Bill Kibbel

I am hosed by Netfirms. []

I've had major problems with Netfirms since they were taken over by EIG.

I have read conflicting information whether a standing seam metal roof should be walked on or not, obviously not when wet, there is some consensus that walking on the roof can cause damage ?

Don't step on the standing seams!

I think the referenced chart applies to vents, not vent connectors.

G2427.10.3.2 (503.10.3.2) Multiple draft hood.

For a single appliance having more than one draft hood outlet or flue collar, the manifold shall be constructed according to the instructions of the appliance manufacturer. Where there are no instructions, the manifold shall be designed and constructed in accordance with approved engineering practices. As an alternate method, the effective area of the manifold shall equal the combined area of the flue collars or draft hood outlets and the vent connectors shall have a minimum 1-foot rise.

Read Jim K's post #6 here: https://inspectorsjournal.com/forum/top ... IC_ID=5929

Should be in the home inspector school textbook.

I don't mention s-traps unless it's recent construction or recent kitchen or bath remodel.

Once in 29 years a client called to tell me the plumber installing a new sink said the trap is "illegal" and shouldn't have "passed" my inspection. This was a 260 year old house with a 1930s kitchen. I had one similar call for a drum trap.

The pressure/gauge is an issue. pressure should be around 5 PSI per 8' rise.

Weil Mclain is a simple but good boiler. The push nipples between the cast iron sections can fail on older models at about 20-35 years. Now they use O-rings that can fail at about 20-35 years.

There's a white sticker on W/M boilers with numbers after "CP". Enter the numerals for the age here: http://www.weil-mclain.com/en/weil-mcla ... cp-lookup/

Could be, but I don't know why the hot coat.

Fingernail pinch test the edge of a seam.

I've inspected probably hundreds of floor assemblies that have had every joist sistered. I get a lot of those "types" of buildings. If it's done correctly, and the issue that caused the problem to the original joists has been corrected, it's not an issue.

Sometimes the sistering was done just to level the floor after the original floor joists deflected. Sometimes it's done to accomodate additional live loads than the original joists can handle.

Here's the first manual I pulled up: http://www.napoleonproducts.com/downloa ... 5-0663.pdf

It indicates which vents can be used, shows clearance requirements, etc.

I don't see any mention of B-vent installations, just names of vent manufacturers and specific adapters.

I thought direct vent decorative gas appliances required specific coaxial/concentric vent systems. I thought the space between walls of B-vents isn't intended to be used to supply combustion air. Yes? No?

Direct vent appliances have different sets of rules, and the 8' rule likely doesn't apply.

Are there any direct vent appliances that use B-vents?

I have had over a 100 views to my first post on this forum and only two gentlemen had the courtesy to say hello.

Folks come here and ask questions. They almost always get very accurate answers. What were you expecting? You may have noticed we don't have an "Introduction to new members" forum.

I am sure all are aware that I am not a ASHI member but I never considered a national membership as a prerequisite for being a person that enjoys helping clients make informed decision and helping other inspectors with their education process. I have worked with my hands in the Trades for 51 years and retirement is not on the near horizon I enjoy what I do

You're sure were all aware? Sorry, I'm pretty sure most here wouldn't bother to research whether a new TIJ member is a member of any specific organization. What does not being a member of ASHI have to do with anything?

It's no for a couple furnace brands and one brand of connector (that I know of).

Good question James.

Some time ago, I asked this question of a State code official and the reply was:

"Flexible connectors are permitted to extend through an appliance housing where the connector is protected by means of a factory equipped grommet".

A local gas company official responded with the same.

So I assumed it was allowed, but then:

I have found a few furnace installation instructions that state what you found.

The installation instructions of one popular brand of connector states: "DO NOT conceal connector or run connector through enclosed outdoor BBQ pits, walls, partitions, floors or appliance panels.

So the answer to the question of connectors passing through a furnace or boiler cabinet is yes and no.

You can usually confirm it by the printed/embossed "AL" or "Aluminium" on the cable jacket.

I don't think it's cellulose, I have cellulose falling down from my kitchen soffit and it is more brown in color and is a different texture. This stuff is more of a fibrous, whitish grey color with little shinny particles mixed in. What ever it is it's causing me breathing problems and nasal polyps.

The other pictures show that it's cellulose. Grayish white is the most common color in our area.

Any ideas on who I should call next?

A doctor - to find out what's wrong with your nasal polyps, then some friends - to help pack up your stuff and move.

Most likely cellulose.

I don't think Sid Harvey manufactures water heaters. I thought they wholesale major brands and manufacture some HVAC parts.

The model number shown is the same format as Ford oil-fired water heaters. Ford doesn't put a date code in the serial #. They print a separate 4 digit mmyy. I think that's what the 4 digits are on the bottom left.

PA Home Inspectors Coalition had it posted at their web site.

Who you hiring to inspect it? [:-eyebrow

I really like folks that make efforts like this to preserve historic buildings.

Termination for solid fuel can not be within 10' of any part of the building. Gas vents can not terminate less than 8' from a vertical wall. That installation is just like terminating too close to a parapet wall.

The only exception is for terminations at "decorative shrouds" that are listed/labeled for use with the specific vent system and installed per the manufacturer's instructions.

Flue looks too small, with a last ditch effort to make it draft with the flaky flue hood.

How do you determine a flue is too small without seeing/measuring the fireplace opening to flue ratio?

They make up their own rules and change them at any moment to deny claims. They probably just want to drop some riskier, older housing from coverage and will make up anything to cancel policies.

There's only 2 insurers I recommend for old house insurance and then, only written from 2 specific agencies.

http://phic.info/surveyresults.pdf

Hi Bill,

Well, that's your stomping grounds; what's your opinion of the matter - good? Bad? Indifferent?

I haven't read it - I'm just assuming it's the earlier Bill reintroduced. I know all the parties involved with that one.

Anything would be better than the current law we've had for 14 years. Some goofy regulations, no board, no enforcement and no oversight.

I was involved with the license legislation in NJ. This Bill will trigger the same opposition. New guys will think the hurdles are to high and intended to restrict new competition and there shouldn't be grandfathering. Old guys will think the field training requirement is way too light.

We inspectors already licensed in a stricter State (NJ) will just have to pay a fee.

- My opinion at this moment.

It's a cap that's typically installed as a last attempt to correct down-draft problems. Google Vacustack or something close to that.

The gas conversion should have triggered a level II.