mgbinspect

Yup, that's what I thought. I just learned that one of the furnaces was added at the last minute. That answers my question. They didn't change out the flue when they added the furnace. Tsk Tsk... Thanks Mike. You were right on time. (I don't believe I have the most recent version of code-check. I just wondered if this was something new.)

New Contruction: I'm looking at two gas high efficiency furnaces with draft inducing fans in the attic. They are within 5 feet of each other and share a metal flue through the roof. There is no increase in diameter past the junction. Normally I would call this out, but I'm wondering if this is something new with high efficiency units? Anybody know for sure? I would think that being this close together and without the larger stack the fans could cause backdrafting?

Unfortunatly, the settlement was closed and I was unable to see any more than what you see in these pictures. Would you kindly describe the construction in detail, Bill? I'm particularly interested in the foundation and wall section. Also, what would the floor most likely have been? Earth? What would the fireplace and flue have been constucted of? (I assume brick wasn't an option.) Clay and stone?

Put in about 9.5 miles on my mountain bike this afternoon and snapped these for those who might find it interesting. The thatch roofs are about 12" thick. It's pretty hard to imagine living in a home of approximately 96 SF. Download Attachment: henricu4.jpg 47.77 KB Download Attachment: henricus3.jpg 46.72 KB Download Attachment: henricus5.jpg 47.28 KB Download Attachment: henricus6.jpg 49.38 KB Download Attachment: Henricus8.jpg 48.37 KB Download Attachment: Henricus8.jpg 48.37 KB

I'm an Old Navy striped teeshirt or sweater and Levis guy. I actually had someone tell me once they selected me because of my picture on my web site. They said, "You actually look as if you work." I thought that was kinda funny. I was a Realtor from 1984 to 1989 and an Affiliate Association member when I first started out as a home inspector. I stay so busy these days that spending any money on advertising is a waste. I have thought recently about joining the Realtors Association again, just for the heck of it. A couple times a year someone will ask me if I hace a lockbox key. I was accused of stealing two Rolex watches once. I was furious. I told the home seller, "First of all, you couldn't pay me to wear a Rolex watch! Second, When you find the watch I'll thank you to call me and apologize." Of course, he found the watches and never apologized.

A word to the wise, (from a previous disaster restoration contractor who had to figure this stuff out all the time to detirmine what was a "covered loss"), take the time to lift a few tabs. I'm reasonably confident that you will find that this roof is improperly fastened (either high, missing or overdriven fasteners) That eventually allows considerable stress to be applied to the sealed shingle tabs as the system at large expands and contracts with temperature changes. Do check for this along the cracked shingles! I've seen systems that were only fastened by two instead of four nails! They were naturally cracked all to #@*. It is far more likely that this is an attachment problem than a material problem. Good luck!

Only in my head... sorry...

Lol, Ok, Brian... that was funny...

It's in the mail, Les...

Yup, in the last 48 hours there were times I could not get it to load at all. I was getting an error message.

Here's a helpful article on a sub-panel. http://ths.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/wiri ... 07600.html You can also find the answer to just about any electrical question at www.mikeholt.com Good luck

Dutch was meaner that a polecat, but one heck of a teacher.

Lol, no it's not!

Amazing! When I was in masonry and still a member of the BIA, there was a real concern throughout the trade because the everage age of the mson in america was 55! That was around 1978. During all the years I was in masonry, I only met two foreigners, one from Britain and the mason from Holland that trained me. When I worked with large firms (150 employees) that average age rule appeared to be true. Very few young men were entering the trade. The only reason I left the trade, I was surrounded by masons that physically needed to quit, but financially could not afford to! So, I moved into sales and estimating and began the long journey to here.

Ok, Bill. You made me bust out laughing. I wasn't going to go there... but you hit the nail on the head. Can you say, "Cima"? But, where is the superintendant and the county building department? Why am I the first to make an issue of this? The house next door has the same setup.

Ya really think, Jim? I'd like to think that most home inspectors really want to do the right thing, but hey, I tend to be naive and overly trusting.

Whew! Never seen them like that, but I've seen some masterfully built trusses using plywood gusset plates, back when it was acceptable to build your own.

Thanks for the input, Les. I've seen about probably 40 +/- here.

Interesting! Thanks for the input, John. So far I've only seen them on furnaces in crawlspaces, attics or eaves. I bounced it off an HVAC tech on one of my inspections and he had mentioned that the extremes of going from cooler outside temps to heating exhaust proved to be too much for the material. He's the one that offered the replacement cost. At any rate, I've mentioned to several of my fellow home inspectors who were not aware of the problem, so.. here it is.

Download Attachment: Cracked Draft inducing fan.jpg 401.14 KB Keep an eye out for this black plastic draft inducing fan. When these units are found on a furnace that is in unconditioned space about 40% of them with any age on them will be cracked as this one is at the bottom center. In the early stages it will simply show as a hair line crack with efflorescence along it. It's about a $350.00 replacement.

Download Attachment: Porch on lintels.jpg 615.69 KB This picture shows about 1.5 tons of masonry sitting on the center of the spans of a series of concrete masonry lintels all layed on their sides. If the masonry itself were bearing on the piers, it might have a prayer. As it is now, it's destined to fail. Concrete masonry lintels are actually cast with a crown in them and intended to be set crown up similar to a floor joist. That is why they have a clearly marked "Top". Each 4 x 8 lintel has typically two #3 or #4 reinforcement rods in it, one to prevent compression and one to prevent expansion. The inner lintels especially are carrying unbelievable weight all concentrated on simply an edge of the side of the lintel. The more you stare at this picture and apply the weight, the worse it gets! When these units are layed on thier side like this they are useless. The only thing holding most of this porch up are single reinforcement rods and cement with course aggregate about the size of bbs! When the lintels finally crack only the rods will prevent the porch from sinking out of sight, but it will definitely rotate and settle! It's just a matter of time.

Yup, when I was doing insurance work I used to jokingly say, "The greeters in h#ll will be chimney sweeps and roofers." Please forgive me all honest sweeps and roofers, but most honest ones know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.

Yesterday on my first inspection a chimney sweep was on site. As I inspected the interior of the home, I listened to this guy sell the poor young lady about $3400.00 worth of crap! The house was constructed in 1950. The fireplace had NEVER been used. (56 years new!) Firebox, throat and flue appeared very acceptable. (I'm a mason remember) No camara was used (a screen was set into the crown). There were no visible signs of voids between liners. What is it with sweeps and conscience? I strongly encouraged her to get a second opinion.

That's good. I know that seemed proper and logical, but you never know.

I have seen them during my wood stove days. (I lived in two 100+ year old homes that were heated solely by wood.) I assume that there is no specific variance from code requirements for them, but obviously, there is no concern with loading and fallen embers. I just always call out any condition that is "not to current industry safety standards" as something to be aware of.