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Garet

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Everything posted by Garet

  1. Garet
    Ask for documentation of industry acceptance for this "new fangled" design.
  2. Garet
    When asked, I tell them it's a Realtor control device, and that I'd be happy to demonstrate.
  3. Garet
    Goofy electrical issues (...and this is one of them) are the work of someone who didn't understand the systems they were working. Given the hidden nature of electrical systems, that means there are likely other issues you're not seeing. It's time for Sparky to pay a visit.
  4. Garet
    I don't find that that to be true at all. The older houses around here take longer, require a higher skill set to inspect and result in a higher potential liability for the inspector. Why would I NOT charge more for them? I typically add $100 to $150 for an older property.
  5. Garet
    In a buyer's market, the buyer asks for the moon in their inspection objection. In a seller's market, the seller refuses to fix even basic safety stuff, threatening to just move on to the next buyer. ...and none of it affects how I do my job one bit. The problem w/ Mr Geogahn's proposal is that the parties enter into negotiations based on a set of assumptions about physical condition. Unfortunately, an inspection often reveals that those assumptions are not founded in reality. It's life. Deal with it.
  6. Garet
    I've found several on new construction (or warranty inspections) where the damper was painted shut. One customer wondered why her clothes dryer didn't wok worth a darn.
  7. Garet
    You've told us it needs to be repaired. You're telling the client you're not sure ("have a contractor determine the need"). That comes across as being wishy-washy. Like Jim, I tell people "here's the problem, fix it". Unlike Jim, I usually don't get terribly specific about location. I figure if a fix-it guy can't figure out the "where" part then it's unlikely he'll figure out the "how" part and they probably need a different "fix-it" guy.
  8. Garet
    Likely installed intentionally so there was something to nail to when installing the bottom of the sheathing. They should have stopped well above grade. In your region I suspect they'd be a "termite highway".
  9. Garet
    Mike, That was the case for many years, but so many electricians got it wrong that newer editions of the NEC (starting in '08 I believe) require a 4-conductor feed to separate buildings in all cases for new work. The exception remains for existing work as long as the criteria you listed are met.
  10. Garet
    coryjoaquim, We inspect buildings. You might try posting your question on a forum for industrial hygienists.
  11. Garet
    Remove cladding. Install proper weather barrier on exterior. Replace cladding. Why do contractors try to use chopsticks to move a pile of $#*!?
  12. Garet
    I rarely see any moss growing on a roof in Colorado. Does heavy moss grow root hairs into the space between the shingles? That could account for water squishing out when you walked on it.
  13. Garet
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 71105.html A compelling reason to not comment on underground conditions.
  14. Garet
    I've seen lots of power vent WH with combustion air ducted to the bottom, but none of them looked like that. What's up with the gunk in the pan?
  15. Garet
    A pocket of air in the heating coil inside the air handler would drastically reduce the amount of heat being transferred into the living space.
  16. Garet
    Kurt turned me onto that trick. It works amazingly well.
  17. Garet
    Sounds like a loose/broken neutral wire to me. Be aware that it could be anywhere on the system served by your utility transformer - including at a neighbor's house. Talk to your neighbors (which is a good general rule for most of life!).
  18. Garet
    The Honeywell was $120 @ the BOB (Big Orange Box).
  19. Garet
    I haven't see a Nest yet, but just so happens I installed the Honeywell version today. DIY installation was a breeze, with the exception that it needed a common voltage wire, so I had to run new cable to the furnace. Software installation and setup was a breeze. We're looking forward to being able to turn up the temperature from the airport when coming back from IW in January. My one disappointment with it is that the phone app doesn't let you change the permanent schedule settings -- you have to do that from a laptop or from the faceplate.
  20. Garet
    As others have said, it's almost certainly insufficient air flow through the system. Is this new construction or a replacement? Either something is clogged (AC coil since you've already removed the filter), ductwork is blocked or the furnace is over-sized for the ductwork. It's done this for 3 years? Too bad furnaces don't come equipped w/ a "Check Engine" light. The metal parts inside have gone through a lot of thermal cycling. Last week I saw an 8 year old furnace that's now shot (failed heat exchanger) because of similar issues.
  21. Garet
    The schematic suggests you might be able to get by with fewer roof penetrations (potential leaks), but practical realities of layout might dictate otherwise. You don't want a vent terminating near openable windows.
  22. Garet
    No, you're not. Those are not approved handle ties.
  23. Garet
    What Bill said. And if you ARE brought in as an expert witness, make sure you are paid a retainer in advance. ALWAYS get paid in advance for EW work.
  24. Garet
    I use the "Mom" test. What would I tell my mother if she were buying the place? Why would it be different for anyone else?
  25. Garet
    I use the "Mom" test. If my mother were buying the place, what would I tell her? It's no different for anyone else.
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