Jerry Simon

Up in the attic, on the main plumbing vent stack. Any idea what it is?

After 30 years now, I just tell 'em to pound sand.

I've been asked more and more if I offer a warranty (prospective clients say their agent told them to ask, as it's becoming the norm???).

Would hate to make a judgement based on so little information.

That may be true, but I've never seen such in a *quality* window.

Seen that in hundreds of sashes, though that is by far the worst. Ain't takin' kindly to UV rays, I suspect. R-value? Should one really care with a crap product like that?

What's a suitor damper? My thingy is supposedly a Victorian era plumbing vent stack.

Agree up to the point of being normal checking and not being cause. Again, if you look closely at first pict, there is a smaller/thinner l crack along the top of the joist that runs parallel to the wider, lower crack. There is sap/material behind the entire portion of the face of the joist between the two cracks, almost like the material expanded and pushed-out the face of the joist, causing the upper and lower crack. Otherwise, the lower crack would definitely appear to me to be normal checking.

Maybe 3 or 4 basement ceiling joists, out of dozens, had this oddness. At first I thought it was termite damage, but closer examination seems like it might be old, crystalized sap pockets? (A complete guess). Pockets are only about a 1/4" thick inside the joists. Probed joists open and this stuff fell-out (third pict). Rigid flakes that could be crushed into a powder with your fingers. If you look closely at the first picture, there is another horizontal crack along the top of the joist parallel to the visible bottom crack, and it almost looks like the *stuff* in the joist expanded and pushed-out the face of the joist to cause the cracking. Never seen anything like it, and nothing like termite damage or powder post beetle damage I've ever seen. Not widespread either. Rest of each subject joist is solid. Does anyone know what this is?

Context would certainly help here. 🙃 That's why I didn't mention it. Plumbing. . .

Kibbel MIGHT know what this is. . . Anyone else?

Mine says Minnetonka, Tito, Latoya, and Germaine.

You should have zero concerns about that.

Out like Diogenes looking for a recent house sale?

Do you use digital camera or your phone to take report phots? Pros and cons of either in your experience?

Looks like they used a Vise-Grip on the cover plate screws. . .

And not enough water, especially those French, if you know what I mean. 😎

Should these be glazed with tempered glass?

And textures. . .

Shrinks by about how much, over how long a time period?

I love your first two paragraphs, Mike, and whole-heatedly agree. Not sure about the rest; never read it (you write too much😏).

Chrysotile. Usually 30-35% asbestos content.

30" to the side or sides of the panelboard (not sure of exact language; apparently I should be). From the sides of the panelboard cabinet? From the side edges of the deadfront cover?

Yeah, same color, though a bit lighter, as the heavy nicotine stains you see running down from sweating window sills in a smoker's room. Thanks, Kibbel.