paul burrell

Could be Mike I never considered about that. Maybe some sharp plumbers out there can elaborate on pressure restriction of PB versus COPPER, CPVC and PEX. I heard on news today that PB is still causing home owners problems and their class action warranties have expired. My daughter just bought a home with expired warranty on PB. I told Her it could cost her probably $5,000 to replace it and she negotiated a price reduction for that amount plus a few other concessions. Naturally I inspected the home for free so I think She came out OK. Paul B.

By far most homes I inspect that have polybutlyene branch lines have very low water pressure. I never could figure out why. [] Paul B.

On pressed board or wood siding there should be at least a 2" exposure above roof line because of moisture contact and decay. Down in my neck of the woods we are lucky to see any exposure at all much less a crooked one. We just see moisture damaged siding at roof contact. Sometimes I think builders and tradesmen just don't care, other times I know for sure they don't. Paul B.

Same here with EIFS. 10 years ago EIFS inspections were a money maker for home inspectors. I bought all the moisture meters for the inspection including a $1,100 wet wall detector. I have not had a call for an EIFS inspection in a couple years now. All the moisture meters are sitting on shelf gathering dust. REASON: EIFS repair and installation Companies are doing inspections for free. Yeah sure. I have a hunch there is maybe a little conflict of interest for an EIFS repaimen to inspect an EIFS home for free. Paul B.

OK: People don't like to have the truth preached to them. The problem between Realtors and Home Inspectors and Appraisers and Mortgage Brokers has been covered many times. Observation: As long as HI's are subject to the Realtors and Appraisers are subject to Motgage Brokers the fox will remain in charge of the chicken house and the buyer will know not what has hit them. There is another way but that has been covered also. But will require great effort by HI's which is probably the reason it has not happened. Paul B. PS: I do not expect to get little if any response to above post. If it ain't broke don't fix it and if in is broke and business is good still don't fix it.

If I had to choose between a cinder block dropped on my toes from 5 feet high or an adjustable mortgage on my home I would take the cinder block on toes. The da** things should be illegal. Predatory lenders do not explain adequately the future problems with fluctuating rate loans, if at all. I have dealt with many lenders in my time some were good and some were so bad I called one of being a mafia operation to his face. When I complained to another lender he said "we go by the golden rule. We have the gold and we make the rules". Moral of this story is beware of strangers bearing gifts and mortgage brokers. Paul B.

Any electrical outlet or switch should be at least 5 feet from tub period. I would wright this up with no hesitation. Electricty and water do not mix. [xx(] Paul B.

I think it is a coffee pot from an old aircraft carrier. Sailors love their coffee.[:-paperba

Didn't say not report defects. As a matter of CYA I would report all visible defects. ASHI standards are "minium standards". Any good inspector exceeds these standards on most all jobs they do. Paul B.

According to ASHI standards appliances such as wood stoves are not part of the inspection the last time I checked. Of course if there is a visible defect it should naturally be reported. Paul B.

This is all good and dandy but I just bought a new 31' Flagstaff super lite classic travel trailer and the potty room smells like **** most of the time. Does anyone have experience with this problem or is it normal since there is no trap in the toilet. The dealer says that is just the way it is with RV's. PB

Who pays for the repairs deemed necessary by BIG BROTHER? On first glance at this legislation it appears to be some where between socialism and communism. In any event somebody is gonna get rich and I do not think it will be the taxpayers. Paul B.

Yes it is PB. However the short leads from water cutoff valve under sinks are not usually called out in report. They are also present in houses with all copper or CPVC branch lines. Paul B. Lawrenceville, Ga.

Duluth trading has excellent vest suitable for inspection work. They have light weight or heavy for winter. They cost from 50 to eighty dollars. I have had one for 5 years, works great and at my age I doubt I will ever wear it out. Paul B. ------------------------------------------------ Surefire, Protim. Meter, 10 in 1 screwdriver, 12' tape measure, telescoping mirror, 3-light tester Too much for pants pockets, but just enough for a small pouch on a belt. Its a physical thing for me. Sounds weird, but I think wearing my belt so much is rubbing and pinching nerves through my hips--my legs and hips ache when I wear my belt too much

The most stupid thing I ever did in my life was break the grill on our floor furnace when my son was only two years old. I was so dumb (22 years old) that I did not place any emphasis on blocking it off or getting the grill replaced quickly. You guessed it my son fell on to the hot heat exchanger and cooked his little behind. I can still remember the pain that little guy suffered when I held him down and his mother poured mecurachome daily on the wound to stop the infection as per our doctors orders. He is 49 years old now and has an awful scar remaining on his left buttock. After all these years I am still haunted because of my stupidity for letting such a preventable thing happen. If this post saves one child from what I did in ignorance maybe I can feel better. Regards, Paul B. Lawrenceville, Ga.

I recently did an inspection and the Realtor asked me for a copy of report. I replied that the report was the property of the buyer my client. She replied that Her contract with the buyer stated that a copy of report was to be furnished to Realtor and seller? It amazes me the length Realtors will go to interfere with the inspection process between the buyer and their inspector. Maybe if I am to furnish three reports I should get paid for three reports. What say you. Paul B. ---------------------------------------------

I contacted my local county building department on the internet and down loaded an excellent set of deck detail requirements. Maybe your local county has same? Paul B.

I think 18' is the "working height" not the actual ladder height. Paul B.

As far as the Zoids are concerned inspectors are an evil to be dealt with. As far as inspectors are concerned Zoids are an evil to be dealt with. It appears to be 6 one way and 1/2 dozen the other. We can either live with it and deal with it or find another means of making a living. I personally am considering going back to pushing a hunkie cart.[:-crazy] I know there has to be someone out there that knows what a hunkie cart is. Paul B.

If mold was a recent blight visited on mankind I could understand the frenzy to get rich quick dilemma we face. However it has been with us from the beginning of time so why the recent activity to rid humanity of something that will be here long after humanity has departed. I really do think it is a $$$ thing[^]. Experts including the EPA say that only a small percentage of people are affected by mold and these people are subject to allergies anyway. There are doctors called allergists to treat these people. Of course there are structures that have unacceptable mold concentrations but they are almost always caused by a moisture problem that allows the mold to propagate beyond normal. I have actually sat in an ASHI continuing meeting and listened to a "mold expert" say he gets paid $30 to $40 thousand to rid the crawl space of mold???. One could say insurance pays for it as he did but that is a fallacy. The public pays for it thru increased premiums. Summation: Could it be that a vast number of people think mold is a recent visitation on the planet earth or is it a $$$ thing. Knowing human nature I tend to think it is a $$$ frenzy thing. Paul B.

Roger, To use this forum one must not be thin skinned. There are several seasoned veterans that will jump you. However they mean no harm they are just slightly sadistic. When I was very young and gullible an old timer on a construction project told me to put a wet turpentine rag in my hip pocket and it would keep the flies away from me. Well I wound up with a blistered @$$ and they got a good laugh on me but I never did it again. Moral of story sometimes the hard way is best way to learn. Happy inspecting. Paul B.

Just had a large well known franchise inspector do a home I am selling. Gross incompetence and lack of knowledge of the inspection process is an understatement of what I observed first hand. His tools consisted of a two cell flash light with weak batteries period that was all. I think in place of the prada handbag he was offering his deluxe package of who do you do voodoo. Paul B.

Mike; 90% is conservative as per appraisers being pressured by mortgage brokers. And it is correct that HIs do not have it as hard as appraisers that are controlled by Brokers. I am a state certified appraiser inactive and I know first hand. Appraisers must be professionally secondary to brokers in order to make a living. It is like the fox being put in charge of the chicken house. I quit the appraisal business 15 years ago because of this abomination. Paul B.

The Company that treated my house with chlordane also talked me into a yearly contract for re treatment if needed I guess. I do not see how it could be needed after what I went through. Any way after I recovered from my poisoned stupor I called them, cancelled the contract and told them to never come near my house again. I figure the lifetime warranty is no good if an improper installation kills me and it almost did. Paul B.