Nolan Kienitz

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".

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.

Nah, it was just our forefathers rolling over in their graves!

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.

I posted the above without reading all the replies. It looks like I just called Kurt a cheap-ass DIYer.

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

You're likely correct. How do I disable these 'things'? Via the 'processes' tab on the Task Manager?

Marc

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?

For the last year or so, my adobe acrobat 8 Pro has locked up on form-fill pdf forms. It only locks up for 15 seconds or so then works fine afterwards. I'll betcha it has more to do with Adobe than the HUD 92051 form.

Sometimes I think I need to uninstall/re-install Adobe to fix it.

Marc

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

Every inspector should absolutely be operating every shut off valve to confirm its proper operation. Otherwise, when the buyer moves in and finds one that doens't work, he'll sue you.

Also, absolutely no inspector should ever operate any shut off valve becuase it might leak and the seller will then sue you.

The same goes for TPR valves and main water shut off valves.

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.

Thanks everybody. I've had my PE since '04, but I've still got to take the HI test. Thanks for the link to that thread, good stuff.

I'm kind of jumping into this with just enough knowledge to be dangerous. There's so much about home inspection that will be new to me.

I've got a lot to learn about starting my own business and marketing.

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.