Tom Corrigan

Brad, You may want to review the furnace manufacturers installation instructions. Your picture shows a combustion assist fan type furnace. Every one I've seen calls for b-vent starting at the furnace. Tom Corrigan

This my world: STRUCTURAL INSPECTION: A determination, by a New York State licensed home inspector, registered architect or licensed engineer, or a third party who is ____________' or other qualified person, that the premises are free from any substantial structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roof covering, water or sewer defects. The term substantial to refer to any individual repair which will reasonably cost over $1500 to correct. This a double edged sword. No defect is on the shoulders of the seller unless it cost more than $1,500 to fix. Note the use of the word "individual". Ten plumbing defects @ $1,00 each and still no substantial defect. The flip side is that little defects don't drive everybody crazy. Tom Corrigan

I inspected a horse farm for the sheikh of Dubai last year. The attorney was speechless when I told him what the fee was. He began speaking only after I asked what his fee was for a 20 million dollar deal! He had to pay the fee from his escrow account. Tom Corrigan

Most Building Codes require that there be a minimum separation between the chimney and combustible materials. This would eliminate the EDPM or tar approach to counter flashing. What Code is used in your area? What does that Code require? Tom Corrigan

Caoimhín, Is mold a wood destroying organism? Tom Corrigan

Speaking of CertainTeed http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/ca ... nteed.html Tom Corrigan

The trap seal would be the distance vertically from the weir of the trap to the top of the pipe at the bottom of the "U". The water below the top of the "U" provides no seal, and the water can't rise above the weir. It looks like the seal depth in your picture is much more than 4". Tom Corrigan

How about: P3201.2 Trap seals and trap seal protection. Traps shall have a liquid seal not less than 2 inches (51 mm) and not more than 4 inches (102 mm). Exception: Traps for floor drains shall be fitted with a trap primer or shall be of the deep seal design. Tom Corrigan

I've been the deputy chair of the ZBA for 7 years and have been an HI since 1976. There should be, and has been no problem being both. Tom Corrigan

Do the batteries need to be removed to be recharged? Tom Corrigan

Hi Chad An AAV is NG as the water draining into the sealed pit will need to displace some air. An AAV will not let air out. A conventional back vent must be installed and will also function as a relief vent. Well, got to go, my snowmobile riding partner just showed up. Tom Corrigan

Looks to me like the attic floor joists stop at the building sidewall and the rafters continue on. See the short knee wall. Some of the joists need to continue outward and connect to the rafter bases to resist spread. Tom Corrigan

Mike, Reread the first post. The question was about a townhouse. Don't confuse a type of ownership with a type of building. There are single family detached buildings that are part of a condo association. A townhouse can be a condo, or maybe not. Tom Corrigan

The person who called you probably owns that portion of the wall. The "property line" is usually in the center of the common wall. This is called the demising line. This means that the caller owns the wall. Tom Corrigan

Ask the city inspector what code he uses and what section applies. Visit the City Clerk. Ask for the enabling legislation that was used to adopt the Code. Also ask for the enabling legislation that gives the City inspector his authority. If this looks ok, look up the Code either at the author (ICC?) or as modified by the AHJ. Tom Corrigan

Does the manufacturer allow the plastic tpr extension pipe and pipe insulation to be that close to the draft hood and vent connector? Tom Corrigan

Pssst, If it's hydronic it's not a furnace. I know, I know. As WJ says "I makes us look bad".

There will be no power at the lower element until the upper element satisfies. It doesn't matter how high you turn it up. Tom Corrigan

The small holes are exit holes from powderpost beetles. They go along with wet wood. Tom Corrigan

Gary, FWIW, NYS didn't adopt their version of the International family of codes until 2003. Prior requirements for your concern centered around the 1954 Multiple Residence Law. This law applied to three or more unit buildings. A portion of this law was eventually included in the Building Code of NYS. Most municipalities never inforced the MRL. If you're inspecting a two unit, the NYS version of the I Code property maintenance code is your best reference. Tom Corrigan

Mike, Deferring to a licensed electrician in NY will only get you someone with a municipal license. As I have stated in the past, NYS does not license contractors, not electricians, not plumbers, not builders. Most municipalities do not license contractors, some do. Of the ones that do, some are meaningful, most are not. Kinda like state licensing of home inspectors. Tom Corrigan

Eric, Isn't the inside of a B vent aluminum? Tom Corrigan

Better yet try one of these http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpI ... tion=24616 Tom Corrigan

Of course you can contact the previous owner. They're probably in the same area. A little detective work is in order. If you approach them gently, they will probably love to tell you all of the homes secrets. Tom Corrigan

Jodi, I've seen many wood foundations. I've never seen one built correctly, never. The big problem with the widow will likely be that the below grade foundation wall is framed just like you would frame an above grade wall. This will result in inward bowing of the foundation adjacent to the window. Look for multiple king studs rather than just one on each side of the opening. These foundations have fallen out of favor. There 's a reason (many reasons actually) why they're not presently used much. Tom Corrigan