JeremyDP

Really? If the municipality accepts the method of the cover install you tell the client that IRC disagrees? Don't you think that might cause confusion on the client's part? If the municipality accepts it, why mention it? After all, it is installed correctly in that municipality. I'm just trying to understand reasoning. Thank you!

From 2009 IRC: R905.2.5 Fasteners. Fasteners for asphalt shingles shall be galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or copper roofing nails, minimum 12 gage [0.105 inch (3 mm)] shank with a minimum 3/8-inch (10 mm) diameter head, ASTM F 1667, of a length to penetrate through the roofingmaterials and a minimum of 3/4 inch (19 mm) into the roof sheathing. Where the roof sheathing is less than 3/4 inch (19mm)thick, the fasteners shall penetrate through the sheathing. Fasteners shall comply with ASTM F 1667.

For cleaning, the big box stores carry something called JOMAX Roof Cleaner and Mold, Mildew Remover. Works like a charm. Just follow directions.

I missed this yesterday. Happy Day After Birthday Chad! Hope you had a good one!

You should call the local housing authority. Here, we have so many towns (and each with their own regulations). I inspected a condo in July that didn't have fire walls in the attic and the four units all had access to the attic. The housing authority said fire walls are only required when the attic space is at least 5000 square feet. My client told me the builder was going to install a more secure hatch, as I pointed out in the report that this was a security issue.

I Can't speak to the why, but I recently had unwanted growth on my roof. After visiting one of the big box hardware stores I bought a concentrate that mixing with water and bleach. Spray it on, wait a couple mins, then hose it off. Works GREAT!!!

Hi stryped, it is not necessary to start a new thread for each response. Instead of clicking the New Topic button, click the Reply-Quote button or the Reply To Topic button. If you have outlets in a garage, they should all be GFCI protected.

Hey Jim, curious, are you using IRC? When I looked up info on the return, you said to look up 311.5.6.2 but I found: R311.7.7.2 Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to awall shall have a space of not less than 11/2 inch (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails. Brandon, does the IRC get updated regularly? Like every 3 years? I like the 2006 diagram you have. For anyone interested, here is a link to a use group study on various people and handrail uses: http://www.stairways.org/code_changes/A ... 090105.pdf (coincidentally, the guy who did the study, is from here - St. Louis, MO)

Thank you both for your replies! Ah, yeah, 2-way switches are the new thing here... [:-paperba (Just kidding!) I corrected my OP. OK, so I have the 2009 IRC. It sounds like I also need the NEC. Any other documentation that is needed, or will help (not just for electric, but the whole house)?

OK, so while looking through the 2009 IRC PDF, I spent some time looking at the electrical sections. If all of a garage is not procected by GFCIs do you report it regardless of the age of the house? And at what level? My opinion is yes, it is reported, but since the house is older maybe have it in the FYI or Suggestions area of the report. Same for illuminated 2-way 3-way [edited] switches for stairs. For the kitchen, I thought I read somewhere else that if there are more than 3 outlets, then a second GFCI and circuit needs to be present. However, the only thing I saw on kitchens is that all outlets should be GFCI protected. With these, do we need to see when the code change was put into effect? And not sure where to post this, so I thought I'd include it here... For stair railing, I thought I read somewhere else that the ends should be connected to the wall to prevent purse, gym bags, etc from getting snagged and causing possible tripping on the stairs. Where can I read about this? I did an unsuccessful search on the IRC PDF. Thanks!

Thank you Jim, and everyone who has sent me an inspection report. For now, I would like to call a cease fire on reviewing my report. I have much more to correct than I thought I would have. When my report has been rewritten, I will open the flood gates again. Again, Thank you all. And thank you all for not holding back.

Thank you for the pricing sales pitch ideas! I had no idea people would call. I'm guessing the ones that call are more serious about the inspection. And the ones that don't are probably just price shopping. Still working on the report changes. There was one brave sole who sent me a sample report (and I APPRECIATE it). That will certainly help. If anyone else would like to send me a sample of their's, I assure you I will not distribute it. And I will delete it once my report has been rewritten.

Thank you all for the feedback. The changes to the pricing on the website have been made. You are right, I was trying to lure clients in to get some more experience under my belt. I believe the scratched out pricing is about what this area can handle (there is a member here who's prices are cheaper, so I do not want to go much lower than what I have now). And the "intro" rates are $50 less across the board. As for the report, unfortunately it is the result of several reports I have looked at from a couple here and some from one of the national organization's members. A Lot of pain went into the report as it is all mine completed in Word. While I am changing my report meet your sugguestions I would love to see some of yours. If you do not mind sending them to me, that would be much appreciated (jdpaschedag@hotmail.com). If anyone is interested, from my small sample audience, the colored borders were there to separate the sections from each other. And to identify when one section was finished and another one begins. The Areas of Concern is for those who do not care that I looked at a bathroom fixture that didn't have any problems. It seems some people only report problems and some report everything they looked at. I liked that latter, but wanted to provide the issues upfront so they do not have to look at the entire report. I did change the Inspection Limitations area to match my Inspection Agreement. And I moved the General Conditions info to the cover page. The rest will take a bit of work. As I told my wife, I LOVE the inspection part, but the reports are a killer. Can't we just do an inspection and verbally tell them the problems??? lol Then the onus is on them... (Just Kidding!!!) I will repost the updated report when all of the changes are complete. Again Thank You for your time and feedback!

Hello, I finally have a report ready for critique. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I'm looking for all input, bad and good. It's a critique, so please do not hold back. http://www.aSmartInspection.com/docs/samplereport.pdf Thank you!

Thank you ALL for you input!

Thank you for the info. I was thinking that it might be mildew. I am not sure if the well wall is single or double. I'm assuming that it's single with the amount of condesate. The tank is at eye level so I did not look inside. By the sounds of it, I should have. I will definitely need to read up on well water and their tanks. This was only my second inspection (first house). My first inspection was a condo. Once I'm finished with the report, I plan to post it for critique.

Thank you Mike! And thank you for report instructions too! I have not yet read your links, but is it normal for this to be on the concrete wall, but knot the bare studs? Is this possibly mold in the attic too?

None of the black spots looked fuzzy nor raised. Yes, concrete walls in the bathroom.

Yesterday I inspected a house that had a full bathroom in the garage. This bathroom contains a small electric water heater just for it (and the sink on the other side of the wall, still in the garage), a water softener for the entire house, and a well water tank and pump that feeds the water softener. The well water pump and lines to and from have condensation dripping from them. And the room is not conditioned. This bathroom is rarely used and the door is kept closed. Two of the walls are concrete, one of which is common to the lower level of the house. This common wall is filled with black spots, there is exposed framing that does not have any of these black spots. How do I know if this is mold? Click to Enlarge 44.13 KB Oddly enough in the attic with the same common wall to the house, it is darkened. Again, neighboring materials are not affected. And there are no signs of water intrusion in the attic. Click to Enlarge 60.73 KB If the water lines are wrapped, will this eliminate the condensation on them? Can anyone point me in the right direction? Or to some reading? Thanks!

I'm wondering if he says he will do all kinds of business with you to get you to lower the price, but the video for this guy... I'm wondering if he wants to use that to learn how to do inspections. Jim, great idea on how to address someone who claims they will have a bunch of inspections for you in the future.

I have solar powered walkway lights. They work great. Not sure about spot/security lights, but my walk lights are dim. The 7 used provide adequate lighting for it's purpose and they stay lit all through the night.

There are actually several colleges/universities that offer some type of environmental degree. But those are naturally geared towards green efforts. I know in Missouri we have at least three that offer it. My alma mater, Webster University, has an Environmental Management degree in there Master's program.

Shouldn't the wires be stapled to the joists? It looks like they are hanging a bit.

Wonder why the lawsuit didn't add the seller to the list, since they didn't disclose the defaults that they knew about. Maybe because the seller is an individual and not a company?

Thank you Jim! Sorry if I have frustrated you. Just playing devils advocate. And trying to learn from you guys that have been doing inspections for a while.