring is the resistance heater or the breaker has blown." Not sure I understand that? My thought was that if the element burned out and contacted the side of the tank you would get a grounded reading.

Thanks all, #7 is exactly what I was looking for. I knew there was something about the element grounding that had to be checked. I wouldnt normally do this either, but it is nice to know how. I believe the element has to be disconnected to properly measure the resistance as indicated in the last portion of #7. I think Robert's solution may be easiest but time consuming. I am also pretty sure only 1 element is on at a time, otherwise, the 30 amp breaker and #10 wiring would obviously NOT be OK for (2) 4500 watt elements.

A plumber once told me how to test a water heater element with a continuity meter. I forgot the process, I know you had to disconnect some conductors from the terminals. Anybody know the process?

I think you could do the same thing by going to the local hardware store and getting a couple of inches of each gauge to carry as a reference. I keep thinking about that but haven't done it yet. Course, they will think you are a little nuts at the hardware store.

"a home inspector had given the house a clean bill of health before she bought it" I read this alot and still don't understand what it means. Have any of you ever said anything like that?? Its like the seller asking "did I pass?"

I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Harold, the computer guy, to come over. Harold clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. He gave me a bill for a minimum service call. As he was walking away, I called after him,"So, what was wrong?" He replied, "It was an ID ten T error." I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An ID ten T error? What's that,in case I need to fix it again?" Harold grinned...."Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?" "No," I replied. "Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out." So I wrote down. I D 1 0 T I used to like Harold.

"Simple enough, and we've all thought about doing that" Brian, you may be alone there. Homes in the Bahamas collect rain water into a cisern for drinking water. Do you see steep pitched roofs there? No. For collecting rain water, the best system is a low pitched roof.

Ah yes, the elusive "Valley Cicket"

Suppose it is a blowing rain at a 45 degree angle, coming from both sides of the house??

"Why not just tell them to call the power company and have the electricity turned on for the day tomorrow? " Here they want an account with a deposit and a fee for turning it on (and probably off). You are lucky if they do it within 4 days.