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Caoimhín, It's all a very fascinating look at populations and their governments. The tricks - like equating 20 pCi/L to 4 cigarettes - don't surprise me. And lawyers scare the bejeezus out of most people. What is separate from all of these studies is the concept of individual differences. One person will contract lung cancer after six months of smoking one cigarette/day while another will live 110 years smoking a pack a day. Many drugs work only for people with certain genes - hell, even smelly urine after eating asparagus is genetic. In another thread, we are actually discussing arsenic found in horse hair that might exist in plaster! It's absurd, but because of the lawyers and greedy clients, we have to know the facts. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I find it enlightening.

Mike, That has to make it into your picture gallery.

Hi Bill, Have to admit that I'm not sure if you are referring to the kool-aid inspector, me, or both. Anyway, I'm always open to new information. I see a lot of lath and plaster homes in Buffalo. I see many non-load-bearing walls covered with the stuff and I have read several articles on how to repair it. I appreciate its texture and its beauty - especially compared to gypsum. But arsenic in horse hair? It's all new to me. Rather than slam someone as incapable of cognitive thought (don't know what other kind there is), I like to be given references with facts. To me, that's what sites like this are for. Although the third plaster layer did not normally include any animal hair, I know that the render layer and floating coats often did. You are likely the one best qualified here to educate others on early building materials and practices. You are normally very helpful and not insulting. Was horse hair not one of the animal hairs used? If horse hair was used, then why was it different from 'other' horse hair that did contain arsenic? I truly don't know - and I think you must. What I gather at this point is that some arsenic might exist in old plaster but the amount is so small as to be insignificant except to those who are unreasonably phobic. I just like to know the facts.

Chad's a pompous ass. But his blueberries are good!

Now that's conversational and more interesting. And those are good questions wrt chemical reactions and the real danger of horse-hair arsenic in and of itself. I'll be the first to admit that horse-hair arsenic sounds preposterous at first blush, but it deserves intelligent discourse - not wholesale mockery which is so easy to do and way too common these days. It may also be the case that the author of the piece - not the inspector - is the one who came up with black fabric sheathing as a sure sign of aluminum. The inspector may have mentioned that aluminum wiring often has the older fabric covering without meaning that ALL aluminum wiring has black fabric covering (which is clearly wrong.) With the recent radon discussions we've had lately, not to mention mold, perhaps arsenic in older homes is more important. We don't really know. And like Les said, we shouldn't pretend we do.

Ok, let's be a little more specific. You are among the best inspectors around. Given that arsenic was commonly found in horse hair (circa '30s), what specifically is wrong with the statements in the article? (Aside from the Kool-Aid that was obviously consumed.) I'm not saying there are no issues - just that nobody has pointed them out. arsenic more arsenic

Very frustrating. You would think the "2nd largest cause of lung cancer" would warrant some valid studies. Thanks Caoimhín.

Thanks Jim, I figured they had it covered somewhere.

Stewart, it is nice to have you here!

Black plastic might work. Looks like polyethylene.

I agree, Ed, but I know people who would get a straw to drain that boot! And I know lawyers who would love to defend them after ingesting a parasite. (Hmm, that last sentence reminds me of Katen's kitchen sink write-up.) Have you seen all those stickers on ladders? Some people only understand cartoon physics. I won't fall if I don't look down.

That lack of steerage when confronted with bright and shiny can make for a much more interesting life, Les. It's a good thing! I'm favorably impressed with how plumb the barn is. The ones around WNY are generally tilted by at least ten degrees. But they won't blow down!!!

You still have all ten toes, right? You could tighten those abs while typing!

Works for me! Dr. Who and Torchwood fan.

Might I get a source for that mate???

I was wondering about that too, Mike. Also, I'm curious... does the plumbing code state that a p-trap must be installed vertically??? But your honor, I followed the code.

Then welcome Ernie! We hope to hear and learn much from you. This forum has some of the best - and egos don't get too ornery.

An aluminum foil hat keeps them from intercepting your thoughts! Scott, I believe you, but do you have a source? I find plenty of sources that say cfl interferes with radios (and my IR remote, for sure) but can't find one that shows that shortwaves can light a cfl. What you are saying makes sense, I just can't find anything to back it up. When I was in the Air Force, the radar on the base would set off flashbulbs that were nearby.

If you have a lighted switch, that can cause an issue with CFLs. (Not your problem - you say you have a standard switch) And don't just throw them out with the trash [:-thumbd]

Denny Lopp, winner of the 2004 ABPA Meritorious Award Recipient is credited with authoring the survey. I found this... "In 1986, Denny gained national fame with his article on Temperature and Pressure Valves in “Domestic Engineeringâ€

I'm licensed in NY. My license is created by the DMV believe it or not - and it looks just like a driver's license. I just attach the NPMA form to the report. Not a big demand for this in Buffalo. I pretty much wasted my money in order to do FHA inspections, but then the FHA did away with the WDI inspection requirement. Another license I'll let expire.

Welcome Dennis. And that is indeed Kurt on that sailboard!

Cool, they also make great cable-cutters!

If you're serious, start with Bonnie's book - it can't be beat wrt those topics!

A 10m length undergoing a 50 degree centigrade temperature increase expands about 5mm. http://www.cement.ca/cement.nsf/0/74270 ... ent&Click=