Jeff Remas

No proctoring, no credibility, simple

My opinion: Pigtails are not a problem. A great method is to add a junction box or tray for those connections but not required. Spliced grounding wire, WRONG As far as GFCI protection I don't call it out as a defect but I do recommend it for safety enhancement as the home was built prior to that requirement. Sounds like the electrician is under the listing agent's thumb. A good electrician will take the time to recommend the GFCI upgrade for safety to the seller. The only guys that walk away from business are those that are keeping the realtors happy.

I don't think anyone is trying to discourage you, we are looking at the reality of the situation and the fact that we are less likely to change software once we are established so you do have to market towards the newby or those who are shopping when it is time to upgrade versions of their existing software. They have been building better mousetraps since the first day they were invented and more companies make them each year. It is was drives the marketplace. I think you will start to see a decline in the number of inspectors as the real estate market cools off anyway. Good luck in your endeavor.

After coming back from Inspection World in Ft. Lauderdale I have come to realize that there are more than enough inspection software companies out there to confuse and overwhelm us. It seems as though each week another one pops up and offers something another does not, each looking for their own niche. I welcome this if it will promote competition which will "up the ante" for each existing company to constantly try to improve their existing software. Something that we will all benefit from. As long as each company keeps the format so that if complies with the SOPs then more power to them.

Bach, If you are just starting out,then stick with the Matrix or Matrix Deluxe although I can't justify the expense of the Matrix Delux. The Matrix will help you to peform a more thorough inspections. Software programs take some getting use to and should be used after you get some experience under your belt. Your inspections will be more thorough with the Matrix for now. I would stick with it until you feel comfortable, the Matrix can keep you in the game if you are having an off day. Just my humble opinion. I use the 3D software because I feel as though it is the most flexible and customizable. I have in the past first used InspectIt, then I went to the Matrix then I went to 3D and love it.

I think this one calls for the service provider and the qualified, licensed electrician. From what we can see it looks as though there is only one lead from the service entrance cable that goes into the newer/larger mast head which is not making any sense. It looks like the ends are cut off of the other cables and taped. Someone is using some pretty dangerous methods to steal electricity, look at all the white wires that are tied into the ground crimp from the service. This is one great mess, I wish you had more pictures or at least a wider view.

What will they call the newly formed construction company?

A Great Electrical Find. There I was, inspecting a contemporary house built in 1960. It was one heck of a house built into the mountain near a ski lodge. It had a walk out basement on a slope with a one story house above and a flat roof to boot. The air was cold that morning, colder than the windy beach at night in southern Florida during a President’s Gala. The ice in the driveway forced me to use the four wheel drive to make it up the windy way. The view was spectacular, over the mountains, out into the valley we could see for more than 20 miles. My inspector trainee was with me that morning. He is a soft spoken gentleman in his mid to late fifties, with gray hair and a goatee that matches. He always wears a hat to cover his male pattern baldness. Baldness from years of thinking and stress in his all American life. OK, never mind, let me get to the juicy details of the technical problem at hand. Here we go. The main panel was a 200amp older GE panel with a double handled fuse block with breakers below located on the main level in the dining room. The wall it was against was now an interior partition wall but was once an exterior wall prior to the addition. The sub panel was located in the basement inside a large utility room that housed the well pressure tank, furnace and sewage lift pump. The service mast was located about twenty feet from the house on a pole that housed the meter base and fed into the structure underground. I had my trusty trainee pull the cover off of the main panel. Let’s call him Greg. When we looked inside we immediately noticed that there were several double taps on non-rated breakers and the bonding screw was properly installed in the buss bar that connected both the neutrals and grounds. There were two 4/0 copper service cables that fed the main bus from the bottom of the fuse block. So far we found a minor defect with the double taps, otherwise normal conditions for this age panel. The panel was rated for 200amps but was also labeled for less by reducing the number of allowable circuits to 36. We noticed the circuits were maximized, not to mention the double taps. This is where it gets interesting. When I looked at the top of the fuse block to see what was feeding the panel I noticed that it was only fed by a 4-awg stranded aluminum SEcable. What? Was I seeing right? Turns out I was, no mirage there. I turned off every single breaker in this main panel (OK, no comments. I have extensive electrical experience and if I want to exceed the SOP then let me be) and noticed that the furnace still continued to run. How could the furnace run when every single breaker was turned off in the main panel? I had “Gregâ€

Don't you just love the rut season for buck?

Is that picture for real?

This law is a total cluster and watered down to keep us from becoming a profession. We are still an industry in NJ. Since I work on the border, I am still waiting for the dust to settle before applying. Yeah, other states, please take note of this complete cluster.

Since this was my first Inspection World, I was amazed at the size of it. Over 1,200 attendees and counting. There are guys who I know where there and never saw them. Others I ran into briefly and then not again until 2 days later. I came down early Monday AM and got a few rounds of golf in. Great weather up until the President's Gala when the Mrs. had us departing after about 25 minutes. It was cold. What a professional, well organized event with great speakers. This is certainly unmatched by any other organization out there. I can't wait until 2007 for the ASHI/CREI mega Inspection World in Anaheim, CA. Morrison, you're a punk. LOL

el gato, I am already taking you as a ride along. For the good of your future business, I would advise you to lose your current association in PA and join one of the 2 that are recognized by PHIC. Thanks for your company on the 2 inspections today. I will email you my schedule as soon as I solidify it. Can some of you please educate " el gato" on his current organization and the perils of its membership.

Let it ring, let it ring, let it ring When you finally inspect tonight Oh I hate to go out in the storm But with my winter jacket on tight All the way through I'll be worm Oh my pen is finally stopping And my ladder is finaly dropping Since I have another inspection to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Oh How Whipped I Am and by the way Merry Christmas By Jeff Remas The years have passed, my love still here Growing with you each day A friendship formed, a bond strengthened A path for us to stay More familiar now than before We won’t take for granted New experiences and learning Our seeds of hope are planted A Holiday upon us Some stress in the air Take time to love Take time to care I know I’m where I want to be I know I’m where I belong I know my love is true I’ve known this all along If you guys want to steal this from me for Christmas for your loved one then it is my gift to you.

The problem with the HI Orgs is that they all have different requirements and it is always whose requirements are the best. I think all organizations have a purpose, some are just not up to par with the industry. If NACHI would require a proctored exam and tighten up their roles (we know many should not even be listed) along with dumping Nick (never happen) they have a chance to gain respect in the industry. Until then, they will always find themselves on the defense no matter what kind of spin happy inflated numbers they claim.

Everything happens for a reason and change has been taking place on the NACHI board to Nickifor's dismay. This is not what he wanted and it is happening anyway. I suppose it is just too bad for him but it could not have happened to a more deserving person. Yesterday was a good day.

Posted: Nov 21, 2004 12:22 PM Post subject: Changes as of 11/21/2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NACHI's Steering Committee has unanimously decided to make the following changes to this message board: "Misc. Discussion" has been moved to the members-only section of this board "General Inspection Discussion" has been moved to the members-only section of this board "Not for Everyone (public)" has been removed "Chad Fabry" and "Jeff Remas" have been removed and banned from this message board system -- Chris Morrell Director of Information Technology Check out the 2005 NACHI Convention in Orlando, FL

Interesting information. What was the corruption?

Yes absolutely.

OK Brian, I understand. Thanks for qualification of your statement.

This is an article that I wrote for a local website. YES it is area specific! Crawlspaces Every day that I wake up & head out to inspect someone’s home that has a crawlspace, I could probably fill some of my inspection forms ahead of time. It is an unfortunate fact is that most crawlspaces have moisture problems. As we all know, there are plenty of horror stories out there about crawlspaces & moisture problems so why don’t we talk about the cause and cure of these problems. There are two different types of crawlspace setups, vented and non-vented. Vented: There are vents that provide adequate cross ventilation, the sub floor of the home is insulated along with the pipes in the crawlspace to prevent freezing, there is a vapor barrier on the ground and the vents get closed in the winter time. A small heater or heat tape is used help keep the pipes from freezing in addition to the insulation on the pipes. Non-vented: The crawlspace foundation walls are insulated, the sub-floor is not. The vents are blocked off with insulation all year long, a vapor barrier is in place on the crawlspace ground and the air is conditioned with a dehumidifier. A small heater and pipe insulation are still recommended. Causes & Cures: 1) No rain gutters. Although controversial, we all need gutters to keep the rainwater away from our homes. The average roof sheds 1,000 gallons of water during 1 inch of rain. This water will fall along the foundation and find the crawlspace very quickly. The best rain gutter covers are solid and cover the gutter opening, allowing water to come in by curling under the cap via gravity. Mesh and screen covers just get clogged up or collapse. 2) Downspouts terminate along foundation. The downspouts need to shed water away from the home at least 6 feet or more or to underground pipes that lead away from the home. 3) Terrain slopes toward foundation. Make sure that the landscaping does not do this. All surface water should be directed away from the home. A swale may be necessary if your home is built on a slope. The foundation can have significant structural damage caused by water along the foundation that freezes in the winter collapsing the foundation inward. 4) Inadequate ventilation. Don’t forget to open those vents that you closed for the winter. A crawlspace needs a minimum of 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of crawlspace floor area and should be within 3 feet of the corners allowing for cross ventilation. Low decks, other types of construction above or against vents along with shrubs can block the vents making them useless. Your home needs to breathe. 5) Insulation installed upside down. Depending on how you have your crawlspace set up, either vented or non-vented, you may have insulation in the flooring. The paper side of the fiberglass insulation should always face the heated living space and sit against the sub flooring. When it faces downward towards the earth, it has a tendency to trap moisture between the sub floor and the paper hiding moisture damage. If your crawlspace is set up properly as a non vented crawlspace, no insulation is necessary in your floor. 6) Damaged or loose vapor barrier. You should have a 6 mil thick poly vapor barrier on the ground of your crawlspace, overlapped and sealed around columns and the walls. This will help to keep the ground moisture vapors from rising up into your framing. Most homeowners will add gravel on the top for protection. 7) No or non functioning sump pump. If you have a sump pump installed, make sure it is at the lowest point in the crawlspace and all area easily drain to it. The pump should be inspected regularly and function automatically. If you get standing water in your crawlspace even with items 1 through 6 in place, you need a sump pump. Nothing can take the place of a properly installed perimeter foundation drainage system by the builder but a sump pump is the next best thing. The pump should be in a plastic cylinder in the ground and eject water outside, away from the building and not into the septic or sewer system. A non vented crawlspace with no dehumidifier. If you are going to set up your crawlspace as non-vented, you must condition the air with a dehumidifier and have the water collected piped to the sump pump or install a condensate pump. If you don’t pipe it to drain automatically, you will be emptying the collection device daily. Buy a quality dehumidifier with an adjustable, automatic setting so it does not run all of the time. Please remember that a crawlspace is an integral part of your home and should be kept neat, clean and easily accessible. Inspect if often looking for signs of moisture or mildew and consult the local code official for any repairs. Remember the old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cureâ€

Scott, I knew it had an A in it. I just hope I remember when I buy our plane tickets.

Brian G. I kind of take offense to the remark that to have 350 inspections in 3 years you are a buckethead. 350 is a about 1 year of inspections for me and "I aint no buckethead". Real Estate agent referrals make up less than 50% of my business. You and only you have total control of the volume of your business (along with market conditions) I have a guy in a local chapter who said he converts 1 out of 20 phone calls into an inspection. I book at least 9 out of 10 phone calls. I wish I had more competition like him. Seeya in San Antonio.

Can we start our own new organization? Maybe some type of a national elite organization with very difficult requirements. Kind of like a NAHI CRI and Full ASHI member on steroids. We should make it a for profit organization.