Jim Morrison

I've seen a few high velocity systems. I wouldn't say I know a lot about them, but 50% of the time, I know more than the guys who install the systems I see. What is your question?

Mike, I can't imagine there are appreciably more airborne acids outside than in. I'd expect the gaseous makeup of air to be roughly the same in a person's basement as they are on the outside, excepting specific local conditions like a belching boiler, etc.

Brian is correct, water is the catalyst you need for the chemical reaction that oxidizes copper but I'm not the Jim who can explain it. I believe you are looking for the Woodshed Wizard of the West, Mr. Jim Katen.

Aaron, My experience mirrors Bill's. Ridge caps are great and I always recommend that they be installed where missing, but in Greater Boston, I'd guess that at least 1/3 of the slate roofs I see don't have them. Even after 100 years of exposed ridges in an area where we get about 46 inches of precipitation annually, I rarely find any associated damage.

There are too damned many home inspectors in this country and I'm tired of competing with you all. I just heard on NPR that a single parking space in the Brimmer Street Garage on Beacon Hill in Boston goes for about $160K with just over $150 month in maintenance fees. It's a bargain when you think about it because that includes heat, valet parking, and a security camera. So once the Parking Space Inspection Division of Allan Morrison Home Inspection Co. is up and running, I'll be performing $195 (sorry Dennis) pre-purchase inspections for prospective buyers -all with the same wit and sarcasm my home inspection clients have come to expect, nay demand- but at less than 1/3 the cost. Only problem is, where will I park my truck?

Norm, I've gladly donated countless hours to my local chapter, wearing many different hats, so I know what it takes to make a go of it. It aint easy and there isn't always a lot of recognition for your efforts. Nobody is happy when an endeavor like that fails or takes an unexpected left turn. I didn't see this thread turning unproductive or gossippy, though I suppose it certainly could have. Regardless, it is newsworthy and the story behind how this chapter disintegrated (if it ultimately does) will contain lessons for all HI's and our beloved org's. There is a meaningful discussion to be had here and I hope to see it. If there is a chest-thumping bitch-fest in the offing, I hope not to see it. Gotta respect the way you take the high road, though. Less traffic, nicer view...I oughta try it more often.

Rumor has it the Gulfstream ASHI chapter is disbanding. Not unheard of, but pretty unusual. MLC? Norm? Can either or both of you fill in some details?

I think Dennis is probably right. A house built in the 40's probably has 3 layers of roofing (each layer made up of 2 shingles). I've never heard of a roofer encouraging someone to go over three layers of leaking shingles before, but it should direct your client toward looking for another roofer. There can be asbestos in older shingles, like Mike said, but this is the first I've heard anyone make an issue of it. And when did roofers become so health conscious anyway??? I didn't think any of them figured to live much past 35, since they seem to think chainsmoking cigarettes protects them from falls.

I'm hoping someone smarter than me will jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, but the only issue I can imagine an undersized breaker presenting is nuisance tripping. I'd point it out to my client like you did, but I don't think it could do any harm.

My oil guy tells me that bacteria has been found thriving in the sludge at the bottom of 75 year old oil tanks. If that's true, then I have no trouble believing there is bacteria hanging out in water heater goop. I'm sure it isn't harmful to most people.

Brian, I haven't seen manufacturers of electric baseboard radiators give any clearances for drapes, they simply tell you not to install them beneath windows and toilet paper holders. Jim

Brian, PEX says "PEX" on it. Could it have been polybutylene? I've only seen that once before, but it sounds like what you describe. Anyone from PB country out there?

Sorry Chris, I'm afraid the bar for defacing my likeness has already been set pretty high.

You just made it three, wiseguy. Anyone else have something to say?!? Actually, I've received several emails questioning my sanity and a couple advising me how to go about whooping some ass to maintain order. Well, I'm not quite sane and I'm not much of an ass-whooper. Mike gave me some general guidelines and this is how this thread will work: You may praise, criticize, talk about, or ask questions about any HI org you like. This is a nice place to hang out and as long as your posts don't violate that spirit, you won't know I'm even here. When a post is offensive, I'll remove it, period. Nothing personal. Nobody likes getting nuked from a thread, but I hope you'll get over it. I know I will. Simple enough, but how do we define offensive? The same way you define pornography. You know it when you see it. So have at it, friends. This could be a valuable learning experience since so many of us are currently window-shopping other orgs.

Done and done. Thanks buddy, Jim Morrison Lancaster on the Nashua

Questions originally posted by Brian G. I get all kinds of questions about 2 wire systems. Are they unsafe? Yes, under some conditions. How unsafe are they? Kind of. What are the most likely problems to result? Good question for a sparky. They've seen and worked on hundreds of these systems. How difficult is it rewire, and do you have any idea about costs? It's hard, that's why I became a home inspector instead. I can snake a few lines through an old house in an hour, and once took me an entire day to get one from the basement to the attic, with ugly results. They'll get better answers from an electrician. Why did they change to the 3 wire system? They are safer. When did they make that change? +/- late 1950's Is it safe for my computer and electronics? You'd have to ask someone with a pocket protector, thick glasses and no girlfriend that one. You can't answer 'em all,

Thanks for the vote of confidence guys. I have a feeling Mike will be interviewing volunteers to moderate the new forum sure to debut in a couple days entitled: "If I ever get the chance, here's how I'll kill Jimmy..." My hope is that this thread can be kept civil without benefit of the delete key. Mike tells me that every time I nuke a post, he'll cut my pay in 1/2. So let's keep it clean-I got two little kids who hope to go to college some day.

Chad, Sometimes you come home from an inspection like that bogged down in every bit of minutiae and you lose all focus. When I run into an electrical system like that I generally say something like: The electrical system is overloaded and dangerous. A qualified electrician must be employed to evaluate the system now and provide you with an estimate for its repair which will be expensive. I noted the following defects which must be corrected immediately: a) b) c) d) Sounds like you did one hell of a job.

My post related to the debate about the Brinks kickback plan and the way some groups promote it. Someone implied that the ASHI chapter I belong to was about to do the same thing and I said I'd listen and report back. I did. I thought my clever little acronym was fair play because it's made up of the names Gerry called me last week. I appreciate you taking the time to think up some additional names, but I'd rather not stink up Mike's place with a direct reply. If you want to continue this discussion, the telephone or email would be more appropriate. Thanks for the invite, but I'll pass on Syracuse,

George, I've thought it contained asbestos for so long, I can't remember where I first heard it. Now a very good client of mine wants to know and I told him I'd ask around.

One lab tells me: "almost always", another says "almost never". What is your experience?

Most of you won't care, but since I said I'd do it, here it is: I attended the ASHI NE meeting tonight where a fellow from Brinks came and spoke about burglary stats, alarm systems, and some of their components for about 35 minutes. He followed that up with a 10 minute description of Brinks' free alarm system inspections. He never made mention of the $15 kickback offer currently being promoted by at least one HI org. He didn't mention it because he was told we weren't interested in it and if he did speak about it, the presentation would end immediately. Sorry we missed you Gerry, Jimmy Nuther Arrogant Conceited High-Handed Inspector

Is this process common? I've never heard of it. I can't imagine sending high pressure anything through an old galvy pipe with good results. But never mind that, how can this be more cost effective than running new copper pipes? Please illuminate me, O Hausdok.

Neal, You're right.

Brian, I typically see galvanized steel and brass pipes fail in the 50-75 year range or so. Galvanized steel can build a lot of corrosion on the interior, restricting flow throughout the house and for that reason it often gets replaced before it springs a leak. I don't see many lead supply pipes, but it would have to date to around 1900 or before. Lead pipes are a very dull gray color and are easily scratched with your fingernail. I always recommend lead supply pipes be replaced when I encounter them (less than once a year) because of the obvious health risk.