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I'm pretty confident the window was never open, no water marks on the unfinished birch. Sill Muffler, is pretty much (as I understand it) a big piece of Styrofoam under the sill, increasing it's R-Value. If you Google it you'll probably see a few product lines offering a Sill Muffler as an option for "Underside Weather Protection". The wind explanation is making less & less sense the more I think about it, especially if the interior was not that warm for the majority of the time. My first instinct was a flashing/caulking defect during the installation, and I bet the underside of the sill is soaking wet.

This window was installed in late Novemeber. The owners were gone the whole month of Dec. The house temp was set to 58 - 60 degrees. The company who did the install (A Reputal Company) sent out a manger, his explaination is: There is no Sill Muffler, plus the driving winds from the Southwest is causing the moisture build up, (Condensation). There is also a small pond 30-40 feet from the window, this could also be a factor. The sill is 9 ply birch, and moisture readings range from 15 - 35, along the outer part of the sill. They're going to open it up in a day or two. Does the moisture level seem a liitle high just for condensation, from driving winds? Image Insert: 94.59 KB Image Insert: 96.07 KB little mold on this side

First Les & his steel toe pumps at Warm U. Now visions of Randy with a Speedo & a Bucketboss Tool bag on a roof. Hmmm, what is it about these seminars?

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer?

The "real" money in sewercam work is finding the major defect and digging to fix it. Which gets back to the thing Katen was talking about, which is you sort of need a dig crew, and a fix crew. Your right about that. When I was still in Chicago I use to work for a plumbing company and at that time we needed a drainlayers license to stick anything into a clean out. Do they still enforce that in the City? We always rented a camera when we needed one, and it not recommended to go past any obstruction, such as a small root blockage at 15'. You should pull the camera out, stick a rod in clean up the obstruction then continue on. So I don't know if those other companies you talk about carry a rodding machine with them, to fully inspect the line, or do they just stick the camera in for show? I guess what I'm try to say a camera is a major expense and could be economical for a sewer repair company, but just for strictly home inspections I think just subbing it out to a plumber is the way to go. I guess if you feel this is a good revenue source for your business, and in your area HI's are offering this service, then maybe it's a good idea, but in my area I have to worry about jurisdiction laws. Plus getting a homeowner to agree with a sewer line inspection, as part of a real estate deal. Also do you think your insurance might go up if your inspecting sewers? Frank

Yea you guys are right. They're kind of cheesy, all they really do is open & close. But my brother in-law would like it. He isn't that mechanically inclined, and luckily gave up on trying to fix things himself. I rarely use an adjustable wrench. I have an assorted collection of Snap-On & Craftsman, and just in case, a couple pairs of Channel Locks.

Has anybody tried one of these yet? Going to get a couple for "Stocking Stuffers" , for family members who love new tools/gadgets. Frank

Speaking of new drains, has anyone seen something like this. It is suppose to warm up the cold water supply with the warm waste water. Download Attachment: Drain1.pdf 205.72 KB (Now I know the Patent is dated in the early 80's, but I was wondering if anyone has seen one of these, or similar installed anywhere.) Frank

I can see something like that for commercial applications, but residential I think it's a waste of money. How much will the average home owner bend down to adjust the velocity of their drain? Actually I guess it would be practical for the family that tends to drop things in kitchen drain. I use to do a lot of service calls, and over 90 percent of the time, the blockage was beyond the P-Trap. Shampoo & toothpaste caps would usually make it past the trap and get lodged in the tee in the wall. Even in tubs, the blockage was usually at the drain basket, or at the Drain & Overflow Tee, especially when, it was a plunger, or trip toe type stopper.

Thanks guys. Interesting fact Katen. Had a big outside Williamson condensing unit, and the Realtor was set on it was one of the first Heat Pumps. (30-35 year old house) Made me think for a second or two, before I realized it was a just a realtor slash the Maytag repairman....

Somebody could have installed that running trap to serve a floor drain or condensate drain they added "after the fact". (Post Construction). I've seen that a lot. Is that Tee a vent or another drain line?

When did the first heat pumps hit the market? Did they use a regular T-stat, with a separate reverse switch? Had to show a client and his "Know-It-All" Realtor, (or should I say had to prove to the realtor) that todays house was just a gas furnace with a very old and very big outdoor AC unit. But it did make me wonder what were the first heat pumps like. The ones I see are all newer, and usually have a digital/programmable T-stat. Frank

Well that was a cool game. Wasn't pretty, but it's a win. Da Bears can't afford to loose, to keep any thoughts of post season play alive. Devon Hester got the MVP, but I feel there are a couple of honorable mentions: A. Peterson, stepping up after Benson's injury. Rex for staying cool in the pocket, and throwing good passes, (even though the receivers had too much butter on their hands). Also, Todd Sauerbrun from the Broncos; without his arrogant ass, Hester probably would of never touched the ball.

I agree with you guys. Actually, I thought Mike would want more Algebra!!! I think they had a lot to cover, and not enough time. I felt the second half day was rushed. Especially when we started to get a little into the design aspects I like the idea of component identification and correct placement in a system. I feel that systems are going to start to be bigger, or at least more spread out and they are going to have much more electronic controls. I think we have to keep pace with the technology. Frank

I am wondering how many HI's are members of the NFPA. I joined a couple of weeks ago. Does anybody think it's not beneficial for a newer HI?

Les, Since there is one in every room, except Bath & Kit. Could it be a receptacle for electric heaters of some kind? Is the primary heat source original? Although, why would there be one over the fireplace? The lamp socket makes more sense.

I got something in the mail today from AWCI (Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry), advertising some EIFS Certification Seminars coming up. I'm interested in getting my Inspector's Certificate, and I'm wondering if any of you know about AWCI, or recommend another institution.

They had one at Watts Radiant. It's pretty Cool. Maybe Kurt got a picture of it, and could post it.

OK Mike, not to drift this thread even more, but; I can't wait for the day when a NASCAR or IRL driver tests positive for steroids, or human growth hormones. Just along the same lines as Bob E. is saying: It's not a true sport until Balco Labs exposes some of it's participant. Frank

Whoa, do they have betting on that? Better call Vegas. What's the line on Ol' Jiminey?

Alright Brian G. Sunday Night under the lights in Seattle, the whole nation will be watching. What will your beloved Saint do? They're due for a win. Bears in Seattle on a Sunday night game in Nov. Maybe your guys could give Hasselbeck a season ending injury, or something. Frank

No, I can't take credit for the shot. Nor, do I know the origin. It was forwarded to me, and still trying to track it down.

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I'm not to sure what you mean when you say "Belly". Is that a flat spot in the lateral sewer? If sewer gas puffed out of the clean out, toward the base of the stack, I would guess there is a venting problem. Either blocked stack vent or undersized, or maybe no venting at all. Sewer gas coming out of the overflow of a bathroom sink would lead me to believe the traps are getting siphoned out, allowing the gases to flow up. And if that is the case, it goes back to a venting issue. Might check with the neighbors to see if they have an overpowering sewer gas problem, could be a municipal problem. Frank