Eric B

How about a story about badly written reports?

"Sliding door's fixed panel" is the term I use. It's short and sweet and I've never been questioned on it.

Nightwing - From your comments it sounds as though the remediation approach is pretty close to that which we write in our plans. When a sealer (encapsulate) is used there is an option to use a clear application. If any substances were left over from the cleaning process they would still be visible. The clear sealer has a slight shine to it when you view it from the right angle - it's not always easy to see. Don't go the "dead mold" approach. Whether dead or dormant mold spores can still cause reactions. I suggest you obtain all the relevant documentation pertaining the the remediation for use when you turn around and sell the home down the road. One other thought. Did anyone figure out why the mold was there in the first place and was anything done to correct the cause? That's important to know. In our reports the cause is identified (with the appropriate corrective measures) in our remediation plans.

I don't see anything in that website about their product being used without a trap. Looks like using it in your situation would be an unintended application.

I've been through this monkey business before. Certainteed states in their application instructions that the substrate must be "watertight" prior to the application of the vinyl siding. Now go to the OSB manufacturer and ask them if their product is intended to be a watertight barrier. They're going to say no. Then hit the insulation and drywall manufacturers with the same question. Wanna guess what their answer will be? This is all due to morons weaseling around in the muck and ignoring the science of construction.

I think that that may be based upon an attic that is well ventilated to begin with - at least it's viewed that way by our local gas utilities.

I'm in the other school - call it what it is. Most professionals I know of use the terms of their trade - doctors, lawyers, engineers etc. By referring to bus bars, evaporator coils, rake boards etc you're being exact about what you're referring to. The client does not need to fully understand the terminology, he just needs a report that says something needs attention and also points the contractor to what it is. On the times when a contractor calls me for clarification it's always due to his not having a copy of the report or he has an attorney's letter that did not say what my report said. I've also had contractors call asking what my report meant - in those situations I call the client and tell him that the wrong guy is making the repair. Having a specifically referenced report keeps me out of trouble - watering down the terms doesn't work for me. During the inspection I explain things to clients and tell them why I write what I do - they always seem to appreciate that. Someone else's mileage may vary.

I saw that in this morning's Trib. It didn't say where the boiler's exterior vent was in relation to the window.

Marc, Manufacturer specs for hearth extension bases generally reference required R values for the material used. According to the CSIA if the extension is flush with the floor and if the subfloor underneath is not dropped down as viewed from the basement of crawl space then it's most likely going to be wrong. I have asked about this 2-3 times of the CSIA or their members and the answer is always the same as above. This is one of those conditions where they get BillieBob out to evaluate and he'll usually say it's ok. Sorry to say that there have been times that I have not reported on it simply because I didn't want to get into some p---ing match over it.

Marc, My usual find with such installations is a lack of a non-combustible base under the hearth extension.

A delicate way? How about significant odors exist?

The remark does not bother me. I frequently do this. Too often clients needlessly go off the deep end due to a lack of adequate information. I view my responsibility as providing my clients the knowledge necessary to make sound decisions and this often saves the sale. Of course there are also the times when the client runs screaming out of the house and for good reason.

I'm still waiting to meet someone who has been hit hard with the flu and still does not get the shots.

I'm not confident with online storage systems - much prefer to do my own backup and storage.

Technically, asphalt impregnated paper has too high a perm rating to be considered a barrier. Retarder is a more accurate term. Splitting hairs perhaps but I've learned to be spot on whenever possible in this job.

I'd defer to the "highest authority" - the local gas company.

Kenneth, All you can really do is speculate right now. And honestly, do you even know if the staining represents a current moisture problem? You said that there are soffit and ridge vents but is there actual air flow through each rafter bay? Until an invasive evaluation is done all analysis will be nothing more than guessing. As an inspector I might mention (verbally) some possible causes but I wouldn't be pointing anyone to any specifics. The last thing you want is someone wearing blinders because of something you said / wrote.

What's the chimney used for? What is the condition of the flue liners? Is the roof properly vented? Is the water problem only at this end of the roof?

I don't know if I would have even bothered opening the panel. Then again curiosity might have gotten the better of me.

I don't have an answer. In any event, does it make any difference? A condition like that makes our job easy - it needs to have an HVAC guy take a look.

Last I heard wood railings are just as combustible as wood decks. I think you're good to go.

In my experience with indoor air quality investigations the problems are largely centered on poorly maintained and understood systems by those who are responsible for operating them. I also believe that you can have a well designed building that gets all screwed up in the construction process.

I've used "fan coil" to describe such systems.

Put the fire potential on the side and consider the chemicals that are found in detergents, softeners and bleaches. This is stuff you don't want to be pumping into your home's indoor environment. Don't even bother checking to see what's in those products - it's generally not listed.

I can envision small fire in the vent that would not burn through the vent itself but would discharge ignited lint.