Lets get it right this time

[PAUL J. MAGRONE]

What do you make of this?

[lfoster]

Looks like there was a fire at some time in the past. Was it disclosed? There should be records in the insurance, county, city, fire department, etc.

Good luck, Linda


Could the spots on the underside be drywall texture?

[bfb]

OK I'm new and still studying for my test and I would even say this looks like fire damage and mold. Not 100% on the mold but the crisp black sheathing and rafters look like fire damage to me.

Billy

[Bruce M. Graham]

Paul,
Try this instead of Zip, much easier on all.

http://www.tangotools.com/jpegsizer/index.html

[whandley]

The white stuff has a plaster look to it. Any chance that's over spray from paint/plaster repair after the fire? Was it anywhere near the attic access or any other ceiling penetration that may have been open during the reconstruction process?

[Jerry B. Yost]

This afternoon I inspected a house that had never been occupied.
The rafters and the OSB were all painted silver, and a crappy job of it I might add. I looked for scorching but could not find any, because we know that sometiimes silver paint is used to cover fire damage.
I agree that the spots look like spakle.
Now I have a question:
Rheem 50 gallon gas water heater, out of the Drain Valve is a copper line that has 2 shut off valves, between the shut of valves is a mini motor that is plugged into an outlet that is in the heater closet in the garage. The water to all faucets and showers was not instant, and to the kitchen and furthest bathroom took as long as normally accepted, so I don't think that it was a recirculating motor, but maybe because of the lack of useage it was?

Any help as I write this up would be appreciated.

Jerry Yost
Golden Rule Home Inspections
http://www.grhi.info

[ccoombs]

I agree that it looks more like drywall texture vs. mold...from the pictures.

The signs of fire are present. However, the damage didn't look too bad in the pictures provided. The main concern with the situation would be the gang plates being heated and then quickly cooled by the fire department. However, I didn't see any gang plates. This suggests conventionally stacked....but I didn't see a ridge board. Very interesting framing.

[InspectorRiggs]

Now I have a question:
Rheem 50 gallon gas water heater, out of the Drain Valve is a copper line that has 2 shut off valves, between the shut of valves is a mini motor that is plugged into an outlet that is in the heater closet in the garage. The water to all faucets and showers was not instant, and to the kitchen and furthest bathroom took as long as normally accepted, so I don't think that it was a recirculating motor, but maybe because of the lack of useage it was?

Any help as I write this up would be appreciated.
-----------------------------------
I assume the supply lines from the heater were conventionally piped to the rest of the house? It sounds like a pump to aid in draining the tank once the drain valve has been opened. Where does the other end of the pipe go when it leaves the mini motor?