johnmcda

This is the service feed from the meter. There is a 125 Amp main in the panel. Image Insert: 156.72 KB

Had a ground wire cut at the entrance to the panel on a 4 wire service. The panel did have a separate #6 copper ground. Should I be concerned? Image Insert: 180.48 KB

If there was that much air being pulled through, it sounds as if they used a panned joist bay as the return air duct. If so, that's been a no no for several years. M1601.1.1, (6). - Jim Katen, Oregon Jim, I believe M1601.1.1 prohibits only supply ducts in joist bays. Returns are allowed.

Yes, I recommended a repair replacing the untreated cripple wall with boxed beams made from 2 X 6's treated for burial. This way he could jack a section, remove the cripple wall and insert the beam then move to the next section. Obviously, the builder of this house did not build to code. Wood foundations are fine if the designed correctly and the proper material is used. All studs on the front of the house had to be replaced - total repair cost estimated at $100K. I also recommended re-grading the property to remove the soil against the wood foundation.

No minimal height requirement. I often find shower heads between 4 and 5 feet high in showers designed for handicapped people.

Yes - did one in February. There was a cripple wall on a poured foundtaion wall with back fill over the cripple wall. This was undoubdtedly the most termite infested structure I have ever seen. Client bought it anyway - go figure! Image Insert: 1639.98 KB

1" - 2" - Jim Katen, Oregon The field cut ends of the siding should also be sealed.

Could be an EFIS product such as http://www.stocorp.com/allweb.nsf/creativbrick Could also be a cement fiberboard panel product such as http://www.nichiha.com/prod_nano.htm

Ever wonder what an idiot looks like? Image Insert: 66.21 KB

My bad - I should have qualified the statement to depend on the location of the furnace. Depends on where the unit is located. If it is in an unconditioned space such as a basement that is not heated or an attic, then it should be insulated

That return duct should be insulated

...unless your neighbor burns his house. Image Insert: 107.24 KB

In Georgia, guard rails on retainer walls have been required by the GA Code since January of 2006. Anything built before 2006 is grandfathered. Even though, I still put the lack of a guard rail on a retainer wall in the report if it poses a safety hazard.

R311.5.6.2 Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 1½ inch (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails. Exceptions: 1. Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at the turn. 2. The use of a volute, turnout, starting easing or starting newel shall be allowed over the lowest tread. In other words, the handrail is OK