AHI in AR

Are those things common in your area? Honestly, in a dozen years at this I've never seen one.

Geez... You'd think someone would have noticed that before it got to that point, wouldn't you?

I have a '97 F150 4WD, but it only has about 146K on the odometer since I've generally had another vehicle to drive also. I bought it new, and have only had to replace two items: the radiator and a power window motor. That's it. As you experienced, I have no leaks or other "normal aging" problems. Before that, I had a 1989 Bronco II -- same basic vehicle as the Ranger. I sold that one with 200K on it and it was still all original except for a water pump and a set of valve cover gaskets. I know others will have different stories, but I have no complaints --except for gas mileage -- and that's no better with any vehicles of similar size. But it's been paid for soooooooo many years now, and it feels like part of the family...

John-- I can't tell for sure by looking at your photos, but your breakers may be in an earlier style panel known as a Noark. If so -- or even if not -- the breakers are the same defective junk. Stab-lok is still crap, no matter the panel nomenclature. P.S. NOTE TO ALL INSPECTORS: Most cameras have an easily accessible setting for macro focus. In other words, close-up shots. We can tell a WHOLE lot more if this setting is selected where it's appropriate--as in John's last shot.

I have done more houses built in the 20's than I can count, but I have never seen that technique. Based on your description of the basement areas also, I suspect that they were installed as conduit to run something through later on. Admittedly, that's a guess.

nave

Who wrote that? A first grade student???

Nice catch. Good point also.

Housewrap and fiber cement siding products have magical properties. The fact is they repel water by their mere presence. Sort of a force field effect. Installation instructions? Who needs them?

I've never heard of one either. But then, septic tanks aren't common in my market area. Based on your description, I'd suspect that the "reduction chamber" is a way to further filter out some of the more solid materials before the effluent reaches the field lines. I'm sure someone who actually knows the answer will chime in. I'd like to know.

Am I seeing things correctly---the GEC doesn't even connect to anything in the panel?

I didn't know Japan was a European country! []

On the plus side, just add a handheld shower and it'd make it really easy to clean the throne. Trims time off the cleaning schedule!

14 years to do a single mantle???? Just kidding. The mantle looks great. But then, I love quartersawn oak.

As we all know, this is a tough issue sometimes. While I generally shy away from re-inspects for the reasons stated above -- whether eloquently, or, ummm, a teensie bit more aggressively -- I also understand my duty to my client. This is especially true for non-native Americans who have a minimal working knowledge of American houses. For whatever reason, I have a fair number of these clients. These folks are counting on us to help them make a decision. IF I take on a reinspection job, I let it be known that I won't design/specify repairs. I let them know in advance that there are many ways to perform a repair, and some are better than others. My comments following a reinspection reflect that.

Bad day, Gary?

That's the adhesive sealant melting out from around the glass insert.

It seems to me that by virtue of the simple fact that they "need" an Airborne Stench System With Integrated Power Elimination (ASSWIPE) that their s**t does, indeed, stink.

Brian-- Admittedly, I have no "hard intel" on the issue. I've never heard of anyone doing this, after all. But I can't see how there would be a condensation issue if the bubble wrap -- of any type -- is applied over a functional layer of insulation as you indicate.

That looks like some of the stuff my clients chose when I was a home builder. Early 80's thru late 80's. I came to realize that the cost was absolutely not necessarily proportional to quality. Of course, almost NOTHING was good quality during that period.

Y'all don't do it right. You should leave the cap on and then just drill a few dozen holes in the pipe! Click to Enlarge 101.79 KB

Got a blower that's vibrating like crazy? No problem...just set a big ol' chunk of quartz on top of it! (it didn't work) Click to Enlarge 34.31 KB

It's rare that I take a panel cover off and just start laughing, but this did it for me. This 12 year old house was in a small town w/o any muni inspections. Click to Enlarge 66.67 KB

As a builder for 25 years, I can tell you that on my jobs there was usually some overlap between plumbers and HVAC guys on site. As far as scheduling the other trades, the electrician usually came after these trades since wiring is more easily made to work around ducts and plumbing lines than the other way around. That said, I was a low volume builder generally building only a few relatively larger custom homes. When you get to large scale builders, I suspect that anything goes. The almighty schedule rules. P.S. That intake and exhaust look suspect also.

The control freaks will love the idea that they can "... reduce heat and electrical vibration by stabilizing the current and training the electrons to flow more efficiently." (emphasis mine) I hate those damned independent electrons that won't take orders.[]