resqman

North Carolina uses the term in the SOP... C) State any systems or components so inspected that do not function as intended, allowing for normal wear and tear, or adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling; An 8 year old water heater may be "functioning as intended allowing for normal wear and tear" but is nearing the end of its expected useful service life. It is not broken but neither is it new, bright and shiny. We probably need to be helping the client understand that they will likely have to buy a new one. By checking the box " Functioning as Intended" it shows that the item was still basically working but might be old, worn, otherwise not new.

Just completed the survey.

Saw this guide on a TV show about a month ago. They set up the other side as a router guide.

Last time I checked the IRC, PVC is not rated for hot water use and is not allowed. PEX, Copper, CPVC, Steel but not PVC

How many systems and thermostats do you have? I have 2 systems and 2 thermostats, one for each story. The chimney effect has more effect than closing/opening registers between floors in my home. If you only have 1 system and 1 thermostat, different matter.

square foot, age, excessive travel distance, outbuildings extra

Look along the edges of the "stones" along straight areas like walls and corners. You can often seen where they cut or broke the end off revealing the concrete and aggregate mix. The color is fairly uniform. Seldom will you see a different color streak like the yellow blotch in an orange stone like in the upper left.

That side of the counter is not technically in the kitchen based on the limited photo. It is in the den, breakfast nook, living room, whatever. The receptacle does not have to follow any of the island or kitchen receptacle rules you may be applying. It looks like there may be a sink in the pennsuila. Some people mistakening apply the "6 ft rule", of which there is no longer any 6 ft rules regarding GFCI with the exception of receptacles near a laundry sink. I RECOMMNEND the receptacle have GFCI because common use is to place a laptop, blender or other appliance on the countertop and use that receptacle. If the appliance falls into the sink, then GFCI is better than not. No NEC requirement assuming this is the "non kitchen" side of the counter.

Property Maintenance as in the fella who works at the apartment complex and fixes everything or as in a general Handyman who works from the back of his truck? Most home inspectors are 1 man businesses. Home inspectors generally don't do any maintenance, they simply report all the problems. Real estate sellers have a list of general handyman they refer but to not maintain a company of handymen. Can you be more explict in what you want to become?

Just sat thru a class by Andreas George. He claims to be the one who conducted the original experiments with the uranium miners in the 60's-70's. He explained that he was in the meeting when they decided that the measurement must be within 25%. He said a fella from ASTM said it should be 10%. Somebody else suggested 50%. He suggested they split the difference and choose 25%. They agreed. There was no scientific basis for that value. At the time the testing equipment was only reliable to 4 pCi/L so that became the standard action level. It had nothing to do with what is actually safe or dangerous. New testing devices are more accurate and that is one of the reasons WHO is lobbying for a lower action level.

So far haven't had any clients ask me to remove anything from the report. More often they want me to report issues that I don't believe are issues. One client did not like the landscaping and wanted me to report it needed modification. Ususally it is more cosmetic stuff like a single nail pop.

Agree, just tried to update my information and got error msg.

Yeah, that makes sense. Portable generators are typically 5000 watts or less. The best way to connect a portable generator to a home is via a transfer switch. Basically a subpanel with a few circuts moved over to be powered by the generator sometimes but from the main panel most of the time. As a result, the wiring of those circuits is a bit odd. What you got there is the makings of a transfer switch.

I agree that standardization and consistent processes can and should be implemented by each inspector. Notice I did not say all inspectors should perform the inspection the same way or use an identical report format. EACH inspector should strive for consistency.

Is this a Transfer switch panel for use with a generator?

North Carolina lost about 15% of insepctors state wide on Oct 1 license renewal. Idle chatter at association meetings indicates many more are barely hanging on. Several will even admit to haveing a part time job just to make ends meet. Congradulations on being able to find a paying job. Best of luck in your newest position.

Some one added a dishwasher to a '75 townhome. Of course the dishwasher drain hose did not have a high loop. The part that has me scratching my head is the use of a tailpipe in a horizontal orientation. Yeah, Tailpipes are usually installed vertically but is just "poor form" or is there some actual problem with mounting a tailpiece horizontally? Another $10 bucks in parts and this could be corrected but does it really make any difference? Download Attachment: rsz_065.jpg 53.72 KB

Performed a pre-drywall inspection a week or two back. The builder attended. I opened a window and walked out on the porch roof. Strolled around looking at a number of things and came back in. The builder asked me what OSHA would say about me being on the roof. I explained tjat OSHA only applies to businesses of 3 or more employees and since I am a 1 man business, they would not say anything. I then explained that I have a class 3 harness and am quite familiar with working from heights. He thanked me and we moved on.

Or it could have been North Carolina Licensing Board... The executive director has been interacting with the Feds about this and similar fed programs that state the fed inspectors must meet the state requirements if state licenseing is in place. He claims the feds responded, we are the feds and we can do what we want. If we want to enforce we will, and right now, we are not concerned. Maybe getting feedback from several states helped?

I don't know if has any effect on the complaint process. State licensing requires that we state the mandated list of items was Inspected. About 8 areas of items have to be Operated (plumbing fixtures, smoke detectors, kitchen appliances, heating system, cooling system, exterior doors & garage doors, windows & interior doors) Two things we have to report the Presence or Absence of (aluminum wiring, smoke detectors). Also have to Move insulation where plumbing passes through floors or probable signs of leaks. I list the 6 mandated kitchen appliances and state Inspected & Operated. If any are not present, instead the report states Not Present

Handymen are not certifided. That is why they are just Handymen. Pictures would help us to help you.

In general the web is a visual medium. Overall the site has a whole lot of text and not much graphics, photos or eye candy. I am a content person but many web users like pretty pictures. Consider adding some eye candy. Consider streamlining your text as much as possible. Think about the 3 main points you want to get across and hit those hard. Not everyone is going to wade thorough all that writing.

More than you will ever budget for. Hire a good local inspector to inspect the house and help you document the defects.

As a simpleton, I just want to know what the magic number is that constitutes too much or not enough. Kinda like Radon, either it is less than 4 or more than 4. If Radon is more than 4 it is bad, call the guy to install the pipe and fan unit. So after all this back and forth about creditenals, and writing style, and junk science, and public policy, and crooked politicians and scientists, and all the other blathering about stuff. Please just break it down into simple words and short sentences. What is the magic number of what measurable thing is too much? How do I test for the magic number so the client can hire the guy to reduce the bad stuff to a "safe level". No long explanations or diatribes about who is right, wrong, covering up, exposing etc. What is the magic number of what measureable thing? I am just a average joe trying to help the average home buyer to be safe in their new home. What is the magic number?

Anyone heard anything about NADRA, North American Deck and Railing Association. They have published a book supposedly based on IRC 2009 that condenses all possible codes references from the IRC into a single book specifically regarding decks. Only $40 plus $7.50 shipping and handling. They have chapters in 6 states. Website indicates they have been around less than 10 years but claim ICC is taking them seriously? Just curious if anyone had any dealings with them, read the book, or any info you could share. http://www.nadra.org/