Nolan Kienitz

Mike, Are the images courtesy of your new W90?

The below is just for Marc over in LA .... [] Click to Enlarge 11.02 KB

I stopped the traditional fax many years ago and had been using MyFax for a couple of years and have even stopped that now. Like Erby's solution this application put it all into PDFs and sent to me, etc., etc.. Here is the URL: MyFax

Bad installation of PEX in a new home down here experienced ~12-leaks at locations throughout the home over the course of 10-months. Many were improperly done fittings and the remainder were traced to a "handling" issue of the roll of PEX from the plumber's truck to the house. When the plumber used his knife to cut the wrap holding the roll of PEX he slightly nicked the surface across several turns. Well ... over time, with water pressure those little "nicks" failed and sprung leaks at locations all over the house. The wooden floors had been removed and replaced 3-times along with all the kitchen cabinets and more and more. My client was about to go to court and sue, but builder stepped up and made the plumber's company (a rather large firm in the D/FW market) buy the house back and the builder put the client in a new home. Builder/plumber is gutting the house and redoing the PEX install. My client is chilling for a number of months and will sell the 'new' house and find another builder and go again. This was the path of least resistance and didn't cost my client any $$ ... save for the continued water leaks and rebuilding and general heartburn. I've become quite leary of PEX primarily from this experience.

Most all tankless systems require a 3/4" gas supply line and that means a full 3/4" back to the main distribution leg that may be 1-1/2" or 2", etc.. Any reduction (via elbow or whatever) to 1/2" and then back to 3/4" is not acceptable, from what I've learned over the years. Any reduction will not allow the unit to operate at design specifications and the clients likely won't be too happy with their 'spensive installation. I had one client who had her tankless unit installed 3-times (took the 3rd plumber to actually read the installation instructions and follow them). Once he fixed a few other things and made sure the gas supply was the specified size throughout ... it all worked as it was supposed to.

Also ... the "talking heads media folks" all want camera time and wishing/hoping/praying for the "big story". it has gotten worse over recent years with so much news/information possibilities available for use due to technology. Recall a few years ago the young lady in a canoe during a flood in New Jersey posting a shot about rising, dangerous flood waters and in the background of the screenshot were a couple of people "walking' in about six-inches of water. She was quickly slammed across the new-media system and (if I recall correctly) quickly terminated from that job. From 1970 to ~1990 I was with The Associated Press (I was in the technical/communications side in charge of AP's worldwide delivery of news) I was able to watch/see many very good, but also many very prima donna reporters operate. It was good and bad.

Look at the lower right corner of your screen: Snitz Forums

I read that earlier today and pretty much think it is "smoke and mirrors". Some company on the East Coast tried something similar a few years back and it also fell flat after folks skimmed the cream from the top. Will just have to wait and see what works out.

Has to be Erby's "alter-ego" ... OR ... well, you know: The Shadow Knows. [?]

RJ, Excellent. I continue to find it quite amazing to spend time with the clients without the agents buzzing about. Far more relaxing and a good exchange of information and conversation.

Erby, My wife and I have you, Joan and your family in our prayers. Thanks for sharing and re-inforcing the message of needed testing.

As noted ... change and variety is always nice.

MO - I have both the 61-165 and the 61-059. They both work well. I had the 61-165 upgraded just before that offer from Ideal expired. Fundamentally rely on the GFCI and AFCI test buttons. Albeit ... I had one GFCI today that would trip with the tester from the Hall Bath (GFCI control was in Master Bath) and the 2nd receptacle in the Master Bath. It would not trip with the tester when plugged directly into the receptacle. It would also trip with the Set/Re-Set buttons on the GFCI ... except that the electricity was still "live" on that receptacle. Seems to me that this time the test buttons on the GFCI receptacle were not giving me the expected results. GFCI receptacle noted to be replaced.

MP - Nope ... all documents were attached. I keep my "sent messages" to clients in a separate file folder in my e-mail client. NL - I provide my clients a list of various folks they can contact should they have questions about: HVAC, Electrical, Pest Control ... etc.. It gives them a reasonable place to start and do their own 'due diligence' for that service provider.

I received an e-mail from a recent client (home inspected a couple weeks ago) asking "which" document was the Inspection Report. The request for the inspection was a "hurry-up" ... but his question certainly makes one wonder. I am assuming he has not opened up one or any of the attached documents I sent him and my bullet list of what is attached is quite clear. BTW - he is an 'educator' and works in the local community college district system. I've pasted the crux of the e-mail below (re-dacted of course): ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Nolan: I have been busy with the mortgage company that I am just now getting around to asking you something. Which of these attachments is the property inspection report? Client FName >>> Nolan Kienitz 10/31/10 8:24 PM >>> Client FName, Attached are the PDF files as they relate to the Property Inspection at the address noted in the above subject line. Files included (as necessary) are: * Property Inspection Report * Home Maintenance Contacts * Home Maintenance Advice +++++++++++++++++++++ Thanks for giving me an opportunity to provide your home inspection. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'm using the 2007 suite from MS and can save as or publish as a PDF as well. Works well.

They wrap chimneys around here with them when the roof covering is replaced. About that time the veneer on the chimneys is pretty much worn as well. As KM noted ... they last forever.

Inspector friend of mine in East Texas sent me the image below and related questions/concerns. Tenant of home (rental) used the wood-burning only fireplace (BTW - only once) as when it got stoked up and running the house was filled with smoke that was coming through all the HVAC air supply vents. Damper for chimney flue was open. When my friend got to the attic he found the additional vent pipes coming out of the chase around the chimney pipe, but was not able to see down the flue. The vent pipes coming out of the chase were routed over to the HVAC system "supply plenum". The HVAC system is a vertical mount in a closet on the first floor. Supply plenum and distribution pipes in the attic and the return air plenum is the typical space below the vertical furnace/EVAP coil at floor level. I am "guessing" that the vent pipes may be attached to a heat jacket (my crude terminology) around the fireplace as an effort to route the "heated air" into the HVAC air distribution system. And ... obviously ... something has gone terribly wrong or was done really jack-legged back when. If it were possible to remove the drywall around the chimney chase I'm sure a lot could be learned. No identifying labels on the fireplace pre-fab type system. Just tossing this out for some 'food for thought'. My friend wrote a nice, clear, concise comment about having the HVAC and Fireplace representatives review and resolve as it is not a safe condition. Click to Enlarge 47.94 KB

... or the lack therof. So ... did he provide a solution? We have plastic/synthetics all around us now.

The local Texas inspector organization that lined up this and many other classes also gets them OK'd for CE credit for license renewal and ICC units as well. This particular HI organization (TPREIA ... Texas Professional Real Estate Inspectors Association) is hard-charging and focused on CE for it's membership and all TX HIs. Our $200/annual fee is the one time charge and only the 3-4 day Fall Seminar has an additional fee. All the others are "free". Hard to beat that deal. There is another HI organization in Texas that also lines up the same classes, but they charge their membership a minimum of $75.00 per each class and non-members get a fee of $125 to $175. Oh well ... it is what it is.

I'm in the same class. Nose first ... follow up with Tiff to emphasize and (as KM said) make a point.

I was able to attend a class at the James Hardie manufacturing plant South of Fort Worth in Cleburne, TX this afternoon. A great class, experience and tour of their manufacturing plant. This may be old news to many, but JH has created products based on climate zones. They have maps at their website for the coverage areas of the HZ5 and HZ10 products. I've attached a link to the portion of their website where you can download the "Best Practices - Installation Guide for the various zone products. Downloads are broken into sections and likely due to heavy duty file size. Very nice graphics in the manual. We were given hard-copies in the class today and I've also downloaded the HZ10 documents for my region. Don't know if Mike will want to draw these docs down into the library or not. I'll have to say the time spent and the information presented about the JH product was excellent. James Hardie - Best Practices & Installation Guide

You also have a possible solution at the ASHI Forum as well.

Absolutely ... the concern is "CSST" ... made by whatever manufacturer. Some individual CSST legal claims have been made in the D/FW market over the past year. Homeowner's filing claims against builders and involved trades. They have prevailed. No ... I don't have access to the legal final findings.

Got a tip from an inspector friend of mine in Austin and picked up an Iomega 1TB HDD from my local Fry's. $59.00 plus tax Not sure how long they will be on sale. 1TB Iomega HDD on sale at Frys