Brian G

Well I guess I'll confess. If I saw the stuff in the photo I would have to tell my client I was pretty sure it was asbestos, but I wouldn't tell them it was asbestos. I've seen pipes like that exactly once in six years, and I don't know if there are other non-asbestos materials that look very similar. Kurt's entirely comfortable saying it is asbestos, as is Jim, and I'm sure others are too; I'm not. I don't have enough experience with it. What could happen if I said it was asbestos and it turned out not to be? I imagine I could be sued, under the right (or rather the wrong) circumstances, if my unfounded "factual" statement financially harmed someone (like a seller). Or I could just look like an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about. I figure my job is to find these things, make the client aware of them, and steer them in the right direction. Whether I say it is asbestos, looks like asbestos, or even that it appears to be asbestos, the end affect is the same; red flag here boss! And "weasel words".....? There are no weasel words, only weasely people who use words for weasely purposes. There is no difference in meaning between "appears to be" and "something that looks like". None at all. I still think the most important thing is to be completely honest with the client. If you know something for sure, say so. If you don't know it for sure, don't pretend you do, just tell then what you think and what they should do about it. I want my report language to accurately reflect what parts are opinion and what parts are fact. And finally ladies and gentlemen, an up-and-coming HI with 1, 3, or 5 years experience simply cannot go out and throw his weight around like a 20, 25, or 30 year man. If he tries that I think he's likely to get his butt in a very bad crack somewhere. All my opinion, worth what was paid for it. Brian G. Working On My 6th Year [:-alien]

Originally posted by randynavarro Well, I'm specifically enquiring what y'all's opinion of spaghetti is, not any other wiring issues that may be there. Maybe something about "professional and workmanlike standards. . . ?" I would characterize it as "a disorganized mess". Brian G. Maybe Throw in "Worse Than My Son's Room" [:-slaphap

Yeah, it's definitely ugly, but we can't tell about wrong from a photo. I would express my concerns, show them the picture, and recommend at least having a good sparky look it over closely (and maybe straighten it out some). Brian G. Spaghetti? Whatta' You Talkin'? []

Originally posted by AHI in AR Bonding strap was present between ground and neutral busses, but there was no bonding screw or strap installed to bond the panel enclosure to ground. The electrician who did it says its OK, it's just missing a screw. (!!!) He's contradicting himself. If it still needs a screw, it isn't okay. Does anybody have a relevant code # or other unimpeachable source I can cite? Offhand I would cite 250.80 and 250.92 on the NEC: 250.80 Service Raceways and Enclosures Metal enclosures and raceways for service conductors and equipment shall be grounded. 250.92 Services (A) Bonding of Services The non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment indicated in 250.92(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3) shall be effectively bonded together. (A)(2) specifies... All service enclosures containing service conductors, including meter fittings, boxes, or the like, interposed in the service raceway or armor. If the enclosure isn't bonded it should be, as you correctly asserted. If the bonding screw isn't there it's wrong. Brian G. Out on Bond(ing) []

It's no struggle. BS flows freely from me. If only I could make a living at that. [:-dopey] Brian G. A Natural Resourse in the TIJ Wilderness [^]

Originally posted by ctgo4it Brian - The interior of the basement was all piled stone. The veneer is very common in my area. Fake stone veneer over real stone foundation walls....go figure. [:-boggled Brian G. Stoned Again []

Originally posted by Erby Exposed nails, visible at ridge ends, are not covered with asphalt plastic cement. Generally accepted building practices and most shingle manufacturer's instructions call for exposed nails (and the ridge end location is inevitably exposed) to be covered with an asphalt plastic cement to prevent water leakage. Do they actually specify plastic roofing cement? I never recommend that stuff for anything. It'll only last 3 - 5 years down here before it dries out and cracks, meaning you have to do it again (and again, and....). I tell clients to use silicone or polyurethane caulk. They last way longer. Brian G. In Sunny Mississippi [8D]

Going by how it went last season, combined with the offseason moves, I'd have to say the Pats are the odds-on favorite. I'm not a Moss fan and I'm not buying a "Good Moss" resurrection until I see it, but Dante Stallworth is a superb receiver (he broke in with the Saints; I know him well). Thomas will help significantly, and they generally spent money like never before to improve the overall talent level. The Charger game was a wake-up call, even though they won it. I see the Chargers at #2 in the AFC, with little real change since last year. Rivers is a bit of a question there, although he did well until that whole-team meltdown against the Pats. The defending champion Colts had a mediocre off-season in my opinion, compounded by the retirement of Manning's backside protector and the recent injury-loss of defensive lineman "Booger" McFarlane. They may overcome, but it won't be easy at all. Whoever comes in from the AFC will certainly be favored over whoever makes it from the NFC, and rightfully so. But it's still just one game, for all the marbles; anything can happen in one game. I think my boys will lose 4 - 6 games, while the heavily revamped secondary struggles to get it together (which they eventually will). But no question, talent-wise we're much better off there than last year, when we were a game away from the big one. Gotta try to get home field this time. It doesn't hurt that: A. A dome team has now won a Super Bowl; the jinx is dead. And... B. In the history of the NFL, no team has ever won the Hall of Fame game and gone on to win a championship. By losing to the Steelers we kept the dream alive (clever fellows). [] The Saints & the Bills play Friday night on CBS. Morphine for my pain. [] Brian G. I Need My Fix, Dammit! [:-weepn]

The stuff in my photo is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick overall. On that house it was installed over both cement blocks and old brick piers, and there were three different sizes of it. I've seen it several times and all were the same, but it may have been designed to copy the full thickness blocks in Walter's link. So Abe, which was it? What did the foundation walls look like from inside the crawl space? Brian G. Oh Darling, When I Hold You Veneer [][-crzwom]

There are a few real stones lying by the wall, but I'm sure that's veneer. Check out the photo below. Brian G. I'm Not Really Stoned Officer, I'm Just Veneered [:-drunk] Image Insert: 19.64 KB

Captain, Yeah, I hear you. If she found out she'd mostly be mad that I saw it and she didn't. I'm a lucky guy. [] Bob E., How come we're playing at your place again, in the pit of winter again? Who's making the schedule's out, Dick Butkis? [:-crazy] If only we could pair your defense with our offense. Cha-ching! Any predictions about Rex's performance this time around? I'll bet Luvie is praying he won't have to defend ole' Rexie all year long, again. Bob W., I agree with everything you said, except that last bit... But --- ya think Mr. Brees might be available? Errr....no. I think we'll be nailing him to the ground for a while yet. [:-angel] That had to be last off-season's runaway winner for boneheaded move; Miami going after Culpepper instead of Brees. This just in; running QB's don't win Super Bowls. Scramblers yes, runners no. Get a passer with a brain and protect him. Where are those Patriot fans? I gotta ask somebody about the Moss move. Jack, you out there? Jimmy? I see we lost 20 - 7. Oh well, I think our coach will absolutely love that. It puts a hammer in his hand. Brian G. Crack That Whip [:-cowboy]

That isn't stone. That's a stone-looking veneer applied over cement blocks or old brick; betcha' a dollar to a doughnut. We got 'em around here too. I never bless moss, ivy, or any other sort of vegetation in contact with the house. It isn't a catastrophe, but it sure isn't useful. I'd tell them to get it off, sometime. Brian G. Vegetation is Over-Rated [:-thumbd]

Frank, I'll bet our coach won't make the same mistake as last time. No outdoor practices before going to play at Soldier Field in January? Wrong. Hopefully that'll be a very meaningful game when it gets here. Could be for home field throughout the playoffs. [:-wiltel] Phillip, we don't have a Hooters here. [:-indiffe And there's no way I can disappear for 3 - 4 hours to a sports bar. [:-crazy][-crzwom] Thanks anyway. It's only a pre-season game and our coach couldn't care less about winning those, but I wanted to see the rookies play some. Bob, I'm sure your boys will be better off in the long run, but I doubt if Snooty Joey is the answer. Too bad they let Schwab get away...or is it? We'll see. If the Feds get Vick, and they probably will, Atlanta will need to go #1 QB shopping in the off-season. What's your preference; a high-dollar free agent or a top draft pick? Brian G. Ain'ts No More [:-paperba

Originally posted by kurt Saints-Bears matchup ? I think the Bears' season hinges mostly on what happens with Grossman this year. Better? Worse? The same? The starting running back is gone, Tank is out, Briggs isn't happy, and nobody with a collective brain will punt to the dangerous return guy this year. I think Rex has to get consistant for the Bears to see the NFC Championship game again, but they do still have the weak division on their side. Minnesota is only slightly improved, and Green Bay is treading water. Detroit isn't going anywhere as long as Millen is steering the ship (winning in the NFL is from the top down, not the bottom up). The best NFC battles should be in the East and West. Can the 49er's or Rams pluck the Seahawks? Who comes out of the Eagles/Cowboys/Giants pile-up? Brian G. Bring It On, Pleeeease [:-jump2]

Sunday the first preseason NFL game takes place at the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, where my beloved Saints take on the Pittsburg Steelers. Unfortunately I won't get to see it because it's only on the NFL Network, which I don't have. Anybody got a DVR and a blank disc? [:-weepn] I've held it as long as I can though, so I gotta tell you I'm more excited than I've ever been about the upcoming season. My boys have had a quiet, but very productive, off-season, and training camp is running like a Swiss watch. All of the weaknesses from last year have been addressed with a combination of veteran free agents and shrewd draft picks. I am dying to see some Saints football. Which brings the GP to his first prediction of the new NFL season, although it is a conditional one. If Drew Brees doesn't suffer a serious injury, the Saints will play in the Super Bowl. I think they can weather injuries anywhere else; not to Brees. Please note that while the GP has always loved his Saints, he has NEVER picked them to make the Super Bowl before. Never. Ever. This week I booked tickets to see them take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 4th in New Orleans. I gotta make a live game this year. If they're hosting a play-off game during Inspection World the town will be a-rockin', and I won't be at the big dinner Saturday night. [:-party] May the Football Gods smile on my brave lads. [:-angel] Brian G. Waiting..................... [:-footbal

Mucho gracias Bill; illustration duely stolen borrowed. Brian G. So Much to Know, So Little Brain to Hold It All [:-boggled

1.1 million for a 2600 sq.ft. house...good grief. I just did one here going for a little more than that, but it incuded a 4600 sq. ft. main house, a 4100 sq. ft. guest/gathering lodge, a 1000 sq. ft. cabin on a 12 acre pond, a large all-steel shop/shed for heavy equipment, two horse stables (with 3 horses and miles of fencing), and 165 acres of land. That's a very nice Bungalow, but if I had a choice between the two properties.... Boy, somebody really liked to garden and landscape around the ole' Bungalow. Damn near buried the poor thing in plants. Brian G. Bungalows Are Beautiful [:-angel]

Originally posted by inspecthistoric Under 125 gallon - can be at house, but 5' from windows, vents & 10' from ignition source. 125-500 gal. - 10' from house & other buildings. 500 gal.+ - 25" from house & other buildings. I made use of that info today; thanks Bill. What's the source on that? Brian G. "Tanks" For the Information [] (Yeah, I know...BOOOOO!)

It's the basics of report writing that are important, not the style details. Direct and to the point, conversational tone, active voice, and rigorous honesty are all essential in my book. There is also no substitute for being able to compose a good sentence, using punctuation correctly, and properly organizing the message. Beyond that we're never going to agree on how many words are required to describe a given condition, or exactly which words are best. We can and should follow the best examples, but in the end we still have to be ourselves. Brian G. Viva La Difference [:-party]

Originally posted by AHI Maybe it was because he failed to mention the sprinkler system all together, rather than calling for a qualified sprinkler tech he just omitted entirely. If he was liable at all, that's why; failure to disclaim something that was there, but wasn't inspected. I haven't run into any sprinkler systems yet, but if I did I would add it to the one-line blanket disclaimer at the end of the report. I try to always remember to disclaim stuff like TV cable, phone systems, burglar & fire alarms, septic systems, etc., if they're present. It's all covered in my contract, but people don't remember that. I remind them. Brian G. It's Not Just Disclaiming, It's Also Disclosing [:-bulb]

Just in case it's useful to anyone who isn't very familiar with these Edison-base fuses (or "screw-ins", as they're called locally): If the fuse number starts with "W", that's an old, one-time fuse with a standard Edison base. If it's "T", that's also the standard base, but in a more modern time-delay type (not as quick to blow). If it's "S", it's a safety fuse. There may be an exception out there someplace, but as far as I know all manufacturer's of Edison-base fuses use those designations. Brian G. And the Penny Behind the Fuse Is Known as a "Jumper" []

Those aren't S types. You can clearly see the TD-20 catalog number on them. Type T, time delayed. Brian G. Fused To a T, Was It? [:-tong2]

He sounds like a real jerk Phillip, don't let him bother you. Anyone who behaves that unprofessionally is nothing to worry about; no game, all mouth. I'm happy to say I just had the polar opposite happen to me on a new construction in your state. This guy got a lot more right than anyone I've seen, and he was receptive and responsive about the little things I found; a pro. May your next one be like my last one. Brian G. Some Days We Deserve Proctologist's Pay [:-crazy]

We're working blind here, but it sounds more like a variation on a connector than a substitute for a junction box. I would just say it was an unusual connector I wasn't familiar with, and unless someone can prove otherwise it probably should be in a junction box. Brian G. Put the Ball in Their Court [:-boggled

May the Inspection Gods forgive me for questioning the likes of Lord Jim and Walter, but aren't those gas appliances definitely going to produce CO and poisonous gases, whether they're getting enough air or not? Brian G. Waiting For The Lightening Bolt to Smite Me [:-wiltel]