Terence McCann

Well, it looks like it has a rubber tire on the larger sprocket that would be used to friction drive something, so it would appear to move back and forth. Hmm... this requires a little more thought.

The best business venture is to buy a dilapidated building, raze it and put up a parking garage. Hire a few Harvard grads to run it and holiday in Fla. Oct. - March.

And when it's not servin' as a "holdem" it's one of them there new step & fetch deevices for goin' vertical Hoo-wee Elly May! I'm with Willie. Hey Willie, how close is Rockport to Austin. ASHI is holding their conference next year in Austin and my daughter lives in Austin as well. Thought I'd kill 2 with 1. I do believe you were talking about your BBQ??????????

On a furnace/boiler that vents to a chimney, yes. On a mid to high efficiency furnace/boiler that sidwall vents, no however, check with the manufacture for correct installation procedures on this application.

Bill: Thanks my friend. We have a lot of older homes in this area that utilize this material in the basements.

Hi Bryan: Consult ASHRAE: http://www.ashrae.org/. They would be the best source for this information.

Chad: You'll do fine. You have the urge and the desire to make a mark. It's no more complicated than knocking on doors, time and time again. You have to have a hide like a rhinoceros. Maybe means yes, no means not now. It's not easy to build a client base, which is good. It keeeps the also rans in check. We might not like to admit it but we are salesmen/saleswomen for those gals out there. If we don't sell we don't eat, plain and simple. I'll bring the doughnuts.

Bob: Thanks for the reply. "Vitreous clay blocks/tiles". Will have to net search for more info but I have heard that before. Brian: The condition has been pretty good all in all. The normal staining from a home of this era but the material holds up pretty well. It's always a challenge to look at a house that was built a while back (God knows I'm no expert but I really do have an appreciation for the craftsmanship). Although I won't be around to see it, I would like to see how a 1900's built home stacks up with a 2000's built home 100 years gone. On a side bar, I can't get out of these homes in less that three hours (or more). I did one today for a relo from KC. He couldn't be here for the inspection so I emailed the results and spent 45 minutes on the phone with him. 1st time home buyer and very nervous. We had kicked this around before but anyone that is doing three inspections a day, complete with report, is either a super inspector, in which the house is telepathically communicating the defects, or their taking shortcuts. I am T.O.A.S.T. after two a day (meaning burnt). BTW, hit a new mile stone, 4 inspections this week. HooHah.

Thanks Chad, I'll try that google input. Hollow clay tile, then it is not brick? Ok, off to Google land.

Brian: That's the stuff - see it here all the time and I call it out as brick but I'm sure there's more information on it somewhere.

Hello all: 1) In the basement of older homes, 1930, 20 & older they used a red clay/brick style material for the walls. What is the correct name of this material and are there any web sites showing how it was made, pros & cons etc? 2) In the garage they had a crock (like a crock you might find for a sump) sunken into the floor with a grate over it. There were no plumbing lines run to it for drainage so I would assume that the runoff from cars (melting snow etc.)would just soak into the ground. Correct terminology for this (besides floor drain?) Thanks in advance.

Hey Brian: I'll add two to T.O.A.S.T. You pick (btw, these are free.) FUGLY - FUBAR. You might have to explain these to your client, in which case, you may want to choose different wording.

Hi Brian: Electric Baseboard Heaters 1800, 2500, C1800 & C2500 Series WARNING Installation & Maintenance Instructions Dear Owner, Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing this new heater manufactured by a division of Marley Engineered Products. You have made a wise investment selecting the highest quality product in the heating industry. Please carefully read the installation and maintenance instructions shown in this manual. You should enjoy years of efficient heating comfort with this product from Marley Engineered Products... the industry’s leader in design, manufacturing, quality and service. ... The Employees of Marley Engineered Products Read Carefully - This Instruction Sheet contains vital information for the proper installation, use, and efficient operation of the heater. Carefully read the manual before installation, operation, or cleaning of the heater. Failure to adhere to the instructions could result in fire, electric shock, death, serious personal injury, or property damage. Save these instructions and review frequently for continuing safe operation and instructing future users. 1. Keep all electrical cords, foam filled articles, drapes, bedding, and other household furnishings away from contact with heater. It is recommended all items be kept a minimum of six (6") inches (152mm) from heater. 2. Do not install baseboard heater below electrical convenience receptacles (outlets). 3. Do not install baseboard heater against vinyl wallpaper, paperboard or low density fiberboard surface. Do not install vinyl drapes or vinyl blinds above heater. 4. Do not recess heater in wall. 5. The installation must comply with applicable Local and National Electrical Codes and utility requirements. 6. Do not remove or by-pass thermal cutout. 7. To reduce the risk of fire, do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of the heater. 8. Personal injury or death could result from electric shock. Disconnect all power to heater at main panel before attempting to install or service this heater. 9. Supply voltage must be the same as heater voltage. Check heater nameplate and supply voltage before energizing. 10. When using RSA Transformer Relay Accessory, supply wiring must be suitable for 90°C. ! File #E37116 Cut from a Marley site - you can do a google for Q-Mark which is another major producer of electric heating products. Hope this helps.

Eeeekkk[:-bigeyes] Qest® and other brands of Polybutylene http://www.terrylove.com/qest.htm or http://www.pbpipe.com/photos.htm I'd google for more info. BTW, no affiliation with above web site.

Nice catch on the manuals Rob.

Good luck Jim! Type softly and carry a big delete key! Ahh, the power - it's good to be king [:-king]

Hi Chad: I hate houses like that. Where do you start and where do you stop. I always come home from one of those, rewinding items in my mind, and always end up with an aching noggin. Sometimes you feel like saying House should be razed and property would be best suited as a parking lot. To the electrical question: State what was observed, stress the most blatent safety hazards and punt. After that it is up to them. Btw, nice to see your getting inspections under your belt!

Most natural draft, gas fired, unit heaters are not rated for sidewall venting and must use a power ventor when used in this application. Best to check with the manufacture on correct installation procedures.

In our next slide we will see just how creative our ancestors where - click Download Attachment: 1.jpg 37.34 KB

Hi Chad! Umm... I didn't post to any of this (except for now that is). I was going to but I buy into a choke or cap of some kind.

What he said.

Hi Rob: Are those red wires in the background touching the vent?

I must admit - weak area for me. Need to learn a LOT more in this area.

Hello Don: Typically if the evaporator or suction line sweats that's ok, the condensation your seeing is why there is a condensate drain line off the evaporator coil. If the suction line was luke warm leaving the evap that would be a problem depending on how long the unit was running. I would be more suspect seeing frost. Frost/ice could mean a leak, lack of air flow etc. How long did you leave the unit run before taking supply/return temps?

I (almost) never see a exterior vented hood be it gas or electric. Takes the fumes, runs it through a cheap metal washable filter and blows it back in your face. In realtorspeak - Helps cool you off while your cooking! Know of no code that requires venting of a gas range. As I think about it though, a lot of misconception abounds when it come to gas and CO. Gas, which burns clean, when burned correctly, is not a hazard when it comes to CO. You could leave a burner run on your stove top, with enough combustion air, and it wouldn't pose a CO threat ever.