mgbinspect

And, HomeGauge's photo fetching, editing and inserting feature is outstanding. I wish I could use it stand alone.

HomeGauge, here - if you can dream it, you can create it in HomeGauge. I've been perfecting my template on the fly daily as I inspect, which makes life easier every day. No complaints so far...

It is a great argument for always having a sidejob around though...

Yes indeed! Been carrying one for years and there's no end to their usefulness, whether it's looking up into fireplace throats and dampers with ease wihtout getting an eyeful of soot, spying difficult attics and eave spaces or seeing around dormer corners. It's a nice thing to have along. [:-thumbu]

OMG, I thought I was the only one on the planet that remembered the banana man with his train loaded down with bananas... pulling bananas out of everywhere with a, "Wowwwwwwwwww!!!!" Lol.. What a great memory... John, OK, if there's ever a home inspector's tool shootout, I'm picking you for my team - lookin' like the terminator and all...

Why would I want to be constantly running back and forth to fetch tools? That is the definition of professional? I use a small electricians pouch on a tool belt. Along the back there is a camera case. I use every tool in the pouch with the exception of the razor knife on every inspection. If I am heading into the attic, I am likely to need a moisture meter, a nut driver for the HVAC, a camera, a probe, and a flashlight. So I rummage through a tool box that is filled with all kinds of who knows what looking for the correct assortment of tools to cram into the pockets my pressed slacks. Once I get in the back dark corner of the attic, I realize I forgot the XXX or some tool falls out of the pocket to be swallowed up by blown insulation. That makes me more professional? I think that lugging around an oversized tool bag filled with gadgets that get used once every fifth inspection that I have to constantly bend over, tote to the next drop location, rummage around looking for the tool, and then begin to inspect the room less professional. I say it gives the impression you have a bag of stuff because you cannot organize yourself enough to carry just the essential items. Maybe I just don't have enough gadgets to be a professional home inspector. Lets just say I disagree with your assessment. Happy future back problems... just wait... I was fine for the first 10 years, then the ole' bod just started protesting... I have concluded it isn't a matter of fitness or conditioning. It's just that subtle off balance weight tugging at your core alignment for hours each day. Eventually, it wins...

I've ended up in Bill and Jim's camp for a different reason - about seven years ago I had to abandon hanging anything on my belt or shoulder or open an account with a chiropractor. It's one of the more profound decisions I've made during my career. Back troubles pretty much vanished. Hanging stuff on yourself is hell on posture and alignment.

Well, I for one, learned more than I expected to. Thanks all.

Ha! No doubt. But for the phrase "visible or apparent"... Actually the floor system is engineered joists with wood top and bottom cords and an OSB web, so it may fare better than your average solid woor framing - a bit more airy - evaporation friendly.

Well, I suppose this says it all... Click to Enlarge 42.25 KB Click to Enlarge 39.2 KB Click to Enlarge 35.9 KB Click to Enlarge 65.29 KB Click to Enlarge 40.64 KB Click to Enlarge 48.74 KB No framing damage, but I was surprised there wasn't.

Thanks Terry, just e-mailed that one to my phone. NIce!

Reviewing the posts, it seems that most are agreement in one respect: it's probably nothing to be too concerned abou unless it's a pretty large unit and the diameter reductions are considerable.

Good for you. It's not altogether the same, but in my cover letter I tell people, "If you discover a condition that you feel may have been overlooked, CALL ME FIRST before you do anything, because I want to make certain: 1. It's legit. 2. You don't get taken." And, over the years, the folks that didn't call me got taken pretty badly (usually over non-events) and the people that did call me avoided wasting a lot of money and thanked me for it. It's pretty sad how willing folks are to take another's money.

Oh, c'mon, Marc... Drift...

Bain, I guess it's difficult to gain any perspective from the photos. The smaller line diameter is probably no more than maybe 3/16" to 1/4" - as small as I ever see... and it is on a 1.5 ton unit, if that helps. I'll check out the link. I've just never known for certain if the line diameter of the coil is "the gospel", or just the largest recommended diameter, but using a smaller line diameter can be OK. I'm afraid I didn't remove insulation to check the suction line diameter to see if it is also undersized, and kinda wish I had now just for further discussion's sake.

You're on target, Marc These were two 1.5 ton units. One was 1993 (original) and the other 2005. I'll take your recommendation regarding 1/4" to 3/8" lines to the bank. Thanks! [:-graduat

So then, do you feel that it's legit to always make a Pretty Big Deal about this condition? And, why the H*LL do alleged licensed professional HVAC contractors pull this shite? I suppose the contractor was too lazy to change out the line set? or, it was the only one he had with him and just didn't care to go back to the shop for the right set? It's really annoying... [:-banghea

OK, I suspect this has probably been addressed before, BUT WTH... This is something I only see a couple times a year and I always call it out - line set diameters that don't match the diameter of the evaporator or condensing unit coil tubing. It seems that it would logically HAVE to affect some aspect of heat pump or air conditioner performance since the volume of the tube is different - maybe the velocity at which refrigerant flows to meet compressor demand is increased or pressures can't be achieved or maintained... That's why I'm posting this. Click to Enlarge 59.16 KB Click to Enlarge 53.6 KB Again, I do always call it out and refer folks to a HVAC specialist, but I really want to hear from the HVAC trained brain-trust technically what is affected and why? Lay it on me!

And, while performing an inspection for a Brit last Friday, I confirmed what I had suspected all along - Vinyl has apparently never gained a foothold in the UK. Masonry remains the champion there. our bad...

Is it possible that in this one area the siding is fastened entirely too tight and the building has settled (racked) a bit?

The first thread posted on this subject here was in 2006 https://www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum ... l,thy,self

Yeah, I actually expected it to be brick and block or brick over steel stud, but to my surprise when I started scooping out termite destroyed wall sill plate and stud behind the vinyl cove and wall covering, it's wood frame. Funny thing is the buyer got it for 100k (commercial property for 23.25/SF in a run down town and exceptionally poor town. They run clinics on a sliding scale fee for the less fortunate.) and is prepared to throw 250k at it.. sweet! NOn profit organization with apparently deep pockets. Must be nice...

Saweeet! And, eliminated that pesky* steel lintel in the process... BRILLIANT! [:-graduat * Pesky - Refer to Popeye's dictionary.

Oooooh noooooo..... About a grand to $1250 per if one is doing several of them; a little volume discount. If it's just a single lintel, I doubt it'd be less than a couple grand. Shite! Another good reason I shouldn't quote repairs. But, just think about how good you're going to become at replacing lintels... [:-propell

Thanks Kurt, You've been a big help. Have a great night.