Greg Booth

........and on the bottom surface (just below what you can see in Chad's sketch), just in from the outer edge is a routed groove. The purpose of which is to break the surface tension of the flowing water so it drips off, rather than flow down onto the band trim and foundation surface......Greg

.............in the late 60's, Ryan homes was experimenting with all metal framing, similar to what you're pic shows. I know of only 4 homes done in one of their developments in a Rochester suburb..........Greg

..........first a disclaimer - I'm in NY and do not do inspections in Pa. That said, my inspection business is primarily manufactured/modular homes because I have sold, installed, serviced and inspected these homes for 25 years. I maintain installers and dealers licenses (and appropriate bonds) in addition to my HI license. There is also a requirement to attend routine continuing education. There is no question that these structures are a breed-apart from stick-built and the inspector that looks at one or two per year would benefit from some specialized training. There is some manufactured home CE available in NY (that I have attended) which will afford CE credit towards our HI ticket, but that's the only benefit - the substance was a joke. I would support the concept of some specialized training, even though it might erode my niche market. Not to worry though, I'll be long retired before any substantive changes would/could occur.............Greg

..........I believe it's a very typical vinyl, prime window with a built-in J-mold/nailing flange. The stucco substrate has been extended into the J receiver and the stucco applied. It appears to be located in an area protected by a deep roof overhang - simple caulking may be all that's needed..............Greg

Recently I tuned an old wood jack plane. I mean it's as good as it was in 1860. After a few test passes, I had it perfect and the transparent layers just a few cells thick seemed motorized as they emerged from the throat. The stroke was effortless. Perfect ribbons of walnut fell to the floor. The sound was clean and indescribable. The tool felt happy. When the bricklayer's skill is unnecessary, when no work is done with hand tools and the finesse lies within keys tapped by a programmer, it won't be a better world. ...........I agree with Chad. As I write this, I think back to my summer-high-school job in the 1960's as a helper with a local builder. Nothing was subbed-out, all the tradesmen were permanent employees. As the mason would raise the chimney on each home, so to would rise the pile of empty beer cans at its base. Wonder why he always rode to and from work with a buddy[:-paperba Anyway, these were very nice homes then, built by real craftsmen, that command astounding dollars 50, years later.........Greg

.........he's asked the same question on IN.......Greg

...........the device is a shower head with an internal electric heating element. Powered thru zip-cord/plug from the shower wall or ceiling.

.........are suicide showers in use?........Greg

.......it is indeed an HP..........have a couple here in this little town. With locally growing Mennonite and Amish communities, they're making a comeback - that should give you a clue Marc.......Greg

.........are you sure they are Pex (cross-linked poly)? As noted above there are many kinds of "plastic". I've worked with many poly-bute systems in the manufactured home industry (Quest) and the vast majority of failures were attributed to the acetal plastic fittings - only occasionally did I see actual pipe failures. Due to that sad experience, that we still see almost daily in older HUD Code homes, I can't bring myself to use anything but brass with today's cross-linked systems. And they perform very, very well...........Greg

..........I've owned worse.........Greg

........may be a light weight brand siding specifically provided for the HUD code market, although many manufacturers are now using standard grade materials. Also, it may be fastened with staples which are easily over-driven and end up too tight. And last, the sheathing may be very flimsy material which provides lots of bumps and lumps. As suggested, it's a good idea to unzip (the siding[:-paperba) and look at the behind the scenes aspects of the install.......Greg Marc, who was the manufacturer?

.........did you write-up that missing j-box cover? []

.......pill bug it is. Scientific name is armadillo-something or other.........Greg

..........in the late 80's and early 90's a number of brands were using small fans as part of an effort at fresh-air introduction. The concept was driven by the formaldehyde off-gassing issues within the industry. I've seen fans located in rooftop vents, similar to bathroom exhausts, that the owner never knew existed 'til they heard funny noises when the fan began to fail/squeak. Not one of the industry's better ideas[:-paperba...........Greg

.........I'll pass that along, Thanks, Greg

...........same condition after a couple of months........Greg

The fixtures are Moen, basic style - all single lever in kitchen & bath. Problem existing for a couple of months, apparently noticed after the main-line repair. Thanks to all for replies.......Greg

The problem/question: whenever a faucet is turned on, there is a quick "spritz" of air/bubbles - happens at cold and hot water, and all locations in home. I have tried to diagnose (long distance) and learned the following: 1) The house is on municipal water - situated at the top of a hill in a residential area 2) Water pressure delivered at 75 psi 3) There is a pressure regulator, which I suspect is failing, as owner states pressure has declined over the past months 4) There is a multi zoned lawn sprinkler system 5) One sprinkler zone is piped before the pressure regulator 6) An outdoor leak in the pvc water supply was repaired about 2 months ago 7) A new water heater was installed about 1 month ago Owner says there is no expansion tank in the water system Any ideas would be appreciated........Greg

..........I've pressed the like button......Greg

........although the antecedents of today's manufactured home lie in the RV/trailer realm, if it was intended to be permanent, fixed living quarters the term mobile home would be most appropriate. This is from the industry perspective. That said, most of the older residents in my over-55 park still refer to their own units as "trailers". As diligently as the industry tries to displace the trailer moniker, it's an uphill battle. I always laugh when, invariably, the on-air news folks will always say that "the criminal was apprehended at home in his trailer". I've never heard it said that the criminal was apprehended at home in his center-entrance colonial or cape-cod. [?].......Greg

..........many manufacturers offer every floor they build in either HUD Code versions or Mod versions. The "hybrid" mods on permanent, all steel frames are typically termed "easy-set" basement versions - but believe me, they are not easy to set......Greg

.........I built my first home in 1975. It too, took about 11 years of building - and never was really finished. And that's where the similarity to this home ends![:-paperba......Greg

......at the risk of being pedantic, I offer the following comment with respectful intent. If the home you are inspecting was manufactured prior to 1976, it is appropriately described as a "mobile home". If the manufacture date is subsequent to 1976, it would be described as a "HUD Code Manufactured Home" - those in the industry simply refer to them as "HUD Codes". Of course there is the further distinction between single and multi-section units. Simply using the term "manufactured home" will suffice nicely, and will be professionally accurate. Only if you could hook the home to your vehicle and tow it away should it be termed a trailer.......Greg PS. Even though a Modular is also built in a factory, and therefore in the broadest sense is a manufactured home, its a different breed and must be distinguished as such.

.......my take: if actually installed in a window, it should be considered a portable unit. The same equipment installed in a thru-wall sleeve should be considered permanent /fixed..........Greg