Received a call from my client today stating that the seller's agent had someone who was a retired inspector for the city and he said this is alright and there is no need to fix this item. Of course he also said that most of the home inspectors in Michigan are not certified and that anyone can become a home inspector.
This mast goes thru the roof to the outside of the house but does not attached to the meter box. The wires are frayed and the underside of the cable is rubbing on the pole. It was a windy day during the inspection and you could see the wires rubbing back and forth on the mast.
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There is no weather head and the open mast will allow water directly into the mast. An electrical contractor or the utility company should be contacted promptly to correct this.
Ask the client, if he wants to rely on the opinion of the agent, why did he hire you.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: rdzierba This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff;
I called the utility company and there responsibility is only up to the drip loop. The rest is up to the homeowner. I told my client this information.
The weatherhead and new service entrance cable is what I called out. I keep hearing the same old reply from the agents. This has been like this for fifty years and all the other homes in the area are like this. How do you handle these comments?????????????????????
Sorry for the large pictures. This was my first post with pictures..
Originally Posted By: aslimack This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thats definitely a “Jeff” picture. My guess is he “loaned” it to Russel to spread it around a little bit. Russel, stick to your guns. What did the inside of the panel look like? Let me guess, flaky orange and brown…
My recommendation would be that it should REPLACED by a licensed electrician.
Originally Posted By: lkage This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Russ, you absolutely made the right call (for repair by qualified electrician) but if the “retarded inspector” would like to sign an affidavit stating “that this is alright and no need to fix this item”, let him take that responsibility.
But what a hazard!...can you imagine the water running down those wires right onto the meter base lugs and beyond?
-- "I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
Originally Posted By: lkage This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
rdzierba wrote:
I keep hearing the same old reply from the agents. This has been like this for fifty years and all the other homes in the area are like this. How do you handle these comments?????????????????????
Some of the houses that burned down from electrical fires stood there for 50 years or more too.
Or, all the others drank koolaid with Jim Jones...it must be okay.
Or...you just can't reason with some people. 
-- "I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him."
Galileo Galilei
Originally Posted By: rmoore This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
rdzierba wrote:
Jeff;
I called the utility company and there responsibility is only up to the drip loop. The rest is up to the homeowner....
It's the same around here...the homeowner is responsible for anything after the service point (or drip loop). However, the utility company should be very interested in any dangerous use of their "product". Sooner than later, the insulation is going to rub off and energize that "plumbing vent". Might short out the street. Plus the water entry, assuming there's not another drip loop before the meter.
Tell your client that it's his/her safety you are concerned with...not ensuring the listing agent's commission. You might suggest the client submit the photos to the utility company's inspectors (not the retired nut) for comments.
-- Richard Moore
Rest Assured Inspection Services
Seattle, WA
www.rainspect.com
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Volcanos have been around for hundreds of years without an eruption. When they blow, they cause major damage - just like this will when (not if) it goes.
Originally Posted By: rdzierba This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thanks to all the input. Some of your quotes will definitely be used for other inspections. It would be nice if we didn’t count on agents for our business. I’m finding out, at least here in Michigan, that most agents just don’t want to deal with us and they do not look out for there clients best interest.
Originally Posted By: pdacey This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jpope wrote:
Volcanos have been around for hundreds of years without an eruption. When they blow, they cause major damage - just like this will when (not if) it goes.
I like that phrase. May I borrow it next time I run into a hard head agent?
Originally Posted By: jjackson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
If you look at the picture and then think-common sense will tell you this is bad. That looks like a vent, that we see here in Pa. that it is running into.
Write it up and thank God, you are not living in that house. Is it corrrectable? Of course. is it your job to fix it? No. It iis just your job to report it. My $ .02.
Originally Posted By: Kyle Kubs This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There never seems to be a shortage of asinine individuals waiting in line to contradict us. Especially real estate agents who’s only motivation is making sure their financial transaction goes as smoothly as possible…
I've typed up a letter and carry it with me in my brief case - Top area is blank to describe the particular hazard in question. Underneath it say's "I "print Name" have examined the above stated inspection issue and in my professional opinion believe it is not a defect or hazard of any kind. I am willing to take full responsibility for any damage or injury that might occur from this item that I believe is not a problem that requires attention or repair of any kind.
Some of my favorite moments in life are when I hand them to wise a$% listing agents and ask them to sign it for my client... (no one has yet...)
That entrance cable is one of the worst safety hazards I have seen yet. That cable will without question rub through to the conductor and when it energizes that conduit, I feel bad for the poor sap that grabs hold of any metal bonded to that system anywhere... - The alleged inspector that said that it is fine should be reported to the state code enforcement bureau.
Kyle Kubs
Benchmark Home Inspection Services
North New Jersey
-- Those that say it cannot be done should stop interupting those of us who are hard at work, doing it...
Originally Posted By: pdickerson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I would like to know how the utility ever decided that it was OK to connect to the service in the first place. This is a major disaster waiting to happen. The last time I saw something that dangerous, I called the utility from the roof on my cell phone. A direct short to ground is likely to damage their transformer (not to mention vaporize the mast), so they should be interested to know about it.
My guess is that there is no retired inspector. I think the listing agent just made that up. No inspector, retired or otherwise, would ever think this arrangement is OK.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Model codes require a service/weather head with cable bushings at the top of the vertical conduit/raceway where the service-drop wires are attached (e.g. IRC E3505 or NEC 230.54).
I can also think of at least several other model code sections that would indicate thats a problem (not listed, subject to damage, no protection/bushing, bla bla bla).
Recommend your client get a written determination from a licensed electrical professional. I think the phantom inspector will not be available to do that ... much to everyones surprise of course ... 
[P.S. ... Russell, try to resize the pic to something smaller, and re-post so it doesn't make the page so wide. It's difficult to read the way it is ...  ]
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
