Bill Kibbel

It's a run capacitor for the blower. It's an after market replacement and they didn't bother mounting it.

Morgan is correct about hydrogen peroxide - but not the 3% from the pharmacy. It's effective on porous surface stuff too without damage or residue.

schoolofprofessionalhomeinspection.com/wp/meet-the-instructors/

What does stack venting mean?

An AAV has to be above the flood level of the fixture it is connected to. These are all wrong, regardless of what code the dwelling falls under.

Around here 'A' Rated AAVs are permitted below the rim but must be 6" above the trap.

Bill, I never heard of an A rated AAV. Is that an official designation? I thought that AAVs are AAVs and mechanical vents are not. Mechanical vents are only approved for manufactured homes and RVs.

I'm specifically referring to AAVs, not mechanical vents for mobile homes.

Quality AAVs for branch drains or fixture drains are not required to terminate above the flood rim. Only stack AAVs need to be above the flood level rim of the highest fixture being vented.

An AAV has to be above the flood level of the fixture it is connected to. These are all wrong, regardless of what code the dwelling falls under.

Around here 'A' Rated AAVs are permitted below the rim but must be 6" above the trap.

Inspectors not IDing those panels must live in caves and drag their knuckles on the ground. Absolutely no involvement with education or even communication with others in this field.

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I use illustrations frequently. I've collected many and made some for the most frequent issues.

Probably violating copyrights, but I think we could share here.

What year would those have been built? 1880's-90's?

After 1900.

http://historicbldgs.com/terra_cotta.htm

It sounds very similar to what you guys are doing with a HI.

Then you have no clue what it is that we do. Do a ride along with a competent and experienced inspector for 3 different types of buildings.

I neglected to say originally that this panel created some angst for the insurance company, but they finally gave in after a licensed electrician wrote a letter stating that just about all of the 300 units in the condo complex had these service panels.

In addition to the possibility of many of the 300 units having AL wiring, the electrician just stated there are 300 more reasons there could be catastrophic fires in the complex.

The stuff installed there isn't getting better with age.

Looks just like Durisol form boards

When the vapor system in the OP pictures still worked, it operated at about 8 ounces. Other vapor systems, anywhere from 1 to 11 ounces.

Vacuum systems operate below atmospheric pressure and it is usually measured in inches of vacuum.

I still see vapor/vacuum systems in some commercial, apartment buildings and gild. age mansions. The folks that service the equipment or replace the boilers don't have a clue what it is and completely screw it up.

Moderators can see the IP address for each post. Looking up the location helps us determine what is or is going to be a link dropper or other BS.

Considering you posted this from India, it's gonna be hard hiring a plumber in Seattle.

I think it was J. Katen that once wrote "Mold isn't the problem, it's a symptom".

The article got my attention since I just did a vacant plantation with over 2 dozen skins in the main house. Buyer wasn't bothered - he scooted this one out since I acted like a frightened little girl.

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Upside down drum trap.

The couple is now suing the former owner and real estate agent for misleading them about the snake infested house.

http://6abc.com/home/family-finds-snake ... me/762270/

The $2500 may be including a footing, but even then the price is high.

The material cost for the column is less than $100.

An invoice I viewed recently - work performed by a decent carpenter. I've seen him work with a helper. I think he sends the helper to solo on small jobs.

-Replace 4' of sill

-sister 2 joists

-replace termite damaged beam

-add a steel column to beam.

$2670

If one wants to be humbled, try dictating an entire report. It's surprisingly hard. Dictation is a skill not easy to master. Composition, tone, voice, avoiding redundancy, clarity, simplicity.....all remarkably hard to do while dictating. Much easier for me to write it and see it.

I've dictated every report for 29 years. It's much, much easier for me than typing. Dyslexia & ADD makes for developing strong verbal communication skills to compensate for deficient writing ability. I can't imagine doing it any other way for historic and commercial reports.

Dictating on site is weird.....walking around talking into machinery isn't as easy as taking pictures and typing a few words when I'm in the office reviewing pictures.

I don't use a recorder on site. I sit at my desk with notes and pics, speak into a digital recorder and email it to a typist.

$350-500 here.

Another reason not to get bogged down with ancillary services.