chicago

So Kurt do you bother to write it up.Also do you ever eat the fish.[:-crazy]

In Chicago it is common for large buildings downspouts to be connected directly into the city sewer system, as there does not seem to be any other place to put it.Kurt probably knows about that part of it.(I am referring to older buildings).

Sounds like it is not so much a home inspector writeup,but more of a code violation Mike. So how do you convey this?.Wordage?

I was trying to figure that one out mike.After I got access to this clipping there was suddenly not anything there in even my last 50 most recent topics till it was found under search.

This topic was moved off recent hits so here is another reply to topic in order to make this visible to members of the forum.

Actually that would be hot air not gas,along with our good buddy carbon monoxide.It is basically just increasing the amount of surface area exposed to heat by taking it for a spin.Back in the good old days when coal furnaces were being converted to gas,they would increase the efficiency by introducing turbulator tubes.

does that bring back the memories. From the time I was seven years old up until 1972 (here in Chicago most furnaces were coal-fired as Kurt said), I would spend time loading coal into the Stoker's and pulling out old clinkers for the buildings that my father was taking care of. Back then here in Chicago building maintenance was a very important position, if you forgot to load the Stoker's there would be no heat for the building. Heck we used to burn all of our garbage in an incinerator, the good old days (cough) (cough) (cough). And by the way Brad nice to see you visiting the forum. I'm the guy squeezed into the corner table with you at last meeting.

(Shout out to Inman news for giving me permission to reprint this article) id="blue">Inspector's in the House By Barry Stone Distributed by Inman News About Barry Stone Can I sue my home inspector? By Barry Stone March 06, 2007 Dear Barry, I've read several of your columns where readers ask if they have grounds for suing a home inspector. Your answer always seems to be "no." Could it be that you're providing cover for fellow inspectors? --Jock Dear Jock, You have apparently read some, but not many, of my columns on home inspector liability and suability. Many readers have written to complain about their home inspectors and to inquire about inspector liability. When asked if a home inspector can be justifiably sued, my answer has sometimes been yes and sometimes no, depending on the situation. If you've read only the "no" columns, you've gotten the wrong impression. Most home inspectors will be sued at some time during their careers. To quote a common saying in the business: "There are two kinds of home inspectors -- those who have been sued and those who will be." There are, however, specific circumstances that determine whether a home inspector is truly liable for a disputed claim. When property defects are not reported during home inspection, the inspector is liable if the defects are within the scope of the inspection and were visible and accessible at the time of the inspection. For example, a leaking drain below a sink would be within the scope, and in most cases would be visible and accessible. A damaged roof would also be within the scope, and with some exceptions would be visible and accessible. An inspector who fails to report defects such as these could be subject to a lawsuit. However, if the bathroom was filled with storage so that the inspector could not inspect below the sink, or if weather conditions on the day of the inspection prevented the inspector from walking on the roof, the inspector would not be liable, if (and this is a big if) the inspection report clearly states that these areas were not inspected and that further inspection is recommended prior to close of escrow. Conditions not within the scope of a home inspection are typically itemized in the inspector's contract and in the report. These include conditions that are not visible or accessible because they are underground or contained within the construction of the building. Other exclusions include structural and geological engineering, infestation by wood-destroying organisms (such as termites), low-voltage electrical systems, septic systems, water wells and more. Home inspectors typically include language in their contracts that limit the chances of being sued. These include mediation and arbitration clauses (not enforceable in all states). They also may include specific monetary limits on liability (also not enforceable in all states). Home buyers, however, can undermine a valid claim against a home inspector by repairing the defect before the inspector has been notified about the problem. Home inspectors should have the opportunity to view disputed defects, to discuss whether they are was within the scope of the inspection, whether they were visible on the day of the inspection, and whether they existed on the day of the inspection. Inspectors who are liable should be allowed to hire a repair contractor, to make repairs themselves, or simply to pay the costs of repairs. If a home inspector is notified by the home buyer but fails to respond or to accept reasonable liability, pressure should be brought to bear, even if that means being sued. This has been my recommendation in many past columns and will continue to be my advice to home buyers whose inspectors are professionally negligent. To write to Barry Stone, please visit him on the Web at www.housedetective.com. Copyright 2007 Barry Stone Reprinted with permission of Inman News

Thanks for the information mike, I had just subscribed Inman news news as an RSS feed. Barry stone sends a lot of his articles through the Inman news and I have just found out that these articles expire after seven days. I have just e-mailed them and news request to allow me to see the copy of the article titled can I sue my home inspector. When I receive a reply will inform you. Now I know it always pays to save to file.

Going to bed Chris however I seem to recall they have traces of mercury plus they break easy.So energy efficient or not Paul's idea may be the best choice.[:-bigmouth let that be my yawn.My chapter president recommend Home gauge and I have playing with it all evening.I like way it lets you customize photo downloads.

I ASSumed he meant one of those new spiral type screw in fluorescents.

At least the pull appears non-conductive. however the biggest issue is heat and breakage. Carson Dunlop Home Reference Book seems to prefer they be above the door,which does not seem applicable here. Personally I would take out the bulb and check polarity for safety.Then recommend a more flush out of the way style fixture.LEDs produce no heat whatsoever and have come down to a reasonable price.Dam! I"M STARTING TO GET LONG WINDED AS YOU GUYS.I probably look like my dog to.

Lots of moss so I am guessing you were facing south when taking that picture.Still come on now something must be in violation.

Which part of town were you workin Kurt.

Sounds like you could use a rest kurt,so send your business my way and they will think you were even better.70 degrees was enough to send me to diversy harbor.

Yea they used to tell me to drain those once a year during the off season when I was doing bldg maintenance.They would leak for a while then eventually close off from rust.These were 100 year old kewanee coal steam boilers.Definatly do not test unless your ready to pay for a new valve.

looks like a good idea.putting dryvid on wire mesh.Much stonger then that styrofoam the guy at the hardware store told me to use. Hopfully it wont effect the R-value.[:-bigeyes

Just out of curiosity what is that component coming out of the structure and running behind the mast?

I was itching for the answer to your query and broke down to call the guru himself.Referring to Paul Abernathy of course.Answer is (drum roll inserted) 5 feet from top of meter base and around 12 inches from the top.

...shall be of adequate strength or be supported by braces or guys to withstand safely the strain imposed by the service drop... [...] code 230.28 apparently discretionary

Interesting column by Barry stone in today"s http://www.inman.com/inmanstories.aspx?ID=62401man Real Estate news.

Karl have you checked your web site recently?

Love those links. If I shake my laptop upside down will you fall out.

Thanks Chris,thats the what about bob? link. the house links were even more distracting when they were different colors.

since the topic has been opened again, I feel I've been biting my tongue long enough. In my opinion the purpose of these organizations such as A.S.H.I/ N.A.C.h.I/ N.A.H.I is not to control who gets to be and to does not get to be a home inspector. This role is something that the 50 states of the Union have an option to take care of. In Illinois we are licensed by the state ,it is their role. Let me also mention that I am a member of N.A.C.H.I and find support from my local chapter to be strong. The last time that I checked none of these organizations was passing out stock so I'm not sure why anyone would have a problem with one organization or another. I feel the biggest role of these organizations is to provide support and education much as this forum. It's all good. PS the main reason I decided to get into this occupation was the two idiots who seemed to know less than I did. One inspected the home we were selling the other inspected the home we were buying. Guess which association they were both affiliated with, it wasn't N.A.C.H.i