Affiliated with the Boy Scouts, one way or another, for about 50 years, I can tell you definitively that there is no such thing as a Boy Scout knot.  There's no Boy Scout knife either, but I digress.

Don't get me wrong.  Knots are very important to Scouts.  They use anything from the simple square not and sheet bend, to the more complex taut lines and lashings.  Know which knots to use and when is very important.

Anytime something is supported or hung, you want to use the proper materials and set it in place for the long run.

For something as important as a gas pipe you want to be especially diligent.

In this case, if the gas line is sinking, how about some nice TV antenna wire?

Sure, wrap it around itself, the gas pipe once, a bunch of times around nail or two, and if there's some left over, why not use it for the electrical cable nearby?

There was probably plenty left on the spool. 

And yes, there was an old, probably unused, TV antenna still up on the chimney!

Waste not, want not.

And don't worry about the other side.  It can just get supported up on top of the HVAC duct work!  Say, is that duct separating just a bit?

Doesn't that just engender a boatload of confidence that the gas line will be forever supported!?

Brings to mind a line from an old song, "He ain't heavy, he's my gas pipe..."   Or something like that.

It's important that things like this get corrected, and corrected properly by a professional.

GAS LINES AREN'T SOMETHING YOU WANT TO FOOL AROUND WITH! 

That's my experience anyway!

My recommendation:  when you run into a homeowner repair that is obviously not correct, especially when it's dangerous, mention it to your client, or the home inspector if it's during an inspection.  I have found that many eyes are better than two!

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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67 Comments on To Knot Or Not To Knot, That Is The Question

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUL
14
2011
Outside Blog

Hey Jay,  I know a lot of people "fix" things around the house, but since becoming a Realtor, I have seen things that truly amaze me!
1:32pm • #49
195,962 Points Outside Blog

I too have seen amazing DIY projects that are dangerous to the safety and welfare of their household. I often wonder, how homeowners justify their families safety by saving a few dollars and not employ a professional.
2:17pm • #50
119,891 Points 1 Featured Post

Great post but unfortunately not an unusual find.

I remember finding soft copper water pipes held with electrician's plastic tape and a humidifier secured to the duct by a knotted rope. I don't even want to get into duct tape but would add that I recently saw and article where a plane in Alaska was repaired after a bear attack for flight back out with the stuff. Scary!
2:59pm • #51
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nana - that Boy Scout knot myth has been out there since before I became a Cub Scout a century ago!  And Nanas need eyes all over their head, whatchu talkin' bout?

Thanks Michael.  It was not only nice meeting you and them, but having some fun while doing the inspection.  And if I'm going to be stuck anywhere, at the top of your list would be the spot!

And I'm glad you do Liane!  "Creative maintenance" is a very good term!

Bruce - the long run is the only way to think!  There's too much planned obsolescence in our society!

D&B - I see so many TV antennas that ought not to be there!  People use what is nearby, unfortunately.
6:06pm • #52
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jon - my legal name is Jon, spelled the right way!  I have seen things that would truly amaze you too!

Kimo - I think that sometimes people just don't know!  What you don't know can be very dangerous too.

Marshall - you are right about that!  Not bad mixing the plumbing and electrical like that.  And what's wrong with duct tape for plane repairs?  Have you never seen those two guys on TV and their duct tape remedies?
6:08pm • #53
199,383 Points 5 Featured Posts

Wow.  It's crazy how many home owners do not properly resolve an issue and cut corners when making repairs that can be potentially dangerous down the road.
8:11pm • #54
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Well, Patricia, people can be very creative when they need to get things done!  This is a gas line though!
8:24pm • #55
229,843 Points 1 Featured Post

Thats why we always do inspections.  The quick fix is not always the best fix.
8:50pm • #56
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And/or no fix at all Bill!  This was no fix!
9:10pm • #57
127,709 Points

One of my clients has a great response for this, "Stay away from the Home Depot"
10:50pm • #58
JUL
15
2011
Outside Blog

Hey Jay, don't all repairs have to be completed in the most convenient way possible? I know it's going beyond the scope of what you're pointing out here. But I've noticed overy the past 10-15 years that the Home Depot slogan "You Can Do It, We Can Help" doesn't apply to everyone. Sometimes I wish that people who aren't handy could just accept that fact, and hire a professional !!!
4:26am • #59
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That works Mike.  And the DIY shows on TV!  So often I see those people on TV do things wrong!

Jeff - they don't have to be, but the often are!  That slogan is a part of the problem!

 
5:17am • #60
701,437 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay, no excuse for that. Glad you didn't see an old ashtray laying around either. That would have made things really lively!
3:02pm • #61
1,023,536 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I once used a clothes hanger to repair the rusted out gas pedal mechanism under the hood of my 72 Ford F100.  It worked so good it became my permanent and cheap fix.  But probably not a good idea for a home.
3:08pm • #62
567,760 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

That guy is a homeowner pro. No bailing wire for him, he uses top quality materials.
3:49pm • #63
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Lyn - every time we had clay time at camp I made an ashtray.  Really creative guy...

Gene - sounds like the perfect fix to me!  Ranks up there with my chewing gum screen silencer! 

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2284563/gumming-up-the-works

Jim - when the right thing is beside you, obviously you go with it!  Baling wire?  C'mon!
6:00pm • #64
127,543 Points

It's amazing the kind of quick fixes that are exposed during a home inspection!
9:37pm • #65
JUL
16
2011
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This was a pretty fun one Gerard!  Creativity never ends!
6:03am • #66
JUL
18
2011
227,631 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I've been at 99% of my clients' home inspections over the past 14 years and I've seen stuff like this a lot.
9:17pm • #67
975,160 Points 350 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It is everywhere Benjamin, trust me.  And so is Uncle Bob.  That guy gets all over the country!
9:33pm • #68

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


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