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Steven Hockstein

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  1. Steven Hockstein
    Thanks Mark, this information is good to know. I don't do much home inspecting in areas that require impact rated glass. Is this something that home inspectors are required to determine? It seems to be a code issue that is beyond our scope of work. As an aside, I visited the Andersen Window factory in Hudson, Wisconsin. They demonstrated the testing of the impact rated windows and it was impressive. They shot a 2 x 4 at the window and then fired a second round. The window is required to take two hits. No wonder they are so much more expensive.
  2. Steven Hockstein
    I found this on the left side of a Cape Cod style home. This vertical discoloration is adjacent to a knee wall on the inside. There is no plumbing or mechanical equipment adjacent to the space. There is an eave attic in the lower area and the higher space is conditioned space. The mortar is discolored and weathered. is this some type of vapor drive? Has anybody seen this before? Click to Enlarge 69.16 KB Click to Enlarge 59.42 KB
  3. Steven Hockstein
    Maybe they should just call it a "Permanently Parked RV" instead of a "Tiny House."
  4. Steven Hockstein
    I was traveling with my family in Europe this past July. My 19 year old son made an observation that most places we went make the assumption that people have common sense and that people are responsible for their actions. Darwin at work. Case in point.. We were in St Petersburg on a boat tour through narrow canals and the boat barely fit under the bridges. If you did not duck your head, your head would be damaged (if not removed). In the US there would be someone on the boat advising everyone to duck at every bridge and a waiver to sign before you boarded the tour. In Russia if you hit your head on the bridge it just would not happen to you again.
  5. Steven Hockstein
    No code issue as long as the sleeping room has proper egress. I am sometimes hire by clients to correct this condition. Just an awkward and ill-conceived design. Like Jim said, not part of a home inspection. Your client would have to be a total moron if they need you to point out this situation.
  6. Steven Hockstein
    Very obvious to me that engineers designed the house. They mention "Architecture" but I don't see any. The house may or may not survive a storm and be energy efficient. The bigger question to me is if anyone would actually want to occupy it. I understand that it is a concept project but better a design would help sell the concept.
  7. Steven Hockstein
    Fiberglass roof. The worst thing is if you build a floor over a roof. If there is a leak the floor needs to be removed before you can repair the roof. The ideal condition is to have a roof that is durable enough to be used as a walking surface.
  8. Steven Hockstein
    The ghost must have removed it from your post. Boo!
  9. Steven Hockstein
    I have a couple of these in my house. They work great. No squished spiders or flies to clean off the walls or ceilings. http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic ... 40122.html
  10. Steven Hockstein
    I would be willing to bet that what you see is only part of the story. I would advise my clients that they arrange for a damage assessment (some destructive investigation will be required).
  11. Steven Hockstein
    Nice!
  12. Steven Hockstein
    A fire wall is UL tested and is rated on how long it takes for a fire to burn through the wall. The idea is that if your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm system is working you will have time to evacuate the building. The materials are typically not designed to control the spread of moisture or mold. Mold needs moisture to propagate. Fix the leak and you will substantially reduce mold related "Problems."
  13. Steven Hockstein
    From my experience I can tell you to make sure your relationship takes priority over the business. I did not have two nickels but I knew that i would rather have her as a wife than a business partner and in the long run I am glad that we are not running a company together. Sometime it was tough when I asked her to do something that she said made her feel more my employee. It is hard to run a family business without ruffling feathers. Good luck with your decision. By the way please send a copy of your health insurance card and the deductible for counseling services. []
  14. Steven Hockstein
    i used to have my home inspection office in my house. My wife took care of the office. My wife was thrilled when I moved the office out of the house. She was busy enough with her own ballet career. If I even suggested that I bring the office into my house now I would probably be asking who has a couch for me.
  15. Steven Hockstein
    There are certainly different grades of steel and different reasons why the steel corrodes. Most of us don't have the ability to know why the steel goes bad. We can just make educated guesses. I did not intend to imply that your guess was any worse than mine.
  16. Steven Hockstein
    There could be a correlation between corrosion and the chemicals within the mortar and/or bricks. There may even even be some salt in the sand that was used in the mortar mix. Over the years the chemicals washing out can impact the steel.
  17. Steven Hockstein
    I thought I had seen almost everything. Something new this week. The added beam appears to be installed to reduce deflection in the floor of the dining room above. I like that the steel post is resting on the workbench. I can only assume that the workbench is included in the deal. Click to Enlarge 58.39 KB
  18. Steven Hockstein
    Especially after they saw the episode about a national flooring supply company and their products on 60 minutes.
  19. Steven Hockstein
    The salesman at The "Big Box" Store told the roof installer that you need to use flashings when you install a roof. I can only imagine the installer bought 4" x 8" flashing pieces and used them. Never mind that you are supposed to use the right materials and install them in the correct locations. I also just noticed that there are no vents in the soffits.
  20. Steven Hockstein
    If you have the time, go for it. What is the downside? Worst case is you get nothing. Best case is you market yourself to do a seller's inspection to assist the current owner in determining the issues with their house as a seller, build a relationship, and also do the home inspection when they buy. Even if they are moving out of the area, you might just get the selling end. Maybe a buyer entering the house grabs your flyer and calls you about a completely different house. It is all good. As a new inspector I applaud you for trying to market yourself. Many inspectors fail because they have the ability to do inspections but no business. Good Luck!
  21. Steven Hockstein
    Assuming that both sides of the wall are interior spaces I can't see a reason why you would need vents. If all enclosed interior walls needed ventilation you could argue that there be vents in every wall. The exception would be if there is a difference in temperature between both sides of the wall there could be some vapor drive through the wall that could result in some condensation.
  22. Steven Hockstein
    Some options: Go to the local building department and ask the construction official who does good work in the area. Ask your neighbors and friends for names of roofers that they have had a good experience with. Go to the local roofing supplier and ask for some names. After you have a few names: Provide a specification to the roofers that you want to have bid your work. If you don't have the ability to develop the document you should ask an architect, engineer, or home inspector for their assistance. If you have the roofers bid to your specification it will be easier to compare the costs.
  23. Steven Hockstein
    I agree. from memory... I believe that if it is plugged into an outlet that is GFCI protected it may be OK but hard wired requires a dedicated circuit. Of course you also have to follow the manufacturer's published specs as well.
  24. Steven Hockstein
    Dedicated appliance circuits are not typically GFCI protected. Note that there can only be a single receptacle.
  25. Steven Hockstein
    FYI- My LED Ultra Stinger still has the switch near the head, not on the tail. I only bought the flashlights because the old chargers are the same. on Amazon: Streamlight 75760 Stinger LED HP Flashlight without Charger, Black
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