Bill Kibbel

A large majority of stone foundations in PA & NJ are constructed as 2 wythes with nothing but loose, unmortared crap between the wythes.

I inspect a lot of buildings with medical offices. It's the older x-ray equipment that requires the 3 phase. On a recent inspection, I assumed laser equipment was 3 phase.

What could have happened that sent a surge powerful enough to smoke the service panel and start the TV on fire?

Tomorrow, I'm buying and installing a whole house surge protector.

Take advantage of what PEX was intended for. Install a manifold and home run each fixture in the addition.

Probably won't flatten out without help.

Try laying the boards on the grass on a sunny day with the bulging side up.

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The sun dries and shrinks the top side while moisture from the ground expands the bottom. Check on them regularly. When boards look right, sticker stack in a conditioned area and allow to dry thoroughly. It's worked for me probably several thousand times.

Waiting 25 minutes is completely reasonable. I've bailed at between 25-30 minutes if buyers and their agent don't answer their phone. I really don't want them back on my schedule and usually let them know.

The major CSST manufacturers have had their tubing tested and approved for outdoor installation. However, it needs protection from physical damage when installed on a building from grade to 6'.

I have heard that a couple municipalities might have their own rules prohibiting CSST on the exterior.

Your newly posted pics clearly show that house got brickfaced. It's a 2-coat stucco type application with the second tinted coat scratched off to look like mortar joints.

In addition to the surface cracks, in the basement/crawlspace you'll find brick powder. The Portland-based brickface coating does not allow moisture to migrate to the exterior, causing nasty stuff to happen to the old skin-fired bricks concealed within.

That home is clad in a new brick veneer. A "solid" brick wall would also have header bricks to tie the wythes together. In the pictures posted, I can only see stretchers in each course.

Are you 100% sure it's solid brick walls?

There used to be a gas pipe feeding out, probably to a generator.

My wife does the open hearth cooking thing. We once had a fireplace you could use for a garage for a VW Bug.

I've seen a few that have windows and seating inside.

What're you doing? Inspecting, touring, advising/consulting....(?)

It'll be sad to see what's happened to this estate. I've heard that there's significant damage from roof leaks and decades of neglect. I'll bring my good camera and get some shots to compete with Mike L's photos.

Exterior:

Interior: http://philly.curbed.com/archives/2014/ ... ng-20m.php

Top bearing trusses, like most steel bar joists, don't bear on the bottom cord.

Inspections aren't yet included in home services. Musical instrument lessons and goat grazing service are listed though.

I had success several times using a combustible gas detector to find the source of sewer gas in buildings.

I've appreciated folks correcting me when I use the wrong term or spelling, particularly when it's a term used in reports. Spell check won't correct lentil to lintel.

I'm fortunate that we pay people to type our reports. It gives me more time to focus on everyone else's writing.

The steel lentil on the opposite side has cracked/shifted, the lentil on the side with the crack has cracked

Small in-ground gasoline tank. I've seen that exact valve/nozzle on the right several times on gasoline pumps on old farms and in a large garage. The hand pumps are usually rotary style.

Ever see a building with gasoline lighting?

Like Tom said it could be wiring or it could be a faulty GFCI. I've never pulled one to see.

Tony is correct, feed wires on load terminals. It's very common, even though the manufacturers instructions and the sticker on the GFCI terminals tell you how to install the wires.

I'm guessing Woodruff by Masonite. What length are the panels?

1. Damaged/bent or clogged ignition crossovers.

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2. Clogged orifices.

3. Low gas pressure.

If it's the last burner after the valve on each furnace, I would investigate #3 first.

Effervescence is little fizzy bubbles. Your foundation might have efflorescence.

I see snakes occasionally, sometimes in living areas of the home too. I usually run away screaming like a little girl.

That's a barometric draft control. It's only manufactured to be installed on a vent connector or in the chimney flue for oil-fired heating equipment.

Doesn't CA use the UPC? I seem to remember something about CA requiring dishwasher discharge has to be installed with an airgap fitting above the flood level of the sink.