Mark P

*If* I smell gas, I use the Tiff to locate the leak. Then I confirm with bubble solution. I take a picture of the bubble and I put a sticker on the leaking joint with an arrow pointing to the leak and the word "leak" written next to the arrow. Now that is a great idea, and so simple. I’m ashamed I did not think of it. I always put a picture of the leaking joint in the report with an arrow pointing to it, but the repair guy never sees the report.

I carry a TIFF 8800 in my tool box. I use to use it in every house, and have found a good share of leaks. The problem is that the tester is so sensitive it picks up leaks the repair guy may not find because he does not have a tester or has a different one or has it calibrated differently. I would get calls from a repair guy saying “I can’t find the leak, where exactly is it?â€

Geeezz Louise and holy smoke -looks like the butt of a fat girl I once new.

Mike, How often do you find a recalled kitchen appliance?

This was a house I did last month. A father was buying the house for his daughter who is a single mom w/ 2 kids. Very nice family. I could just see an excited kid running out the front door, down the steps, and off the wall. Really pretty scary. I started the conversation with " To point out the obvious..." I was amazed that it had not been obvious to them and they had not recognized the potential of an excited kid or unfamiliar visitor leaving at night falling. If I see a potential safety concern, regardless of where it is, I point it out. Image Insert: 70.4 KB Image Insert: 66.33 KB

" Sisyphusean task" uh - what?

Mine will tick for a fraction of a second when it is tapped on something, but only stays on when electricity is present. You might want to change the battery.

Kinda on a different subject - but seems to go along with the crooks and thieves idea. About 2 hours ago while inspecting, it was just me and the realtor in the house - she tells me she has a listing for 8%. Around here 5-6% is average and I have never heard of anything above 7%. I asked her why she would take 8% and she replied w/ a grin on her face "hey it negotiable, besides he is going to make 100k since he has owned it since 1980." I'm really burned up about this. Probably some old couple that knows no better. I'm tempted to find out the house and drop a note in the owners mail box! Damn thieving bitch!

I don't believe so. The home is a prefab sitting on a CMU foundation. The electrical wires come in overhead to the pole in the yard and then run undergound to the 2 buildings. I'm going to write up the snipped grounds, double taps, overfull panel in the house and recommend an electrician evaluate the system and make all necessary repairs. Thanks EveryBody!

When I'm in a house by myself, I often wonder if I'm being filmed. Paranoia keeps me honest.

Okay - I've only been doing this gig for a little over 2 years and electrical is far from my strong suit - unless you count my electrical personality. So When I see something for the first time I like running it past you old timers. My customer just got out of the Navy where he was an electrician on an aircraft carrier. Did you know that all systems on an aircraft carrier are ungrounded? Yep no grounds at all. Something to do w/ a large body of steel floating in water. Anyway - when I took the cover off the panel in the shed we both kind of scratched ours heads and looked at each other like "uh that’s not right - is it?" After a brief conversation I said it certainly was not correct - but I would double check with some experts I know (that would be you TIJ) So here is the set up. Main disconnect is on a pole in the yard by the meter. There are two runs from this point - one to the house and one to the shed. Both the house and shed have separate panels. The head scratching occurred in the shed. All the grounds wires had been sniped off cleaner than a Thai Ladyboy. So can I have a supporting diagnoses for this most improper of all procedures? Image Insert: 41.35 KB Image Insert: 52.59 KB

Do any of you radon inspectors use or have a source for buying tamper tape to place on windows while conducting the test?

I had a two realtors tell me last week that P2P was handing out coupons for FREE inspections and 75% off inspections. I just said that if they want to give their work away for free I can't compete, but if they want quality, they won't get it for free.

You don't have to call me "Lord", Chad. Mark is fine. The most interesting thing I found was the heating system. It has a boiler that circulates hot water through pipes in the CEILING. I have seen electric ceiling radant heat, but not hot water. The ceilings are cracked where the pipes run. So what about the plug, Chad? I know you know, so stop holding out on me or I'll send a swarm of locust like you have never seen!

I found an electric water heater with several problems, but the one I'm not sure about is that it is actually pluged into a 220 outlet. I've never seen this, and probably for a good reason, but can someone confirm that this is or is not acceptable? My vote is for no can do, needs to be hard wired, but wanted to check with you guys cuz your the best. Download Attachment: 1.jpg 41.49 KB Download Attachment: 2.jpg 33.03 KB

Stu and Terence you've got mail. Les there is a 1027 on ebay. Okay, so Les (who I respect, but who also has lawyers in the family) does not use an agreement for the radon screening. What about you other radon screeners? Do you agree w/ Les that it is not necessary? Regarding pro orgs: who do you recommend or not recommend? Stu mentioned AARST - any other opinions?

I’m taking the radon plunge. Believing that the new IL radon disclosure law that takes effect in Jan 08 will create an increased demand for testing and the fact that there are only 2 guys in this area that do testing. I head to sunny Chicago in a few weeks for the Radalink course and will take the IL state exam at the end of the month. I‘ve bought 2 of Sun’s 1027, a caring case and printer. Because of the efforts and $$ needed to become licensed in IL I don’t believe a lot of HI around here will be joining me. A few questions, if you please. I’m sure some of these will/can be answered as I become trained, but I just can’t wait. Is a pre-inspection agreement specifically for the radon test necessary? If so, what should it include and/or can someone share one with me? IL inspectors: are you licensed as a Radon Measurement Professional or Radon Measurement Technician? Since I’ll be State licensed, is there significant benefit in joining a professional org such as NSRB? If so what orgs should I join? Lastly, any assistance/examples of the required worker protection plan, QA plan, would be greatly appreciated.

Ah Sh!#, DST!

I recommened they monitor the heavens to see if they are returning for the escape pod. Image Insert: 94.8 KB

http://www.cpsc.gov. Check the above url and I would also call the manufacturer or local dealer.

Other then my compass and computer hard drive, I can't think of anything.

Yea, Them fighter guys are a bread all to themselves. From the looks of the video it is somewhere in the AOR and normal flighline rules don't apply. I spent about half of my 22 AF years on or near a flightline, and over 12 years in Japan. Then those SOB sent me to HQ in Illinois. I don't know if I got anything good to say about working the flightline, but I sure loved my field traing, Asia, and the family I brought back from there. You know the one about how you can tell if there is a fighter pilot/crew in the room? They'll tell you, hahahaha Looking at these pics makes me think I've aged a bit. Download Attachment: scan0016.jpg 59.6 KB Download Attachment: scan0061.jpg 117.62 KB Download Attachment: scan0038.jpg 126.37 KB Download Attachment: scan0012.jpg 62.63 KB

Thanks for the post Richard. Maybe in a year or two I'll get into it. As far as I know no HI in my area offers the service. It is something that certaintly requires the approprate training. What camera do you use, do you lease? Where di you recieve your training?

I have a nephew who was working on a 2nd story roof, he does not remember how he fell, but he shattered both his ankles, back, pelvis, and some other stuff. After numerous surgeries and months in the hospital, etc… they finally had to amputee one leg below the knee. His wife had their second child the same week as the accident. No medical insurance, could not pay the rent, the problems are endless, and only 25 years old. You can’t be too careful, one small mistake can ruin many lives.

I carry a pink bandana too, matches my shoes. What is the cup for?