A while back, I posted a blog asking when crawlspaces are too tight to go into.  Being the superman that I am, I just continued to slip into every hole that I could.  I never imagined that I would actually get stuck.  But it finally happened.  I finally got stuck in a tight crawlspace.  Of course, it would be in the farthest point from the crawlspace entrance.

The house was almost 90 years old with a stone foundation.  The first picture is where I got stuck, BEFORE I crawled in there.  The second picture is after I got stuck and couldn't back out that I decided to take my final pictures so that when someone found my body they would know what happened to me.  Eventually I relaxed, ripped my coveralls on some stones and slithered forward because I couldn't slither backwards.  The third picture is the area that I eventually slid through.  The last one shows how tight the final crawl was.  I couldn't even roll over to crawl better. I grabbed the floor joists and pulled on them to help slide myself forward.

The good news is that I discovered evidence of "what appeared to possibly be damage from wood destroying organisms".  See the termite tubes in photo 2?  And I saw several joists that were rotted completly in half (the right side of photo 3).  So it was good that I went back there.  I don't envy the contractor that has to make those repairs though.

Lesson learned.  Don't be a superman.  If it looks too tight - Don't go in!  But...... If I don't go in there then who will?  Maybe I'll listen to my own advice.  More than likely I won't though.

I just drove to Memphis the other day for a training session by PaRR Inspections (Partnership for Response and Recovery).  They are a company that works for FEMA and they subcontract inspectors whenever a FEMA disaster comes up (Like hurricane Dolly in Texas).

So, generally, this is how it goes:  When a FEMA disaster area is declared PaRR calls up all the inspectors who are available and fly them to the disaster area.  We get paid $50 per inspection and can expect to do roughly 10 a day.  These inspections aren't like normal home inspections.  They are very condensed and take somewhere around 30 minutes to do.  We work 7 days a week for as long as necessary to get all the FEMA claims processed. Usually around 2-3 weeks.  Then we return home with a nice fat paycheck.

I think this will be a nice supplement to my current inspections and can be a big help during slow times.

Have any of you completed this training and participated in disaster inspections?  I'm really interested in your feedback.  Is my description accurate?  Is it worth all the work to do this? 

Thanks for the comments!

Today I made a mistake.  I opened a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Panel (which is an obsolete system that is known for problems) and as I removed the cover the panel slipped and I tripped the main breaker.  Oops.  That wasn't the worst part, even though that was bad enough.

To fix the problem I created, I turned all the other breakers off and tried to reset the main.  Nothing happened.  Now I began to sweat bullets.  What had I done?

It wouldn't even stay in the ON position.  Now the seller (who was standing beside my client and the listing agent) became very upset.  She wasn't happy that I turned off her power and couldn't get it back on.

I tried to explain that it was an accident that I tripped the main, but it should have been able to be reset.  Because of an equipment failure (which was NOT my fault) the main couldn't be reset.  My client was happy that I inadvertently discovered this defect, even though the seller wasn't happy with that at all.  The seller proceeded to tell me how it was "fine" before I touched it and now she had no power because of my "negligence".

I didn't know what to do.  Would I have to pay to have her panel fixed?  Stab-Loks can't exactly be found at Home Depot.  Besides, she probably needs a new panel anyway.  Do I need to call my insurance?  Not exactly sure what else to do, I paniced.

Eventually I got out of the house, but the seller still didn't have power.  I spoke with an Inspector that I respect in the Nashville area and he reassured me that I only discovered a hidden defect of the panel and that I am not responsible for repairs. 

I still haven't told the seller that yet.  She won't be happy.  However, I am going to pay for an electrician to EVALUATE the panel tomorrow.  That, I believe will be the limit of my good faith toward the seller.

Should I do more?  Should I call my insurance?  What are your thoughts?

The panel also had several double taps and was in a cabinet with limited access.

When I try to post my blog to several groups it limits me to only five.   But, I saw another blog this morning that had his posted to 27 groups.  How did he do that?  And, is that appropriate blogging?  I don't know if it is good ettiquite to blast your post to everyone in the universe, but I have no idea how he did that.  This guy only had like 3000 points, so I know he hasn't done too much on this site.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

How long will this process take before it damages the pipe?   I see this frequently, especially in new homes.  This one is only several months old.  Imagine what it will look like in 15 years.  This is a photo of Iron hangers supporting copper pipes.  The dissimilar metals react with each other over time and cause corrosion.  Is this something that I should even be concerened about during my inspection, or is it simply cosmetic?

This is common practice in my area.  I see it in all new construction.  This home is 9 months old. Notice the wooden shims that are crushing under the girder.  How do you write this and what are your recommendations?

Also, under the same house, I found this.  This pier is leaning, the top blocks are not mortared in, and the girder is resting on several layers of shims.  Anyone else see this stuff?

This joist rests on the sill plate for several inches, but it is notched right at the edge to make room for the anchor bolt.  Will this cause the joist to split at this location or not?  Also, the anchor bolt is too close to the edge of the sill.  How do you write this up?

When do you become concerned about roof ventilation?  Most houses in my area have soffit vents, gable vents, and roof vents.  There are some areas however that don't have roof vents, but only the standard soffit and gable vents.  These always tend to be much hotter and I  wonder if this will affect the shingles above.  So, when do you get concerned and how do you write it up?

I just read an AR post by Mark Reusch called "Time to Pay Attention" that really struck a chord with me and I thought I would add my own twist on the topic.

Mark brought up the topic of heat injuries while working this summer.  I posted on his blog some general advice and warning signs, but I'll go into more details here.

There are 3 types of heat injuries: Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke.

In a former career, I was an Army officer and I saw lots of heat injuries here and overseas so I am very familiar with what I am talking about.  As a matter of fact, I have had heat cramps dozens of times, and heat exhaustion at least half a dozen times from pushing myself beyond the limit.  I know very well what MY limits are, but for those less familiar with their bodies this could be a deadly experience.

Heat Cramps - This is when your body is saying, "Hey, Dummy, its hot.  Get me some water."  You may experience heat cramps before heat exhaustion, but not always.  Some symptoms include headache (I feel mine in my upper neck at the base of the skull), muscle cramps (sometimes in the legs, under the chin, or in the feet).  Other abdominal cramps feel a little like severe gas pains that may double you over in pain.  I've been told that they feel a little like contractions during childbirth.  Get to a cool, shady area as soon as you can, SIP water (if you gulp it you may puke), rest for several minutes, take it easy, continue to drink water, and take frequent breaks.  Continue to monitor yourself to make sure you don't go into Heat Exhaustion.

Heat Exhaustion - This is when you body goes into overdrive to try and cool itself off.  You will also start to feel more effects of dehydration.  You may experience a severe headache, dizzyness, confusion, PROFUSE SWEATING (this is how your body is trying to cool off), pale cool clammy skin (a result of all that sweating), Possible heat cramps, tingling lips or other extremeties, Very dark urine (almost the color of weak coffee).  STOP IMMEDIATELY.  Move to a cool shady area, elevate your feet, loosen restrictive clothing like boots, unbutton your pants and belt (this is to help cool off and to help keep you from going into shock.) SIP water.  You may pour water on you, but drinking is the first priority if you have limited water.  An IV may be good now, but you probably won't have access to that.  Keep sipping water until your urine is clear.  You'll have a massive headache for the rest of the day and will be very tired (hence the name Heat Exhaustion).  You probably won't finish the inspection.

Heat Stroke - Your body runs out of water to cool yourself and you are screwed.  Headache, dizzyness, confusion, slurred speech, unconscousness, red hot dry skin (no more sweating, probable salt stains on clothing), tingling lips, no urine, shock, and death.  Treat the same as for Heat Exhaustion and call 911 immediately or they may die.

Tips to avoid heat injuries:  Drink lots of water the night before and during the inspection.  By the time you get thirsty, you are already low on fluids.  Avoid sodas, coffee, alcohol, and energy drinks (Red Bull) while inspecting.  If you drink Gatorade, use it in a 1:2 ratio.  For every 1 bottle of Gatorade, drink 2 bottles of water to help keep your electrolytes balanced.  Take breaks.  Don't over do it.  Use a Camelbak hydration system while inspecting (especially the attic) so you always have a drink.  I fill mine with water and add a little Gatorade powder so that it is at 1/3 the strength of regular Gatorade.  That way I don't have to drink separate water and Gatorade.

There are great sites on the web that tell a lot more information about this then I can list here.  Take care of your body and you will be much better off. Trust me.  I've pushed myself over the limit many times and have regretted it ever time.

I'm a fairly thin guy, but there are times that I really struggle to make it to every part of a crawlspace.  I try to be as thorough as I can so I take chances that others may not.  I want your feedback to see how others do it.  There have been times that I need to go under some pipes that I have to exhale, then exhale some more then put my face in the dirt and slip under.  Then I have to figure out how I'll get my butt under the pipe too.  Does that happen to you, or am I taking too many risks?  How do you Pro's do it?