msteger

Thanks Mike. Just what I am looking for. I see they recommend the well cap terminate at least 8" above grade in several documents and another document says 12" above grade.

Is that an AAV installed outside?

Thanks Jim. I took a look in the 2005 IRC for a reference to 110.3(b), but can't find anything specifically as you mention. All I find is that the wire has to be labeled and approved for its use. Really vague. Maybe NEC calls out my specific issue, but IRC apparently doesn't. I have the IRC books but not the NEC books. If possible, could you post the portion of 110.3(b) that pertains to my issue?

I almost think I did recall seeing something about a possible NEC change in the future about no longer permitting 14 AWG in new construction (12 AWG copper would be the smallest permitted), but I think NEC approved any change regarding 12 v. 14 AWG copper. I thought 14 AWG copper was still permitted by NEC. Did anyone else see this proposed changed for a future NEC?

Thanks guys for the info. That is what I am looking for but want something official stating that it pertains to PA. Is there anyone here from PA that may have similar info from the PA DEP?

I was always told that Romex/NM cable should never have plugs installed because the cable is solid conductor and that repeated plugging/unplugging could lead to mechanical damage (leading to possible arcing or fire) to the solid copper conductors. This seems to make logical sense. A listing agent today told me I was full of it after she consulted a licensed electrician who said I was also full of it. I had reported this issue in a home she was listing. I've called this issue out several times over the years. Am I the only one who reports this as an issue? If this is indeed an issue, does anyone have any concrete documentation confirming my thoughts?

Some point in the past, I had run across either a PA DEP or US EPA document listing basic requirements for private wells, such as how far away from a neighbor's property line, how far from septic systems, etc. I am trying to find it because I am trying to recall the recommended height of a well cap above grade. I seem to recall it is 12" and this is recommended to help prevent ground water and pesticides from entering the well. I can't find the info now.. Anyone have a good link(s) to provide this info? I did a 'private wells' keyword search on the PA DEP and EPA websites, but didn't find what I was looking for. Thanks.

Thanks guys. Guess I just wanted confirmation of my thoughts. I delivered the report yesterday to the client and noted about the vent being nearby the A/C compressor and potential issues down the road.

The caps and resistors are designed to work as a low pass or high pass filter (depending upon their orientation) or for matching or balancing. Pass certain channels above or below whatever the resonant frequency of the filter is designed for. There shouldn't be any transistors there. Those are active devices needing to be supplied with low DC voltage (approx. 5 or 12 volts) and not passive devices like the Cs and the Rs.

At yesterday morning's inspection, I found the PVC vent for exhausting the gas fired hi-efficient direct vented water heater blowing on the A/C compressor. There was approx. a 12" gap between the two. I know there is an issue with a dryer vent doing something similar (due to lint build-up), but what about the heat the water heater exhaust is blowing onto the A/C compressor? I would some acidic gases could corrode the unit over time, but I see nothing in Code Check or IRC about not venting water heaters near A/C units.

With a piece of OSB over the hole and fiberglass?

Kevin, just to get this straight, are you saying PB with copper or brass fittings isn't an issue?

I've seen these shingles a few times. They look rather strange (like a tiger's stripes) from the ground. I don't know much else about them.

I've seen this situation also several times. Have any of you recommended adding insulation in these areas?

What did the client say when you started to disrobe?

Was there also a little bag of pot behind the bucket? No wonder we see new home's with windows and sliding doors installed upside down and inside out.

If it's 62 degs or above outside, I run heat pumps in cool mode and in backup heat mode. If it's below 62 degs outside, I run heat pumps in heat mode and backup heat mode. I think these follow the HP manufacturer instructions although some say 60, some say 65.

My first thought was PB but the PB I've seen before is a lighter shade of blue and larger in diameter than this 3/4" one. Some of the legible markings were 220psi, CTS-001, NSF PW , ATSM No mention of PB2110 or ASTM #?

Al Gore would be proud of this recycler - pioneer sort. He was just ahead of his time.

Gotta love when we see receptacles within bathtubs and showers. Also, when we see wall switches within bathtub and shower compartments. Why doesn't NEC prohibit wall switches in these areas too?

Mixed ventilation types can also void the shingle warranties.

I would think that since most mechanical and electrical things don't get better with age, recommending to a client to have a licensed electrician evaluate a 40 year old breaker panel would make sense. We have no way of knowing, as home inspectors doing a non-invasive visual inspection, if the breakers have ever needed to trip and possibly didn't and we don't know the condition of the bus bar/breaker connection. What is the typical design life expectancy of a breaker panel? Personally, I recommend evaluation of all Zinsco, FPE, and Pushmatic panels.

Nice document you posted, Richard. I wonder what my local gas utility requires (UGI). I am going to email them with a link to that file and see what they have.

Good question. As far as I know, there was never a rule or law that prohibited using aluminum wiring. The NEC still recognizes it for use in branch circuits. I think that its use faded away as the price advantage disappeared and as bad publicity turned customers away from it. The bad publicity started in '72 with the formation of the CPSC and, as I recall, the final straw was the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in '77. After that, no one wanted to have anything to do with aluminum wiring. The electrician who installed it in '79 must have been quite a character. - Jim Katen, Oregon I believe the CPSC made wire manufacturers remove 14 and 12 AWG solid conductor aluminum wiring from the market in 1978. I would not expect to find a home built in 1979 or later wired with this material. I've only seen a few homes in my area (central PA) wired with solid conductor aluminum wiring, one of which was 2 weeks ago. http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml74/74040.html

Well said, Scott.