Nolan Kienitz

It appears the pending lawsuit against CSST manufacturers has been settled out of court. Case files will be closed and I would guess the push was from the manufacturers to minimize publicity. Such action just makes me much more cautious when I note CSST in houses I inspect. CSST Lawsuit - Lubbock, TX ... Settled Out of Court

A lot of "yaks" where probably sheared for that mix ... [:-bigeyes

Usually I would agree, but I know Mike O to be a good inspector and I would not want to limit my choices! Oh oh ... Here it comes !!! [:-slaphap

Find your next inspector by reading sample reports. Many inspector websites have them. Its the same way good authors are found...by reading their works. If a prospective inspector doesn't have a sample report on his site, call and ask him for one. If he doesn't have one, scratch his name off of your list. Marc One more item to be careful of regarding 'sample reports' is that many inspectors have been known to "manufacture" a sample report to look sexy and grab the reader's attention in a way to sell their services. I've seen many reports with all sorts of combined comments with failures of a pier & beam foundation when the actual home was a slab on grade and had those comments in the report as well with JPGs of both. Problem being is that the potential consumer will seldom ever catch such things. So sad to see. Best of luck with your efforts. Glad you are asking questions.

The insulation caps are cute !!! [^]

Yep ... my house was built in 1982 and it has poly. Discovered one of the two risers for my line had failed and I was responsible for the cost to replaced with a new/better riser. A bit of an increase in the budget to a gas line change when adding a gas cooktop two years ago for the kitchen.

OK ... y'all prompted me a bit of a diversion (as I'm wont to do ... ) [^] Click to Enlarge 18.87 KB Mayfield, OK is the rig's location ... FYI

Seems I recall Marc L. posting a study concerning radiant barrier being a pretty good conductor of electricity. Not long after he posted that article I happened across an installation (radiant barrier in an attic) that could have been compromised electrically as well.

Attach some boards and make a solid picnic table out of it ... []

Ditto Les' comment ... lots going on, but it is an FPE. Replace it ...

FWIW ... I liked the pickups when they were a 'tad smaller'. It was like overnight they all got huge. I understand it is about the market and all, but I really liked the full-size units before they got put on steriods. I had a 2002 Chevy p/u, extended cab that was great.

H = 9 I = 8 Count the alphabet alphas ... A = 1 B = 2 C = 3 etc., BTW - I'm only guessing ....

I know many inspectors and long-term plumbing companies in my neck of the woods that dislike PEX with a passion. These plumbing companies will not install any of it. They say PEX has a ways to go before they would be comfortable accepting the liability for installing it. They also will not install CSST. Ditto what Marc said ... virtually all of the failures I've seen have been installation related.

If it is condensation ... why not also be evident on the fitting at the lower right connection? I'm referring to the upper photo. Those locations not that far apart. CF - Good observation about condensation. EM - Any more similar deterioration noted at the cold water output of the PEX Manifold for the cold water lines? How about other cold water locations away from the manifold in other rooms/walls, etc.?

Kurt, Would that be before or after you added butter to the potato?

My local HVAC sources were able to get back with me this AM with the information. DOB: 1988 BTU: 120,000 And a caution to NOT USE the system with that much yellow flame.

Property inspected yesterday (Dallas, TX), built in 1967. Furnace in attic (typical for Texas), but does not have any dataplate left on system. There were some handwritten numbers on a sticker at the side of the system and there was a label on the manifold. I tried to correlate the handwritten numbers to the HVAC age sources I have, but came up empty. Anyone have any clues at possible age of system? EVAP coil (2007 - American Standard) was connected to a 60,000 BTU (5 ton) condenser (2006 - Trane). Flamebed was easily 90% yellow and of a style that I happen to call a 'flatbed' spread out across the bottom of the furnace. Small viewing source adjacent to access panel. Thanks in advance. Click to Enlarge 47.82 KB Click to Enlarge 46.92 KB Click to Enlarge 17.3 KB

Here is a link to Goodson Engineering out of Denton, TX. They have done forensic analysis on a wide range of items. Scroll through the list to find their papers on lightening / CSST. Goodson Engineering - Publications

I recall not too long ago there was a group pushing testing for radon on all the granite countertops that are being installed. I heard a local fed-gov rep on local TV saying how harmful it is ... Mind you radon in the dirt here in N. Texas barely registers on anyone's maps. But, the granite countertop radon testing was a potential money maker for a certain group of folks ... Oh well ... []

City of Frisco, TX went nuts when they first banned CSST in new home construction (have since relaxed that ban) and started requiring 'bonding' on anything/everything metal in an attic. Now one has to be on the lookout to not get clotheslined with bonding wires (most use the green sheath) running every whichway and ultimately to a buss bar that usually has a #6 routed back to panel. Furnace & water heater flues, dryer vent pipes, on and on.

Kurt, Not an issue. In fact there are a "whole bunch" of Texans who are always hollering about becoming their own country!! As for CSST, I personally don't care for it. Too many botched up installations and resultant lawsuits. A plumber that I have had at my home for various projects over the years won't touch the stuff. He has been in business for 20+ years, was a major contractor for new home construction during the boom a few years ago and he must be running about 10-15 trucks. Well respected, excellent work. They did a gas line extension in our home two years ago for a gas cooktop. He ran me through the wringer about BTUs for installed appliances, new cooktop, distance from meter to house, distance to each gas appliance, etc., etc.. He did it right!! I did the legwork and picked up the permit for him from the AHJ and I also asked if he was going to use CSST or black iron. He said he would not touch CSST with a ten foot pole. I had quotes from 3 other plumbers and none of them were the least bit concerned about load calculations or even pulling a permit. Goes without saying I was not impressed with 'em. I'm kind of an 'old school' guy with this product and not willing to endorse it at this time. If it is there I'll inspect as best I can, but I always advise my clients of the current known concerns. I've had two clients walk away from homes with CSST after they did more due diligence after my inspection.

Jim & Kurt, Agreed ... many in Texas would love to leave the union ... but, TREC and their control by brokers/agents would prevail and the inspectors would continue to be under their thumb. I've invited another HI to enter some of his musings about this CSST here at TIJ for additional food for thought. He may or may not ... so will see. I'm not comfortable copying/pasting what he has shared without his direct involvement.

No, inspectors are not prohibited from reporting anything they want to report on. The thrust has been via the TREC Inspectors Committee to propose a language change to the TREC SOP that would cause a line item requiring the inspector to note if the gas distribution is via black iron or CSST, etc., etc.. The TREC IC is reluctant to start making such specific granular requirements as they are concerned about where such demands would stop ... they would not in my view. Part of the bigger issue is that a substantial percentage of TREC licensed inspectors have absolutely NO knowledge of or about CSST much less some of the problems related to same. Many inspectors when polled about CSST knowledge at recent CE classes (classes NOT related to CSST) didn't have a clue about the product or its related problems even from a general nature. In a couple of cases the percentage of those inspectors ranged between 30 and 40% of those attending the CE class. Usually the count of attendees for the classes is from 75 to 100. What's more is that the instructors brought various samples of CSST along with the common stainless flexible connectors and another huge percentage of those unknowing inspectors could not tell the difference between the items. That is scary in my view. So ... views are across the spectrum, but the media won't let it go. The Lubbock Fire Marshall has and continues to convene meetings with other Fire Marshals in Texas and they are working on something related to CSST as well. Reason being is the fire in Lubbock a year ago that was related to CSST where someone died in the blaze. Forensics pointed to CSST failure due to lightning strike. All CSST installation in Lubbock & area is halted for now from what I understand. More to come I'm sure.

Local TV station has been doing many investigative reports on CSST and related problems for some time. This clip is the latest after presentations/request to the Texas TREC requesting more reporting requirements from inspectors. This is not over (at least here in Texas). Home Inspections May Not Warn of CSST in Homes

Stay the heck away from such "schemes". For the most part they are all bogus and only want $$ out of your pocket.