Mark P

When a heating system is first fired up after setting for a season of non-use it often smelles. It is the dust and stuff that gets in there. Once it has burned off it goes away. If it does not go away after a day, call you're local HVAC contractor.

Just a thought. Could it have something to do with brass fitting being to close to the exhaust, and back drafting / spillage of flue gases is causing the corrosion?

I see it all the time too, and always assumed it was packing material.

I've seen it once or twice. One time a seller said he believed it occured when he had the chimney cleaned, getting the house ready to sell.

On your Feet or on your wifes feet?

I've only had to do it once. I went to the local tool rental store and got a pipe chain cutter. It worked great, snapped the pipe in two real clean like. Be sure the other sections are properly supported, you don’t want something falling once this section is removed. The tool was kinda of heavy and it took two of us, one to help hold it in place, while the other cranked it. Use safety goggles. http://www.reedmfgco.com/index.html?scr ... pe_cutters

If I had seen the hole in the bottom of the fireplace I would have said " I have no idea why there is a hole cut there, but if you want to use the fireplace it will need replaced / repaired." Maybe I'm nieve, but a grow ops would never had occured to me. But now I know...

Gee wizz why did I not think about tht sooner, I have a website too. I can sell cheap flashlights and hatts with m logo on them. I bet after a couple of years I'll have enought to buy lunch.

Now that is cool.

Really pretty easy - just read the directions and mark the wires before you disconnect the old one.

I would think it should last 2ish hours unpluged. I took mine to Sydney this summer and used it when I was just out walking around town it did pretty good.

I not 100% sure, but I believe it is a pay per referal.

Jim, If we ever cross paths you've got your choice of dinner and drinks on me – you’re a real educator. Not literally on me, I’m not that kinky, but I'll pay for whatever you want. I love this job, something different every day and I’m always expanding my knowledge. I knew there was an issue with bundling – but during the inspection I could not remember the specifics and said “there may be an issue here, I’ll have to research it and I’ll report it if neededâ€

They use to call me up every month, I really got tired of it, I never signed up with them. My opinion is no one wants to fill out a questioner and then wait on an email back from servicemagic to find a HI.

I’ve read IRC E3605 and past messages from this site, regarding bundled conductors. Here is what I think I understand: a bundle is 4 or more wires Not an issue for distances less the 24â€

Looks like a tool designed for the peeping Toms.

They are on just about every sit down toilet in Japan that I ever saw, and I lived there for over 12 years. They also have two flush modes: push the handel one way and you get a full flush, pull it the other way and you get a smaller flush, saves water if you just tinkel a little bit. Heated toilet seats, and more.

The main disconnect and panel are outside below the meter. There is a 200 amp main breaker w/ appropriate sized wire running from the meter. Inside the house there is a subpanel that services the majority of the house. The wire(s) running from the outside main panel to the inside sub-panel are 2 #4 secured under the same lug, not a breaker. See picture. Is there anything technically wrong with this? I know that #4 is rated for 100 amp and that 2 #4 does NOT = 200 amp. So I understand there is not 200 amp going to the subpanel inside the house; so no reason to revisit the discussion for my benefit. This is the 1st time I have seen this arrangement, so I’m looking for another opinion, which is what TIJ is so great at. Yes I know there are other issure: double tapping, neturals not isolated, etc. Click to Enlarge 43.21 KB Click to Enlarge 92.68 KB

Very Insightful, I bet I'm not the only one who would have missed that.

Me too - Me too

A federal probe of tainted Chinese drywall has broadened because a small number of homeowners are reporting that American-made drywall is causing some of the same problems: a sickening, sulfurous stench and corroded pipes and wiring. Is it really 50% cellulose?

The black tubing looks a bit like "ONYX" by Watts, great stuff, but the install looks like a real mess. Radiant floor heating is a very exact science and every job is enginered to the specifications of the house. This looks like someone did not know what they were doing. I mean how is the heat supposed to radiate through the insulation?

Don't I feel like an ass. Really even with one 45+ years old. Geezz. Honestly 800+ inspections and I have never seen one. Man I took a couple of sheet metal screws off one of the side panels and the entire surround thingy fell apart. All I could see was the outside of the combustion chamber. I did not know there was a combustion liner; or do you mean the liner in the chimney. The boiler was in such a tight corner I could barely get to the front. I pretty much disclaimed the whole thing. I figure it is better to tell them up front and to their face "I have never seen one of these before and don't know much about them, I'm sorry I cannot be more helpful. It is not a common system around here. You'll need to hire someone who specializes in old boiler systems" The buyer (in his 70's) was pretty knowledgeable and said the last one he had seen was in his grandfather's house. That made me feel better. He understood, but was a bit disappointed and said “well I guess you can’t be a expert in every systemâ€

No nothing special. I was just looking for any general info someone buying a house with an oil burner would find useful. I told them I did not know how to light it and I recommend employing a contractor that specializes in oil burners to make sure it is safe to operate. But since I have your ear Chad. It was vented into a brick chimney with a clay liner. The top of the clay flue was in terrable condition and I thought maybe as a result of the exhaust. Does the oil go bad? There a was a large tank 3/4 full that had been there for at least 2 years.

Yesterday I came across my 1st oil boiler. The best I can tell is it was manufactured in the late 1950 or early 1960. (American Standard – series 1B-J1 / Acroflame oil burner model DH-5F, series F-1) The house has been vacant for several years and the boiler was completely shut down. I told my customers what I know about them, which is very little and did not even think about trying to operate it. Does anyone have any useful info on old oil burners I can include in the report?