Marc

Coveralls Mud boots Glove (left hand only) Screwdriver in left hand (for stabbing, lots of termite damage here) Streamlight C4 LED in right hand Camera in shirt pocket with lead hanging out of coveralls Right hand stays off the ground and clean Use left hand to help crawl Marc

I wonder if some of the discrepancy in temperature readings is a result of taking some readings immediately after the fan switch has turned on, and other readings at a later point in time? Marc

As a non-member of all associations, I'm just barely understanding this thread. Randy's post strikes the only chord...I don't see how any association could do me more good than TIJ. Seriously. Marc

I replaced my own central HVAC with an R-410 based AC/ electric heat system 2 years ago. Click to Enlarge 36.66 KB Both inside and outside units are the quietest I've experienced of any AC I've ever come across. No factory jacket on my compressor. Hasn't given an ounce of trouble yet. As for losing gas when you connect or disconnect the guages, EPA has required quick connect devices for quite some time now. Never liked 'em but supposed to use them. Marc

Natural gas powered residential oven appliance: Yesterday's inspection revealed a large amount of pure white residue on the oven surfaces that were immediately above the burner. A google search yielded several possibilities, one was aluminum oxide which came from the oxidized interior walls of the aluminum gas line that was feeding the pilot. I don't recall if the main burner was fed by an aluminum line also but the residue does appear to be centralized directly above the pilot. Can anyone confirm the aluminum oxide theory? Click to Enlarge 39.39 KB Marc

Client's AC guy came out while I was still on the job to check a furnace issue that I had called out. He started out predictably and agreed that the entire HVAC system needed replacement due to age and rust in the fire chamber that buried nearly half the burners. But then he went on to how closet units (existing furnace was in a closet) suck up more dust from the floor than attic units. That was his argument for abandoning the closet and installing in an attic that was no more than 5' high at the ridge. But I suspected that he simply wanted a clean slate to install his new system and didn't want the trouble of removing a gas powered furnace from a closet (cooling coil was behind the wall framing above the top of the door). It means more money for him and less trouble, but I've busted my knees servicing furnaces in hot, cramped attics with undersized air returns because of the lack of space for prefabbed ductwork so I went back and forth with him for a short while before the client interrupts, takes position besides me and says 'closet'. That client was a student in my class for first time homebuyers Monday of last week. Marc

HVAC contractors often try to scare customers into parting with their money to complete unnecessary 'repairs'. I had one today, poor guy didn't think this inspector would know anything about refrigeration...but that's another story. Marc

I see undersized liquid lines on smaller systems once in a while. I check them and seldom detect bubbles in the liquid. Experienced AC guys can usually 'feel' bubbles by touch, at least the deaf ones with their redirected senses can. I don't bother with mentioning it to the client, but I'd suggest that if you do see undersized lines (1/4" line on a crimped or reducer-connected 3/8th appliance connection) on any residential system larger than 2 1/2 tons, call it, regardless of whether you feel bubbles, cooler lines or nothing. Marc

I'll take a stab at it, my friend. The smaller line is the liquid refrigerant line. It carries liquid refrigerant to the cooling coil (summer mode) for expansion into a gas. That's the principle of refrigeration systems...the change in phase from a liquid to a gas is accompanied by a dramatic reduction in temperature of the refrigerant and that drop in temperature is employed to cool the house. This change in phase from a liquid to a gas is accomplished by placing a restriction in the flow of the refrigerant that causes it's pressure to drop to a low value. Therein lies the problem with undersized liquid refrigerant lines...there is pressure drop within those lines also and if the line is too small for too long, the pressure drop may be great enough to result in a partial expansion of the liquid refrigerant (bubbles in the liquid) inside the liquid line before it even reaches the cooling coil. The result is less btu/hr removed from the house. How do we know if expansion is taking place within an undersized liquid line? Feel it. If it's cooler than usual or cooler as it approaches the cooling coil, it's expanding and it's always a problem when this happens. Marc

It's the story of R-12 all over again, with one difference....R-12 was used mostly in automotive AC's, commercial refrigeration and residential refrigerators/freezers. R-22 is primarily residential HVAC's and some commercial refrigeration. R-12 remained available after the 'end of manufacturer date' for several years. The stockpiles took a while to drop. Overseas stocks were brought in. Drop-in replacements (some lousy ones, some good ones) became available afterwards to sooth the transition to it's end. I expect pretty much the same to happen this time with R-22. If the warranty companies shy away from covering these remaining R-22 units, it won't be big news. They were always about sales instead of service anyway. As inspectors, a boilerplate update may be a good idea. Check the condenser unit nameplate. If it's R-22, inform the client, perhaps even recommend replacement of an aged R-22 system. Marc

The Tablet PC stays in the kitchen of the house. I use it there just for signing the contract, keeping tabs for the verbal, etc. Data is collected via a Pocket PC and later USB'ed to the Tablet. Report edited, photo's added and printed/Emailed from the Tablet. The verbal sometimes included a show/tell using the photo's that I took of the findings. This is done on the Tablet too and the 14" monitor shows them better. Marc

I've used small tablets before and they were ok for the govt inspections that I completed on them but for home inspections I use a 14" Gateway. Maybe for younger guys the small ones are ok but I prefer a bigger screen. Marc

I haven't any experience with this type of roofing finish. Given your description, I might also be suspicious. If research yielded nothing then I would look for evidence of the consequences of those suspicions, and write it up accordingly. If no evidence, I would still disclose the finding and my concerns about it. I would also augment the write up with comments during the verbal report to get a feel from the client and not blow the issue up out of proportion. Hopefully, some one else has more to offer than I on this. Marc

Right, shouldn't have more than one conductor per terminal, but that's not the big fish in the photos. The big fish is the aluminum conductors. There was discussion in this forum on that topic recently. Check it out Anatol. Marc

Vinyl has an additional disadvantage here in coastal Louisiana in that it flies off like paper when the hurricanes come. Pure vinyl's short lived predecessor, vinyl coated aluminum, wasn't as bad. My father installed it on his house in the early 80's. It's still there and weathering well, albeit a bit faded. I never liked the pure vinyl. Pure vinyl is more about making money for manufacturers and vendors than protecting houses from the elements. Marc

Up until about 5 years ago when I last worked full time in HVAC, yes. Practically all of them. When they are tripped, it's usually been because someone flipped the thermostat from heat to cool or vice versa too quickly, spiking the head pressure long enough to trigger it. Don't see reciprocating compressors in residential/ light commercial HVAC units anymore, except for perhaps Trane. Commercial coolers/freezers still use them (last I heard). Marc

Gases.

I wouldn't worry about it. I doubt any garage door would produce an ideal air seal when it's in the closed position because there's no need for anyone to manufacture such a model. Who air conditions the garage? The drafts will likely provide enough combustion/dilation/ventilation air, unless it is a 199,000 btu/hr on-demand unit. Marc

The scroll is more tolerant to contaminants than reciprocating units with reed valves, but they can be damaged too and can fail if too much liquid refrigerant and oil enters the suction, don't you think Jim? Marc

You bet it can be damaging. It's takes heat to evaporate liquid refrigerant to a gas and if the coils are clogged, with ice or whatever, it may remain as liquid, all the way to the compressor suction. Pumps move liquids, compressors move gases. Inject liquid into a compressor like a residential refrigerant hermetic unit and you'll blow the valves for sure. Marc

Click to Enlarge 47.63 KB This New Construction has every joint on the B vent for the water heater taped with what appears to be either aluminum or aluminum mastic tape. Is the tape a problem? I don't see the need for taping it in the first place. Marc

More power to Kevin as he tries to institute the changes needed to prevent these horrible deaths. So now the OP is a geniune and serious issue and there's now a solid answer. Thanks to Robert and to Jim. Marc

As I interpret those passages, 'horizontally' means rotated sideways not forward or backwards. I don't think the code forming committee ever considerd that someone would install a panel face down. I'd suggest that the only truth here is that the AHJ makes the call. Marc

Welcome to the neighborhood! Marc

30 psi? More like 55 psi for refrigerant R-22 and 100 psi for refrigerant 410 A. Marc