emalernee

Joe, I think I would have hired a pretty model to come crawling out of that space and have her say something like; "If I would have hired Joe to do the inspection, I wouldn't have had to get into this crawl space, he does that for you and takes pictures that show up on the report. He's such a swell guy!" then show your logo with a voice over of all your services and services areas. I am not very photogenic and the camera adds weight (my case, lots of weight). I think drawing the looker to your services is more important then seeing you in an uncomfortable position. But, you did get something out there, way ahead of me. I have let to figure out how to get the Facebook page I started for my business get noticed.

I was thinking a cold joint that got hit, also.

Is duct tape an acceptable plumbing repair? In Kentucky it is. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

Eye of the Tiger; Isn't there a song by that name and isn't it tied to a movie? I keep humming it and can't stop!

My stepbrother worked 30 years as a shop dog grinding bearing cups. He sat, at the machine, putting a cup into the machine and pulling it out for 8-12 hours a day. Only lost the tip of one finger and one thumb, plus the carpel tunnel damage wasn't to bad, but the loss of his mind was more costly. The drugs and alcohol he used to keep going back day after day, to do the same task over and over to make the big bucks has cost him his health in retirement. I'll take carpentry any day over that.

Inspected two;One built in the late 40's (English Cottage) on a slab. System had failed and owner had baseboard installed. The other was a split built in the 60's. Most of the house had baseboard except for the family room which was on a slab. Found the boiler taking on water when thermostat was turned up. Closed slab loop and boiler needed no more water. Buyer was a HVAC contractor and planned to install Furnace and A/C.

There is a free class near Washington DC in February. Is it worth the trip from Ohio to attend? Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

It's easy to fix with some wire & split bolts. - Jim Katen, Oregon Thank Jim. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

It's vey common here in Richmond (2x200 and 2x150). Why? I don't know. Cause they got money in them there parts. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

They forgot to glue on heat tape to the underside of the tub to keep the water warm. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

I do know that the pictures shows a 200 amp main that is double tapped, the question is; Would of/Could of this been allowed when the house was built in 1978? As this is in an incorporated city with a Building Dept, I would think that it was inspected and approved back then. But, thinking and knowing are two different things. The owner is calling the city tomorrow to see if there are records. The main breaker enclosure is outside,next to the meter and there are two sub panels inside. Both subs have separate buses for commons and grounds and the commons are isolated. No double taps in the subs and neatly done for small GE 100 amp boxes. Download Attachment: DSCF0066.JPG 1480.2 KB Download Attachment: DSCF0070.JPG 1475.6 KB I inspected the house for the owner that wants to put in on the market in the spring and doesn't want issues to come up that might slow down a sale. Nothing better to do this late in the night, so I thought I might exercise my and your mind with a question. Thanks Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

The Owl didn't hoot and the buyer isn't a Hooters girl. I'm going to tell the buyer that it means wisdom - I don't want her to stop payment on the check. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

Terry, Uniontown, on the border of Summit and Stark counties with no park land nearby. Mike, We thought of Harry Potter. The young buyer was going to Google to see if this was a good or bad omen. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

Heres my excuse for not inspecting the fireplace. Click to Enlarge 66.18 KB It wasn't there when I opened the glass doors and went off to look at something else. One of the buyers walked by the fireplace looking for a cable wire and mentioned to the other buyer that there was a cable on the wall and an owl in the fireplace, then the screaming began when the thing winked at them. I thought it was sent by the agent to keep an eye on me as she didn't show up for the Inspection. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

I print my "Safety" and "Defective" findings in Red Ink. And, yes, most agents find me to be an alarmist, Clients find me handsome. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

I think the Internet has replaced the Open House when it comes to marketing. Virtual tours, Zellow and other site surfing have replace the Sunday drive-about by buyers who want not to meet pushy agent as badly as we do. If you want to market to agents, join the local real estate group as a affiliate and get on a committee that does something to help your local community. They may see you as a good guy and maybe, just maybe, some work will come your way. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

I was taught to call that a Carrier Beam. They would attach the ceiling joists to it so that a header would not break up the plane of the ceiling from the entry hall to the living room. Before trusses became standard fare in my ares we would install a Carrier Beam above the ceilings between the living and dining rooms of ranches and splits to give them the open look people were wanting. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

In my area (northeast Ohio) people that ask a local roofer to replace their shingles will more than likely get a sales pitch to upgrade to shingles that contain the copper granules that retard algae growth. Those home owners that wait for a hail storm and the insurance company to pay for new shingles will more than likely get non-treated shingles installed by an out-of-state-jobber that buys-in-bulk so that he-can-bid-low. When the algae shows up, nothing is done. In this depressed area, people are not spending money on cosmetic house items. Lawn service, house washing, house and trim painting, not to mention the interior maintenance items are all deferred, as the homeowner has not the money to pay for it and/or the skills to do it themselves. So, Algae shows up in my area, but not as priority one. It (Algae) doesn't get reported in my inspection report, not even as a Maintenance Item. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

For entrance into the tub, place your butt on the towel and swing your legs over the ledge and slide in. Reverse for exit. I call it out as a Safety Issue in my reports along with the instructions above. [] Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

You may want to sit down with your contractor and go to the Air Vent Inc. web site and review the material they have on the proper way to ventilate. http://www.airvent.com/professional/index.shtml I think that it is important enough of an issue to cut scuttle holes in the ceilings to install the proper air channels (baffles) and soffit vents. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

So, Joe L. would recommend closed cell foam? In my opinion; This looks like a good example of why steel trusses and decking is best for flat roofs. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

What was the pitch on the roof? Shingles or roll roofing? Did the people below grow lots of plants or is this area over a bath? New thinking would have the underside of the sheathing sprayed with closed cell foam and no ventilation, correct? Or, did your tell them to install the high/low vents, air channels, and more insulation against the warm side of the house. And, vent the the baths and kitchen and maybe install a whole house ventilator. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

Jim, Is that what you watch before they tuck you in for the night?[^] Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

CPSC looking for something to do at the end of the Fiscal year so that they can justify adding to next years budget. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio

That looks like a 10 foot door and the deck boards are (or were) laid on 6X8 (?) cantilevered joists that are ten feet apart. Looks like the joists on the left broke off at about halfway out from the wall. Maybe the balconies were for decoration only, but someone forgot to tell the tenants. Ezra Malernee Canton, Ohio