Bill Kibbel

I've inspected probably hundreds of floor assemblies that have had every joist sistered. I get a lot of those "types" of buildings. If it's done correctly, and the issue that caused the problem to the original joists has been corrected, it's not an issue. Sometimes the sistering was done just to level the floor after the original floor joists deflected. Sometimes it's done to accomodate additional live loads than the original joists can handle.

I don't see any mention of B-vent installations, just names of vent manufacturers and specific adapters. I thought direct vent decorative gas appliances required specific coaxial/concentric vent systems. I thought the space between walls of B-vents isn't intended to be used to supply combustion air. Yes? No?

Are there any direct vent appliances that use B-vents?

It's no for a couple furnace brands and one brand of connector (that I know of).

Good question James. Some time ago, I asked this question of a State code official and the reply was: "Flexible connectors are permitted to extend through an appliance housing where the connector is protected by means of a factory equipped grommet". A local gas company official responded with the same. So I assumed it was allowed, but then: I have found a few furnace installation instructions that state what you found. The installation instructions of one popular brand of connector states: "DO NOT conceal connector or run connector through enclosed outdoor BBQ pits, walls, partitions, floors or appliance panels. So the answer to the question of connectors passing through a furnace or boiler cabinet is yes and no.

You can usually confirm it by the printed/embossed "AL" or "Aluminium" on the cable jacket.

The other pictures show that it's cellulose. Grayish white is the most common color in our area. A doctor - to find out what's wrong with your nasal polyps, then some friends - to help pack up your stuff and move.

Most likely cellulose.

I don't think Sid Harvey manufactures water heaters. I thought they wholesale major brands and manufacture some HVAC parts. The model number shown is the same format as Ford oil-fired water heaters. Ford doesn't put a date code in the serial #. They print a separate 4 digit mmyy. I think that's what the 4 digits are on the bottom left.

PA Home Inspectors Coalition had it posted at their web site.

Who you hiring to inspect it? [:-eyebrow I really like folks that make efforts like this to preserve historic buildings.

Termination for solid fuel can not be within 10' of any part of the building. Gas vents can not terminate less than 8' from a vertical wall. That installation is just like terminating too close to a parapet wall. The only exception is for terminations at "decorative shrouds" that are listed/labeled for use with the specific vent system and installed per the manufacturer's instructions.

How do you determine a flue is too small without seeing/measuring the fireplace opening to flue ratio?

They make up their own rules and change them at any moment to deny claims. They probably just want to drop some riskier, older housing from coverage and will make up anything to cancel policies. There's only 2 insurers I recommend for old house insurance and then, only written from 2 specific agencies.

http://phic.info/surveyresults.pdf

I haven't read it - I'm just assuming it's the earlier Bill reintroduced. I know all the parties involved with that one. Anything would be better than the current law we've had for 14 years. Some goofy regulations, no board, no enforcement and no oversight. I was involved with the license legislation in NJ. This Bill will trigger the same opposition. New guys will think the hurdles are to high and intended to restrict new competition and there shouldn't be grandfathering. Old guys will think the field training requirement is way too light. We inspectors already licensed in a stricter State (NJ) will just have to pay a fee. - My opinion at this moment.

It's a cap that's typically installed as a last attempt to correct down-draft problems. Google Vacustack or something close to that. The gas conversion should have triggered a level II.

Intended to repeal many provisions of the Home Inspection Law of 2001, establish the Pennsylvania Board of Home Inspectors and provide for licensure of home inspectors. http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Leg ... 81&pn=0057 This looks like it may be a reintroduction of the PA senate Bill that died in the 2009 session.

Secondary glazing - exterior side. Regularly accepted by even the strictest HARBs.

I think Bock is probably the best. I think the best of the inexpensive is Rheem.

I don't use it on cables, only individual wires.

I've had many false positives but never, ever a false negative.

...if we were selling it! Interesting though.

Thank you, Frank. This topic is now on the front page as "Latest news for Home Inspectors".

Brass is an allow made from copper and zinc. 67% copper is the minimum for piping (yellow brass). The good stuff is 85% copper (red brass).