Steven Hockstein

I did not think I would have to actually take the time to explain what that means. I really hope that you are kidding with me. In case you were serious I will explain it with more detail. What I meant was that when the radio is playing loudly, and you can hear it from where the breaker panel is located, if you turn off a breaker and the radio stops playing (and it becomes quiet [:-banghea[:-dunce]) it means that you shut off the breaker that controls that particular outlet and you will be able to use the information to map out the circuits. The visual light circuit method works well as long as you are able to see the room from the breaker panel. In my house the electric panel is in the garage and I can only see about 10% of the light circuits from where the panel is located. Here is a way to use your light method []. Get a really long extension cord, run it from the breaker panel area to the room where you want to evaluate the outlets, plug a lamp into the extension cord near the breaker panel side and then plug it into the outlet you want to test. Watch the lamp, turn off the breakers (one at a time so you know which one is controlling the outlet) and when the lamp turns off you know that you are controlling that particular outlet. Just make sure that you don't face the extension cord the wrong way because then you will have to take the time to switch it around the other way. Working with a partner, a small plug-in night light, and walkie talkies is still the best method if you don't want to purchase any special tools.

To determine which breaker controls an outlet if you don't have a partner you can use a radio with the volume turned-up and listen for when it gets quiet. For lights you can use one of those screw-in type adapters that convert the light socket into an outlet.

Most chimneys need some repairs. At a minimum I recommend cleaning. Unless the house is new I usually see some cracks, brick deterioration or a cracked crown. I usually include the following: "The chimney needs some repairs. The internal elements of the Chimney could not be evaluated. These areas are considered "inaccessible" and fall outside the scope of a Visual Home Inspection. The possibility of lining deterioration may exist. Health and safety problems may be present due to concealed conditions. It is strongly advised that the chimney be inspected and that the flue be internally evaluated by a qualified chimney professional prior to closing. Chimney repairs are typically expensive and the cost of the required work should be determined prior to closing."

In regards to your 2x 2 question. I don't know the depth of the existing rafters. If there are 2x8 rafters, the answer to your question is yes. If the rafters are smaller, I would be concerned about their ability to support the dead weights of the building materials in addition to snow loads. I know that insulation and ventilating the roof structure works. On paper, the other methods can work but I remember EIFS, FRT plywood, etc... I am with Kurt, let other people use their homes as a test lab and I would sleep better. One other thing is to consider drilling a few SMALL holes in the hip roof framing to allow air movement between the rafter voids. This helps with the problem of the rafters that dead end. Good Luck Steve H.

Hi Chad, I have never seen this method used. Why would ventilation not be required? What happens to any moisture that gets trapped within the roof structure? I would suggest packing down the framing to provide the space for at least six inches of insulation with foam chases to provide air circulation between the vented soffits and ridge vent. More importantly, someone that knows what their doing needs to check the structure before this is done. Is there a ridge beam or are collar ties needed. Can the rafters support the added loads? I have seen many homes where the structure has sagged or even failed because of this type of work. I get nervous when I hear that a "Novice" in construction is gutting a home. Regards, Steve H.

Be careful where your links take the web surfer. The Housensible link connects to only one home inspector in Texas and it is not you.

Sorry for the thread drift but I am amazed that anyone can do more than two good inspections in one day. Five inspections would take me no less than 15 hours to do the inspections, another 5-10 hours to produce the reports, and that assumes that they are all next door to each other. Am I going to slow?

Could it be something festering in the hot water tank that was released when you ran the hot water. The odor reduced after you diluted what was in the tank.

Is it possible that the home is in an historic district and changing the exterior is not permitted? Or maybe the owner felt that the exterior balance of the two chimneys was an important element that needed to be maintained.

Does the house also have central air? Could it be related to condensation issues?

My experience is that the people that sell you marketing programs are the only ones that make the money on the program. 99% of my business is word of mouth. How about this idea... Put together information lectures about subjects that you are comfortable speaking about ( i.e. how a furnace works, how termites get into a building, etc..). Offer them free where anyone will listen. Try the local library, real estate offices, lawyer's offices or wherever they will take you. Keep them simple-know your audiences. When you are done, provide some type of advertising specialty item such as note pads or pens along with cards and brochures about your services. I like the article idea too. Before you know it, people will be talking about the smart home inspector guy and how muc they learned from you. Many people have no idea how things work and would appreciate the education. Good Luck Steve H.

My guess is that the foundation is out of square and the carpenters started in the corner where the brick is flush with the foundation and ended with the sill plate one inch from the brick ledge to keep the framing square. The carpenters should have stopped when they found this condition but my guess is they just kept going and decided that the masons would solve the problem later and you see the result. A quick way to check this theory is to take some measurements and you would find that one side of the foundation is shorter than the other. Is this a new house? The exposed blocks should be covered with cement plaster.

Darren, If there is an old system in the home with the fan in the basement do you recommend alteration of the system if the test results are within guidelines? Is there a requirement to change a pre-existing non-conforming system that is functioning? Thanks for the info. Steve H.

Picky, Picky, Picky No more referrals for you!

try this site http://www.awpa.com/ Steve H.

Hi Chad, Great photos. You are right in what you found. The construction is crap. I don't think the condensate trap is an issue because it dumps in the sump pit. I did not spend too much time studying the photos but a couple of other things jumped out at me. Are the adjustable support posts under the girder set on proper footings? The basement stair treads do not appear to have proper nosings (3/4" minimum- with solid risers) Be well. Steve H.

Maybe the wire was connected to an entertainment system and this is some type of noise filter for the circuit.

Make sure to include a CYA comment about the mold.

I see a lot of other potential clients in the neighborhood. Do I hear Class action??

The most important thing is to develop a system that works for you and do it the same way every time. This will help to reduce the chance of missing something. I personally start on the exterior. I like to look for areas of potential problems and make sure that I double check these areas when I get inside. Another reason is I lose less time when the real estate agent is late. I can't even count the number of times that the agent says "Oh, I know I am late, I figured that you would start on the outside so I did not have to rush to meet you."

One more time. Here are the stucco photos in a smaller format. The deck photo shows what can happen when a deck is cantilevered and the framing is not properly flashed. This is an accident waiting to happen. Download Attachment: rotted deck.jpg 45.23 KB Download Attachment: Stucco corner.jpg 37.38 KB Download Attachment: Visible Lathe.jpg 46.74 KB Download Attachment: Window close-up.jpg 47.05 KB Download Attachment: Window trim.jpg 38.39 KB

Is there some type of insulation board under the siding with a conductive surface?

14 year old house with algae on dimensional asphalt shingle roof (northern exposure side only). Can algae be removed or should the roof be replaced. Any suggestions?

Like I have never heard that before! Seriously, what format or size file is required?

Here are the photos that I promised. Any other comments? Download Attachment: O' Keeffe 002.jpg 519.97 KB Download Attachment: O' Keeffe 005.jpg 609.65 KB Download Attachment: O' Keeffe 008.jpg 614.52 KB Download Attachment: O' Keeffe 006.jpg 518.86 KB