StevenT

I would clean up any remainders from an infestation if for no other reason than to monitor any reoccurrances. I understand you being hesitant to claim that an infestation is inactive, but if you are sure that there are no signs of activity, I would have no problem stating that I didn't see any signs of activity. If you don't feel comfortable stating that, than recommend having someone that is qualified check it out.

Dera Erby, Since you asked, I must tell you that unfortunately I had to cut out many of my favorite wrist exercises. I promised myself a long time ago that I would stop when I needed glasses.

This is the newest addition to my collection of toys tools. I brought it for the sole purpose of opening electrical panels. I find myself using it for a lot more. It's got plenty of torque, holds a charge quite well and is small enough to carry around (it comes with a nifty holster). It saves me time and effort, especially when dealing with multiple dwellings. Image Insert: 37.25 KB

Running the exhaust into mother-in-law's bedroom works for me.

Hi Jay, I attended EDI last year. I'm not sure how my name is familiar to you. As an "old dog" I have been involved in many different things, both in and out of construction. Depending upon what you have been into in your life, it is very possible that our paths have crossed. In the late 60's I lived in Miami for 2 years and in the 70's I ran a stripping crew, building reinforced concrete buildings. I couple of the jobs that come to mind are Arlin House and Arlin House East. If that don't work, perhaps you saw my picture hanging in the post office.

Jim, Would you mind sharing you top ten "BSU's?" I'm curious.

Very good Paul, But the buyer has not yet closed on the deal and since the house has been inspected and the buyer has been notified of the conditions prior to the purchase, I wonder if they would have a leg to stand on in court. Invest in sponges and shopvacs. One of my quotes to my client was "remember, it's a house, not a boat.

Jim, You might be right about the drain being trapped, it would certainly make sense. I also found it very odd that the water level in that area was so much higher than the adjacent basement. But, If you look at the drain cap on the clean out, you will notice that there are weep holes in it. The water level is at the maximum height that the weep holes will allow. Something is still "feeding" water into the area... At this point my client is still very interested in the property and is willing to take drastic measures to control the water. Why he is willing to go to the measures is beyond me... I let him know that too. He grew up on Long Island, in an area that is also a know flood zone and says he understands the risk... and is willing to take it. He has investigated flood insurance and have done research as to the elevation above sea level of the property. He is going to speak to the builder and is going to ask to an allowance in the price to cover the cost of back up measures. By the way, the amount that he has in mind is not unreasonable. He made it clear that if the builder does not give him the allowance, he will walk. As far as looking for a deal that is too good to be true, I agree that if something sounds too good to be true... it usually is. In this situation, although I agree that he is looking for a very good deal... and I don't blame him, the price range that he is looking at is not necessarily in the "too good to be true" range. A friend of mine... a very seasoned, very successful RE investor once told me, "anybody can buy a house, the trick is to steal it." Once you get past the water problem of this house, I don't feel that it is a "steal"... maybe a good price, but certainly not a "steal." I love Norm's quote, I shall use it as my own and I agree that the name calling is an attempt to intimidate an inspector to prove he is not a DK.

So we are all on the same track. I've also thought about flood insurance. Because of where the house is situated, it may be difficult to obtain. I felt a bit uneasy because I keep inspecting houses for him that have multiple problems, and don't want to come off like I am making mountains out of mole hills. But they are mountains and I cannot turn them into mole hills. As far as possible scenerios, if there was a power failure (which is certainly not unusual) and the need for redundancy, during a hurricane/storm, it is physically possible for this house to have 8 - 10 feet of water. During normal conditions, there will always be water under the slab. So we are talking about mold, infestations, and everything else that comes with the package.

I inspected a house yesterday and would like some additional input regarding an existing condition. The house is built in a notorious low lying area near the beach. In the past twenty years or so, as land values have increased and land availability has decreased, the area is becoming built up. Prior to this time, the area was mostly vacant with some bungalows... usually built well above grade. In addition to the grade already being low, the house was built in a way that the garage is about 3 feet below grade and the basement is about 2 feet lower than that. Image Insert: 84.52 KB When I uncovered the house trap, I discovered standing water below the slab, about 12" below the finished floor. The last rain we had was about two or three days prior to taking this photograph. This is the height the sump pump is maintaining. Additionally, around the perimeter of the basement, there is a space that resembles a French Drain. The reason that I say "resembles" is because it does not drain anywhere, it simply is a void that will allow water to pass to the gravel below the slab. As you can see in the photo, there is also perforated pipe below the slab. I can't tell how it is laid out below the slab. Obviously, water was on the mind of whoever built this house from the very beginning of construction. Notice the holes in the cleanout cap to drain the area as well. Image Insert: 70.6 KB About 10 feet away from the pit is a sump pit/pump. Access is completely blocked by the boiler, it was all I could do to reach in and get a picture of it. I pity the guy that has to work on it if there is ever a problem. There is about 6" of water in the bottom of the sump pit. Image Insert: 53.82 KB There is a floor drain in the garage, as I stated above, this area is about 2 feet higher than the basement that is described above. When I opened the drain cap, I found standing water in the drain pipe about 12" below the finished floor, which is considerably higher than the water level in the basement, including the sump, so obviously the drain is not draining anywhere other than into the gravel below the slab, which is already saturated. Once again, the "swimming pool" effect. Image Insert: 46.04 KB There are multiple zipper drains on the exterior of the house, I can't tell for sure where they drain to, I suspect they terminate under the slab, possibly to the sump pit/pump, possibly to nowhere. I have very definite opinions regarding these issues, but I don't want to post them right now. I want additional opinions that are not influenced by anything that I may inject. This is the 5th home that I've looked at for this client. I joke with him that I can retire and set up a private practice working exclusively for him. There was one house that I inspected for him that I felt was built comparatively well, but as we were leaving the site, we got into a conversation with the next door neighbor and it turns out that there was a drug related homicide in the subject house's backyard 4 days prior to the inspection... (there is an alleged dealer living one house away) My client likes this house and was asking me questions that made me feel as if he wants me to say that what I found is ok. I think he is getting itchy and wants to buy... "real bad." The "Zoid" made a comment that I was the first HI that showed up with a ladder (I normally carry a 28 footer), and at one point the term "deal killer" was used. I responded by stating that "I am not a deal killer, but I've inspected some houses that have killed their own deals." I am a religious man, and as is the "religion" at TIJ, we are loyal to our clients... not to the "Zoids." If I see something, I call it. If that makes me a "Deal Killer"... then I wear that title with pride. What would you call the other option? Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent, so I'll stop here. Please opine.

I have binoculars, although I rarely use them. Anyway, one of these days I'd like to get a pair of binoculars with a built in camera.

I've done some underpinning and I've lifted a few sagging buildings, but I've never lifted anything with brick veneer. Like WJ says, I really don't have a clear vision as to what you are talking about. Pictures would help. I also agree that it sounds like something that will have to be ... or should have been taken down, stabilized and rebricked.

A house that I inspected last week had a hydronic system in it. Sure I was able to generally look at the system. but I was sure missing what I think I would have learned at Watts. Count me in.

Funny you should bring this up, I'm hoping that they hold another class, since I had to cancel attending the last one.

Jim, The posting of this article does not bother me and I am not requesting that it be taken down. It is the article that I find offensive. What is the term? "don't kill the messenger" What I would like to see is something that says " ... there are good and bad inspectors in any organization. Just because someone is a member of xxx organization, it does not mean they are bad."

Up until now, I have stayed out of the organization fray. I would still like to. I found this particular article offensive because I felt it was directed against the membership of an organization. It was more of an advertisement than factual commentary. In my life, I have owned a number of businesses and I have always relied upon my abilities and referrals to promote myself, rather than putting others down. "Use me because I'm good" rather than "Use me because everyone else is bad." There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever, that Chad's post of the court results was simply reporting factual newsworthy current events. I know Chad, and from all of the inspectors that I have ever met, he impressed me the most... in a very positive way. He is not the type of person, nor does he need to stand on somebody's head to make himself taller. The person that wrote this article seems to be a very angry and jealous man, who appearently has to do something to drum up some business. In my state there is licensing. Being licensed is no gaurentee that someone is a good inspector and neither is being a member of a particular organization. I have inspected homes that were previously inpected by inspectors that were members of "various" organizations. There were times that I was very suprised about items that were not covered or reported. I have been challanged by inspectors that were members of "various" organizations and never felt for a moment that they had anything on me... anything. I cherish my participation at TIJ and am prouder of my involvement here than in any organization that I may or may not belong to. The reason for this is that TIJ to me is a no BS, simply straight shooting, no retoric allowed place to interact with other inspectors. The article in this link is polluted.

Well said.

Chad, I only know what I was told regarding the age and origin of the tub, I certainly don't know enough about 300 year old bathtubs to dispute it. But having said that, I gotta tell you that there is an abundance of finance on this job. The owner is a dental implant surgeon who's clients are mostly movie type folks. I really don't like it either, it reminds me of a cemetary. Not only that, I picture what Kevin mentioned and like it even less. If it was mine... I'd sell it on Ebay and the buyer would be responsible for the shipping.

I agree that it is going to be a real pain keeping the water hot. Now that I think about it, when tubs like this were being used, the bath was prepared, probably using very hot water to heat up the tub itself, and then cold water added to bring the temperature to the desired level. I would think that once heated up, it would have kept the heat. Perhaps additional hot water would have been added as necessary. The tub is set on a reinforced concete slab.

I concur with Randy. Not only that, but do you know how they trim the hair on elephants in the circus? With a torch, they burn it off. So Chad and anybody else that wishes to experiment, make sure you are wearing pants!!!!!

Not really, but this baby is being installed on one of my jobs. I was told it is 300 years old and was purchased in France. A hole had to be cut in to accept a drain. It was carved out of one large block of marble. Image Insert: 48.62 KB

Thank you very much Kyle, I hope you do not mind if I include your picture in my report. Are you telling me that in the boiler installation above, the condensate drain line it draining into a a gas line??? I realize that sometimes people do things wrong, but I just don't see why anyone would even consider doing that?

Perfect photos of an improper installation.

Yes it has an inducer fan, the tee @ the TPR valve is @ the outlet.

Thanks Neal, so it turns out the "plug" is a "bogus band-aid"