Nolan Kienitz

OK ... adding to the slight drift here .... My dream is to have the '55 T-Bird Click to Enlarge 73.51 KB

More changes in Texas. I'm sure many have seen the recent news that the long-serving HI organization: TAREI has joined up with Nachi. It will provide a count of HIs with a strong presence at the new TREC-requested coalition of all HI organizations to help in streamlining some presence. Here is a link to the TAREI site: TAREI & Nachi join up

And then there is this ... from National Geographic about a young girl who 'does' bleed from the eyes. If I recall there was a piece on TV about this recently. Click to Enlarge 22.73 KB Rather spooky.

It's a "Watch Duck" [:-slaphap

You know ... we just have to protect the "snail darter" []

Ought to create a Forum Section for: "A Phillip"

DFW ... ~ $2K for 200 AMP

Well ... this past summer (DFW) I had a few attics that were near 160-degrees!! Did you notice any ventilation baffles to allow air flow from eaves (soffit vents) and into/through attic?

In the bathroom area you tested was the wall the "backside" of a shower? I've seen the flexible shower pans that route up about 2+ feet on the sidewall provide a reflectance to my Tramex MEP. There is something in the 'rubbery' shower pan material that causes the high reading.

Being a Type 1 diabetic since 1967 has added all sorts of complications to doing quasi-normal things. Losing weight is one of them as the required insulin (via insulin pump for the past 25-years) actually tends to cause one to eat a tad more. Sucks! Anyway ... I'm working my limited, small steps to also reach my target of ~ 175#. Now ... baseball ... all I can say is that the Texas Rangers have new owners!!! Maybe in the next year or two they will get on track.

Hummm ... "Wind beneath my wings???" [?]

Some of the early Fox & Jacobs homes in the DFW market had the TPR drain line set in the slab pour and routed out to exterior just as a straight horizontal shot.

Attached is the reply from TREC Legal and a follow-up letter from BOAT. More information in addition to the original BOAT letter posted by Mike. Download Attachment: TRECSOPresponse2.pdf 47.71 KB

In light of the article about potential failed P-T cables in the high-rise structure in Seattle I thought I would post these two images of failed P-T cables in a duplex that I inspected this past Friday in the DFW area. Click to Enlarge 62.81 KB Click to Enlarge 60.91 KB

Why ?? I guess the answer is: "Because" Click to Enlarge 34.05 KB Click to Enlarge 29.88 KB

Just a wonderment of things we see in our day-to-day profession. Click to Enlarge 59.83 KB

It appears the "stir" has only just begun in Texas with TREC and the inspector's community. Here is the link to a website that a long-time, well-respected Texas inspector (formerly on the TREC Inspector's Committee) has put together in an effort to formally address the many variances in our massive SOP. SOP - RFI "Standards of Practice - Request for Interpretation" John Cahill is the author of the site and is doing yoeman's work in keeping all in order. There has recently been an "Inspector's Summit" meeting called by TREC at a neutral location. Invited were representatives from all the organizations that represent Texas TREC HIs as well as some independents. You can read some of the documentation at the SOP-RFI and see all the organizations represented. To say the least representation overall is fractured. Well over 50% of all Texas TREC inspectors are not part of any organization. That is not an issue from my perspective. Then there are the many organizations and trying to get each/all of them on a "similar" song-sheet is the challenge. That is what is being attempted via the "Inspector Summit". Currently the Texas TREC HIs have virtually no visible voice in Texas with the legislature and even in most cases with our licensing agency: TREC. TREC is a "real estate" focused organization and the HI community is just under their control. I encourage all licensed Texas TREC inspectors for visit the SOP-RFI site and review the documents and strive to understand and educate yourself with respect to the data provided and the potential ramifications. No one needs to join any organization ... just be aware of what is going on and fully grasp the potential. I know that many Texas TREC inspectors are not inspecting to the current SOP and in some cases not even using the current required report template. That alone speaks volumes to me about how serious one is with respect to his/her profession. Following every jot/tittle of the Texas TREC SOP can easily drive you to a 4-8 hour inspection of a 2000-3000 s.f. property (slab foundation). Douglas Hansen has reviewed our electrical portion of the SOP and commented that it could easily take up to two+ days just for the electrical inspection ... IF you follow the SOP to the 'nth' degree. Food for thought!! Some of you may also be aware that there has been and is currently under development an additional document to the huge Texas TREC SOP (from what I understand ... exceeds in scope any HI SOP with any organization or state) ... a "Commentary" on the SOP. In of itself a "commentary" is an OK thing to help put into "plain English" items from the SOP. Obviously similar to the IRC or NEC and related "commentaries". However, TREC Legal wants to make the "Commentary" a part of the "TREC Rules" where it can be enforced just like the SOP. This is the scary part as some of the draft commentary is in conflict with the already approved SOP. Ergo ... the concern about the end result and future. I've gone on too long, but wanted to share some of the headaches and adventures we have facing the inspector's community in Texas.

Not to be dis-respectful ... but "sometimes" Home Warranty companies don't always engage the most proficient or experienced professionals. Understand your need/desire to utilize warranty and such, but it might be wise to reach out to an 'experienced' professional to help you out before someone gets injured.

The TREC in Texas is going through all sorts of considerations and some of them may be substantial fee increases as well as having the state tax department require that we charge a sales tax on our reports. All "talk" at present ... but some, all or none would not surprise me.

Radiant barrier installed 'directly' to decking (not good). At very least should have an air gap between radiant barrier product and decking to allow adequate air flow. Installation on walls not a good thing.

Jim K: Now if you had been able to hook onto this ???? I'm seeing more of these on new home construction down here, but have yet to see anyone use them. Click to Enlarge 56.8 KB

Maybe a chalk mark from the insurance roof inspectors hip pocket (where he kept his chalk supply) as he was sliding down. [?] Honestly, Jim, I don't know but had to add my usual limited levity.

Les and all ... I'm crazy right there with y'all. Virtually all my answers were also dissertations. (I think that is a valid word) [?] As I was going through the survey it kept smacking me in the face as to: "What's the point of this B.S.?" Fundamental waste of time, effort and Lord knows what ASHI is wanting out of it.

Kurt will likely use the image on the cover page []

Erby, You set me up for this one !!! "Do you want Superman or WonderWoman?"