It's a great day here in Orem, Utah! This week is looking very full even if Thanksgiving was not to occur. This is a special time of year when we get to sit back and reflect on the bounteous blessings that we enjoy. We hope that all is well with the readership. If any of you need a place to feast on Thursday, we have room at our table.
NOTE: This issue of the MMM is quite dependant on your feedback. Please respond with your feedback.
News from CPSC - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
For Immediate Release Kole Recall Hotline:(866)251-0982
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kole Imports, of Carson, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 4,000 electric circuit testers. The circuit testers can fail to indicate if electric current is present, posing a risk of electric shock to consumers.
CPSC has received one report of an electric shock received by a consumer when the circuit tester did not work.
These Sterling-brand screwdriver-type circuit testers are about 5.25 inches long. The tester looks similar to a small screwdriver, and has a clear, plastic handle. Inside the handle is a spring and small light. The tester has a red plastic end cap. There is no writing on the testers. The model number, "ML-24," and "MADE IN CHINA" are written on the packaging.
Discount stores sold these circuit testers nationwide from January 2000 through September 2000. They cost about $1 for a package containing two testers.
Consumers should stop using these recalled circuit testers immediately. Consumers with these testers should contact Kole Imports to learn how to receive a refund. For more information, call Kole at (866)251-0982 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit Kole's web site at http://www.koleimports.com/Recall.htm.
SIDE NOTE: If you are finding yourself buying your inspection tools and electrical testers at "All A Dollar" type stores in the 2 pack, then you should reconsider your choice of profession.
Last week's Photo Challenge was a vivid reminder of what can happen when you get a group of AII™ Inspectors together in one hotel. Although some of you couldn't make out the image, others are still haunted by it.
I'll tell you Michael, this was, (is), perhaps the most frightening encounter I have ever had as a home inspector. From a distance it looked harmless enough. But it soon became clear that it was very aggressive, and I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is a lesson we can all learn from in our profession: sometimes the apparently innocuous condition can turn out to be the most formidable. At least that was the case with this. It wasn't until too late that I realized the aggressive tendencies of this man destroying organism. Once it made a quick move for me there was nothing that I could do. I saw the same thing happen to those other fine gentlemen you mentioned.
Whatever it was, it was clearly out of control, and having it make contact was very unsettling. I have been unable to identify exactly what this thing is, and so I have no way of knowing what the the true hazard is of making contact with it. I can only hope that washing well with soap and water was enough. However, since my encounter I have been looking for the development of a rash and/or lesions in the affected area, (the left side of my neck). My pulse has been racing and I have been short of breath ever since, so I don't know what to make of that. I am at a loss as to what to do at this point. Any guidance from my home inspector brethren would be much appreciated. Scott Merritt --Hoping for the best in Grass Valley, CA
This condition is quite common here in Klamath Falls, it is usually accompanied by a constant moisture source and is most likely to occur when the family tree has no branches. Use caution, and recommend a licensed oral surgeon to correct the problem. Unidentified Inspector from Oregon
Well what cha know! It's Billy Bob's demon tooth! Ne 'er can tell ware that thing gonna turn up, kin ya? But dem lips was chasin a bunch o da guys lookin like Ms Vanity, uh huh! Betty Buckley, Midland Oregon
I wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole. It looks like the VANITY strain, most recently seen in Portland! Bill Bergstedt - South Lake Tahoe, CA
NOTE: Betty was so taken by the man that she had to revisit the photo several days later and respond a second time........ That is one sweet hunk of man!!!! I gotta have him!!! Betty Buckley - Klamath Falls, Oregon
Michael, the photo is very fuzzy, can't quite make it out. OH ! I got it!! It's Alfred E. Newman after a visit to his dental hygienist. He got a buff job! Reggie Ayres - Medford,OR
It looks like someone needs a dentist. Chris Burkhart - Sandy, UT
It's out of focus or something - Ken Jones - CA
Jim Corbin shared an equally profound reply, yet he was exposed to the deadly virus too. This shows you how cautious we all need to be...... It is blurred on this end...looks like a door handle or cabinet handle. Jim Corbin, Bow, WA
This is none other than the teeth of Billy Bob. Who, at dinner time, told me I had better stop looking at them or I might lose my dinner. Greg Justice- Rainier, OR
Don't go messing with good old Billy Bob, we need more like him and Vanity, the question is "which is the real one" Clay Higgins - CA
The correct answer to what the Photo Challenge depicts is actually a trick question. It seems that we have a seasoned Inspector who can't figure out what his comedic gender favors. Inspector Billy Bob was one Inspector you wouldn't want to have looking at your home, while Vanity was one dangerous woman that you wouldn't want looking at your man. Both were played by the same individual. To the right is Vanity with her white falsies and hairy armpits, while on the left it is Inspector Billy Bob making a move on my Shelly. Both of these memories make me roll with laughter and they will go down as some of the funniest moments in Home Inspection history.
While in Portland we had a comedian "Mr. Game Show" entertain the group after the fine banquet dinner. He ran us through a fun interactive series of game show parodies that was capped off with a Mr. Swivel Hips competition. The game was simple: strap on a 3 basketball hoop belt buckle that had a basketball dangling by a tether. With abs of steel you had 3 minutes to score as many baskets as possible. The winner was obviously the Inspector with the loosest hips and the tightest abs. Name the two contestants and the winning score to receive special MMM kudos.
Who won the Mr. Swivel Hips award???
Your Name: Please include your name or I don't know who it is from...
Fellow Inspector, Thomas Skrodzki, passed along this great news about the birth of his second son and third child.......
Thomas said that both Melissa and Thomas came through the event well. I am trying to imagine the conversation that must have occurred the week before when he said... "Honey, I know that you are about to give birth, but I feel that it is important to go to the AII™ Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon." I am glad that little Noah decided to wait a week. He sure is a little angel..... Congratulations Melissa and Thomas!!!
ATTIC INSULATION QUESTION
Jon Larson has once again asked a great question...... I always love to get e-mails from Jon because he isn't afraid to ask. He is more concerned about learning than with trying to impress others with how much he knows. This is what is making him a great Home Inspector. His quest for knowledge is quite refreshing.
Michael, I really enjoyed myself at the convention in Portland. I felt like I learned a great deal of information and I am a better Inspector for attending. I had the privilege of riding the bus with Ron Thor to the airport and spending time at the airport gaining more information than was given at the seminar. All the emphasis he placed on ventilation made me think of a sight I came across on the web. I have attached a picture that I borrowed from Mark Cramer because I have never seen this stuff before. With Ron's emphasis on attic ventilation, how well do you think this stuff will hold up. Traditional ventilation is not supposed to be needed. Have you ever seen this type of insulation? I know it is called Icynene or Corbond. They both have internet sights. www.Icynene.com or www.corbond.com. How would you report this finding in an attic? Jon Larson - Ephraim, UT
Name, City & State: Please include your name or else I don't know who it is from.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS
Hello, I've had a somewhat laid back week since the Annual Meeting ended last Sunday. Actually it was a fairly normal, busy work week that seemed pretty laid back after the weeks leading up to the meeting. So, about the Annual Meeting; It was great to meet all the people that have been voices on the phone. I finally relaxed at the Annual Meeting Saturday Night after the two Pre-Conference classes and the first day of Seminars was over with no major 'concerns'.
I looked around the room at the banquet a watched your faces, (65 of us in all). There were smiles and laughter, there were lots of wives/girlfriends attending, the atmosphere was lighthearted even though we had worked hard at training during the day, our presenters joined us a guests for dinner, the food was good and the entertainment was great. Little Aasha Benton did a fine job of singing the National Anthem. Pride and Satisfaction is what I felt. I am very proud of you all and of the association we belong to. Our common bond is the professionalism we all strive for by attending conferences and strengthening our education. Greg's Sunday Morning Service reminded me to be grateful for my life.
This conference was so much fun for me watching you all relax, learn and have a good time while learning. For some of the more experienced inspectors it gives us a chance to validate the things we already know. As a newer inspector I learned so much at the conferences, but I also learned that there was so much I didn't know. It continues to be a rewarding experience for me to get together with other inspectors. Once again, I feel a renewed energy for my career and our business. The "Inspections in Jeopardy" class was a perfect Grand Finale to a great weekend. And thank you Scott DeWitz for the delightful entertainment throughout the weekend.
Now, we are getting ready to start preliminary planning of the Spring Conference. Of course, date & place will be the first things to schedule. We are looking at early April. Can someone tell me when the CREA and ASHI conferences are so we don't create a conflict for any of you who attend those also? Next, please give me your ideas on what we can do differently and what you would like to see stay the same. I learned a lot working on the Annual Meeting but I value your opinions so please share them with me.
The Meeting Minutes will be posted after they have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Board made some changes, approved the 2001 budget and recognized the newly elected Officers for 2001.
The membership roster will be going to the printer now that the elections for new officers is complete. Does anyone have anything else they would like to add to or see in the roster?
Best regards, Betty Buckley
CRUSHED FLUE QUESTION
SO---DO YOU THINK THE CRUSHED FLUE IS CAUSED BY LACK OF ADEQUATE COMBUSTION VENTING?? I have been running into a lot of furnaces and water heaters lately that have inadequate combustion venting, but had no clue to look for a collapsed flue. The last case I saw had the furnace and the HW heater in a "utility closet" located off a bedroom closet, with no other air supply. That means that if the bedroom door, its closet door, and the utility closet door were all closed, the only air supply is leakage under the three doors, and one door was a press fit against the room carpet!! The house was five years old and no one apparently had ever noted a problem. I recommended that they find a way to get some more air. Steve Jordan, Oregon Coast, out and about with my rain shovel!
I wish that I knew the answer, Steve..... So let's use some logic. What difference would it make if the combustion air was good or restricted? Would the flame burn hotter? Wouldn't this have something more to do with excessive water pressure since the water in the tank is directly providing a collapsing force on the flue? I have no idea if a poorly tuned gas flame creates more corrosive exhaust gases that would break down the metal flue, thus creating fatigue and then collapse. That is why we have mechanical engineers reading the MMM. How about some speculative theories and hypothesis?
Isn't it also interesting that the flue does not look corroded from the tank side, yet there are mounds of deteriorated metal in the burner area from the exhaust gas side (The sacrificial anode rod has been performing as designed)....... This leads to the question of whether or not any of us has seen a leaking water heater where the water was from the crushed flue verses some other portion of the tank? My gut feeling says that it probably happens, but we never see it because a leaking flue would probably extinguish the flame causing no hot water and quick unit replacement.
What do all of you think???..... Do you have any theories??????
Your Name: Please include your name or else I don't know who it is from.
Today's photo challenge comes from the Rod Serling Twilight Zone camera of the supernatural photographer Mr. Ken Ives..... How you would report this basement condition?..... I believe the owner recently had been to the market and traded a cow for some magic beans that he threw into the basement.......
Name, City & State:
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