Tim H

I have done one Level 1 site visit. The firm that contracted me did all the document research etc., and I had a list of questions for the interview(s). Pretty straightforward photo-documentation for the most part. I have a pretty extensive manufacturing background, so the nomenclature and environmental features were familiar to me. Pretty profitable, and I would welcome the opportunity to do more. Tim

I like it a lot.

I suppose it would depend on the inspector. Personally, I don't like checklists, and I don't do on-site reporting. My reasons are many, but primarily I don't want to be in a hurry, and I don't want someone standing over me while I work. I look at lots of reports on line, and I have seen but a few that were prepared on site that wouldn't embarrass me. To try to sell one as being superior without considering WHO is preparing it is folly, IMO. That being said, I have never heard of anyone taking 3-10 days to get a report to a client. That's just puffery, and would raise red flags with me if I were choosing an inspector. Tim

You are correct. The house was built by the sellers grandfather, who was a farmer and barn builder. You may have noticed that the type of bricks aren't consistent throughout either. Also very unusual for a house of this age, in this area, was the poured concrete foundation walls and piers (combination basement/crawlspace). Some of the issues with the soldiers were caused by the failed lintel at the basement window well underneath. Some, not all. Tim

I went back to find more photos and I found this pic of what was originally an exterior wall (before they closed in the porch) that still had the black mortar. Click to Enlarge 53.86 KB Here is a pic of the exterior showing the tan mortar (and a really bad repair job under the window). Click to Enlarge 56.08 KB And another of the mortar around a portland cement repair at a lintel. Click to Enlarge 45.25 KB I didn't think that the entire house had been repointed because the tan layer was so thin in the places that I checked, but after looking again, I think you may be right. Thanks to all. Tim

This house was built in 1925. The lime mortar has a light brown-tan color that is what I am used to seeing around here. When I flaked a little away, the mortar underneath is dark, almost black. It was like this all over, not just next to the portland cement covered rowlock sill. Except for the blown lintels and typically horrible portland cement repairs/repointing, the walls were in pretty good shape. Click to Enlarge 56.99 KB Any idea what is going on? Thanks, Tim

Not a snowballs chance in hell. If I am expending all of my concentration on staying alive/adhered to the roof, I would have just as good a chance of missing something right in front of me as I would from the eaves. A mans gotta know his limitations. Tim

That could be the case, Erby. It looks like a double marker for husband and wife, where the last name was centered at the top, so it could have been split for any number of reasons. It also looks like a war era marker, but the 'CSA' would have been centered on the bottom. I hope you are right, and that Thomas' earthly remains are resting under a well tended marker. It's the least one should hope for. Tim

No problem.

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Sincere condolences to you and your family, Jim.

Thanks a bunch, Ezra. Tim

Are you saying that manufacturers don't intend for shingles to be installed in valleys? The quantity of water is no different. I think that there is a major difference between water flowing down a valley, and the same volume of water being concentrated and then dropped (accelerated) several inches onto a much smaller area. The physics are not nearly the same, it seems to me. Tim

Maybe it's not the water causing it, but from debris flowing out of the gutter slowly grinding away at the shingles?? I really don't know. I think you may be on to something. All I know for sure is that I commonly see accelerated wear in these areas. I hardly ever see moss associated with the condition. If it isn't the water itself, it could be debris and granules that wash off the field shingles, abrading the shingles on the lower roof. Tim

1st-If you are talking E&0, a lot. 2K+ for the first year, but absent any claims it will settle down over time. 2nd-Lots of good discussion on this topic over the years. Do a forum search and soak it up. Tim