Jim Baird

Wayne, I thought it was a joke! My first question to them would be why is any expertise needed for such work. My answer to such a query would involve a flat hourly rate with some kind of minimum per diem.

You could listen to NPR's "Car-Talk" for names ideas, like their name for their law firm, "Boyd, Dewey, Cheatam, and Howe", or the name for their makeup consultant, "Budd Tuggly".

Amen, Brother. As for military, every soldier is a hero. The same can't necessarily be said for civilian leadership.

The only code requirement I know for relating to this is an air gap between the faucet and the "flood level rim" of the fixture. When there's an overflow, I guess the overflow opening has to be engineered to maintain the "flood level", but lacking the opening flood level means the rim of the sink where the flood cascades to the floor.

Three cheers for thoroughness! That said, let's not forget about disclosure rules thatare part of just about every sale contract. Who knows better than the owner, unless they are absentee, about what works or doesn't among the appliances of daily household use?

Kurt, I never would have figured you for a pocket-protector kind of guy. Heck, down here I dress like a real workin' man, khakis, work boots, denim or all-cotton utility shirt(like from the uniform catalogs). (No pocket protector needed) Hot enough weather its cargo shorts and a decent tee-shirt.

Hausdok, I appreciate the spirited exchanges that go on in this forum. I have learned a lot from them. You certainly don't just rely on your common sense to see what you see and say what you say. Your training and experience put you way ahead of people who just know they want to buy a house, and hire someone with the knowledge and experience to represent them along the often treacherous path to the closing table. Sadly, the International Codes specifically point out (I won't bother to cite where) that quality of materials and workmanship lies outside the concern of codes application. The model codes are sets of minimum standards that are judged to make a building reasonably safe to occupy depending on its intended use. I don't cite codes in my reports, but I do make it clear that my findings are often based on model code standards, due to the fact that they are good, practical guides to building safety. I have been paid to revisit homes that were particularly bad, homes where the seller says, "Who cares what Jim Baird thinks? We know there's nothing wrong with them stairs!" Code citation then is a big help. Regarding the "drop-off" figures, I never saw an IRC figure at 24" vs. 30" for guardrail requirement. It's been 30" since I've been code-certified (CABO 1998).

Sorry I skipped right over Chris' code reference to the bold print of swarga's. Chris' nails it. I don't agree, Hausdok, that code reference is a waste of time. Codes are minimum standards. If it doesn't meet the minimum, how can it be OK? Code references show that it is not just my opinion. The logic that says the attic is outside just shows how lost one can get in the dark woods of interpretation. When your mother told you as a child to "go outside and play", did you ever, even in your inexperienced state, think that she meant for you to go in the attic and play?

Hey Swarga, Your code citations sent me scurrying to the IRC2000, in effect in our woods. Here is the section which makes it clear as mud about bath exhaust terminations. It's in the basic requirements for Light, Ventilation, and Heating. It is included in the exception that allows an alternate to natural ventilation. IRC2000 Section R303.3 Bathrooms "...Ventilation air from the space shall be exhausted directly to the outside."

Hey Kurt, It's bad luck to be superstitious!

In my day of hammering boards and planks, we carpenters always used to pitch the whole width about 3/4 to one inch (say for a twelve foot width)away from the building. It wasn't scientific or standard, it's just what we considered good practice and common sense. I agree with Chris about the quarter inch to foot, it would make the tea in your glass look out of level.

homnspec, Can't help you w/UBC, but our state(GA)rides herd on all man. home installations. It licenses all installers, makes 'em buy state permits as well as local. Here, decks may be attached but must not rely on the building for support. They must be self-supporting. Sounds like "repair" of subject deck would be a matter of adding a few posts or piers anchored to some decent spot footings, but nothing like a 5K job. Seller doesn't understand that your inspection wasn't a warranty?

Hey Chad, Our state regulates and monitors the maunfacturing "environment" where modular homes are made. When a "unit" comes off the line and gets "delivered" there is a certain amount of "assembly" that has to be done (big pieces crane lifted and set, then lagged together. ((sometimes squaring up is a problem and you get some funny looking sight lines)) When the pieces are together and the utilities hooked up, the installer has to put a little sticker on the inside of the electric panel (or other conspicuous location) that verifies the building has an issued production number). That gives you the comfortable knowledge that some inspection actually was carried out down at the plant. Down here in the GA woods we call those "kickers" solid risers. Those steps look to my eye like a site-built feature. They look sort of short in tread width and lacking in nosing.

Anybody here ever seen sheet metal panels applied in residential use to 2X "nailers" on top of rafters, no decking, no felt paper, no nuthin? Local spec builder put this on new house. I flagged it as problemo. Told buyer's agent to make the builder show documents from manufacturer stating he could do this. Haven't heard from them. The realtor and buyer were a little stunned when I cranked out 3500 words and multiple defects on this brand new unit. Realtor said my report was "too technical".

The only thing it looks to me like you need is a custom built plywood drip pan like the kind they make down in Mississip!

Hey Kurt, If it's a Type B vent there are limits to the length of "developed" horizontal distance. Not sure if it's spelled out in IRC but in IMC it surely is. It may be pegged to the BTU rating of the appliance. If developed length is over spec for natural draft, then accessible powered assist is needed.

Hey Hausdok, Whoever told you you look pissed off is the one with perception problems. Don't let them color your self image!

Like Donald, I end up bugging them with "too many questions" for them to feel comfortable. Usually they aren't there or don't want to hear any comments I might make. Once the owner/occupant met me wringing their hands about a site drainage problem, and were anxious to show me how they had "fixed" the problem. My response was a cold stare at the result, complete lack of verbal comment, and some studious appearing scratching of notes. They slinked away and didn't bug me anymore.

I've seen plenty of what we call "staple-lock" shingles on older roofs, but they always laid 'em rotated to present a "diamond" shaped pattern. (Sorry no pix) The ones I've seen also weren't "snappy" but "flappy".

Chris, Three cheers for intuitive methods! My termite man, with whom I huddle each year as he inspects my crawl space, has told me that thru time govt. regs have, in the interest of safety, moved the allowable treatment chemicals away from toxicity thru time. That's fine for safety, but not fine for effectiveness. He tells me that finding infestations in five-year old homes is common now.

This picture reminds me of the story about two guys cutting out and raising a header on the barn door cause the mule's ears were scrubbing it when he passed. A neighbor asked them why didn't they just dig out the threshold a little. When the neighbor left the first guy said to the second, "The dummy! Who said the mule's legs was too long?"

Recently I read about granite tops needing to be sealed to prevent stains. The advice-giver even went on to recommend "avoiding spills" on yer granite! Can't figure why the stuff is so stylish, with the weight, the expense, and the need to prevent spilling stuff on it.

Depending on date of construction, type of construction, and use, some IBC regs may apply, regarding separation, egress, access, and fire protection. If use is changing, CO might depend on some design changes. Buyer may want to hire licensed designer to help answer code questions.

I was born in Dixie in a boomer's shack, Just a little shanty by the railroad track. Freight train whistle taught me how to cry, Mama made the driver sing a lullaby. from Freight Train Blues, by Bob Dylan

Have seen similar "support" "systems" from time to time, though usually not as stout. Time was when kitchens had these little masonry flue columns that served a "Franklin" woodstove. My grandmother had one in her kitchen. She didn't cook on it, but she loved to stoke it up just for the cheer and warmth. When it got hot she might put a black skillet on it to fry up little corn meal "Johnny cakes". Have seen several "remodeled" kitchens where the column was removed below the ceiling and the upper column "supported" by angle iron screwed to the ceiling joists. Usually the sag in the ceiling is quite noticeable. The remodeler was thereby relieved of the rest of the chimbley removal and consequent roof repair.