It's been a sad week of mourning here in Orem, Utah! Although we have had no reports of close family being involved in the destruction in New York City and the surrounding areas, our family still mourns the senseless loss of the innocent victims.
It was touching to watch the numerous religious offerings throughout the past week. My e-mail box has been flooded with photos of the terrorist acts and the heroic rescues. Each time I re-visit the events through photos and videos the same lump forms in my gut and the tears form in the eyes.
Where were each of you when the planes struck their targets and how did it affect the rest of the week? If you feel so inclined, I would love to hear about how you learned of the events and what it did to your work week. Have these events changed the way you now view life?
MY STORY - I woke up late Tuesday morning from a late Monday night and did not follow my normal routine. Instead of preparing for an Inspection I was preparing for a Board of Realtors Affiliate Committee Meeting. It wasn't until I climbed into my van and headed down the street that I turned on the radio and heard the news.
I could not believe my ears as I tried to visualize the audio only radio account. Both World Trade Center plane crashes had already occurred and reports were coming in from the Pentagon crash. My mind flooded back to learning of the Desert Storm. For 3 days after that event I was glued to my TV set with only mandatory breaks for the bathroom and whatever work I could not get out of.
I was scheduled to perform a very large EIFS evaluation after the Affiliate meeting. I was supposed to call the client after the meeting and confirm that it was a go due to the acceptable weather. I really didn't even want to call the people because my mind could not leave the images that were forming in my head. I finally called the clients and was informed that the husband could not talk because of the plane crashes. It turns out that he had business associates in the World Trade Center and was trying to figure out what was going on...... This meant the EIFS evaluation was cancelled and it freed me up to go back home to my family and watch the minute by minute details. I treasured each moment and was glad that I did not have to be burdened with work while the events unfolded.
I once again felt so limited in my ability to help because I was so far away and could not go to the crash site and offer immediate rescue help. I could see the damage and could only imagine the large number of people who were in the buildings and surrounding area that were in need of help. It is at these times that I want to help remove the rubble with mine own hands.
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Okay, let's try this again. The wonderful topic of lowball advertising was lost in the events of last week. I would love to receive your feedback on this type of advertising. What do you see in your area from new firms who think that the best way to grab market share is to undercut every other firm in the area on "Price." Then they go out of business because they can't meet the financial demands of this business. The only drawback is that another firm comes along and takes their place. If they are effective enough in their advertising they then pollute the marketplace with the perception that this super low "Price" is actually the norm for an inspection fee. Or are you the one in your area using this marketing strategy??? How does your fee structure fit in with the local Inspectors? Are you the lowest, middle of the road, or the highest? Why have you set your fees where they are? Are you comfortable with your fee level or do you wish that your per inspection fee was higher? What would you like to see your dollar per inspection fee be? I am always amazed that most Inspector's settle for a fee much lower than the Appraiser's for the same home.
What are your thoughts and observations on Lowball Advertising in your market areas??? Have you been a victim of this type of advertising??? Have you been guilty of using this marketing strategy? If so, were you then able to raise your fees after the original low offerering?
PS.... I would expect each of you to respond.... Some of you have become very complacent in your responses to the MMM topics. If last week's tragedies have taught us anything, it would be to share your friendship, knowledge, and love with everybody TODAY..... We may not have another chance.
Long time AII member Steve Bradley is going into surgery about the time that you read this for a non-malignant growth on his salivary gland. It is an involved procedure that will require 3 incisions from the top of his ear, from behind his ear, and running down his neck to be able to access the area of the growth. He will be on a 3 week recovery game plan if all goes well. Please remember Steve and his lovely wife Dorothy in your prayers. Steve would never want everyone to know, but I feel strongly from Shelly's ordeal that the more people you have praying for you the better off the situation will be........ May your surgery go smoothly Steve. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Messages of comfort can be sent to Bradley at inspector@oregonhomeinspector.com
The majority of windows were installed by home builders in the construction of new homes. Independent dealers and home centers nationwide also sold these windows to contractors between May 2000 through August 2001. Consumers should immediately ensure that the latches are in the closed position. Consumers should call the Andersen WindowCare® Solution Center toll-free at (888) 888-7020 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday to Friday or 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, to schedule a free in-home repair with an Andersen service technician. Consumers also can log-on to the Andersen website at www.andersenwindows.com. Parents should ensure that children do not operate the window until the latches have been replaced. This recall does not apply to Andersen® Builder's Select™ or any other Andersen® products.
Dimmers - Last week I submitted a question to the tech support team at Leviton........ I like your website and the Q&A section. In reference to modular dimmer switches becoming warm. Can you be more specific on what surface temperatures are considered acceptable? I use an infrared thermometer in my Home Inspection business and quite often find Leviton dimmers with 90 to 130 degree surface temperatures. What level is acceptable and what is the cause of the warmth? Do you have any technical information that I can have for my records?
My next question deals with the dimmer switch rating information shared about the five 75 watt bulb fixture needed the 375 watt dimmer. How can you tell the rating of an installed dimmer? If an undersized dimmer switch were installed, what would be the result? Could this also be a cause for an overly warm dimmer switch? My questions are based on the fact that I am inspecting existing structures where well intentioned home owners install these units themselves. I would love to know how to go about looking at a dimmer switch and knowing what it is rated for.
Thanks so much for you help. Michael Leavitt - Peaceofmind@TheHomeInspector.com
To my disappointment I have yet to receive an answer from Leviton. This is odd. Typically these larger firms are "Jonny on the Spot" in their responses to technical question. I'm cutting them some slack and still home that an answer will come. The hijacking events have disrupted the flow of a lot of businesses.
Scott DeWitz contacted me about a short term program that Northern California Sacramento area chapter of A.I.I. has started to aid with the victims of the terrorist hijackings. I was impressed with his zeal and enthusiasm for the cause. Scott shared that his clients are thrilled with the opportunity to contribute to the efforts. The following is a letter that he is circulating to the Real Estate industry in the Northern California area on Monday........
In light of the recent life changing tragic events in Washington, New York and the entire nation the local chapter of the American Institute of Inspectors (A.I.I.) has agreed to participate in a program to raise $10,000 (Ten thousand dollars) for the American Red Cross. Here is how you can help your fellow Americans. You’re A.I.I. inspector will deduct 10% from his bill and ask your client to write a separate check for that amount to the American Red Cross; Your client receives the tax deduction. We have been doing this since Wednesday and have raised over $1000 thus far. Many clients have matched the inspector’s donation and many agents have helped out with a contribution of their own. Also, if this keeps going as well as it has been we will extend the donation period and raise even more money. As Californians and Americans, we can do many things; pray, give blood, volunteer, or give money. It’s important that we all do what we can and what is right. Please share this fax with your co-workers and encourage others to help also.
We personally encourage you to create your own system within your office, if you haven’t already, to help our volunteers and fellow Americans on the East Coast during this tragic time. We should all thank God for what we sometimes take for granted in this great country. It’s time to share a portion of our prosperity with our fellow hurting brothers and sisters. Lets do what we can, “United we stand, divide we fall”.
God Bless You, Scott DeWitz - A.I.I. Northern California Chapter President
If you would like your name added to the list of participating Inspectors, then please call Scott's office at (916) 788-1111 immediately. They are sending out the information to the offices starting bright and early Monday morning. I wish to give a big At-a-boy! to Scott DeWitz for spearheading this charitable program. Scott has challenged the A.I.I. inspectors in other areas to do the same thing and help raise some money to help with the relief efforts.
The double lugged black wires are probably loose and one have experienced overheating with some of the insulation becoming too hot. Ron Cloyd - OR
Good observation Ron, but this is not the answer for this photo. The charred wires are not the ones coming from the double lugged breaker. The double lugging does however indicate the huge "Red Flag" that an amateur has been working on this panel. So what happens when the homeowner starts to do his handiwork inside the electrical panel? The first thing that happens is that they have to remove the coverplate. Having 6 screws holding this panel's cover on it is tough to keep all 6 in a safe place. Screws get lost in the process.
Jon Gudnason shared the following response....... Looks like the cover screw went into a wire. This is the reason panel cover screws are suppose to be the blunt end ones made specifically for this purpose. The wood screws that are installed later after the original screws are lost are an incorrect installation. Jon Gudnason - Placerville, CA
Are you aware that this is another Reportable Condition of which you should be reporting? The NEC requires blunt tipped screws be used on panels where the screw enters the case of the panel. Logic tells us that this is a good idea. I learned this a while back and have reported the use of pointy screws ever since. What can happen if pointy screws are used?.... Look again at the picture. The screw can penetrate a hot wire. The energy then enters the screw, is connected to the panel, and then enters the body of the individual with their hands all over the screwdriver. It may also enter through the exposed arm being used to secure the panel in place while the screws are being installed.
Let this be a warning to those of you who were not aware of this hazard. You can be electrocuted when installing pointy tipped screws if the hot wires are routed too near to the screw's location. Your client can also be electrocuted later after closing on the home when they are attempting their own electrical upgrades. If you have not documented this condition within your report and recommended the installation of the correct blunt head panel securing screws, then you will be deemed as negligent for omitting this potential safety hazard from your report. It is such a minor issue until something out of the ordinary happens.
It is my recommendation that you add a line in your report about panel securing screws. You can then state that the are either Goo, note those that are missing, or document those that pointy tipped. Your boilerplate could state the following...... "The panel cover securing screws used to hold on the front cover are not the recommended blunt tip type. The screws are sharp tipped and can penetrate the wiring causing electrical shock. The sharp tipped screws were probably installed after a well intentioned amateur accessed the panel and lost the original blunt tipped screws. It is recommended that the sharp tipped securing screws should be replaced with the blunt tipped screws that are recommended by both modern building standards and the panel manufacturer's installation specs = Repair for safety."
Is this observation in a Home Inspection Report being too nit picky? Some might think so, but it is just one more item to document that separates the Rookie Inspectors that struggle to just report the bare minimums from the Seasoned Inspectors who document the information that can affect the safety of their clients. I encourage each of you to start reporting the presence of pointy tipped screws in the electrical panels you evaluate.