Bill Kibbel

I frequently tell folks that "xxxx needs repairs, but don't be surprised if a contractor uses the service call as an opportunity to make a big sale". I can't count how many times: - a roofer has tried to sell a new roof when it only needs minor repairs - an electrician tries to sell a new service when the panel only needs minor corrections - a chimney sweep tries to sell major repairs when a flue only needs a good brushing - etc., etc. If an inspector can't determine if a roof needs repair or replacement, I suggest the inspector might need to learn more about roofing. There's too many inspectors trying to hide from telling their clients the truth.

Did you check the toilets for hot water?

I think we do this every year. See the last post: www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5310

Yes, it's how they're always installed. No, it's not how they're designed to be installed. Read the manufacturers installation instructions. Read the instructions from the manufacturer of the main breaker.

It's an iron cored transformer capable of probably up to 15000v output. New transformers still look exactly like it. JD is likely correct. If it isn't for a neon sign, it's for a Tesla coil!

Queen Anne Could it be the spirit of an old friend that lives there?

Not here. The last reassessment in this county was in 1972. It pisses off all of the McMansion buyers when they find out.

#1 - I don't know the size of the building (length of air lines) or the complexity of the control system, but for a small to moderate size building, the price seems rather high. I regularly see rather common compressors, but not the type used by carpenters shootin' nails. I would think a supplier could match the specs of the present model and if you could do the install, the church would likely save some bucks. You could also contact the manufacturer of the pneumatic controls for guidance. #2 - I don't know about drier filters. I've only seen refrigerated dehydrators. I wish Terry McCann was still around.

IRC, including NJ Edition: "R703.10 Fiber cement siding. R703.10.2 Horizontal lap siding. Lap siding shall be lapped a minimum of 1-1/4 inches and shall have the ends sealed with caulking, covered with an H-section joint cover, or located over a strip of flashing. Lap siding courses may be installed with the fastener heads exposed or concealed, according to approved manufacturers’ installation instructions".

Here it is: www.ul.com/regulators/W&CMG_April2007_Final.pdf

MTW - Machine Tool Wire, dry locations THHN - Thermoplastic insulation, dry locations THWN - Thermoplastic insulation, wet locations All the above would be marked "SUNLIGHT RESISTANTâ€

Wow, that's a lot of info on a boiler in a furnace age chart. (insert shut-up you smart-ass smiley here)

It would only take my wife a couple days to take out the porch. Then on day three, she would bulldoze the condensing unit into the gas meter. The scary part is that it would be on purpose.

It was funny. I received that in my e-mail several years ago. It was a doctored photo. Look at the lighting angle. The naughty bits would not have been illuminated enough to be exposed to the camera.

I've seen them fail as early as 50 years. I've seen some make it to 85 years. More info here: www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/cemen ... fing.shtml

Many are trained to turn service calls into $ales calls. A neighbor's heat pump quit and was told the indoor portion, outdoor portion, supply ducts and returns all need replacement. It worked fine after we replaced the start capacitor.

I can't help you with the age, but: 1) In 1981, Borg-Warner (York) bought the furnace division of Westinghouse. 2) In 2002, Nordyne takes over the Westinghouse furnace line.

Mike, That's great! Can I place it in my chapter's newsletter?

In addition to the above, maybe: A humidifier on the return or leaking humidifier. A/C condensate backing up. Something living in the air handler.

Great question. There are other factors to consider beyond stating galvanic corrosion occurs just 'cuz steel and copper are in direct contact. The mass of the anodic metal compared to the cathodic metal. When the mass of the copper is smaller than the mass of the steel, the corrosion potential is greatly reduced. I find this regularly when copper tubing has been added to older, much larger steel pipe. Like your second pic. The electrical resistance. Pipe dope on threaded joints can create enough resistance to reduce the potential for corrosion. Conductivity of the water. Closed hydronic heating pipe systems likely have a less aggressive electrolyte than the domestic water system. A water softener likely increases the rate of corrosion.

This is why buyers shouldn't agree to having sellers fix things discovered during an inspection. It usually ends up costing more later.

Take a few minutes and add the important bits about fireplaces and chimneys to your own web site. Then, create links in your report to the applicable pages. It's what I do. It keeps my reports brief and focused, but readers have the choice to follow the links for more details.

Then I hope you advised them to hire specialists of their choice to evaluate these systems. I'm familiar with 2 local cases where HIs paid big for not mentioning a well and a septic system.

They're called "wire-loop" style snow guards. They were the most common style in the late 19th - early 20th century. They're not as common as the other styles now, but they're not unusual. They're still manufactured. There's a formula based on pitch, but there should be a minimum of 50 per square. The guards in your pics are all bent. From my 1899 A Treatise On Architecture And Building Construction Volume 3: "Should this form of guard be bent down by the weight of snow and ice, it may be readily pressed back, without breaking, into its proper position. Guards are also manufactured of cast iron, but, being clumsy, they are not to be recommended".

A water heater cannot "generate" E. coli - it's a type of fecal coliform bacteria. If it truly originated from a water heater, there's poo in it. It's more likely to be a cross connection somewhere.