John Dirks Jr

What size was the SEC cable? I would not rate the service at 150 unless the SEC is sized to support it.

That looks like Gutter Topper. I have it on my house and have to clean it periodically. I'm probably going to ditch it eventually and go with 6" open gutters and just clean as needed. I'll make the change when the new roof comes which is just around the corner.

Hey, who got lazy and slapped roll roofing in the middle of all that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuAfAGzxmgM

The lack of a requirement doesn't do much. A prohibition does, and there's none, hence the disclaimer. What do you think? Marc Yes, that angle makes sense. But again, I think the dude got sued for failing to report on a general safety hazard, not failure to inspect the septic system.

I don't inspect septic systems. I do inspect the entire lot area and look for general safety hazards which might include septic lids, storm drain lids and stuff like that. Big trees, especially dead, unhealthy or healthy with dead branches are always in my sites. I hear about people, (its usually a kid) getting killed by falling branches a couple of times a year around here. I bet the idea to hold the inspector liable had to do with lack to identify a general safety hazard and not with the lack of inspecting a septic system. I always try to identify what type of waste disposal is associated with the property. The idea of disclaiming it is kind of interesting because the SOP does not even require that you identify public or private utilities of water supply or waste disposal.

Thanks for the suggestion Richard. Right now I have the subtitles in my actual template and I copy and paste to re-position them. That is not much different than what you do. I do it enough it seems worth it to find a quicker way. I'm also using Autotext to type prompts that inserts pre-defined text but there are glitches on my system that I cant figure out how to correct. The problem is, I save the entries in a certain font but when I type the prompts, the fonts change. I go back and change them, delete, recreate and whatever and I cant seem to solve the problem. When the entries are the wrong font, I have to highlight, right click and select the function to correct them. It's a thorn in my side that I can't shake loose. I'm that close to perfect and I know exactly what I need to happen but I just can't make it work. Its frustrating.

I'm hoping to set up a drag and drop feature for my report writing in Word 2010. I want to use it to insert subtitles at the various continually evolving positions they need to be in a given report. I'd like to have a box at the side of the document where I can copy, drag and drop the text from the box and into a specific place in the report template. Any of you know any tricks on how this might be done?

I did a job a while back where I wrote up lack of weep holes in brick veneer. The builder told the homeowner that weep holes were not needed since flashings were installed. (I know LOL and all that). I then provided the client with thw applicable code references of; R703.7.5 Flashing. Flashing shall be located beneath the first course of masonry above finished ground level above the foundation wall or slab and at other points of support, including structural floors, shelf angles and lintels when masonry veneers are designed in accordance with Section R703.7. See Section R703.8 for additional requirements. R703.7.6 Weepholes. Weepholes shall be provided in the outside wythe of masonry walls at a maximum spacing of 33 inches (838 mm) on center. Weepholes shall not be less than 3/16 inch (5 mm) in diameter. Weepholes shall be located immediately above the flashing. A month later she contacts me and says the builder is not going to fix anything since the county inspector approved it the way it was. My client is now specifically asking me what she should do next? What would you tell her?

Here are some close up pics of today's inspection. You can see the bubbles in the manufactured stones. Download Attachment: P1250409.JPG 1654.05 KB Download Attachment: P1250410.JPG 1604.95 KB Download Attachment: P1250411.JPG 1550.64 KB

Totally agreed. I do my best to judge how much time it will take me to do a good job. Many factors are part of the decision. It's something you get used to after a while. I'm on target most of the time with a slight miss either way now and then. It all evens out. I never negotiate lower, especially when a potential client claims they got a cheaper quote from another inspector. I politely tell them the quality of my work is worth my fee and if I'm not working for them at that rate, I'll be doing it for someone else. 9 times out of 10, they go ahead and hire me. $50 extra for 100 jobs = $5000

Speaking of Mutha's, here's a hard working one. Time lapse with sound effects of the tools slappin around. Pretty cool I think.

Actually, I did attend a presentation Bill gave in PA for an ASHI CEU event. It was very informative. I'm sure the presentation just scratched the surface on what he knows. I'd love to be as knowledgeable as him. He and others on this forum are truly an asset to this forum and to our profession. I've seen the assault on the historic masonry other times in the Baltimore area. I should have nailed it the second I saw it. I knew it wasn't right at the beginning. It just took a little time and help to gather things and understand the big picture. I'm happy to say the understanding came clear before the report was sent.

Ain't it scary to think whats lurking under all that vinyl siding out there? Think about what another 20 years will do. Yikes!!!

That seems a little harsh -- or at least presumptive -- to me. I don't think John was asking his question as a prelude to any planned pontification in his report; nothing in his post leads me in that direction. And I don't think speculating on the cause (in this forum) is anything to criticize. I think John was asking a legitimate question to further his knowledge. As I see it, that's mainly what this forum is about. Kevin, you're very likely right. In any event, I was unjustifiably harsh on John. Inspectors who say things they don't understand or cannot justify are a particular pet peeve of mine because they are, in my opinion, a major contributor to the downfall of our profession. But none of that is John Dirks' fault. John, I apologize for being a jerk in my last post. I owe you an adult beverage of your choice, and I hope you take me up on it when our paths cross. Jim, I know you mean good and I understand all the hard work that went into you learning what you know. I think the general message of your initial comment has validity from a professional standpoint. I did not take it personally. The pokes keep us on our toes and that's a good thing overall. As an inspector, I'm one who is always trying to learn as much as I can. Like many, sometimes things need to pass through more than once before they sink in. I like to share what I know with clients. I talk alot at inspections and I'm sure some of you might think that some of my report comments are a bit winded. I know that simply recommending experts to figure things out is a way to do my job. However, I sometimes feel it's a slimy way of just kicking the can down the road to someone else. When I can give what I believe is valid information to my clients, I spend extra time doing it. I not only want them to know what is wrong, but also what kind of questions they should be asking the "professionals" who'll be following up. Jim, if our paths ever cross, I'll take a Heineken bottle (no glass). However, I doubt you'll get away with buying only one. []

I sometimes see wind damaged shingles when there's excessive overhang like that. Especially on the gable ends like in that picture.

Thanks for the help. I'll add some extra notes for the clients to latch onto.

Would these stains on the exterior wall fit the rising damp idea? Also...Bill, how exactly does removing the plaster negatively affect the situation? Download Attachment: P1250097.JPG 96.14?KB

Believe me, the report will be calling for a qualified mason to further evaluate. Maybe not in those exact words but....well, you know. The bricks are the softer type. I'm sure of that. I can tell not only by picking at them but by the sound they make when I knock against them with the tip of my screwdriver. They respond with a dead sort of thud rather then the higher pitched plink you get with the harder material.

The pics are of structural brick circa 1880 in Baltimore City. Obviously, the bricks are soft. However, the mortar was very hard and did not crumble very easily under the tip of my screwdriver. This looks like a classic case of using portland cement based mortar to re-point old soft bricks. The reno was done in 2005 and these damaged bricks are near the bottom of the wall. Does this ill effect of incorrect mortar type usually cause damage at the bottom first? Download Attachment: P1250179.JPG 1595.6 KB Download Attachment: P1250178.JPG 1514.77 KB

I'm WDI/O licensed in Maryland. Here, we can omit an out building such as a detached garage but any work you take on whatever structure should include the entire structure. If there's an active colony on site, the entire structure should be treated anyway. Repairs to any existing damage is another story.

Usually you can see small bubbles in the synthetic stones. They come from air bubbles in the mix when it was poured into the mold. Get up real close and use a magnifying glass if you have to. I can catch them with my bare eyes at about 1 foot away.

Looks like a programmable switch. Maybe for radiant floor heating.

Zoned boiler system with multiple thermostats. Were there seven of them, one for each soleniod?

Stubbed out in 1 1/2 and ready. Download Attachment: P1240705.JPG 1593.83 KB