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Terry, If we're talking apples/apples here, what you describe may be vitreous clay blocks/tiles. When I was a kid my stepdad was still using the pipe style vitreous clay for sewer installs or repairs. Some of the pipe had rubber gaskets in a bell on one end. I think the foundation blocks and wall tiles are the same thing: the clay is fired once to set it, then refired with a glaze applied. The crock sounds like a dry well, and under the dirt you may find gravel or even shards of the vitreous clay blocks/tile.

Brian, In the squirrel world lead is an aphrodisiac. Rhinos also use it after losing their horns, but have not learned to get to the flashings without falling thru the roofs.

Hey Brian, One of my first "real" jobs (early 60's) with my step-dad was learning to cut and thread galv. and black iron pipe. We were also packing and pouring moulten lead around cast iron drain joints. I still see galv. water lines and even bought a home in 2000 that still had some. It had low rate of flow at several fixtures and I fixed it readily by replacing the main feed. The line from the street had been replaced. It seems the horizontal runs always clog before the vertical and in my experience it is worse at joints, especially street elbows for some reason. If I suspect galv. coming from the street I know it is near the end of it's service life and always advise a pro's evalutation. I have a couple of fittings I use to show clients and if my camera will take a good enough close up I will post them soon. Galv. drain pipes will also clog, and the long 1-1/2" kitchen drains seem to be the worst for this. The only lead I have seen has been drain lines, but because they also involve galv. pipe I suggest a pro eval. here too.

In my lifetime I have driven an airline pilot to the airport to report for a flight [:-knockout] less than 8 hours after we had partied together. To question his violation of the safety rules would have meant questioning my own denial about my drinking habits. I am sure he was peer reviewed and had to meet exacting standards. I was a Physician Assistant for 20 yrs. I worked with several surgeons who were little more than hacks [:-skull] and they were able to continue practicing only because the support staff kept their mistakes alive and the referring physicians were just as mediocre. Dennis hit the nail on the head. As long as the mediocre inspectors are assured a supply of clients from the realtors, licensed or not, they will continue to keep us all at their level. I no longer see this issue as black or white. Since visiting this and another forum, I now believe that one can accept referrals from realtors and still protect the interest of one's client. The question becomes why would I want someone with a vested interest in the sale of a house to have anything to say about how my business is conducted? Well, I don't! I am all for licensing of HI's in Ohio and I think it should be administered by the same board that oversees engineers and architects. Previous attempts at legislation have failed and I suspect that somewhere in the smoke a realtor or two were lurking. [:-eyebrows][:-eyebrows]

Another fantastic idea. Before my ex decided I should relocate and my back wore out, I had a remodeling business in Cincinnati and was headed toward doing restoration work on the old girls. My most memorable project was a civil-war era concrete house (one of three on the street). I got to build a wall and replicate woodwork in the "parlor" and then went on to work for this couple for about nine months doing all kinds of things, including two bedrooms and a bath in the previously unfinished attic. And it was all done for time and material. THOSE were the days my friends.

I learned the basics of this the hard way (most memorable way). If you pull an outlet that is in a circuit that is under a load upstream of the pulled outlet, logic says the black wire will fry you. Well, the white (neutral)wire will bite too!! Maybe not as hard, but it will bite. Now, if the ground wire is tied to the white, any current going to ground will energize both wires. If the appliance (and you) offer the best ground.....zzzzzzzzzzzap!!

Dennis, If realtors can't grasp a simple concept like: "I don't care if you sell this house or not", how do we get them to grasp a mechanical device that competes with them producing hot air??

Hi Dave, Great topic for me as I have also used Ainspect. I was very pleased to see my company listed in captioned ads on first pages on various search engines, but like you, I don't get many hits. As I get more proficient with this electronic beast I will develop my own. Were you able to keep your domain name? I paid for a yr. up front and haven't yet asked for a refund. I also did not pay the set-up fee..I told them 600 bucks was enough and they bit. I have gotten some work from the IHINA site and I feel pretty strongly about realtors staying on their side of the process. I have used my website, in part, to try to educate the consumer because HI's are not regulated in Ohio and realtors are not regulated effectively.

What's a slide rule??

Dan, Sounds like you provide pretty comprehensive inspection service..lol. I used to remodel kitchens and baths and often resorted to the following techniques, not necessarily in the order given: Use the handles of a channel lock pliers inserted into the drain and try turning with another channel locks. Use a sawzall to cut a 1/2" piece out of the flange (two vertical cuts). Use a chisel and hammer to turn it out, first striking perpendicular to create a bite mark. Decide the tub should be changed and use a sledge. Good Luck!!

Hi Ellen, I have gotten to the point that I can usually get a "lay-of-the-land" when driving up to a house. If there are alleys, I drive around and look from as many perspectives as I can. One problem around here is that few communities have any building code enforcement agencies and the grading issues come up with new homes more than old. I have seen three 1/4 million $ houses that had to have "window wells" retro-fitted around foundation vents because the house was sited too low for final grading.