Bruce Thomas

Ditto Kurt Bruce

Nick, Dozens of books have been written on the subject. Contact Mike Crow, his web site is you guessed it www.MikeCrow.com Tell him I told you to contact him. (that's a referral) See if you like his program. Bruce Thomas

Thanks guys, BIG help Bruce

I have been asked to write an article about boiler inspection for hot water residential heat. If anyone has a good resource they could share I would appreciate it. Bruce Thomas PS I'm not above plagiarism [:-bigeyes

Kurt, Add roof walking in a windy city to that list. By the way Chicago is only the 15th windist city in the US, Boston is #1. My wife is a weather chanel adict. Bruce

Kurt, OK so some night when you can't sleep go to www.aarst.org and click the link to the BIER studies. It's not just the EPA any more. Every study that I know of except for 1 crack pot with corrupted data confirms that radon is real. Another source is www.cansar.org these are real people talking. Now for the action level. There is no safe level of any kind of radiation. The action level of 4 pCi/L is the economically feasible level and it's based on a year long average. The 2 day tests are just for screening to find a potential. If the results are between 4 & 10 pCi/L a year long test to confirm it should be done. Radon increases your potential for lung cancer, it's a class A carcinogen. If it was in our food or some company invented it the lawyers would all be getting richer but God put it where it is and He doesn't pay judgements. Unfortunately there are still people out there who claim they never heard of radon and it's dangers. I got an Email just the other day from a woman who's husband died of lung cancer and she is now dedicating her life to "getting the word out". Silly me, I thought we already did that. Bruce [:-cry]

Paul, Even the best inspector can miss copper clad aluminum if they'er not careful. It is a late 60's - early 70's thing. The problem is when you tighten the screws down for the connection it can cut or split the copper and the screw gets into the aluminum. The old bimetallic connection, galvanic reaction thing happens. You now have the same problem that you would have with pure aluminum. My personal opinion is either treat it like aluminum and crimp on pig tails or change all of the devices to approved AL/CU type. One way to spot it as was said is by size, another is the romex sheath is a beige or light green color. It says copper clad aluminum embossed on the sheath if you can read it. The third way is to carefully nick one of the grounds with an insulated screwdriver. When I find it, and it's rare, I call it out just like aluminum. As far as missing it in an inspection is concerned, if it isn't installed correctly (King Kong electrician) it's no better than aluminum. Hope that helps Bruce Download Attachment: 3670RomexWwire.JPG 52.84 KB Thought I had Copper clad Aluminum today but it turned out to be solid copper. Bruce

If there are that many folks in this house and nobody speaks English, you know they don't have any money to fix anything. I saw a lot of this last fall, working to hurricane damage for FEMA in the deep south. They just do what they can every day to survive. Good kind people, just trying' to survive. This isn't a real answer but I'd suggest wiping down the walls and windows every day just to soak up some of the liquid water. At least till spring when they can get some windows open. Bruce

Mike, Right! I saw several of these. Both slab and piling homes that had moved just from the flood water. Bruce

Daren, Here's my best one. Can any body tell me how this happened. Download Attachment: LAHouseOnCar.jpg 103.79 KB Bruce PS I'm Back from the south

When I was installing roofs ( about 30 years ago, (that's difficult to say)) we always used drip edge. It makes for a cleaner looking job. If you allow the shingles to overhang the gutters too far they tend to droop in and allow water to wick up behind them. In this area almost all roofs have drip edge. I put vented drip edge on my house because I have no soffit. Brian, How can you mix wood and metal, that must make a strange aloy? [:-bigeyes Bruce

Konrad, What are the steps made of? Remember you're going to have to take that semi-cheesy stuff off some day. Bruce [:-goldfis

Our local gas company allows copper feed lines but the main lines must be black iron or approved flex. I think it's a good ides for everyone to check. Bruce

The white on black stands out well but the dark red swallows all of the other type. Lighten it up a bit. Bruce

Erby, Great stuff! Saw one of mine in there, thanks for the credit Bruce

I agree with Brian We are supposed to be building homes that last for 100 years. The warranty is for 25? Go figure. Thing like this make my head hurt! Bruce [:-headach

Darren, Nick and his buddy the lab owner haven't been seen in these parts for quite some time. Some thing about a $17,000 fine and a refusal by the state to renew his certification. Remember the certified letter I talked about. Besides there is a lot more money in owning an association. B

Brian, Permission to put this one in my things not to do book? Bruce

Guys, Several things. Please don't confuse local or state "requirements" with EPA only about 30% of the states have radon regulation. EPA only puts out "guide lines" All laws are state specific. PA is regulated and is only slightly tougher than EPA. NJ, from what I understand is 2 steps above EPA but I don't know the specifics. In any case there are new Mitigation standards out for public review and comment. Have at us if you would like, we would enjoy your input. www.aarst.org . Or you can Email me and I'll send you a working draft. Keep in mind that these are national generic recommendations. A guide line for the state to base it's regulations on and change to fit their needs. ASHI has a radon system inspection document to use as a national guide line. I'll send you one of those too if any of you don't belong. In most cases around here (Western PA) the mitigators do a fair job because they know there is a chance the state guy may drop by for a visit. Nothing like a registered letter to get your attention. Bruce

Home Depot has a very good Little Giant knock off about $200.00. I have 3 little giants 22' model. They're great, we've used them for over 10 years and they still work very well. I also have a 12 1/2' telescope. You have to be careful with that one but it's great for attics and ranches. Bruce

Consider this guys, A sub-membrane ventilation system for that "problem" crawl space. Just like you would install if you had a high radon level. Seal 6mill plastic to the walls and around any penetrations like plumbing or a pier. Install a plastic pipe, 3" or larger, rout it out side and attach a low vacuum high volume fan. It costs as much as a 60 watt light bulb to operate and it takes all the water vapor and puts it outside where it belongs. The plastic separates the ground from the framing and it makes everyone happy, especially the installer. Just a thought, Bruce

Terence, There is another possibility. High water table intermittently. The water pressure cracks to concrete (stains), then goes back down and compacts the soil underneath causing the hollow sound. This is one of the rare cases where I recommend interior drains and a sump pump. The entire floor may need to be removed and replaced but after the drainage is added. Bruce

Steve, I don't know anythink about your laws. Here in PA USA We make about 20% of our income testing. Be sure before you jump in. Bruce

Scott, Kurt, Aaron & all, I guess what it comes down to is my Ford is better than your Chevy. Use what you prefer. Like Aaron I've been using the HomeSafe system for almost a year now and I think I'll keep on keepin' on. Bruce [^]

Kevin, Just one question. How is OSB fire rated? Bruce