ejager

Its always a good time to become a home inspector.

So, -it was a construction site, he did no damage, he was a good worker, -his crime: survival. He wasn't stealing services, he wasn't stealing tools or materials, he wasn't stealing time. He did not have a bed of his own, his perceived best option? A place most of would not even consider resting our head. -he was not told to move, he was not offered help, he was not connected with services, kindness or compassion. No hand up, no offer of a couch or even a backyard tent til he could get his feet back under him. -he was fired. No second chances. You're homeless, we're scared/ashamed, you're fired.

Lots of questions: How old is the home? Central cooling/heating system? Did the IAQ test look at mold/pollen allergens or also include tests for hydrocarbons? RADON test? Assuming its nothing more complicated than a need for cleaner air, and you have a central heating system, you could go with a whole home filtration system, with or without UV, multiple pleated filters, including a carbon option. Good luck and keep us informed?

He was fired for being homeless?

In our neck of the woods, LVL's require 3" end bearing, sometimes 4-1/2" depending on load - though there are always engineered exemptions. I suppose its possible that these were NOT end bearing locations, but mid spans in a multiply beam...

Get great reviews. It means a good inspection*, good customer service, and a polite insistence on getting a review. *a "good" inspection is, because of the state of affairs in the industry, WAY above average. Doing a great inspection is even better of course.

I've loved the minivan. Tools and ladders stay locked inside the vehicle. Don't get snow covered and are always clean and ready to go. When I have to go and rent a tall extension ladder (three times in 10 years) I can just strap it to the built in roof rack. Cheap to operate. cheap to maintain. And when I want to take 7 other friends for a mountain hiking trip we can all travel together.

With the COVVD restrictions, the city of Calgary moved to virtual safety code inspections. You would call them up on a service like Zoom or Facetime when it is time to inspect. They would tell you what to point the camera at.... I can't imagine the stuff that got overlooked...oh wait...they were doing that already.

I'm seeing more and more wall mounted boilers here. I know that they've dealt with the hot cold sandwich effect with small accumulator tanks (go figure!) in some Rinnais. The Triangle Tube system has a cabinet thats larger but far more open space inside and a more contained heat exchanger that offers little to see, but I've never seen one with a problem - yet. Like all technologies, things have improved. The same scale reducing improvements that have been included in conventional water heaters are also incorporated in newer on-demand systems. I'm curious why you guys suggest that they use more water?

This 1940's home had the original brick chimney with 'terra-cotta liner'. Only a furnace and water heater using the chimney now - separate issues. What I am curious about is this 'side-elbow'. Any thought would be appreciated.

Whitest paint ever for roofs.... as if there was never a layer of dust/dirt/pollution/leaves/bird shit on it.

Home inspection as a risk assessment... there is no absolute right or wrong. We need only explain the risk levels if not self evident (and according to my insurance company - its never evident so when I point out a pipe leak, I have to say " Water leaks can damage contents, materials, structure and may cause mould. Possible hidden damage". And each client has their own level of risk tolerance for any particular problem - or for each side of the triangle. Some are good with vermiculite - some have personal experience with a stove missing an anti-tip bracket, or leaking fridge that makes them averse to appliance concerns. Some have the money to deal with the consequences, some have the skills to lower the risks... I never know and it doesn't matter.

You disconnected the vent piping to shoot a picture inside?

Thanks Jim, I believe it is a Masonite or similar hardboard product. I'm just surprised to a find a 35 year old installation that looked so good .

Great coop! But is it a sedan? Don't coupes have four doors?

Looking for an ID please. 1985 home in Calgary and the siding looked great. All aluminum corners in place, all most all butt joints covers in place. I see a groove in the back of the (what I assume to be ) hardboard that is unlike anything I am familiar with. but then I see the cross section of the "blocks" at a telephone jack and older electrical cover plate and think it could be newer materials.

Jim: My apologies if I came across as better than, or even in the same league, as you. As someone who has been reading these pages for over 14 years (but a participant for only 11), I have learned to add "Katen" to any Google search when trying to verify anything for my own knowledge and home inspection reports. Your battles here with (someone now banned I believe ) were epic! More than once I have been the beneficiary of your "efficient use of language" in correcting both my questions and my understanding. And for that I am grateful. I will not apologize however, for pointing out behaviour unbecoming. I "get" being exasperated with yet another mold question especially when someone is not taking responsibility for their part in the problem, however - no amount of expertise justifies hostility even when disguised as humour. Its not representative of the professionalism of our craft, of the professionalism I have seen many people here, including - maybe even especially you, exhibit, nor, of the professionalism we are all capable of exhibiting everyday. It is up to all of us, to hold ourselves up to a higher standard, and support each other to do the same. Marc: If that was not how I came across, please let me know and I will try do it differently in the future.

Thread-drift: This is an inspection guide (which was certainly written and edited by committee) with repair instructions?

$400 is less than the cost of one inspection and you'll be using it every working day for the foreseable future - don't skimp on your tools.

Jim, while I love that you speak with deserved conviction and share your knowledge freely, when you slip into sarcasm, we don't get to see the best side of you. Admittedly, it can be more than a little tiresome when yet another tenant shows up on this home inspection forum looking for back-up in a fight with a landlord but although not everyone understands or respects boundaries, everyone needs a place to live. Maybe when ArVandelay is looking to buy their own place, they can remember the inspectors here treated them with dignity and compassion.

Its great to hear when conclusions are reached. Sorry you had an experience, but grateful you are finding resolution so "quickly".

Oven?

I have been using telescopic ladders for a quite a few years now and won't be going back to hauling anything else through the house to get into the attic. Works well for most bungalows as well. My back, arms, shoulders, have never complained about my decision. My first one had a single release that allowed the whole thing to collapse back down... I did get nervous about that one and replaced it with one where I have to release every rung separately. I carry a JAWS for two storey homes where I can't straddle the ridge of a lower roof to get up to the second storey. I'm 6'2" and 225 and have never felt like it was unsafe. I do replace it every three years because the paranoia here eats at me a little and that is how I placate it. On a side note: I rented a 40' extension ladder for one inspection of a three storey home and that thing wiggled and bucked so much I couldn't believe that it was ever "safety-rated" by anyone.

Reminded me of tire skid marks... Skateboarders? 🚲

I don't disagree with the sentiment. Can you speak a little more to wrong materials and wrong fasteners?