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MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER

Message Prepared For Home Inspectors and especially for Members of the

American Institute of Inspectors®

June 21, 1999

GOOOOOD MORNING, A.I.I.™

It's a great day at Michael Leavitt & Co Home Inspections. I am back from one of the busiest week's of my life. Vacations are a lot of work. Vacations with four kids complicates the trip itinerary even more. Having an 18 month old who just wants to cry whenever he is placed in his car seat makes things almost unbearable. Time has flown by and the hectic return to work schedule has not allowed a moment for capturing the wealth of thoughts, information and learning experiences that I encountered last week in Northern Washington. That will have to wait for another week. Today's MMM is a repeat of two previously discussed topics from the first year's issues back in April of 1998. They are still timely and I believe of great value to us as Home Inspectors.

LENNOX HEATER PRESS RELEASE

The following is the Press Release from the Lennox Industries website dated September 10, 1997 regarding the faulty Pulse Heater combustion chambers. The special free inspection program stops on July 1st of this year. As you re-read this Press Release ask yourself........ What will I do after July 1, 1999 when I encounter a Lennox Pulse Heater that fell in the recall years???

Lennox Heats Up Call For Consumers To Schedule Furnace Inspections

Sep 10, 1997 (DALLAS) -- Lennox Industries officials said that with cooler temperatures approaching, it is urgent that owners of Lennox Pulse furnaces installed before 1990 have those furnaces inspected.

Lennox, one of North America's leading residential and commercial heating and air conditioning equipment companies, will continue its Pulse furnace inspection program which began in April, 1997, and has already garnered over 25,000 consumer calls. The inspection program is a response to dealer reports of increased instances of corrosion in some Pulse furnace heat exchangers in units installed before 1990.

With all high-efficiency condensing furnaces, a combination of factors --such as impurities in fuel or combustion air -- can cause corrosion of key components which could lead to potentially dangerous leaks. Furnaces which are inadequately inspected or improperly maintained can develop problems, including the possibility of carbon monoxide leaks that could be fatal.

According to Bob Schjerven, president and chief operating officer for Lennox Industries Inc., "Consumer response to the Pulse furnace inspection program has been terrific, but we need to reach everyone. We're urging all Pulse furnace owners, before they turn their thermostats from cool to heat, to call our 800 number and schedule a furnace inspection and a safety check with an independent Lennox dealer."

With each inspection, trained service technicians will perform the recommended 17-point Pulse furnace service check, conduct a visual inspection, and complete a pressure test of the unit's lifetime warranted heat exchanger. While Lennox is subsidizing participation in the inspection program, there may still be some cost to Pulse owners. Factors such as the location of the furnace, the condition of the furnace, and service unrelated to the inspection will determine the actual cost of the inspection.

If the warranted heat exchanger needs replacing, Lennox will provide a new heat exchanger at no cost to the owner. While labor costs for replacements are generally not part of the Pulse furnace warranty, Lennox will pay a reasonable allowance to the dealer for installation costs as part of this inspection program. There may be some costs to the owner, depending on the area of the country, type of installation, work required by local code requirements, and any other service required not related to the heat exchanger.

For those owners whose pre-1990 Pulse furnace has a heat exchanger which requires replacement, Lennox will provide, through the local independent Lennox dealer and at the owner's option, a $400 rebate on a new Lennox Pulse furnace. The Pulse furnace inspection program runs through July 1, 1999.

Lennox will also provide a free AIM Safety carbon monoxide detector, one of the highest quality detectors available, as part of the inspection program.

"Lennox has long been involved in a consumer carbon monoxide awareness program unrelated to this Pulse furnace inspection," explains Schjerven. "Since currently there is no device on the market that effectively shuts a furnace down if there is a carbon monoxide leak, it is important to install a carbon monoxide detector as a safeguard, in addition to annual maintenance and inspections."

Scheduling inspections

Homeowners can schedule a furnace inspection and safety check with an independent Lennox dealer by calling 1-800-537-4341. For convenience, the 800 number is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A Pulse furnace can be identified by its name on the door.

To determine whether your Pulse furnace should be inspected under this program:

1. Check for the Pulse name on the door. If the unit is a Pulse 21 furnace, it was manufactured after 1990 and is not part of this inspection program. However, as with all furnaces, annual inspections are still required.
2. Otherwise, remove the front door and look for the product identification stickers. These stickers are usually placed on the inside cabinet wall on the left side of the furnace.
3. Write down the model number that appears on the sticker (either G14 or GSR14, followed by a series of numbers and letters).
4. Write down the serial number on the product identification sticker (four numbers, followed by a letter, then five more numbers).
5. Call 1-800-537-4341 and have the model number and serial number ready.

All Furnaces Need Yearly Inspection

To maintain safety, efficiency, and reliability, Lennox recommends owners have their heating systems inspected at least once a year. The owner can extend the life of the furnace and help stop inefficient combustion and leaks, which could result in serious injuries, by:

1. Inspecting the filter monthly. Dirty filters can cause inefficient operation and could result in premature heat exchanger failure.
2. Watching for leaks and signs of deterioration. If found, call a certified service technician.
3. Insisting on a combustion efficiency test as part of the annual inspection.

Founded in 1895, Lennox Industries Inc. is an international manufacturer of air conditioning and heating equipment for residential and commercial applications. The company markets its products through a network of over 5,000 independent dealers.

©Lennox Industries Inc., 1997

So what will you do when you encounter a Lennox Pulse heater that is in the recall years after July 1, 1999??? I can see me informing the Buyer and Seller that they missed the opportunity to have the unit evaluated for free, but that it should still be evaluated for their personal safety...... That is going to be like rubbing salt into fresh wounds. I wonder how Lennox can put a tail end termination date on the inspection program when all of the units have yet to be evaluated??? What would be my disposition as a homeowner who was just informed, but it was after the program's termination??? I think that I would be a little miffed....... No, I would be really miffed. Why in the world Lennox didn't just line up the inspections for everybody is beyond my scope of understanding. If an irate homeowner calls will they still offer them the free inspection??? All of these are great questions of which only time will reveal the outcome.

SIDE NOTE: Keep in mind the warranties on Lennox Pulse Heaters. They come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original purchaser. When the home is sold it is reduced to a 20 year Limited Warranty. These warranties are for the sealed combustion chambers only.

On-Site Computer Use

It seems that many of you are still contemplating the conversion to computerizastion. I regularly get calls from inspectors wanting to know how to build a tripod setup for their new laptop...... Let's flashback to my original explanation of the process.

Computers are definitely the wave of the future for our industry. Using them is very efficient and cuts down on the time spent on-site, but how do you use one effectively without damaging the unit. An Inspector friend of mine in Salt Lake City shows up on site and sets up his computer on the kitchen table. He will evaluate an area or component and then return to the kitchen table to input the data. He must get tired returning to the unit 50 times. I guess he uses the countertop inside of vacant homes (I never asked).

Back in December of 1996, I had just loaded my 3-D Inspection system software and my AII™ style form into a borrowed laptop computer and I was ready to inspect. I took along my notebook with a blank checklist report just in case. The first inspection with a borrowed laptop was quite an adventure.

Right off the bat I was faced with a huge challenge........ When you do the exterior of the home, what do you do with the machine??? You get tired of carrying it around. You can't set it anywhere with a great deal of comfort. December is snow time in Utah which only exacerbated the situation.

Carrying the unit with gloves on didn't work very well either. I tried it. Even fingerless gloves were a pain to try and type in the information. Also, seeing the screen in the sunlight was near impossible. I tried that too. Setting the laptop down on the ground was equally scary. It seems that dogs and little kids are attracted to hi-tech equipment. The garage wasn't any easier. Most garages in Utah don't have a flat spot where you can lay anything down. They are cluttered beyond belief. (This is probably not just a Utah thing--I would guess it is the same all over America!) The kitchen countertop was ideal though, because the height was right and the surface was flat and secure. The only challenge in the kitchen is the housewife who is wanting to prepare food and/or clean-up.

The nightmare continued with the bedrooms. Each time I set the unit down, I was preoccupied with it's safety. Beds are insecure at best. They also provide a lousy low surface upon which to type in information. Bathrooms are a little better, although some of the counters and bathrooms with pedestal sinks make the setting down of the computer nearly impossible. The idea is to be "Hands Free" instead of "Hands Full". All throughout the inspection I was questioning the feasibility of computers, while the creative side of my brain was busy inventing.

The worst area of the home was the Service Room. This is where a great deal of the report is composed, yet there is rarely a surface to set the unit. There is something awful about setting a computer on the ground and kneeling on the concrete to type in the information. By the end of that first inspection I had resolved what I was going to do. I had a dream...... I was determined to mount my laptop computer upon a lightweight camera tripod.

MOUNTING A LAPTOP ON A TRIPOD

I had recently installed a metal closet organizer kit into my kid's closet and I had leftover shelving. Turns out that if you turn it over and cut it down with a hacksaw, it makes a perfect shelf. I trimmed it 11" wide and 6 1/2" tall and it already had the 1 1/2" high lip on it. It was plastic coated, and all I had to do was put the rubber end caps on that fit over 1/4" rod. You can buy the shelving in separate pieces w/o purchasing the entire kit.

Installing this shelf onto the tripod was a little trickier. Tripods have a built-in bolt to attach cameras onto. They are a standard 1/4" course thread. I then took a paint stir stick and trimmed it down to 10". This was the perfect thickness and width to fit in between the framing cross supports of the tray.

I purchased a special attachment that is threaded and designed to press into wood and allow you to use a securing bolt. I don't know what they are called, but you drill a 1/4" hole in the wood and from the reverse side this unit slides into the hole while at the same time driving spikes into the surrounding wood from it's 1/2" square head.

I next laid the wood strip onto the shelf, and used the camera mounting bolt to tighten the strip of wood and tray securely to the top of the tripod....... What a great idea!!!

NOTE: The next picture clearly shows the black velcro covered wood strip fitting between the metal support bars.

HOW TO ATTACH THE LAPTOP

Now I had a secure shelf in which to place my tripod. From this base I made several other improvements. I purchased velcro with the strong self-stick backing and applied it to the stirrer stick. I purchased the heavy duty velcro used for upholstery work, and not the lightweight light sewing type. The adhesive is much stronger. I considered placing the other half of the strip directly onto the corresponding spot on the laptop. This would work well.

In our climate we have rain, snow and dust so I opted to make a custom vinyl and plastic protective cover for my laptop. I do a lot of upholstery and sewing, so it was not a big challenge. This may prove to be a struggle for you, however. I have found the case to be invaluable in protecting my unit. I then attached the velcro to the case, instead of the unit.

HOW TO ATTACH THE A/C ADAPTOR

The final improvement was the addition of a removable bag on the back part of the shelf to hold my A/C adaptor. The battery life on my unit is way too short, so I have developed the habit of carrying the unit into a room and quickly plugging it into an open outlet. This allows for all day use, and it is really quite easy to do. When I enter a room that isn't convenient, I don't bother and I run off the battery......... This will always be an issue with laptops until a battery breakthrough occurs.

PLEASE NOTE: When I do a home where the power is shut off, my battery life will get me through the inspection, but I have an A/C converter for my van just in case.

I quickly tired of having this long A/C cord to wrap around the tripod as I carried it around, so I went back to the hardware store and came up with another idea. I found a replacement female extension cord end and attached it to my cord carrying bag. When I unplug the cord from the wall I just plug it into the female plug on the bag. This keeps it from dragging on the floor and works very well.

MODIFYING THE TRIPOD FOOTPRINT

The tripod I use had a very wide footprint, and it irritated me as I hit furniture or walls. I looked at the design and customized it so that the legs do not open as wide. Each tripod is different, so I can't give you any help on your modification. The narrower footprint does make the stand a little less secure, but I have yet to have it fall over because of the narrow footprint. I have had near misses with kids, dogs, and inquisitive types who open doors where the unit is placed.

TRANSPORTING THE LAPTOP

My one casualty was in transporting my computer from my home to the van. It slipped out of my hand and onto my foot and then cracking could be heard as it hit the ground. It took over six months to get the $762 display screen. Yes, I had to immediately buy another matching unit. I now have a policy where I never carry the unit unless it is securely inside the mini-duffle bag that also contains the inspection info notebook and other items. This has eliminated the risk of dropping the unit.

WHICH LAPTOP SHOULD I BUY???

As stated in our MMM Service Agreement.... Our editor is not allowed to answer the question "Would you buy this laptop if you were me?" and cannot be held responsible for the whining Buyer's remorse plea of "But for your MMM information I would not have purchased this model laptop." The purchase of a laptop is a very individual decision, and the MMM is designed to be a useful tool to aid you in your decision. There are many factors that must be considered in the purchase of a laptop that go way beyond the scope of this edition. For example, if you were to purchase a 100 megahertz laptop today and find out next month that Michael Leavitt was able to use a voice activated software to input the data, but it would only work on a 200 megahertz machine and your new machine was only 133 megahertz...... So be it!!!! No whining allowed!!! (This, by the way, is probably going to happen.)

When asked which laptop an Inspector should buy...... I tend to view my laptops as disposable data capturers and therefore want them to be the cheapest unit that will perform the job. Sure, I could spend $3,000-4,000 on a top of the line lightening fast unit with all of the bells and whistles, but they break just as easy as the $1,200 units. To run the software I use it takes a minimum of 100 megahertz, the ability to run Windows 95 and about 24 mg of ram. Anything more is just a luxury (except for maybe more ram).

My home base computer is a different issue. I don't view my laptop as a home base replacement. I do my reports on the laptop and that is it. My graphics, advertising, E-mailing, internet and Monday Morning Marketers are all done on my home base unit. I think that it would be a mistake to expect the laptop to do it all. It is kind of like the "Put all of your Easter eggs into one basket" philosophy. If the laptop went down.... you would be in a world of hurt.

I wish all of you good luck in mounting your unit to a tripod. It is a relatively easy process. It looks professional, and it frees up your hands. I don't even know how I used to do inspections lugging around a notebook or a clipboard. The tripod has really freed me up during my inspection, it has greatly reduced my inspecting time, and it creates an extremely professional report.

FLASHBACK: That was fun to go back and reread what was authored over a year ago. I'm still using the tripod setup and am still using a mount as described above. I use a different tripod now. I found that for about $50 you can buy a better tripod that has controls for the width of the leg spread that I mentioned above that I had to modify on my original unit. The more expensive tripods also are more stable and include features such as a quick disconnect for the tray removal. This comes in handy when breaking down the setup for travel.

As to my recommendation on laptops I still recommend a more inexpensive unit with a good home base unit to fall back upon. I would also greatly upgrade the amount of ram to 64 meg or more. Softwares are also more user friendly, although the learning curves will never be removed.