News

What is the odds

Inter Nachi - Fri, 04/19/2013 - 17:49
Of two commodes in the same house with the same date of MFG Nov 7 but different years one 1987 and one 2000.

I should have bought a loto ticket yesterday:(

BTW I have a addiction to checking commode dates of MFG the oldest I have found here was 1937 and still in use:D

Service Neutral Used as Ground

Inter Nachi - Fri, 04/19/2013 - 16:54
For the electrical gurus out there, sorry for all the questions.

1. Can the service neutral be considered/used as the GEC in any situation? I had an electrician tell me that in our main county, the AHJ considered the service neutral the ground when the water line servicing the house is plastic.(assuming I didn't butcher what he said).

2. If this is the case or something similar is correct, how is this possible if the service neutral is carrying a load?

3. I know they try to balance the panel, but how realistic is it to get both phases carrying a similar load so that the service neutral is at 0 potential?(again, assuming I didn't just verbally butcher that as well)

4. Is this a cop-out by the AHJ and should an inspector call out the lack of a GEC in a panel if this is the setup, assuming the panel isn't connected thru metal conduit to a GEC at the meter?

Thanks for any clarity you can provide and I apologize if I have abused/misused any principles, theories or terminology in the writing of this post. I still haven't decided if working on eletrical systems is more dangerous than asking questions about them on a forum. :-D

Offering a New E&O Program

Inter Nachi - Fri, 04/19/2013 - 16:14
I'm proud to announce that as of today I joined forces with Elite MGA, the exclusive provider for the Hartford E&O program, to provide what I believe to be the most comprehensive, competitively priced, efficient E&O program to home inspectors.

Over the years, I've done my best to establish credibility among the inspector community and have also done my due diligence with respect to my new venture. For those who've had experience with Elite MGA in the past, whether good or bad, what I'm bringing to them is my commitment to servicing my clients through reputation, experience, and accessibility. My feeling toward insurance is if everyone needs it, why not buy it from me? The product is excellent, the rates are great, and myself along with with a staff of support, are here to serve you.

You guys know I HATE be thought of as a "vendor" amidst all the recent chaos and vendor scrutiny, but I think this is really going to benefit those who have a need. The Hartford's name and reputation speaks for itself and I hope mine does to.

If you want a quick quote to see what is available, you can visit www.eiipro.com or shoot me an email at bgarrison@elitemga.com.

Fill holes in Electrical Panel

Inter Nachi - Fri, 04/19/2013 - 15:32
How can holes in Electrical Panels be filled/blocked?
I have come across panels in which cables were not passed through knockouts, instead a larger single hole was made to pass three cables. Now, cables glands or knockout plugs won't work there. Any ideas?

No main breaker

Inter Nachi - Fri, 04/19/2013 - 11:58
Can someone post a good narrative on the danger of no main breaker for main panel. Mines a little clunky.

Opening Protection

Inter Nachi - Thu, 04/18/2013 - 01:53
Opening protection installed inside the window well. Can't recall seeing this anywhere before. Anyone know if this would get kicked back and have documentation noting yay or nay?



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America dodged a bullet today :)

Inter Nachi - Thu, 04/18/2013 - 00:52
I hope you are all aware of how lucky we are that the politicians finally came to their senses. We were just a few votes away from having lost the ability to protect our family, friends and community as we see fit. Consider today a great day and continue the pressure on the communist minded folks that run our government and do all you can to make sure you never lose your second amendment rights. They are all that stands between you and death. When trouble comes your way you have only yourself to rely on. Dialing 911 will do nothing but get someone there to show up and identify you and your dead family. Arm yourselves and always be prepared to protect those you love. If you do not no one will :) We as a nation dodged a bullet today lets make sure it is dead forever and it does not ever come up again. Do not let the past repeat itself. Protect your rights for those you love and those who cannot protect themselves.

PLEASE this I beg of you all.

Radon mitigation system - vent system doesn't terminate about roof line

Inter Nachi - Thu, 04/18/2013 - 00:22
I just purchased a home with a recently installed radon mitigation system. The system vents through the basement and then upwards in a PVC pipe on the side of the house. The problem is that the vent terminates about 2/3rds of the way up, whereas my understanding is that according to EPA code it should extend at least a couple feet above the roof line to prevent re-entry of radon gas into the home. Note: I don't have any windows or doors on this side of the house.

Do you guys think I need to bother the radon system installer to have the exhaust system fixed?

Here's a photo of the system:

Attic Access

Inter Nachi - Thu, 04/18/2013 - 00:15
Has anyone seen this type access panel before? 2000' town house built 2007
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Anyone interested in a 4pt inspection is Silver Springs?

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 23:24
If so please PM your contact info and I will forward it on the requesting insurance agent.

Justin

Questions regarding terms: "certified", "licensed", and "registered"

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 21:18
New here, some questions:

Ontario specifically;

I was at the OAHI site, the CAHPI, and InterNACHI, and they all seem to have different terms used to grant a qualification on whomever successfully completes their course.

1) To my understanding, there is no absolute, government mandated minimum requirement to become a home inspector, correct?

2) InterNACHI, and I'm assuming the other providers, are making moves to get Ontario, and well as other Provinces and States, to the point where their governments have an actual minimum standard?

3) Eventually this will be regulated, at that point, say another service such as OAHI 'wins', will this make an InterNACHI certificate void at that point?

4) What's the difference between, certified, licensed, and registered?

"Currently, anyone can offer home inspection services in Ontario, but only registered members of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors can call themselves a registered home inspector."

5) Any other information for a potential new home inspector, in regards specifically to Canada/Ontario?


Edit:


6) I am also interested in doing Inspections for New Construction. Does anybody have any advice on where to start there?

Scorch marks

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 20:59
I have seen several heat pumps lately with scorch marks around the suction line where it enters the air handler. In one case the grommet was burned as well. What causes these scorch marks?

In all cases I have recommended an HVAC specialist.

Jim Campbell
Orion Home Inspection

New logo for Crown Property Inspection

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 20:27
InterNACHI Design & Print Services: http://printservices.nachi.org/

Website Design & Support: inspectorpages.com

Marketing contact: jessica@internachi.org
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U.S. drone attacks on civilians in Pakistan since 2004.

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 19:25
http://drones.pitchinteractive.com/

Watch it for about a minute. Pretty amazing.

Help with HIP mobile software

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 18:54
Is anyone out there using the new home inspector pro mobile that could help me through the learning curve? Especially doing four point inspections on it.

Thanks,
John W. Miller
PRP Home Inspections
DeLand, Fl.
386-216-1809

Danger Danger Will Smith

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 17:21
I was looking for the easy way up on this real dangerous roof and all of a sudden I had this dangerous dog looking in my face gota be more careful:p;-)
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Mexico update

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 16:35
We met last Saturday in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico with Guillermo Castañeda, national president of AMPI (10,000 members, similar to our National Association of Realtors, but including developers and appraisers in additon to real estate brokers and agents), Georgia Spencer, Morelos state AMPI president, and Lucio Brugada, Morelos state president of CMIC (similar to our National Association of Home Builders).

This first meeting went extremely well, surpassing all our expectations. Guillermo wants to promote development of the home inspection industry in Mexico. He wants to help launch us in 76 cities across Mexico and have us speak at their national convention in October.
Lucio offered CMIC's help in reviewing course material for technical accuracy and to help with translation.

Developing a new industry in a country is typically a slow process, and you have to successfully step through a number of doors, but we just stepped through the first door in a pretty spectacular manner, so it's early, but it looks good.

I have to go back as soon as possible to start writing courses, and I have to learn Spanish. Any suggestions on Spanish courses?

Former Inspector Wins In 8 Year Court Battle

Inter Nachi - Wed, 04/17/2013 - 16:05
Hello all,

I wanted to let you all know that I finally won an eight year court battle from an inspection performed in 2005.

Some of you may remember my company, Gold Coast Inspection. I created and built this company, just like you all, out of nothing. Went to school, was certified and was a member of NACHI for years.

During the course of the summer of 2005, I conducted an inspection where there was serious damage to the roof system. These defects were cited on the report and was delivered to the buyer. Roughly 2 years after the inspection, I received a summons with a civil complaint attached.

The buyer closed on the property without adhering to the recommendations the property should be evaluated by a roofer and mold tested. The buyer closed and had to remediate the property costing over $60,000.

After 8 years of bull****, I finally had my day in court last week. Two days of trial in Palm Beach, expert witnesses, interrogatories... et al. I got the Final Judgment yesterday and I was victorious.

The reason for the post... be careful. Even with air-tight inspection agreements, anyone can sue anyone for anything in Florida. And, these types of cases make it through the test of a Motion to Dismiss. The burden of proof falls on the shoulders of the Plaintiff, but there is a minimal bar to get a complaint past the dismissal stage.

What this means, E & O only covers so much. And when the premiss for the case in fraudulent inducement and misrepresentation, there is not much or an E & O carrier to look at. Why? Because the allegation is not performance related. Rather, the case was based on individual action and not whether there was a mistake on the report or its findings.

What happened to my company and I? Well, this particular case involved Coldwell Banker RE... my biggest client at the time. I had (3) offices and the bulk of their volume agents used me specifically. Immediately following the filing, I was banned from the offices. Marketing materials removed, no vendor invites and no return calls when trying to address it. I don't blame them, as it is a clear conflict of interest in maintaining the relationship. But, my point is that one thing like this can ruin your business. Coldwell Banker respresented roughly 65% of my business.. then the valve was turned off.

This litigation cost me my company, drove me in to debt, ruined my credit profile and my home is being auctioned July 11,2013.

I remember when I first posted about this in 2008, while I was an active NACHI member, and there were responses posted implying that I must have done something wrong or was at fault.

I am here to tell you all, it doesn't matter. You can be the best at what you do to have it all take away. Why, because you can sue a ham sandwich in this state. It cost me over $25,000 to defend this case plus my way of life. All because a fellow consumer thought they had been done wrong.

My point, dot your i's, cross your t's, fully report and attend as many education opportunities as possible. Because you don't have to screw up to loose it all.

For my future, I was licensed as a real estate agent in 2011, doing fantastic, was awarded into the President's Club and I don't miss climbing through attics in Miami in August.

I hope all is well within my former inspection community and keep your heads under the radar and I sincerely with you all great success.
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