Nolan Kienitz

I did a 'new home final' today where the brick window ledges had a wonderful slope all the way from "0" to "4" degrees. I did the framing inspection on this house and gave the builder a head's up with documents/images regarding the BIA and IRC requirements for a slope of 15 degrees. Guess he didn't read or maybe it was his brick crew. My client sent me an e-mail tonight asking if it was real important to have the slope. Well now ... that began a rather lengthy reply with more documentation ... for the 2nd or 3rd time. Oh well. I had one builder rip 'em out 3 times before he got them right. The last time around he went to the big box store and got the simple meter/gauge that is in the images. Then his brick crew got on the bandwagon. Kind of a nice feeling when at least one in Lord knows how many inspections gets corrected. Image Insert: 61.07 KB Majority of windows were at this slope! (Where's the water??) Image Insert: 62.42 KB WOW ... all of 4-degrees !! [:-party]

... and then there is WD-40. Someone once told me it also helped his grandmother's arthritis. Go figure.

Quickly ----------- OINK !!

Chad, The chorus is unanimous. Images of your home are needed. You've done and are doing great work!

Very common for natural gas meters to be placed at edge of property (in alley for example) with supply line routing to side of home for entrance ... in Texas that is. Configuration is such that the meter could almost be "relocated" from current location at alley to the entrance location at the home.

As Brian noted: "emotions" ... sellers when presented with the buyer's request for repairs or $$ at closing to cover for certain items can evoke big-time emotions. Most times sellers don't think anything is wrong with "their home". So many times on inspections the seller has been about and asks what I've found and how bad is it? I never tip any hand, but I can feel the "emotional sensitivity". Stand firm !

G-S appliances were common in '60s. Fox-Jacobs and others used them quite a bit. Have some close friends in a late '60s house with original G-S appliances still in use. My friend simply refuses to spend a nickel on anything. I keep telling him that "one of these days" he will have to upgrade.

I've been told, by some clients, that getting windows replaced ... due to broken seals ... have cost only about $40.00. Obviously depends upon size of panel, but is common in the DFW area. The window folks just replace the 'sealed panel' section that is set within the frame. Now ... if you have a bunch of windows that have seal failures ... that $40 can add up.

It appears the "listing agent/owner" is now putting on the hat of the "owner" and mayhaps doesn't want to accept any responsibility. I've experienced similar over the years and it is very interesting to watch and see how they can change "roles". A month from now she will be a "buyer's agent" and have a view 180-degrees from the current. Hang in there! You did right !

I did a "new home final" today. Builder/Sales person told client "it was not necessary" as 'their inspector' had given a final OK as did the local municipality. Then ... along comes Nolan's Inspections, LLC !! Humm. It was all "approved" and ready for move-in. Well let's see now: 1) 2nd floor Master Bath sink drain leaking at slip joints above P-Trap. (How many towels do I have in my truck?) 2) Furnace won't operate. 3) 2nd floor flashing "cover trim" (weird) just fell off. 4) Bare incandescents in closets. (not even just missing the globe ... just a porcelin bulb base). 5) Attic access stairs leaves ~ 2-inch gap at ceiling and "won't close". ... I could go on!

I sent another letter to Governor Rick Perry's office this week (2nd letter since SB 914 came to light) expressing my concern about the amendment, etc., etc. I was taken aback this afternoon when one of his staffers called me to discuss the letter and share the Governor's views. The call lasted for 45-minutes and we covered many, many things regarding this amendment, bill, TREC and general politics. It was a very good and enlightening call. He is in agreement with our views about the 11th hour way things were handled and is not at all pleased with the Plano Representative. She (Governor's staffer) said the TDI provided the range of insurance cost that began with $1300 ... ergo the number put in his statement for signing. Line item veto is not available for such bills ... only those dealing with budget ... else he would have exercised that option to remove it. Bottom line is that we need to speak up (diplomatically) to be heard. The call I received today was a sample of that. We're not always going to get what we want, but if we don't vote and exercise our voice (again ... diplomatically) we won't get anything done. I would also suggest that we all get involved in at least some of our representative organizations and work through those channels as well as a combined resource. ASHI, TAREI, NACHI ... I belong to some, but not all (again we all have to watch budgets), but whatever the group it would be a combined effort that "may" help.

I received an update from a legal contact of mine at TREC. A very good person who works hard to provide data as best as possible. I've pasted some of the data below for review. ============================================ Now that the Governor has signed (confirmed 06-20-07) SB 914 into law, TREC has requested that the Attorney General clarify the general vs. professional liability issue. Because it can take 180 days or more to receive a response, at its last meeting the Commission issued agency staff a policy directive to treat this bill as requiring professional liability insurance until and unless we hear otherwise from the Attorney General. (The reference to Subchapter G, which includes negligence and incorporates the Standards of Practice, strongly suggests that the legislature intended this requirement to be professional liability insurance. However, because "negligence" can occur in a number of ways, the amendment could be determined to require both professional and general liability insurance.) Once the Attorney General's Office receives and processes the request, you should be able to track it at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinopen/opinhome.shtml. The insurance requirement will phase in over the next 2+ years as inspectors' licenses renew. Renewals on or after September 1 will have to show proof of insurance. There is only a 90-day renewal window before a license expires, so a license that expires at the end of April 2008 cannot be renewed until February. (The agency will also require inspectors who needed to show insurance to obtain or renew the license to maintain it between renewals.) The law does not require inspectors' insurance policies to extend coverage to agents, although I understand that this is a common term of these policies. I am not sure where the Governor's $1300 figure came from. TREC does not track insurance companies or prices, although we may begin a list of companies that offer the insurance once we start to receive that information with applications and renewals. SB 914 also made several changes to the Inspector Committee, as recommended by the Sunset Commission. The Committee will still be provided for in Chapter 1102, although it will become an advisory committee. The current Committee functions in an advisory capacity, so the change to an "advisory committee" mostly means that different provisions of the Government Code, rather than Chapter 1102, regulate its functioning, and (most importantly) its members will now be able to meet by teleconference. (Meetings will still be posted publicly, and they will be broadcast in real time - presumably by speakerphone - at TREC. We are still working out all of the details of the changes.) You are correct that the corporation/LLC inspector license requirement was abolished in this legislative session. That change was made through HB 1530 and will also become effective on September 1.

Gary, Does that mean the stopper is not working?

Paul, As always thanks for great information and support.

Buster, It is not as easy as just looking at the numbers. #'s do well in laboratory situations, but seldom do you get that in actual practice. As Jim noted above ductwork is key. You can have the highest end system available and a crappy duct installation and your SEER value drops like a rock. I've worked with many HVAC folks who are real pro-active on such and the bottom line is that trying to nail the "actual" SEER rating of an installation is not easy. I fully understand your personal need and want. I am very similar, but for the builder to automatically say you have this or that .... does he have documentation and test results of "your" installation?

No way would I be reaching beyond to that point on a Telesteps. Too "da--" wobbly. I carry similar product, but rely on my Little Giant. Much safer. Don't you love product marketing?

New Home Final inspections are an absolute necessity. Too many things simply overlooked by an over-extended superintendent trying to cover likely 15+ homes. Crews don't always do the "better building practice" on each project. They forget things or take shortcuts for whatever reason. An objective third party view (that would be us inspectors) help level the situation a tad. I love the contracts I get for complete inspections from foundation pre-pour to framing and then the new home final.

RE: Les' 'single-leaf' tulips ..."tap, tap, tap ... there goes my foot getting ready to "tip-toe: Anyway ... repressing the tip-toe. Did Eve only use one leaf or maybe a grand total of 3, but then that would mean from three of Les' "single-leaf' tulips. Hummm ??

Take a look at the URL below for an updated "blowing fiberglass" insulation. I've heard and seen great things about it. Having an R19 level added to my attic next week of this product. Had a busy winter: Replaced my old/broken A/C ducts with new ducts rated at R8 and have also just finished putting in Polar-Ply radiant barrier. Now that I'm done "tromping" around in my attic I can refill what I've flattened.

1958 house, slab foundation, "hard pipe" HVAC ducts in slab with floor vents. (Mind you this is Texas ... NOT typical). Mechanical damper control in each floor vent with felt sealer to close off when there is no air movement from system. Anyone have any history? MechDamper.jpg Download Attachment: MechDamper.jpg 43.66 KB

Mike & Paul, Tnx much. I've already keyed in that a qualified, licensed electrician needs to review. The panel I saw today looks like your image (Mike) ... save for the new wiring.

Okay ... what about a Magnetrip panel? Is it just another name for a Zinsco? I ran across one today in a very small closet in a Master Bedroom in a home built in 1958. 60-amp main breaker cutoff. All copper. No obvious damage, etc. under deadfront.

Touche !

Chris, You referring to "recurring" annual inspections or just "warranty" at 1st or 2nd year of builder's "new home warranty" (end of) period? Some builders had put out a "two year" deal. I get a number of 'warranty' inspections anywhere from six months in, but most work for me at 10th, 11th and then the last minute at one year. I market mailers to new home buyers and plan the mailings at the 8th and 9th months or there-a-bouts.

Marketing 101 technique: Have a mirror at your desk and look at yourself while talking to client on phone. Smile and you will change your personna and phone presence. It "will" come across the phone to the client. The mirror helps force you to watch you "work the phone" ... so-to-speak.