Bill Kibbel

My rant wasn't aimed at you or anyone that contributes to TIJ. I posted the comment immediately after reading the link in the first post. I am just now reading subsequent posts. I thought this folklore was put to rest back in 2004. A geologist, studying tanneries in the mid-Atlantic, found receipts indicating small quantities of horsehair from one tannery was sold to plasterers. He also found the tannery used lime (not the kind prepared to be suitable for plaster) and arsenic in processing hides. It was then implied that there might be arsenic in plaster. A few in the media picked it up, created a false link between what was "discovered" and a possible health risk. They quickly dropped it when they were shown that there was absolutely no credible evidence of arsenic in plaster. My precipitant comment was made as a reaction to calls and e-mails I receive regularly, asking for corroboration or clarification of folklore stated as facts by home inspectors

When I started (22 years ago), there was no licensing or any other requirement in any state. After a career of supervising all phases of major construction and high-end restorations, I VOLUNTARILY did ride alongs, then supervised inspections, in an amount that exceeded 100 before I would even consider doing one on my own. Even then I didn't have any qualification on paper until I had 250 inspections, passed a proctored exam, had reports reviewed, and did a pier review - all requirements for ASHI membership at that time. I still felt less than qualified to do this gig competently for about another 2 years.

The home inspector is quoted as saying "In older homes in the plaster they used horse hair to bond the plaster together and horse hair was treated with arsenic" [:-jump] [:-banghea It's complete bullshit. Anyone claiming to have even some general knowledge of old building practices knows it's bullshit. Most everyone (at least those that are capable of cognitive thought) that read about the possibility of arsenic in plaster for the first time in 2004 knew it was complete bullshit then. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised that we have another home inspector perpetuating old-house folklore. Will there ever be a point in time that home inspectors will be required to back up their statements (that unsuspecting clients believe as facts from an expert) with credible sources?

The Stinger and UltraStinger run times suck. I'd have to have 4-5 to complete the easiest inspections. Oh yeah, we're all belt ring guys in our camp.

Each of my reports has 1 to as many as 4 links to useful information. The links are often to web sites describing specific, proper repair methods for an issue identified in the report.

He means that the joists enter into pockets in the block wall.

I don't see the reason for concern. I'd be happy to inspect it and hope the buyers have the resources to restore and preserve it. Now on this one, I didn't have the same receptivity. I should have known when they told me there was no driveway (or even a road within a half mile).

"Curb appeal that stops traffic".

The product is mis-labeled. It sez boiler covering, but the guy in the pic is applying it to a furnace.

Yes. Read through this thread: www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5379

Isn't Word's Times New Roman in 10 a little small?

Oh yeah, the button you did find just lights the display.

The narrow white panels, flanking the display, are little hinged doors. The timer programming and mode setting buttons are behind the left door. Behind the right door are the temperature modes/adjustment buttons. We gots lots of electric radiant in high-end bath remodels here.

You can talk to the Tool Experts guy, but when it comes time to purchase, use the link on the home-page here for Hi-essentials. You won't find better prices.

If it's helping to retain the soil, leave it be.

This was posted over at the Old House Web forums. Can anyone identify its purpose?

I have a 1920 edition of the Handbook for Heating and Ventilating Engineers and have learned some great info about stuff I still see. I just came across the 1913 edition, recently digitized by Google, for all to read. www.google.com/books?id=fK5EAAAAIAAJ&pr ... er#PPP1,M1

Taught by whom? Other home inspectors? That's the only group that I've ever heard mention that there may be asbestos in mineral wool. What controversy? Where can we read about it? How can anyone justify the cost to a client for testing. The only reason "Rockwool" and "asbestos" are linked in that list is because Gold Bond bought the Rock Wool name and Gold Bond manufactured some building products that contained asbestos. Does anyone know of any test results that showed positive for asbestos? Does any one know of any successful lawsuit for asbestos exposure from Rockwool? http://www.historicbldgs.com/asbestos.htm http://www.inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/asb ... m#rockwool

Pics # 1&2, clearly show 2 layers. Here's a lighter pic 2: The last pic looks like felt, starter, first layer, then a second layer without a starter.

Where would one find a credible source that would indicate there's even a remote possibility of asbestos in any of the mineral wool products?

I was once the joiner at a 17th century living history museum. I still won't use power tools. No machine can do a tighter joint. My most recent project: 24 mortice and tenon joints, and everything else, done with 17th & 18th century hand tools: Completed: Then a bench for the end of the bed:

You & Kibbel are both nuts . . . - Jim Katen, Oregon I know were both nuts, but I'm not sure why you think so.

I used the siding wedges and a few concealed louver disks at the gable ends of my 1690 house. It solved the problem.

"LED bulb puts out 80 lumens" That's not very bright. The Streamlight SL-35X is 400 lumens The UltraStinger is 295. Even the SL-20x(p)s put out 200.

Around here: New homes - almost always just under $1000 Old homes $1200-$1800