Gerry Beaumont

Hi to all I spent a huge ammount of time last fall studying the issue of the effects of licensing in all the states who both regulate inspectors, and whose State boards publish the results of discipinary actions, I have to tell you that I could find no corrolation what so ever between State licensing and consummer protection, the reported incidence of inspector failure is so small that it is statistically invalid. I personally keep flip flopping over the licensing issue, I believe valid licensing to be a good thing, if it offers protection to both the client, and as you say the inspector. I cannot find an act anywhere that can be demonstrated to do that. It escapes me as to why various groups in our industry are so hell bent on licensing, but fail to even lobby for limitation of liability clauses in bill proposals. I am sorry but all I ever see in licensing is protectionism. Regards

Hi to all, Like many others I love the idea of a PDA but hate the screen size and also the fact that the opperating system does not support many programs. I have been looking at the OQO model 2 pocket pc which has a full windows XP or vista OS www.oqo.com Regards Gerry

Bryan, I would suggest that you look at the Dryflekt website, this is the flashing that I spec for repairs, the site has good drawings and CAD files. www.dryflekt.com Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Anyone want to buy a couple of slightly used inspection businesses, on in MA, the other in GA. Seiously though, now I know why Jimmy doesn't answer his phone. Good luck to both on your new business venture. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, I have to agree with Dom, one of my own membes down here was opperating like that, not only is it illegal for a HI to contract for that work in this state, but also in doing so they would be buying a big chunk of any potential liabilities in this area. Ther have been several actions taken against HI's doing exactly this. Regards Gerry

Chris, last time I spoke with Jimmy he was off to the land of my fathers to quoff down pints of finest English ale (and the swine went without me!!!) Not sure if he is back yet. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, The best refernce site for composite siding is run by David Cohen from Portland Oregon. www.sidingsolutions.com BTW David also publishes a very good handbook on the subject for very short money, highly recommended. Regards Gerry

Chad, I turned off the safe search mode, and opened a bottle of Merlot. All I can tell you is that it has been an interesting and enlightening evening. Thanks (I think) Regards Gerry BTW drop a dime when you have a boring 1/2 hour

The 15- and 30-amp designations indeed refer to the current levels at which the meters are tested and adjusted. (I've been doing some research.) However, it's misleading to say that they have nothing to with the meter's maximum amperage. The issue for a meter isn't the maximum amperage; it's the continuous load range. In modern meters, this is labeled as a class designation and is printed on the meter as the letters "CL" followed by a number. For instance a CL-200 meter is a class 200 meter rated for a continuous load of 200 amps. According to ANSI C12.10, a 15-amp meter is equivalent to a class 100 meter and a 30-amp meter is equivalent to a class 200 meter. Any of these meters can handle far greater currents for short periods of time. From this information, it seems to me that 15-amp meters are intended for use on 100-amp systems and 30-amp meters on 200-amp systems. If anyone has any information that conflicts with this please speak up. I'd like to know if I'm wrong. Of course, the meter is the property of the power company and they can use whatever meter they want. But a mismatch between a meter and the service equipment can be an important clue for a home inspector. - Jim Katen, Oregon Hi Jim, thank you for that, you added to my knowledge on the subject, I was not aware or the corralation between the test/calibration amperages and the continuous load amperages. Regards Gerry

The old 15 amp meters were rated for use with 100 amp services. You'll also see 30-amp meters in that part of town. These were rated for use with 200 amp services. I have no idea why they carry the 15 and 30 amp designations. - Jim Katen, Oregon Hi to all, The 15 (and later 30) amp figure seen on many older meters is the testing and calibration amperage, and nothing to do with the meters maximum amperage. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Prestons list that unit as being a 1984, and yes as other have stated it is a 3 ton unit. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Mike, here is the problem. Property assesments in the UK are the pervue of the Chartered Surveyors (They are a particularly teritorial bunch who are more like SEs' here). Independent home inspectors in the UK would leave themselves open to charges of practising as Chartered surveyors with a license, in much the same way the you or I could be called to account for acting as structural engineers. This does beg the question as to whether anyone needs a 4 year degree to inspect residential properties, the British government thought not, however it does appear that the special intrest groups (Surveyors included who have paid lip service only to thos scheme) have won out. BTW, for the most part inspecting homes in the UK is very much easier than it is here (or it was when I left England) due to a very limited range of building system variation. Regards Gerry

Mike, to the best of my knowledge there is no available software for the Mac OS, however you will be able to use the web server based system from ReportHost www.reporthost.com Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Here is a link to a guest book, you may all want to leave a few words, Norm will be surely missed. http://www.legacy.com/PalmBeachPost/Gue ... D=18219784 Regards Gerry

Roni, I believe that both Homegauge and 3D have or are currently developing Spanish versions of their software. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Thats deffinately one way of getting away from all that lawn maintenance Regards Gerry

Steven, I guess if you can live with that you can live with anything [:-bigeyes Regards Gerry

Steven, before you get too carried away with this notion I have to tell you that refined diesel from soya beans and using old cooking oils as fuel source are far from the same thing. Old cooking oils are far from combustable even at deisel pressures and heat, you need to mix in some virgin fuel to make it work. And the smell, well lets just say that it is memorable http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/17/North ... _bio.shtml Regards Gerry

Hi to all, I have lusted after one of these for way too many years. It's an Aston Martin DBV8, probably the worlds finest "muscle" car 160 mph hand built using the best english craftsmanship and materials ...........Beautifull Regards Gerry Download Attachment: DBV8.jpg 61.71 KB

Hi Mike, I remember seeing one of those at a car show in the late 80's. Are you actually admitting to owning one of those[] here is a beautifully written article about the Bijou explaining its short comings. http://www.bltin.com/citroen_bijou.html Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Nice cars Steve and Les, I remember the older Mercedes sedans in North Africa, we called those Beruit taxis. Steve I had a 1973 I think 280CE for a while back in te UK, boy those thinks are well built, boring, but beautifully put together. LOL I have owned a couple of Mercedes over here as well including a grey market 560SEL that was rediculously quick for a 2 ton car. Regards Gerry

Hi to all "Chick repellent" I gotta remember that one Jim My first car was a 1967 Triumph Herald sedan (yeah one of funny little Brit cars) it had a 1200 cc (about 3ci) engines putting out a stump pulling 40ish horse power. I span it on ice and then learned how to replace drive shafts that got bend, it vibrated quite a bit before that job got done!! I have to admit things got better after that and having been a "Petrol Head" all my life has meant that I've had some interesting stuff over the years, from the sublime to the rediculous, a 1967 Jaguar/Daimler 420 (pure class and goes like hell) and the other end of the scale goes to a 1959 Isetta Bubble-car (one door right on the front). I am currently classic-less at present, but I do see a British sports car in my future again sometime soon. Just for laughs, the image is of a Herald as many over here would not know them. this one is the delux version with round wheels and "see through" glass [:-magnify Regards Gerry Download Attachment: trherald.jpg 30.03 KB

Hi to all, Terry, IMHO that installation will allow moisture intrusion due to lack of flashings and inadequate sealing between the stucco anf the window frames. I would recommend researching the window manufacturers installation specifications. Regards Gerry

Hi Martin, In most states installation of MH are regulated seperately from the general contruction industry, down here in FL it is a DMV function, in other states it falls under the State Fire Marchalls office. I would recommend repairs be carried out by a MH installer licensed by whatever your local regulatory dept demands. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, I use a hot shoe connectable Olympus, and I love it. It was a bit pricey when I bought it, but Amazon has them now at a sensible price point. BTW, why didn't anyone mention lanyards before I dropped 2 of them of commercial buildings (they are not noted for their ability to bounce!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008E ... 4?n=172282 Regards Gerry