Brian G

Over-microwaved door sealant? [?] Brian G. Yummy.... [:-yuck]

Jeez, the whacky vehicles are really coming out of the woodwork lately..... http://www.clever-project.net/gb/gb_des ... totyp.htm# This one is only a prototype so far. Brian G. What, Nothing With 5 Wheels Yet? [:-slaphap

Originally posted by SonOfSwamp For what it's worth, there's nothing wrong with just saying or writing something like, "I've never seen one of these. I don't know anything about it." I agree. It's good to try, but sometimes you just can't come up with a solid answer in time, and it's better to admit you don't know than to pretend you do. I make them aware of the thing in question, and usually suggest they ask the sellers about it. My job is done. Brian G. Non-Omnipotent Home Inspector []

Granite counter tops for the masses...jeez. Someday soon we're gonna think we can't poop in anything less than a gold-plated toilet. Yeah, I know, granite has some nice qualities, I just get sick of the endless spiralling-up of Average Joe & Jane's expectations. I wonder how many foreclosed houses have lovely granite counter tops in them right now. [:-crazy] Micro-rant over. [:-taped] Brian G. Americans Can't Get No (bah-da-dum) Satisfaction [:-irked]

When I first looked at it "Wadsworth" jumped to mind, but I have nothing to back that up. Brian G. Tell 'Em it's Mafia Equipment....It Ain't Talkin' []

Cartridge fuse is the correct generic term for that style, but that covers all of the many sizes. There isn't a particular name based on size. FYI, those are dual-element fuses, AKA "slow-blow" fuses, as opposed to the old standard single element fuses. I could swear the one on the left is a renewable fuse (screw off the end caps and replace the element rather than replace the whole fuse). It sure looks like a service disconnect, but one really has to determine that onsite. You say there are six sub panels downstream of this? Those wires leaving the disconnect don't look large enough to carry two or three sub panels, much less six....but there again, it depends on the particulars. Brian G. The Devil is in the Details [:-devil]

Hey Bill, where the heck you been? I saw that one some time ago, and I agree with most of what he says. Nobody will ever think of giant box stores, umpteen-lane freeways, or sterile public buildings as "home", even in the broadest sense. I'm not so sure suburbia as a place to live is such a nightmare though, given most inner cities as an alternative. Will America ever get over being a car culture? Only if we fail to develop a successful, affordable new energy source for the next generation. And how about the other side of the coin? A "great" architect designed one of those buildings he was criticizing. No offense to my TIJ brethern who have a foot in that world, but that field has more than it's share of nuts. [:-boggled Brian G. Happy in a Small Town [^]

I use a wooden staff to tap on ceramic tiles and the like. It's easy to control, I don't have to bend over, and it has uses related to ornery neighborhood dogs. [:-mischie Brian G. Kurt's On a Chain Gang?! [:-slaphap

I've seen stuff double-lugged on AC disconnects a number of times (usually outlets). Those lugs aren't design or approved for that, and the big difference in wire sizes will only make trouble more likely. The fused neutral is an oddity though... It ain't right. Brian G. Follow a Moron and You'll Look Like a Genius [:-graduat

Well what the hell, I ran across another strange new vehicle. This one has four wheels and leans, but it looks a bit scary to me. What happens if you get hit by a strong crosswind? http://lumeneo.fr/welcome.html Brian G. They Should Call That One the Alleycat []

It sounds like the prevailing wind is creating that issue by forcing most of the crawl space air out through those particular vents, but what the stain substance is would be anyone's guess. I would normally think very fine, powdered dirt or mildew, but that doesn't sound like what you're describing. Brian G. Bug Farts? [:-slaphap

Hi Mark, welcome to TIJ. Which direction does the prevailing wind come from? What can you add about the staining? Was it like mildew, or something else? Brian G. Inquiring Minds Need Lots of Clues [:-magnify

I think it's exactly the same as having a sub panel, and distance means nothing in those cases (as covered in a couple of recent threads). I can't cite the NEC offhand, but I'd bet you can't have the overcurrent/feed devices in one panel and the equipment grounds and neutrals terminated in another (for the same circuits). That's nuts. Brian G. Move One Side, Move the Other [:-magnify

Last I knew the fittings would go on either one, no problem. I'd bet money that's LFMC though, just by the look of it. The easiest way to tell is to squeeze it or press on it. LFMC won't give a bit; LFNC will. Brian G. Com'on Honey, Squeeze My Flex []

Yep, those are pretty common around here. Nothing to worry about Brandon, they're totally harmless (unless you hurt yourself trying to get away from them). Good fish bait. [:-goldfis Brian G. Ever Notice "Cricket" is Played with a "Bat"? []

In a hell of a coincidence, I found the biggest termite tube I've ever seen today. It looks very much like the one in your second picture, except that......well, mine's bigger than yours. [] Image Insert: 119.27 KB Are termites getting bigger, or just more ambitious? Brian G. Now Open, Termite Toll Tube! []

Slow the first 3 months, then good in April and May, now back to just a job here and a job there. Last year I was fairly slow until the day after local schools let out; then I ran all summer. This year business fell off when schools let out. Go figure. Brian G. Feast or Famine, Same as Always [8]

Originally posted by hausdok Only if accompanied by illustrations so that the rest of us know what you're telling him. Cartoons will do fine. I'm afraid I'll need those too. No oblo that Espanolish, man. [:-boggled Brian G. I Only Oblo Amer'can, By Gawd! [^]

Aw what the hell do you know? You're in property management. [:-dev3][][:-dev3] Brian G. Dang Tourists [:-taped][]

Gee, look at the pretty colors. [] Brian G. It's a Rainbow of Self-Destruction [:-crazy]

Mike, it was that three martini breakfast that got you. [:-dev3] Originally posted by AHI Here's a picture of one of the caps. What do you think? It certainly doesn't look like age and wear. I'd say it was either put on cold in the winter or the quality sucked to start with. I always recommend replacing 'em when they look like that; others may vary. Brian G. Heatum & Bendem Roofers Inc. []

Originally posted by AHI in AR You said the home had rough cut lumber. That would usually indicate a home from far earlier than 1960. Alternately, it could have been from a local "backyard" mill... It could easily be either one. I got the 1960 date from the MLS, which is not always accurate, but we've always had numerous local mills. There used to be a lot more, but even now they aren't exactly rare. ...and possibly not dried properly, leading to more than normal shrinkage. This could cause similar shrinkage to that which rot damaged rims could cause. Possible. It isn't rot, as far as I can tell. I wasn't able to reach all parts of this low-arsed crawl, but all parts of the sills I could see were okay. I'd love to be around for an autopsy on this one. [:-magnify Brian G. Preferrably With Dana Scully [-crzwom] []

Originally posted by AHI I see the point of accessing via the flat portion in the back. If my footing were to slip on the way down I would only slide down to the flat portion at worst. Absolutely. Easy on, easy off, and a chance to stop sliding if the worst happens. Plus you can get a little running start as you go for the ridge (if you need it). The caps were just about cracked in two across the entire peak. the rest of the shingles looked ok for their age. Did that look like an "age & wear" thing, or not? Around here that's a dead giveaway of a winter roofing job (nobody warms the caps like they should, they just bend 'em cold and stiff). Brian G. Details, Details, Details.....They Matter [:-mischie

Phillip, I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure they did share the same footings around the perimeter. The veneer came down almost against the piers. Rob, no framing stamps; this was just old enough to be rough-cut lumber. It may well have been a bit green or damp, but the floor joists didn't show signs of it. My client walked, partly because of this and partly for all the other issues on this house. I can't blame her. Thanks for all the input guys. [:-love] Brian G. Movin' On [:-calndr]

Here's one more unique, new, rideable machine to ponder. It has two wheels, but not in the usual configuration. Image Insert: 37.88 KB Here's an article about it at Popular Science magazine. http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2 ... motorcycle Brian G. So Many Toys, So Little Money [:-weepn]