allseason

Is this pvc allowed as a drain pipe on a water heater TPRV? Labeled: Schedule 40 PVC ASTM D-1785 Click to Enlarge 50.23 KB

It was used a lot to get the fake Tudor look on the cheap, and all the wood trim in between rots along with it.

I had a client a couple of years ago, detached garage, vinyl siding and finished interior. There was a double width overhead door installed. I found carpenter ant evidence at the framing at the overhead door. I have an attachment that goes with the NPMA 33 form if I find evidence of WDI, it warns of hidden damage and the need to remove obstructions (carpet, walls, etc.) to determine the extent of the damage. After he moved in he opened up the wall above the overhead door and the header was little more than carpenter ants holding hands. They can be as bad as termites if left unchecked.

I have a neighbor who asked me to come over to smell their master bedroom closet. The closet smelled damp, musty and akin to body odor. This is a second floor room in a 57 year old house with no roof leaks. I went into the basement in the same location as the closet. It is a room where they have a sump pump. The room in the basement was finished with rock lath and plaster and was soaked at the base from water intrusion. The walls were moldy and wet and reeked. I told them to gut the room. After they gutted, let dry and re sheetrocked the basement area the smell in the second floor closet went away. What's under the room? A chimney flashing can leak into a basment or rooms other than those directly under the roof.

I use a netbook basically to check email, etc. when I'm on vacation or sitting on my patio. It's really light to carry when traveling and serves its purpose, and I don't like virtual keyboards. I would not consider it for on site inspection use.

The problem is that the grey pvc is to indicate to excavators that the pipe they encounter below grade contains electrical components, white pvc indicates plumbing.

That's funny, cause it's true.

Marc, Call it an "On Site Wastewater Treatment System" rather than a treatment plant as most systems use no machinery at all and rely on gravity only.

Where are these slates from? Dark gray to black. The additions were roofed seven years ago and now have several broken and loose slates. Click to Enlarge 46.19 KB

You should not be able to see the top of the key of the lower shingle below the upper shingle.

I have ten year old wax rings in my house that are still leak free, and the 20 and 45 year old ones I pulled out were still doing their job when I replaced them. The wax ring likely fails from the seal being broken by other means, such as a loose bowl with lateral movement.

It seems that even the iconic image of the carpenter could not save these rafters. Click to Enlarge 59.31 KB

You are commonly allowed to cut any limbs that hang over your property, at the property line. Try a 10% bleach solution sprayed over the affected area. It will kill the moss and the rain will slough it off. I find that the moss does not pull the granules the way lichens do, so you can try pulling some of to see if it does any damage. If no damage occurs you can sweep it off, it usually comes off with ease. I have heard the same with the zinc, it has to be installed every few courses.

Hail damage will commonly be on only one side of the roof due to prevailing wind at the time.

Putting on the gutters is not a repair, it is an upgrade or improvement, like asking the owner of a stock 1932 Ford to install hydraulic brakes. It is not a repair because it was never there to fail.

Happens here to. Click to Enlarge 83.89 KB Click to Enlarge 98.54 KB

They always increase with the rise in temperature. Keep a log of the calls you get, date of call, where they heard about you, and whether or not you book the job and you will see this trend. If they ask for a price sell yourself and your company first, then ask about the house, then give the quote. This will calm them down, they'll remember you, and you have a better chance of settin' the hook, and all the while you're being honest.

"Gothic Revival exterior is a lively mass of shapes and planes." That says it all.

A couple of block likely would have been cheaper than the lumber.

Where's the trap?

There was a study done in Europe many years ago that determined that English Ivy, which clings, was a benefit in cooling masonry buildings. It simply needs to be maintained.

I would agree with that, even here in bassackward NJ. I would likely be at 2k for the big house and another 400-500 for the carriage house. No way I'm off that property in 5 hrs. All day on site, 10 hours at least, another day in the office going though pics, notes, etc. I state in my Pre Ins Agreement the time that I will spend on site with a gig like that, so you are not there a week. Price the job right and embrace it, could be a great experience.

I just saw one on craigslist for $400.

Either way it needs to be treated as hazardous if disposed of so I can let the client know to use caution. The buyer is a mechanic and machinist and he thought that they were unique and I'm sure he'll keep them.

The hood like diffuser over the top next to the horn gives the impression of an extinguisher, may be only an alarm. I would still like to know what's inside. Must be a chemical reaction causing vapor at pressure to push through and blow the horn.