It doesn't seem possible that the infamous "tilter-of-windmills" could actually win a battle. But a year ago he did an inspection of a brand new windmill in a very nice little hamlet in the frontiers of Seattle; and, had the good fortune, on a recent campaign to come up against another windmill in the same hamlet. I was curious to see how many of the mistakes that were found in the first windmill would be repeated in the second.
The houses were virtually identical----with reversed floor plans. I felt like I was walking through a déjà vu backwards-----or sideways----or something.
There were deck issues at the first: Joist hangers missing, ledger not bolted, and ledger not flashed.
There were deck issues at the second: Some joist hangers missing, ledger inadequately bolted, and ledger not flashed.
Rather minor improvements from first to the second----definitely NOT a victory for the Don.
There were concrete walkway issues on the first: Concrete poured over the top of untreated wood trim boards.
There were concrete walkway issues on the second: Concrete poured over the top of untreated wood trim boards.
By ALL reckoning a clear defeat for the Don, but like the Black Knight in Monte Python said, "It's just a flesh wound."
Sometimes you just have to get right back on that horse----even when both of your legs and both of your arms are gone.
As you can see in these pictures (except for the intrepid Knight's shadow) they look "exactly" the same only different.
There were water heater issues in the first windmill too: the TPRV (Temperature Pressure Relief Valve) drain was plastic right next to the draft hood-----it should be metal at least 12 inches away from the hood----because plastic melts. (It is kind of the same principle as when you leave the plastic spatula handle hanging over the edge of the frying pan while you check the comments on your AR Blog.) I see a victory coming for the Don.
Yup, sure enough, at this newest windmill, the plumber had installed a short length of metal on the TPRV near the draft hood. Too cool----the sweet smell of victory at last (better than the smell of plastic any day).
Someone has just GOT to take a picture of me riding off into the sunset!
Charles Buell
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My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
Sometimes we inspectors spend much of our time battling windmills I think. I find same mistakes by the same builder, over and over. Probably a lot has to do with the sam subs.
Charles, Love your post, excellent, You made my morning. Thanks-Roy
Charles, with regard to that spatula comment, I hate when that happens. Do you have hidden cameras in my house? Maybe talking to my wife? I'm such a klutz at times, not a "professional" like yourself ; ) I deal with "flesh wounds" constantly and keep on keeping on....
Steve, how are your "phantom" legs and arms these days?
Roy, thanks for visiting---and enjoying!
Gary, we should all post pictures of pots and pans and kitchen utensils we have destroyed because of active rain. Like the time I burned my Oatmeal!
Now that was a creative blog!!! It will probably be featured because if is creative, pretty and educational!
Thanks Barbara---everybody LOVES to see arms and legs hacked off:)
Must have been the same contractors on each except for the plumber.
Sean Allen
Sean, sounds plausible---but then not a complete victory for the Don again----unless the first one got fired:)
Charles: It amazing.You would think these contractors would get it right after a while! I wonder how some of these got their licences. One thing for sure., either way, they got their licences and forget everything the next day or just don't bother.Very informative blog, thank you.
Lloyd, the interesting things about contractors is that for the most part they are self-taught. Very few states have any kind of knowledge testing for contractors. They pay the licensing fee---maybe get some insurance and bonding----and hang up their shingle. In some respects it is a miracle things get built as well as they do. Right now the only real safe-guards for quality is the inadequate permitting system and the integrity of the individual contractor. Of course if they do a terrible job often enough they will untimately be out of business:) Another check and balance is the Home Inspector----and in almost half the states they don't have to be licensed or have any knowlege testing either.
Goes to show you Charles, that mistakes get compounded over and over again. I do see it quite often... Amazing isn't it?
And even as you get on your horse and ride off into the sunset, yet another windmill is being built.
Michael----good for use of those "canned" comments I guess:(
Kevin, or so true