Mark P

I'm told this house was built in 1847. I'm doing the inspection tomorrow and did a driveby today. What do you think of the white bricks on the front left? The pattern is very odd am I'm scratching my head trying to understand what has occured? Any Thoughts? Looks like something similar on the back too. I think it is paint on the left side, but maybe not. Click to Enlarge 63.02 KB Click to Enlarge 56.82 KB

Unless it was a client that had hired me in the past and I just felt like being helpful, I would recommend they employ an applience repairman.

I have a Lennox HP w/ gas back up. I can adjust at what temp I want the gas to take over for the HP. The manufacturier recommends 28 (I think, can't remember for sure), but I have mine set a little higher.

To measure the amount of bowing in a foundation wall I hang a plum bob from the top of the wall and a tape measure on the floor. Here is one I took on Monday. Click to Enlarge 73.41 KB

No Mike, not a laundry room, however, the laundry is directly above this room and the dryer vents into this room. Lint everywhere. Thanks Tom, I noticed that.

Inside this cuttler-hammer panel in the basement of a 1904 farm house all the exposed copper wire has turned to a pale grey color. I suspect fertlizer was stored in the same room causing the discolorization. This is the 1st time a can remember seeing this, but have read about it and understand it can be caused by swiming pool chemicals, drug labs, chinese drywall, etc. Do you have any information on discolorization and if it is known to cause any problems. This is an after the fact finding missioin for me, because I'm calling for a sparky to take a look as there were a few other problems as well and my client is a relocation company. Click to Enlarge 88.04 KB Click to Enlarge 56.52 KB Click to Enlarge 90.83 KB

Looks like heat damage to me. And in unrelated news, I don't see many 150 amp main disconnects.

They actually cut the soffit to run it up just outside a window! What did they do to seal between the flue and the hole in the soffit / fascia? And I like the little wood kick stand taped to the side of the water heater, keeping flue from sagging more. That is the funnest thing I've seen in awhile.

First time I’ve found (what appears to be recycled) polystyrene (styrofoam) with some pieces of expanding foam mixed in and used as attic insulation. Anyone seen this before? Click to Enlarge 48.96 KB

Yea, they juiced me for a nice chunck of change.

Erosion. I've read several books on the Canyon. The best book I read this year was "Down the Great Unknown: John Wesley Powell's 1869 Journey of Discovery and Tragedy Through the Grand Canyon". Not so much about the forming of the Canynon; however, it is discussed. John Powell and his men were absoulutly the luckest and bravest of men, what an amazing piece of history. An easy and entertaining read.

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People still cook with coal? I had no idea.

30 degrees is excessive and I would report it. A delta t above the 22 or so upper limit may be a result of insufficient air flow across the evaporator coil due to heavy icing of the coil or low refrigerant level.

Kind of a geodesic dome with gables.

Hi David, I grew up in Florida (around orlando mostly); actually my family has been in Fl for over 150 years, so I consider myself a true Floridian even though I have not lived there since 1984 (joined AF). I go back several times a year. I've been to St Augustine many times, the fort was a frequent school firld trip. I miss living there; especially on days like today.

You were right, the hot water line runs directly in front of an open crawlspace vent. First time I've delt with that problem before. Wind chill today is -15. Yesterday I called my brother in FL and he was planting guavas in the back yard. I think I made a tactical mistake somewhere along the line.

Any other suggestions on thawing? Maybe a hair dryer.

I have a rental house. The renters just called and said there is no hot water. The gas water heater is on and there is a flame. The hot water line above the water heater is hot to the touch. Cold water comes out at every sink. Nothing comes out when only hot is turned on. Water heater is in garage, it was 4 degrees last night and is 6 now. The only thing I can think of is a frozen pipe, but why is there cold and not hot and how can there be a frozen pipe if the line above the water heater is hot to the touch? Any Ideas? I'm going to shower/change and go over there, wanted get any ideas before I head out....

Well I'm keeping mine. I don't know how I'd get into some of the closet access attics otherwise. I weight 180 the ladder is rated for 220 or more and I have never had any problems with it. Just because the poor guy fell does not mean it was the ladders fault. There are lots of reasons it might have failed besides just being faulty equipment: operator to heavy, only having one lock engaged, using the ladder for something other then its intended purpose and damaging it the locks... I'll need more info before passing judgement on the ladder.

Cool, and you even found a few seconds during the interview to jump on your lap top and post to TIJ.

Do you mean grounding or bonding? Can you explain a bit more what your asking?

Thanks Gentlemen.

What is the proper name for the lug that is circled and what is its purpose? Maybe the answer to the first question will answer the second. I'm writng up that the neutrals should not be connected there. Click to Enlarge 57.88 KB

Resolution is not the only consideration, but 120x120 is the minimum for our job; you'll also want to compare the thermal sensitivity. I've learned alot at http://www.thesnellgroup.com/irtalk/