John Dirks Jr

If I see anything I think might be a cause for question, even though I know it's not a problem, I'll snap a picture of it. Then, when I'm scrolling through my pictures and talking with the client I'll point it out and tell them not to worry about it. Sometimes things get a verbal mention to avoid future confusion but they do not make the report.

That is a back flow prevention valve. It's in the main waste line to prevent municipal sewer line backups from coming into the house. Although you may not see a waste line exposed near it, the line could travel out of the structure under the grade in that area.

If it was a free standing deck not attached to the structure, I wouldn't care. Was it attached to the house? Got any wide angel pics?

Also, the shingles on the roof can pitch back as they overlay each course. So, you should lay a straight edge over several courses and put the measuring device on that. A smart phone alone is too short for that.

There are good web based articles which you can link in your report to back up recommendation to replace Stablok panels. https://www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum ... aten_R.doc

Is the whitish color frost or fungus?

I bet when one trips, it stays out for long periods before a problem happens. In many cases anyway. So, if it trips when your at work, you'll hear it when you come home and fix it before a problem happens.

How many of you have replaced receptacles where the conductors are wrapped around the screws and had conductors break? I've had the conductors break on me many times. Then you have to strip and re-bend around screws. A mild bend wont hurt the solid core copper. Even repeated mild bending probably wont. Start bending it tight, it's different ball game.

So now we need to look for speaker symbols on gfi's. If it has a speaker symbol but does not present audible alarm, write it up. There's a new boiler plate comment for your library.

I saw this for a first time today. It responds with an audible alarm when the GFI is tripped. This one was for a sump pump which makes sense to have an alarm. Click to Enlarge 23.7 KB

I could have straightened it out in that attic at the inspection. Would you have done that?

Thanks for the response Marc. Here's another question for you or anyone else who wants to respond. Obviously the cable in the picture is wrong do to the radius of the bend being too tight. Can this be fixed by simply straightening the cable or once it's over bent, should it be replaced? Of course, assuming enough slack were available you could cut it and splice it in a junction box and be considered correct as far as installation standards are concerned. But I'm not sure that's any better than just leaving it the way it is. Click to Enlarge 47.17 KB

Flip the disposal switch on and the kitchen and dining room lights surge really bright. It also happened every time the fridge compressor cycled on. What is the likely cause of the surge?

Pulled the forms and back filled to early?

If you decide to replace the Pushmatic, why not go with QO instead of Homeline? The better quality equipment is not that much more money. Most of the effort is labor. I bough my QO which came with a few breakers on Amazon. The remaining breakers I got on ebay pretty cheap.

Shouldn't the water heater vent terminate at least 1' above the point where it penetrates the roof? That termination hood is the type used for bathroom fans and clothes dryers.

I bet they stuck it there to prevent anyone from stepping in the hole.

Thanks, I got it now. My original conclusion was the opener rail was too short. Are there parts to extend the existing rail or would you need to buy a whole new one?

This garage door does not open fully. Can the pull arm be adjusted to correct this? Is the chain track too short? Whats happening here? Click to Enlarge 44.45 KB

My point is you can poke at black iron, even smack it with a hammer all day and not have much trouble with it. We agree the world is full of morons. Black iron holds its own against them better than CSST.

Here's a framing nail nearly puncturing CSST Click to Enlarge 40.15 KB[/size=1 Here's a long run through a joist bay nudging the floor planks. It does not have proper support at correct intervals. If someone does renovations including building or moving walls above, this pipe is in a position to get damaged from driven fasteners. Click to Enlarge 37.77 KB

When it comes to CSST, improper support and protection is also a big concern, especially when it's installed in existing structures. Many times they cut a hole in finished basement ceilings at each end of a planned run and pull the pipe through. Now the pipe is in the cavity sometimes laying against surfaces where someone could later drive fasteners into it. I have s picture from a recent inspection. I'll post it when I get home this evening.

If you agree that bonding can reduce the risk of arcing then you should consider this. Relying on the underground copper gas line as a method of bonding is a flawed idea. Point being, what is it bonded to? The earth? That's grounding not bonding. Bonding ties systems together, usually at the main electrical panel. For the risk of arcing to be reduced to the lowest potential, all systems need to be tied (bonded) at a point which is then run to the grounding method. If the pipes are grounded at one end of the house and the wires at the other, there could be a difference in resistance in the two systems. This difference in resistance encourages arcing. It's best to bond everything together then run to the same grounding method. Two different grounding methods invites problems.

I think some part of ability to start up and survive in this business has alot to do with location of doing business. Some areas have a constant big demand for home inspections. My area is like that. Other areas have ebbs and flows and even flat out depressions sometimes. Inspectors who have been in business for a long time can survive these fluctuations. It's more difficult for new start ups. My advice is be as independent as possible as soon as possible. Make yourself, then nobody else can break you. BTW, this forum was the best of all assets to me when I entered this gig.

I carry spare screws but most of the time I only use them if I drop a screw behind the wall. It's happened a couple times over the years.