John Dirks Jr

I hear ya there Bain. I will probably make it standard to discuss those things prior to starting the inspection. I will suggest that they shut down any computer systems if at all possible. I wont have a problem going back and setting clocks. How long could that take? If I miss one, oh well. They were discussed in the beginning anyway. We dont live in a perfect world, oh well.[:-indiffe

How about this approach? Trip all the AFCI's at the panel then walk to the receptacles that should be protected by them and check to make sure they are not hot.

I understand I will be required to test AFCI's. What is the cheapest reliable equipment available that will help me with this task? I know, I got cheap and reliable in the same sentence. I hope its not just wishful thinking. I know there was a few older threads on this but I want to renew the subject since maybe some new devices are available or other less expensive one have been improved.

I thought I remember something from my recent training class that mentioned checking for false or bootleg ground by using a voltmeter to check for current between the hot side of a receptacle and the cover plate screw. My memory is foggy on this so I could be wrong. Can anyone elaborate?

"If a day ever comes when an HI has to defend himself or his opinions in court, he should know that the lawyers and judge will have studied -- and probably will have mastered -- Logic 101 and above." I like this statement. My favorite word is the first one, If. Yes it is possible, but hopefully not likely that I would wind up in court. My problem is I do not have my license yet. I have met the requirements and am waiting for my state to respond to the application process. I have not done any real inspections and am living in an imaginary HI world so to speak. I am doing my best to absorb what I can. I may seem stubborn on the surface but I am a thirsty sponge willing and wanting to learn. The quality of the things I am learning from the members of this forum is top notch and I didnt pay a dime for it. Thats friggin great I think. Most of the stuff sinks in rather quickly. I am sure when I get into the real HI world that any points lagging behind will eventually fall into place. My RAM functions well. Issues that did not seem so important when they went in one ear will come to light soon enough.

You are right Walter. I do not want to go around acting like I dont know but things dont always go the way we plan. I know there will be times that I dont know something. When that happens, I will not be too proud to say, "Im sorry I just dont know and I promise I will get back to you" I could never win a challenge of words with you. If you decide to claim that my statements are not logical, we will have to just agree to dis-agree, respectfully of coarse. I checked out the link you posted. You trying to make me dizzy? I would be forever trying to comprehend all of that. Im just an average joe. Quit it with the smoke screens huh...[]

If an inspector doesnt actually know for sure, you are saying he should hide that fact? If you really dont know, why is it wrong to say so? Im not trying to be argumentative, just curious.

I think a ground wire is more secure when it is properly attached to a grounding bus bar. Gotta draw a line somewhere right?

Do any of you measure roof pitch when doing inspections? I could see it being useful when determining if 3 tab composite shingles are being used on to low of a pitch. I know it can be done with a tape measure and a level but what do you think about this kind of tool? This one will also measure the pitch from under the eave. Do they have these things at Home Depot? http://roofgenius.com/roofangle.htm

I want to deliver a good product in the least amount of time possible. Delivering on site can help me do this so I agree with you Randy. I just want to be able to list an intention to follow up from time to time instead of always sluffing it off. When I do follow up, part of the answer may be........ "After further research on this issue I am not comfortable in concluding that this type of wire splice is acceptable. Therefore, I recommend that you contact a qualified electrician to investigate and repair them if needed". Now if there are other electrical issues I clearly dont like at the same property I would not bother spending any extra time with follow up on any electrical issues. In that case I would be calling for an electrician on other issues anyway. The unknown splicing techniques would be included in that call out. I would just hate to alarm people and possibly cause them to waste money on other contractors every time I see something new. So if it is one unknown issue that needs follow up, I list my intentions to do so in the attached addendum, deliver the rest of the report and collect my payment. A quick post to get an answer from the trustworthy members on this forum, type up my response to the issue in an email and send it off to the client. Done..no biggie.

The mixed opinions on this idea make for good debate. My agreement does have the clause about reserving the right to modify the report within a period of 48 hours. I bought my software and equipment based on the idea of on site delivery so it is well suited for that. I would rather not back peddle from that idea entirely. However, if things seem too difficult on a particular job I could always abandon the on site delivery idea. I could handle it on a case by case basis. Now if its only one minor issue that just needs a bit more research, I would rather deliver the rest of the report on site and follow up as opposed to calling out a professional on every single thing I dont understand. This is why I would create the addendum in the software. If I need it, it would be there and if not it could be omitted from the printout. Dont get me wrong. I wont be too proud to say I dont know the answer. Also,the last thing in the world I would do is omit something because I dont know. If after further research I still feel uncomfortable, then I will call out the pro in writing. Its not making too much extra work. The majority of the time would be spent setting up the software. If I include the elements I need its just a click or two on site then maybe add a word here or there to make the phrase specific. I do realize the good points mentioned on both sides of the issue so I thank everyone for chiming in. I will keep an open mind and be flexible and prepared to adapt to whatever happens to be the situation. I still have lots and lots of writing to do in building up my comments library. I am trying to mix up the structure of the sentences and even going as far as writing different sentences regarding the same types of common problems. This way I can select alternating sentence structures as I poke my way through the data collection in an attempt to avoid the repetitive inspector speak style. For now its PDA but I think I will get one of these to make the typing easier. Poking at the screen with the stylus is quite tedious. My PDA is Bluetooth wireless cabable and so is this keyboard. Also, Bluetooth is how the report data gets transfered to the printer. Its pretty cool. Its working well so far. Image Insert: 8.24 KB

For the sake of this thread lets consider you have a laptop/PDA based reporting system that would allow you deliver your report on site on the day of the inspection. The idea I want to discuss is adding an addendum section at the end of the report. I think having an addendum would give you a place to list extra notes regarding further research. Lets say the inspection went well all except for one item that you needed to do some research on before reporting on it. In addition to mentioning that you were unfamiliar you could describe your intentions to follow up in the addendum. For instance, you see an unfamiliar form of electrical wiring. At the appropriate place in the electrical category you list a note to see the addendum at the back of the report. In the addendum you describe the situation you need to follow up on and include a time line and the methods by which you will respond. If you market yourself as being able to deliver on site I think this idea would allow you to stand behind your word while assuring the client in writing that you intend to follow up if needed. Any thoughts on this idea?

In addition to the other problems listed you have an unmarked white hot. Even though you recognized it as one half of a 240, it still should have a piece of black tape wrapped around the end right before it attaches to the fuse/breaker. A white can be used as a hot as long as it is marked.

Yup, mainly a result of a moist shady enviroment.

I'll bet you a dollar to a dime the roots of that thing are penetrating the foundation.

I agree that the mold scare is hyped up. However, if it is bad enough it may be a problem for certain people who have breathing ailments but the CDC does not seem to make a big deal out of it. In some areas you might be able to look deeper. In the attic for instance, you can pull back insulation and see the top part of the drywall of the upper floor ceilings. Many times water intrusion from the roof will cause the mold in the first place. If it was covered from beneath, you should be able to still stains from above.

I started out like you. I had a full time job as a LAN/WAN Engineer working nights. The good thing was I had days off to do inspections. Although, I didn't get very much sleep. I don't mind you riding along on a few inspections. I will let you know when is a good time. Take care and good luck on the NHIE!! -Kevin Thats totally awsome Kevin. Thanks a bunch. Shoot me an email and Ill send back my phone #. At this point the weekday I am available is Friday except for Aug 10th which is my test date. I can be available almost any other weekday with a day or two advance notice. I just need enough time to submit a leave slip. Im looking forward to hearing from you.

Radon levels will rise and fall naturally over time. Unless you do a longer term test then the data can be mis-leading. It could retest a few months later at 1.0. I would always be skepticle of results provided by any company who installs or is associated with any company who installs mitigation systems. "Oh my sir, you have a problem, but we can help you"

I looked into the NHIE and I paid my $225 fee and am scheduled to take the exam in Baltimore City August 10th. Thanks for pointing out this one to me. It covers the test requirements for both NAHI and ASHI. Why take one of those two when the NHIE covers both? I know there are other requirements for memberships but at least this one test covers more than one base. If any of you could aim me at additional study material that would be great.

Do the little blue stickers from Office Max say "GFCI protected" on them? If so then they are on my shopping list.

Im soaking up all the suggestions. Thanks to everyone for participating. I will look into the NHIE exam as well. Kevin, Part of my thoughts about building a business included developing business relationships with other inspectors in my area. If positive alliances can be achieved I would refer overflow work to other specific inspectors. In turn I would hope they would do the same for me. I am currently still working a full time job and my plan is to do home inspections part time. I am sure at some point in time my marketing efforts may produce more work than I can handle. I currently have all day Friday and all day Sunday available to take jobs. In addition to that I frequently finish my obligations to my other employer in the early afternoon so evening jobs during any of the longer days of the seasons are not out of the question. As I am ramping up there is a way you can help me. It would be very helpful for me to be able to accompany you on a job or two in the area. Of coarse it would be on your terms. If you want me to do the dirty work, I'll do the dirty work. If you want me to stand there and keep my mouth shut, I'll do that. I am currently available all day Fridays. Thank you for reaching out. Lets talk. My email; mailmanusa@comcast.net

Thanks for leading me to it. I see I need to get 50 paid inspections under my belt before I take that test. Im just getting started so I will have to put the NAHI exam on the back burner for now.

I will be joining NAHI. My instructor at my recent training suggested if I wanted to take the NAHI exam I should do it ASAP while the info is still fresh in my head. I looked around for info about the NAHI exam but could not find any. Does a NAHI exam exist and if so, what would be the benefits of passing it and where do I find info about it? Unless I missed it did not see anything about an exam at nahi.org

Sorry bout that...LOL[:-dunce]

The humidifier would work better with the line on the hot side. Was the thermostat facing out on that thing? if thats the case than something aint right. With the t stat/controll facing out, the cold should be on the right and the hot on the left.