JohnC

Thanks to all you guys, I feel a little less inept going into this-thanks! This should be a fun house to look. It's right on some rocky cliffs. I was told it has a nasty tight crawlspace so I better bring the right gear. It must be my age but lately halfway into these types of crawls I keep hearing a voice telling me I'm to old for this stuff-but I get over it! I had an interesting call from the client tonight. She say's depending on what I report she may tear it down and for a new house! They are looking to downsize. This small house only has 5 bathrooms, 3300 sg ft and is listing for 1.7 million. I would love to see her house now if this is downsizing. Here is a link if you’re interested in a virtual tour: http://visualtour.com/applets/flashviewer/viewer.asp?t=1052182&sk=30&dm=anneerwin.com p.s Jim I especially like that link. John C

Just found out the house I am inspecting tomorrow has a slate roof. I have never inspected this type roof before. I looking for advice of anything I really should be looking for beside the obvious. Also I take you can't walk on this type of roof? I am looking at Daniel Friedmans website about slate roofs -seems like a good place to start. Thanks in Advance John C

Just wondering how would remove leaves, pine needles and debris from a vent pipe? John Callan Download Attachment: Vent pipe.jpg 92.15 KB Download Attachment: Vent pipe debris.jpg 30.79 KB

Can a ground wire and neutral wire be connect to the same screw on a panel bar. If not which is what I think is the right answer,why not? John C Download Attachment: ground - neutral wire.jpg 75.8 KB

Kurt, Maybe I'll have to take another look at Filemaker. I had Filemaker 4.0 and did not think much of it.! But listening to you it may be time to try a later version. Is 7.0 the latest? John C

Randy, I use Inspectit plus with Word 2003 I have no trouble inserting photos quickly and at the location I want. I usually add many photos on the fly when I’m writing the report. This is how it’s done. It may sound complicated but it’s really simple once you get use to it. 1. When I have an inspection order I use Office Pro to open up word with client info automatically transferred from Office Pro. When it opens I go to the top of word toolbar and click on options. Scroll over to File locations/clipart pictures and hit the tab. At the bottom is another tab modify that opens a location file which takes me to file with my future clients name on it I click okay exit word and go to the inspection. 2. After I download my photos to the clients file I start the report. When I write a comment and want a photo I just click the insert picture icon on word toolbar. The photos from that particular job open up, I pick the photo I want and click on it. It inserts wherever I last left the blink curser-which is wherever I want the photo. Photo opens a little larger and I just quickly more my mouse to the left corner of the photo, left click keeping mouse button down and drag that corner to the size I want the photo. The process is simple & quick. I own Adobe 7.0 and have tried many others but for me word is much quicker and easier to use. I usually have 20-30 photos in a report. John C

Mr Bushart postings usually "rub me the wrong way" in this article I think he is right on. The Massachusetts inspection law that prohibit's real estate salespeople from referring home inspectors is the way to go. I don't think realtors should have much if any say in inspection legislation. John C

Thanks Mike,I just was not sure but what you said makes sense. My client was not at the inspection so I wanted to be sure before I finished writing the report. I'm amazed at what I continually learn on this forum,without the BS you find on other forum's. John C

I don't come across old metal firebox's much. Around the interior edge is what appears to be insulation. This does not appear to be correct to me but I wanted to be sure. Thanks for the help, John C Download Attachment: 059.jpg 63.44 KB

Slightly off topic but the Portland,Maine newspaper had a big story about Radon today that has a lot of realtor's up in arms[:-slaphap Here is the link if anyone is interested. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/busin ... radon.html

I would describe it as animal excrement. John www.customizedhomeinspections.com

I found this guy hanging out in the electrical panel today.I thought it was kind of amusing.Although owner of the house was not laughing. Download Attachment: Mr.Mouse.JPG 45.53 KB

My favorite shellfish which I personally like better than lobster is stonecrabs,plus its a renewable resource,they can only harvest one claw at a time.

http://www.portlobster.com/ordering2.html John

This guy had some trouble also-yuk![:-crazy] John http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12467325/

Windows are not single pane. I don't think their was any product or passageway such as raftermate installed prior to installation.In my opinion I think this attic has major ventilation issues. Unless someone illuminates me differently.[:-magnify

Thanks guys for the quick response,that answers my window question. But what about this type of insulation in the attic sheathing and walls is thss good for the roof? As I said in my previous post there is a ridge vent which would appear to be useless at this point. I always thought attic's suppose to have ventilation? Will this effect the sheathing and life of the shingles? Why have a ridge vent with this.Again I have never seen this in attic's before. John Callan Download Attachment: Inspection 242.jpg 74.63 KB

Inspected house built in 1920’s that have been updated in 1999. Many of the 2nd floor windows {installed in 1999} have mold/mildew. The house attic has an air handler in the attic; system was operating okay, although the filter was dirty. The attic sheathing and walls is totally covered with this insulation which I have never seen before. I believe it is "Icynene Insulation System" I always thought attic should have ventilation. The roof has a ridge and soffit vent's but with this product it appears useless. My understanding is the house is not used much. The owner was last there in July 2005. Could this foam insulation product be causing the mold/mildew on the windows? Can this be good for roof shingles,attic sheathing and could this be the cause of the mold on the windows? Thanks John Callan [?] Download Attachment: Inspection 274.jpg 49.3 KB Download Attachment: Inspection 245.jpg 70.81 KB

I also use the 13' & 21' gorilla ladders. The 21' is somewhat heavy,but other than that they store nice in my Ford Explorer and get me on 95% of the roofs. They also store nice in the garage.I do sometime think about buying the LG because of the weight,but I'm to cheap! John

I try to walk every roof and usually get on 95% of them.Sometimes if I can't get on a roof I try to find a high spot and set up my ladder and use my binoculars. I have even set my ladder up next to tree and used it to get in the tree and look from there.But even with real good binoculars,which I have, I think there is real potential to miss something.Once in a while I find no way to see all of the roof and I hate that. John Callan www.customizedhomeinspections.com

1760's in Kennenbunk,Maine and 1760's in York,Maine. Great time inspecting these houses. Kings Pine with dowels for attic sheathing,Beehive fireplace,Indian Shutters in the windows. In the Basement/Crawlspace hand hewed joists with the bark still on etc.etc.One house the buyers wife made me cringe as she talked about remodeling for walk-in closets and other improvements. I would feel honored to be a caretaker for these old houses and not bust out walls.Inspected loads of houses from the 1800's. Would show you photos but I'm in Florida until end of March. John Callan www.customizedhomeinspections.com

I tell my client before I get to the inspections that I can't tell them what I can't see I also put in my inspection comments and the roofing sections of the report that snow on roof prevented inspection of roof.I stress at the inspections that the roof is covered with snow so it is impossible to properly evaluate.I don't offer to come back and so far have never been asked to. John Callan www.customizedhomeinspections.com

From all the different questions from newhomeowner it sounds like he did not have a prior home inspection- or he had a bad one. John Callan

You would love it,I'll even but on my red suspenders,but remenber the Maine saying-You can't get there from here! John

Well I did the inspection today,4 hours they had a barn I had to also inspect. I posted on a couple of other boards {sorry mike} but I was looking for all the information I could find,a couple of other guys gave me the same advice as Mike.I looked at every thing I could think of as well as the other advice advice I was given.{thanks Brian and the other guys} {I even got advice from the big Poster on another and past boards Jerry P.} By the way Mike he disagreed with the top and bottom door theory you had,bet your real surprised by that! I came to the conclusion that that the doors were taking on moisture at the top and bottom. Thanks for the help. Mike,what is your commission rate for bailing me out? Lobster dinner maybe? John Callan