mthomas1

This is the the voice recorder I use. It's about the size of an old-style fountain pen, holds 99 comments in each of four folders, and the cradle allows you to easily jump back and forth, "rewind", etc. Again, brought refurb, for around $40.00 http://www0.shopping.com/xPO-Panasonic-RR-US006

BTW, someone mentioned Axims above (don't remember if it was with Homegauge, or some other software). Homegauge needs WM 5.0, so you can't use the Axim X50, you need a X51. Dell has discontinued the Axim line entirely - you can still find lots of them on eBay, but they are still pricey and will probably remain so as there are a lots of medical-based apps for the X50/51. Also the Axim/WM5 combo is buggy if you attempt to add a lot of third party apps or hardware (for example none of the CF card based camera will work - too bad, as I would have liked a device which was and PDA, voice recorder and camera in one) and there will likely be no more patches/fixes from Dell. So if you are starting for scratch with any of the WM 5 reporting packages, you re probably better off with the HP products or a tablet-based unit.

The TZ1K is a nice camera for HI work: proprietary battery and a bit noisy at higher ISOs, but compact and image stabilized. At the moment you can get them at refurbdepot.com for or $165 w/ the 90 day coverage from Panasonic or $225 with the third-party 5 year extended warranty. I still like the Pentax Optio 33/43WR (also with voice notes) for wet/dirty areas, though. http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetai ... e#features

I have a pair of these 10X image stabilization binoculars, purchased used on Amazon for $250: http://tinyurl.com/38o5z8 excellent for a general survey of the roof surface and flashings, chimneys, soffits and fascia, and second and third floor windows and wall surfaces before I get up on the ladder. They also often allow me to read the markings on newer service drops from ground level. IMO the IS is equivalent to a gain of 50% or more in magnification - you can see as much detail with the 10X IS as with a 15X non IS pair, and the IS unit is a *lot* more pleasant to use in difficult situations, for example one-handed. Now, if they would just build in a 3MP camera....

Also, illustrations useful in explaining the effects of moisture below a wood floor: http://www.woodfloorsonline.com/techtalk/cupping.html

That last post was composed in Notepad. Was it legible?

I keep hearing complaints about "personal code interpretations". I keep noting that I'm (AFAIK) interpreting open riser provisions according to the code, and testing for compliance according to the code. I keep asking for an alternative interpretation of the code, or for suggestions for an alternative method of testing for compliance. I don't get answers, but rather complaints about ignorant arrogant upstarts. I haven't been a HI for twenty five years, but I've been on the planet a good bit longer than that. And in my experience when you keep asking ask a question, and, you don't get an answer but rather an argument from authority, chances are what you've got is an "authority" with no answer to the question you are asking. I'd like is my question answered. Does the IRC allows a opening smaller than 4 inches? Is attempting to pass a 4" sphere through the riser opening is an incorrect test? If not, what - exactly - is my error? Inquiring minds want to know...

Bob, that looks fine at my end, is it still messed up at yours? That second copy was exported from MS word as a text file to strip MS word control characters...

OK, looks like some browser's default settings some can't properly render text block copied over from MS Wood 2007 and served out from the TIJ site- BOTH posts look fine at my end in FireFox 2.0.0.3, and no one at any other site is reporting the same problem. I'll copy to a text file to strip control character before posting here in the future.

How does this look: The complaint keeps being made that standards are being capriciously invented or incorrectly applied, but no one has cited any standard or method of measurement other than 311.5.3.3. â€Å“Open risers are permitted, provided that the opening between threads does not permit the passage of a 4-inch diameter (102mm) sphere…â€

The complaint keeps being made that standards are being capriciously invented or incorrectly applied, but no one has cited any standard or method of measurement other than 311.5.3.3. “Open risers are permitted, provided that the opening between threads does not permit the passage of a 4-inch diameter (102mm) sphere…â€

Here's all the "Help" I get form Firefox: "Character Encoding - allows you to manually change the character encoding on a web page. Firefox usually does this automatically." Are other's having problems displaying my posts?

The complication in the example above is that the maximum effective opening “between the treadsâ€

There is no requirement for there to be four inches or less between the bottom of the thread and the top of that upturned lip on a lower step. The requirement is only for four inches between the bottom edge of the turned-down nosing of the upper tread and the top of that upturned lip on the thread below it. It was an epic struggle, and took me only about 5 hours to get to format half decently, but Frank Woeste sent me an article last night about inspecting decks which kind of applies to this topic. Go here: http://www.tijonline.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4655 OT - OF!!! Mike I'm no problem with discovering that my interpretation of the code is incorrect, do you have a cite for yours?

Mike, Is that comment directed to the content of my post, immediately preceding yours, or something else?

The measurement is "between the treads", so even assuming that the IRC does not mean "from the bottom of the nosing vertically to the top of the tread below" - which IMO is what they do mean - it would still require 4" or less between the top of the rear lip and the bottom of the tread above. The presumed hazard is the same as assumed for baluster spacing, entrapment. FWIW, do I write it up when I see it? Yes, it's a significant hazard to children. Do I expect it's likely going to be changed as a result? No. Why do I bother? An encounter with two parents who were "paranoid" about child-safety issues... I later learned from the Realtor that their three year-old daughter had been asphyxiated when she became trapped between the body and lid of a toy box - made by her father - which was not equipped with the safety mechanism required on current manufactured products. I can only imagine how he feels, and the strain that must have put on their marriage. And I don't even intend to have the same sort of burden on my own conscience because I didn't want to be perceived by a client or Realtor as "too picky" or "obsessed with minor defects no one is ever going to correct".

Per R311.5.3.3, Max riser opening is 4". See picture 17 here: http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Sta ... SCREEN.pdf

Mike, Good analogy.

Interior gardening area at south east corner of attic has numerous wiring defects, lacks adequate ventilation, and lacks properly plumbed drain pan to prevent water damage to areas below. I recommend repair, replacement or removal as required by qualified licensed and insured electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors. Also, it appears to me that it is possible no permits were obtained for thiswork, I recommend that if you intend to continue the current use of this installation that you investigate with the AHJ prior to close of escrow to determine whether this usage is allowed, and if so that this installation can be modified to meet all applicable codes and regulations.

Looks like wirenuts under the tape - they may not be listed for that combination of wire sizes. Also, how tall is that mast, and how is the lower end secured to/in the garage? (I KNOW you checked, but that's a question that comes to mind looking at the photo...).

"They ain't gonna be happy with six figures? Sons of bitches." Not if they have to sell 200 houses a year to make it .

Depends on what's on your plate at the moment. At that moment, for me, MIL dying in home Hospice, old business suddenly flaring up with lucrative consulting work, gut-out of a building I own - I was barely able to get over to the condo to patch and paint. Different situation, would FSBO. Sometimes - thinking like a business person - I'd rather just pay the commission than buy and move furniture, show the unit, etc. YMMV. Heck, MMVV, depending...

Kurt, Last condo I sold the Realtor (Beth Morgan, FWIW) worked *very* hard to get this difficult vacant unit sold, starting with furnishing it. If you have an ideal unit in a hot market sure, Craig's List works - a message dropped in a bottle in Lake Erie would probably work. In a over-saturated market segment and geographic area does a good realtor help? I think so. Sometimes substaintially. Should real competition prevail? Absolutely! Will the Realtors disappear... I doubt it. But they are sure ain't gonna' be happy working for what we do...

“ARMA Residential Asphalt Roofing Manualâ€

BTW, the technical name for that baffle is a "turbulator" - it functions by increasing exhaust gas velocity at the surface of the tube enclosing it, which increases heat transfer and reduces sooting.