It's a great day here in Orem, Utah! Halloween passed by here in an unusually cold fashion. It was 38 degrees and raining which made for quick Trick or Treating. All four of our kids were still adorable. Our little 4 year old Haily made an adorable Cinderella. Snow is gently falling outside and the first of the ski resorts opens this coming Thursday. If I wasn't flying out to the AII™ Annual Meeting, then I would be one of those diehards making the large "S" turns in the fluffy stuff.
PORTLAND WEATHER FLASH: Shelly has just informed me that the weather forecast for today in Portland, Oregon, is "DREARY." We have heard a lot of different weather-related terms to describe weather, but DREARY? That really wants to make you fork out the money for travel, lodging and seminar fees for this up coming week's wonderful conference. How do you dress for DREARY? How do you drag yourself out of bed for DREARY? The word DREARY even has a way of killing my appetite. BLUSTERY I can deal with, but DREARY makes me think of some sort of rehab experience. They project this coming weekends weather to be showers with a high of 51 and low of 40. Then they say that it will feel like 47/36...... I just figured it out.... When it rains 360 days of the year you have got to come up with a thesaurus full of words to describe gray skies.... So is DREARY on the optimistic end of the spectrum or is it at the "jump off the bridge and end it all" end of the spectrum???
In spite of the weather, I am really looking forward to seeing many of you this coming weekend in Portland, Oregon. The AII™ Annual Meeting is a great time to rub shoulders and share war stories. This year's meeting will be another great offering of courses and trainings. I have been working hard to complete the finishing touches on the two trainings that I am involved with. The presentation on Commercial Inspections is geared especially towards the Home Inspector who has not performed them and is curious about all of the main details of how they differ from a home inspection. Most Home Inspectors are lured by the thought of fees that are double that of Home Inspections, yet they are unsure of just what is different about the commercial inspection. Ron Cloyd, Brent Foster, Steve Bradley, and myself have been gathering photos to use in this Power Point presentation that you won't want to miss.
Ron Cloyd also said that 17 people have signed up for his Pest & Dry Rot Certification course on Thursday. Ron's course is very informative and full of experiences that make you step back and ponder about the liabilities involved with Pest & Dry Rot inspections. I think that the participants in Ron's Thursday class are going to have the best experience of all because they will be in training for 4 straight days..... Pest & Dry Rot on Thursday, Manufactured Homes on Friday, and then the full course offerings on Saturday and Sunday. I am excited by all of the topics of learning that will be covered in Portland. I am especially looking forward to Friday's presentation on Manufactured Homes. Even though it is being put on by an Oregon State official, the information will be very helpful back here in Utah as well.
HELP WITH DRUM TRAPS
Jon Larson in Ephraim, Utah asked for our help with the plumbing Drum Trap issue.....
In the building codes it allows drum traps to be installed in the upright position and in the upside down position. When in the upside down position you just put a bucket under it before you open it. But I would look to see if it was leaking, But I would not touch it. I would report in detail what I observed. Alan Muenzel - Utah
Richard Grisham shares his observations as well as a great reminder about the limitations of photos......
Cannot make heads or tails out of this picture. These are the kind of photos that literally cry out for an explanatory caption. One of the first lessons given in most science classes that involve any laboratory procedures is to first report only your observations, then (& only then) report the "interpretation" of those observations. The point of all this being that there is an important difference between your observations and the interpretation of them. Everybody gets the two mixed up. It took me a few seconds to realize that the perspective was from down, looking up, in a basement or possibly in a crawl space. I see what appears to be a mixture of galvanized, steel, copper, brass, and lead components (the "pipe" coming in from the left and disappearing in the background might even be a gray PVC electrical conduit). The floor joist has dark areas that appear to be carbonized wood (resulting from a heating torch). There is minor corrosion at most of the threaded joints and there are indications of past leaks along the sides of the trap. The bottom of the drum trap is cut off in my picture and I have some difficulty understanding where water comes in and where it goes out. Sometimes the most logical conclusions are not the correct conclusions because we confuse an observation with an interpretation. When you take a picture like this one, and you are there on site, your eyes take in a lot more than the camera records. Most of the time, it is these extra observations that help you to make correct conclusions and when you show the picture to someone else, without realizing it, you fully expect this person to see the same things you originally saw - things that are not really in the picture at all. Richard - Las Vegas, NV
Jim Corbin shared a simple plea for more information with...... I've not seen one of these. How about some additional information on purpose, operation, etc., of a source for same. Thanks and I await your learned comments. Jim Corbin - Bow, WA
Who can help Jim out??? Anybody have a diagram and/or a good explanation of Drum Traps?.... Please send it along.
Your Name: Please include your name or else I don't know who it is from...
FEEDBACK ON ATTIC MOLD
Jon also asked for any help with the attic mold that he snapped the photo of on an older house in Ephraim, Utah.
From the looks of it, sounds reasonable along with the other conditions. I had black mold about as thick due to "no" ventilation and clothes dryer. I have not seen this type though. Jim Corbin - Bow, WA
Bill Schwahn started this entire mold topic in the MMM and he responded with..... They may be just a contributor. Look at the roof sheathing. Has a new roof been installed over the top of wet roof sheathing? Did the roof sheathing have any fungal growth. If you have contact with the environmental consultant, it would be great to know if this is a hazardous fungal growth. Bill Schwahn - MT
Jon Gudnason poses another interesting question..... Looks like dryrot to me. What do the pest inspectors say? Is dryrot in the attic an environmental concern or simply a pest control issue? Jon Gudnason - CA.
I'll take a stab at that one, Jon. The photo comes from Utah where the Pest Control Operators don't even perform regular Wood Destroying Organism evaluations as part of their Pest Inspections. This is a lesser job description here in Utah when compared to Oregon, California, or Washington. PCO's do not even open the attic here in Northern Utah because they are concentrating on damage from Subterranean Termites which attack from the ground.
The question of whether or not dry rot in the attic is an environmental concern would greatly have to do with the moisture source and the limit of the damage. For example, since moisture flows downhill, let's pretend that the source of the growth in the attic shot was a leaking roof. If this were the case, then it would be expected that there was also some moisture damage/growth on the ceilings or inside the walls. This very quickly becomes an environmental issue if it involves mold and spores doesn't it??? I guess that we will have to ask our attic expert this same question in Portland this coming weekend..... I look forward to his response.
Richard Grisham also shared his thoughts on the mold in the attic with....
Michael: I'm looking at a picture that appears to be taken in an attic, looking up at a bridal joint. From this picture it is impossible to tell if this is mold or just the results of a mixture of salts that have precipitated out of a water leak seeped in from the outside through a leaking roof. It could also be a mixture of the two. Anytime wood gets wet, the conditions are desirable for bacterial and fungal invasion. Three things are needed: shelter, food, water. Every fungal mold produces metabolic byproducts some of which protect it from bacteria (penicillin). Unfortunately, some of those byproducts may have allergic reactions and much worse. Think of San Joaquin Valley Fever (Coccidial Mycosis), a well defined disease which has been known for over a century. Is it any wonder that some of these molds are dangerous to human life? Sometimes a simple explanation like this can spur your client to really do something effective (like insulating bare A/C suction lines, directing bathroom vents out of the attic, and ventilating the attic.) I do not think you can answer the question "culprit or contributor" from the info in this picture. Best guess is contributor, but I "recommend further evaluation by a contractor experienced in the proper specialty." Richard Grisham - Las Vegas, NV
Every time Richard opens up on a topic, I sit back in awe. He knows so much about so many different scientific topics. For example, how many of you thought to reference the San Joaquin Valley Fever to help explain the dangers of mold? I wish that I could say that I forgot about that reference, but the truth is that I have never even heard about it. Once again, Richard has got me thinking..... Good job, Richard..... Keep up the great responses!
Richard Grisham is great at sparking one's thought process. Such is the case with San Joaquin Valley Fever. I did a search on the internet and found this wonderful explanation of the SJV Fever. It can be found at: http://www.arl.arizona.edu/vfce/vemain.htm. The SJV Fever is not a condition found in the Northwest, but we have got it in Southern Utah so I am glad Richard brought it to our attention. In fact, I will be inspecting a relative's house down in Southern Utah in the next couple of weeks......... Here is the SJV Fever information.
Valley Fever is primarily a disease of the lungs that is common in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis, which grows in soils in areas of low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and moderate winter temperatures. These fungal spores become airborne when the soil is disturbed by winds, construction, farming and other activities. In susceptible people and animals, infection occurs when a spore is inhaled. Within the lung, the spore changes into a larger, multicellular structure called a spherule. The spherule grows and bursts, releasing endospores which develop into spherules. Valley Fever symptoms generally occur within three weeks of exposure. Valley Fever is not a "contagious" disease, meaning it is not passed from person to person. Second infections are rare.
Valley Fever derives its name from its discovery in the San Joaquin Valley of California, where it was also referred to as "San Joaquin Valley fever", "desert fever", or "desert rheumatism". The medical name for Valley Fever is coccidioidomycosis (often shortened to "cocci", pronounced KOK-SEE), meaning a fungal infection ("mycosis") caused by the fungus Coccidioides.
Valley Fever is prevalent in the San Joaquin and Central Valleys of California, and in the hot, desert regions of southern Arizona (especially in the Phoenix and Tucson areas), southern Nevada, southern Utah, southern New Mexico, western Texas (especially around El Paso), and Mexico (in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua). In addition, Coccidioides immitis is found in semiarid and arid soils in Central and South America.
Estimates indicate that in the United States more than 4 million people live in areas where the Valley Fever fungus is prevalent (or "endemic") in the soils. About 80% of these people live in southern Arizona, which includes the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Residents of Phoenix, Arizona and Bakersfield, California have shown positive skin-test reaction rates of 30-40%, meaning that about one-third of residents tested have had Valley Fever sometime in the past. Among those who have never had Valley Fever, the chance of infection is about three percent per year, but the longer one resides in an endemic area, the greater the risk. In the southwestern U.S., there are approximately 100,000 new infections each year.
People working in certain occupations, such as construction, agricultural work, work involving disturbance of desert soils, and archaeology, have an increased risk of exposure and disease. The fungal spores of Coccidioides immitis are often found in abundance in the soil around rodent burrows, Indian ruins and burial grounds. In these settings, infections are more likely to be severe because of intensive exposure to a large number of spores. Many infections, however, occur in persons without occupational risks. Exposure to wind-storms or recently disrupted soils may increase the chances of infection.
Valley Fever infections are more likely to occur during certain seasons. In Arizona, the highest prevalence of infections occurs June through July and from October through November. In California, the risk of infection is highest from June through November, without the late summer break.
Many domestic and native animals are susceptible to the disease, including dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, burros, coyotes, rodents, bats and snakes. Dogs are especially susceptible and often need long-term therapy with antifungal medication.
Most cases of Valley Fever are very mild. It is thought that over 60% of infected people have either no symptoms or experience flu-like symptoms and never seek medical attention. Of those patients seeking medical care, the most common symptoms are fatigue, cough, chest pain, fever, rash, headache and joint aches. Some people develop painful red bumps on their shins or elsewhere that gradually turn brown (the medical term for these is "erythema nodosum"). These symptoms are not unique to Valley Fever and can be caused by other illnesses. Therefore, identifying Valley Fever as the cause of illness requires specific laboratory tests.
The usual course of disease in otherwise healthy people is complete recovery within six months. In most cases, the body's immune response is effective and no specific course of treatment is necessary. About five percent of cases of Valley Fever pneumonia (infection of the lungs) result in the development of nodules in the lung. These are small residual patches of infection that generally appear as solitary lesions, typically one to one and a half inches in diameter, and often produce no symptoms. On a chest x-ray, these nodules resemble lung cancer. Unfortunately, it is usually not possible to make a definite diagnosis without removing a part or all of the nodule by bronchoscopy, needle-aspiration or surgery.
Another five percent of patients develop lung cavities after their initial infection with Valley Fever. These cavities occur most often in older adults, usually without symptoms, and about 50% of them disappear within two years. Occasionally, these cavities rupture, causing chest pain and difficulty breathing, and require surgical repair.
Of those patients with Valley Fever that seek medical attention, one to two percent develop disease that has spread (disseminated) to other parts of the body. The most common site of dissemination is the skin. Biopsies of skin lesions may reveal Coccidioides immitis when grown in culture. Bones and joints (especially the knees, vertebrae, and wrists) are other frequent sites of dissemination. The changes in bones and joints due to Valley Fever infection can be seen on x-rays and in CT-scans of the affected body part. Meningitis is the most serious and lethal complication of disseminated disease. Symptoms include headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and other central nervous system disturbances. A spinal tap is required for a definite diagnosis of meningitis.
While there are no racial or gender differences in susceptibility to primary infection with coccidioidomycosis, differences in risk of disseminated infection do appear to exist. Men have a higher rate of dissemination than do women and several studies have shown that the rate of dissemination in African Americans and Filipinos is several times higher than in the rest of the U.S. population. Native Americans, Hispanics and Asians may also have a higher rate of dissemination than the general population, but these population differences are not well defined.
Others at increased risk of disseminated disease are those persons with immune system deficiencies. In areas of the southwestern U.S. where Valley Fever is endemic, it is one of the most frequent opportunistic infections among HIV-infected patients. Patients who are immunocompromised due to organ transplants, Hodgkin's disease, diabetes, pregnancy (3rd trimester), or chronic corticosteroid therapy also have an increased risk of developing disseminated disease.
A diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is suspected only if a patient is known to have had exposure to the disease through travel or residence in an endemic area. Diagnosis can be confirmed by (1) microscopic identification of the fungal spherules in an infected tissue, sputum or body fluid sample, (2) growing a culture of Coccidioides immitis from a tissue specimen, sputum or body fluid and (3) detection of antibodies (serological tests specifically for Valley Fever) against the fungus in blood serum or other body fluids. Valley Fever skin tests (called coccidioidin or spherulin) indicate prior exposure to the fungus, but, because reactivity is lifelong, skin tests are not particularly helpful in diagnosing a current infection. Commonly, a routine chest x-ray will detect Valley Fever cavities in a person with no symptoms and who may be unaware of ever having had Valley Fever. While positive blood test (serological) results almost always mean that a patient has Valley Fever, a third or more of patients with Valley Fever may actually have negative results. Therefore, it may be necessary to repeat the serologies periodically.
Most patients with Valley Fever recover with no treatment and will have life-long immunity. In severe cases, especially in those patients with rapid and extensive primary illness, those who are at risk for dissemination of disease, and those who have disseminated disease, antifungal drug therapy is used. The type of medication used and the duration of drug therapy is determined by the severity of disease and response to the therapy. The medications used include ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole in chronic, mild-to-moderate disease, and amphotericin B, given intravenously or inserted into the spinal fluid, for rapidly progressive disease. Although these treatments are often helpful, evidence of disease may persist and years of treatment may be required.
Surgical removal of cavities in the lung from Valley Fever is sometimes necessary. Surgical drainage of Valley Fever abscesses in bones or joints is also commonly performed.
What is your experience with SJV Fever???
Your Name: Please include your name or else I don't know who it is from.
Here's how to secure your PDF inspection reports from tampering:
You can make it so that the document can only be opened with the right password. You can also make it so that the security settings can only be accessed by password. I personally don't recommend using the passwords. I also recommend that you only select #2 and #3 above. These safety features prevent the recipients from changing the text in the electronic report. Then again, even if they do change the text at a later date the file is time stamped and shows that modifications were made. I recommend that you experiment with the security features and see what works best for you.
Last week's photo of the plumbing system drew a few responses.....
Michael: Looks like Fred Fixer-Upper struck again. A mixture of different and incompatible components in a drain waste vent system is always a reportable condition. Call the *#@$*&# plumber before it starts leaking. Richard - Las Vegas, NV
I would report it. job is sized backwards. Needs fixing. Alan Muenzel - UT
Looks like less than professional installation with nonstandard plumbing fittings. A patchwork that is looking for a leak. Jim Corbin - Bow, WA
For Immediate Release......... Repair Kit Hotline: (800) 506-4636 ........... November 1, 2000
CPSC Contact: en Giles....... Release # 01-023
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council are announcing a recall to repair horizontal window blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. The recall involves millions of window blinds with pull cords and inner cords that can form a loop and cause strangulation. About 85 million window blinds are sold each year.
Since 1991, CPSC has received reports of 130 strangulations involving cords on window blinds. 114 strangulations involve the outer pull cords, and 16 involve the inner cords that hold the blind slats.
In 1995, CPSC worked with the window covering industry to redesign new window blinds to eliminate the outer loop on the end of pull cords and provide free repair kits so consumers could fix their existing blinds. Window blinds sold since 1995 no longer have pull cords ending in loops.
Last year, CPSC began a new investigation of window blind deaths. In an extensive review of incidents, CPSC found that children could also become entangled in the inner cords that are used to raise the slats of blinds. These entrapments occur when a young child pulls on an inner cord and it forms a loop that the child can hang in. All of these deaths involved children in cribs placed next to windows. In most cases, the outer pull cords were placed out of reach, but the children strangled when they pulled on the inner cords of the blinds. The strangulation victims ranged in age from 9 months to 17 months.
As a result of the new CPSC investigation, the industry has further redesigned window blinds. Newly manufactured blinds have attachments on the pull cords so that the inner cords can't form a loop if pulled by a young child. Consumers with existing blinds should have them repaired. The repair can be done in minutes without removing the blinds.
Consumers who have window blinds with cords in their homes should call the Window Covering Safety Council toll-free (800) 506-4636 to receive a free repair kit for each set of blinds in the home. You can also visit their web site - www.windowcoverings.org - to get more information on checking your window covering. The repair kit will include small plastic attachments to prevent the inner cords from being pulled loose. The kit also includes safety tassels for pre-1995 window blinds with outer pull cords ending in loops. Consumers should cut the loops and install a safety tassel at the end of each pull cord. Consumers who have vertical blinds, draperies or pleated shades with continuous loop cords should request special tie-downs to prevent strangulation in those window coverings.
Parents should keep window covering cords and chains permanently out of the reach of children. Never place a child's crib within reach of a window blind. Unless the cords can be completely removed from the child's reach, including when the child climbs on furniture, CPSC recommends that parents never knot or tie the cords together because this creates a new loop in which a child could become entangled.
Consumers who have young children may wish to consider purchasing cordless window coverings. These are made by a number of firms.
Today's photo challenge is from the the lower half of a typical gas fired water heater. We have all seen this condition of charred exterior paint dozens of times. What are the possible causes of this condition? What do you look at further as a result of the charring? What do you report when you see it? Please don't be shy...... Each of you should respond.
Your Name:
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