Terence McCann

The manometer tube could easily come loose from the pipe. No, it couldn't easily come loose from the pipe if properly installed. It's not out of the realm of possibility but it wouldn't be where I would first start.

While factual it isn't romantic. I've seen the scenario play out many times in the past (I think we've kicked this around before). As rust and sediment builds up in the bottom of the heat exchanger, over the years, (due to a chronic problem with the automatic feed which is actually caused by a weeping safety valve - but we'll save that for the sequel, When good boilers go bad) it starts to act as a layer of insulation in the bottom of the water side of the heat exchanger. Now when the boiler fires it starts to superheat the bottom of the heat exchanger (lack of water to carry away the heat) which will cause it to clank, pop and moan as it is being stressed (much like me with Microsoft tech support). Then, after saying enough is enough, it splits and out comes the water. I told ya it wouldn't be sexy.

A manometer is about as simple of a measuring device as one can get. The chance of one not working is next to nil.

The manometer reads a pressure differential - if the liquid is even it is not sensing a differential. If the fan is running then you can, 99% sure, rule out the fan (there is a chance that the motor is running but the blower isn't turning albeit slim). You may have something blocking the suction side of the fan or perhaps the sensing tube for the manaometer has fallen out or has a restriction. How long did it take for the manometer to zero out after it was running?

What web site did you find that on Mike?

That one takes the cake - it's actually beyond words.

I've seen a few of those in the basements of homes around here. I state not to use them. Not too long ago one of the local news stations had a report of a couple that performed the procedure known as Death by Hibachi. Wouldn't be cool to put your family to sleep while char-broiling mutton in your basement.

Your home inspection fees were fully earned when they received the home inspection report. You don't owe them anything else. If you don't offer re-inspects because of the trouble or for whatever reason, just say so, simple as that. Marc I tried Marc. He first called me to let me know the sellers completed the repairs and asked me to come out to make sure the repairs were done correctly (he was willing to pay). Then their realtor called me. Next was the email from his wife. The last reinspect I did was so unpleasant I swore off them. I did a simple deck reinspect. I take a look at the deck then proceed to pull the main beam out from under it - not even attached (the deck was only a few feet off the ground). The end result was the listing agent screaming at me and telling me I needed to say exactly what, and how, the repair(s) needed to be done. Now I don't mind a listing agent having a fit but the first thing that came to mind was there ain't enough money to warrant this. The buyer was a young single mother, no husband and no father. The reason I know this is I asked her if there was anyone that could help her overseeing what needed to be done to the home. I did that reinpect for free. Well put Kurt.

That remains to be seen.

Aye. When I talked to the gent he expressed concern that my lack of enthusiasm regarding a re-inspect might equate to a less than stellar inspection. It is difficult to respectfully translate terms and conditions, and expectations, to those not native to our soil (Christ, it's almost impossible to explain to those born here). In a way I feel I've let them down.

I was just about to send out a search party for you. The tax payers thank you for showing up.

As I re-read what I wrote it seems like a lengthy cop-out. However I've been placed in this position before - it's no fun.

Wow - I've never seen that. I'll have to keep that on my to-do list.

It's not often I ask for critique of the written word (soft under belly and all that) but I would like/need thoughts on this. This is an Asian couple. It is a standing policy of Harbor Light Inspection Services Company that we do not do re-inspects after the repairs have been completed. I explained this to John and your realtor, and will further explain it to you now. I formerly did re-inspects; however every time I would conduct a re-inspect I would find that the repairs were done incorrectly and I would be placed in the middle, arguing with the person that did the repairs along with the sellers and their realtor. I had one realtor ask me, after I found that the repairs were not done correctly on a deck, to explain how I would like the repairs to be done. This is not what I was hired to do, and I will explain why. For example, if I find something wrong, on an outside deck that needs repair, I ask that you call a contractor to properly repair the deck. The simple construction of a deck needs special brackets, at certain places, and special screws. The arsenic that the wood is treated with can cause regular screws to fail. I do not specify how to do the repairs - that is the job of a qualified contractor. The contractor needs to determine how to do the correct repair, not me. Another way to look at it - if you were to see your doctor and they found something that didn’t look right with your heart - your doctor would then tell you to see a doctor that specializes in human heart problems – a cardiologist. The cardiologist would then take care of you. I know I found many more things wrong than the relocation-home inspector. When I spoke with your realtor, she acknowledged that I was very thorough and found a lot more items then the relocation expert home inspector. You received a very thorough and in-depth home inspection. I apologize to you for not doing re-inspects, but I hope that I have made my meaning and reasons why, clear in this email. FYI, they had the sellers make all the repairs and now want to make sure that they were done correctly. No where in my report do I suggest that they have the sellers do the necessary repairs.

Well the question still remains, if the furnace drew in combustion air from the outside would it matter? And again, I will restate, if you believe that the technician was derelict in duty then shouldn't you inform his supervisors? You own your company, if you had a loose cannon, spreading misinformation, wouldn't you want to be made aware?

What if it were a 95% furnace pulling combustion air from the outside, would that still matter? The blower door safety switch is there as a safety protection device (more for Mr/Ms Homeowner) - and to be honest I don't think the suction power of the blower would overcome the chimney with all things being equal. If you feel that the tech was derelict in duty you should call his company and inform his supervisor of the fact, I'm sure the owner of the company would like to know.

I don't see an issue with it either, the heat will rise just fine. As an aside, electric baseboard heat is best placed under windows (if there were any).

I wish I could take credit for this but alais I can not (although I'm really tempeted to). When confronted with "yes but is it leaking?" statement I respond by saying well no, however I've seen bald tires hold air but I wouldn't drive on them, would you? There's just no good place they can go with it from there.

Thank you Kurt, very educational. I never knew that this material needs regular waterproofing applied and would not have mentioned that to the client. Now is it just the material from the mid 90's or all that needs regular waterproofing? What a mess.

It seems to me that by virtue of the simple fact that they "need" an Airborne Stench System With Integrated Power Elimination (ASSWIPE) that their s**t does, indeed, stink. That is indeed funny.

That's in my report Mike however the home owner wasn't around at the time of inspection and I'm trying to get this out da door.

Just got off the phone with a plumber I use to work with - what he said made sense. The fan draws a small vacuum from the toilet bowl, from under the rim, and is used as additional fume removal. Ezra gets the grand poopy prize. This will look good on your resume kid.

It was in Hudson - lol (one of the nicer area's close to Ezra and myself).

There's only room for one asshole (I say that in humor less my meaning be misconstrude) on this board and I've held that position for a number of years. [:-party] Comeon' I will stoop to begging if need be.

Each toilet tank was sitting on a cylindrical device that had a hose attached to it, like a small vacuum sweeper hose, that went into the wall and was snaked up to the attic. One toilet on the first floor kept gurgling. Click to Enlarge 22.95 KB Up in the attic there is a menagerie of fans that are being vented outside. The small white tubing that you see is coming from the toilets. The white tubing is going into it's own fan which is then venting into the the bigger flex duct that is going into what looks like Radon exhaust fans. Click to Enlarge 56.59 KB Click to Enlarge 45.38 KB There is a Radon removal system install in the home but they tapped into the sump crock for it. I have to hit the net but wanted to ask here as well.