hausdok

Hi, Yeah, it does look like mud tubes. It's pretty large-grained stuff, though. If you were out here I'd say it was Pacific Dampwood Termite frass. Course, I can't really see it close up. Once you see PDWT frass, you never mistake it for anything else; when you look at it under a loop it looks like a bunch of little six-sided Indian tom-tom drums. Hee, Hee. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

I'm not sure that I can agree with that, Jim. Whatever criticism's we might have with the inspector's report, the message in her article is that doing what's best for the client is in a realtor's own best interest whether it kills the deal or not. I don't think there's anyone here that disagrees with that; heck, it's the way we're always saying things should be, so nobody here has a reason to to attack her. She doesn't want to be called a 'zoid. Fair enough; I don't see a reason to refer to her as one; after all, there are those that we call real estate professionals and then there are those that we refer to as realtorzoids - I don't think she fits in the latter category, but maybe she didn't realize when she made that first post that to most of us in this business there is a distinct difference. Props to Melina for coming in her and speaking her mind; maybe more of us should go visit the real estate sites and speak ours. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Just blew it up, Is there a 10ga wire from that 30amp breaker at the right bank (the one with the dirty label) double-lugged to that 15-amp breaker directly above it? It also looks like there are some MWBC there that don't have any handle ties. What did you write? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Depends on the labeling. I've seen panels labeled to accept certain types of other brand name breakers - as many as half a dozen other brands. Without Darren providing a photo of that label, I can't comment on the mix of breakers. It's set up as a sub and it looks like that top-left breaker is either powering that other sub or this is the sub and the other panel is the main and that top-left is only powering an oven or some other device somewhere in the home. Where's the main disconnect, Darren? Lot's of individual circuits in there, plus another sub-panel, what was the max number of individual stabs allowed by the labeling Darrel? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Erby, That sounds quite a bit different from my friend's. I saw his tank when they were putting it into the slope behind and below his house during construction; it was a big tank of some kind of polymer wrapped with what looked like fiberglass or carbon fiber; probably 6ft in diameter about 8 - 10ft. long with a bolt-on man-sized access cover on top and a big pump in the bottom. The grinder pump in the sump inside the house is about 2-1/2 to 3ft in diameter and about 3ft. deep. Large PVC discharge pipe plus a check valve and an air vent coming off the sump well inside the house. The pump in that exterior tank has to be pretty robust because it's pushing that effluent uphill about 6-7 stories. For me, the weirdest thing was that the property overlooks a cul-de-sac with a street about 40ft. lower than the tank that is buried in the back yard and there is a sewer below the street in the cul-de-sac. Seems to me, it would have made a whole lot more sense to run the waste line from his property down into that cul-de-sac and connect it to the city sewer than to have to spend what it cost to put that system in on that hill. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, I have a friend who had one but I can't tell you a whole lot about any companies that make them. His house was built on a very steep slope at least three stories below the nearest street. There was a huge plastic in-ground tank downhill of the house and a big grinder pump with a huge sump in a closet on the daylight basement level. Everything in the house went through that masceration pump and was sent out to the holding tank. When the tank filled to a certain point, a second pump inside the tank would come on and send the whole thing uphill to the city sewer. There was an alarm and disconnect switch in his garage. The system worked flawlessly for as long as he owned the home. It's been a few years but I suppose it's still working now. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

By the way, are you any relation to Jim Renfro over at Wood Care Systems Inc. in Kirkland? OT - OF!!! M.

Hi, I don't exactly remember what season it was when I scanned that wall but you're right I'd expect that if there was stuff growing behind it you should still be getting some kind of reading. Is the house air conditioned? OT - OF!!! M.

Hi, Did you scan it for moisture? The last time I saw that the wall behind it was soaking wet. Come to think of it, the whole detail at the front of the house was pretty similar to what you have there. I wonder is it was the same contractor? He told his client he'd done a water-managed system. NOT!!! ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, It's paper (cellulose). Used in the 40's into the mid-50's. Think party streamers 16 inches wide, treated so they won't burn and in multi-layers. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hee, hee, Jist messin' wit ya. Being an independent, I like the rumple the hair of the organization guys every once in a while. [:-dev3] ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

According to this article from ABC news, the recent scare with granite countertops might simply be a knee jerk reaction to something that poses little to no risk. However, the EPA says that the issue is so new to them that the jury is still out. To read the entire article click here.

Hey, What's with this "ASHI certified" crap. What about us independents, what are we - dog meat? Keep in mind that indy's outnumber the drones in this state by a 2 to 1 margin. OT - OF!!! M.

Hi, Here's the list of currently eligible/approved 203K inspectors in Washington State. I've scrubbed the 9 who's eligibility has expired according to the HUD site. Note that TIJ regular Randy Navarro is on this list and he's right here in lil' 'ol Kenmore. To know who's eligible in your state go here select your state and click the send button and it will kick out the list. ANDERSON, JIM - S0077 - 16808 65TH AVENUE SE, SNOHOMISH, WA 98296-0000 (425) 481-1888 BRYAN, MICHAEL - S0553 - 636 CATHERINE STREET, WALLA WALLA, WA 99362-0000 (509) 522-0909 CAMPBELL, DANIEL G. - S0582 - 112 WEST 33RD, SPOKANE, WA 99203-1604 (509) 747-1566 CLARK, MICHAEL L. - S0601 - 36314 54TH AVENUE S.,AUBURN, WA 98001-0000 (253) 797-4768 CONNER, IVAN LEE - S0079 - 10421 E. SINTO, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206-0000 (509) 993-2541 CORBIN, JAMES S. S0080 P O BOX 7,BOW, WA 98232-0000 (360) 766-6045 FAIR, CHARLES - S0544 - P.O. BOX 2327, POULSBO, WA 98370-0000 (360) 297-2981 FECHNER, JOHN - S0082 - 37430 N. LAKESIDE DRIVE, SPOKANE, WA 99009-0000 (509) 292-0336 FOSTER, BRENT B. - S0552 - PMB 145 3430 PACIFIC SE A-6, OLYMPIA, WA 98501-0000 (360) 236-8321 HILL, DONALD E - S0086 - 117 NO. 1ST STREET SUITE 26, MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273-0000 (360) 336-3787 HOWES, RONALD D - S0566 5121 W. RIDGECREST DR., SPOKANE, WA 99208-0000 (509) 230-1011 LAMARCHE, RENE A - S0576 - P.O. BOX 1815, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98366-0000 (360) 674-2200 MAHNKE, JAY M - S0579 - ACCURATE INSPECTION SERVICE, 1215 200TH AVE. E.,SUMNER, WA 98390-0000 (253) 318-1020 MCLAUGHLIN, DANIEL D. - S0090 - 12830 NE 94TH ST, KIRKLAND, WA 98033-0000 (425) 827-3549 MERRELL JR, ROGER K - S0091 - P O BOX 73905, PUYALLUP, WA 98373-0000 (253) 841-3667 NAVARRO, RANDY F - S0524 7027 NE 170TH ST., KENMORE, WA 98028-0000 (425) 830-0467 O'DELL, GENE - S0095 - 2106 W. WASHINGTON AVENUE #4, YAKIMA, WA 98903-0000 PERROW, JAMES M. - S0581 - P.O. BOX 898, WINTHROP, WA 98862-0000 (509) 996-8184 ROOT, JAMES L. - S0099 - 5028 W. NORTHWEST BLVD, SPOKANE, WA 99205-0000 (509) 220-6886 ROTHWELL, DAVID - S0100 2215 NE 23RD STREET, RENTON, WA 98056-8354 (425) 430-9916 SCHULHAUSER, RAY - S0522 - 101 W. MAIN STREET, PULLMAN, WA 99163-0000 (509) 332-1602 SWIGERT-BARKER, KAREN - S0586 - P . O. BOX 536, ABERDEEN, WA 98520-0000 (360) 593-0502 TOMLIN, WILLIAM C - S0567 - 912 PLATEAU ROAD, SPOKANE, WA 99203-0000 (509) 456-3807 VADSET, BYRON J - S0108 - 17747 15TH NW, SHORELINE, WA 98177-0000 WISE, JEFF - S0585 - HOME INSPECTION SERVICES, 240 EL RIO DRIVE, YAKIMA, WA 98908-0000 (509) 966-6841 FWIW, just this morning I just spoke with one of these fellows. He said that to become approved he didn't have to go through any formalized training, because his background meets the requirements set forth by the regulations, but he doesn't know if there is any additional training required for those who's background doesn't meet the standard. He says that he also had to invest about $800 in software that's designed specifically for the 203K program. If you think you'd like to get involved in doing these, here are some rules: Rules for establishment of the FHA Inspector Roster Application Form For FHA Inspector Roster How To Become A 203K Consultant ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Again, His original question was whether the sensors are part of the door or the opener. They are part of the opener and nothing in the federal law pertaining to openers - 16CFR1211 - says that an old opener must be retrofitted with secondary entrapment devices when the door is replaced. States, counties, or municipalities might have their own rules but there is nothing in the Federal Law pertaining to openers that says that. If you can find it in there I'll be happy to acknowledge that I've got my head tucked up my rump but I don't think you will. Here it is if you want to look ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Seattle, WA On August 7th the first meeting of the new Washington Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board will be held at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall in Renton, WA in the council chambers; Room 702, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. This meeting is open to the public. After introductory remarks by Sen. Spanel, sponsor of HB 6066, the bill which later became the licensing law, the board will get down to the business of electing officers and the chair will assign sub-committees to begin work toward implementation of licensing after July 1, 2009. To see a copy of the meeting agenda click here. A meeting of the New York State Home Inspection Council will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Department of State, 80 South Swan Street, 10th Floor Conference Room, Albany, NY. Those planning to attend should call 518-474-1006 to pre-register for quicker entry into the building. For additional information, contact Carol Fansler, Meeting Coordinator, at carol.fansler@dos.state.ny.us or 518-486-3857 and be sure to consult the Department of State website at www.dos.state.ny.us/about/calendar.htm the day before the meeting to make sure the meeting has not been rescheduled.

The kid thought he'd buy his mom a house but he only wanted a WDI inspection. Now he's wishing he hadn't been so cheap. To learn the rest of the story, click here. P.S. FWIW, here in Washington we would have found that. SPI's here in Washington State are required to inspect attics.

Hi Michael, FWIW, fuses are more reliable than breakers. I agree with Jim though; it's necessary to clearly explain what an issue is and why it's potentially detrimental to the house before you make your recommendations. You need to explain it in a way that the reader will understand. Terms like reversed polarity and double-tapping mean nothing to most people, unless they're electricians, so you should explain the issue in layman's terms. Keep in mind that fuse panels are almost always more than 40 years old and most professional electricians consider components that are over 40 years old to be obsolete. A truly competent and professional electrician will almost always recommend full replacement of an old fuse panel, unless of course they're being paid to say the exact opposite with no chance of assuming liablity for it in which case they'll be more than happy to defend a seller's decision to keep a fuse box. That's one crowded rat's nest of a panelboard and the fact that there are at least two sub-panels on the right side of that puppy means that the number of circuits in the house has obviously outgrown the original panel. The clients should understand that if they'll ever want to do any remodeling, and it becomes necessary to add additional circuits, any competent and truly professional electrician isn't going to want to work with that mess In a case like this, the term "obsolete" to describe the service equipment is pretty useful; even an electrician hired by the seller would have a hard time arguing with that. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Don't do that if you've got vents under the eaves and jack vents near the crest of the roof or a ridge vent or you'll decrease the effectiveness of the attic ventilation. Even if you don't have vents at the eaves, that's plywood over skip which generally means you'll get quite a bit of infiltration at the perimeter. Gable end vents aren't very effective unless the house is oriented with the vents on the same axis as the prevailing winds. If the attic ventilation is working the way it is I'd leave it alone. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Mine are very simple; Description and Observations ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, Well, if it were a gas water heater I'd expect that it was mineral salts from acid reacting with the flue. Since it's an electric it's hard to say. South Carolina, hmmm, baby powder, hmmm, is there any exposed framing above it? Maybe you've got powder post beetle(lychtid) frass (excrement) there. Are you sure it's white? If the floor joists above are exposed, examine them very closely for miniscule emergence holes. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Okay, But I don't think that's the answer he was looking for. That's fine for New York, and anywhere else where there are special laws related to overhead doors and openers. There may even be a similar law in his own state. He can probably find out whether his own state has special rules by "googling overhead door openers" and then searching within the search for Virginia Beach. A few years ago when I was doing a lot of digging around on the net for various rules related to overhead doors and openers, I found where several states had adopted their own rules completely independent of 16CFR1211 so that they wouldn't have to rely on the feds to enforce rules related to doors and operators. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, I doubt it. Yeah, the amount of condensation will increase but I doubt that it's going to freeze. Around here they send B-vents up through uninsulated chases and sometimes there's 30+ft. of B vent in the chase and we don't see them freeze. It'd be different with a Cat IV furnace though, 'cuz the exhaust temperature of those feels like it's barely more than body heat when it leaves the collar. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, Well, if you read above the photo you'll see that he describes the energy source as gas. That is an exhaust vent and it is a gas furnace. I think he was clicking through his program, hit the wrong drop-down selection, and simply didn't proof-read the report. Very, very, very, confusing report format and the layout is way too busy. I don't understand why anyone would want to use such an obvious boondoggle of a software and report format. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Must be one of those miniature flying beavers. [:-magnify OT - OF!!! M.