hausdok

Hi, Make sure that the photo is in a compatible format - saving it in JPEG works best - and that it's not too large. Use a photo resizing tool to get it under 200k. Make sure the name on the photo doesn't contain any spaces or special symbols. This won't work: my photo of my issue(3) This will work: MyPhotoOfMyIssue_3 or My_photo_of_my_ussue_3 or something similar without special symbols or blank spaces. Click on the "edit post" button above your post. Once the composition box comes up, place your cursor where you want the photo to go, left-click, click on the "upload a visible picture" button below the box, scroll to the photo on your computer, highlight the photo file, click upload photo to .....'s post. It will tell you that you were successful, close the box. Click submit changes and you're done. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

OK, Now I think I'm forming a picture; the grounded (neutral) conductor from the sub-panel is secured under the same lug in the main panel as the grounded conductor from the service entrance. As far as I know, it's not OK to do that. First, a lug has to be rated for two conductors and second there is rule that grounded conductors will each have their own little seat on the bus. There should have been another lug somewhere on the neutral bus in that main panel to which the grounded conductor from the sub-panel feeder can be attached. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, It probably won't melt. I find lots of wires directly beneath gas fireplaces all the time and they do fine. The only difference with your setup is that the control valve is inside the firebox with the gas log set and isn't on another side of the floor of the firebox. I suppose you could recommend they expose a little less of that wire to the heat and fish it up from beneath the firebox and bring it up right next to the control valve so that only a very small amount of wiring would actually be inside the firebox; however, if the heat isn't melting the plastic control knobs on the front of that control valve I doubt that it's going to melt that wiring. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

When you refer to "commons" are you referring to the equipment-grounding conductors ("grounds" - bare or green wires) or to the grounded conductors ("neutrals" - white wires)? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

I'd buy it by the sheet, not tiles, strip everything out, put it down and then reinstall everything. Go here and click the page 2 button: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... -shop-mats ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Could be scissor trusses. Look for an attic access anyway. If so, they're a bitch to get through but I often find the insulation above the ceilings isn't even near touching the ceilings. Be careful you don't slip down into the lower space; it's an even worse bitch to extricate yourself from there. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

No way. My rough, manly hands are my best feature. Mine's my ears. On cold days, I can use them as solar collectors and if the brakes ever fail on my car I can stick my head out the window and use 'em as air brakes (They are a pain in the butt when bicycling into a head wind though.). Seriously, Jim, I've never seen what you're talking about. It sounds like some after market stuff was added. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Rinnai has introduced four new hydronic furnace models, which work in conjunction with the Rinnai® tankless water heating system to heat the entire homes. These units feature Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) technology that operates up to 48% more efficiently than traditional PSC (permanent split capacitor) motors, and use hot water generated by Rinnai's tankless water heating system to heat the air. Heated air is then distributed throughout the home via the unit's blower and the home's existing ductwork. To learn more, click here. To download a copy of the homeowner's manual and installation guide for all four models of Rinnai hydronic furnaces, click here.

Most home inspectors constantly fret about bumping their prices only $25 per inspection; even as a realtor's commission on a home sale can be increased several thousands dollars just by virtue of increased prices on homes. Is it fair? Should inspectors be paralyzed when it comes to increasing their fees in order to cover increased costs? Absolutely not. The accompanying article outlines some ways to go about increasing your fees. To read more click here.

What goes round, comes around. Apparently, the new emphasis on green building has caused a resurgence in thatched roofing in Europe. Read all about it here

NIBCO will host its free 3-day Spring Radiant Academy beginning April 11th and ending April 13th, at its PEX manufacturing facility in Lebanon, Ohio. Each year, NIBCO offers several opportunities for training to meet the growing demand for radiant heating systems. The academy aimed at wholesalers, designers, engineers and contractors, but space is limited so early registration is recommended. “Contractors have seen a dramatic rise in the number of homeowners asking about radiant heat,â€

There is a new hi-tech tool that inspectors might find very useful; the Eye-Fi card. The Eye-Fi card is a wireless memory card. It looks like a regular SDHC card but is has built-in wi-fi that uses your wireless network to transfer photos and videos to your computer, making documenting your inspections a snap. There will be a free webinar that explains this technology hosted by Roofing Contractor Magazine on Tuesday, March 22nd at 11am PT/12pm MT/1pm CT/2pm ET. Those who attend this session will learn how to: Categorize jobsite photos while in the field Set up their wireless network to transfer photos and videos with ease Automatically back up photos and videos by wirelessly uploading them to folders of their choice on their computer, or even directly into iPhoto for Macs. Impress clients by documenting their inspections and making presentations. To learn more about this seminar and to register click here.

Here's an article from the American Express Open Forum that will help inspectors by showing them where to focus their business energies in order to increase profits. To read more, click here.

If you've been mulling over the whole "green" thing, you probably should grab a copy of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. It's free at the ICC website. Just go over there, register for your free copy and you'll get a code to unlock the PDF so that you can download it. To get your copy, click here.

According to this expert, every small business must make an effort to brand itself, especially if it is competing with companies that already have a brand. Do inspectors do that? Sure, we compete with Housemaster, US Inspect, WIN Inspections and other large players in the business. How can we compete against these giant franchisors? Click here to get some answers.

By Ben Pershing If at first — or second — you don’t succeed, try try again. That could be Keith Fimian’s campaign motto in 2012. After losing in 2008 and 2010, the Republican businessman from Oakton is mulling a third straight contest against Rep. Gerald Connolly (D) in Virginia’s 11th congressional district. Fimian, the wealthy founder of the home inspection firm U.S. Inspect, told the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call Thursday that he might enter the fray again, as long as the seat isn’t made much safer for Connolly in the redistricting process. To read more, click here.

Here's a story about government waste; in this case, a program forcing inspections of all resale/rental properties by a city inspector at a fee of $35. This "inspection" is limited to 20 minutes. To read more, click here.

Hi, I think this is what you are looking for; but it looks like they are not currently accepting applications from folks to be certified: Click Here. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi guys, Not sure what's causing that. Hope Mike Brown reads this and has a clue 'cuz I'm clueless (In every sense of the word.). ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

The guy who applied that has his head tucked so far up his backside he has to go to the proctologist to get his teeth cleaned. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi All, Thought that some of you northwesterners might like to know that I just got word that Flukeis holding a 4 hour introduction to Thermography Seminar in the Tri-Cities on March 31st. See the attached registration form for full details and registration information. The course is $100. Each participant will receive a Fluke Laser Distance meter valued at $99. Click here to download the registration form. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

https://www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum ... C_ID=12290 OT - OF!!! M.

Hi Kurt, I haven't played with Skype in about five years. Is Skype still audio only or do they have a video feed now. When you say conference call option does it display the way that Go-to-Meeting does with a white board to present documents on and a chat board off to one side along with a list of the folks participating? If video, can it display more than one caller at a time? On a similar note; has anyone played with the google app Vyew.com yet. It's free and apparently one can conference up to 10 folks for free before additional costs start kicking in. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Les and I have been involved in some long and drawn-out teleconferences with about a dozen folks at a time over the past few years. If Les and I can figure out how to do the computer conference thingy, anyone can. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Oh, I get it. That's what he was typing in the chat box next to the on-screen graphics during the meeting. No? Hope so, 'cuz if that is a voice transcript the moderator was as dumb as he was. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike