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  1. #1
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    Default New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    I saw an entire neighborhood of houses with this device mounted on the roof. All were built by the same builder. I have seen them a few times at a distance and not sure what I am seeing. Some houses have one and some have two of them. They sort of look like a "Fin" like a shark fin protruding from the water, or maybe like a vertical stabilizer on the rear of an airplane. That is my best description. What say ye oh knowable ones?

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  3. #3
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    They're for the mother ship to swoop down and pick up houses with


  4. #4

    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Good morning, Gene:

    Don’t listen to Matt, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The hooks needed by the Mother Ship have a hole in the end.

    The fins you see are part of Obama’s new Global Warming legislation authored by Al Gore. Its been shown that as the Earth rotates, the friction caused by billions of houses moving through the air generate billions of kilowatts of energy which are translated into heat that is transferred to the atmosphere thus melting glaciers, causing the sea levels to rise, and killing off the Wyoming Snail Darter.

    These fins, which are now mandatory on all new houses, act as an air foil and facilitate the smooth passage of air around the house as the Earth spins. The net result is less friction and thus a cooling of the planet. Studies have demonstrated that these fins are actually twice as effective as “Cap and Trade” (which is designed to reduce air pollution by putting millions of American out of work – since they won’t have jobs, they won’t have to drive to work, thus reducing air pollution.)

    As for me … Well, I’m going fishing.

    Cheers!
    Caoimh*n P. Connell
    Forensic Industrial Hygienist
    Forensic Industrial Hygiene

    (The opinions expressed here are exclusively my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect my professional opinion, opinion of my employer, agency, peers, or professional affiliates. The above post is for information only and does not reflect professional advice and is not intended to supercede the professional advice of others.)

    AMDG


  5. #5
    K Robertson's Avatar
    K Robertson Guest

    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Government monitoring devices. With those, the Obama can sit in his office and watch everything you do! And motherships don't need magnets, they are sucked through space and time with transporter from the home world. Gosh, don't you guys know anything.

    Seriously, I haven't seen these, but when I see something like that in an entire neighborhood, I tend stop and ask someone. If you go back there again, stop and ask one of the residents. I'm sure they will be proud of what ever it is and be happy to tell you.


  6. #6
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    I have seen them on homes built by Weiland, Beazer and Drees. All are regional or national builders. It is a tie off and from what I was told an OSHA requirement. They have a rubber like cap that covers the hole that they hook on to it with.

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  7. #7
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Quote Originally Posted by Scott Patterson View Post
    I have seen them on homes built by Weiland, Beazer and Drees. All are regional or national builders. It is a tie off and from what I was told an OSHA requirement. They have a rubber like cap that covers the hole that they hook on to it with.
    Down in Dallas, I reckon they can jest lassoo the dern things from the ground.
    And they'd be 'horns', not 'fins'.


  8. #8
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Hey Scott and Jim, you are right, they are anchors. I had been wondering about them for a while, every time I drove past this neighborhood.I only have seen one neighborhood that had them.

    Thanks

    Gene

    PS, Caoimh*n. I liked the Al Gore response. Good one!


  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Rockwall Texas
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    Down in Dallas, I reckon they can jest lassoo the dern things from the ground.
    And they'd be 'horns', not 'fins'.
    John,

    We don't need no stinkin lasso. We just scale up the sides of our oil / gas well in the back yard and step onto the roof.

    rick


  10. #10
    Nick J. Alati's Avatar
    Nick J. Alati Guest

    Exclamation Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    You guy's are frickin nuts, the house is obviously on Viagra, and has multiple personality!


  11. #11
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    It's a GPS homing device so folks can find their own home in a look-alike tract of cookie-cutters.

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  12. #12
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    Smile Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    I agree w/ Nick, I think the roof was happy to see you....

    Yes, fall protection anchors.

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  13. #13
    Chuck Weaver's Avatar
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Come on guys. Those are relocation devices. If the people get transfered or just want to move to a different neighborhood a crane simple lifts them up and sits them down whereever they want to move. But ya'll have been kidding, right?


  14. #14
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Looks like one side is open. This would create a vacuum as the wind flows over the roof. Really just a poor attic vent.


  15. #15
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Those are for the aliens to be able to lift your home up and suck the life out of you.

    I remember this happening a few years ago here in our area. What a day that was.

    rick

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  16. #16
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    They are anchors for hooking your rope to your harness with. I hated those things with a passion,anything harness period, sort of like when they started making you wear a seat belt in your car. Couldn't get use to it right away.
    They are stainless steel. Looks like a tunning fork, cut hole in roof insert over rafter and bolt it under the rafter. There is a rubber flashing boot and a plastic cap to install over the Eyelet. Comes with a zip strip to fasten the cap to the boot so it doesn't blow away.

    When OSHA cracked down on NC in the 90's everyone scrambled to be compliant. These where mandatory until temporary anchors became popular and each person had one. That way you can mount the anchor anywhere on the roof and not have a hundred feet of rope dangling everywhere.
    Also I think they realized that several people anchor to one spot wasn't a good Idea. Arrebaaaaa!

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  17. #17
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    Cool Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    OK smarty pants, what's the wire mesh at the top of the plumbing vent for?
    La Quinta, California, desert country. (adjacent a golf course)

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    Jerry McCarthy
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  18. #18
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy View Post
    OK smarty pants, what's the wire mesh at the top of the plumbing vent for?
    La Quinta, California, desert country. (adjacent a golf course)

    Two things, but you gave away which one THAT one is for ... but I'm not telling either yet.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  19. #19
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Ec Jerry thanks for letting some of us others have a "swing" at it.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  20. #20
    Paul Johnston's Avatar
    Paul Johnston Guest

    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry McCarthy View Post
    OK smarty pants, what's the wire mesh at the top of the plumbing vent for?
    La Quinta, California, desert country. (adjacent a golf course)
    To keep birds and squirrels out.


  21. #21
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Vermin -critters-varmits and debris Or it's a spark arrestor for when he lights his farts..........

    If they can make that a hole in one they deserve to hit them up on the roof.

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  22. #22
    Mike Truss Guy's Avatar
    Mike Truss Guy Guest

    Wink Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Quote Originally Posted by Gene South View Post
    I saw an entire neighborhood of houses with this device mounted on the roof. All were built by the same builder. I have seen them a few times at a distance and not sure what I am seeing. Some houses have one and some have two of them. They sort of look like a "Fin" like a shark fin protruding from the water, or maybe like a vertical stabilizer on the rear of an airplane. That is my best description. What say ye oh knowable ones?
    It's an Obilisque.




  23. #23
    Michael Upshall's Avatar
    Michael Upshall Guest

    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    The device looks like a satelite radio antenna to me.....simlar to the ones found on cars. However, most satelite radios only need one antenna. The friction answer seems logical.....but believable? I'm not sure.......


  24. #24
    Join Date
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    "The device looks like a satelite radio antenna to me..." Somebody been smoking there Wheaties!

    Mike Schulz License 393
    Affordable Home Inspections
    www.houseinspections.com

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    Rockwall Texas
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    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    That screen material on the sewer vent pipe is too keep birds from dropping nesting debris in the vent and causing blockage. Many PCO's do this type of work when doing exclusion work.

    rick


  26. #26
    Ken Larson's Avatar
    Ken Larson Guest

    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    I've got one on my GMC trcuk. It's for the homes ONSTAR system in case the airbags deploy or the home gets stolen.


  27. #27
    archivoyeur's Avatar
    archivoyeur Guest

    Default Re: New photos for the "What is this ?" department

    Pigeon deterrent.

    LAND SHARK


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