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07/29/2010 01:42 PM
high efficiency furnace venting thru chimney
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I recently purchased a house with a Carrier WeatherMaker 9200 Ultra Efficient furnace. Both the exhaust and air intake pvc pipes run together up the same chimney flue. I have multiple questions about this arrangement and changes I'd like to make.
-I've been told that my wood burning fireplace, using the same chimney but different flue, is not to be used because of the furnace venting (assuming that comment refers to the possiblity of the intake sucking in smoke/etc from the burning fireplace?)
-With that in mind, I'd like to remove the air intake pvc pipe and simply allow the furnace to draw it's air intake from the basement. The furnace shares an approximately 12x15 room with an older water heater that vents with galvanized pipe thru a third flue in the chimney. The only other itmes in the room are the gas meter and the water meter. This room also has a louvered door leading to the rest of the basement. Would this be an acceptable solution?
-Is it safe/correct to have just the exhaust left in the chimeny and use my wood burning fireplace?
Also, is it possible to download from somewhere the installation instructions for my Carrier furnace? So far, all I've found is owner's manuals.
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07/29/2010 10:23 AM
Thanks
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I wanted to thank everyone for all the useful info and help. I post a lot of questions and the responses save a ton of time and are very helpful.
Thanks
Mat
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07/28/2010 02:31 PM
Deck structure questions
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I often see 4x4 deck supports and almost always when they are tall supports, they are twisted. Is this acceptable or are 6x6 posts required?
Also, I often see undersized joist hangers. The hangers should be the same size as the joist correct?
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07/28/2010 10:38 AM
Working w/concrete
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Florida location: Never done any concrete work but have done everything else. I'll be building footers and block piers for a stilt home. My Question is: is it feasible to use a small mixer and buy mortar mix in bags for setting block and also using bags for footers (for piers). For footers, what PSI is required. I will not have any help with this and was wondering if I could save money by doing this stage w/o the use of a contractor. Thanks, Mark
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07/28/2010 09:37 AM
Help
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[ATTACH]18967
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07/28/2010 05:01 AM
Newbie
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Hi from Auckland, New Zealand
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07/27/2010 11:20 PM
Power for AC condensers
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150 amp service and the AC condensers were installed in 03. There are fuses in the disconnect. The feeders have been tapped then spliced. Could not find specific literature in the IRC. Jerry any thoughts;) No tape this time.
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07/27/2010 09:00 PM
Wood frame for Mobile Home Skirting
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Hello.
I just inspected my first mobile home and it had untreated 2x2 wood supporting the vinyl skirting around the exterior. Along the bottom of the skirting courses, the wood was in contact with the (commonly wet) ground. How common is this? Should I recommend it be replaced to reduce conditions conducive to WDO's?
Thanks.
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07/27/2010 08:16 PM
Discolored Pex
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Has anyone seen this before? The Pex was only discolored (blueish) in this area. It's the cold running to the water heater and partially out to the house. The Pex further down the line and back towards the main water line were not discolored. It's Uponor AquaPEX tubing. It's a new construction home, so the plumbing is months old.
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07/27/2010 07:44 PM
Are we more conflicted than the other guys?
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Guys,
What about the way the standards of practice and the laws prohibit an inspector from performing any repairs on the homes that they previously inspected. This language was inserted into the standards of practice and state law in order to prevent conflicts of interests for home inspectors.
I submit this short sighted concept was inserted into the industry back in the mid 1970s to give the industry an image of professionalism, but this ill conceived idea changed the nature of competitive business practice and ultimately boxed us into the discussion of unfair competition in the previous thread.
It is interesting to note that while pest inspectors and appraisers work for the loan companies so they are not considered conflicted. On the other hand, home inspectors, who prepare the only purchase document specifically designed to benefit the client are considered conflicted. Accordingly we are prohibited from performing any repairs on the home. (Maybe the National Association of Realtors does not want us to have too much influence on the purchase transaction?)
Who else would be more qualified to identify and repair negative conditions in a home? Allowing home inspectors to repair the homes they inspect would change the nature of the business and allow a chance to make some commensurate money. This makes sense for the industry.
I understand that at this late date changing this restriction would be impossible, but understanding its impact on the industry is important if we are to understand how it changes the nature of the industry.
What do you think?
What other industry has similar restrictions?
Brad Deal
20/20 Home Inspections
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07/27/2010 06:52 PM
Moisture, Mold?
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Hey Everyone! I'm doing my roofing module in school right now and was doing a field exercise and was inspecting a roof. I was in the attic looking at the underside and noticed some staining and possibly some mold not sure. So I've included some photos. Can you guys give me some feed back? I'd really appreciate it. Wondering what the pros think. Thanks!
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07/27/2010 02:39 PM
Pvc for dmv drain pipe in Chicago
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Sorry if this has been answered before. I have been searching. I was under the impression that in Chicago, they only allowed for pvc in residential use, 3 stories or less, and that copper, galvanized, and cast iron had to be used above grade and only cast iron below grade for non-residential use.
I just came across a post on the web stating that pvc can now be used for ALL drain above and below grade, but cast iron still must be used under ground. Hopefully a licensed plumber can confirm this? Is this a recent code change(when?) and does it in fact apply to commercial properties?
The plumbing union has had strong clout in Chicago and has been against pvc vs other cities, mostly due to the ease of use, less cost, and loss of business, so I am surprised if this is true. I was about to pay a very steep price to replace a very long run of drain cast iron pipes that run above basement ground, so I am praying this is true!
Thanks!!!
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07/27/2010 12:42 PM
ceiling access surprise
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The tub trap was too low for the drywall, so they left it open and put one of those spring loaded access covers on it. Pretty lame, but there was no other access for the tub plumbing, so I guess it serves some purpose.
Actually, as far as the inspection goes, you can see what other purpose it served.
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07/27/2010 11:59 AM
No access to a double wide crawl space
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Just finished the physical inspection of my first "double wide". All went well except when I tryed to get to the crawl space. There is a vinyl skirt with no visible access point. Much of the skirt was covered by plantings ( a lot of good looking roses with lots of thorns). I was ably to see through the plantings to the skirt and I am pretty sure the only way in is to "pop" one or two of the skirt sections. The home is 10 years old (per the Data plate) and I was afraid the sections of skirt might crack and break if I tried. Shall I report "access restricted" and suggest a professional installed inspect the crawl space or have I missed something and need to go back out there?
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07/27/2010 11:34 AM
Should this area be flashed?
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Hello all,
In this case what is the proper way to finish this area to protect the framing & sheathing from the elements?
As a home inspector do you simply recommend it be repaired or (if you know) do you suggest the proper repair?
*Thank you all* :)
mk
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