staples in places nails go?

[Clint W. Bell]

I received a call yesterday to do a inspection 200 miles from where I am located. I explained this to the person needing the inspection, and informed him that my usual fee for a 2100Sq ft home was 300 and there would be a 200 dollar fee for traveling that far. He agreed to a charge of $500.
Then he told me all the inspectors and agents in his area was in cahoots, and he wanted someone from far enough away to give him a good inspection. And he was willing to pay extra for it.
He said he had another inspector out last week and ran him off when he told him it was ok to use staples to put on facia board and trim, and soffet vents and eves. I have never seen staples used to do this before, and am sure it cannot be correct. I have seen roof shingles stapled on before and was informed by the shingle manu. that that voids the warranty for the shingles. Has any one seen staples used in these types of instances?

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by cbell1

I received a call yesterday to do a inspection 200 miles from where I am located. I explained this to the person needing the inspection, and informed him that my usual fee for a 2100Sq ft home was 300 and there would be a 200 dollar fee for traveling that far. He agreed to a charge of $500.
Then he told me all the inspectors and agents in his area was in cahoots, and he wanted someone from far enough away to give him a good inspection. And he was willing to pay extra for it.
He said he had another inspector out last week and ran him off when he told him it was ok to use staples to put on facia board and trim, and soffet vents and eves. I have never seen staples used to do this before, and am sure it cannot be correct. I have seen roof shingles stapled on before and was informed by the shingle manu. that that voids the warranty for the shingles. Has any one seen staples used in these types of instances?

No, but whatever is used must be galvanized and covered over with some sort of flashing.

[David P. Valley]

What a coincidence. I received a call yesterday from a prospect who asked for my IR pricing with a home inspection. I asked him what city the inspection was in and heard that the city is a long 2 hour drive away.

I told him that it would take me all day to do his particular inspection as it's a 2 hour drive there, 2-3 hours on-site and a 2 hour drive back. He then told me that he would pay me the fee that I would normally make on a busy 3 inspection day.

I booked it.

[ckratzer]

We used to use staples for sheathing in the 80's and also stopped useing them in the 80's.We found their gripping power was less than desireable as time went by and the sheathing was easily ripped off in high winds.

I've never in 28 yrs. of building and remodeling seen staples used in trim or soffit.I don't know any self respecting carpenter who would do that.

[Greg Bell]

After hearing his story I would require payment in advance with cash. Who knows what you might say that makes him want to run you off.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by ckratzer

We used to use staples for sheathing in the 80's and also stopped useing them in the 80's.We found their gripping power was less than desireable as time went by and the sheathing was easily ripped off in high winds.

I've never in 28 yrs. of building and remodeling seen staples used in trim or soffit. I don't know any self respecting carpenter who would do that.

But these yahoos are probably not licensed or carpenters by experience, just trying to act like a carpenter........frauds!!!

[John Evans]

When my daughter and son-in-law purchased their home in North Carolina, the agent contacted an inspection company. A team of three "experts" showed for the inspection. I reviewed their report, no photos included, the inspection fee was around $700.00 for a 2700 Sq Ft home! When we visited them following the inspection, I noticed the wood decking was STAPLED to the deck joists. Sections of the decking were loose, the staples were pulling out. Also, no joist hangers were placed at the ledger board and of course no ledger flashing. Then I realized that the deck was not included in the report, no mention at all, like it never existed! We also discovered a roof leak, with black mold on the roof sheathing. Amazing.

[Doug Edwards]

First off, consider what a staple is; basically a bent wire with little or no holding power. When we built houses we used sinkers (#8s) with a coating to attach sheathing. The coating heats up at it is being driven and further aids in the nails holding in the #2 SYP framing members. I have seen back in the 80s where some low end spec house builders would use staples to attach the thermo-ply on the sides and within days (sometimes hours) the ply would be flopping even in a light breeze. The only thing I use staples for is interior trim (very light gauge) and electrical wiring. The only real staples Ive ever seen that holds well in rough work is the ones they use to construct wooden pallets and it damages the wood something wicked; not something you want on a fascia or trim work.