Inspectorjoe

This is Dino's HP at the Flintstone residence. Click to Enlarge 152.28 KB

I'm a huge B&H fan. I've never had a bad experience dealing with them. Their paper catalog is well over 300 pages. Their website is awesome, with great search and filtering, as well as reviews and Q&A on almost everything they sell. Last year, I spent close to $5,000 there, mostly on video and audio gear for my hobby. BTW, my hobby is shooting video of bands. This is from a 4 camera shoot I did last summer, to make a promo video for the Box Tops. I still haven't finished it. This didn't work out very well: https://www.facebook.com/joe.hancaviz/v ... 04/?type=3

Duh! I knew I was missing something. I should have read it again, s-l-o-w-l-y.

Oh, that's even better. I don't see a problem with doing what you propose, but maybe someone else will think of something I'm missing. Speaking of missing something, maybe I'm missing something here. "This is the rate for the highest ONE hour of electric use during the On-Peak time frame of the billing period." I'm reading that as your highest on-peak hour is going to cost you $12. How would putting those three appliances on timers change that?

Removing drywall in the garage will cause a breach in the fire-resistant barrier. Open the wall on the laundry room side, instead. They'll be in the same place, just facing a different room.

Install the water heater timers near the water heaters. Cutting power to the hot tub is going to cause it to lose any programmed settings, and revert back to the default settings. The tub may have an economy setting that only allows the heating element to come on when you choose it to. That would eliminate the need for an external timer. I assume it can't be programmed to heat only at certain times, or you wouldn't be looking to add a timer.

Yes, with an extension designed for use that particular assembly. Check with the manufacturer or a distributor.

I'm impressed, too. There's not much concrete on the side. It's a small ranch, but it was built by a high-end custom builder who really knew what he was doing. I still have the original kitchen, mainly because I'm cheap. The cabinets are out of style, with dark wood, but I couldn't afford to replace them with like-quality cabinets. I'm sure dark wood will be back in style some day.

This thread got me thinking about my 45 year old porch posts. They're embedded in the slab. It concerned me when I bought the house 20 years ago, although there wasn't the slightest bit of softness where they enter the slab. 10 years ago, when I stripped them to repaint, I discovered they were cedar. To this day, there isn't the slightest hint of softness. I think I can finally put my concerns to rest. Click to Enlarge 44.84 KB

The biggest benefit of the foundation-supported brackets is that the unit won't tilt out of level if the backfill settles. Click to Enlarge 64.96 KB

I've also wondered why people watermark photos in reports. I've only done it with pictures that I posted online, but I don't even bother with that any more. In the past, my copyright notice may have been just a little too prominent. While I had no conclusive evidence, I suspected it may have distracted from the subject a wee bit. Click to Enlarge 67.22 KB

I have hundreds of pictures on my Facebook page. Feel free to use any of them. Most are low resolution. I put a copyright notice on the early ones, but stopped doing it. Joe https://www.facebook.com/homeprolv/phot ... tos_albums

They sure look like asphalt roofing shingles that have been face-nailed and painted. I see roofing shingles used on dormer walls all the time (with varying degrees of success).

I agree with Erby- ACC is the way to go. I've been using them for years and have been very satisfied. They're not cheap. I pay about 50% more than Erby's figures, but it's well worth it. I'm a low volume inspector (6 is a full week) and could certainly do what they do myself, but I don't want to, and in fact couldn't do it as well. They do so much more than answer the phone. After booking the inspection, they arrange access with the listing office, and set things up with the companies I use for WDI inspections and septic. If there is a radon test, I tell them when I'm doing it, and they make arrangements for access. Other than sending the buyer an email with the contract and a few other things, all ll I need to do is look at my schedule, print the appointment sheet and show up. Download Attachment: Appointment sheet.jpg 51.16?KB

I saw many issues in just the 30 seconds I was on your site. I don't want to have to frame what I say as 'constructive criticism', so I'll keep it to myself.

That's beyond sad. I only met him once, about 10 years ago, but it left a lasting impression. He heard I was looking for hardwood flooring for a non-flooring project and offered me some Brazilian cherry he had leftover from a job. I drove to Staten Island to pick it up. I was expecting cut-offs and rejects, but it was almost all brand new, still strapped in bundles - close to 200 square feet of it. When I saw that, I wanted to pay him for it, but he wouldn't take a dime. He simply said to me "we're all brothers".

Amen! I don't understand why some inspectors' web sites tout their on-site reports as if it's a benefit. A savvy buyer knows it's not. A good agent knows it too.

I had the same thought as Chad, only I'd pay!

When I first saw it from the ground, it looked exactly like it had been painted over.

All of the vinyl soffit material in this 18 year old house was like this - most of the perforations were closed. If it's a manufacturing defect, I can't imagine how it would have made it off the line. Anybody else ever see this? Click to Enlarge 29.85 KB Click to Enlarge 20.01 KB Click to Enlarge 23.52 KB

While I generally abhor violence of any kind, watching that, I had a strong urge to smack that woman.

As I recall, it was for installing radon mitigation systems that didn't meet the required standards.

Agreed, but the stupid people who had the plastic bucket are gone. My buyer is a physician - and definitely not stupid.[]

I got another email from the buyer. He contacted the insurance company and now the problem is no longer the chimney, it's a bin containing kindling that's too close to the wood stove. I pulled up the picture of the installation thinking it may be some kind of built-in bin. Nope. I'm assuming the plastic bucket in the photo was taken when the sellers moved. It looks like the insurance company is just jerking my buyer around. Thanks, guys. Click to Enlarge 47.54 KB

This was in an email from a buyer who I did an inspection for in early November: "I just wanted to let you know that my homeowner's insurance (Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx) has CANCELLED my policy based on their assessment of the wood stove's chimney. They are unable to give me specific answers to how I have or have not complied with their standards." Does anyone see any issues with this installation? The only restrictions on distances to building openings and above walking surfaces that I'm aware of apply to the termination. Click to Enlarge 76.2 KB Click to Enlarge 64.02 KB