stubrooks

White or yellowish-white gunk at solder joints indicate to me that there is a pinhole leak in the solder joint. I also see that often in cheap brass castings made in China. The blue-green on the pipe can mean flux wasn't cleaned off and the residual acid corroded the copper for a while. However, on a valve and it's at or just below the gland nut it can mean the gland packing has failed and the valve is leaking at the stem or the gland nut is loose.

Ivy, vines, whatever -- remove it! Ive seen it growing up under siding, into attics and under shingles. Keep it on the ground. Vines can even kill trees so that's an iffy.

Use Epoxy coated rebar. To me, it looks like the coverage is insufficient to prevent moisture penetration causing rusting.

I often tell clients that it's not a matter of minor, major, or maintenance it's a fact of if I see it and it needs repair or attention of some sort then I have to report it. It is entirely up to them what they want to ask the seller to do - or not. Some are only looking for major items but I have to advise that a lot of less major repair and maintenance can quickly add up to a bunch of dollars.

Just a few pertinent questions: How long was the dryer vent? What material? What diameter? Does the anti-back flow flap open when the dryer is running?

Its not in a HI SOP because it's not a standard practice.

You might have to force the system manager to see a USB port as a real Hardware port like COM1 not a virtual port like COM9 and up . I had a problem with the 1028 connection and it ended up being the virtual port enumerator assigning COM ports numbers like 9 -15 to USB ports. The SunNuclear software was programmed to recognize ports numbers that high. When I assigned COM1 to the USB controller, it took care of the problem. It looks like the SunNuclear software has been upgraded since then because it now accepts COM9.Check with SunNuclear for available software upgrades

I went to solid plastic cards several years ago. They don't melt in my pocket, get dirty, or get dog-eared. I do all my own artwork and send the PDF file to a place in FL. Yes, they cost quite a bit more than cardboard but people are really impressed. I put my picture on the front and some thought I was just showing them my ID. I had a REA use one to open a locked door at one inspection.

I post them and add that there may be adjustments made due to age, travel distance, and extreme conditions. I've had several comments from callers who appreciated the fact that I had posted them.

I had an inspection in a house last fall where the previous owner must have had a whole herd of little dogs. Every floor register was eaten up, the base of the kitchen cabinets were stained and the dishwasher door and kick plate were rusted out.

I check them for voltage. I even made a set of test leads using the blades from a 240V plug. Yes, I've found a few that were either completely dead or only one side hot.

Yes. All the time. I have a bunch in my yard and termites will also do a job on it. It may have a lot to do with what part of the country it's in. I've seen deck posts completely rotted through where they were run through a concrete surface. Standard PTW is not rated for ground contact.

I'm split on it. I don't like to but I have found absolutely bad repairs by the seller or some idiot that was hired. I don't argue. I simply tell them if they were competent in their trade, they wouldn't have to ask me.

You mean they're not like this one? Under the flat tile floor pan? Click to Enlarge 62.95 KB

How true. I had an inspection on a nice log cabin last week. The seller was a master electrician and contractor. Problem #1: No system ground. Not even in the main service panel. Bonded neutrals and branch circuit grounds. Problem #2: Bonded sub-panel, again without a system ground.