swarga

I knew if I said I was going to the "Big Dirty" Kurt would get involved. As usual Kurt is correct.

Always check the meter before I even knock on the front door. If it is spinning I ask them to turn off anything that is using water for a few minutes. If it is locked off or missing I call the client and tell them to reschedule the inspection when the utilities are on. My agreement states that I get paid 50% of my inspection fee if the home is not ready to inspect when I arrive. (Side Note) Fritz is correct, the Phoenix area does not have enough water, most of the experts say we will be in big trouble in about 10 years, the fissures are popping up on a daily basis. the ground level between Phoenix and Tucson has dropped 6 inches in the last 15 years due to the excessive ground water pumping. [:-banghea Failing to plan is planning to fail, I plan on leaving this state in about 6 years, My kids will be out of school and the stuff will hit the fan a couple of years latter. Maybe I can move to the big dirty and show them how to use soap.

Kurt doesn't have meters because they have water to spare. (I still don't know why they insist on being the "Big Dirty") Here in AZ we are 6-7 years into a drought, water is precious. So, we charge by the gallon, in the stores it is more expensive than gas. However we have learned to recycle our water. We treat it and use it. We have all of those golf courses to keep green. Anything that is left over we sent to Camp Verde. Sorry Fritz.[]

Well that was a chicken $#it response. Come on, Who else wants to join in. I would even be willing to put a smaller wager on losing weight before the ITA Expo in Vegas. Any Takers?

Was that in reference to the matching $$ or to me losing that much weight.[:-banghea

I weigh 220, I want to get down to 185 or down to a 32 inch waist. How much do we put in the kitty. I think its great that TIJ is going to match our donation.

Rob, Don't worry, I'm a big boy and I don't think anyone is ganging up on me. Several people have mentioned climate makes a difference. Kurt, Mike and you all live WAYYYYYY north of the Phoenix area.[:-jump] Here it is not a huge issue, If I lived in Washington, I would always write it up. If I lived in Calgary, I would still be recovering from the Stampede [:-spin] and wouldn't give a s#!t

Over the years I have bought about 5 of these from Home Depot. I never paid over $45 for one. Why do they need a case?[:-banghea

Allow me to explain what they are talking about. The plumber installed a metal flex line to the vent fan and ran it up to a hole in the roof sheathing. There is a vent cap installed the issue is the vent is four inches away from the opening. Not 4 feetaway not in the insulation, Not un-vented. We are talking about 4". I see it all of the time here. In My opinion it does not need to be fixed. Now if there was no other vents, I would write it up, if it was 4 feet from the opening I would write it up, but I am not going to pitch a fit over a 4" air gap.

10% Count your blessings. in the Phoenix area only about 10% of homes built in the last 20 years don't have those issues. And we take Air Conditioning very seriously.

Well done Jim. That's the nicest job of putting that information together I've seen. I think it may even deserve a Guinness, in fact I just opened one in tribute to you.

Some of the Goodman gas units have that issue also. I have found it is from using the wrong screw or not pre-drilling the hole before attaching the flue connector. Seek and ye shall find.

Fritz, I would like to see some more photos of this stuff and get some more information on the home. Give me a buzz will ya. I will PM you my #

Mike is correct, something is probably trapped under the bowl in the overflow. If that does not fix it, let us know.

In surprise they have expansive and collapsible soil, I would venture that we are dealing with the latter since we have gone 133 days with out rain. 1945 house, Not a PT slab. Call Chris Pricket, he lives near there. Or contact me and I can stop by the next time I'm in the area.

Well Fritz, It's been a while since I've been to these parts but I think I can answer your question. I agree with the previous posts about this being a profession. As a profession we need to have continuing ed and an open exchange of information. I am the Central District Director for AZ-ASHI, that doesn't mean I don't support other organizations, last year I went to NAHI in Vegas, IW in TX, and the ICC in CA and Tucson AZ.I also went to one of Michael Levitt's classes for his organization (no offense intended, I just cant think of the name at 11:20 pm) This year I went to IW in Fl. and I will probably go to ITA in Vegas. Here locally you need to keep in the loop to know what is going on. The BTR rules and standards committee has re-interpreted the state standards, they didn't change the standards they just made it clear what they want to see. Last month we had a class in Mesa on the changes and I believe we sent you a notice.AZ-ASHI is working on getting a PDF of the NEW evaluation sheet for our website. If AZ-ASHI did not make this information known and available, many people would not find out until it was too late. This month we had a new construction class in Anthem and I believe we sent you another notice. Next month you will have the chance to inspect the same house as 60-80 other inspectors and compare your notes. There are always changes happening at the state level, and we are not only watching what effects our profession but working to prevent things that could damage our profession. As a member of an org you can keep informed, learn and find others that want to here about the things you find. If you don't join we can't afford to keep sending you notices and improving our education for the inspectors. You can do a lot of that here also. I am proud to call Jim, Kurt, Chris, Scott and Mike my friends. I would drop what I was doing to go help any one of them and I met them all here. It's hard to find a better bunch, However, while I met those guys here, I shared a drink or dinner with them at HI functions. Now that I've met them, there no longer someone I know from a board, there My friends.

James is the one that got it right. Use common sense. 1. Code does not require it to drain outside, but it is a damn good idea. 2. Is it safe, if I have to stand next to a drain line 12" from the floor, that is spraying steam, to turn off the water or power to a unit then it is not safe. If the line is 12 inches from the floor on the other side of the unit I might recommend that the line be drained outside if possible but I would not make a big deal out of it.

Albino cow pie? Not Likely. Buma Shave? Mabye. Alien Egg? Thats it, you boldly went where no man has gone before.[]

Jeff, Feel free to contact me anytime you have a question. E-mail me and I'll give you my cell #. I don't want to post it here, some poet/wooden water heater pan maker may write it on a bathroom wall.[:-banghea

Think about that statement for a few minutes and you can form your own opinion. With out moisture mold will not grow. There is a company here trying to sell something similar, this is H2O2 or hydrogen peroxide, with there own special formula added. They keep asking for permission to speak at a ASHI chapter meeting. I checked with a couple of the respected IH's in the area and they couldn't stop laughing long enough to explain all of the things wrong with it.

OK, I just e-mailed the roof tile installation manual and the roof tile fastening instructions (They are not in the manual) to Mike, the ball is in his court now.

I'll tell you what, I have the roof tile manual as a PDF (they used to have it on there site for free). When I get home, I will send it to Mike then he can post it in the downloads section of this site, then everyone can have it.

Yes, that's true. That is why I wear them under the homes. Our attics are too damn hot[:-hot][:-jump] for any rodents to stay up there,[:-cowboy] they just move into the house or under it.

quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, []when the heater is more than 10 feet from the pool and is not connected to any part of the pool or it's plumbing then it would not have to be bonded, however if pool water can or does flow through it, bond it. [:-banghea

Brian, Feel free to steal this, it stops many arguments before they start. I, as a home inspector, do not claim to be an expert in anyone one area or field. I was contracted to provide a written opinion. In this case I also provided back up documentation and signed my name to it. If a qualified licensed contractor or expert disagrees with the statements in this report I suggest they provide written documentation and sign their name to it. I use this when I quote manufactures installation instructions like the roof tile manual. When they call and say, Cocky the Contractor says there's nothing wrong with the way it is installed, I reply, I provided backup documentation and signed my name to it. Did Cocky? They say, No. Well if it is right I would love to see where the manufacture says so. When Cocky gives you those documents, could you let me know so I can have a copy? I have only had 1 person return that call and that was to say the contractor couldn't find anything so they fixed it.