DonTx

Thanks Bill, That's the stuff alright! Two additional questions: The pictures showed copper clips to hold the ridge roll on. Is there any type of sealing that was typically done? The one I looked at Saturday leaked at every hip and I could see daylight (probably indirect but not sure) at the main ridge beam and 2 of the hips. How did they get the copper wire nails secured. I know they had holes drilled in the shingles, but how would hey get them secured to the decking? It doesn't look like they'd be stiff enough to be driven. Donald

I can't wait![:-bouncy] I've been studying and taking several pool classes for a year now. I've followed the pool guy we refer around on every he's done at our inspections. I'm pretty confident about pools now, but I always want to learn more.

See what happens when you lose interest in a post and do not revisit? [:-sleep] I'm back now also. Mike, My response about the flex line was in regards to Rons T&P line. I don't worry about the code on this as there is usually a tag hanging off the pop off handle stating that the T&P drain line is required to the the same size as the outlet of the valve. You can look and see that the 3/4 inch copper flex is not the same size as the 3/4 inch outlet of the T&P valve. [:-magnify] As for the brass being used in lieu of the dielectric unions on the supply side, I gave Ron the IRC side of the equation. It's up to Ron or another reader to decide whether or not the IRC is used in their jurisdiction. [?] Here in the land of no code enforcement, the IRC is King. Unless we're inside an incorporated city, there is no code enforcement although Texas has adopted the IRC as the statewide building code. I rarely have to deal with an AHJ. I assuming any reader who reads a post on these boards know their local conditions. As for the line about plumbers "singing my praises", that was a sarcastic remark. They actually call me very bad names. [:-censored] Sometimes they even hurt my feelings with the names they use. [:-weepn] Donald "not feeling the love" Lawson [:-jester]

Sorry Mike, That particular picture was not of a home I inspected, it was a neighbors house sitting off the road. I had to use zoom to get it. I have always been curious about that type of roof and took the picture some time ago to find out what type it was. I just forgot to ask until yesterday when I came across one I was inspecting. I'm positive these shingles yesterday were not asphalt. Very stiff and brittle, like asbestos siding shakes, only thinner.

Thanks everyone, I think Jim and Kurt have it. Although the one I looked at was old, I didn't notice any white fibers. It was like Jim stated, the edges held moss, dirt and other debris pretty well. These are thin, perhaps 1/4 inch thick or less. I didn't notice any that were cracked or broken, just some daylight coming through at the hip rafters and main ridge. The reason I thought they may be French tile is I found an illustration that matches the pattern to the one I seen in the Illustrated Home. However, they just didn't "feel" like clay or concrete. I didn't think about asbestos, but thinking back they do resemble the feel and type of asbestos siding (just thinner). Donald

We don't have many roofs like this one in my area. Is this French tile? Are there any special sealing techniques that need to be done? How are these normally fastened? Sorry, but it was the only pic I have on file of this type of roof. Did a home yesterday (didn't have my camera) with this type of roof. Thin tile looking material with cap tile. From the attic, I could see the decking rotted or water stained at every hip plus daylight coming through in several areas including the ridge. These tile appeared to be "nailed" on with thin copper wire nails. All the "nails" were bent over slightly. The "nails" had no heads, which is why they were bent over I'm assuming. Any information on this type of roofing would be appreciated. Donald Download Attachment: IMG_0123.JPG 42.6 KB

I'm still amazed at how many commodes bases have moisture around them. Many times there will be no indications of problems. I just start checking around the base and there it is. I've also been finding quite a few window leaks in new homes lately. Lower corners. Yes, I report my findings. It's hard to argue with a moisture meter. Donald

Ron, Try this on for size: 2000 IRC P2904.14.1 Copper or copper-alloy tubing to galvanized steel pipe. Joints between copper or copper-alloy tubing and galvanized steel pipe shall be made with a brass converter fitting or dielectric fitting. The copper tubing shall be joined to the fitting in an approved manner, and the fitting shall be screwed to the threaded pipe. You have another problem with the WH. The copper flex line is smaller than the outlet for the T&P valve. Plumbers sing my praises when I call this out! Donald

It's scary to think what it might turn Brian's Southern drawl into. "I had jowls and grits fer dinner" Translated "I had growls and #@its after dinner" Be afraid, very afraid. Donald

Bill...Bill...Bill, you silly HI. Of course they still use hammers on the job site. How do you think they make the holes in the OSB for flues? Donald

I have been trading links with inspectors across the country as well. You can find these links at the bottom of my FindAPro page at: http://www.best2inspect.com/findapro.html If you'd like to trade links, just shoot me an email with your contact info and the link where I can see my link on your site. Linking to related sites, especially ones ranked high, will help your site move up the search engine rankings. Donald

Yes, as long as they are the same size and material.

Mike, THAT'S THE ONE! The several I've seen have a boiler or 'who knows what' at a central location somewhere in the basement or complex. The ones I've seen are in a high rise of apartments that were turned into condo's. The management would not allow me access to the guts of the building so it was easy to disclaim it and point the finger at the building maint. people. I was more than happy to do that. George, Terence, et al, would this type of system that we're talking about be inspected by the state as well? The unit that is coming up is a condo unit built in 1966. Thanks, Donald

Every once in a while I get a condo here that has a chiller & boiler operated HVAC system (at least I think that's it). These units usually have drop ceilings and there will be an A coil somewhere with a valve that you turn one way for heat and the other way for A/C (best I remember). Boiler (and chiller?) are centrally located to serve a group of units. Can someone point me in a direction to find out more about these systems? Any advice on what to watch for when checking them out? Donald

I live in a flex world! I was specifically speaking about new homes, but even in 20 year old homes here, we have flex the majority of the time (it's that high quality grey flex usually) Flex is ran from the plenum to the supply registers here. Sometimes in a high end townhome with open ceilings we'll see sheet metal or foam board. That's about it. I really hate calling out the flex running through a fire blocked floor/ceiling, but I have no clue as to what should be there.

I know the IRC says that flex duct should not run between floors. However, this is the only way I've ever seen it ran. What would the correct way be? Is there some type of collar or juction box used? Donald

Kurt, I looked at your website last week when you mentioned it in another post. I had to guess at the website address then (not to hard). It's 10:15 central time now and I can't pull the site up. I hope your doing maintenance on it. I thought the fee schedule page was a little confusing and redundant. Personally, I would lose it. Overall though, a nice, clean professional site. Like Chris, I've had countless emails telling me my site sucks. However, I've received far more compliments from clients who liked if for some reason. I'm more than willing to shell out the 3 to 5 g's (for the amount of content I have) for a new one, but my wife has vetoed my actions every time. She says that as long as we're getting the business we are from it, there's no reason to change. BTW, I have some snapshots of the Houston skyline if you'd like to use them[}] Of course, I'd never know it was Detroit if George hadn't told us...

Chad, How about posting some pics of your home? It sounds interesting. Mike, Did you happen to get any pics of the home you wrote about in the "Crimes" article? I'm in the same ball park as Brian. I love older homes but my experience working on them is limited. In the downtown district of Houston, the popular thing is to doze the older ranch style homes built in the 30's, 40's and 50's and put up behemouth 4k to 7k square footers. I usually end up telling the clients that the little ranch home that was dozed was built better than the new one. For some reason, a few of the builders have taken offense at this statement. Donald

Hey Scott, I'll look at Granger, but I think Ideal has stopped making the ST-1D. I bought mine 2 years ago from Inspector Tools. It's now has most of the writing wore off of it, the ground prong on the extension is loose and useless, I've dropped it into a whirlpool tub once and dropped it countless times (usually on a tile floor). I wanted a replacement, but I can not find the ST-1D any longer. Only thing I can find are the new digital models which I do not like as well. Of course they have the $550 dollar model that looks like mine, only with more bells and whistles. Donald

Since you're into licking lizards, I'd guess I'll be the one to warn you about Gila Monster spit. I heard a news story a few months back that the spit from a Gila Monster is suppose to have hallucinogenic qualities. [:-spin] How you go about getting the spit, is beyond me [:-?help] I swear, there must be some guy walking around the desert eating, licking and smoking every plant and animal out there to see if he can get a buzz from it. Donald

We've had quite a bit of rain lately, however I hardly ever see efflorescence like I found on these two homes. The last picture is from a slab that the builder added a layer of skim coat on to hide the honeycombing. Could this be caused by a lack of a moisture barrier? Donald Download Attachment: IMG_0151.JPG 74.73 KB Download Attachment: IMG_0169.JPG 54.34 KB

Scott, I think it's painfully obvious what the problem is. As I understand it, Mr. Prickett is a transplant to the desert South West. Apparently no one warned him not to eat, smoke or otherwise digest the peyote buttons![:-bigeyes2] [:-drool] [:-drunk] Just wait until he shows up at an inspection thinking he's a big chicken.[:-jump2] [:-shake] Donald Peyote, it's not just for breakfast anymore...

Chad, forget about trying to have your site rank high in national search phrases such as "home inspectors". Your meta tags should reflect your specific area. Try meta tags such as "Rochester Home Inspector", "Rochester NY Home Inspector", "Rochester NY Home Inspections", etc, you get the drift. If you do any specialized inspections such as radon, swimming pools etc, I'd include those also. Whoever designs your site should know all about meta tags and keyword phrases. Good Luck, Donald

Census statistics have shown that the purchase of a computer and related equipment is far down the list of necessities of those people who live in low income communities such as Podunk Al or Mudflap TX. [:-cowboy] As I recall, at the top of the list was shotguns/rifles followed by ammo. Then it was two refrigerators (one for the front porch and one for the back porch) purchased at the local Western Auto store (along with enough Old Milwaukee to fill both), third was the purchase of AKC hounds, fourth was the 200 lbs of dry dogfood for the 27 1/2 hunting dogs already owned [:-bunny]. Fifth was new (read used)tires and a case of Fix-A-Flat for the 4x4. Sixth was gas and oil for the Johnson outboard. Finally seventh was several reels of Stren Magnaflex for the Zebco 888 fishing reels. With family expenses such as those, it doesn't leave much for luxury items such as internet dial up and DOS computers. I think an enterprising HI would do much better with his advertising budget in such areas by sponsoring the local Turkey Shoot every Saturday. [:-wiltel] Donald

Meta tags do matter! Ainspect probably didn't want to do any custom work on your site. It doesn't matter if you have the best website in the world, if your customers can't find it, it will not work for you. Terence, I don't know where you located, but if you're anywhere outside of Podunk Alabama, a website should increase the inspections you do. My website accounts for 40 to 50% of my inspections. I'd stay away from the website mills. There are so many other "canned" websites out there that a lot of them look the same. You need to stand out from the hord! Donald