Jerry Lozier

Talking with an electrical contractor the other day, he had just finished replacing a 15 yr old exterior pedestal main breaker and meter base. His comment was that he see quite a few melt downs due to improper tightening lugs in panels, especially main lugs. His suggestion was retighten everything in panel after first year, then check every 10 years from there. Fluke, Overkill or good advice??? ...Anybody talk to folks about retightening lugs in their panels??? Though probably a good idea on especially older panels that haven't been opened in years.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/L3j6HaAieEU?rel=0 be the first on your block to have one of these puppies

http://www.buildingscience.com/document ... entilation ????

Sorry don't know Joe... can you post a link.... thanks

Kurt: It's not ventilation because it's well established that vents do nothing to reduce roof covering or attic temperatures. Ventilation is about condensation and moisture issues, re: Joe L. well established, guess I missed that, can you post some info, inquiring minds need to know, thanks

Some woodpeckers like shiny stuff to pass the time when they are not digging for bugs, like stainless steel chimneys and the brass plates some folks put on bottom of doors. Amazing amount of noise at sunrise that can be successfully nullified immediately after racking the action of your 870. (So I'm told)

thanks guys, seems that way to me.

Sellers inspection.. Seller very proud of sq D panel and subpanel. Says his setup works to backfeed subpanel through 4 prong RV outlet on exterior with his 5k generator. (Outlet and panel looked good) He said he had to change out some GFCI receptacles because they fried. I encouraged him to have a licensed electrical contractor check out the system, install a proper lockout on main panel breaker so it doesn't backfeed utility. (and get a permit) My question: why would backfeeding blow (remote) GFCI's because seems to me once the power gets to bus bars nothing would be flowing backwards..... backwards just thru RV outlet??? Inquiring minds need to know, what am I missing???

All sealed up both edges of soffit. Yes that is shadow from flash. Thought maybe they had installed a 'SmartVent' under shingles, but shingles are down flat: no gap.

please educate me on this: 5 year old home(s) whole neighborhood built the same. Hip roofs, can vents at ridge. I see no soffit vents and no space at eaves that might indicate venting right under laminate shingles. Attic was inaccessible to check attic for high moisture indicators or see daylight coming in somewhere near eaves. Can't believe they built a whole neighborhood like this unless they know something I should know. like maybe : 'we don't need no stickin vents system' your help would be appreciated.... Jerry Click to Enlarge 31.34 KB Click to Enlarge 33.5 KB Click to Enlarge 31.47 KB Click to Enlarge 27.51 KB

3300' 2 story, 1965 home 2x6 walls, vinyls, subfloor insulated, 8-10" blown in attic, dry moderate climate, extremes of 100+ in summer (avg 80's), near zero in winter (avg 30's). Recommended they add attic insulation and baffle soffit vents. Has newer laminate roof with ridge venting.

Thanks guys

Typically the capacity in tons of a Trane outdoor unit can be determined by dividing the 7th and 8th digit of the model number by 12. Click to Enlarge 39.85 KB Is it ever for the 5th and 6th # which would be a 5 ton?????????

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/20 ... nd-growing Just up in this area yesterday AM, done maybe a half dozen homes in there last couple years. Some very nice log homes. Over 60 homes destroyed in last 24 hrs... Too close to home! CO. NM. CA. ID... Bad fire season, bad winds

Thanks Bill!!!

help please: Seen a few dozen septics with alarms, however never seen this configuration before, small air pump ( running ) and tube going to switch in control/ alarm box. Also running to pvc line which goes underground presumably to septic tank. (no pic) Click to Enlarge 49.39 KB Click to Enlarge 49.59 KB Click to Enlarge 65.04 KB Click to Enlarge 44 KB Click to Enlarge 47.7 KB Click to Enlarge 36.64 KB Click to Enlarge 71.78 KB Click to Enlarge 42.39 KB

yes, I & W shield was there at least what I could see at the eaves... don't know if it extends up the valleys Have not written report yet but will probably say something to the effect: Substandard installation of valleys, standard is to cut laminate shingles 1-2" before the bottom of the valley and not after top layer of shingles has gone up the other side. ... That being said current installation is aesthetically (ugly) however probably will not drastically reduce the water shedding ability of the valley (monitor for debris build up) IF the underlayment, ice and water barrier and lower layer of shingles were properly installed. (inaccessible for full view). Best recommendation is (a different and licensed roofer) install the valleys correctly blah blah What else??

Never seen a lap at valley quite like this, besides being lapped wrong looks like a blind guy with a hatchet trimmed the shingles. 5 year old home. They seemed to be sealed down ok, but bunches of nails in center of shingles... geeeeez Click to Enlarge 31.38 KB Click to Enlarge 26.27 KB Click to Enlarge 77.44 KB Click to Enlarge 82.33 KB Click to Enlarge 62.82 KB Click to Enlarge 77.69 KB Click to Enlarge 77.26 KB Click to Enlarge 76.78 KB

Agree with Scott, write it up as unknown, tell clients to ask owner the purpose, if bank owned call an electrician.

thanks guys

I see 'spider' cracking on Pabco Horizon shingles from time to time, these 3 tab are different. Not a real old roof and all are stuck down good. Weird cause it looks like they continue from one shingle to the next. Could it be something from possible high heat in attic? Sufficient gable vents, no soffit venting???? Click to Enlarge 97.71 KB

agreed Marc.... I make recommendations only

2009 custom home, 4 bedrooms, AFCI in bedrooms. Question is: going into bonus room over the garage is an area just inside double doors from main upstairs hallway, they have built in bunk beds. (2 beds per side) Picture shows bunk bed w/night light on wall after all AFCI in panel were tripped. Click to Enlarge 42.1 KB All bunks have a receptacle on the wall near head of bed. (they call it the bonus room and outlets are for IPOD's or night light) My contention is whether they call it a bedroom or not add AFCI because they certainly set it up as a permanent sleeping area. CYA What say you?

thanks guys, again perfect storm for what is happening, foot of snow, bright and sunny dayscombined w/ sub freezing conditions, older home, substandard insulation and ventilation, warm air from leaky home. recommending a weatherization/ energy pro for further evaluation and repair Hope they can get repaired before moisture gets under shingles and into structure.

We've has an unusal year this year, with snow and freezing temps. These pics are on the shady side of home. No evidence of previous soffit or interior wall to ceiling intersect damage or stains, but again have not seen conditions like this in 6 years I've been inspecting. I'm thinking this is looking like the start of ice dam. 1968 home, 6-8" of insulation and minimal soffit vents. Inaccessible attic in this area to view. Slab of ice is up to 6"-12" up roof from edge and 1-3" deep. What say you? Click to Enlarge 46.78 KB Click to Enlarge 49.55 KB Click to Enlarge 39.95 KB Click to Enlarge 61.25 KB Click to Enlarge 30.77 KB Realize proper venting and good insulation is key? What else would you recommend. thanks Jerry