DonTx

Can some give me a code quote about the grading of the soil away from the foundation from the UBC? I gathering information about a litigation case where the landscaper installed a paver patio in the Clients back yard in 2001 and sloped it all toward the home. Texas adopted the IRC in 2001 so I'll give her both the IRC (which I have) and the UBC (which I think is what Houston was using prior). Also, if anyone has some good information about what damages can occur by water ponding next to a slab, I'd appreciate it. I already have some general articles from various places, but I like to provide as much information as I can. Thanks Donald

Does Ideal still make the ST-1D? The only models I can find now are that $500 job and the new digital models. Donald

Can someone help me determine what may be causing this 3 year old stucco to be cracking? I've pretty much ruled out settlement as the cause of all the cracking that was going on. Besides, there was plenty of expansion joints that should take care of any settlement. This home was a tad over 6k feet and had about 20 stucco cracks around it. Around some of the cracks there appears to be efflorescence. My best guess is that the mixture was off during application. What do you think? Sorry about the pics, I thought the cracks showed up better than what they did. Download Attachment: crack2.JPG 37.13 KB Download Attachment: cracks.JPG 42.58 KB

Richard, It sounds like you've been listening to Art Bell too long....[:-sick]

I've dropped my Sure Test into a whirlpool tub once, dried it off and it has worked good since. I've dropped it a few times also. The two problems I've had is that I've worn off the writing on the back that tells me which defect the light sequences indicate. Sometimes I have to go get my three light tester to determine what I'm looking at. The ground prong on the extension came loose and I wrote up half the outlets in a home before I realized what was going on. This happened about 6 months after I bought it. BTW, I bought mine from Inspector Tools.com (by far the cheapest at the time I bought it) It came with a nylon case and instructions. My inspector has one of the new SureTest models with the AFCI button on it. I do not like this model because he's had several problems with it already. Sometimes the thing will not tell him nothing. We've found it does this most often on receptacles with reverse polarity. I also do not like the recessed plug it has. He can not test 2 prong outlets with the model. Donald

The reason I first asked about the paste is because my inspector said he saw it in his Code Check but couldn't find it in the NEC. I've always been told that you used paste on exposed AL wire so assumed it was code. Thanks for all the information guys, it's appreciated. Donald

I don't charge extra for my SureTest...I haven't figured out all the features yet. For my digital camera, zip-level, sprinkler and water well knowledge, I charge more. Donald

My first bulb barely made it through the first inspection before blowing out. I found a local electrical supply with cheap bulbs, if you can call 5 bucks per bulb free, and they told me not to touch the bulb while putting it in and wiping it down just to make sure no oil from my fingers made contact. It's been over a year since I put that new bulb in and it's still going strong. BTW, I have the little 45,000 Ultra Mag XT/HP. It beats any mag light I've ever had. The only thing I hate about it is the button is on the tail cap. Donald

Thanks Mike, I thought it was a requirment. Since it's not a requirement, what section of the NEC does it state that it must be applied neatly? Thanks Donald

Can someone give me the NEC code that requires aluminum wire to have anti-oxidant paste? Thanks Donald

As I read it, NEC 210.52 (B) says that Kitchen, dining rooms are required to be on 2 20 amp circuits. Correct? Also, if the disposal and dishwasher are served by the same outlet, doesn't the top and bottom receptacle have to be on separate breakers trip tied together or can one breaker serve the entire outlet? The new home I did this morning has me really scratching my head over this and other things I saw. Thanks, Donald

As far as I can tell, licensing in Texas hasn't done away with the jackasses with a ladder and a deck of cards. They're a lot of 'em here and from what I understand, Texas has one of the most stringent licensing laws in the States. I do believe licensing is a good thing, but it should be something that you can not obtain by taking a few classes and flopping down a couple hundred dollars. Currently it only requires 188 hours of classroom study to be elgible to take the state test for your Professional Real Estate License. That number goes up to 320 in June. However, as I understand it, hairdressers and bar tenders are required to have a lot more hours to obtain their license here. I'm still taking some of these new "Professional" guys/gals out in the field who have no concept of what an inspection should consist of or how to write a report. It's kinda scary to think of the ones who pass the test and hang a shingle out. Licensing should mean something more than an easily obtained license. Donald