Bill Kibbel

It's caused by using the wrong type of mortar for later repointing.http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advic ... onry.shtml

Mel is the head of Building Science & Technoligy?

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The bricks on the interior wythe were specifically selected for interior use because they were the furthest from the heat source in the kiln (underfired). The skin is inadequate for the face of the brick to remain exposed. The moisture that is in the brick wall now only has one path out - inwards, taking out what little skin was on the brick. It's an epidemic. Folks buy expensive brick homes in exclusive historic areas, strip all the plaster to expose the brick, then ask "why is there constantly red dust all over my home?"

Aha! The Portland-based cement stucco is trapping the moisture in the brick walls. Skin-fired bricks should never, ever have stucco or "Brick-face" (so popular here), containing Portland cement applied. If the bricks were still exposed on the exterior, the pointing and bedding mortar is lime-based and the interior lime-based plaster was still present, not a single brick would be failing.

You are correct. It's not unique to plaster on gypsum lath though. It was being used by the early '20s with plaster on wood lath as well. The common (brand) name is Cornerite. It was applied to inside corners of walls and at wall-to-ceiling joints. It was used because of the constant cracks at these joints when Portland based cement plaster replaced lime-based plaster I think I have a pic of it somewhere...

If the bricks are spalling on the interior, it's likely from moisture wicking or trapped in the wall. The big problem is that an asshole completely removed the plaster to expose the bricks inside the home.

Not only low, but unlawful activity. NYS CODE OF ETHICS AND REGULATIONS FOR HOME INSPECTORS Section 197-4.6 Written Reports (a) Home inspectors shall provide a written report containing the results of a home inspection.

Push wire connectors (Ideal In-Sure is one brand). I'd be very surprised if any are listed for use with AL.

It's a bad attempt at imitating the "ragged butt" style slate roof. Click to Enlarge 24.25 KB

Should be Certainteed or Hardie-- installation instructions are similar. Is there another manufacturer of this stuff that I am not aware of? Certainteed and Hardie.... They all require some type of joint treatment, or at least last I checked. If any instructions show otherwise, I'd defer to building code requirements. I'm too tired to research this stuff right now. The installation instructions keep getting updated/ changed. When Hardie started recommending the use of flashing at butt joints, they stated on their instructions that if flashing was not used, then caulking was required... I'm not 100% sure who manufactured that siding, but am 99% sure it's one of the 2 manufacturers above. That's why I told the OP to get a copy of the manufactuers installation instructions and didn't just post a set from Certainteed or Hardie. Bill-- I have a feeling you already know all of this, and are hinting that I should post more specific or precise info. when I do post?? Unfortunately, my current work load doesn't allow for the time to do so......... I asked the questions so I (and anyone else reading the thread) had up-to-date info. I thought that both Hardie and Certainteed now specifically require flashing behind butt joints. When I read your post, I thought maybe that changed.

In addition to the above responses, I would be looking for sources of excessive moisture in the home and why so much warm, moist air is getting into the attic.

Probably. For absolute verification, listed gas appliance connectors will have ANSI z21.24 stamped on the nuts or on a metal collar on the tubing.

Have you identified the manufacturer by the pictures? Which manufacturer doesn't require flashing behind the joints? Which manufacturer requires caulking if not flashed?

The musty smell already tells you that there's mold. Spend money on fixing the moisture issue, not on finding out the Latin name for the specific stuff growing.

John, If you are from New York City - Why are you advertising a contractor in Calgary Canada? Why is your IP address in India?

It's just a digital wall switch timer. Very commonly used for controlling outdoor lighting.

No - the images were uploaded with spaces and commas in the file names.

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"Condensate goes directly back into the boiler." That should be a "boiler bypass", but I can't tell where the pipe comes from in the picture.

The first one is pretty recent. The second one was mass produced in France. It became the most common parlour stove throughout the US during the second half of the 19th century. I see them quite frequently. Unfortunately, the enamel finish is often destroyed by folks using them for burning wood.

I know of a couple manufacturers of SBS modified asphalt shingles - Atlas is one and I think Malarkey(?) is the other. I read something not too long ago that more manufacturers are likely to move to polymer modified for their premium lines. When mod bit first came out for low-slope membranes, most folks where calling them "rubber roofs". Now it looks like it's come up again for these premium shingles. Not a good idea since the "rubber" shingles could be interpreted as they're gettin' a synthetic slate roof.

Shouldn't that be bus?

Bill is there any code which states he should only be looking for those items? I'd like to state in my response. What I stated is typical for several NJ municipalities for issuing a "continued use" C/O. It's not a statewide code. Could there possibly be a previous permit on the structure that never closed with a final inspection? I think it can only be one of the two issues I mentioned that would cause the building official to not allow continued occupancy of the building.

If the home previously passed all final construction inspections, then a resale C/O should only include: Smoke detector on each level and bedrooms, C/O detectors 10' from each bedroom and a fire extinguisher w/in 10' of the kitchen. He's overreaching. Up in that corner of the state, it could be that he's fi$hing. Get a hidden camera