Inspectorjoe

Rob: Your link didn't work, but I found the video: [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">At first, I wondered why you posted a video of a stoned-out-of his-mind moron, but then I checked out who posted it. It was the 'Piece of Mind' inspector, David Lelak. It's unfriggin' believable that an inspector would mix that in with his 'professional' videos. Check out his video below, where his 'customer', the real estate agent gives a glowing, you-got-your-nose-far-up-my-ass testimonial. Someday a plaintiff's lawyer is going to find that and salivate. At least he finally corrected 'piece of mind'. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">

Last week I found a water heater that was too small to fill the jetted tub in the master bath. I discovered it by sheer dumb luck. I closed the drain, opened the cold water faucet and went off to inspect other areas. When I walked back into the master bath, I noticed high humidity in the air. I felt the water coming out of the faucet and it was cold. The water in the tub hadn't yet covered the jets and was lukewarm. It turned out that the hot and cold were reversed and I inadvertently filled the tub with hot water, which ran out long before the tub filled. The water heater was a 50 gallon direct vent gas unit. That got me wondering how many times I missed a similar problem in the past. Yesterday I had the same size tub and same size water heater. The seller was tailing us. I usually request that they don't, but the guy was OK and not trying to interfere, so I didn't say anything. Since he heard me explaining the possible problem to the seller, he piped up and claimed that he hadn't used the tub in five years. I wonder why. I should have just gone ahead and filled it with hot water to see if there was enough hot water capacity, but I didn't. Two within one week made me wonder even more how many I've missed in the past. Does anyone else compare water heater size to tub capacity? Is there a rule of thumb? I looked online for the capacity for yesterday's tub, but didn't find it. I'd guess it was 75-100 gallons. I did find the installation manual, but there was no recommendation for a minimum water heater size.

Is anyone using YouTube to promote their business? It seems like a great opportunity and the price is certainly right. Not too many things are truly free, but so far, YouTube is. I'm very familiar with how YT works. I've been uploading personal videos for a while now, but would of course open a different account for anything inspection related. The problem I see is putting out something that doesn't make you look bad. With things so slow, I surf YT quite a bit. So much inspection related stuff is so bad, you have to wonder what they were thinking. I just ran across this one, which is jaw dropping bad. Warning - don't be drinking a beverage at 1:12, at 2:00 and beyond, or you'll surely spit it all over the monitor. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> The guy below must be slow too, because he's branched out into being a marketing consultant. In addition to needing improvement on his presentation and delivery, he doesn't seem to realize that he contradicts himself in the videos, by not heeding his advice on what to say if someone asks what you do for work. [utube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD3n84MQkac" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> [utube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyy3-ZxrIZ4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344"> I've also run across many customer testimonials. I don't recall seeing one where the home buyer came across as relaxed and not appearing to be reciting something scripted. Ken Compton uses YT for this also. What comes to mind when seeing those videos is Stepford inspectors. So is anybody doing it effectively?

It's fairly common. The Fiberglas batt insulation hanging at the top of the picture was originally stapled to the truss chords on either side of the opening. That supported the loose Fiberglas insulation seen in the bottom of the picture. Either the staples pulled out or the paper tore, and everything dropped. Another implication in cold climates would be condensation forming on the interior walls. If the walls weren't freshly painted, I'd bet you'd find slightly darkened walls with the outline of the studs visible.

The water heater shouldn't tee into the furnace vent connector. You said "vent to the exterior". Was there a chimney, or did it just terminate outside? If it terminates outside, they should both be separate. If into a chimney, they should enter the chimney separately, with the water heater connector above the furnace connector. If the walls and ceilings are drywall, clearance is an issue. But I don't think the corrosion was caused by backdrafting. There has been so much moisture that it was puddling on the top of the water heater. The anode rod cap and the plastic bushing aren't melted on the side that faces the draft hood (the other bushing is missing). And the draft hood support legs are only rusted where the puddle of water was. I think the corrosion is from a leak at the nipple that sealed itself.

Troy: I only inspect permanently installed appliances. I explain to the buyer that used portable appliances generally have little value. Around here, ranges nearly always stay with the house, so I do test them. I've found that if I ask the buyer if the washer, dryer and refrigerator are staying with the house, half have no idea. I tell the them that if they want to run the washer and dryer through a cycle and check the refrigerator to see if it's cold, then go right ahead. If I do test an appliance, I will put a line in the report stating that it was operated. And I do use the dreaded term appears to be functional. I use it very sparingly, but I do use it. The microwave oven appears to be functional. I only heat a paper towel in it, turn on the work light/night light and run the exhaust fan. I don't check all functions. I don't record makes, model numbers or serial numbers of appliances. If an appliance is old, I report that it can die at any time. I generally don't recommend replacing an appliance just because it's old. I often see very old Hobart manufactured KitchenAid dishwashers that seem to work perfectly. My own dishwasher is a 20+ year old Maytag. I've never had a problem with it.

Other than descriptions required under the ASHI SOP, I generally don't mention things that are functional. There's no need to clutter up (some may say pad) the report. I do make exceptions for things that wouldn't be readily apparent, such as a heat pump's resistance heat.

I don't think that you're off-base at all. And yes, there certainly are many conditions that buyers would be willing to accept. Most buyers understand that if they're buying a 'used house', they shouldn't expect it to be made in like-new condition. Even if that garage window was in the heated envelope, I still probably wouldn't say it needed to be replaced. You're just not going to get a huge increase in efficiency with of a new unit. I don't know what the payback period would be, but I'm sure it would be a long, long time. I'd say something like you may wish to replace it, along with a caution that the fogging is likely to get worse over time.

If you mean older wood windows with cast iron counterweights, they're called sash ropes around here.

Certified when? 1924?? Maybe that was a good thing. I just hate it when the weekend starts off with a trip to the emergency room. It looks like you must have had a real fun time on that one. I love the valve on the water heater gas line.

I'm guessing he picked up his marbles and went home.

I don't think that freezing would be an issue with vents that are open all of the time. I've worked in three buildings that had very large boilers in tightly sealed boiler rooms. All three had open vents. One was just a grill with mesh over the opening while the other two had short ducts that turned down and were open at the bottom. None of the rooms got even close to freezing in 0 degree weather. The colder it is outside, the longer a boiler is going to firing, putting more heat into the boiler room. I'm not sure of the science behind turning the ducts down, but I'm guessing that warm air in the boiler room rising up into the duct helps counteract the cold air that's descending.

They are individual pieces, about 7/8" thick. You can see the profile in the picture below. I don't know if you would call something that thick a tile. They are set in grout. I'm guessing the grout was placed on concrete, but I didn't do any digging to find out. I don't know what provision was made for drainage either. Other than a few hairline cracks near the building, the whole run is perfectly level, with joints so tight you can't get a piece of paper between them. I'll bet downspouts discharging near the building contributed to the cracks. The marble actually continued into the house and was used for the foyer floor. Click to Enlarge 52.61 KB It's just a hunch, but I'm thinking that the masons who built the walkway weren't the same ones who built the fireplace: Click to Enlarge 40.92 KB

I thought I'd share this find from yesterday. This 70 year old marble walkway will be here long after I'm gone. What a thing of beauty. What a thing of pride it must have been for the craftsmen who created it. Click to Enlarge 70.57 KB Click to Enlarge 44.6 KB

Somewherethere'sarooflesssilo

Congratulations John! That's not an easy test (for me at least). I miraculously passed it in 2001 and I'm glad I'll never have to take it again. In Pa, to keep your state DEP certification, once you pass the test, you only need to sit through 16 hours of CE every two years. Oh, and pay the recently nearly-doubled fee of $350. ....... Ouch.

Well, I think the world goes on turning regardless of the naming choice. Google Images leads me to think that there are plenty of pent roofs that don't look like at all the one in the pic. So, calling it a pent roof just gives the reader/listener a plethora of useless choices. What pic are you talking about? I didn't post a picture of a pent roof. You might be right about that, as brother Kibble explains: Pent Roofs There are a good number of pent roofs around here, especially on old Germanic buildings. But I've also seen pent roofs on newer buildings. I think that using the correct term to describe something is the foundation for writing so you can't possibly be misunderstood. But that's just me. I don't write for a living.

It is a thing to behold, isn't it? Click to Enlarge 53.95 KB Look closer - the roofing IS the kickout flashing. I hope that wasn't the work of contractors. More like buddies working for beer. You should have seen the rest of the place.

That's exactly what I did - at the inspection. Now I'm writing the report and would like to use the proper name for it. I don't see a downside to being specific. If I found a problem with a pent roof, writing "There's a problem with the pent roof" sounds a whole lot smarter than "There's a problem with the little roof attached to the front of the building". Don't ya think?

This is a long shot. Is there a name for the little section of roof left when a shed dormer is added to a cape cod? Click to Enlarge 53.74 KB I'm admiring the exquisite application of shingles, and am particularly enraptured by the genius of using the asphalt shingle itself as flashing. Sheer minimalist brilliance! Gotta love that inward pitch, too. That must have taken some planning.

Yeah, there sure are are lots of alternatives. The one most widely used around here is the Tar-O-Maticâ„¢. It must be a great product, because I see it all the time. Download Attachment: 1 026.jpg 166.17 KB

I enjoyed reading the recent thread A little side chat about music. I love music, but unfortunately, have absolutely no talent for playing - none whatsoever. So I listen. With inspections coming so infrequently, I find myself surfing Youtube more than I should. I can’t remember half of the incredible stuff that I’ve found there: From Chet Atkins, to Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac, to current stuff like the Bastard Fairies. My latest ‘favorites’ were discovered when I went looking to see if there was anything new by the Bastard Fairies. There was. I found a cool rendition of Melanie’s Brand New Key, where they were backed up by a Hawaiian ukulele group. That got me looking for stuff by Melanie. I found two incredible clips. The first is this one from 1970. I remember hearing when I was a kid, but it’s been years since I’ve heard it and didn’t know anything about it, so I went looking. Here’s what Thomas Ryan, American Hit Radio, wrote about the song: Melanie Safka was one of the more obscure performers to appear at Woodstock and apparently even had some difficulty in getting backstage. To walk onstage alone in front of a city of people who don't know you but are paying rapt attention while you perform can be a harrowing and humbling experience. Melanie, who had shown up unexpectedly at Woodstock and consented to perform, must have felt grateful for the nonjudgmental nature of the assemblage, who were relaxed and responsive despite the torrential downpours that continually plagued them. She came onstage as evening fell, just after a particularly horrendous squall, and watched amazed as the hills slowly lit up with thousands upon thousands of candles. From her vantage point, it must have been one sight to see, particularly from the perspective of an amateur folk artist who happened to be the focal point of their attention. Moved by the experience, Melanie authored "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" in which she attempted to capture the spirituality and magic of that moment. To convey a sense of the warm crowd, she envisioned hundreds of voices joining her on the chorus. The Edwin Hawkins Singers had recently hit the charts with "Oh Happy Day" so she asked the gospel group if they would be interested in accompanying her. She "auditioned" the song before the congregation, and once they decided that it was sufficiently spiritual in content, they agreed. Melanie's vocal style combined flaky camaraderie with captivating passion and acted as a catalyst for the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who sing with all the controlled abandon that you would expect from a first-rate gospel group. Controlled abandon is also an apt description for what took place on that wet August weekend in 1969. By capturing the optimistic ideology and the powerful sense of love that was pervasive at Woodstock, Melanie's first hit record became a moving homage to a once-in-a-lifetime event. What an incredible performance by this 23 year old hippie girl – not to mention that of the Edwin Hawkins Singers! The staid audience, seemingly transported directly from a taping of the Lawrence Welke Show is groovin’ right along to it. If you listen to the clip, I hope you have good speakers and a sub woofer. If so, turn it up! The second clip is Melanie later in life, probably from a few years ago. I could use all kinds of hackneyed clichés to describe her performance, and they would all be valid. It’s the most moving thing I’ve ever seen on Youtube. I Tried to Die Young So what are your favorites?

It's safe to say that it wasn't as big as the skin. I had a boa for quite a while. The skins stretched quite a bit when shed. I wonder if anyone else has ever found a snake on a roof? This one looked like it hadn't moved in quite a long time. Click to Enlarge 153.49 KB

Reading back what I wrote "... you will only find low pressure systems used for residential heating", I see it's about as clear as mud. What I meant was, you won't find a high pressure system used for residential (single family). Back in the 80's, I worked at a 100,00+ SF downtown department store that was heated with low pressure steam. It worked amazingly well, especially considering how convoluted and extended the system was. The newest sections were added long after 'the dead men' earned their moniker. The worst job I ever had was a three month stint at a YMCA. There, low pressure steam heated the building, the domestic hot water and the pool. The boilers were massive. I don't remember the specifics of too many past New Year's Day's, but I remember January 1, 1994 like it was yesterday. I spent most of it inside one of the water heaters changing out the coil. Talk about fun.[:-cry]

The main giveaways of a steam boiler are the presence of a pressuretrol (to turn the burner on and off) and a sight glass (to monitor the water level). The boiler in your picture looks like a hot water boiler. The last inspection I had (sadly, it was way back on Monday) had a steam boiler. You can see the pressuretrol and sight glass in the picture below. That one also had a coil in it for domestic hot water. I can't tell if there was a circulator on your boiler. There doesn't necessarily need to be for a hot water system. A steam system will have two different size pipes. The steam pipes will be larger than the condensate pipes. Steam pipes are usually much larger than on a circulated hot water system, but older gravity systems had large pipes. The pipes next to your boiler look huge. Older steam systems will usually have a Hartford Loop A low pressure steam system should run at less than 2 pounds, which is much less than a hot water system would need. As for low pressure Vs high pressure, you will only find low pressure systems used for residential heating. I've never seen a steam system that uses fan/coil units, but I have seen them with convectors in the supply ducts. There's a great primer on steam heating here. Dan Holohan, the writer, has a terrific web site: Heatinghelp.com Click to Enlarge 52.88 KB