Brian G

I frequently can only find the outside unit in Preston's, I'm not sure they list the evaporator units at all. When I find something else listed it's usually a gas furnace, not an evaporator. Brian G.

Weird. It looks like it was definitely on the surface rather than some kind of bleed through. The fact that it's on the soffits says it didn't fall with the rain. My guess would be that the homeowners used a cleaner, sealer, or something on the exterior and it didn't go that well. If you don't have a good answer suggest asking the sellers about it, that's what I do. Put the ball in their court. Brian G.

They had 4 or 5 on Ebay. Most are the Xtend & Climb, about $190 with free shipping. Brian G.

I used my ladder today for the very thing I most wanted it for, a scuttle hole access to an attic in a small, crowded room. I seem to get this at least a time or two per month here and it's a pain with normal ladders. Very easy with the telescopic, good "Gee Whiz" value to boot. Money well spent for me. Now if Kurt will just hurry up and get the Monkey Cam out of testing..... Brian G. [:-bonc01]

I've said my piece on this, so unless the topic starts to really boil again I'm going to try to leave it alone for a while. But first.... I'm told NACHI has an offer posted on the home page of their website wherein they offer $100 dollars per year to any broker who will post a link to their "Find an inspector" (or whatever they call it) search engine. Wow. What an incredibly naked appeal to greed by a professional organization. An implict validation of an illegitimate gatekeeper is bad, but it pales by comparison to this. I do not presume to be knowledgeable about NACHI or any other HI organization except the one I'm in, but I encourage all HI's to reject any and all efforts to gain share by endorsing the gatekeepers. Consider your soul and the future of your profession, and give them more weight than a few extra dollars. No offense to my NACHI / TIJ colleagues, you must know by now that I call them as I see them. Brian G. Hand Me a Ladder So I Can Get Down Off My Soapbox Now [:-turtle]

Man, that is some screwy-looking wiring. Just looking at that makes my low-level alarm start vibrating. Brian G.

If we don't hear from you in a week we're sending the cops to check behind the cedar. [] Brian G.

Hi Barry, Is this a slab or a conventional foundation? It sounds odd. If no clues are visible I don't see how they can get around tearing-out, at least a little to look for the cause. I'm not big on mold but it is one possiblity. Maybe dead mice or a snake. Then again, maybe someone hid a body behind that cedar lining... The "House Detective" indeed. [:-batman] Brian G.

It's a damned thorny problem with no solution which is fair to all. When in doubt opt for the higher standard, test everyone. Too bad there's no way to test for realtor freindliness...blow in the machine, it buzzes, you lose your license. If only.... Hang in there Dan. Age before beauty. [:-dev3] Brian G.

I've never seen one set up that way, but I agree with your instincts about the high crud-catching potential. When I find a nasty one I always recommend not accepting "cleaned in place" to my clients, though some do anyway. I think there's a significant difference between chemical cleaning and plain vaccuuming. I tell clients it's like hosing off your filty car without taking a brush or sponge to it, it really doesn't get clean, just clean-er. I would think the coil would be quicker to reaccumulate crud because of it, but I don't know that. On the dog hair / lost charge, it could be either or both. Brian G.

This was one of those situations where you can't see for more than 8 or 10 feet in any one direction at any one time because of ductwork, piers, etc. I crawled from spot to spot, stopping to look around when it seemed worth it. You know what, I'll bet that's actually an old galvanized steel water line. I found half a dozen places where the remaining galvanized lines were in bad shape, and some had been replaced fairly recently (in the last year or two). I already wrote in the report about the signs and recommended replacing all of it before it fails and causes damage. I think I' ve wasted your time gentlemen, my apologies. Thanks to Jon for the clue, I didn't have one. Duh! [:-dunce] Brian "Brain Cramp" G.