chrisprickett

"Strongback" is a somewhat vague term. Are you talking engineered I joists, conventional framing with added support, a remodel? Something like this maybe? http://www.ufpi.com/literature/ojguide- ... framing%22

Ditto. I see them like that pretty much every day. I will note in my report to tape them if thet're not already taped. In my neck of the woods, most air handlers (and evap coils) are located in the attic. An unsealed access panel allows a ton of dust and crap to get pulled in, which will foul the coil and make the house very dusty!

Two common causes are low refrigerant (maybe a coolant leak?) and a dirty coil. Running it in this condition can damage the compressor. Recommend repair by a licensed HVAC contractor.

If it's ALL the fixtures, my theory doesn't hold water (pun intended).

Is the flow reduction just at the kitchen sink? Cold only, or hot as well? Where is the sprinkler supply in relation to the sink? I have a theory...

My guess is the client is looking for a quick solution. Install this puppy or move the building to Arizona. http://www.dehumidifiercorp.com/catalog/3500.html

In AZ, the consruction standards are nore more than a 1/4" bow over 8'. If your state has similar construction standards, you might use that as a reference.

I'm not an FCC expert, but if it's illegal, I'm as guilty as you. When I'm on the road, I often "surf" for a wireless connection. Not practicing "safe computer" but works in a pinch.

(Dons flame retardant skivvies) Is that EVER going to cause an issue? The clamp has a bushing that is protecting the NM cable as it enters the box. The electrician has stapled the NM about 4" before it enters the box. Unless the set screw has damaged the NM cable, I see absolutely no defect. You can interpret it ,technically, as a IRC violation, but my guess would be that that installation pre-dates any IRC rule. Someone please tell me how this will effect the potential homeowner or their decision to purchase the home, in practical terms? I could see writing this condition up if it was one of several issues relating to an amatuer install, but if not, what is the problem?

1. We're in a CYA business. SW That is an excuse, not a reason. CP That's a fact. Screw up and get screwed. You should know that better than most anyone. Your boss preaches that gospel at our AZ ASHI meetings twice a year.id="blue"> 2. Inspectors are basically a cross-section of society and most people can't write to save their a$$. SW I agree. You only have to be able to read and write at a 6th grade level to graduate most high schools. Many people should have never graduated. CP You and I are both evidence of inferior public education.id="blue"> 3. Lack of time and ability forces many inspectors to rely on the crappy boilerplates that come with report software. SW Laziness,a poor attitude make them write crappy reports. If it was important to them they would make the time. CP I can't defend the motives of the crappy report writers. But, in my experience of reading and reviewing hundreds of reorts a year, about 99% of inspectors write bad reports. And for the most part, nothing is being done about it(and likely nothing will).id="blue"> 4. Pressure from the RE business to write "friendly" reports. SW We just went from report writing to ethics. CP I'm talking reality, not pie-in-the-sky "perfect world of inspector" fantasy land. The vast majority of HI's are, to some degree, dependent on real estate agents. This is a real world truth. If the handful of truly competent and dedicated inspectors could get together and change the world, things might be different, but that will never happen. If it did, ASHI, NACHI, NAHI, etc, would all cease to exist.id="blue"> Maybe there's an untapped report editing industry just waiting to take off! SW For many inspectors, the report software is the biggest business investment they make. Most inspectors are too cheap to pay someone that could write it right, to properly write their boilerplate. Then as soon as it was complete the inspector would re-write it to make it sound like he said it and screw it back up again. If they want good boilerplate, buy Mark Cramer's software. If they want reports that look like Chris Pricket's used to, buy something written by a PHD. Sorry Chris, I just couldn't resist. CP Careful Warga, I possess a few of your old reports. Can you say "Spell-Check"?id="blue">

Walter must feel like Don Quixote. Most inspectors write like crap. I'm guilty of it as well, sometimes. In a lot of ways, the industry perpetuates it. The ASHI Purpose & Scope Statement: The purpose of these Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid home inspectors who are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors. Home Inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as inspected at the time of the Home Inspection. This is not to pick on ASHI, because all of the other assocations use similar "inspector speak". Here are, IMO, the main reasons why 99% of inspectors write horrible reports: 1. We're in a CYA business. 2. Inspectors are basically a cross-section of society and most people can't write to save their a$$. 3. Lack of time and ability forces many inspectors to rely on the crappy boilerplates that come with report software. 4. Pressure from the RE business to write "friendly" reports. Maybe there's an untapped report editing industry just waiting to take off! BTW: I love the jab at the Report Guy with the PHD in English. Ever read his stuff? The man has no concept of the term "paragraph"!

Anyone do it? If so, what is your method?

I could drop 15-20. I'm in. What're the stakes?

I feel your pain Ralphie! Don't expect any help from the manufacturer. They won't bite the hand (builder) that feeds them!

Help us out Donald. I understood that you were talking about chipped tiles not tiles fabricated with a corner missing. Your question:Someone (Kurt, Mark or Chris I think) mentioned about the corners being chipped off and they gave a reason why this happens.

This is what I was referring to (from the Monier Tile Website): How do tiles get broken? Sometimes in shipment and delivery, pallets of tile may be mishandled or bumped. Most often the damage is slight and the tiles are still usable. Tiles with chipped or broken edges can usually be installed at hips, valleys, rakes or other places requiring cut tiles. These tiles should be identified and sorted during the loading process.

Usually the pallet was nailed with a fork lift or something during shipping or loading. This chips a bunch of tiles.

"Clean up on isle 6"- my head just exploded. Funny, I'd always heard that blankets weren't a good thing on water heaters, but my understanding was that the maunfacturers were concerned about the cylinder actually retaining too much heat. I've never had any evidence to back it up so I have stayed somewhat neutral on the subject.

Sometimes my kid "acts" like a monkey. Doesn't make him a monkey. I may sound like I'm splitting hairs, but when you deal with weasel builders who look for any reason to do crappy work, I need to hang my hat on specific installation instructions. The moisture barrier is "acting" like window flashing. The single stud is "acting' like a post. The plastic j-box is "acting" like a fan box. The duct tape on the flexible duct splice is "acting" like an approved method of splice connection. The box nail in the joist hanger is "acting" like an approved fastener. The idiot is "acting" like a competent superintendent.

Holes in the studs are not clamps or straps.

Ther should be clamps or straps installed. See bullet point #3 under "General Recommendations" Download Attachment: Pex Installation.pdf 186.44 KB

That is actually a very big help, thanks! Any other info you get is more than welcome!

Sorry for the slight thread drift... Stuccoman, do you have any industry spec on proper installation of Western One Coat- including installation guidelines for foam and wire lath? I've been trying to find it for over 6 years!

I can't believe it's selling for $16 a sq ft! Is that price common up that way?

What Mike said. And, If it was caused by a leak at the icemaker box, it more than likely would have been visible on the other side of the wall. I ALWAYS make it a point to look on any wall opposite any source of water (sink, toilet, washer box, soft water system, etc)