Comments for Reuben's Home Inspection Blog

Comment on Problems With James Hardie Siding Installations by Tom Tamlyn

Tom Tamlyn — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:28:50 +0000

Very interesting blog. Without being too commercial, Tamlyn makes recommended trim for James Hardie (flashing, corners, etc) in all the ColorPlus options. We have worked closely with James Hardie since 1995. We look forward to hearing comments good and bad on our products and how we can improve to make the overall jobs longer lasting and aesthetically attractive.

Comment on Why Are Home Inspectors So Inconsistent? by Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:12:51 +0000

Thanks Jim. I do the exact same thing with newer homes. If it’s new, it should be right. If I inspect a brand new home and find no house wrap behind vinyl siding, I’ll definitely mark it as ‘unacceptable’.

Comment on Why Are Home Inspectors So Inconsistent? by Jim Allhiser

Jim Allhiser — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:51:09 +0000

Great post Reuben. I also subconsciously rate my comments on these two aspects but I do find myself being harder on newer homes. If a home is a 1900 but has some weird things going on I am usually more forgiving than if it is a 2 year old home. Still though, I think that you are right on the money with cost vs. risk. Nice work.

Comment on Problems With James Hardie Siding Installations by NS-Boo

NS-Boo — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:49:54 +0000

RE: Old Hardie Guy-
Would very much like the Hardie Install PDF’s showing the inconsistencies in installation instructions, especially those for Aug 2004 and later.
Thx,
NS-Boo

Comment on Problems With James Hardie Siding Installations by Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:58:24 +0000

Hi Paul, I just sent you an email with the instructions attached. For anyone else interested in the older instructions, I've posted them online. You can access them at http://www.structuretech1.com/James-Hardie-2001-Instructions.pdf

Comment on Problems With James Hardie Siding Installations by Paul

Paul — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:29:43 +0000

Reuben, I’m also looking for installation instructions from the 2001 to 2004 time frame. If you have them I’d appreciate it if you could send me any install manuals for Hardie siding during that period.
Thanks in advance. Paul

Comment on Cheater Breakers by Nashville Home Inspection

Nashville Home Inspection — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:26:33 +0000

These are a good point to bring up. I’ve known a few guys and companies that over look the number of breakers allowed.

Comment on Combustion Air Ducts by Why Is My Water Heater Backdrafting? | Reuben's Home Inspection Blog

Why Is My Water Heater Backdrafting? | Reuben's Home Inspection Blog — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:04:06 +0000

[...] Insufficient combustion air. I start every home inspection the same way – I close up all of the windows and doors, and I turn on all of the ‘motors’ at the house that remove air. These fans include bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen exhaust fans, and clothes dryers. Besides giving me the opportunity to make sure the fans are properly working, I’m removing a lot of air from the house at one time, which creates a ‘worst-case’ scenario for the fuel-burning appliances, such as the water heater. If there isn’t a proper combustion air duct installed, the water heater vent may end up acting as an air intake. This will definitely cause backdrafting. [...]

Comment on Floor Drain Basics by David

David — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:31:48 +0000

You are a brilliant man as I have been trying to figure this out for a couple of years and nobody had a clue how to figure out my problem but you did…..THANK YOU….MY DRAIN GOES TO THE SEWER.!!!!

Comment on Problems With James Hardie Siding Installations by Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:15:15 +0000

He did, and he sent them to me. I’ll send them to you.