Bruce Thomas

Kevin, Did you wash your hands after you touched it and it turned to dust? Bruce [:-yuck]

Here you go http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP/SM/ ... nformation The water cop shuts off the main if one of it's sensors detects a leak. I just suggested it to a home owner with PB plumbing lines. Bruce

Steven, You did exactly what you should have. Bruce

Hey guys, Doesn't the ground have to be equal to one of the legs? Bruce

Hi Tom, Me Too. There has been a lot of rain recently and there was a lot of gurgling as the air was being pulled through the water in the pit. That's the key, however, it may be intermitant. Steven, If the sump lid is sealed down it should be of lexan or at least have a viewing window. If water was flowing into the crock faster than the pump could handle it then water would be pulled up into the pipe. The pipe only needs to be just through the cover by about 1â€

Randy, I like Chad's word, "MESS" It looks new, I'd have the installer's supervisor out to look at what his guys are doing. Bruce

Mike, Excelent link. Perfect for the PA law and termoil that's going on now. I just sent it to all the members of PRO-ASHI. I'm begining to think that we should just let the market do the controlling. Bruce

They have a new model out since then Jim. Bruce

Kurt, Did you mention the dryer venting and kitchen exaust vent for the stove? Are they using a kerosene heater, they add a ton of water vapor to the air. Bruce

Scott, I always thought you were a sick unit, now I can prove it. Bruce [^]

In my opinion, (you'll find that I have an opinion on just about everything)allowed deck thickness is a code of structural engineering question. Since I don't do code inspection and I'm not an engineer, calling out the leaks and leaving it to the roofer is enough. Bruce [^]

Ok Crusty, I understand and it makes sence but how then do you prevent room air from passing through the opening created around the pipe. You now have 2 flues. One inside the pipe and one from the basement or appliance floor into the attic so conditioned air can pass directly into unconditioned space. Bruce [?]

Brian, I've seen it smolder but you have to keep an open flame on it. It won't sustain a flame. Is this a double vent pipe? Bruce

Jaykline, I wear rubber soled shoes, because I like them, I also wear poly carb glasses because I can't see without them. Safety is important but just like every thing else it can be taken too far. Have you ever seen the OSHA cowboy? I have not had a problem opening a panel YET. Bruce [:-bigeyes

Darren, The reason the flue rusted is because the horizontal is too long and it isn't drafting well enough to pull the acid vapor, gases and moisture (smoke)out. In addition if the oil and propane are in the same chimney flue, that's wrong, you can't mix fuels in the same flue. Bruce

I hate to keep harping on attic fires but here is another one waiting to happen. Bruce

Darren, Some folks interchange Flue and Chimney. The higher the more stack effect, the better it will draw. The exit point should be 10 feet away from anything. In other words 10' above the ridge, side of the roof, neighbor's house etc. Another way to put it is, hook a tape measure on the top of the flue and if you can measure less than 10' to anything then the flue is too short. Bruce

Those old TPR valves and tanks are an accident waiting to happen. Call it out of date and does not meet current standards. In addition the inside is probably so coated with minerals that it uses 3 times the gas to heat the water. Bruce

Mike, I can't answer all of your questions but the home was built in the 40's and had never had a paint problem before the insulation was added to the empty wall cavities. My concern with the ceramic paint is that it will seal an area like plastic wrap like the spray on siding. That may not be the case so it deserves a closer look. Bruce

Mike, Well.. Heavy sigh. My parents had UFFI installed at my suggestion in the late 70's. They didn't have any health problems from it but the paint fell off of the redwood siding in sheets. I know now that the house has to breath and that is what I was referring to in my post. If there is no ventilation designed in to any product it’s just going to cause problems and not solve them. I still need more info about a lot of questions that the paper didn’t address. Once I liked being first on my block with everything, still do with some things (infrared scanning for example) but now I don't mind learning from some one else's mistakes once in a while. (We don't do mold or lead testing with an XRF and I'm glad) Bruce [^]

Mike, I have lots of questions that weren't answered. Certainly fiberglass could be improved upon. But let's not replace it with formaldehyde foam, (if you're old enough to remember)what a mess. I think that we have to wait and see. Bruce

John, Welcome, Read everything that you can, Inspect as many dry run homes as you can, parents, friends etc. Taking a course is a great idea. Finding a mentor is also an important step, you may want to consider a franchise. Have a written business plan. After you write the plan double your expenses and cut your projected sales in half, if you can still make it then go for it. If you can get past the first year you have a good chance of getting to 5, if you get past 5 you beat the odds. You can email me too if you would like. Bruce bruce@a-ztech.us

Terry, Yes you can use it, anyone can use it. If we can prevent a fire put it on the front page. (just give me credit [:-bonc01] ) Brian, It made my heart stop for a second or two. I'm a volunteer fireman and I always had a hard time figuring out how an attic fire starts without bad wiring, now I have another reason. Bruce

Guys, Just some thoughts. There is a line that everyone draws in their own place as to what to report and what not to report. If it's safety it's in, no question. The grey areas are where the discussions come in. In the end the guy signing the report has to make that call. I have called things out and the electrician said that it was OK and the seller wanted me to pay his bill. I've gone the other way as well. I guess the bottom line is learn every day do the best that you can make the call sign the report and move on. Bruce

Some one laid a piece of ½â€