Tom Raymond

I consistently mistype "plumbing" and leave the b out. Sadly, "pluming" is a word and I let a report go with about 20 references to to pluming. Since then I use spell check and I force myself to read my own documents, just to be sure. I proof read each section of my report as I complete them, then proof the entire report for spelling only. If I reread any more than that I end up spending as much time on editing as I did writing it in the first place. I find that the MS Word dictionary is missing many common construction words, and the words that I have added still get flagged occasionally. I don't completely trust it, if I'm gonna look dumb for misspelling a word I'd rather it be me than my software. Tom

I know of several stick built homes that have the meter and panel mounted on pedestals, including a local home builder who wanted power when he built his own home rather than mess with a generator, and several "trailers" with meters mounted on the buildings. Nearly every township in my area requires a permanent foundation under any new MH on a private lot, the most common is a "frost proof" foundation but I do see a few basements. If you wish to set one on piers with skirting around it, it must be in a park, on the reservation, or in one of the extremely rural towns. I prefer not to mess with mobiles, so I don't know the provisions for replacing existing units on private land. Tom

Around here the AHJ only wants to see the holes and will let that slide if they know your work, just drop in your tape rule and snap a picture. The only time they look at more than that is on a new build. Tom

Didn't Energy Star want to start a forum of his own? Maybe Mr. Ferry should go help him with that endeavor. Tom

Gary, That actually explains alot! Tom Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I could swear I saw something about a lawsuit against Brinks on TV recently but all I can find is the techs suing for unpaid drive time. Around here Brinks has a pretty bad reputation, and apparently elswhere too. The link is several pages of consumer complaints about system performance problems and shoddy customer service. You could probably do better with a local independant guy. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/brinks.html Alarm systems are a royal PITA (I did a stint as a wire rat) and I for one am very happy to defer them to some one else, or better yet exclude them from my inspection. Tom

Scott's right, call them up if you can find them. You may get help, you may not. A Lennox rep Emailed me the installation instructions for the upside down unit last month, took about 20 minutes from phone call to in box, but I'm still waiting for info from Hiel from a job in January. Tom

When the Feds decide to file charges against the racketeers who run insurance companies I'll think about it. Until then I only buy coverage that is required, a little more if it is a bargain. My GL policy is a good example, for $16 more a year I more than quadrupled my coverage. Tom If only I could convince my wife that health insurance isn't manditory[:-banghea

How soon is eventually? If the aluminum is going to come off in a year or two just caulk the J channel to the chimney with clear silicone, anything else will be a pup to remove. If refinishing the original siding is going to be more like a five or ten year plan then follow Mike's advice, but I'd cut through all the siding and flash to the sheathing. If you're gonna do the work, you might as well go all the way. Tom

Now that's what I call hot wires! Tom

This would be a really good place to use an IR camera. Tom

That was for sale? WOW! Tom

The contractor. Batches get refused all the time, but it's expensive to pay guys to stand around and wait for a fresh batch. He made a bad call. Every batch plant I've ever seen is computer controlled but even then not all the components are that presice. Color, fiber, and less common addmixtures are very often hand loaded in bags that are designed to break down in the drum. The drivers carry water for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that it is far less expensive to scrap a load than a drum. They also batch loads "dry" if they are going far from the plant and "finish" them on route so they don't come off the truck too hot. Tom My wife has a PT gig batching...the softer side of concrete[]

From a job last week...No snakes, just mice. The house had two subs almost back to back, each with multiple openings, but the mice only liked this one. May be these wires taste better. Click to Enlarge 31.55 KB Tom

I think it's funny. It speeaks volumes. Tom

"They needed it done in the worst way so, they hired us. www.gtbinspectionservices.com" Uhm, Gary, You might want to put a little distance between that slogan and your address[:-dev3] Tom

He's not only pigheaded, he's sloppy and cheap. Big-Box-Mart has 200amp Square D panels with nearly all the breakers included for like a buck fifty. Tom

I'm pretty sure I got the photoscape lead here about the same time you did, a couple of months sound right. I still haven't figured out the stuff it will do. Tom Whoever posted it then, Thank you!

I'm not surprise by the lack of odor. Last week I had a loose toilet on one job and the whole house stunk. The next house had three open sewer lines inside and 8 square feet of effluent and paper waste in the front yard that had backed up out of the distribution vent (septic system done for) and I didn't smell a thing. I don't know why some of them don't stink, but I sure ain't complaining about 'em. Tom

Richard, Better check that photo software, I think you might be out of arrows[] Mark, I use photoscape. It's open source software with a pretty short learning curve for this kind of stuff, and has more features than I've had time to play with. Photoscape.com I think, or just google it. Tom

I never see that much drainage consideration. Typically there are two layers of 30# felt between the tyvek and the metal lath. One of the better builders I know adds another layer of tyvek under the felt. The last job I saw being installed, the base layers for the stone were lapped about a 1/2" below the sill onto the stemwall. Another very good builder I know slaps this stuff over two layers of tyvek, he just doesn't get how much water is going to get behind this stuff. The rest of his details are top notch. Asthetically correct job, but I think your concerns are right on the money. Tom

Mike, Why did you delete your post? I thought it was funny. Tom

Times are tough. There is an opening on the local Zoning Board of Appeals that I am considering applying for but before I do; does anybody know if there would be any potential issues with my NY HI license? I do know that local building officials that also do HI's cannot perform them in their official jurisdiction. Would the same provision apply to zoning board members? Thanks, Tom

I have to agree with Mike about the Gypsum sheathing, it's very common here too. I would add though that there is quite a bit of it missing at that gable vent, you can see the siding and J channel above the vent. That's a problem. Tom

That's pretty much hoe I do it, with a few exceptions: 1. I pretty much use Jim Katen's wording, short and to the point. 2. I try to indicate what professional should be designing/performing the repair, or I say something like "anyone handy" if I think it's a safe DIY thing like adjusting doors or loose cabinet hardware. Tom