Bill Kibbel

My preference is to just tell them it needs relacement.

What is the date of the home? With the asphalt spots, it sure looks like one of the Insulite products, but there were many, many brands of fiberboard.

When these first started to appear, I had the chance to discuss them with someone involved in the development and initial trials. At that time, all data (efficiency, sizing guides etc.) were based on these systems having a continuous flow of air at just over 67° supplied to the intake. They're all installed in basements here, without any ducting of exterior air - regardless of the manufacturers' recommendation.

Resealing of the joints between boiler sections with furnace cement isn't unusual, although most service techs won't do that now (they just sell new boilers). In that last picture, it looks like the most recent patching isn't at the seams, but maybe around clean-out covers. I can't tell for sure from the picture. It's excessive patching so I'd be concerned.

"T1-11" is a plywood product. I've heard of some manufactured from OSB, but I've never seen it. There's a type that while the base is plywood, hardboard is laminated to the surface. Some folks refer to hardboard as Masonite. I don't know of any served with waffles. A home built in 1990 in the US is not likely to have asbestos containing building materials.

Yeah, but Marc knows this stuff. Over current or surges would be my amateur guess. Intermitten failure of the transformer?

The stucco is not terminated properly - a roofer wouldn't know that. 1. Water wicks up the stucco from the roof surface. 2. Debris can't wash out of that little gap. 3. There are plenty of authoritative sources that state that the stucco should be at least 2" above the roof surface. It should also terminate with a weep screed.

That's Weyerhaeuser drop siding #124. Probably from late 1950s to mid 1960s.

I've never discussed foundation health. If I did, I would probably advise that it avoid ultra-processed foods and exercise regularly. The advice given can only be based upon the type of foundation and the conditions at that specific property. Probably 90% of the buildings I inspect have foundations built prior to 1900 and are constructed without a speck of concrete. They always need maintenance, but the type of materials and methods used also depends on the above. As Les said, encouraging water to drain quickly away would be a common recommendation. Considerable expert witness work has revealed that waterproofing contractors should be avoided when "fixing" old house foundations - unless you want their insurer to pay for a replacement foundation.

Looks like maybe it had a shorter one originally that was fully enclosed and they couldn't find a shorty replacement. Also looks like a gopher popped up from a hole.

I've been tryin to post a reply for 3 days. Thought I was blocked. I don't know about asbestosis, but with mesothelioma, a vast majority of cases are from workplace exposure. There are statistics however, of cases from non-occupational exposures and there have been many studies from those stats. I think the problem is there is no way to accurately separate causes between in-home exposure to ACMs and outdoor environmental exposure. I'm sure there's plenty of airborne asbestos still being released everywhere from the friction wear of vehicle brakes and clutches. According to answers given by medical folks, It doesn't require a large amount of asbestos fibers to start the chain reaction that can lead to lung cancer, particularly for people that are genetically vulnerable.

I've seen a fair amount of linoleum, but never anything like this.

"Well, to articulate my thoughts with the utmost respect and caution, and without the slightest intention to tread upon the perspectives that might diverge from my own or to inadvertently dismiss the diverse views that others may hold dear, it is imperative, I believe, to approach this discourse with a nuanced consideration of various angles, ensuring a holistic examination that respects all contributory insights. Moreover, in endeavoring to distill my viewpoints through an objective lens—mindful, of course, of the myriad interpretations that this subject might invoke and striving to uphold a balanced discourse that transcends personal bias—I must confess, amidst this diligent cognitive excursion, that I have indeed, quite regrettably, lost the thread of the initial thought I intended to convey". -Al Jensen (Lord Darrell Allen Jensen)

This Katen guy pisses me off. I've honed my report writing for 38 years and I'm quite satisfied with my current proficiency. Then, Jim shows up and smacks me in the head with another (not obvious to me, but) important issue with my writing. This isn't the first time he's done this to me. Thanks Jim, but blissfully ignorant is easier.