It's a great day here in Orem, Utah! Are you finally done reading last week's MMM mold issue??? What a long issue. The information was great and I enjoyed at it as I prepared it for the back issue archives. The topic of mold will be ongoing as we come to grips with how to identify and report on them, as well as how to deal with mold spores so that we don't die from our exposure to them. In the future, we will discuss safety precautions, respirators and protective clothing. For now, suffice it to say that if you see mold, do not disturb it and do not crawl through it.
HALLOWEEN ALERT: Be on the lookout for this beautiful, young 10-year-old on the scary night of Halloween. She is armed with a twinkle in her eye and considered dangerous with her incredible smile. I know that she looks harmless, but she has her Father charmed to the point of agreeing to ridiculous levels of action on her behalf. She asked me a while back if I could make her a Poodle Skirt, and I said of course I could (Daddy can do anything). I did not know that she meant that she needed it for Halloween 2000. As the day is approaching quickily, Jessica's request came to the top of my "Things To Do" list and I now present to you the finest Poodle Skirt ever stitched. It consists of $46.00 in materials and 7 man hours. It was created from scratch with no pattern. The poodle applique was made from using both fleece and leatherette to give the Poodle fluff balls of fur with some smooth white skin. Also note the custom created letter "J" for Jessica. This is truly a masterpiece worthy of my wonderful young daughter. Let's revisit the "COSTS" associated with the production of the Poodle Skirt:
The real value came in the way Jessica's face lit up as she saw the finished product hanging up when she awoke Saturday morning.......... TOTAL = PRICELESS.
MURPHY'S LAW - You have heard the Murphy's Law that "If something can go wrong, it will." Well, our Executive Director, Betty Buckley, has been learning this firsthand in regards to our Annual Meeting in November. I think the phrase "If something can go wrong, it will" is a misnomer for her efforts, because the majority of what she has done to prepare has gone perfectly. It is interesting how one major mistake can really give the wrong impression. This is especially frustrating when the error is out of your control. Let me explain.......
Betty was responsible for getting the Annual Meeting registration programs in the mail in a timely fashion. You will recall last week when she reported in her Executive Director's Message "Hallelujah! The Annual Meeting brochures (514) have all been mailed out." Relief filled the air, but then the membership that was awaiting the arrival of the information checked their mailboxes each day and nothing arrived. Their frustrations became obvious as they realized that schedules have to be made, flights, booked, reservation for lodging confirmed, etc., and open frustration was evident in the AII™ Hotline messages. Betty was unsure what to say until she was deluged with returned mail.
Betty has been very diligent in filling her commitments. She is also very positive when things go wrong. Here is part of her response to a frustrated member..... "Hi Don, your brochure went out two weeks ago with 520 others. I have verified your address with the Roster Update information sheet you sent in with your membership dues. The only reason I can come up with for this is the debacle with the post office. They returned 230 brochures for insufficient postage, after telling us the required amount." How frustrating this must have been. She did everything right..... I was one of the lucky ones and received my brochure right on time. So if you were one of the unlucky ones, know that you are loved and that Betty has done everything possible to make it right..... And she has yet to lose her cool.
So to those of you that didn't receive your information, I will share it with you in today's MMM. The information is also on the AII™ website at www.Inspection.org along with an online order form including the fees for the different trainings at the event. Go online and fill out the information.... Some of it is time sensitive, so don't delay. For example, if you want to take the Pest Certification course or the Manufactured Dwelling course, you must register by November 2nd. I look forward to seeing all of you at the event, so don't delay your registration.
DATES: November 9-12, 2000
PLACE: RED LION HOTEL - COLISEUM - PORTLAND, OREGON
The American Institute of Inspectors® is proud to present another top quality training and continuing education seminar to A.I.I.™ members and other home inspectors at our Annual Meeting. If you are an established Home Inspector who is serious about advancing your career, or are new to the business and want to expand your knowledge base, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
SPOUSES: We also encourage you to bring your spouse. We have a policy that spouses may attend at no additional fee - just let us know when you register if your spouse is going to join you.
GET YOUR CREDITS ! - Attendance at the presentations qualifies for Continuing Education Credits with the State of Oregon, A.I.I.™, and other home inspection associations.
Ron Cloyd is the owner of Certified Home Inspections in Klammath Falls, Oregon. This course is designed to teach the seasoned Home Inspector how to identify and report on structural pests and dry rot, as well as how to make recommendations on what conditions should be corrected. This is excellent hands-on classroom training by Ron Cloyd of Certified Home Inspections, Inc. As an experienced inspector and educator, Ron is a Certified A.I.I. Trainer and approved Oregon State Trainer for Home Inspection Certification.
NOTE: AII™ members who successfully complete the written and practical exams will receive the AII™ Pest & Dry Rot certification.
Al Rust, Manufactured Home Inspector with the Oregon Building Codes Division puts on several seminars throughout the year for "Code Inspectors." The OBCD is excited at the opportunity to share the Oregon Manufactured Dwelling Standards with private inspectors. Although this class is geared toward Oregon Inspectors there will be useful information for all inspectors. Some of the numerous Agenda topics that will be covered will be: Site preparation, Foundation systems, Structural connections, Anchoring systems, Skirting and access requirements, Ventilation and vapor barriers, Utility Connections, Fireplaces - wood stoves and pellet stoves. Lunch and book, "Oregon Manufactured Dwelling Standards" included.
NOTE: You must register for this course by November 2, 2000 so that the course materials can be prepared for you.
Ron Hungarter, will share some of his inspection experiences, using a Power Point presentation, complete with actual inspection site photographs, including what Inspectors should look for when inspecting items in the attic and on the roof.
Mr. Hungarter, a Wilkes-Barre, PA native, and graduate of Ohio University, has been both a licensed contractor and a real estate inspector in the Wyoming Valley for over twenty years, with additional experiences as an expert witness involving construction and real estate related disputes for almost fourteen years.
Mr. Hungarter is also President of THOR Systems, Inc. The Helper Of Roofers, a corporation he formed in 1995 to manufacture and market his own roofing tool inventions. For more information on Ron Hungarter, please visit his web sites at www.ronhungarter.com.
9:00am-10:30am
FOR SPOUSES & GUESTS
HOTEL INFORMATION - Expect Royal Treatment in Portland at the Red Lion Hotel, conveniently situated along the Willamette River near I-5 and I-84, between the Broadway Bridge and Steel Bridge. A map will be included with your confirmation. Complimentary hotel transportation to and from the Portland International Airport, just 20 minutes away. Special room rate of $59.00 per night for A.I.I.™ Conference participants. Reservations: 1-503-235-8311
CLICK HERE to register for the event.
As we all should know by now, the Annual Conference is just three weeks away. I would like to encourage all of you to get your registrations in as soon as you can. If you are reading this and are an A.I.I. member, and have not received your registration materials, PLEASE phone our Executive Director, Betty Buckley, at 1-800-877-4770. She will get you signed up without delay. And if you aren't with A.I.I., please call Betty to make plans to join us in Portland, see what we're about.
Those of us who attended the Spring Conference have shared with the group how rewarding that was, and I have hopes that we can double the attendance for this event. I really believe that there is a fresh energy and enthusiasm within the Association on the heels of the Spring Conference. I have talked with several of the Californians who missed that conference, but have made plans to attend this one. The Californians weren't used to going more than a few hours drive to these conferences until this year, but they are coming around to the realization that there's life beyond the California border. So if you are a local Oregonian, please seek out one of the dazed Californios at the conference and make them feel welcome, (if just for the weekend).
For the sake of making Betty Buckley's life a bit easier, PLEASE register quickly. It is a major deal to put together the various arrangements for an event like this, and the sooner she can get a grip on how many are coming, the smoother her ride will be. Also, call now for scheduling a room at the hotel. I waited until last night and found out the killer room deals are moving fast. Tell them you are with the American Institute of Inspectors to get the reduced rate. Use the e-mail forum to find folks to room with, if you wish. You might get lucky (?) like I did one time = Ron Cloyd and I agreed to share a room, but the hotel slipped up and gave us a single queen sized bed. (My wife has agreed to come with me this time around).
While I have your attention, (Do I have your attention?), I want to let you know what a bonus it will be to have John Rebensdorff as one of our quality presenters. John is a long time A.I.I. member who was a designer and installer of HVAC systems for years before becoming a home inspector. I had hoped to have John as a Presenter at the Spring Conference, but he had a scheduling conflict. Those of us in Northern California are well aware of Johns' expertise, as he has clued us in on HVAC more than once. CREIA got smart and asked John to present to their Sacramento Chapter recently, as well.
The great thing about having John teach this subject is that because he is a home inspector he knows how to present this material to a roomful of home inspectors. He practices our Standards of Practice and protocols, he knows our Umbrella Philosophy, and he knows how to communicate his knowledge. He has also written a book on the subject geared for the home inspector crowd. He is the real deal, so if you feel a little shaky on HVAC systems, or even if you think you've got it all down cold, you are in for a revelation or two, (or twelve).
That's all for now. Hope to see you there. Scott Merritt - President - 2000
All of this information points out, again, how important it is to document our visual findings. With this information, we can also emphasize the need for the "professional" to evaluate. It is an alarming situation. We, in my county, suffer yearly floods from minor to major. The remediation of water damage holds a new level of awareness of what to look for and to question about past flood damage. I have a pending 203(k) home that suffered fire damage to the upstairs level. In putting out the fire, water was used which has run down the walls and through the insulation. Continuing water has entered through the large vent holes in the roof. Armed with these articles, I have a new view point in my progress inspections. Thanks to everyone. I look forward to the fungus presentation at the Annual AII™ meeting. Have safe inspections, wear your mask! Jim Corbin - WA
A real life testimonial came back from Reggie Ayres....
Does not work! Tried it a while back on a persistent skylight flashing leak. Waste of money. False advertising at best, if not fraud. Reggie Ayres
Then came the humorous response from the brave Anonymous.....
This stuff is GREAT. I have been using it for years. I have never had it fail me yet. I even keep a can in the glove box of my truck for the long trips across the desert when a bathroom can't be found....yep...you guessed it...just "dab it" and your good for another couple hundred miles..... Anonymous
And then came the wise advice....
Hi Mike, You know I saw that product on TV about 6 months ago. It reminds me of the snake oil of old--the wonderful product that will fix all of our ails. Call me old fashion, but I am a firm believer of the old school: "If it sounds to good to be true, well then it probably is" Lou Jerome - UT
Then came the honest and unsuspecting.....
I've never seen it before. If I do, I'll try it. The only thing to do is find leaks in my home...I don't have any so far. Jim Corbin - WA
Then came the eager with money burning a hole in his pocket......
Don't care if it works or not. But Michael, where can I get some!!!! Ken Ives - Sacramento CA
And as usual the MMM came just in time to help a fellow Inspector whose ox was in the mire.....
Michael; Get me the info on how to order a can of Stop Leak ASAP. A crew trimming trees on my road came onto my property to turn around their chipping rig and broke my underground irrigation water main this morning. I'm losing 30 gallons a minute until a can of that stuff arrives. Please hurry ! Thanks for your help. Scott Merritt - CA
When using the Monoxer II to check for flue gases at the top of the heating combustion chamber, the long metal probe shaft of the test instrument becomes extremely hot. One Inspector in Orem, Utah, checked out a combustion chamber and then set the Monoxer II on the concrete slab in front of the unit. Wanting to see the flames to verify their appearance to compare their color to the amount of elevated carbon monoxide detected, he knelt down and mistakenly placed his hand directly on the Monoxer's hot flue probe. The burning sensation was immediate on his right hand and as he jerked back he watched his CE computer Finger Pen go flying 18 feet across the unfinished basement. The basement was filled with the normal stored personal items and the Finger Pen was nowhere to be found. The pain of the burn on both the palm of the hand and the pinky finger was excruciating, while the loss of the Finger Pen was humiliating. The Finger Pen was finally located and the clients never were aware of the branding by the Monoxer. For live action footage, please refer back to the first Raiders of the Lost Ark movie when the Nazi picked up the necklace fresh out of the burning coals.......... I know ,I know! Please don't lecture me on the fact that this is why we should not use Monoxer II's in our inspections because they are technically exhaustive.
What is this a view of and what do you evaluate in respect to this view???
Today's photo challenge is a little unfair for all of you that did not have the opportunity to attend the Questar Gas Company all-day training. Some of you may already be aware of a big possible hazard in this shot, but we will let the Utah Inspectors enlighten us on what we learned. Until the training, I never thought to even look back there.
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