Jerry Lozier

Good question... If it was on outside of cabinet not much excuse to miss it, inside air handler???? As most of us know it is a pain in butt to take out a few screws to view the insides of some a/c components, and gas units can be a real pain.... however (when I do) I routinely see rust, corrosion, dirty A coil and once in a while BOG and write up accordingly... I do check out the furnace section but must say usually don't check out a/c if too inaccessible Guess my question what is too inaccessible... do most of us pull panels for reasonable accessiblity to inside a/c or not... Is pulling a few screws technically exhaustive... just wondering....whats your opinions ?? guess getting sued might change the perspective...

usually moisture related...lack of ventilation/ condensation, don't know about heat...although excessive heat can cook asphalt shingles, I don't know that it would cause delamination

You guys gave such rave reviews on the panasonic DMC-TZ5 cameras...I bought one and HAVE NOT been disappointed, great camera, easy to use, great macro....thanks Now, upgrade time for my gps...I've used a Garmin for 4 years, the (2 @$50 each) upgrades I purchased (they want yearly) has never showed new roads,(at least in our area of WA state) and some of those roads and neighborhoods are 5+ years old... accuracy has been good but w/o new roads I end up having to call the local fire dept business office for directions.... Soooo anybody got suggestions for gps with current roads, or upgrades that actually upgrade other than something other than NYC or LA

Sure it was grounded?? If it is ungrounded (3prong no ground) my tester won't work on them as in older 2 wire system, however if they work via button they are suppose to be ok Jerry

So.... here in WA is that a endorsement/ referral????

I always recommend clients upgrade to current standards when it comes to gfci protection if the home is lacking.... However had not thought much about recommending homes (especially older) be upgraded with afci protection to current standards in bedrooms.(at this time) And it sounds like before long the new houses will be completely afci and gfci protected. Question: So whats the prevailing thot here, is that something you address specifically in your report on say a 30+ years old home and possible report wording?? thanks.... Jerry

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I think you are correct.... I had sent mine in a couple weeks ago on the wrong form (they had not posted 'experienced' app yet. Rhonda called me and said she would hold or refund $$$ and to download and fill out the new form) which I have done....... So I stand corrected... Thanks Richard

When I talked with Rhonda a few day ago she indicated there would be about 7 sites around the state to take exams, probably the same locations where WSDA SPI exams take place.... when I downloaded application off website below it says " Once approved, you will recieve a letter with additional info explaining the exam process" All your paperwork ( application, log of 100 inspections, proof of experience, and $680 ) has to be submitted before exam DOL Home Inspector Home page: www.dol.wa.gov/business/homeinspectors/

Gor it........ thanks guys for the fast comeback........ Jerry

Heres the scenerio: New home... garden tub in master bath, supported by rim only. Couple inch gap below tub to subfloor ( particle board and engineered floor joists) anyone heard of support by pouring a concrete 'slab' beneath as opposed to support by wood. Concrete seems a little overkill no idea the manf. of garden tub so cannot refer to manf instructions thanks Jerry

I get a reading that says 'false ground' when it is near a main or sub panel. Found out the hard way by not realizing SureTest would do this. I pulled the cover on outlet and sure nuf it looked properly grounded ( no jumper) checked other outlets in home showed it was properly grounded.... So when I find an older house 'pre 70's' with grounded outlets ( with my cheapy $7 tester) I pull out the SureTest and check a few outlets as far away from panel as possible... usually works Any comments or caveats concerning SureTest or other test criteria??????? Jerry Jerry

Mike $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ My first clue (unless evident) that it is a Manf. Home is the electric meter and main breaker are on a pedestal somewhere out away from the home/ with a subpanel inside.... If I remember correctly they cannot mount meter 'on' a manf home??? Question...Any modular homes setup with a pedestal, or are they attached to the structure like other stick built home???????? Jerry

Got an email from Rhonda Myers @ DOL today: (I had emailed to her my proof of experience and list of 100 pre June 12, 2008 inspections .... asking her if what I had met DOL criteria) ( it was ok) Her Quote back to me was: you will need to provide all your documentation along with your license application: proof of time in home inspection business, and submit everything to the department. Completed applications with all the required documentation will recieve an approval letter. The approval letter will be required by the exam provider in order for you to take the exam... We are still on target to begin testing on May 1, 2009... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ According to application instructions... you have to submit a fee of $680.00 (non-refundable) along with the application.... what a blessing

Mike, I see they have an application at DOL site, however not much to do until they schedule testing ( as cat 1 inspector) then submit app and take the test? is that correct?

I couldn't get you pic to open, there may be exceptions Rule of thumb I use is , trap in same room vertical distance from fixture outlet to trap weir is max of 24" so velocity won't siphon trap Horiz run should not be greater than 30" cc, on longer runs flow may not have enough velocity to drain

I use a noncontact AC voltage detector to test for live wires, ( knob and tube etc) however seems to go nuts in high static area, sometimes within a foot or two.... so can be unreliable at times any voltage tester out there that is not as suseptible to static or other suggestions?? thanks Jerry

seems to be one of the FPE problems was breakers not tripping when they were suppose to....How do you 'see' that??

I can understand the whiny realtors.... but what is the thinking of Electrical Contractors Board not wanting FPE or Sylvania/Zinsco called out for possible and or known safety concerns ?? Based on history? So if you see a double tap or frayed wire that is all you call out??? makes me wonder if that will come about in WA state if we do not have an advisory board made up of HI's Jerry

I did an inspection for a couple in there late 50's on Friday. They own a home that is paid for.... and are buying a 2nd home... plan on selling the first one when they retire They said because they have not bought a house in 3 years they have qualified for a $8K tax credit for buying a home. They did not have to be a 1st time buyer to qualify... anyway they said this was part of stimulus package. I hadn't heard of this before??? anybody got more info on this Jerry

I give them a discount on next inspection if the house fails their approval (not from financing problem, etc) Mike: I've always finish my inspections and generate a report.... even when they make it plain this house isn't for them how do you handle paperwork if they cancel halfway through inspection?? Jerry

Mike, any word on if Wa state will use the NHIE as the state exam, or come up with there own in house... Jerry

This is from an attorney, they seem to beat the fire engines....however has some good info especially the part about the sheetrock on ceilings viewed from attics http://www.serpefirm.com/reports/U3X7ML ... 045800.cfm

Seems like a lot of this showing up in East and SE.... haven't heard a lot about it being used out West and PNW, any inspectors finding this out here or is the problem not as wide spread and more regional??

I'm new to forum and my have missed this somewhere in archives so here goes Question: probably for Mike O'Handley ?... (1)Why no E&O insurance requirement in Bill (or bond similar to SPI requirements) (2)and is a limit on liability going to be pursued by board or is it past that point?? ALSO Got word that on Friday (from Committee Legal Counsel,) the mold issue has been struck from the Bill and the Long Distance learning requirement trimmed to 20 of the 120 hours of classroom learning to get a license. This is good.... especially the mold issue