Brandon Whitmore

Hi Hank, The strange thing is that almost any time someone challenges me on something, I have a reference to back it up with.........in this case I do not. It's a no brainer on this one, which is why I have never had to pull up a code reference or any other source. In my report's, I specifically write up "I recommend" so they understand that it is my recommendation from this inspector only, under certain circumstances such as this one. They can't usually challenge me on much else in my reports, as I can back things up............

Carey's pic looks like a dead possum (opossum?) to me, but it's been a while since I've see one.

They probably were too lazy to measure and trim the felt away from this location, plus there is no standing room. Typically , the roofer's will just roll the felt from one side to the other-- maybe a single guy couldn't do this at this location........

Aha, sorry Mike I definitely misunderstood........ Can't say I've ever seen the stuff.

I have a hard time believing that the insulation fiber concern would be the same between a densely packed board material and loose packed fiberglass batt wall insulation material, but could be wrong........

They were......... but it was a 1989 home. Can't say I've ever seen anything quite like this. Nothing like inhaling insulation fibers when the system is running.

I like that better than mine: Keep vegetation trimmed back at least 6-12" away from the structure..... Mind if I steal err uhhh borrow yours? I am not aware of jumping carpenter ants, but keeping it back will let the siding breathe / dry out better. I tell my clients that my house is 18" min. and they should shoot for that if not more.

Thanks guy's. Mike, thanks for the link- I'll check it out.......

I've got someone challenging me on my recommendation to trim vegetation at least 6-12'' from a house wall (it's in contact right now). I've never been challenged on this, and honestly don't know where it is written in stone that a clearance is required. It's one of those no brainers that I have never sought out documentation before. Can someone tell me whether it is written up in the IRC? I've probably read it a number of times and just breezed right over it. If it's not in the IRC, where can I find the requirement from a credible source? Thanks,

Thanks Carl, I like it......

I guess I could apply M1602.2 #4, but that is streeeeetching it. Since the access doors are not sealed, some return air is being pulled from the closet I guess.

Did a 2 story house today. The main floor return air grill was located in the ceiling at the NE end of the home, and it passed beneath the Master bathroom located upstairs at the E. end of the home. The furnace was located at the SE end of the home, so the return air ran directly beneath the whirlpool tub. I opened up the tub access hatch and instantly felt a whoosh of air pulling from the bathroom closet where the access door was located into the area beneath the tub. There was so much air pulling through that it was pulling dust and spider webs pretty well. I am assuming that the plumbing must run right through that return air location and was not air sealed at the penetration (must be a big opening too). I could not see anything-- the plumbing penetration was on the opposite side of the tub with no access. Anyone aware of any codes that would apply here? This is on an outside wall so it is pulling insulation fibers into the home...

I've heard it called a dust cover before, but.........

Man I hate being wrong. I just pulled out my protractor. It's well over a 12:12...........

I don't quite understand the spacing question. Spacing would be between a vertical wall and the vent. It looks like the only thing that applies here is the vent height requirement above the roof.

I don't think the sidewall is an issue here. It looks like that roof is right at a 12/12 slope. 11/12 - 12/12 requires a min. 4' height, 12/12- 14/12 requires a 5' min. (Figure G2427.6.3)- (503.6.4) Page 400 of the '06 IRC

Can anyone think of a reason that cedar lap siding would be double nailed at each location? Every single spot had 2 nail heads touching each other.......very strange. I wanted to pull the 2 nails to see if they were the same, but resisted the urge. The only thing I can think of is that the municipal inspector called out the use of improper nails, and that they had to add the proper nails at each location. If this is the case I will be shocked as I didn't realize the AHJ even looked at siding installations......

Those tiles/asbestos have nothing to do with it (non expert opinion disclaimer here). The nicotine crud from the tobacco smoke likely sealed the tiles long ago. I would guess that everything in that house was sticky? The same sticky stuff that prevented the asbestos fibers from flying airborne prevented their lungs from functioning adequately and led to cancer.......... Just a guess here.

Tell me we aren't going to have to add some type of disclaimer in the report or inspection agreement like: "Prior to close, contact you homeowner's insurance company and make sure you can get insurance on this home"....... Where will it end.

That's kinda the standard around here to add nails at each butt joint to hold things together-------so I take it you're gonna call it out. Let me know how it goes[:-slaphap

Tell me that wasn't the same home that had all of those deck issues. If so, are you planning on sleeping there while you finish up the report?

Section R905 shows underlayment as being required in the '06 IRC for asphalt shingles. (R905.2.7) Just checked out the NRCA for you and they recommend it (for code reasons, insurance reasons, etc.) (page 330 on the on- line NRCA manual)

You will also not have a smooth/ flat wall plane with bowed studs, etc. which holds out the siding. Seeing as how the manufacturer says "do not face nail", I was curious as to your thoughts regarding adding some face nails. I'm also wondering why they specifically state that face nails should "not" be installed-- what can happen. It seems like adding face nails is a pretty common repair when siding is improperly fastened. Siding slowly loosens up and can slide down when nails are over- driven. Seems to me like adding face nails should be an adequate repair, but maybe not.....

I'd love to hear an answer to this one.......... Mike, don't make me look stupid again.....

[:-paperba Man do I feel stupid (hitting myself in the head right now), I was thinking of 2 exposed nails and couldn't place where that second one would go........... Thanks Mike