Jim Baird

"Stachybotris'll get you if you don't watch out!"

...I appreciate this kind of support. Client and I have talked. When shoes start to drop I feel ready.

...many times I have been startled by my electric screwdriver in my back pocket when I forget to lock it off.

Thanks for the replies. I inspected a home after a contractor referred me. He found weird stuff and advised she have me look. Evidence revealed by contractor showed serious effort to conceal structural problems. Another inspector preceded me but I did not see his report. An engineer followed me to prescribe a fixit, so I likely am only a choir member. My client has not answered me but I am giving it some days.

Thanks for the replies. I have not talked to my client yet, and I have about 30 days to answer defendant lawyer "request". Lawyer letters can make a request sound like a demand.

Letter from defendant lawyer in a suit related to my inspection of a dwelling demands "all documents, photos, etc". I am about to call them and inform them that my report stands alone as any documents I issue. They want me to have a notary sign off on my affirmation of my report as mine. Comments?

My most satisfying jobs are the ones when the client follows me like a dog on my heels and listens to my verbal description. Almost all of that kind like me better. I do take pride in my writing, but the verbal delivery feels to me like a job better done.

One curse of an inspector's life is looking around for code violations wherever he goes, even on vacation. The pic posted is in a bath with no window, and the "vent fan" is only a fan cover screwed to wall. A wall switch that appears to be associated has no effect, of course.

...also makes a rated separation.

Pours when rains dept, after finding first wind up ding dong bell I find three of them in one house, but don't touch them with even a pole.

Thanks, Jim. The only time I ever visited Vail, Colorado the thing that struck my eye was the number of buildings that were so close together that I don't think you could wedge a paint brush between one eave and another. That must be why slim rollers were invented.

Dr Seuss would call it a Yertle of turtles I think. Float down any of our creeks and rivers to see them lined up on logs that lay halfway in the water. When they notice you by sight or hearing or whatever they will slide off one by one into the water.

Our state fire codes call for 20' min distance between bldgs unless the walls are rated construction. I don't see how this vent is any remedy for fire risk.

Here's one for Mike lamb and the aesthetes among us. Next door to my job I spotted this roof vent array, that cleared up for me any question why this box vent is called a turtleback. Been down many a river where these guys line up on logs and slide off when you pass.

...do you keep them wound up?