No - Exterior Faucets
posted on May 12, 2008 11:09:01 pm
First time I ran across this. New house (2007) had no exterior faucets!!?? Usually there are at least two hose bibs!!! Does plumbing code require exterior faucets?

Any reason to keep grease trap?
posted on May 12, 2008 10:50:10 pm
50 unit condo conversion here in Chicago. First time running into this. Told client I would follow up so I am. I couldn't remove lid (hermetically sealed;)) and would like to address intelligibly. No disposal in unit.

Gurgle...gurgle
posted on May 12, 2008 09:18:37 pm
Hey guys, what causes a sink to gurgle when no apparent water is running anywhere in the house? Driving everyone crazy! Thanks, Don

garage ceiling firestopping
posted on May 12, 2008 08:58:59 pm
Firestopping is required in a garage on any wall/ceiling which has livable space on the other side. This is usually provided via drywall. Question: Can the ceiling drywall be omitted if a sprinkler system is installed? Thanks.

Coral Point / Lexington Insurance
posted on May 12, 2008 08:13:14 pm
My E+O policy was expiring at the end of May. At the end of last year I started getting emails from various companies telling me that E&O prices were dropping. Great I thought, its about time I got a break in expenses especially since I not had any claims since I started in this business in 2002. In March, I called my broker Coral Point Insurance Services Coral Point Insurance sucks (http://www.coralpnt.com/) and requested a quote for the coming year. They said they would get back to me. Two weeks later after no news I called back. They said they would check on it. A week later I called again and they told me that they couldn't get a quote from the Lexington insurance company because it was too soon. I explained that if I could call any other insurance company and get a quote that I should be able to get a quote from a company I already had a relationship with. Coral Point agreed and said they would put another request in. Fast forward to May 1st. I call Coral Point again and ask why I haven't seen a quote yet, aren't they interested in me as a customer? Two days later I get a call saying I will have a quote by the 5th. I explain to Coral that I feel like I am being screwed because I won't have time to line up a new policy. They apologize and tell me it will be fine. I resolve to find a new company. On Tuesday I get a fax from Coral Point new premium $4205 for $500K/$1,000K ($2,500 deduct) up from $2665 for same coverage. And this is with no claims!!! Moral of the story if you feel like you are about to be bent over a log and reamed, you probably are. I now have a new policy line up and will tell Coral Point and Lexington where they can stick their policy. //Rick

Insulation clearance to direct vent chimney
posted on May 12, 2008 07:45:29 pm
I know most metal chimney manufacturers require a 1-2 inch clearance to insulation but I cannot find specifics for the Secure Vent Direct Vent Chimney. It passes throught the wall with a horizontal installation and has fiberglass wall insulation in direct contact. My gut says this isn't right but the manufacturer's installation instructions do not address insulation contact specifically as I have seen with other metal chimney manufacturers. Any thoughts? Thanks, Eric

TXV valve mean it's a heat pump ?
posted on May 12, 2008 07:25:45 pm
Does the presence of a Thermostatic Expansion valve indicate a system is a heat pump ? If not, when is a TXV used. Some systems have them and some do not. Not sure I understand when and why. Thx Gene

ONE MORE TIME...LOOK AT PHOTO. WHAT IS THIS DRAIN ?
posted on May 12, 2008 07:19:53 pm
Maybe I am ignorant of just not thinking, What is this 3rd drain line on this AC. I see the main drain, the secondary and yet another one with out a PVC connection ? Look at the photo. Also, does this drain line need a PVC line that dumps into the pan ? Thanks Gene

Google Maps and home inspection
posted on May 12, 2008 06:59:03 pm
I was using google earth and Microsoft maps for most of my research prior to going to a clients property. Today, I was looking at something on google maps, and came across the "street view" feature. Needless to say I was impressed at how well this works. Truly amazing! I recall hearing something about people complaining about their privacy a few months ago, but didnt really think much of it. I thought they were referring to the satellite imagery on google earth. With fuel prices rising, this can really help you get to your location without getting lost, and allows you to do a "drive by" from the comfort of your home. It seems like they still have a lot of work to do, but they have some great images of the Houston area.

Hero
posted on May 12, 2008 03:37:42 pm
---Quote--- "People who stand up for others, for the weak, are very rare. The world would have been a better place if there were more of them," ---End Quote--- Please read it. Sendler, savior of Warsaw Ghetto children, dies - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/poland_sendler_dc;_ylt=At9FWEfGzrr_UEwgAQfN.q2s0NUE)

New guy greeting...
posted on May 12, 2008 01:59:16 pm
Hello all, My name is Howard Tennyson and I live in central Georgia. I completed Inspector Training Associates (Kaplan School) enhanced residential home inspection course last January and have been back to Buckhead and the Kaplan School for additional training in pool and spa inspections and their mold sampling/ testing courses. I took the National Home Inspection Certification test and the NACHI test for additional certifications. I know that these courses and tests can't cover all aspects of the home inspection business but I feel they have given me one heck of a primer. I am currently serving in the USAF and looking to retiring this fall after 27+ years. The home inspection business appealed to me because of the low overhead, flexible hours, meeting new people and facing new challenges every day. Because of these points, I am looking forward to this business and sharing ideas with you. *Howard Tennyson* Ace Home Inspection, LLC Warner Robins, GA Howard Tennyson | Ace Home Inspection, LLC (http://www.acehomeinspection.biz) info@acehomeinspection.biz Toll free: 1(866)573-5681

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PHOTO. PROBLEM ?
posted on May 12, 2008 01:39:53 pm
Notice there is no PVC line attached to the connection in the pan. Is this a problem. I see the main drain and the secondary drain. Not sure what this 3rd drain line is for ? The opening I am referring to is on the right side of the photo above the pan. Thanks Gene

Main Waste under footing?
posted on May 12, 2008 12:20:13 pm
I recently ran across a PVC waste line that exited the structure directly undernieth the footing, in a perpendicular fashion. Is this allowed. I was under the impression that the "zone of compresson" under a footing could not be compromised. Additionally, the IRC [2604.4] states no trenches [parallel to] to bottom of bearing footing within 45 degrees. This situation is not parallel to, but my client wants to know what code is in question.

Rafter and ridge issues- shed dormer
posted on May 12, 2008 12:18:15 pm
I am new to this site and just wanted to get a couple of opinions. I recently framed a shed dormer onto my cape cod style house. The dormer wall spans 28' in length & 6'9" high, with the overall length of the house 32'. I recently finished and have to get an inspection. There are two issues I think the inspector may have. I want to see if these will be issues and what I can do about them before the inspector comes. 1. The ridge size. The existing roof, an 8 pitch, was framed with 2x6's and no ridge board. The rafters on the shed dormer, which is a 3 pitch, are 2x10's. I used a 2x6 as the ridge board (looking back, I have no idea why). The 2x10's hang below the board about 4 inches. The 2x6 portion of the roofs hangs below the ridge about 2 inches. I did not specify a ridge size in my submitted plans. My question is will this be a problem. If so, can I slide a second 2x6 between the rafters to compensate? 2. The rafters of the shed dormer are offset from the original rafters. I framed the dormer wall at 16" centers. However, I neglected to line the wall studs up with the existing 2x6 rafters on the other side. As a result, once the wall was lifted the wall studes did not line up with the existing rafters. I chose to put the dormer rafters over the wall studs and offset them from the original 2x6 rafters, rather than line the rafters up and have them offset from the wall studs. Just wanted to get an opinion on these two issues. A couple of additional facts- There are 2x6 collar ties at 16" centers and a height of 8'. Since the rafters didn't line up, I installed a nailing board the length of the existing roof and cut that end of the collar ties at an 8 pitch. The roof is a standing seam metal roof. I built this just before the winter and had about 3 inches of pure ice on the roof and have had no problems.

Woman Driver!
posted on May 12, 2008 09:47:08 am
Danica hits crew member... Danica to crewman: Kiss my tire - From the Marbles - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/blog/from_the_marbles/post/Danica-to-crewman-Kiss-my-tire?urn=nascar,81756) I think she needs a horn(y) in that thing. rr