chrisprickett

Jim, I appreciate your input! Sorry no other pics. When I decided that I was too early to inspect, the builder wasn't all that happy about me snooping around. The whole house looked kinda iffy.

I went to inspect a big ol' custom house today (new construction). It wasn't ready, but I decided to take a peak inside the main and sub panels. Power wasn't on yet. In the sub, there were no grounds. The wiring came into the main panel, and the hots and neutrals were pulled into the sub (next to the main)but grounds were in the main. From looking at the main panel, it was undersized, for the fact that the deadfront had to be smushed to get the cover screws on. The county passed it (not that that means anything). I am going back, in two weeks, after power is back on. Thought? Commments? Download Attachment: no grounds in subpanel.JPG 61.75 KB Download Attachment: messy main panel.JPG 62.77 KB

That was Donald's issue, not mine.

Lorne, Actually you last heard from me in September, and before that, July. In July, I was having problems transferring libraries to my employees, and some data was being lost when I tried to use an existing library to create a new one. Just like when we spoke in January (on another issue) you blamed my computer. You requested that I send you an archive of the affected library. I did, and that's the last I heard from you. I left a voice mail a few weeks later to follow up, and still got no response. About a month ago, I had another issue with printing to Adobe Acrobat. When you returned my call, you told my wife, once again, that it must be a problem with my computer. It wasn't. When I was having problems last January, you said my hard drive was dying. Now it's October, and I've had no issues whatsoever with the hard drive, which I use every single day. Now I'm sitting here with over 2K invested in your software, and rapidly losing faith. You called yesterday, I returned your call immediately, and as of 1:30 today, I haven't heard back. If I had, I wouldn't be airing my problems on a public message board.

How about FIHI- Foundation of Independent Home Inspectors www.fihi.info

I'm guessing they'll build on the hill eventually, but that's almost a mile away, so it doesn't concern me. I'll still be high enough to see the mountains.

We just put a deposit on a lot, and will have a home built in about a year. The big selling point for this lot is that it backs up to a flood plain (we're about 30' higher, so no worries there) and there's an awesome view of the mountains and pristine desert. My concern is that someday something might get built in the flood plain. The city told me that in order to build in the flood plain, the builder must: 1. Demonstrate to the city and FEMA that the flood path can be diverted without causing any issues. 2. Raise the floodplain to the same level that my lot is, plus 2' (one for FEMA, one for the City) This seems unlikely, as the flood plain is 2,000' wide, and borders an archeleogical conservancy, but I'm just trying to cover my bases. Download Attachment: our view.JPG 61.5 KB

1. No step flashing for the stone chimney 2. Caulking the wood shingles 3. Fasteners (are they screws???) thru the bottom skylight flashing 4. If that's a Velux, the flashing is totally screwed!

Sucking air throught the vacuum breaker may be the ticket. I ruled out the water company because the H/O says it's been happening for almost a year.

Kurt, Sounds kinds like when the water hasn't been used for a while, but not nearly as long. When flushing the toiket, I heard it for about 5 seconds, and about the same when running the tub. Mike, No aerators on the irrigation system. The house has fire sprinklers, but I can't see how that would make a difference. It makes no sense!

I use Inspectvue III from Porter Valley Software. Until recently, I was very satisfied. Lately, it seems they are more interested in growing than customer support.

I seem to remember this being discuss before, but forget the conclusion. Here's the scenario: Two year old house, city water and sewer. If any of the fixtures are turned on, after no water use for a few hours, air can be heard coming out of the fixture. I could find no supply piping leak (and the meter needle doesn't move when the water's off), and there doesn't seem to be any difference between hot and cold (from the air problem standpoint). Water pressure to the house is on the high side (90 psi), but other than that, nothing else is out of the ordinary. Any thoughts?

I do know that the surge arrestor for that model has a recall: http://www.recall-warnings.com/cpsc-con ... 95168.html

In my day, a "backplaster" was a remedy for Lumbago!

Donald, If you're like me, you're still waiting for them "to get back to you"!

I've been using Inspectvue 3 from Porter Valley Software. Until recently, I've been pretty much satisfied, but lately they seem to be more concerned with growth than customer service. The last three questions I've had have been given the blanket "it's a problem with your computer" answer. I was told (by PV in January) that I had a bad hard drive. Funny, but here it is September, and with the exception of issues with their software, I've had no problems whatsoever.

I drive an 04' F-150 (with a tonneau top) and have no complaints. If I was more budget minded, I'd likely get a Toyota 4-banger pickup. They're only about 10K, and that Toyota engine is good for at least 200k miles.

I vote water damage/mold. There's a rusted piece of a bracket or something, that would likely be scorched had there been a fire.

(I have to qualify that I've never seen one of these puppies in person, and it's hard to get a good grip from one picture, but here goes) There is rust and corrosion inside the gas furnace. This is likely due to condensation that is not draining properly. I recommend further evaluation by a licensed HVAC contractor, during your inspection period, because the cost of repairs could be several hundred dollars.

What type of fixture and how old? Could be a mixing valve issue. There's like a bazillion brands of fixtures.

Never heard of it, but my concern would be lint clogging the waste system, and clothes smelling like my daily constitutional.

I'd recommend pre-drilling and thru-bolting with at least two carriage bolts, staggered, per post.

Donald, I guess, technically, there should be a stud at the joint, but I can't see how (in reality) it would be an issue if the double top plate is 2x6. That's pretty meaty.

No moiture, definitely a fragrance of some sort. The lady IS crazy, but the smell is still there. I leaning toward gasoline.

I did an inspection for a very strange lady. I acutally did 4 inspections, and she finally bought the last one. When we were there, there was an air freshener smell that was freaking her out. The buyer's agent and I spent 1/2 hour, in a vacant house, searching for the source. We finally found an airwick thingy behind a toilet. Fast forward 30 days later. She closed on the house, had the carpets and drapes cleaned, had an ozonater (or whatever you call it) plugged in for 48 hours, and the place still stinks. I got a a call from the agent today, asking me what I think they should do. I haven't a frickin' clue. Anybody???????