RickSab

I found this at yesterdays inspection. When you look at the chimney you have from top to bottom the water heater flue, the furnace flue, and then the mystery flue? It has a black hose coming out the bottom draining into a old glass jar. The flue pipe is cover has a handle, but the cover has been crimped or soldered on. There is another flat cover below and then a clean out. There is no rain cap outside so I suppose it could be rain water? Another interesting item is the power to the Carrier gas furnace runs through a fused 30amp disconnect listed as a Oil Burner Shut-off. The basement is practically sealed with drywall so I can not locate any old oil supply lines and the small yard is completely concreted over so no indication of a tank. What do you guys think? Image Insert: 38.71 KB

Here is more than you want to know about lightning.http://wgntv.trb.com/extras/wgntv/tornado/index.html See the second program from John Jensenius

I'm glad your OK. Thanks for the reminder.

At minimum replace the skylights. The new ones should have a integrated step flashing system with them. The question is not if a skylight will leak, it is when will the skylight leak? I have a love hate relationship with them.

Thanks to all that replied. Yes. Conduit is required here. I did write up the quadruple lugging and suggested separating the circuits, there is room in the box. I was just unclear about multiple GFCI's on the same circuit. I was not sure they would function properly. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for the help. I'll note the confusion factor only.

I inspected a house yesterday and need help with wording for the report. In the no-name electrical panel is a GFCI breaker. The breaker has 4 wires connected to it. Each heads out a different conduit run. Two of these go to the exterior outlets. The other two go to the upstair bathrooms where they are connected to GFCI outlets. If you trip any of the four outlets with a tester the breaker cuts out first. To reset it you need to move the dryer, remove the drywall panel in the utility room to access the service panel. Beside the lugging and accessibility issue I am trying to word why the multiple GFCI on the same circuit are wrong. Should i just say this could/would prevent proper operation of the GFCI devices, or just not installed according to installation instructions.

Check out: http://www.supressproducts.com/products ... GgodMHheXA

Check these out. A friend of mine in the screw business showed me these. http://pinfoundations.com/res-images.htm http://www.icc-es.org/reports/pdf_files ... R-1895.pdf

Thanks for the post.

I saw this sign yesterday in Villa Park, IL. A little west of Chicago and just north of Oak Brook. Image Insert: 9.64 KB

You would do much better in a good professional networking group. Many have exclusivity for each group. Some require a min of one referral per meeting. I know of one that will cost you a total of $1000 in a year, but those that belong say it's well worth it. Rick

Here's another I could use your opinions on. This house has two interesting valleys. One on the front, and another in the middle. The middle one has several squares of roof dumping in it. Oh, the gutters on the dormer are open at the back at the bottom of that valley. I included a long shot of the house from the rear to give you an idea how much roof there is. Thanks for your ideas on this one. Rick Download Attachment: house.jpg 65.78 KB Download Attachment: Front valley.jpg 81.19 KB Download Attachment: Mid valley.jpg 32.16 KB Download Attachment: dormer.jpg 49.68 KB

Thanks for the replies. The EIFS I am glad to pass on. I don't think I want the troubles. Do what your good at and know when to pass.

Opps I goofed. I had a good exterior post and managed to send it to interiors. Newbi at it again. See flashing/EIFS in interiors please.

I have to inspect this house Wednesday. I'd like your opinions on two things. One is the chimney flashing. Good clearance to shingles but look how it ends. Second it looks like they added the layer of shakes on the sides. The window trim is flush with the shake. I can't see any type of a drip cap anywhere. Sorry the photos are from the street. The client believes this was a gut rehab. Thanks Still a newbe. Rick Download Attachment: House.jpg 69.46 KB Download Attachment: Chimney.jpg 46.72 KB Download Attachment: Windows.jpg 63.93 KB Download Attachment: Windows 2.jpg 53.33 KB

I would state the concern and let the customer take it to a HVAC guy. I'm not smart enough to take on that liability too. Rick

Thanks. Rick

I would hate to see inspections as part of the one stop package. I believe we would soon hear of in house inspectors being touted as a good thing and legislation allowing an affiliation between realtors and inspectors, thus eliminating the unbiased evaluation of the home. What a field day for the lawyers. Rick

Wow. Most pages on a subject in a long time. Anyone near Chicago? There is a free seminar 5/22 8 am to noon at Renaissance Oak Brook 2100 Spring Road Oak Brook, IL 60523 It's being put on by FLIR. I'm going to see whats new. Rick

Thanks for the post.

You got a nice one. Whoever installed that was a better than average installer. I haven't seen anything calling for poly.

Here's some help with the basics. Go to the solar thermal pages and it has a good overview. Very basic. http://www.thesolarguide.com/

Heres the picture of my neighbors new downspouts. They did listen and had the contractor back out to move it. They thought the only problem was that it drained on the sidewalk and the ice made it impassable. Image Insert: 959.9 KB

I guess I need to look up adding a photo? Sorry. It was a good one. Rick