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C NY - A S H I“The Training Leader o f Central New Y o rk”March 2010T H E O B S E RV E RTHIS MONTHS FEATURED SPONSORINSIDE THIS ISSUE:This months sponsor:CNY ASHI1CNY ASHI Officersand committee chairs2Ice damming3CNY-ASHI Library5CNY ASHIwww.cnyashi.comValley of Fire8-9Orphaned water heaters9BPCAPhoto’s from the field3,4,5,10“Pleasure in the job putsperfection in the work.” Aristotle2010 ASHI ConferenceLas Vegas, Nevada
T h e O b s e r v erPage 2The OBSERVERWe are always on the lookout for articles or items of interest. Anythingwhich you feel would help educateour readership. Please feel free toforward to either Mike Chapman orTom Sherman. Also, if you shouldhave any thoughts or ideas which youfeel would make this a better publication, please let us know.CNY-ASHI Officers and Committee ChairsPresident –Mike Chapman, Closer Look Home InspectionVice President–Ralph Garcea, Ralph Garcea Home InspectionTreasurer–Greg Haley, Greg Haley Home InspectionSecretary–Matt Barlow, National Property Inspections.Chapter Librarian— Derek Westgate Professional Home InspectionCouncil of Representatives– David Bruins, Bruins Home InspectionsEducation/Seminar Committee– Peter Apgar, Tom ShermanCNY-ASHI Website–Tom ShermanMembership/Mentoring-Dave GambocartoBuilding Performance Institute Liaison– Ed VoytovichCNYASHI Observer Editor— Tom ShermanChaplain— Will MorganWHAT’S NEXT MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETINGWHERE:WHEN:TONY’S RESTAURANT3404 BURNET AVE., SYRACUSE, NY 13206432-1030Wednesday, March 10, 2010. 6:00 -8:30 PM
T h e O b s e r v erPage 3Ice damming anyone?This is a classic ice damming issue and we are in the midst of a classic year for ice damming. Warm air found itsway into the attic space and melted the base layer of snow, which then refroze, expanded, and remelted. Thephoto on the left displays a large ice ledge. What you don’t see here is the ice traveling down the siding. When it ison the outside, often, it will also find its way behind the siding, causing untold damage to the substrate. Air sealingand insulation improvements are needed. Be especially watchful of houses that have recessed lighting penetrating into the attic. Sad truth is this stuff was all done “to code”.Got questions?The Wall is the place to getyour answers. It’s a veryfriendly part of HeatingHelp.com and everyone’s wel-InspectVue ResidentialIncludes InspectVue Mobile.Only One Software Solution Does It AllCall us at:1-800388--4541800--388Or check us out on the web:www.pvsoftware.com
Page 4T h e O b s e r v erA B O U T OU R A DV E RT I S E RSThroughout this newsletter are advertisements from our CNY-ASHI sponsors. Take a minute tobrowse their websites and check out the many products and services that they offer. Better yet, give Things to think about during the winter season.By Dave GambocartoIcicles hang from the eaves and gutters; they may not beattached well, especially as temperatures rise. Don't walkor park under them.Boots that are worn in the deep snow may hold moistureor mud more which you could track into a home. Be contentious.Holes around the yard and at patios may be covered withsnow, and you could twist an ankle. Care should be exercised.Deck steps and stone steps may be slippery. Black ice canbe anywhere. This is not the time to take a header.When you put a ladder against an eave, if the gutter is fullof ice it your extra weight or force may cause the gutter tofall.In real cold temps and wind chills, skin freezes fast. Beaware of this and dress appropriately; limit your time outside.Be aware that garage doors, windows, and storm doorsmay be frozen shut.Use common sense and good judgment.InspectAPediaThe Home Inspection& ConstructionInformation WebsiteLooking for a great site to enhance your knowledge base.Check out Dan Friedman’s sitefor a wealth of information:www.inspect-ny.comHomeGaugeICE.that things are afixin’ toget uglyDAMMING, ANOTHER CAUSEBathroom fans must be boxed, insulated and airsealed around
Page 5T h e O b s e r v erDon’t forget.LSLLIFE SCIENCELABORATORIES, INC.A FULL SERVICE ANALYTICALLABORATORYChemical andMicrobiologicalTesting ServicesPotable Water, Total coliform,Septic & Dye Test* Lead/Copper,Nitrate, Nitrite, Iron/Sulfur BacteriaFHA/VA Testing ProgramNYSDOH Certified/PADEP Certified.to be checking the underside of slider doors.Especially where the deck is on the same levelas the house floor. This is what you will oftenfind. The fix.pull the door and replace the rotted materials under and around.Laboratories Located 396-0270C N Y- A S H I L I B R A RYThe chapter library is filled with books, videosand an assortment of other excellent trainingand refresher information relating to our profession. Everything from setting up and running ahome inspection business, to technical journalsand training information is at your fingertips.As a chapter member, you are allowed to accessthis information free of charge. Derek has justput an updated list of the contents on the TRAINING PAGE of the CNY ASHI Website. Check it out.We are always on the lookout for additional itemsfor this library. Also, if you are looking for specificinformation on items we have, please contactDerek at derek@professionalhome.comChapter Librarian, Derek Westgate ProfessionalHome Inspection Service.
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Page 7T h e O b s e r v erAmerican Home Inspectors Training isyour national company for the industry'sbest home inspection training, marketingand support programs. Our mission is totrain and provide ongoing support to youto enable you to either start and operateyour own successful home inspectionbusiness or to be a significant contributorin an established company.Give us a call at:1-800800--441441--9411Or visit us on the webwww.ahit.comwww.palm-tech.comPalm-Tech Home Inspection Software Defining the Standard.Palm-Tech is the home inspection solution that allows you to make themost of your time on site. By marrying our uniquely designed home inspection software with state of theart hardware, you win when youchoose Palm-Tech.www.sunnuclear.com
T h e O b s e r v erPage 8Orphaned Water HeatersBy Bob Sterner—HomePro of CNYThe unfortunate water heater has lost its parents; that doesn’t seem likely.“Orphaned” water heater - a quick search of my “Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary” reveals that the closest usage I can find for this term often used to confuse ourclients is as an adjective – “ not authorized, supported, or funded: not part of a system;isolated; abandoned; an orphan research project”The home inspection is a visual inspection of the installed components and systemsand the associated report is technical writing. The home inspector should strive toreport what was observed during the inspection. “The water heater is back drafting,the vent connector is rusted, the vent connector slope is insufficient, the vent connector is too long, the flue is undersized or the flue is oversized” provides a better description than “there is an orphaned water heater”.Gas appliances can pose a significant, immediate hazard if they ware not properlyvented. Today we often find that a more efficient Category IV (condensing) furnacehas recently replaced an older Category I (Draft Hood or Fan Assisted Vent) furnace.Often the water heater still vents to the Type B gas vent or chimney that originallyserved both the water heater and a furnace. Is this always a problem? Can you possibly tell if you forget your micro manometer?Here are some guidelines when the water heater is the only appliance connected tothe flue:Check for back draft with a mirror (glass only) during the initial startup of the waterheater while the home is under worst-case depressurization.Check the vent connector for moisture, rust, slope and length.Check that the area of the connector vent and flue are less than seven times thearea of the outlet of the water heater draft hood.Since the water heater is now the only appliance attached to the chimney or gas ventthe size of the vent connector and flue should be not less than the area of the drafthood outlet and no more than seven times the area of the draft hood outlet. Most 40and 50-gallon draft hood (Category I) water heaters have a 3 inch outlet to the ventconnector. Doing the math we get:2Area of outlet πd /4 (π32)/4 (28.3)/4 7 square inchesThus the maximum allowed size of vent or chimney is 49 sq inches for a 3” draft hoodoutlet (seven times the area of the draft hood outlet)Doing some more math the standard 8x8 terra cotta liner (64 square inches) would beoversized while a 6x6 terra cotta liner (36 square inches) would be acceptableFor Type B gas vents - seven inch (most are 5 or 6 inch) 38.5 square inchesArea of 7” b vent (π72)/4 (154)/4An 8 “ b vent is about 50.3 square inches and would be oversized for a 3” outletAlthough home inspectors are not code officials, the most widely accepted authoritative standards for many of the systems and components we see are the current codes.The applicable sections of the NYS Residential Code follow:G2427.5.4 (503.5.5) Size of chimneys. The effective area of a chimney venting systemserving listed appliances with draft hoods, Category I appliances, and other applianceslisted for use with Type B vents shall be determined in accordance with one of theCont. next pageThoughts to ponder.Carlinism of the MonthNew rule: When I ask how oldyour toddler is, I don’t need toknow in months. “27 months”.“He’s two” will do just fine.He’s not a cheese. And Ireally didn’t care in the firstplace. Just bein’ polite. George Carlin“The place of a father in a modern suburban family is a verysmall one, particularly if heplays golf.” Bertrand Russell“I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you areprepared for it.” Denzel Washington“I’m tired of all this nonsenseabout beauty being only skindeep. That’s deep enough.What do you want, an adorablepancreas?” Jean Kerr .
T h e O b s e r v erPage 9Water heaters (cont.)ABITCOAmerican BuildingInspection & Training Co.,Inc.6780 Northern Blvd.Suite 301E. Syracuse, NY 13057Comprehensive, In-Depth andIntensive Home InspectorTraining to Prepare You for NYSLicensingwww.abitcoinc.comfollowing methods:1.The provisions of Section G2428.2.For sizing an individual chimney venting system for asingle appliance with a draft hood, the effective areas of thevent connector and chimney flue shall be not less than the areaof the appliance flue collar or draft hood outlet, nor greater thanseven times the draft hood outlet area.G2427.6.8 (503.6.9) Size of gas vents. Venting systems shallbe sized and constructed in accordance with Section G2428and the gas vent and gas equipment manufacturers’ instructions.G2427.6.8.1 (503.6.9.1) Category I appliances. The sizing ofnatural draft venting systems serving one or more listed appliances equipped with a draft hood or appliances listed for usewith Type B gas vent, installed in a single story of a building,shall be in accordance with one of the following methods:1.The provisions of Section G2428.2.For sizing an individual gas vent for a single, drafthood-equipped appliance, the effective area of the vent connector and the gas vent shall be not less than the area of the appliance draft hood outlet, nor greater than seven times the drafthood outlet area.The Department of State posts the entire NYS building codeincluding the Residential Code at m.Why membership in BPCAIrecently received my application for renewal in BPCA/CNY (Building Performance Contractors Association of CNY) and,without a second thought, submitted it, along with my hundredbucks for the annual fee. It wasquite an easy decision to do so,as I see almost daily the firsthand benefit of belonging to thisorganization, which has assistedin bringing my knowledge baseup to par and into the 21st century.It doesn’t take a rocket scientistto realize that New York State’sBy Tom Sherman Editorrequirements of it’s home inspection students during their initiation into our profession barelyscratches the surface of what Ibelieve it takes to be a goodhome inspector, let alone excel inthis field.Sadly, their (NYS) opinion at theconception of this licensing lawback in 2006, was that we shouldallow anybody and everybody in,and weed the malcontents outover time. In essence, let them“shoot themselves in the foot”.Way to steer the ship, NYS! (Sorryabout that, Home-buyers) Now, Ipersonally, am not interested inanother Heating 101 refresherclass to gain mycontinuing education credits. WhatI really want is tostay on the cutting edge of myprofession; learnthe newest technologies, and better understandhow the systems and components within the house interact.This is the place to gain thatknowledge and take ownershipof it. Not a member yet? Hop onboard! You won’t be sorry.https://www.buildingperformance.org
T h e O b s e r v erP a g e 10Recycling gone mad315-673-1755www.absolutehomeperformance.orgHow about that transitional dry vent?“Under this bannerare foundthe world’sfinesthome inspectors”
C NYNY-- A S H I“ T H E T R AI NI NGL E A D ER OFC E N TRA L N E WYORK”We’re looking for you!Interested in enhancingyour career as a home inspector?CNY-ASHI offers continuingeducation opportunitiesand camaraderie in afriendly atmosphere.Monthly meetings every2nd Wednesday.Call 315-673-1755 fordetailsCENTRAL NEW YORK ASHI OBSERVERThe Central New York Observer is the official publication of the Central New York Chapter of the AmericanSociety of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and is published solely for the information of it’s members and candidates. Central New York ASHI is a not for profit voluntary professional society. ASHI National Headquartersis located as 932 Lee St., Ste. 101, Des Plaines, IL 60016-6546.Correspondence to the chapter or articles for consideration should be sent to Tom Sherman, Absolute HomeInspection, 3269 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215 (315)-673-1755tom@absolutehomeinspection.com. Central New York ASHI reserves the right to reject any submitted articles. Central New York ASHI, it’s officers, agents employees, editors and authors of contributed materialassume no liability whatsoever with the published contents of this newsletter. Opinions of statements of authors or advertisers are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Central New York ASHI,it’s agents or editors. Any discussion or material is for general informational purposes only and does not implythat other opinions are not available or are not suitable.Central New York ASHI, it’s officers, agents, and editors do not endorse, guarantee or warrant, either expressor implied, any services, products, methods, systems, procedures or other information contained herein.Upcoming Calendar of Events We’re on the webwww.cnyashi.com CNYCNY--ASHIWELCOMES ALLINSPECTORS TO OURMONTHLYMEETINGS!March MeetingMeeting—— WhereWhere——Tony’s Restaurant WhenWhen——March 10, 20106:00 PMPM——9:00 PMApril MeetingMeeting- WhereWhere--Road Trip (Stay tuned for details) WhenWhen–– April 14, 2010See you in Atlanta.ASHI InspectionWorld 2011.
Orphaned water heaters 8-9 BPCA 9 Photo's from the field 3,4,5, 10 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." Aristotle 2010 ASHI Conference Las Vegas, Nevada CNY ASHI Valley of Fire . CNY-ASHI Officers and Committee Chairs President - Mike Chapman, Closer Look Home Inspection Vice President- Ralph Garcea, Ralph Garcea Home .
