Jeff Beck

I tend to agree with Jim, I wouldn't check prior to an inspection but if the clients appeared to be of the "dear caught in the headlights" variety, I would consider giving them Steve's number after my report has been delivered. I like the idea even better of advising them to talk to their insurance agent regarding prior claims. That's probably the cleanest solution. Unless I see something that's a problem and appears to have been in existence for a while, I'm not interested in seeing the disclosures, knowing the selling price, etc. I don't want to be accused of being prejudice by some prior knowledge of a property. Les, I don't think that this falls under the heading of being the client's advocate. Part of my job is helping my clients to understand the technical aspects of the property they are about to purchase. I think that advising them that there is information available to research which could help them make a decision on flood insurance falls into that category. Just MHO Jeff

I got an email from a Steve Piegari this morning about his company Property Fax LLC. (http://www.propertyfax.us.com/) The company supposedly maintains insurance claim information on real estate properties and sells reports for anywhere from $6.00 to $23.00 (I think). I've been doing a lot of foreclosures lately, some for 1st time buyers. There are no disclosures and the property is sold "As Is". I wonder if something like this could be of value to my clients. Has anyone heard of or used this company? Are there others like it. I'm interested in everyone's thoughts about this type of service. Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection LLC

After seeing that You Tube bit, I added a nice big fire extinguisher to my truck. Actually I've had it in the truck for about a year. Bought it right after I saw a box van on fire on the interstate. I don't know if it would have put out that fire but it might have helped that poor driver until the FD arrived. I also have a ladder stand-off/stabilizer but I keep forgetting to use it[:-paperba. I also just added a 2X4X24" for testing garage door operators. Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection LLC

I just got a call from a friend of mine about his furnace. The furnace is an Evcon horizontal, forced air, gas appliance with about 70,000 Btu's input rating. It's 13 years old and the heat exchanger was replaced under warranty at around 7 years. It’s installed in the unheated crawl space of 1300 sf ranch style house. The furnace had been acting up so he called an HVAC contractor who came out and put an IR camera on it. The IR image supposedly showed a hole in the heat exchanger. In my experience a hole burned in the heat exchanger can be caused by the furnace burning too hot. I checked the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website and Coleman Evcon did have a recall for that type of problem, but his model number doesn’t match the recall notice. The HVAC contractor also said that the furnace was a "California" version. I have seen that term used in recalls but don't know what it means. Could that have any bearing on the heat exchanger failure being that we are in Northern Illinois? Thanks in advance for any help! Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection LLC

If the glycol and water mixture is wrong and the closed loop (in & out feeds) are icing, does that mean that the system is not producing any heat? Also, would the controls indicate that the supplemental furnace is actually heating the house? I have seen just one of these systems and had trouble understanding how the system monitored itself. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection

Thanks for the quick and thorough responses! I really appreciate your help. Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection LLC Terrence, when the Yardbirds found out that I can barely play the radio much less the guitar, they must have found someone else!

I see about one wood burning stove every four years so this isn't my strongest area [:-dunce]. The clearance on the back of the stove is probably no more that 8". The back wall is a happy homeowner special with various rock types mortared together. There is nothing behind the stone but wood paneling. There is about an 18" clearance on the front pan. The stove sits in a framed area that is filled with river rock which sits on the sub-floor. There is only 4" to 6" clearance on either side of the stove. There are other issues with the flue but I'm not sure of the placement of the stove and the use of the loose stones being both safe or meeting codes. Please help with your opinion of this install. Thanks, Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection Click to View 65.19 KB

I agree with you Eric, myths two and three also surprised me. I've heard in the past that proper attic ventilation can reduce air conditioning bills by as much as 10%. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I heard it. I also think that there should be an extra myth added, "Just because you're told that the house has been sealed tightly, doesn't mean that it has been." "See the Billie-Bob with all the red tape stuck to his shirt and hands? He's in charge of taping the Tyvek and sealing up the windows." The reality is that there still remains a considerable amount of research to be done on vapor barriers and retarders, insulation and radiant barriers. What seems to work in one section of the country can cause problems in another area. Jeff Beck Foresight Home Inspection LLC

Does anyone else use a Summary Report for the real estate agent and the attorney? My Summary Page outlines the Safety Hazards, Items not Operating, Defective items needing immediate repair, and marginal items or items that have exceeded the useful life according the manufacturer. Even though I have copy write notices in the report and the inspection agreement, I know that some people will assume that this verbiage is boiler plate and doesn't apply to them. The idea is not to tempt honest people.

And of course, she's a mold inspector too! I wonder if she's amember of ASPHI? The American Society of Psychic Home Inspectors. They don't need to have chapter meetings once a month, they kinetically talk to each other during full moons. I hope that this article dies a quiet and quick death. Our industry has enough problems without having a wacko group in the press. Jeff