Jerry,

You are correct; HI cannot make anyone DO anything. The best we can do is offer our opinion and provide proper back-up to support our opinion.

Now, rumor has it you are now in (building) code enforcment. Here in NJ, a building inspector is responsible for many areas of the mechanical code.

A building inspector would (should) never fail an inspection because a manufacture states "whenever possible" in their installation guide. Here in NJ, a contractor has the right to appeal an inspector's decision. If it's found the inspector is wrong, disipline actions (possible lose of license) can be taken.

On another note, when I was a superintendent, I had a sub contractor dispute my call for his installation of modulines in the ceiling. He stated he "installed 50,000 modulines this way" just because you did it that way for years doesn't make it right.

See Thom's post above; he's thinking about what he's been saying for years now. He believes he could be wrong. If someone calls him out right now, he has no back-up to prove his call. Maybe he'll find something, maybe he won't. Until someone can show me where a manufacture of a water heater REQUIRES a straight pipe on the draft hood, it's a myth.

An stop comparing me to other people; any good home inspector needs back-up to prove their claim. Without back-up, your creating more HI folk lore.


Darren