Steven Hockstein

Kurt- I agree with your big picture explaination. But...what if the balancing damper(s) to one or more of the second floor supply vent(s) has been inadvertently closed or someone has altered the ducts in a way that can significantly impact the second floor supply? I still say, start with the easy stuff and go from there. Maybe there is a simple solution.

Many systems have balancing dampers in the ductwork. It may be worth a service call to have a contractor balance the system to make sure that the dampers are properly set (first check if there are accessible dampers). Adding "High-Low" returns is also something to consider. Pull the warm air from the ceiling during the summer and the cool air from the floor during the winter.

The reason I asked is because I am getting grief from a construction official that insists there is a problem with laundry equipment in a basement bathroom. We are working on another part of the house and he has called it out as a problem. I am in the process of showing him that we did not do any work in the basement bathroom. He has not told me why it is problemiatic and I can't find out the code citation because he is a part time official and won't be back until Thursday.

Can someone give me a code reference that prohibits laundry equipment in bathrooms?

Mold Class? It is sad to see the slow downfall of a respected organization. Based on what has happened in NJ, state licensing has made ASHI obsolete as a way to determine if someone is qualified. ASHI finally sees that they need to be focusing the organzation as an educational resource and not a "Brand. ASHI has a lot of competition (less expensive) for the required educational credits and they missed the boat. It may be too late. Time will tell.

This house was built in 1989 and the gas fired boiler is power vented through this piece of duct. I wrote it up as a hazard because it can be easily blocked by water or snow. Additionally, I noted that an animal can enter into the duct and block it. The boiler was serviced by a heating contractor in March, 2012 and a new duct was installed. Was this ever allowed?? Click to Enlarge 62.18 KB

English Cottage/Quonset Hut with a splash of Hanna Barbera

I charge a flat rate minimum for any home with up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms. I charge extras when a home starts to get larger with more bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, out buildings, etc.. It is my experience that inspecting a small 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home with a basement takes almost the same time as a large five bedroom home three and a half bathrooms. The cost of the house has nothing to do with my fee. Typically, a less expensive and neglected small home is more time consuming than a large clean home. An extra bathroom or bedroom is not a big deal. The major systems and building components are bascially the same, just bigger. I discount for condos because I limit my inspection to within the condo space and individual systems. Common areas and shared systems are excluded. I charge extra for multi family.

Good elbow salesman

I agree. There is definitely a liability issue if someone uses the info in purchasing the house. I was just wondering if not charging a fee is a workaround for the written report requirement. Why someone would assume the liability for free seems idiotic.

Just out of curiosity, if there is no fee does it still violate the NYS Code of Ethics? I don't know how it works in NY but in NJ, based on the definition in the state regulations, I think someone could have a valid argument that they were not actually doing a "Home Inspection" if they did not charge a fee or other consideration for their work. On the other hand, the home buyer is getting exactly what they are paying for if they opt for a free inspection and no written report. The cheap inspector and cheap home buyer deserve each other.

In the early 1940's there were restrictions on materials and their use because of WWll. Maybe this was a work around.

I meant strangers to Irish Sean, not each other! [:-monkeyd

I agree. Most heating and air condioning contractors will give you free estimates in the hope of getting the work. Get a few different opinions from specialists that actually see your home. They are likely to come-up with some creative options. The bottom line is that you can have the most beautiful space in the world but if you are not comfortable, you won't enjoy the space. Get a professional to help you. Designing your HVAC system with the help of strangers on the internet is not your best option.

I don't know how effective that will be. I find that most pipe noise comes from the waste water hitting the bends in the big plastic pipes. Insulating the waste pipes for noise is a better investment. I would consider adding acoustic insulation in the walls around the bathrooms if they are that concerned about noise.

Live wires found yesterday in a POS house. Be careful when adjusting the shower head! Click to Enlarge 33.63 KB

My roof is in otherwise good condition. I anticipate another ten years before replacement is needed. There is just a small section with moss. The moss is not too bad yet. I want to take care of the problem before it gets really bad. I cannot do anything about the shading because the trees are along the property line and do not really hang over the house. The shading is a result of the orientation of the house.

My roof was replaced twelve years ago. There is a shaded area at the rear of the house ( about 25' wide) where some moss is growing. My neighbor's trees are shading the roof and I cannot trim them. My plan is to have the moss cleaned and install zinc strips along the ridge in the area where moss has grown. Does anyone have experience with this. Is the zinc effective after the moss has already grown on the roof? It is interesting to see that no moss has grown in the areas directly under the chimney where there is copper flashing or under the metal power vent.

You should check out Ikea. You can buy inexpensive rugs and you wont feel bad after your kids soil them to the point that you need to buy a new one. Try not to get lost in the maze along the way.

Dave, Based on the tone of your inquiry I am writing this with the assumption that you are an honest guy asking an honest question. You see that the many of us are skeptical about the whole mold issue. There are too many "Experts" out there selling a line of bull s*** about mold and associated testing with the sole goal of making money based on fear. This is not the right place to get someone to endorse your concept because TIJ is working to raise the bar on the professionalism and education as it relates to home inspection. The real information regarding mold and the alleged affects on our health has been compromised by the Mold is Gold industry. Mold testing should be left to the environmental specialists and health professionals that have spent many years on reasearch and not home inspectors that go to a few day (or less) seminar and declare themselves to be "Mold Specialists."

Flat roofs usually = more maintenance and more chance of leaks. Is it a modern house that includes a low pitched roof as part of the design? Would it make sense to alter the roof lines the next time you need a roof so you can install shingles? Any photos?

My question about lightning rods has really sent the sparks flying!!

I was curious and called a local steel building rep and he was not in. I left a message wih his receptionist and asked if steel barns need to have lighting rods. I returned from a meeting to this message from him on my desk "We don't do that." WTF does that mean? Does it mean that someone else has to do it? Is it not needed at all? I am just trying to get the answer as a favor but now I am wondering if this is something that is needed. Bill, the described building is all steel so I am assuming all of the structure is steel framed. Does just adding lighting rods and grounding the structure equal a separate lighting grounding system? I was hesitant to post this question because I thought maybe I should know the answer. Now I don't feel so bad! Any sparkys reading this and want to answer?

One of my clients called me today and asked me if a steel barn needs to have lighting rods or is it acceptable to ground the building? Answers?

I would estimate the time needed and give them an hourly rate. If they are shopping for the best price instead of for the best inspection, you probably don't want to do the job. SOunds like a fun one!