energy star Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 What do you bring to an inspection as far as tools go? Please lets leave our infrared cameras. I only ask, Because I can make some suggestions to help you. But first I have to understand how you are evaluating the system now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Originally posted by energy star What do you bring to an inspection as far as tools go? Please lets leave our infrared cameras. I only ask, Because I can make some suggestions to help you. But first I have to understand how you are evaluating the system now. Are you wanting to know about everything we bring (it'll be a long list) or just the stuff we bring to evaluate the HVAC systems? - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
energy star Posted January 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 I'm interested in everything. But it's not big deal. How long do you spend on an inspection? 3hrs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by energy star I'm interested in everything. But it's not big deal. How long do you spend on an inspection? 3hrs? My ideal is 4 hrs alone with the house, then one hour explaining everything to the customer. For fun, I tried to tally up my tools. Here's what I've got so far, though I've probably forgotten something: My tools & equipment Left pants pocket: Custom made notepad.Pocket mirror (backed with duct tape so that, if it breaks I'm less likely to castrate myself). id="indT">Right pants pocket: Cheap three light tester w GFCI test button.Slim-bladed pocket knife for probing finished surfaces. id="indT"> Breast pocket: PenBusiness cards Spare camera battery id="indT">Belt: Flashlight holsterCamera in holster id="indT">Slung over left shoulder: Small hand towelid="indT">Right Hand (when Iââ¬â¢m outdoors) Probe/walking stick/critter smacker made from modified ski poleid="indT">Laptop bag: Laptop, cords, cables, mouse, etcCheap thumb drives Misc papers, forms, handouts, reference stuff, etc Cheater adapter for houses w ungrounded receptacles id="indT">Note: If I had to, I could do most any inspection with only the above items -- plus a flashlight, screwdriver & ladder. The following items are important for me, but not essential. Tool bag (Large Tamrac Camera Bag): Stinger Streamlight HP flashlightBiosystems CO detector Golf ball (for rapping tiles if my knuckles get tired) Vernier Caliper Plastic fuse puller Electronic sling psychrometer Laser-pointer IR thermometer Tif combustible gas detector Torpedo level Canned air Foil furnace tape Tiny roll of duct tape Tape measure Wagner L606 pinless moisture meter Delmhorst J-4 pin-type moisture meter Clamp-on ammeter/multi-tester Suretest ST-1D Panasonic driver/drill Flexible extenders for the driver/drill Flame mirror Set of wire gauges Graduated steel rule (with English measurements only, no frigging millimeters) Toilet paper Band-Aids Neosporin Water pressure gauge Bag of spare screws for electrical panels 1 fistful of dollar bills Brass plumb bob Bic lighter Binoculars Gas-leak bubble solution Foot-inch calculator Lumber crayons Vinyl siding unzip tool 6-in-1 screw driver Two UEI digital thermometers Volt stick Highlighter Black sharpie Leatherman tool Detecto-lite neon tester Twist drills, screwdriver bits, nut driver tips, spare batteries, etc. Pocket watch Magnetic compass State of Oregon Certified Home Inspector ID tags. id="indT">Crawlspace bag 3ââ¬â¢x5ââ¬â¢ waterproof baby crib liner (to use as a drop sheet in front of the crawlspace hole)Key coveralls Full face respirator w P-100 cartridges Painters head socks Nitrile gloves Elbow pads Waterproof diverââ¬â¢s shoes Zip lock bags Estwing Rock Pick ââ¬â Ladies model (small enough to swing beside a rim joist). id="indT">Tupperware Crate #1 Rain suitSpare laptop Gas wrench Water meter key Adjustable wrenches Vice grip wrench 50ââ¬â¢ of nylon rope. (for challenging roofs) Automobile tow strap (for extra-challenging roofs) id="indT">Tupperware Crate #2 Radon kitsBulk panel cover screws Bulk spare batteries Spare flashlight Spare flashlight bulbs Spare camera Spare business cards Spare eyeglasses id="indT">Car: Extension ladder (usually a 24ââ¬â¢ extension ladder, but might be a 32ââ¬â¢ or 40ââ¬â¢ one or a 17ââ¬â¢ LG ââ¬â depends on what Iââ¬â¢m inspecting that day.)Vise grip welding clamp for clamping ladders to gutters. Six-foot stepladder. Hardhat (For construction inspections.) OSHA orange vest (For construction inspections) Gas furnace mirrors ââ¬â Ellis Prach style Cell phone Booking records Couple of Codecheck flip books Paper inspection forms in case both laptops crash Krawler (crawlspace crawling device) Big towels Pillowcase (for snakes) Folding Chairs Folding table (part of the car) Extension cord for freezers Water hose Corkers for shake roofs Mud boots for new construction Various battery chargers Fierce tunes Chicken jerky for dogs (or for me if I get particularly hungry) Radar detector (custom modified for enhanced performance) Backup radar detector id="indT"> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
energy star Posted January 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I was going to ask how most carry the tools, but I thought that was a bit over the top. I'm please to see the way you answered my post. I would say from that list, I would feel very comfortable having you in my home to inspect. Very nice. BTW, That is a killer flashlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Holy crap Jim, I can't compete with that, so I'll keep my list to myself.[:-bigeyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by energy star I was going to ask how most carry the tools, but I thought that was a bit over the top. I'm please to see the way you answered my post. I would say from that list, I would feel very comfortable having you in my home to inspect. Very nice. BTW, That is a killer flashlight. It is, but I wish the batteries lasted longer. I need to keep about 3 spares with me at all times. -Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by Brandon Whitmore Holy crap Jim, I can't compete with that, so I'll keep my list to myself.[:-bigeyes Actually, I'd love to trim it down, but every time I remove something, it seems like I need it at the next inspection. I do try not to keep any single-purpose tools. I like every item to be able to pull double duty. For instance, the canned air is good for testing insulated glass panels, blowing dust out of electrical panels & furnace cabinets and, in conjunction with the Bic lighter, it makes a dandy flame thrower for those awkward moments when you really need one. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 OK Jim-- I can see a use for almost all your listed items at some point. But I have a couple of questions about the following items: 1 fistful of dollar bills Ummm, I won't ask about strip clubs, and parking meters don't take bills. Well, not around here at least. Pillowcase (for snakes) Do you perform snake relocating services also? I usually just look at them and "ugly" them away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by AHI in AR OK Jim-- I can see a use for almost all your listed items at some point. But I have a couple of questions about the following items: 1 fistful of dollar bills Ummm, I won't ask about strip clubs, and parking meters don't take bills. Well, not around here at least. When I go in the crawlspace, I empty my pockets. Every so often, there are a few dollar bills so I stash them in one of the pockets of the toolbag. I use them for: * Testing the tightness of weatherstrip sweeps on the bottom of doors -- you can just use a piece of paper, but dollar bills don't tear as easily. * Emergency cash for when I *absolutely must* have a Heath bar. * Theatrical moments -- as when a seller bitches about how I'm running up his electrical bill by filling the whirlpool bath, running the AC or turning on the lights. I reach into the bag, grab a fistful of ones and toss them on the table. "Here you go," I say, "If you need more, just help yourself." Pillowcase (for snakes) Do you perform snake relocating services also? I usually just look at them and "ugly" them away. I happen to like snakes but I find that most other people don't. So no one minds when I tuck them into the pillowcase, tie it shut & toss it in my car. When I get home, I let them go in under my porch or under the plastic mulch in my garden. We have a bit of a problem with mice, voles, shrews, weasels, moles & gophers in my yard and the snakes, along with the cats, help to keep things under control. It's also useful when I emerge from a particularly muddy, filthy crawlspace. I can toss stuff into the pillowcase before tossing it into the crawlspace bag. It keeps the crawlspace bag cleaner. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by AHI in AR OK Jim-- I can see a use for almost all your listed items at some point. But I have a couple of questions about the following items: 1 fistful of dollar bills Ummm, I won't ask about strip clubs, and parking meters don't take bills. Well, not around here at least. Pillowcase (for snakes) Do you perform snake relocating services also? I usually just look at them and "ugly" them away. And the extension cord for freezers? Is that in case a GFCI trips and you can't find it or get to it? I noticed the spare electrical-panel screws. What about spare 1/4" and 5/16" screws for when one of the attic heat pump screws slips out of your fingers and is lost forever in the insulation? That happened to me about a gazillion times before I wised up and began carrying spares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Remas Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I only need a long lighter, a bottle of fish oil and some dimes to use as screwdrivers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by Jim Katen Originally posted by AHI in AR OK Jim-- I can see a use for almost all your listed items at some point. But I have a couple of questions about the following items: 1 fistful of dollar bills Ummm, I won't ask about strip clubs, and parking meters don't take bills. Well, not around here at least. When I go in the crawlspace, I empty my pockets. Every so often, there are a few dollar bills so I stash them in one of the pockets of the toolbag. I use them for: * Testing the tightness of weatherstrip sweeps on the bottom of doors -- you can just use a piece of paper, but dollar bills don't tear as easily. * Emergency cash for when I *absolutely must* have a Heath bar. * Theatrical moments -- as when a seller bitches about how I'm running up his electrical bill by filling the whirlpool bath, running the AC or turning on the lights. I reach into the bag, grab a fistful of ones and toss them on the table. "Here you go," I say, "If you need more, just help yourself." Pillowcase (for snakes) Do you perform snake relocating services also? I usually just look at them and "ugly" them away. I happen to like snakes but I find that most other people don't. So no one minds when I tuck them into the pillowcase, tie it shut & toss it in my car. When I get home, I let them go in under my porch or under the plastic mulch in my garden. We have a bit of a problem with mice, voles, shrews, weasels, moles & gophers in my yard and the snakes, along with the cats, help to keep things under control. It's also useful when I emerge from a particularly muddy, filthy crawlspace. I can toss stuff into the pillowcase before tossing it into the crawlspace bag. It keeps the crawlspace bag cleaner. - Jim Katen, Oregon Not meaning to hijack this thread further but I have to admit that I love the cash use! Fortunately, I don't usually have pesky sellers hanging around. The worst are retired engineers who want to follow me around. If they get too annoying, I gently let them know that it's not a good thing to get on my bad side since a lot of what I write up can be a judgment call. Most figure out the underlying issue pretty quickly. As far as snakes, I like them myself. Those that aren't venomous, anyway. We live on about 3 acres where snakes are not uncommon. There is a covered deck off my office at the rear of the home, and I know there is a nest of black racers (at least that's what I think they are) about 50 yards behind the house. I have seen them a long way from there; it appears that they range a pretty good distance when looking for eats. I also know they move really quickly when you get near them. I can't catch one to save my life. The photos were taken this summer. The deck boards are 2X6's. I figure this guy had to be 42" or so if stretched out fully. The first shot was taken through the door; the second one was taken closer to the snake after I opened the door and went on the deck. He got away pretty quickly after that. He had to climb up and down a smooth 4X6 (I routed the edges) to get on and off the deck. Click to View 45.71 KB Click to View 54.77 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by Jeff Remas I only need a long lighter, a bottle of fish oil and some dimes to use as screwdrivers Fish oil??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Fish oil??? To check for heat exchanger leaks of course....???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Originally posted by Brandon Whitmore Fish oil??? To check for heat exchanger leaks of course....???? 'splain, please. I've never heard of using fish oil to detect heat exchanger problems. But let me guess...you apply it inside the HE and see it you get an awful smell inside the home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 'splain, please. I've never heard of using fish oil to detect heat exchanger problems. But let me guess...you apply it inside the HE and see it you get an awful smell inside the home? [:-graduat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Add: Liquid wrench Assorted Prybars Streamlight Stingers won't last an hour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirch Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 I carry toilet paper also, the most important item in my when needed
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