Scottpat

The mold test that you buy at Home Depot and Lowe's have been know to come already contaminated with mold spores. They are not a reliable testing method. Look up the testing lab that sells the kits to the big box stores, it does not have a very good reputation in the IAQ world...

Bushnell Trophy XLT Roof Prism Binoculars, 8x32mm About $90 on Amazon Not the most expensive but they are a good size and waterproof.. I forgot what it is called but you get the best image from the optics when the first number ( divides evenly in to the second number (32). Academy Sports have this pair in stock in their stores, they are a little higher but you can go and try them out in the store before you buy..

Louisiana's moldy Pandoras Box!

I thought the class actions suits were over with LP....

Really? Not sure, if you have different fans in your area but they start just fine on low in other parts of the country...

I did an inspection and radon test just a few weeks ago for an Radiologist who specializes in Oncology radiation treatment at Vanderbilt's Susan G Coleman Cancer Center and he was very concerned with radon in his home. He actually requested and paid for two CRMs to be placed in in home side by side just to verify their readings.. I was sooooo happy when both readings were identical! I placed two machines that I had sent at the same time for calibration..

When I give radon test results, I normally do not provide the data with the hourly readings. I just provide the EPA average number. I'm in an unregulated state so I have no reporting requirements like some states. I keep the data for years in an Excel spreadsheet in case I do ever need it or just want to compare what areas are like to other areas I work in.

CPVC is fine... Aren't TPR lines suppose to discharge to a visible location and shouldn't be tied in with any other type of discharge lines. That is also a DIY GE water heater so you know it came from Home Depot or Lowes.

I agree with Jim, the Suretest is not always reliable with bootleg grounds. I have a three light tester and I use it from time time, they are quick especially with those dang childproof outlets. My tools of choice are a voltage sniffer and a cheap two prong neon light tester. Sniffers are great at detecting open or no grounds and reverse polarity..

Time to buy a new one! The repair will most likely exceed the cost of a new unit....

The Realtor Zen Master! Honestly, I think the article gives some insight to why so many real estate deals go South. Many agents do not have control of their clients, nor do they set their clients expectations with the home. When the clients are hit with a list of items that were discovered many are not prepared and quickly become disillusioned if their agent has not prepped them prior.

I don't know.... I would think that it depends on how much the transformer draws or what is its requirements are. Since you are converting AC to DC everything downstream of the inverter would need to be rated to the inverters specs. You will need a disconnect at each unit and the outside unit. I have never worked or seen this type of system.

If you have to run a dedicated circuit for each fan, I think you have answered your own question. It sounds like the panel is full and it might be time to install a second panel to handle the additional circuits.

Breathable rain jacket and a umbrella. Yes, I use a umbrella! Honestly in the 20 years I have been doing this, my rain jacket and umbrella have worked well for me. I have rain paints if I need them, but I can't recall the last time I pulled them on. I use the same rain jacket and pants for backpacking. As Kurt noted, REI is a great place to find rain gear. I also bought a bunch of polypropylene shoe covers, this is the same stuff plastic tarps are made from. I don't have to worry much about my shoes staying clean, this cover does not leak or bleed through like they Tyvek type covers.

It is a 3 ton unit. Erby, in your area I would say that will not be enough to to cool and heat both levels of that home.

This is what the state of TN requires in our pre-inspection agreement: 4. A statement that the report does not address environmental hazards, including: (i) Lead-based paint; (ii) Radon; (iii) Asbestos; (iv) Cockroaches; (v) Rodents; (vi) Pesticides; (vii) Treated lumber; (viii) Fungus; (ix) Mercury; (x) Carbon monoxide; or (xi) Other similar environmental hazards.

How would you write it? Marc Not speaking for Kurt, but it is not that simple... What I can see that is missing is verbiage that provides protection for the home inspector for reporting on something as volatile as mold. This would include a clause that would protect the inspector if mold was not discovered during the inspection but later found to no fault of the inspector. We all know that mold can appear just about overnight in a home when the power if off and the conditions are just right. The bill needs to give direction to the body that will make the rules that will cover this. Just telling them to do it and not providing the base to work from is dangerous. The bill must provide a limit of liability to the inspector otherwise you are going to have inspectors saying mold is in every home, and honestly it is! SB 66 needs to be scrapped. Then if folks really want a bill like this, the various professions like medical, IAQ, Home Inspectors, Insurance, etc. need to be involved in its development.

Good point. That was another area of frustration for me. The short explanation is that the Senators on the Committee and the attorney who does the codification for this committee are the ones in control of language. During committee hearings, you are not allowed to speak until you're asked for. You're not even allowed to raise your hand. You can only witness, groan and sigh. Marc, bless your heart! I have testified in a dozen plus legislative committee hearings over the years and this is why you get on the agenda prior to the meeting. It is uncommon for them to not allow the public to comment. Again, SB 66 as it is currently written needs to be defeated.

Good point. I'll use that. Ferry seems to imply in a very clear manner that an SOP does carry weight in litigation involving home inspectors. Are you suggesting that Judges are in the habit of tossing administrative rules from the get go? Marc I don't know "Ferry" but a Judge can pretty much do as they want in their court room.... Administrative rules will not stop a plaintiffs attorney from filing a lawsuit. Then it is up to you to defend yourself or settle! Right or wrong the burden of defending yourself in a bogus lawsuit is on you. It could take a year or longer before it ever gets to a judge, and the dollars are going out the door like air flowing through an open window during this time while you are trying to defend your case.

Did anyone involved in this poorly written and thought out Bill consult with experts from the medical/scientific professions, IAQ profession, insurance profession, home inspector profession, or even the home inspector profession licensing board? I don't have a problem with reporting on mold when I see it. But making it a "requirement" that is punishable under law for missing some mold in a crawlspace under some insulation or under the carpet on the tack strip or wherever it could be difficult to locate is absurd. Environmental issues like mold should be excluded from a home inspector license law, as it has been done in several states already. If inspectors must report on mold why not other environmental concerns, like lead or formaldehyde off gassing? I hope it is not too late to stop this action. I will be on the phone shortly trying to let folks know about this and hopefully getting a few more involved to voice opposition to this poorly thought and conceived legislative action requiring home inspectors to add mold reporting to their report.

I hope this does not pass and become law in Louisiana. This could have far reaching ramifications to the profession. Does this law offer any protection to the inspector if they note the presence of mold? What if they note mold and it turns up being soot or simple ghosting? What type of protection is the home inspector offered if they miss ID mold because no testing was done? I hope problems like this were considered. This sounds more like a knee jerk reaction to a localized problem that will have far reaching consequences. Marc, you are involved with this. Can you share the details of the bill? It seems like you are for it but don't know much about the bill?

Like Fire Ants marching north! When we moved to the Nashville area almost eight years ago we did not have fire ants in the area. You had to go about 100 mile south to find them. Now we are seeing them pop up around the area. They have slowly moved up from the south.

Commercial freezer warehouses are built in a similar fashion. They use spray foam and with some I have seen use what looks like a second coat that sprayed on the exterior as a protective finish. It looks like a light weight concrete mix that is aerated to the point it almost looks like foam. It hardens and forms a protective shell over the foam.

I have never seen anything like that with a second coat.

Why even battle with builders or whoever? Just report what you find, document your findings and if they want to argue just walk away. It's not our fight(unless it is your own home), all we are hired to do is inspect and report our findings, not fight the battle. This is where the client or buyer needs to get involved.