inspector57

I'm not quite as deep as Marc and others on this subject, but while I understand you are trying for a deeper understanding of "neutral" in theory, the reality is in residential (not 3 phase) the service neutral is ALWAYS grounded both by definition and practice. Even if not grounded in a particular house service, the system is grounded at other houses, pole, etc. For my sanity I let is stop there.

My understanding is the Feds got involved in making the requirement for manufacturers which trickles down in manufacturers instructions which is by default now part of the building code for those items. Small stroke of the pen at the federal level makes big ripples even in a small pond far far away. Had the same type of deal with smoke alarms for hearing impaired in Texas. Texas legislator had deaf family members die in fire a few years ago and he sponsored legislation to require notification and voluntary installation of alarms with flashing lights. Nobody knows what the heck the rule is talking about but there is a check box about It on every sellers disclosure document now. Lots of laws are created by similar methods.

It also allows the heater to be raised to a temperature sufficient to control Legionella bacteria 140 + but allow delivery of a lower temperature to point of use. I have seen one such heater equipped from the factory with the valve setup that was rated to replace two 50 gallon heaters with one 50 gallon unit. Seemed to work perfectly and was in grand scheme cheaper to operate.

I thought of you when writing that post, Marc, which is why I included this " Be sure to evaluate your abilities and do at least a few ride alongs to see if it is really a fit before investing the time and money." Obviously you were able to overcome any limitations. Someone else that could not climb or crawl might have a different outcome. Home inspections are not like we see on TV, just walking through the house with a clip board. Each person needs to be aware of the actual requirements of the profession and their own abilities.

Back in the dark ages, Texas actually required ride alongs for new inspectors and you had to find a qualified inspector willing to sponsor you. Due to being in a small town and qualified inspectors there not wanting to train their completion, I drove 2 hours each way for 25 "hands on" inspections at his business and then had indirect supervision of 175 inspections by that sponsoring inspector of my inspections. I paid him a fee for each inspection that I did where he reviewed each report. Texas has since changed the licensing requirements many times but I think the direct supervision of an experienced inspector was invaluable. Not to get into your business but I can't imagine having a significant physical disability and doing inspections. It may not seem like it but it can be very challenging. Be sure to evaluate your abilities and do at least a few ride alongs to see if it is really a fit before investing the time and money. Contrary to what the inspection schools will tell you, this gig is not "easy money" and most inspectors are not truly profitable until about year two or three. Texas has a two year license and a very high percentage of new inspectors never renew their license. Welcome to the fray!

There is no such thing as toxic "Black Mold". This is a term designed to sell newspaper, TV, and internet advertising; along with mold testing. Yes, there is mold, black mold, green mold, yellow mold, etc. everywhere on the planet. If you are going to worry about cleaning the deck, what about the fence, and the soil, the plants, etc. If you have a moisture problem inside your home, you might have a problem with mold. Fix the moisture problem, clean up the mold and move on with life. DO NOT WORRY about outdoor mold. You can't do anything worthwhile about it even if you tried.

I get your meaning and perspective but I can see problems the other way, such as in Texas where heavy handed TREC establishing rules without any power of the inspectors themselves. Lawyers and realtors who run the show giving mandates without the need to consult the inspectors they rule over. And since there are about 10 x more realtors than inspectors, there is no check on their power. Slip in consumer to replace Realtor in the above scenario and you have the same issues. In my experience, inspectors tend to be harder on themselves than the public on disciplinary actions but are more realistic when instituting laws and rules that govern the industry. "Pure democracy is like two wolves and a lamb deciding on what is for dinner." Having a pure majority deciding on issues concerning someone else needs to be tempered with the people affected having some real power.

A fellow Texas inspector was recently attacked by 3 Pit Bulls during an inspection. He is currently in the hospital with likely career ending injuries. https://www.gofundme.com/f/swhfw-support-brian?utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3EaFxoOKNdZCI3B9OEW3jRzwQEJQwI9rFqmOgk_HcFiKuBctQeloQE76k I'm sure he will appreciate your prayers as he undergoes the second of likely many more surgeries.

Depends on the building. Residential single family, yes. High rise multifamily, no.

The window manufacturer has no responsibility for ensuring their product meets your needs. The window installation contractor and sales person on the other hand should know and ensure the work he does is compliant with all local codes and manufacturers instructions. The home owner / purchaser is not without responsibility in the equation though and a judge may apply a percentage of responsibility to each such as 50/50. This would be a crap shoot depending on the judge in my estimation. The nice thing about inspectors jobs is we don't have to decide these things and can make recommendations without worrying about who has to pay. The "fixed double slider" term means what the window manufacturer says it means as it is, to my knowledge, a marketing term, not a defined architectural term.

Yep, My brother had a short stint selling these in the late 60's or early 70's. That gig did not last long, seems I remember he was having to try to sell these heat alarms even though new fangled smoke alarms were making them obsolete.

The few times I have not finished an inspection was due to finding numerous big ticket issues or a substantial defect in the foundation or structure that would be cost prohibitive or impossible to correct without a bulldozer. Totally legal everywhere to stop work and save the client money or for any other reason. The inspectors contract is with his client. Call him or another inspector to do an inspection for you but be aware once you know the issues, you will be required to disclose that information to any future buyers or repair the defects prior to sale. Bottom line, there is a reason the first buyers were scared off and a reason the second buyers decided to save some money by not completing the inspection. Inspectors generally want to complete the inspection, write the report and make a full fee. This inspector lost money in order to protect his client.

Might just be part of the shipping straps where they were strapped to the truck.

Time to replace the battery or the entire flashlight as my rechargeable Streamlight Stinger DS LED has left me stranded a couple of times now. I really loved the light when I replaced my Ultra Stinger with the $20 bulbs that would take a dump if you bumped the light with it turned on. Now though, I want more; an adjustable focus from flood to spot and dimmable settings. I have a couple of "no name - As Seen On TV" lights that have those features and are honestly as good operationally as the Stream light except they are so much smaller and cheaper that I don't really trust them yet. Flashlights have come a long way in the past few years.

If you are on expansive soils, it is important that any pier, post, or pad used to support the foundation joists are placed similarly to the other foundation. Just dropping a pad and post on top of the soil when the rest of the house is supported by a much deeper foundation can have the foundation "fighting" with the newly added item. Shallow or surface soils move much more relative to the deeper foundation and the "fix" becomes the problem rather than a solution.