Bill Kibbel

Clawfoot tubs.

The stains show that more than just a leak at the drain occurred. Nothing will continue grow if there's no moisture. After the leaks are fixed and everything's dry, spray it with Concrobium (sodium carbonate and TSP). Probably not necessary but folks that believe all the hype about mold feel better.

Might be helpful for some folks inspecting slate roofs. historicbldgs.com/slate_roof.htm

I've been in a couple timber framed homes with SIPs. One was a reassembled 18th century barn frame. The panels were applied to the exterior, not tween the timbers.

Some early galvanized piping is known to have some very small amounts of cadmium and lead introduced with the zinc coating. Never have I heard of any health issue.

If it isn't posts in the ground, what is it? What are the design advancements?

At first glance, it looks like a 4-day infomercial.

Marc, You described a one-pipe steam system. A gravity hot water system is... well Dan can describe it in much more detail here: https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/gravity-hot-water-heating-q-and-a/

That boiler was manufactured for a gravity hot water system.

That 8' clearance is not required for direct vent. Think about where sidewall terminations are! How high above the roof are those terminations? I think it's 24" max.

I'm quite sure they're confusing an inspector's responsibility with the appraiser's task. I don't know any inspector that determines square feetsies.

Before oil, it was coal. The chains were connected to the 2 dampers on a coal furnace/boiler. A thermostat signaled the motors for the chains to raise and lower the dampers to regulate the intensity of the fire.

Brick-red boots and some gray are silicone based, not rubber or epdm, and usually listed for high temp applications (400+F).