Brian G

Originally posted by hausdok What some are saying is that they'd rather that TIJ not get involved in anything controversial - that we just stay quiet. Speaking only for myself, that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying if you're going to post something that's sure to cause an uproar and offend some people, it should be worth the fallout. By now no one could possibly have any illusions about what's going to happen when anti-org opinion piece gets posted, whatever org it is. These things go round and round, nothing is resolved, and useful people walk away. Hey, it's no skin off my nose either way. I don't own TIJ and I'm not going anywhere, even if there were a new piece every week kicking my personal org. As long as it was true and worthwhile, I'd put my boots on and join in. Brian G.

If I were in Mike's position, I would see this strictly as a question of what is and is not "news". The court battle between NAHI and NACHI is news. It would be news between any two HI orgs. This isn't news. It isn't even an article. It's one HI's response to an article. It tells us nothing we didn't already know. I'm no fan of PC, but I really don't want to see TIJ turn into the alternate-ASHI club, with a thin scattering of independents. I value the input of good inspectors from any organization. If posting meaningful news that reflects poorly on one's org causes them to walk away, so be it. If they're worn down by posting pointless stuff like this, I think we're all losing something. Brian G.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Be sure to take a minute and remember our brave men and women who are serving in those hell-holes on the other side of the planet today. May they all be home for Thanksgiving next year. Based on world population figures I found on the net, anyone's odds of being born American are roughly 20 to 1 against. It's good to be a lucky 1. Brian G. Life Is Good [:-angel]

"Everything is built at 110 miles per hour...." I think they accidentally called that more accurately than they meant to. [:-sour] Brian G. Another Great Freudian Slip [:-slaphap

Originally posted by hausdok However, with less than three months to roll-out of the plan last June, the mandatory home inspection component of the home information packs (HIPS) was scrapped because of opposition by those in real estate and the mortgage lending industry. Gee, who'd-a thunk it? Brian G. Turf Protection Is Universal [:-yuck]

Tragic. The death of a young child, the court battles and TV coverage, and everyone trying to excuse themselves for their part in it all...the parents have been through hell, to be sure. This is an excellent reminder for all of those times when people question why we have to be sticklers for the rules, and why the rules are like they are to start with. Once in a while a few half-measures and short cuts get someone hurt or killed. Brian G. Blessed Are the Sticklers [:-angel]

Oranges, concrete, and scorpions, oh my! Oranges, concrete, and scorpions, oh my! Brian G. Don't Squeeze the Scorpions []

I have yet to see a real shake roof, but if I do the give and take in this thread will help. Good discussion. Brian G. Chocolate Shakes Are Preferred []

Originally posted by Jack Ahern This ASHI inspector will not recommend a contractor unless he/she has worked in my house. That's me too. If I haven't used them and been happy, I don't recommend them to clients. Brian G. A Very Short List []

I always make it a point to disclaim what was present on a specific, given job, but was not inspected. I do that with one catch-all sentence at the end of the report. Most, if not all of it, is normally covered in the pre-inspection agreement, but clients don't remember that stuff. I prefer to add a short, specific reminder in the report, rather than invoke my PIA later (when they're already unhappy). If I did a house where I was really concerned about the "uninspectable" grade, I would say so in the appropriate section of the report. I don't consider that a disclaimer. I call that a "heads-up". I think what works against an HI are the disclaimers that look and read like disclaimers, instead of being informative and useful. Brian G. CYA As We Know It Is Mostly BS [:-alien]

At least that one has the burners up the side. A lot of the older ones I see here have them across the very bottom of the unit, where they're more prone to rust and damn hard to inspect. Brian G. Love That Highly Visible Heat Exchanger [:-magnify

Coldwell Banker Pacesetter Steel attorney Rick Rogers of Porter, Rogers, Dahlman & Gordon PC said his client denies any liability. "The Schlimmers were given a mold clearance report provided to them by my client (Coldwell Banker) before the purchase of the home and a home inspection was conducted," Rogers said. "The problems with the house were behind the walls." A "mold clearance report"? What a weak, phony attempt to shield themselves from liability. The article doesn't really say if the HI was told anything about the problems and the previous lawsuit, but since he was left out, I would think not. Still, if the realtor lined up the inspection, what are the odds they called the worst HI they knew? Brian G. Spank 'Em! [:-weepn]

I've seen houses with one or two cracks like that, and I've seen others with cracks like the first one at almost every window and door opening, and at corners. It gets to be a judgement call somewhere in there. At one end of the spectrum I don't say much, at the other I call for a structural engineer. As far as that other crack....I gotta start eating before I come on this forum. [:-yuck][:-sour][:-blindfo Brian G. Pity the Poor Bench [:-weepn]

My experience is similar to Paul's also. The knotheads around here just love to push it right down on the shingles, no matter what the material. Having said that, the reveal at the high end is pretty big. Something tells me the diminishing line effect was not a primary consideration for the fellows who did the work. [] Love the suggestion though....gotta remember that one. Brian G. Diminishing Talent Pool is More Likely [:-yuck]

Originally posted by kurt Letting up isn't what football is about. Any team that's weiner enough to whine about someone running up a score is, well, a weiner. Letting up when the contest has clearly been decided is part of what sportsmanship is about, football included, at any level. I still believe sportsmanship is very important in sports. All sports; all levels. And, this is entertainment in addition to being sport; if I was paying for a seat, and I saw the "pro's" whining & piddling because the game was a blowout, I'd be pissed. Blowouts happen. I've seen teams stick everyone in but the waterboy and only call running plays, but still score because the other team just can't stop them. Nothing wrong with that...what else can they do? The whole "might take out the knees" discussion on the jock sniff sports shows is increasingly offensive. Sports news is only a slight tic from Entertainment Tonight. It's best to not listen to that stuff too much. My point was that if it's being talked about on those shows, it's being talked about in NFL locker rooms too. It should never happen. If it does the guy who does it should be banned for life and charged with assault (if it's after the whistle). But if it does happen, Belichik will have to look at himself in the mirror and know he kept pushing it, hard, for no good reason. It makes no sense. Brian G. Bad Winners Suck Just as Much as Bad Losers [:-yuck]

Originally posted by inspecthistoric The writing above sez: "2000 lbs"! Shouldn't the title of this thread have been "A Ton of Bull"? [] Brian G. Well-Versed in Bull [^]

Originally posted by Jim Morrison To let up a little in the fourth when you think you've got it won plays well with the "Lifetime" crowd, but I don't think it wins Superbowl rings. Fair enough, but when you're whipping the Dolphins by 40 with 6 minutes left there isn't any "think you've got it won". It's over; no need to go for 4th downs and long bombs. It's not terribly relevent to me anyway, but I hope for you fan's sake some thug on one of those lesser teams doesn't get pissed and take out Brady's knees after the whistle. That's actually being talked about on the sports shows. If that happens the Pats are done. But I think the Saints are everyone's second favorite team this year. This could be their year. I thought so before the season, but unless the defense really picks it up by the end of the year we won't get past the second round. Care to loan us Adelius Thomas? [] Brian G. Will Work for Defense [:-paperba

In six years I've gone from 95% down to about 15%, and that 15% survives mostly because of one small firm outside of town that just won't take the easy-sleasy path (no matter what I write up). They refer everyone to me. My website produces more every year, but the majority are coming from previous clients (repeats and referrals). It's a very nice place to be. Brian G. Reaping What I've Sowed [:-angel]

Originally posted by Jim Morrison Dat'd be me. The hombre from NE. You gonna take 'em on solo, there Captain Guinness? [:-fight][] What's eating your boys this year, by the way? The remorseless poundings they're going out of their way to put on all the lesser teams they've played is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Is sportsmanship dead in Foxboro? If they keep that up they'll end this season as widely disliked as they were previously respected. Talk to Tom and Bill next time you see them, will 'ya? [] Brian G. Back-Ups Wanna Play Too [:-weepn]

We had a great weekend in New Orleans. The weather was terrific, the 9 year old chose to stay back home with his grandparents, and the Saints won a very entertaining game going away (41 - 24). My voice is semi-hoarse from yelling and my hands are sore from clapping, but it was a ton of fun. I'm already looking forward to going back in January for IW. From 0-4 to 4-4 My boys are getting hotter by the week. They reeled off 538 yards of offense (including 32 first downs) on a very solid Jaguars defense. The defense, still a work in progress, didn't allow 100 yards rushing for the 7th straight game. The rest of the schedule is Rams, Texans, Panthers, Bucs, Falcons, Cardinals, Eagles, and Bears; a combined 23-42 right now. With apologies to my Chicago friends, I think we should run-out from here. Maybe one slip-up somewhere along the way......[] Brian G. Who Dat? Who Dat? Who Dat Say They Can Beat Dem Saints? [:-footbal

Originally posted by hausdok Half of the folks from above the Mason/Dixon line just went, "Huh?!" Let's just say it has nothing to do with shoes. [] Brian G. Cornmeal/Yes, Shoes/No []

I agree that most cheapo CO detectors are only good for catastrophic levels, but most of the specs I've read fall into the 70 PPM alarm range, not 100 PPM. A few available locally get down as far as 35 or so, but I believe that's still way too high. For homes with kids, pets, elderly, or respiratory patients, it definitely too high. Chronic low-level CO poisoning, at concentrations well below the cheapo alarm level, can cause serious health problems for those whose bodies are less able to deal with it. I always recommend this one for my clients; it's the best one I know of at any price. http://www.aeromedix.com/product-exec/p ... Model_1070 I've had one in my gas-appliance-filled home for years. It works, it's very accurate, and a battery last a long, long time in one. It starts alarming at 10 PPM, and gets more insistent as the level goes up. It's real protection, all day every day. Please recommend these to your clients. Brian G. CO Might Kill Them; Spending $130 Won't [:-thumbu]

I always mention them, I say they're no longer allowed, and I tell the client why, but I don't normally write them up as needing repair. I have yet to find one letting sewer gases in, and once clients know what the deal is they can determine for themselves if it's actually a problem or not. If I had one in my house and no gases were getting in, I wouldn't tear it out and replace it for no reason. Usually there are plenty of more meaningful fish for clients to fry. Brian G. Suddenly I'm Hungry for Hushpuppies []

Maybe that's where the man of the house hid the wife's first casserole. [:-crazy][] Brian G. Not That I Would Know []

Originally posted by Jim Katen If that one wire is six inches long and then is spliced to two wires that serve different devices, is it one circuit or two? Assuming we're talking about common household devices like switches and outlets, collectively within the limits the code allows, it's one. More than one device isn't the issue, unless it's a device that should have a dedicated circuit. One of my concerns with these double-tap breakers is that they make it way to easy to turn a 40 circuit panel into an 80 circuit panel (or some other odd number well above the intended, proven-safe limit). While that could also be done by the method you described, it would be hard to claim the manufacturer's blessing while doing it. Another is that you have to kill both circuits to take either wire loose. Will Average Joe, the DIY king, understand that and make sure there are no serious consequences before flipping the handle? What happens when Joe is working on loop A in the attic and Betty kicks the breaker back on because something she wants to use is on loop B, but she thought it just tripped? If that one wire leads to a 4-gang box and is split off to control two different switch loops, is it one circuit or two? Same as above, since it's essentially the same question. Suppose someone connects two fully-loaded wires, from two entirely independent loops, to that one breaker? Is it still one circuit? And if it is, why not have 45, 63, or even 80 fully-loaded, independent loops? The bottom line for me is that I believe these breakers make residential wiring less safe, overall. The only benefit they offer the homeowner is the ability to expand a smaller panel to the maximum, which could already be done with tandems (etc.) without getting away from "one circuit on one breaker". In other words, we gained nothing and added another new wrinkle for unsophistocated homeowners to stumble over (IMHO). Brian G. All Worth the Price Charged []