Mark P

so brass does not corode like other metals?

When I went back to pick up the radon equipment the (electrician) owner was there. He asked about the inspection and I told him about my concern with the panels locations and not having a single main disconnect close to the service entrance. He siad "Dosen't the meter count as a single disconnect". He must not do mush residential electrical work...

It is not a sub panel. It is fed from the meter throught metal conduit. Thanks everyone

I thought there was a rule that the main service disconnect had to be within so many feet of where the power enters the house. I've been researching for a reference but can't find it. The house in question (built 1996) has 2 seperate 200 amp panels. One in the basement utility room maybe 15 feet from where power comes into the house . The 2nd is in the upstairs kitchen closet and not easly found unless you live there. (I'm aware of the rules on clearances). There is no single disconnect outside by the meter. The house is owned by an electrician, but is in the country with no inforced standards. I think there should be a single outside disconnect in case there is an electrical emergency or fire so that power can be cut off to the entire house without emergency crews searching for the panel in the kitchen closet. Since the seller is an electrician I'd like a reference (if there is one) to support my recommendation.

Around here in some towns you cannot use CPVC on the TPRV extension. Over the winter I renovated a home. 100% new plumbing. All the old cast iron drains were replaced with PVC and the galvanized water lines were replaced with CPVC. On the new water heater I had CPVC on the TPRV extension. When the county came in to inspect they made me replace the extension with metal. It is a real head scratcher, here is a house with ever inch of water line made of CPVC and yet the extension had to be metal. I suspect part of the reason was so they could charge me for another inspection to come back and confirm it was replaced w/ metal. $50.

I visited a PEX plant with a few of the TIJ brethern and actually found it quite exciting. Been so long ago, I can't 'member who all was there! I have a picture of us all somewhere - if I get a chance I post it. That was a great trip - I want to do it again.

Here is one from a few years back. It had the cedar shingles / shake on the bottom with about 6 or 7 layers of asphalt on top. Click to Enlarge 54.25 KB

Copper is a very soft metal - I would take a small pocket knife and scratch into a shingle (when no one is looking of course) I would think that if it is a copper coating it would scratch off and reveal what is underneath. Just an idea as I have neer seen a roof like the one in the picture. You might also ask the seller for any information / documantion they have. I would not be shy about telling my customer I have never seen a roof like this and am no expert.

No it is a plastic of some sort about 1/8 inch thick. Very durable and i found no real problems with it. There is a repeating pattern, there were 4-5 different pannels each of the 5 pannels had a completly different pattern. The buyer said the seller told her it was fiberglass. The report is done....so I guess it will remain a mystery

What is the roof covering -EPDM?

Once I did a radon test for a family that owned a chinese resturant and charged them dinner for 4.

I've never seen this siding before. It is some sort of plactic/ Vinyl/fiberglass... The house was built in 1966 so it could have been installed at anytime, but it is not new. I found no problems with it, I'm just wanting to try and identify it. Any help is appreciated. Click to Enlarge 43.03 KB Click to Enlarge 46.17 KB Click to Enlarge 48.87 KB

How would they plug the drain - is there a gate valve installed out in the yard? This really really sounds stupid to me and it seems that whoever is plugging them is accepting a lot of liability. People around here sue over nothing and I can only imagine the law suis if a company plugged the main waste line while the water was on or able to be turned on. Good Grief.

Plugging the main waste line must be a local thing - I've never heard of it and sounds really stupid. Twice since in I've been inspecting I've filled, ran, and drained jetted tubs to go into the basement and find a lot of water. Happend 2 weeks ago in a very nice home with a finished basement.

I said to someone the other day "it seems the more I charge - the easier the inspections are" meaning I tend to inspect nicer homes in good condition. My schedule has been filled with well maintained homes sold to middle to upper class folks - I have not been in a dump for sometime now. People buying dumps or old houses with lots of needed upgrades seems to search out the cheapest inspector they can find.

I second the "silver fish" nomination.

Good Stuff! Thanks for sharing.

Most likely caused by improper attic ventulation. I don't know if the black stuff is "mold" or just the color plywood turns after years exposure to moisture trapped in the attic. I see a date satmp on the OSB Sept 11 of the side wall - is this house that new? Can you describe the ventulation setup.

I see - I am referring to 2 single pole breakers in one slot.

UMM - is there a difference?

I am just wanting to confirm that this panel (GE PowerMark Gold - TM 2010) does not permit the use of tandum breakers and it is in fact overfull. Click to Enlarge 77.36 KB Click to Enlarge 92.54 KB Thanks You Click to Enlarge 38.04 KB

Well that is a lot of talking without saying anything.

Does anyone know what the NEC said around 1976 about haveing the grounds and neutrals seperated in a sub panel? Were the rules the same as today? Here is what I have the main disconnect is in a bedroom closet at one end of the house and there are two panels in a utility closet in another part of the house. Since they are not anywhere close I consider the distribution panel as sub panels - but there are wired as main panels with all the ground / neutrals on the same bar. Click to Enlarge 74.94 KB Click to Enlarge 42.18 KB

I hired a plumber to open the floor of a basement and rough in the DWV for a new bathroom. He also replaced all the old cast iron DWV in the entire house. All this was done at an agreed upon price ? and I was happy. Later on I needed one small job done and told him to just do it and send me a bill. When I got the bill I was shocked and thought the bill was a lot more then it should have been. When I called and questioned him he said ?just pay me what you think the job is worth?. So I sent him a check for $200 less then his bill and still felt like I was being ripped off. I guess I burned that bridge ? but learned a lesson at the same time.

Good Discussion guys - thanks and enjoy the rest of your weekend.