randynavarro

If one sees "mold" on some wood, it must be identified accurately to know whether it will consume that wood or not, correct? I personally am not able to identify the different species of mold fungi, therefore I can't make the statement that the mold I saw will destroy the wood. Also correct?

EIFS doesn't hurt the knuckles as much 'cuz it gives. I press it hard with the thumb - it's easy to make it squish. Stucco hurts the knuckles more. No give, period.

Yes, I don't have any IPC resources in my library. I'm not up to speed on the plastic-concrete contact issue. Brandon mentioned it wouldn't be an issue - no bad stuff in the concrete to attack the plastic. It makes perfect sense to sleeve the piping, though. Movement / shrinkage of the concrete can wreak some havoc on pipes. Additionally, if a pipe is trapped in the concrete, the pipe's expansion and contraction can cause damage (to the pipe itself.) Someone can set me straight if these reasons aren't why sleeving or isolation the pipe is required.

2000 UPC 313.2 "No piping shall be directly embedded in concrete or maonsry."

These folks make me look good by association.

For those interested, I found it. IRC P2603.3 I've got my IRC on two different computers so I can't copy/paste easily on to this post. "Pipes pasing through concrete. . . shall be protected against external corrosion by a protective sheathing or wrapping or other means that will withstand any reacation from lime and acid of concrete, cinder or other corrosive material."

Anybody have the chapter and verse if this allowed or not? I'm looking, but I figured the bretheren may have a faster answer. I know, I know, I'm lazy but at least I'm lookin. . . Click to Enlarge 45 KB

Already mentioned and questioned: how does that install differ from a traditional brick veneer - other than using a more modern materials? Forgive the absence of acccurate terminology right now, but how 'bout some sort of screen at the bottom of the exposed edges to keep the insects out.

I finally took a second to watch the video. It's gross. Not the inspection process nor the inspector, but the sheer ignorance and incompetence of the media.

Personally, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable spec'ing a detailed fix. I'd just say, they're insufficient and dangerous. Hire a competent and reputable carpenter who builds stairs all the time fix them - if possible.

If you're smokin', eating McDonalds, and / or sucking down exhaust in traffic, you're probably exposed to more junk than what you've described in your house. Just my personal opinion based on un-substantiated assumptions.

I never use the words licensed, bonded, or insured. They mean almost nothing. I prefer qualified, competent, experienced, reputable, or any combination of the four. I make a decision before I start to write: if there's too many things, I'll say what others have already said ("The following problems need fixin'. . . .") If there's only one or two - maybe three things in a particular area, then I'll make a "statement" for each one.

I can't remember the last time I found bad skylight flashing except on a Harry Homeowner roof or skylight install. Proper? Best practice? Dunno, but common install here is step flashing up the sides; big continuous head flashing at the top; and big continuous counter-flashing on the bottom.

Not if you're wearing a thong.

I'm getting much better at condensing obvious messes in to short summary sentences as Chad has outlined. I make sure, though, to get plenty of pics in case someone actually calls me to substantiate my findings. I'm alway prepared to do so, but haven't been called on it yet.

Hm. How timely. You can use these pics from two days ago if you can figure how to re-color and make them look like your house. Click to Enlarge 48.78 KB Click to Enlarge 54.06 KB

Anyone from Oregon . . . Isn't there legislation on the table right now for all homes be HERS-rated? (Homes for sale that is)

It was a very close race. Many candidates to choose from, too.

What is the problem with the roof?

hi maxwel, welcome to the tij forum, i look forward to your postings Hi Maxwel. Welcome to the TIJ Forum! I look forward to your posts. Which greeting sends a better message? Especially to a bunch of cranky old inspector-ly types like most of us that hang around this board?

I don't think I even know how to inspect for mold. I'm pretty good at finding water problems, though. Even that skill is a bit limited what with not being able to tear stuff apart (at least intentionally).

Unless they want to find themselves saddled with mandatory requirement to inspect for "mold and certain fire and safety hazards," Home Inspectors in Washington State need to get off the stick. On January 28th, Senators Kohl-Welles and Parlette proposed Senate Bill 5644, a 2-page amendment to the licensing law that was passed in 2008 to regulate the activities of home inspectors in Washington state and require them to be licensed. Kohl-Welles had co-sponsored, along with Senator Spanel, the original bill that eventually became law. To download a copy of the proposed amendment, click the attachment link below. The amendment seeks to add "mold and certain fire and safety hazards" to the list of items that inspectors are already responsible for. Additionally, since the current law restricts all initial home inspection training to training done in a classroom with an instructor present, the bill seeks to allow inspectors to receive their initial training online. The Washington Home Inspectors Legislative Advisory Group (WHILAG) is mobilizing to oppose this amendment and is seeking support from home inspectors throughout the state. WHILAG is a bi-partisan coalition made up of members of nearly a dozen home inspection organizations that formed in 2006 to oppose two seriously flawed previous attempts in 2006 and 2007 to license home inspectors. It was WHILAG's efforts, supported by lobbyists working for the Western Washington ASHI chapter, that killed those two previous bills and led to a compromise that eventually resulted in passage of the current law. The inclusion of mold and certain fire and safety hazards had been included in one of the earlier licensing attempts that WHILAG had helped defeat. This bill was dropped without any fanfare and even the members of the Washington State Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board weren't aware of its existence until the bill had been introduced in the senate. It's been referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection and has yet to be scheduled for public hearings. Inspectors need to make their voices heard where this bill is concerned and should call, email or write their state legislators. Inspectors who want to assist WHILAG's efforts to oppose this amendment should email Sandy Hartman, WHILAG Secretary, at sandyhartman@comcast.net. Download Attachment: SB5644.pdf 11.87 KB

Oh, and Mike - I wasn't calling you a constipated bureaucrat. Well . . . on second thought. . .

I suspect Mike's gathering data because as we speak, the Washington state Licensing Advisory Board is writing our inspection standards to be implemented . . . maybe this year? TIJ is a great tool to get some useful input and data. Better to talk to the boys and girls out in the field rather than a bunch of constipated bureaucrats sitting in a windowless board room trying to make rules. PLEASE PARTICIPATE - It will affect my family! Me? Yet another choice missing: move insulation at plumbing if I suspect problems AND/OR randomly around the perimeter to check for bugs and rot.

Some wise-ass use to say: "Unconventional things behave unconventionally. . . "