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Thread purpose: To discuss the value and your experiences with extended warranties. Let's see if we can all have a civil discussion.

I'll start with this article.

6 Reasons Why You Should Never Purchase an Extended Warranty

Quote: Personally, I cannot think of one instance where purchasing an extended warranty is a good idea. There are simply too many downsides to make them worth the money, and furthermore, there are other forms of purchase protection that offer sufficient peace of mind.

Inspected a house yesterday and found this where the return air was in the wall. No elevated moisture located, is this mold or dust?
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Got this unsolicited e-mail the other day:

"Dear Mr Decker,

Here at EMFADR we have developed a paint for the building industry that will neutralise the harmful exposure to the low frequency electromagnetic fields found in everyday living including homes, offices, schools, hospitals etc.

Our combating Electromagnetic Field “ADR” technology differs from the conventional electromagnetic field shields (which are based on conductive media and need grounding) because it is unique in its make-up and will only block the low frequency EMF radiation and this allows for the body and the earths own natural magnetic fields to still function. The ADR solutions are the first of its kind, both ground breaking and award winning in several countries across the world.

The ADR paint (ADR SOL) will be used in the construction of (please visit this link: http://wolnemiasto.pl/en/index.php ) a new 1,200 strong apartment community complex here is Poland. If I may, I’d like to discuss the possibilities of our ADR SOL product in a mutual business relationship with yourself.


Kind regards,"

I responded to him that:

1) His e-mail was unsolicited spam. Been getting a lot of that, recently.
2) That low frequency EMF is not harmful. The EMF fields that the general public comes into contact with can not cause harm. So much for the scares about living too close to transformers or getting cancer from cell phones.
3) This paint, most probably, doesn't work, unless it has a very high conductive metal content and is grounded.

I recieved back a response "You have got to be kidding me.".

I then responded that I was a trained Radiation Safety Officer for a major University and I was not kidding.

Have not hear back from him yet.

Any other scams out there that are soliciting Home Inspectors?

The seller of a house I inspected this week called, with my clients permission, to inform me the city inspector told them they had to Replace the service panel because it did not have a Single breaker/disconnect to shut-off all electricity.

The inspector, in writing, said that according to Illinois electrical code the electrical service in a home requires the system to have One breaker/disconnect to shut-off all power in the home.

First, I'm not aware of any State of Illinois electrical code. Second the code this city goes by is the 2011 NEC, as posted on their website.

So is anyone aware of any "updated" code requirements of service disconnecting means at a single family dwelling that limit it to no more than One means of disconnect?

Or is no more than six disconnects for each service still the rule?

By the way the power at this 100 amp FP panel could be shut-off with four throws.

Was testing a heat pump on the cooling cycle today on an older home. There was no manufacturer's plate on the unit but I would guess it was at least 15 to 20 years old. It looked like a Nordyne unit

This is a vacant house that has been vacant for about a year

I let the cooling run for about 30 minutes or more. I decided to shut down the cooling and test the emergency heat....I turned the thermostat to the "off" position... A few seconds later I turned the thermostat to the "Emergency" setting from the "Normal" setting on this older thermostat...then I turned the thermostat from "off" to "heat"....and turned the thermostat up over 80 degrees....

Buyer was outside and says he heard a muffled sound like a muffled backfire....Unit stopped working and would not re-start.....Did I break this unit?

I'm curious if anyone see a difference between batt insulation and icynene insulation when installed in the wall cavity at the floor and ceiling. Normally I see a thin brighter image along the baseboard/floor and at the wall/ceiling point with it hot outside and cool inside with batt insulation. Wondering if anyone seeing the same thing when icynene is used or does it seal better.

Hi! I was working on my basment when i found these cracks and my Two support beam. I never noticed them before because the beam were surrounded by wall. Both of them has those kind of cracks. They are 8x8 and the biggesr crack goes 2 inch and half deep at the worst place.

What you guys think? I'm kind of woried right now!

http://i44.tinypic.com/2d2ewir.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/4zyfdi.jpg

Ben Gromicko from Internachi informed me of a TREC approved report writing course, but I can not find it....

For decades, temperature measurement has been used to gauge the operating condition of electrical components. With this Tip, we explore an alternative to the traditional Delta T method of prioritizing exceptions during infrared inspections of electrical distribution systems.

Sparta, NJ (June 28, 2013) – Mr. Ron Dech of Castle Air Conditioning & Heating Co., Easton, Pennsylvania, was recently named winner of Testo's $6,000 "Ultimate Contractor Collection Giveaway".

Anyone have a heat pump paragraph for a report to share? Thank you.

I inspected a 1992 home today and found a cap in the middle of the driveway that was labeled "Jayfro" (see picture)

Can anyone identify what the purpose of this is?
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Not sure if I posted correctly, so here's a second attempt:

Is it possible in Ontario to use existing terminals in pot lights to connect a group of Halo H99 ICT (purchased at Home Depot, manufactured by Cooper Lighting) pot lights to cables entering each box? Thanks in advance for any help.

Just wondering if anyone has taken the AHIT $99 wind mit class. I seen they offer a class and just want to learn more then what I learned from taking the nachi wind mit class.

Hi,

Finishing my basement and wondering if it is possible in Ontario to use existing terminals in poltights to connect a group of potlights (Halo H99 ICT, purchased at Home Depot)to cables entering each box. Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.

Hi guys, I am a previous member that unfortunately stopped doing inspections. I have an Ideal sure test analyzer 61-165 for sale and wanted to post it here where I know someone will get use out of it. It is like new and works flawlessly, I bought it about 3mo. before I shut down. I'm asking $215. which will include shipping to anywhere in the US. You can see my add http://dayton.craigslist.org/tls/3880332650.html

If your local its only $200. If anyone is interested, just let me know.

Thanks and I miss the interactons here.

Tim

Can you explain this advertisement? Does iNACHI have a CPI?

http://www.nachi.org/landing/17136?city=Atlanta#contact

...of taking a sauna :shock:
This attic had no ventilation at all. I popped my head in there and thought I was back in Finland getting ready for a sauna.
Not quite as hot as I like mine (add about 70 degrees F), but just about as humid.
Ah... memories... :D
Attachment 66451
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O.k. I got one...A recent tampa home inspection. 1995 home, occupied, very near tampa river trail.

Bad Drainage, condensate line, animal burrow.

Can I keep sinkhole out of this narrative. We have had a deluge of rain recently.

"The foundation has an area where soil erosion is undermining the foundation
Indications include but not limited to

There are cracked kitchen tiles and a minor settlement crack located on the same side wall in the garage, also the kitchen cabinet appears to have dropped a bit. Damage appears to be occurring because of the undermining.

The meter was checked at the end of the inspection with the client. We had a reasonable expectation that the water was not being used, However the dial indicating water flow was spinning. A professional licensed plumber with experience in detecting slab leaks should be consulted before inspection contingency expires.

The inspector was unable to determine the cause of the undermining of the foundation. Possible scenarios include poor drainage, condensate line draining to close to the foundation, Slab leak aka plumbing installed in the slab on grade foundation or my favorite one, Animal burrow (armadillo) with drainage water filling up the undermined area."

Looking forward to the responses...
Tom
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Is there a transparent CMI logo to use for websites? If not, could we get one?