Bill Kibbel

Is it the only return vent in the room? I intentionally installed a return vent over a stove in my home, but it's not the only one. There are several more in the rather large great room.

Recharging transformers and/or plug-in air fresheners that warm oil.

I thought so.

Dude! That's the exact roof that came with Lustron all-steel homes. Looking at the proportions, that house just might be a Lustron. I think there were only about 2500 made. The walls covered with 2x2 panels - the same enameled steel as the old washing machines. If'n it is one, tell your buyers they have to hang pictures and curtains with magnets.

If it was caused by lack of ventilation, the shingles over where the roof extends beyond the gable-end wall would not have the granule loss.

When I click the pic, it won't display larger. It looks like an Intermatic whole house surge protector. The black wires should connect to a 20A, 240V 2-pole breaker.

She said it's built in the 1800s. Why are you surprised there's no insulation? Of course there's no vapor barrier! Do you know anything about how buildings were built before you were born? It was built in the 1800s! There's no requirement to meet current "construction standards"`. In many cases the construction methods and materials are far superior to current "minimum requirements". I can't keep count how many times retrofitting insulation and vapor barriers have caused moisture/condensation issues and paint failures where none ever existed before. You're sending her on an expensive trip down a path that has nothing to do with a little algae on the siding.

No, there's absolutely no correlation between the algae growth and the lack of insulation.

I've got it on the southwest facing sides of my home, that happen to be facing a large pond. Spray sodium hypochlorite to kill it and scrub with TSP to clean it but, it will come back again. Is your black in color? Interesting we both face bodies of water ... Yes, it's black. We've also got 2 shades of green in other areas on unpainted wood.

It's algae. The original posts sez the sunniest side gets it the most - it's not from moisture or condensation. Replacing wood with fiber cement siding won't fix it. The best brand of paint won't fix it. I've got it on the southwest facing sides of my home, that happen to be facing a large pond. Spray sodium hypochlorite to kill it and scrub with TSP to clean it but, it will come back again.

You responded to the post with an opinion you formed in your head. Oh, that's right, it's from your interviews with 500 Chinese. Okay Mr. Accurate, what exactly did you see that indicated it would provide minimal heat?

Where the F... do you come up this this shit. What I know about these systems at first came from my manufacture-sponsored training from.... this particular manufacturer. Then I have worked with top-of-the-industry folks for 2 decades spec'ing HVAC retrofits to several historic building museums that are, guess what - horribly drafty and not insulated at all. We chose these systems specifically to minimize collateral damage and disruption to historic materials. They work very well, with no issues keeping up with heating drafty and inefficient construction. So Kurt, show me the research data and list your professional experience that backs up your claim. I see you checked with Mr. Google after your initial post.

There is NO auxiliary heat. As I described above, it's completely unnecessary - unless the installer didn't size or install the system correctly. What is shown in the pictures is certainly not a ducted system.

I completely disagree. You can't compare these to American ducted heat pump systems. The split-ductless models with the variable refrigerant flow certainly provide 100% adequate heat (if sized and installed properly) in ambient temps as low as -13 degrees.

Always the 'spensive board.

Not mature enough to be 100% positive, but it's probably the White Mulberry. Unlike the native Red Mulberry, it's considered an invasive species. I did some research on a silk mill building and read about the introduction of the Red Mulberry. It was brought from China when there were major efforts to establish silk industries in this area in the late 18th century. Seeds are spread quickly by many types of critters and it grows very rapidly. It has spread to all Continental States. Like Mike's description, they grow like weeds even after becoming a tree.

Residential clients need to be there and on time. I ain't going through twice. 65% of commercial clients send someone over to drop off a check and the signed agreement. They don't want anything verbal. Most of the rest send their facilities manager from their current building to go through with me.

Because the label has "American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation Plumbing & Heating Division" it has to be before '67. That year and later it would read "American Standard Corporation".

Absolutely, on homes of that period. From a 1957 Popular Science article: Click to Enlarge 47.5 KB

Sure. I've seen it on many homes built during the 1950s. Most in this area are modest ranch style homes built on slab. I've seen old print ads for it too.

Our residential reports are emailed by 5:00 PM on the next business day after the inspection. Commercial and multi-family reports are often 48 hours after. I've never had an issue - other than occasionally an agent will ask "We'll have the report tonight, right?". I give 'em a quick "nope" and that's the end of it.

It's a Mueller.

The first item was a device for an old method of patching tire inner tubes. The side with the bowl of spikes would have something flammable - I don't know what - and the heat would conduct to the patch and tube, clamped on the other side. If related, I'm guessing the hammer thing was for removing and seating tires to rims.

So the folks that have ropes on their ladders don't have any skills? If I saw anyone "bouncing" a ladder on any part of my home, they'd find themselves rapidly descending towards the earth.

That's why we use the Xtend & Climb brand.