Nolan Kienitz

UFER grounds are becoming "suspect" down here (Texas) as when a foundation is set out the pads are covered with 6-mil poly and then the pour begins. It is putting a layer of 6-mil poly between the earth and the encased electrode in the beam. Not a good thing overall. Some AHJ's are requiring other methods in light of that from what I've been hearing.

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Not according to the letter. It was addressed to: All FHA 203(k) Consultants I've attached a scanned copy. Download Attachment: 091311_HUD-Letter.pdf 36.89 KB

HUD sent a letter to all 203k Consultants in the USA stating that if they are located in a state that requires inspectors to have licenses that the consultant must provide a copy of the current/active license to HUD by 01/02/2012. If not provided the consultant will be removed from the 203k roster. No grandfathering to be allowed from what a HUD contact told me this afternoon. The impacted consultants can go through the requirements of the respective state and obtain their license and provide to HUD and stay on the list ... assuming all such could be done before the end of the year. If not ... they will be removed from the list. They can re-apply for consideration to be put on the list once they have the required inspector's license ... but having been on the list in the past is no 'lock' in being re-listed. Does not impact states that do not require inspector licensing.

Sry Charlie ... can't help. I stopped inspecting pools 5-years ago at the urging of my attorney. I would have to refer the pool inspection to the "pool inspector" I work with. He used to build pools, then maintained pools and now is inspecting pools as he threatens to "retire". He does pool inspections for about 20 of us D/FW home inspectors.

I guess I'm older than I thought ... I used to have and use a 'safety razor'. Back when ... that is. []

90-miles North of my hometown in NE Montana ... Plentywood, MT. Yep ... freezes!

The images seems to suggest CSST being used from the cut off valve on the black iron to the appliance? (To me) ... that just doesn't make any common sense. I may be mis-reading that all-together. Why not just use the approved "flex connectors" ??

Touche []

I think you are good ... for now. Probably at least 18 more months. [] I got two years on you Mike and I haven't slipped off the end ... yet! Happy Birthday [:-party]

A very poor one as access to the panel was a genuine PIA. Click to Enlarge 46.94 KB

Looking for some history and/or availability/viability of this panel being maintained today. House built in 1960, SEP installed in a very tight Utility Room and I was unable to safely open cover and remove deadfront. I can't seem to find any data on this panel. I plan on putting in report that sparky needs to review for ability to service/maintain. Click to Enlarge 40.35 KB

TREC does not allow the use of "their" logo by inspectors ... unless you have received some special dispensation from the TREC legal folks. I doubt that you have received such approval. Many HIs do use it, but they are subject to being admonished and fined by TREC As Les noted ... you are "required" to carry E&O ... why broadcast it to everyone? Not for anything having E&O is for "your" personal and business protection and that (in my view) is my personal business decision. If clients ask if I have E&O I start getting vary careful about the next string of questions as I may decide I don't want that client and find my calendar quite full.

I can/will vouch for Whisper Reporter. I use it daily, also do development for Whisper Solutions. Whisper Reporter is the newer release and will do all you want Phillip and then some. Goes without saying they have the Texas required template, but they also have many general templates as they have many clients in states besides Texas. Here's the link directly to the Whisper Reporter application. You can download the full operating version and test drive it as well. I can send you some general completed reports for viewing if you like that are not the Texas TREC template. I'm working on a report this afternoon for a foundation pre-pour. Whisper Reporter by Whisper Solutions

You also need to be sure that there is an "air path" from the eave (above the soffit vents) across the roof/wall framing and into the attic space and out the roof vents. Often insulation gets jammed into that space and blocks the air flow from the soffit vents into the attic space. Click to Enlarge 37.28 KB

I agree with Marc. Those vents don't appear to be much different than a ridge vent and as long as there are soffit vents in place with the air baffles/waffles to allow air flow from the eaves into the attic it should be just fine. Now ... if someone were to install a powered vent fan near the vents that could then cause a whole 'nother problem. Thank goodness they did not do that.

It is pretty cool. I started putting links in my reports about a year or so ago and am still in the process of doing same as I come across various items. One downside is that I've found it handy to occasionally check the links to be sure the document or site is still there so I'm not sending my client "high an dry" to a dead link/document.

Probably because the State of Texas legislature approved "noodling" and it became law as of today (09/01/2011). "It is now legal to catch a catfish with your bare hands, i.e. noodling!"

I'm not any sort of expert nor afficianado of the Packards or Studebaker (Hawk), but I had a close friend that had a Studebaker Hawk whilst growing up back in the day. Click to Enlarge 10.85 KB Packard Click to Enlarge 17.38 KB Studebaker-Hawk And none of this has anything to do with the OP - []

Mike C., Thanks for the additional input. Here's hoping that the HIs who do spend the $$ to attend ask the right questions and see beyond the hype that appears to be on the presentation agenda. Like your comment indicates I'm also concerned about the 'newly educated' HIs blitzing their respective markets and creating fear and making mountains out of molehills. It is all along the lines of the "mold is gold" era from a number of years ago and was just recently addressed on another topic in this forum. Education is good ... emotion and hype is not good.

Or maybe an aluminum foil deflector beanie [?] Click to Enlarge 10.6 KB

So now that there is no tree ... what the heck are you going to do for shade? Unless you can transplant another living tree you will be waiting a few years for shade? Damn ... I'm impressed with the effort and success. [:-thumbu]

I'm sure many of y'all are aware, but just wanted to quickly mention that the National Geographic Channel is having a series of 9/11 specials as we approach the 10th anniversary (not a good choice of words) for the horrific event. Background history is on at this moment and a first time ever special with former President Bush is on at 10PM EDT.

Manny, Excellent and detailed response with probing questions. Thanks for taking the time to review and comment.

I entirely agree with Marc. The purported claims made in the advertising are quite suspect as there is not quantifiable evidence provided with the claims to back up same. Not to say that they are not available, but where? I'm not for one second discounting the potential problems with problem drywall and I will agree with you education is key and relevant; but the verbiage used for this education runs on the edge (any possibly beyond) of being hype. Your reply comments about housing construction and a "BOOM" in Texas is, candidly, along the lines of the two-day seminar 'hype'. New home construction and existing home sales in Texas is definitely not in a "BOOM" cycle. Granted Texas has not been hit as bad as many other states, but it is still not what you are labeling as a "BOOM".