MAY  2015                                                                                           Volume 8 - Number 5
Monthly Messenger
President's Notes

     David Bulova                 Chap Petersen

Dear Inspectors,

This month our Inspectors Hour and General Meeting will be shorter than normal so we may be able to present Senator Chap Petersen and Delegate David Bulova with contributions to their respective campaigns.  Both of the legislators have been long time supporters of the Home Inspection industry in Virginia and our NOVA ASHI Chapter.  Both have been very helpful in understanding and communicating our concerns during the yearly legislative sessions in Richmond.  The presentations will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.

Thank you,
Fernando Barrientos

Bring A Question...To The Meeting
The Chapter will not have a Education Hour speaker this month - instead we ask that everyone bring (1) technical question. Questions will be drawn from a hat for open discussion among our membership and a panel of our own experts. This exercise is intended sharpen our analytical and report writing skills.

WAMU Story on DC House Flipping
A series of stories where played on WAMU on problems with some flipped homes and lawsuits resulting from them.  You can read the story or listen to the broadcasts HERE
May Quiz  
By Pete Jung

1. A cripple wall would generally be found:
     a. Under a door
     b. In an under-floor area
     c. In a garage
     d. In an attic
      
2. A floor joist should NOT be:
     a. Notched in the middle 1/3 of its span
     b. Notched at either end
     c. Bored within 8-inches of either end
     d. Bored in the middle 1/3 of its span

3. A monolithic slab is:
     a. Poured with footings and slab at the same time
     b. Provided with extra reinforcement
     c. Never used in freezing climates
     d. Generally used where soil conditions are severe                      
                        
4. The proper size wire for use with a breaker rated for 30 amps is:
     a. Either 14 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum
     b. Either 8 AWG copper or 10 AWG aluminum
     c. Either 12 AWG copper or 14 AWG aluminum
     d. Either 10 AWG copper or 12 AWG aluminum

5. The most reliable indicator of service capacity (amperage) is:
     a. The size of the service entrance conductors
     b. The number of subpanels present
     c. The rating of the distribution panel
     d. The smallest overcurrent protection device in the service panel
April Quiz Answers  
By Pete Jung

1. The function of footings is primarily to:
     a. Transfer the loads of a structure to the slab
     b. Redistribute structural loads to the joists and beams
     c. Secure a building slab to prevent structural movement
     d. Transfer the loads of a structure to the soil        
 
2. The ground immediately adjacent to a foundation should slope away from
         the structure a minimum of:
     a. 12 inches within the first 12 feet  
     b. 8 inches within the first 4 feet
     c. 10 inches within the first 8 feet
     d. 6 inches within the first 10 feet

3. A thermocouple is an atmospheric gas burner:
     a. Inhibits flame rollout                            
     b. Senses the pilot flame
     c. Ignites the main flame
     d. Initiates spark ignition      

4. Where should the fasteners be installed on asphalt composition shingles?
     a. At the end of the tab
     b. At the keyway
     c. Between the glue strip and the keyway
     d. In the glue strip

5. The maximum sill height for a window that serves as an emergency egress
         should be no more than:
     a. 36 inches            c. 28 inches
     b. 44 inches            d. 52 inches
PRESS RELEASE
ASHI Certified Inspector Program Receives Re-Accreditation...
(May 11, 2015) -The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) received re-accreditation for its Certified Inspector program, which ensures the program maintains quality professional standards. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) has re-accredited the program through June 2019.

Homeowners should be aware that even in states regulating home inspectors, no state certifies inspectors. ASHI's third-party certification through the NCCA helps protect homeowners against unqualified and sometimes fraudulent home inspections.

"We believe that accreditation by a well-known and respected organization is an important step in maintaining our reputation for excellence in the home inspection profession," said Alden Gibson, president of ASHI. "Accreditation is a signal to homeowners that our ASHI Certified Inspectors (ACI) are held to the highest standards."

In order to renew its accreditation, ASHI had to demonstrate compliance with the NCCA's Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Since 1977, the NCCA has accredited certifying programs in a wide range of professions and it sets the highest quality standards in professional third-party certification.

ASHI has been accredited by the NCCA since 2009. There are currently more than 3,100 ASHI ACI members nationwide. Home inspections can help homeowners and buyers protect their financial assets and identify necessary home repairs to keep homes safe. Homeowners can find an ASHI inspector by visiting the ASHI website at www.ashi.org. ASHI's "Find a Home Inspector" directory allows homeowners to locate an inspector in their area, by language or by services provided.

Upcoming Inspectors Hour Speakers
Interested in doing a presentation for the Inspectors Hour?  Contact David Wingenbach to let him know, so he can discuss the details and get you on the schedule. Currently, these speakers are scheduled...
Jun - Pete Jung - History of Plumbing 
Jul/Aug - Summer break for meetings
NOVA ASHI Library
One of the many member benefits of the chapter is access to the materials in the Library.  Each of the Carson Dunlop Technical Subject Module binders comes with a CD-ROM playable on a computer which will present a slideshow of many examples of things to look for, and things to be aware of.  If you learn visually, the CD-ROM's are a great way to expand your knowledge.  There are many other learning tools available. Additionally, please suggest any materials, documents, etc. that you know of that will help our member's learn, use as a reference, or assist in passing the National Exam. Talk to Andy Ling or Jim Kasterko at the monthly meeting to see what materials may benefit you!    
2014-2015  Officers, Directors,
Committee Chairs and Representatives
President:   Fernando Barrientos
Vice President:   Tony Toth
Secretary:   Bobby Mayberry
Treasurer:   Jim Vaughn
Immediate Past President:   David Rushton
Director:   Isaac Kieffer (2014)
Director:   Jim Kasterko (2012-2014)
Director:   Dave Wingenbach (2013-2016)
Director:   David Boulter (2013-2016)
Warden:    Isaac Kieffer
Website Chair:   Serge DelHoyo
Newsletter Chair:   Scott Robertson
Library:   Jim Kasterko - Chair, Andy Ling
Membership Committee:   Pete Jung - Chair, Jim Kasterko
Education Committee Chair:   Fred Heppner
By-Laws Committee Chair:   Pete Jung
Legislative Chair:   Fred Heppner
CoR Speaker:   Jim Funkhouser
CoR Representatives:
   Dave Rushton, Tony Toth
CoR Alternate Speaker:   Jim Funkhouser
CoR Mid-Atlantic Group Leader (MAC ASHI):  Hollis Brown
ASHI Director:   Mark Londner
ASHI Education Committee:   Pete Jung, Jim Funkhouser
National ASHI Treasurer:   Mike Stephens
Standards:   Jim Funkhouser
Certification:   Jim Funkhouser
Public Relations:   Matthew Drifmeyer
Next Meeting
Tue - May 26, 2015
6:00pm - Inspectors Hour
6:00pm - Grey Group
6:00pm - Board of Directors
7:00pm - Chapter Business
8:00pm - Education Hour

Meeting Location
NVRC Offices
3951 Pender Drive, Suite 130
Fairfax, VA  22030

Inspectors Hour
Seth Hurlbert - Code Certification

Education Hour

Instead of the usual Education Hour, we will be answering questions brought by the chapter.     

Collect Your Member Benefits
Don't forget to pick up your Member Benefits: The latest Code Check book and the User Friendly Home thumbdrive. See Andy Ling or Jim Kasterko in the library at the meeting.
Grey Group

Every chapter meeting from 6:00 to 7:00 PM we hold an open forum where you can ask whatever question you can come up with or just listen to veteran inspectors discuss what's on their minds.

 

Some recent discussions include:
- How to report specific
       issues/concerns
- "Condo" concerns outside of
       HI scope
- Incomplete (new)
       construction, how to report
- How to protect fees for "legal"
       services

  

The Grey Matter Group is Top Secret; NO ONE TALKS ABOUT PERSONAL INFORMATION THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE GREY MATTER GROUP OUTSIDE OF THE ROOM UPON PAIN OF AN IMPROMPTU SPLENECTOMY WITH A SHOE HORN.

Call or Write us Any Time if you have a Question...don't wait until meeting night.

 

Jim Funkhouser 571-214-4039
Mark Londner 703-409-9762
Hall of Shame Pix?
Do you have pictures for us to use in the HoS slideshow?
Here's where to send them...

Odd months -  Jim Vaughn
Even months - Isaac Kieffer

Pictures submitted less than a week before the meeting may be used in the following months HoS slideshow.
2015 Calendar
May 26 -Monthly Meeting (MM)
Jun 23 - MM
Jul & Aug - No Meetings
Sep 22 - MM
Oct 27 - MM
Nov 24 - MM
Dec TBA - MM
Jan 24-27 - Inspection World
Radio Show
Reggie Marston's
"The House P. I."

Northern Virginia:
Wed's  2-3 PM
TV Ch 37 Cox/Verizon digital
TV Ch 27 Comcast digital
On the internet at:
www.fcac.org/radio-fairfax

Salem Radio Network
Saturday 9-10 am
www.srnonline.com

WTSB Raleigh, NC 1010 AM
Saturday Mornings 7-8 am
wtsbradio.com

WKQA Norfolk, VA 1100 AM
Sundays 1-2 pm
www.wkqaradio.com

Sponsor spots available,
contact Reggie Marston
O) 703-923-9769
M) 703-850-8990
www.remhomeinspections.com
NOVA ASHI - Scott Robertson | [email protected] | www.novaashi.org