Steven Hockstein

ASHI--WTF--LOL OK- I'm done. [:-monkeyd

You sure it is not old carpet padding?

I would not report on missing toilet paper holders, shower rods or towel bars. If I had to pick, I would mention it in the bathroom section of the report. If the door knobs easily hit the walls or windows, or I see damages caused by door knobs I will recommend the installation of door stops within the interior section of my report.

Not really, I haven't got a clue where Glenview, IL is. I'd love to live in a lighthouse. I think it would be the coolest home on the planet. (But that's just me.) ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Mike, I was with you on the lighthouse living thing (In New York Harbor) until I read about the fog signal navigation requirement. Do you think anyone can actually get used to that?

Are there a lot of trees over the house. Did you check the gutters? I see some really disgusting and smelly stuff in gutters. Maybe when the roof is hot it causes some type of convection air flow and brings the odors from the gutters into house. I suspect that based on the age of the house there are 2 x 6 rafters with no ventilation and there are some sloped roof areas in the upper bedroom. Just a wild guess.

How old are you? What do you eat that is different during the summer?[:-paperba

I think she needs to Photoshop some of those agent head shots! Oops, did I say that out loud?

People talking on their cell phones and using all of their electronic equipment while worrying about EMF levels from overhead wires is like the people that smoke cigarettes and worry about radon. It adds more risk but it is all bad for us and the combination of exposures increases the odds of illness. Hey I live in NJ-enough said.

yes or it is not completely redundant.

I just heard from my friend Pat Porzio that Thomas M. Byrne, one of the charter members of ASHI, has passed away. I don't know anymore info but I thought that the readers of TIJ that knew him would like to know. I worked as a fellow instructor at a home inspection school that Pat ran in the 1990's. Tommy taught the plumbing and heating sections. He was a pleasure to work with and was always willing to share the knowledge of his experiences.

Hope it is on the storage shed in the yard and not on the house. The clearance to grade is not adequate.

Drunk Mason?

I've done that once. Hurd sliding patio door used as the primary entrance to a very busy household (my childhood home, at one point there were 10 of us there, 5 were teenagers). The frequency was astounding; all of the moving parts, track surfaces, and weatherstrip completely wore out. Exact replacement parts were procured and installed far easier than complete replacement. If factory parts were not available I never would have attempted it. Just because a Dodge intake manifold will fit on a Buick big block doesn't mean it's a good idea. Tom That is what I meant. If it is an old Andersen slider, keeping the frame may be an option (of course to Kurt's point, depending on the condition). If the manfacturer cannot be traced or if parts are not available, it may not be an option even if the frame is good.

Is it an option to reuse the frame and just upgrade the doors and hardware?

At least it wasn't a scratch and snif!

Section R1001.11 4. Exposed combustible mantels or trim may be placed directly on the masonry fireplace front surrounding the fireplace opening providing such combustible materials are not placed within 6 inches (152 mm) of a fireplace opening. Combustible material within 12 inches (306 mm) of the fireplace opening shall not project more than 1/8 inch (3 mm) for each 1-inch (25 mm) distance from such an opening.

Chapter 10 of the 2006 IRC has the rules, section drawings and the info you need. If you don't have a copy here is a link: http://www.rumford.com/code/IRC06.html

I would keep my mouth shut and enjoy the BBQ unless they asked my opinion about something. The only exception would be if I saw a hazard that may endanger my friends. A friend of mine recently tried to sell me insurance. I told him that I do not like to mix business with friendship. He told me that he did not have to be my friend. You offered your assistance and they did not follow your advice. Just be their friend.

What happens if the switch craps out? Do you have a backup? I keep two indentical flashlights with interchangable bulbs and batteries. Next time I buy bulbs I am going to try the upgrades.

NJ-ALPHI (New Jersey Association of Licensed Professional Home Inspectors) is the largest Home Inspection Group in NJ. We decided to create this group when NJ Home Inspectors were required to be licensed and we needed a better local voice. One of the reasons that we have been so successful is that it was created around the time that Branding drove many of us to leave ASHI.

Flashbacks of the mishandling of ASHI "Branding."

Maybe that is the stock control hardware and the manufacturer offers control knob and trim hardware upragdes that compliments the faucet and soap pump finishes.

We have designed two new homes in the last ten years that were replacing houses that had been destroyed by fires that started in dryer vents becasue of inadequate maintenance. Luckily nobody was hurt. In a roundabout way you could say that not maintaining dryer vents is good for my business. [:-bigeyes

This is what I say: The inspection is furnished at your request and in strict confidence by us, as your agent and employees, for your exclusive use in determining the physical condition of the subject premises.

Our Organization (NJ-ALPHI) recently hired an attorney to develop a Pre-Inspection Agreement for the members to use as a guide to meet the NJ State requirements for a Pre-Inspection Agreement. The members all have to sign a hold harmless release if they use the agreeement and the members are advised to have their insurance company and/or company attorney review the contract before it is used.