Wow Gary. Even for you, this is way out in left field :roll:
Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Are you honestly implying that because I use a tool that helps to provide a better analysis of the items I’m already inspecting, my ethics are now in question? That’s quite a stretch. I assume you use a flashlight? You’d better put that thing away or someone might accuse you of cheating on your wife.
What would be the reasons for an excessive or un balanced temperature between the legs? Range, being 240V heating elements for most parts aside from perhaps a fan (s) and clock running on 120V, loads should be equal.
Charley
Exceptional post. As an electrician by trade with a focus in heavy industry, I have been involved in IR as a part of proactive maintenance now for many years. As such, I could not begin to tell you the number of instances where a faulty connection was found during an IR inspection and by the time we could schedule an outage, the connecction had significantly deteriorated. Bad will just get worse!
I would hate to have walked out of a home after completing an inspection and a problem soon developed into a serious issue. Granted we can not find all issues, but I can not fathom where using the most modern technology would have negative repurcussions.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
The condition is often caused by high-resistance in the circuit. The most common cause of this high-resistance is a loose or poor connection, but there could be several other causes as well.
The only thing you know better than me, is how to screw sheep. Because I am not interested in learning your craft.
WEll William you are most welcome glad to see that some can see into the future. I also do industrial and commercial scans but I incorporated it into my HI business because of the low population in the area that I have choosen to live in and it has boosted the amount of inspection completed per year. I did not ask anyone’s permission to do this I just do it and laugh all the way to the bank
If it was a large area of mold he cleaned up and cleared himself. He is screwed. He would get nailed with the IICRC S520. That is so stupid, it sounds like something Linas would do.:mrgreen:
Marcel Jeff P is correct about loose connections but the thought to keep in mind is the amount of amp draw that can range near 50 amps on a cook stove and with the bake elements and the burner elements cycling on and off to maintain a set temp creates a substiantial heat load over time. For those stoves that are used ever day those connection are prone to become loose, contraction and expansion.
I don’t find many A/C 220 breakers with loose connection because the unit is only used heavy 3 to 4 months probally more in S Texas Az or Fl where the units operate more
IR should be seperate from the home inspection report. Incorporating IR in reports shows that you went, and go, way over state SOP’s. This opens yourself to litigation and call-backs. It is different in all states, and often, it is a non-issue in others that have no SOP requirements/licensing.
If you use IR, seperate reports, pictures, procedures, SOP’s, should be used, IMO. Joe Ferry, time for another article/blog.
No names mentioned because this inspector, as I mentioned before, is a NACHI member. Stoves that use close to 50 amps can be the problem; not the breaker. You have to check the stove parameters, amp draw, etc. which is over SOP’s. Care should always be given in narratives in this area.
FYI, the mold found was on 5 attic roof rafters. This was stated to the buyer at the inspection, with no formal testing. Several violations were done on his inspection. Again, cannot say much more.
Attorneys see dollar signs when they find that a home inspector went way over that state’s SOP’s when the HI failed to inspect something/missed defects.
Gary that kind of thinking is exactly why you have no business you need to be re trained and get your head screwed on straight. I still say Coffee my place or yours
50 amps draw, I’m going to have to test my range just for curiosity.
Over here we have 40 amps breakers for range…
Thanks for the responses!
Thank you Mr. Adiar.
Very well put.
Marcel amps vary by MFG I have some here on 40 amp breakers the one above was a Maytag with double ovens even find some with 5 cooktop elements and some are double elements
This statement is absolutely false.
If you believe your own statement, then carrying anything other than a pencil and paper to do your inspections, is going “way over the SOP.” You use a flashlight to see things in dark places, you use an electrical tester to verify proper wiring, you use a thermometer to check AC differentials, you use a camera to document defects, many inspectors carry moisture meters to discover active intrusion. These tools are used to discover defects that are not normally visible to the naked eye.
IR (when used within the scope of a standard HI) is just another tool in my bag. With IR I can “see” over-heated wiring/circuits, moisture/water intrusion in its early stages, separated/leaking duct work, among many other things.
In other words, IR gives me a major advantage over other inspectors. I can provide a more accurate description of the condition of the residence by using IR within the scope of the HI.
As for additional liability - hogwash. I am much less likely to miss something with the “lights on” during an inspection.
IR imagers will eventually be a tool in the bag of every successful home inspector. The wave started years ago, but it’s not too late to catch it. The longer you wait, the farther behind you will be.
If you would stop being so resistant to change, you might find that your business can be prosperous.
Litigation here is rampant; perhaps more so than other cities/areas. I do many inspections for attorneys, so keeping IR separate, or at least at a minimum, if at all, is a must here. The closest thing I suggest is to place the IR picture into the report as “further explanation of the defect” noted, along with the real digital photo.
We must use caution with IR. Narratives are important in litigation. Any IR that I need I call Dan Bowers to do it seperately, which would be a further explanation of the defect/inspection. As noted in this message board, finding a defect and refering it for “further evaluation” etc. would include IR, and should be wrote up seperately. IMO.
Those that do both home inspections and IR in the same report should have language about IR going over SOP’s for “further evaluation purposes” or some such notation.
After 5,000 inspections and 10 years in business, I have yet to get an IR camera. I feel in someway that it would make you lazy. Getting used to a screen instead of the real world could cause problems. Having IR as a secondary tool would be OK, but not a substitute for your own eyes. Again, IMO.
Okay, Nate…
Bring it on.
First off, please answer my question. Are you an inspector, do you own an inspection company, or does Mom hold the business and purse strings. For all your pontification, I think you are more akin to a used shoe salesman. But, hey, that’s just my opinion.
Through the years, InterNACHI has had the dubious displeasure of dealing with all sorts of scumbag sales reps. Some are opportunists, who see this message board as an means to an end: free marketing to thousands of those who should know better. You have been selling your wares around here for about 5 minutes. You never lived through the lies, false promises, criminal behavior, and outright dishonesty we have all endured.
And yet here you are. An expert in all things Thornberry.
As to your absolute bull**** analysis of exceeding an SOP bringing more potential liability, you are incorrect. The SOP is the minimum acceptable standard for performing a home inspection. That does not mean that we all do not exceed the standard. However, when we do, we had better be DAMNED sure that we have not created exposure. This is especially true when it comes to InfraRed. How many tomes have inspector’s suggested that the camera allows them to “see” behind walls. Is this a marketing ploy, fraud, or what?
Regardless, the net result in the hands of the wrong inspector or before the wrong client, is a potential lawsuit. When the adjustor asks you which SOP you follow, the next question, one of contractual consequences, comes down to whether you did what your contract called for or not. It also ties back to what is implied through your advertising.
Once the inspector exceeds the SOP, he can never go back and state that what he did was not required. The blade cuts both ways. We arbitrate and mediate many cases against inspectors. The question always comes down to the SOP, the Report, and the Agreement between the parties. Process is also, and perhaps, the key element in mitigating risk.
Infra-red is a great tool. There are lots of great tools out there. How and more importantly WHY the technology is applied is key in defending why one may have still missed something when using this new technology. So, you cant just say that exceeding an SOP is meaningless when it comes to litigation.
I work primarily with contracts all day. Underperforming contractors, unforseen site conditions, Architects, Engineers, Liability, and E&O. All day. Every day.
I see litigation and threats of litigation daily, help prepare everything from briefs to answers to congressional investigations and inquiries, to bids and protests. I deal at the state and federal levels, aside from running my HI and arbitration businesses. In some instances, I am the one who threatens litigation.
I know more than a little of what I speak. I have also been helping to protect our members for YEARS.
What have you done recently for this org, aside from trying to make a buck under the guise of helping inspectors to “market”?
Go ahead. Write another book. Many are starting to question things like why they were suckered iinto paying hefty shipping charges, when a reasonable (and typical rate) is what InspectorOutlet is charging?
How much does your book weigh?
Thats about it all summed up.
Nathan.
Its is depressing when so few negative members can effect the association the way they do.
What’s that old say’en.
A few bad apples spoils the barrel.:twisted:
As I explained I for one an sure glad you planted your buttocks in INACHI.
All the best brother Nate
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