Nolan Kienitz

Can we talk about porn instead?

Well, let's see now ... How 'bout starting here ?

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Old paint being poured into a mixing/recycling barrel?

My subject may be a 'tad off', but I think I read somewhere that the far too common practice of bundling the branch circuits into one entrance at the top of an SEP started in Texas or at least somewhere down South.

Goes without saying that most of the time we can't see the remainder of the wiring above the panel, but when it is possible it is all bundled up the wall through the top plates and then pulled through the attic. Obviously should be de-rated.

Newer construction actually attempts to spread out the branch circuits as required from the top plate, down the wall and into multiple entrances at the top of the SEP.

When my panel was replaced last fall it had originally been done the common bundling way. My electrician was quite fussy about spreading everything out as best he could and made it right with the new panel.

Anyway ... a few images of recent HIs I've had with "bundling":

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At long last the Houston, TX lawsuit with a "seller" suing a home inspector is finally over.

It was termed a "take nothing judgment" ... meaning that there were no awards and that each party walked away. Albeit both sides still had their respective legal fees to pay/absorb.

You can imagine the pucker factor had this been found in favor of the seller and what the ultimate implication would have been for all of us inspectors. E&O would have gone to the moon unless they just canceled period. Thank goodness we don't have to go there for now anyway.

I was just reminded this Sunday AM that the motion is still waiting for "final signature" from the judge.

Download Attachment: FoxTakeNothingJudgement.pdf

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Dear Tri-ASHI

In light of rumors of Mr. Kibbels's alleged poor judgment in fashion, I must respectfully decline your invitation to attend your seminar, unless you can convince him to make exception - a ball room gown, perhaps, with elegant costume jewelry would be so much more in keeping with a presentation on historic homes. Thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this ever so appropriate small detail.

Hummm ... wonder if this will work?

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It was a Pizza Hut.

Marc

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

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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]

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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

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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

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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.

Who in here has a gig as a columnist? Anyone else.......(?)......

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.

What about the newer homes with no attic ventilation, they are sealing them tight to include the soffits with sprayed foam insulation.

Will there be problems later?

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".