Nolan Kienitz

Hummm ... wonder if this will work? Click to Enlarge 13.86 KB

So ... I'd like pie with pepperoni and Canadian bacon. Prefer thin-sliced.

.... Sniff .... Where's my Kleenex? .... Sniff ....

Aaaachoo !!

TIJ server could not be found this AM. Once found (obviously, as I'm posting this) it is very slow.

JK, Excellent, thoughtful input and observations. You and so many others who participate on TIJ (and many at the ASHI Forum) are very key to helping me grow as an inspector as well. Just have to deal with the hiccups over time.

Got this from a close friend of mine who I worked with at AT&T Labs many years ago. Made a couple adjustments, but seems to fit well. [:-slaphap Click to Enlarge 35.14 KB

Texas has 3 "state-based" inspector organizations. With national affiliation there is: ASHI (with Lone Star ASHI), Nachi (with some local groups meeting about the state) and NAHI There are many options here to choose from and only two of the state-based organizations offer reasonable in-depth meetings and CEs. Membership in Lone Star ASHI is currently at 13 for the entire state. I think there are about 40 or so ASHI national members in Texas. It is hard for a national organization with a local chapter get a reasonable foothold in this environment. Ergo ... not a lot to gain currently. I respect JK's comment about leaving ASHI if the only reason I'm a member is to get referrals; however that is "one" of my reasons as I get 15-20 job referrals from ASHI national each year. My prime reason to join ASHI was the honor of being asked by some very prominent and professional ASHI members and I've always held ASHI to a much higher standard and related professionalism ... albeit that view has been pretty much dashed on the rocks this past year. I may still "hang in" for one more year as one inspection from ASHI National pays my dues ... after that it is free. With the overall business fundamentally tanking over the past few months and the future not looking with any good recovery in sight ... bottom line economics may rule. As I noted earlier or in a related thread ... the 'mold school' just sounds like a bunch of "slip and fall", "ambulance chasing" attorneys. Not an honorable group!!

FYI - I'm getting a full/complete test/audit and all kinds of things to be done to my home. No charge to me (save for my taxes). It is being paid for by the local electrical carrier. Will be interesting to see how well I did when I installed all new flex duct in my house 3-years ago.

Think of the modifications needed to the can to catch all the potential errr ... "leak" points [:-crazy] Click to Enlarge 7.72 KB

Hi Nolan. I didn't realize Glacier Park is so close to Yellowstone. I'll have to Google Earth it. So much to see and so little time. I had the Yaesu VX-8R on-board this weekend. It was needed as the WX was so hot, and unpredictable, with t-storms popping up at night. You never know when a Tornado is going to hit in this WX. Running mobile in Montana if you have a portable HF rig could wear you out as there just are not too many operators in Montana. Folks like the contacts from the less populated states like MT, ND, SD. I'm thinking about reaching out for the VX-8R as well, but I have an HVAC system to finish paying off by September and the inspection count has been down the past couple of months. Ergo ... ham radio toys will have to wait. Glacier is an absolutely stunning park. Yellowstone is not anything to sneeze at either. Whatever the route y'all will have a great time ... absolutely beautiful scenery in Western WY, SW & W MT. I was born/raised on a farm in NE Montana near the Canadian border and ND so have a fond love for MT. NE Montana does not have the grand majestic beauty of the mountains and forests, but the ever stretching plains are also quite breathtaking.

Terry, If y'all are 'starting' at Yellowstone you are darn close to Glacier Park. An absolutely beautiful place. Also ... James J. Hill's Great Northern Empire Builder routed through East & West Glacier. Amtrak still makes two stops per day. Glacier National Park Click to Enlarge 10.06 KB

They were/are mandatory in Austin, TX within a certain area. Hasn't really worked out well down there ... at least as initially proposed.

In many areas of Texas the utility companies are doing all such audits and in almost all cases for "free". Some larger HVAC companies are also doing similar trying to get their foot in the door to sell equipment/systems. My personal view is that any such investment will have an ROI of decades.

I once built a few custom porch columns. [] OT - OF!!! M. Badda - Boom !!

I would be reasonably safe in saying that most manufacturers have always recommended drain pans under the EVAP coils of unit placed in attics over living spaces or in hall closets where a leak could possibly damage property. Manufacturers seem to be a tad more stringent that the code folks in many instances.

This type of construction produces a whole new set of rules and things are different that what is 'normally' seen/expected. If all the proper items are done correctly it should be a good thing, but I've seen many instances when local AHJ folks will force a change on some elements that will totally screw up such an installation and it is usually due to the local AHJ not having a good/solid understanding of the new technology.

Begs the question: If WJ is no longer running his inspection business why would the State of TN place such a fine? I'm certain that I'm missing something.

Diversity, diversity, diversity !!

OTH - I viewed a couple custom homes being built in a quite pricey part of Dallas. Was taken aback with one in particular: Metal ducts throughout and very nicely done. Copper throughout also nicely done. Pier & Beam that had ~ 3-4 clearance throughout. Five fireplaces ... no inserts. Someone had a chunk of change for that one anyway. I was doing draw inspections on it at the time.

JK - Here's hoping that the CSST had enough clearance from the roof decking and shingle nails as well. See so much of the "lack of clearance" issue down here. Thanks for the information on this find ... haven't seen that one "yet".

JB, Once you get through all this (and ... BTW ... you are doing quite well at sleuthing) and get effective repairs done ... you will become the local Expert Witness and "Go-To" person for the other screwed up homes in the area.

I love trains and (for me) this is interesting. [utube] " type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="344">

Or you could call HAAG Engineering (Irving, TX) directly and "try" to engage their engineers to do a site visit and analysis. Likely they would 'not' do residential unless you happen to have a boatload of money. I've been trained by their engineering team and they are extremely good. HAAG Engineering is one of the most respected roof covering damage analysis organizations there is. Consider that Mother Nature's "hail" cannot (I repeat: cannot) be replicated, but they have machines that are 'close' ... but still a long ways off. Insurance companies and roof covering companies utilize them and their engineering background and labs to test products all the time. It is quite amazing. They are good and well respected in the industry. NO ... I didn't just get a spif for the comment. I was just fortunate to be able to get through one of their training classes a couple of years ago and most appreciative of the experience/education.

Scott P., And you were showing her "what" in the hotel room? Ahem ... I think what goes on in Vegas should just stay there. This might just be more information than we need. [:-censore[:-censore