DonTx

Seems the snowball is growing in size and speed. http://www.contractormag.com/articles/c ... lumnid=407

Thanks everyone, I've passed the names along to my Client.

Hi Monte, Pre-treats are done before the slab is poured. PC companies here carry a tank in back of their trucks with the goods already premixed. They just pull up and apply it. It's a strange thing here in Texas. In the Houston area, supply lines are not ran through the slab. In the San Antonio and maybe Austin and other areas, it's common.

All I know about the situation is what I posted above. I found it strange that the chemicals could get into a water system that did not have leaks. I've betting that there will be a leak found or dirt or other contaminates got into the water lines when they were plumbing the home. Very few new homes are pre-treated here. Some of the cities are requiring it per the IRC, but many look the other way. Anyhow, I'll be waiting to see what becomes of this. Donald

I received this notice from another TAREI member. The notice came from the Pest Control board. There is a pre-treat issue developing in the Bryan/College Station "Pebble Creek" subdivision. A home was pre-treated with an organophosphate product. The homeowners kept smelling and tasting "chemical" in their water. Water tests revealed the presence of "pesticide solvents." The home is plumbed with "Pex" pipe. Per the attorney representing the homeowners, the pipe has been tested and does not have any leaks. This might indicate that the solvent penetrated the pipe. More homes are being tested and as things develop I will keep you informed. This should be interesting to watch unfold.

Can someone recommend a good inspector who has some new construction savy in the Maryland - D.C area? Thanks,

Not trying to hi-jack the thread here, but I have a Client moving here from NJ. She said Inspectors there are putting people on waiting list to inspect their homes. She some people are choosing to buy homes without inspections because they can not find an Inspector before their option period expires. Is this correct? Seems you guys should be able to write your own retirement checks if it is/was true!!!

OUCH! That one had to hurt.

My wife loves Extreme Makeover. I've watched several episodes and can do without it. I'm sure we're not seeing all the goings on behind the scenes. I've watched them build at leat two of those homes in the rain. I think one was in New Orleans and the other was in California. Who handles the warranty claims? Can't imagine pouring a slab in the rain and start framing within a few hours...oh wait...they do that here. I'd also like to see these homes in 5 years and see what kind of condition these homes are in. I think it would be eye opening. There is one show on HGTV that my wife watches where an agent will come in and walk through the house telling the host why the home is not selling while the homeowners watch from a closed circuit TV in the neighbors house. They then do a "mini" makeover for under 2 grand. It's kinda neat seeing what they get rid of and what they change to make the home more likely to sell. I'm also Tivo'ing Discoverys new series "Deadliest Catch" and my old stand-by "24". I like the Blue Collar Comedy show, but IMHO Jeff and Bill are not near as funny on that show as they are on stage. And even their stage stuff is getting a little stale. As for Larry the Cable Guy, he can bring tears to my eyes in record time. The bit about shooting the horse with a sore foot has me rolling on the carpet. Get-R-Done Donald

...She was disappointed that we don't have any members there... Looks like you're gonna have to bring that educational road show of yours down here to Dixie so some of us can qualify for membership!! That's too far for me unless she wants to pony up some $$$, besides, the oldest home I've done to date is 1919 in downtown Houston. We do a fare number of the older homes down there, but nothing like that one.

Actually, for a new inspector, her prices are rather high. Last year, before the new requirements kicked in, we had RE schools here turning out new inspectors every 21 days. These same schools would then turn around and hire some of the "Professional Inspectors" they just trained as instructors. I'm finding more and more new guys who are slashing their prices because they think it will help them stay in business. Of course, many of the Realtors love it because they can control those type of inspectors. They soon will be gone, replaced by other new inspectors and the cycle will start over. Our prices start at about what Mike charges, and that is for a very small condo; inside only. Our Phase inspections are about the same price range as well. I can't tell you how many times this is discussed at conferences and seminars and the same ole reply is "Well, everyone charges a dime a square, that's the way it has been for years." I've given up trying to explain to many of them that things go up in price. If they can't look around and see that, then they need to be standing in the unemployment line.

...I really don't want to be labelled an alarmist or even just a dumbass.... I ran across Rosie's website the other day...she doesn't want to be an alarmist either...LOL http://www.rosieinspections.com/ I'm not sure what a "non-alarming delivery" is....is that where you don't sneak up on them and holler "FIRE HAZARD..RUN"?

LMAO, Kurt, that's exactly what I thought when I saw that pic. Now, back to business..lol What are these streaks (red arrows) on this furnace? I'm assuming they are moisture related. Have never got the chance to tear apart a heat xchanger...yet. Download Attachment: IMG_1878.jpg 60.33 KB

Thanks guys, now we're cooking!!!

Gotcha...thanks everyone. Mike, have JLC send you a commission check, I renewed my online membership just so I could read that article. I like Dennis's articles. I've referred several of my Stucco clients to RAM here in Houston.

So, would it be correct to say that natural stone needs a support ledge but faux stone doesn't?

For example, this is how I usually find faux or real stone veneer. Even though I write this up, I really don't have much other than a few sentences in the IRC to go on unless I can convince the Super that the BIA works just as well for stone veneer as it does brick. Download Attachment: .jpg"] IMG_1948[1].jpg 60.8 KB

Well, no I didn't Bill, but the HiJack was worth it. Love those pics! I'm looking for some type of standards such as the BIA. I acutally treat Faux Stone like brick and use the same standards. Typically faux stone will not be installed on a brick ledge here. It's simply hanging off the side of the building. I'd like to have something to point to and say "See, this isn't right". Flashing and support details would be nice for starters. I'll check out the links provided above. Thanks and keep the pics of the hold homes coming,

Does anyone have good resources for Faux Stone & stone veneer construction? Thanks,

Terence, I don't see it as a bad idea. It could be included in your pre-inspection agreement.

Mike, Do they still have a Texas version?

I'm thinking this would be a great example for Mr. Goodman to write a poem about. How 'bout it Oh Poetic one?

I've flooded my share of new construction homes. There is one builder locally that is known to have blocked main drains...not sure why. I fill all the upstairs tubs and drain them at once. On one inspection the tile/carpet guys were present and shortly after I started the tubs draining I hear "Senior! Senior! TOO MUCH WATER! TOO MUCH WATER!" The main was blocked and the water was backing up out of the downstairs Master Bath shower. It pretty much flooded the Master Bath and Suite...and then the Super had the gonads to ask if I'd went out and pulled the cleanout cap....lol

In memory of the late Johnnie Cochran... "If you'd checked the tub to see if it was a leakun', there wouldn't been water coming through my clients seelun'."

"Hey, that's a heckuva leak you got there lady, no wonder ya'll don't use that whirlpool tub anymore, you did disclose that leak...right?"