Inspectorjoe

Flashing above the lintels? Ha, ha, ha. I don't think I've EVER seen it used. Even though they are never flashed, I don't recall ever seeing rust in the mortar. As far as caulking, it's not the prettiest job, but the joints are reasonably well sealed. Download Attachment: Picture 030.jpg 163.98 KB The buyer said she actually likes the efflorescence - she said it makes the house look less brand new. [:-censore Thanks for the replies

Today I had new construction that sat for close to a year. There is efflorescence under all of the openings at the brick facade. There are no obvious areas that water would enter the wall from the outside. I'm thinking that it might be from moisture migrating from within the house, but why would it be only under the openings? Download Attachment: Copy of Picture 042.jpg 61.71 KB Download Attachment: Copy of Picture 026.jpg 181.95 KB There are weep holes above the window lintels, which is still something of a rarity The mortar above the lintels has rust stains. When I looked at the picture I had taken, it was quite a shock to see what the weep hole actually was (or wasn't). I didn't see it on site, but to be honest, I never shine a flashlight into weep holes. I guess I'll be heading back there tomorrow to check the others. Download Attachment: Picture 033.jpg 204.56 KB Anybody have any ideas about the excessive efflorescence and rust in the mortar?

I can't tell you how many times I've done it - especially with long ones.

Mike, did you check the date I posted that? I didn't call Amtrol. The buyer paid a plumber to look at it. He said something along the line of "yep, she's aleakin' alright." The seller replaced it. Yes, they hold money in escrow around here. If I have a naive buyer and get the feeling that his agent (now don't be shocked) ........ doesn't have his best interest in mind, I sometimes bring it up. Kim: Sorry I missed your call. Call me Tuesday morning and we can discuss it.

Bingo! Thanks Jim & Brandon. Perlite.net Now can anyone identify this product that I found in the same house? [] Image Insert: 208.21 KB

This morning I had a 1963 ranch that had 3.5 inches of fiberglass batt attic insulation. Thrown/blown/placed on top of that is what at first glance looks like polystyrene pellets. It's not polystyrene, because when you rub it between your fingers, it turns to powder like UFFI. Can anyone identify this stuff? Image Insert: 161.31 KB Image Insert: 193.78 KB

That hose bib obviously neeeds to be in a UL listed weatherproof enclosure. The plumbers around here know how to do it right! [] Image Insert: 38.58 KB

Hint: Plateout

I found UFFI used as attic insulation during hour five in this afternoon's POS foreclosure Cape Cod. Like nearly everything else in this house, the attic insulation was a gawd-awful cobbled together jerry-rigged mess. In addition to the UFFI, the various layers of insulation included Fiberglas batt and rigid foam. I can't find any info on whether UFFI was 'approved' for use in attics. This is the first time I've seen it used like this. I can think of many reasons why it was a bad idea, such as restricting access to the majority of the attic because of its fragileness. This is definitely an attic that needs some major work done in it. Some of it is broken into chunks; the "good" sections would be sure to follow suit. I'm leaning toward recommending that all insulation be removed, any needed work in the attic be done, then properly re-insulating the attic. That obviously would be a big expense. I'm open to suggestions. Download Attachment: Picture 374.jpg 54.59 KB Download Attachment: Picture 385.jpg 64.86 KB Download Attachment: Picture 376.jpg 30.9 KB

Has anyone run across the Wayne-Dalton TorqueMaster idrive® opener? It's a proprietary opener that mounts on the wall above the door. The manufacturer claims that it's exempt from the photoelectric eye requirement if it's used with a pinch resistant door. Force and Limit Profiling I was lucky enough to get a heads-up on this a few weeks ago when I set a radon monitor two days before the inspection. I found tons of info including installation videos on their web site. That kept me from looking like a dummy at the inspection ..... "uh, I ain't never saw nuthin' like this before". It also saved me the embarrassment of writing up the lack of optical sensors. BTW, I was impressed with the units when I finally operated them.

Thanks for the confession and also for linking to my site. We are having a wonderful class today at inspectorsjournal.com/forum/LinkPolicy.asp. John: Speaking of links, here is one that you might find informative: CONSUMERS UNION NO COMMERCIAL USE POLICY

I wasn't commenting on the quality of that training, but the quantity, tied to the ludicrous statement by the Webbs that they bough the franchise becaue there were no trained inspectors, implying that their one week of training makes them more qualified than their competitors.

Do you mean like the excerpt below? A seller posted this on a home buying message board. They're the items from the inspection report that the buyer wants fixed. The poster asked if anyone could decipher it. I mostly couldn't. 1406. Fireplace Condition Safety Item. The flue is open into the attic; blocked by insulation. Recommend that a fireplace specialist permanently seal the opening with steel to prevent accidental heat or flames from entering the flue and attic spaces for safety. 1803. Walls Seek Further Review. 1.) Active leaking observed at the foundation wall. The framing at this area was extremely wet. Recommend repairs as needed. 2.) Efflorescence observed at foundation perimeter; this is a mineral deposit left behind from exterior water infiltration, recommend consulting sellers as to moisture problems or a licensed contractor for review. See gutter and carport slab comments. 1.) Evidence of prior repairs observed at kitchen and laundry flooring, unable to determine effectiveness of repairs. Client is advised to consult sellers or a licensed building contractor for additional information prior to closing. 2.) Evidence of fungi/mold noted at several floor framing areas. See standard CL100 termite, moisture, and mold report for more information. Fungi/mold testing should be conducted by a certified mold test technician if concerned by this observation. . Some center posts have been removed and replaced with stacked blocks which may allow settlement to occur. Client is advised to consult licensed building contractor for additional information prior to closing. . 1.) Flexible plastic drain tubing has been installed from the laundry is improperly connected into the plumbing waste lines near the hatch opening under the bathroom; improper or missing fitting noted. This line is also not properly sloped/supported for positive drainage. Evidence of leaking noted at the improper connection. 2.) Active drip type leak also observed at t\supply pipe fitting under the center bathroom. Recommend further review or repairs as needed by a qualified licensed plumber The temperature pressure relief valve discharge line has been reduced in size. In order to help assure safety should the valve activate, the discharge line should be composed of ¾ inch metal pipe to allow complete draining. Suggest installing the required ¾ inch discharge pipe on the TP valve draining to daylight to ensure safety. 2808. Electrical Repairs Needed. 1.) Open splices were observed in the front bedroom closet. This is a "Safety Concern". Whenever an electric wire is cut and reconnected, the "splice" should be encased in a covered "junction box" to prevent shocks and separation of the splice. 2.) Exposed wires that pass through the closet may be the wrong type and not rated for permanent household use. All exposed wires should be properly covered where they can be damaged. Client is advised to consult with a licensed electrician prior to closing for repairs/replacement as needed to ensure safety. 1812. Distribution/ Ducts Repairs Needed. Ducts are lying on the ground at some areas. Recommend securing to framing or excavating under the ducts to prevent moisture and mold accumulation. Recommend review/repairs as required by a qualified licensed HVAC contractor.

Whereas, mom and son spent a whole entire week learning the finer aspects of house inspectin': Amerispec Training I have to admit, I’m sometimes pretty lax about remembering to flush the faucet and shower. “Take the panels off of the electrical service?â€

Setting a radon monitor yesterday for a Friday inspection, gave me a chance to get a bit of a heads-up on an unusual house. I'm told the original portion of the building was built in 1980, as a Cape Cod. Recently, a full second story was added. The front is brick, the remainder is vinyl. The new brick facade is supported on a narrow concrete 'foundation' (for lack of a better word). At the one area where an end is exposed, it's not attached to the original concrete foundation. You can see 10-12 inches into this area. No ties are visible. It doesn't appear that anything has moved. There are some hairline cracks in the new foundation, but none in the mortar joints of the brick. There are weep holes in the brick, but no flashing. That's not an unusual find around here. I've never seen an added brick facade supported by concrete like this; they're typically supported by angle iron. I'm not sure if this is a problem. Is anyone familiar with this? Download Attachment: Picture 130.jpg 65.92 KB Download Attachment: Picture 066.jpg 82.36 KB Download Attachment: Picture 062.jpg 51.31 KB

In the next block, there were a number of similar houses that had a flat open porch surrounded by a metal railing in this same space. The roofing material was likely soldered sheet metal. The house on the right closed in the open space quite a while ago. The windows didn't quite seem to match the age of the original windows in that house, but they were close. I'm not sure, and from my angle of view, I didn't see the wall areas of the houses down the street too well . Download Attachment: Picture 041.jpg 46.95 KB Given the fact that there has been a long term leak, they've sagged pretty much. I asked the buyer if the leak was on the seller's disclosure. He gave me a blank look and called his agent to ask her. Aaarrggghh! Download Attachment: Picture 134.jpg 59.45 KB

I’m having a bit of trouble pinning down the style of this 1920 house. There’s definitely Craftsman influence, the gables hint of Stick and the front steps have buttresses like a Foursquare. What has me really puzzled is the thing on the porch roof. What style/period is that? I’m thinking c1985 Burger King. It looks even worse in person. I think some people just shouldn’t be allowed to own an old house. Image Insert: 78.85 KB

Since I type so slowly, these are out of order. What else is new? Originally posted by Chad Fabry Me too. That's why it's not the first time I've stolen it. Technically speaking ..... and ONLY technically speaking, Mike's written words didn't "SOUND" a little snippy. I'm ducking now

I didn’t realize it either, at least not until I was deep into typing out a reply about that column. I vaguely recalled (no pun intended) reading about it a while ago, so I did a search. Barry Stone is usually dead-on with his answers, but at times, he does seem to miss by a mile. One of these is from January 12, titled "Two Buyers With Hot Water Problems". The buyer bought a bank owned house that didn’t have the gas turned on during an inspection. The inspector didn’t discover that the upstairs bathrooms were supplied with hot water only. The buyer states “Our plumber says there is a cross-connection of the hot and cold water lines somewhere in the building and that it will be difficult to find where the problem is.â€

It's deja vu all over again. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/17/AR2006111700743.html https://www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3780&whichpage=1

Uh, it's just a funny video, Mike - a spoof. BTW, I agree with your rant.

What can a fellow do to occupy his time after retiring? [utube] [/utube]

Around here, in frigid weather, a cap like that would cause the water vapor to condense and freeze, maybe even enough to block it.

A simple and very sensible answer. Absolutely. I completely agree with Steven and Al. As for Scott's take on it: Of course we can't protect people from their own stupidity, but we can try to give a clue to the clueless. I point out any and all safety issues anywhere on the property, because I don't know whether or not the buyer is going to recognize them. I don't see a downside to doing it. A good example is a house that I inspected last summer that had a homemade play house in the back yard. Between the standard glass on the walls, the rotted upper deck, and numerous other issues, it was a serious injury time bomb waiting to go off. If I didn't point it out to the buyer (who had young kids) it's possible that the family could have moved in, and with all the commotion of moving, not have given the playhouse a thought. Download Attachment: Picture 002.jpg 90.44 KB

OK. Thanks for the answer. I don't mean to bust your chops, but that's not really what you stated: "Also, PermaFLOW has been used in residential and restaurant environments for close to a year and has not got clogged either with hairs or food debris." That could be taken to mean that NO PermaFlows have ever clogged (assuming you've sold some).