Nolan Kienitz

Marc, Tnx much. That find was very helpful. I'm tired of the "stuff" as well.

I've hesitated in posting this URL for the training being offered, but I've been in-undated with e-mails from Mr. Battarbee (insurance rep) advertising this two-day seminar in Central Texas. I've dug into the speakers and other verbiage about the seminar and have found that the speakers appear to be linked at the hip in some fashion or another ... mostly out of Florida. I've done other searches trying to find solid support for some of the claims being made in the advertising. IE: "Tainted Corrosive “Chineseâ€

At a recent inspection of a home that had been taken care of by original owners until their passing recently, my client is a single-father and working two jobs to make ends meet. The property was built in the mid '60s, slab foundation with cast iron DWV system. So you know straight up that likely something would be amiss. One of his jobs is working for a company that scopes/repairs and also provides forensic analysis of plumbing issues "under the foundation". Once the problem is diagnosed as being "in the yard" another company takes over. Anyway ... he asked if I would mind if he scoped the drains while I was doing my inspection ... especially after I had noted some anomalies with the drain (or lack/slowness thereof) in the 1st floor Master Bath. I had no problem with such and I was able to learn a lot from this young man. He scoped the lines and found at least 3 locations where pipe joint connections had separated/lifted causing the problems. He said the costs would be in the $10 to $15K arena, but seeing as how he worked for the company he would get a discount.

Erby - You must have received the same e-mail I just got !! []

Many folks don't care for them, but I've always used a good chiropractor to help keep my back in reasonable alignment. Have had many pinched nerves related to same and have had good results.

Bill, You gotta know he is smiling !! []

Cheap version of "foam" insulation by not doing "foam" [?]

Sung by a group known as "Dave's Highway". No instruments, no microphones, no special effects. Just 3 young siblings (Erika, Delaney, and Zachary) singing the anthem as originally written, right in their own living room. Our National Anthem

There are many other more descriptive words for this person. I'll let your minds ponder over which you might find the best [:-bigeyes

Check your e-mail. I sent over document for review.

Wonder where the "certification class" is for the Ghost Hunter Certification? You think you get an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper you can frame and hang on your office wall?

Marc, You might look into all the "little things" that get loaded into your PC's OS that kick into gear or load when you reboot and run in the background. Adobe is famous for putting tons of little things (or at least 'some') into background running mode that do a lot of online checking of things and help make the Adobe apps run faster. I disable almost all my Adobe 'things' from doing such and I've not experienced any adverse problems. When I first downloaded Reader V10 I had some compatibility issues so I deleted it and went back to v9. I just reloaded v10 this past week and "so far" no hiccups. Scott, A couple of HI friends of mine down here use PrimoPDF for the PDF work and are quite pleased with it. PrimoPDF

Scott, I had no problems opening the 92051 at HUD with an older Adobe Acrobat application as well as both Adobe Reader V9 and v10. What was the URL you were at to get that information? Here the URL I was at: HUD 92051

Tisotn* has spoken! *the inspector sage of the northwest He most certainly has. I think. Marc Which way did he go?? "eyes looking left and right" [?]

Don't touch 'em. They leak when you do in many cases. Our TREC SOP requires testing of the W/H TPR Valves as well, but I also use an exclusion clause to 'not touch' them. TREC SOP does not 'require' testing of cut-offs. (At least for now!!)

Mike, Like Rob I ask each of my clients for feedback. Some do ... MOST do not. For now there is also a hot URL for them to click and answer the inspector feedback questions from ASHI. I get a system e-mail indicating that someone has filled out the survey, but most don't even bother with that. Not a big deal as I'm not sure what that does for me anyway and it does not appear that I'm renewing my ASHI membership this fall. Those that do I add to my testimonials page. As for it making a difference ... would not be able to gauge that at all. At the very least it does cause me to make some changes to my website and I figure that is a good thing as the web spiders like to see change on one's website.

FWIW ... PEs can inspect properties in Texas without being licensed by the TREC. I'm not saying I endorse that at all, but it is a baseline fact. I can put you in touch with a very good TREC inspector in Austin who would be more than glad to chat with you about the HI biz in Texas, Austin and of the interaction between PEs and TREC HIs. Over the years ... there has been a lot. Send me an e-mail and I'll get you in touch with the fellow in Austin. http://Nolan@NolansInspections.com

Phillip, You better keep buying those rolls of film with LOTS of pictures available ... else you will run out of film on each of those 'crap' inspections you are blessed with. Of course ... kidding here ... thank goodness the JPGs are digital these days!!!

Bubba can add this item to his supply of duct tape. I'm sure we'll be seeing it soon if some of us have already not seen it. [:-crazy] Flex Seal

Article in a recent "D Magazine" ... Dallas, TX Why Homes in the Exurbs Aren't Built to Last

Excellent post Mike O. ... Then there was late yesterday and last night ... I got a call from the listing agent I met at yesterday's HI thanking me for taking the time to explain so many things to her in a way she could understand. She has been selling home for about 7 years and said I was one of a very few inspectors who clearly explained things, was honest and held strong to my opinions. She went on to comment about many other (HIs) who just blow by the questions and just say that is the way it is and don't question me. Add to that a couple calls I also got from other HI friends of mine around the state asking for aid/assistance in a couple of issues and then the e-mail from yesterday's client who was very thankful for the inspection I provided for him and his wife and how pleased they were with the detailed explanation of the property. Those nuggets make it all worthwhile and as others have noted ... it is like chipping away and sometimes more progress is made that really provides satisfaction.

Back to Gary's OP ... I'm also at 9 years of doing residential inspections and I've been presented with several extremely less than ethical dealings with some agents and other HIs who are selling their souls for a quick buck and more a$$ kissing to the zoids. I may renew for another 2-years on my license, but not sure I really want to pursue much after that ... even if I renew on the next cycle. I can well agree with what you have noted and it certainly has been giving me pause for concern over the past year as well.

Down here in the land of Post-Tension Slabs decaying tree roots can be a pox on the foundation's "well-health". Couple the rotted root voids that are created along with the clay soils that constantly expand/contract and there is a recipe for moving/failing slabs and the need for after-market piers. On the other hand your soil conditions are different and it is a pier & beam. I've been under many pier & beam homes (circa 1925 to 1935) in the Dallas historic district with bois d'arc tree trunks as piers and also see many tree roots that have not appeared to cause any problems.

The attic I was in last Saturday was 164-degrees. NO ... I did not stay in there to socialize [:-bigeyes

Maybe it would help with ice dams ?? []