Help Steve Dave Build A House (NOW HELP HIM TAKE CARE OF IT)

[GoodForAnother]

Question for elite construction/HVAC cats. How important is it to have fiberglass encapsulated lining on your HVAC system? Our new house apparently was built with just fiberglass lining (?), which I've heard can be bad for the lungs long-term. I am a distance runner for my career and I moonlight as an opera singer so I need my lungs for a long long time.

Do you mean duct board?





It will last a long time and be safe as long as it was installed correctly.

I mean, I guess? Those were the terms I jotted down when I was on the phone talking to potential inspectors. This one guy went out of his way to call me back later and talk to me about encapsulated fiberglass lining or whatever. So our house hasn't been inspected yet, but this is something that'll show up on an official home inspection, right?

Can you HVAC studs give me some terms to ask the inspector/builder about? Stuff that, like, I should definitely make sure they check? I will write them down and bring them into the inspection with me.

why did you hire a home inspector that needs to be reminded what to check?

[SkinnyBenny]

we haven't hired anybody, we just called around for price quotes and one guy started spouting a bunch of random unsolicited stuff about encapsulated fiberglass.

[IPA4Me]

Question for elite construction/HVAC cats. How important is it to have fiberglass encapsulated lining on your HVAC system? Our new house apparently was built with just fiberglass lining (?), which I've heard can be bad for the lungs long-term. I am a distance runner for my career and I moonlight as an opera singer so I need my lungs for a long long time.

Do you mean duct board?





It will last a long time and be safe as long as it was installed correctly.

I mean, I guess? Those were the terms I jotted down when I was on the phone talking to potential inspectors. This one guy went out of his way to call me back later and talk to me about encapsulated fiberglass lining or whatever. So our house hasn't been inspected yet, but this is something that'll show up on an official home inspection, right?

Can you HVAC studs give me some terms to ask the inspector/builder about? Stuff that, like, I should definitely make sure they check? I will write them down and bring them into the inspection with me.

I'd hire an hvac contractor to inspect the system separately from the home inspector. Most HI have no clue where hvac is concerned.

Back to your OP, I misread the insulation type. I wouldn't lose much sleep about encapsulated insulation vice standard duct liner. If there's a concern, buy a particulate counter and check for airborne. I doubt you'll see much in the way of insulation fibers.

[Tobias]

make sure your ducts are actually all connected, for starters

[star seed 7]

yup, make sure to have an hvac salesman inspect your hvac system so you get an impartial report on if you need to replace that hvac system or not for thousands of dollars.

also make sure to get the honeywell salesman's advice on which thermostat to use.

[IPA4Me]

make sure your ducts are actually all connected, for starters

Heh. Wise man.

[IPA4Me]

yup, make sure to have an hvac salesman inspect your hvac system so you get an impartial report on if you need to replace that hvac system or not for thousands of dollars.

also make sure to get the honeywell salesman's advice on which thermostat to use.

Actually I'd recommend someone certified in building performance and whole house analysis. Not likely to find a  salesman that can perform the required testing.

[SkinnyBenny]

It's a brand new house, fwiw. Not quite completed but should be in about two weeks.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

Can't you just install like one of those ones that you can detach and has a hose and you can hold it with your hand and manipulate it how you want?  That's how they all are in Europe so I assume it's better (but I don't know why).

you mean a detachable wand?

[Mikeyis4dcats]

we haven't hired anybody, we just called around for price quotes and one guy started spouting a bunch of random unsolicited stuff about encapsulated fiberglass.

you don't just hire a home inspector out of the phone book.   Get referrals and ask to see copies of reports on properties to see how thorough they are.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

Question for elite construction/HVAC cats. How important is it to have fiberglass encapsulated lining on your HVAC system? Our new house apparently was built with just fiberglass lining (?), which I've heard can be bad for the lungs long-term. I am a distance runner for my career and I moonlight as an opera singer so I need my lungs for a long long time.

Do you mean duct board?





It will last a long time and be safe as long as it was installed correctly.

I mean, I guess? Those were the terms I jotted down when I was on the phone talking to potential inspectors. This one guy went out of his way to call me back later and talk to me about encapsulated fiberglass lining or whatever. So our house hasn't been inspected yet, but this is something that'll show up on an official home inspection, right?

Can you HVAC studs give me some terms to ask the inspector/builder about? Stuff that, like, I should definitely make sure they check? I will write them down and bring them into the inspection with me.

I'd hire an hvac contractor to inspect the system separately from the home inspector. Most HI have no clue where hvac is concerned.

Back to your OP, I misread the insulation type. I wouldn't lose much sleep about encapsulated insulation vice standard duct liner. If there's a concern, buy a particulate counter and check for airborne. I doubt you'll see much in the way of insulation fibers.

our HI has MEP contractors come in and review those trades as part of his services.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

It's a brand new house, fwiw. Not quite completed but should be in about two weeks.

still want to have it inspected obviously....lots of shitty builders out there.   at a minimum you want a NABI inspector, but get referrals from realtors, lenders, etc.

[Mrs. Gooch]

Say, anyone here know someone that died while taking a shower?

I do.

Yeah, me too.

[Tobias]

doesn't CNS have a haunted shower now?

[AppleJack]

people who have sprinkler systems - how do these things work? is there like an on/off switch somewhere? timer? is your water bill bananas?

[steve dave]

people who have sprinkler systems - how do these things work? is there like an on/off switch somewhere? timer? is your water bill bananas?

Have never not owned one so can't comment on bill differences but you can set them to do whatever you want. Come on at a set time on set days for set amounts at each station. Can't imagine not having one.

[WonderMeal]

A few questions for SD:

1) How's the sod doing? How tall is it?
2) How many times has Mrs. SD used the giant tub?
3) Quick thermostat update, plz.
4) Did you ever buy those soaker houses for the plants that the sprinklers don't reach, or are you still watering them w/ the hose? are they dead?

If you're only going to answer a few, answer in order of priority: 4, 3, 1, 2.

TIA

[steve dave]

1) ok, mowed it three times. It's kind of brownish because we had to have the sprinkler shut off for a few days to replace a valve

2) bath total is 2 and no sign of additional baths on the horizon

3) love the nest. So convenient and like the reports it sends me on usage.

4) alive. Water about once a week. Usually mrs Dave does it while I mow

[sys]

people who have sprinkler systems - how do these things work? is there like an on/off switch somewhere? timer? is your water bill bananas?

dunno, dunno, yes, yes.

[CNS]

doesn't CNS have a haunted shower now?

Yes.

[SkinnyBenny]

we haven't hired anybody, we just called around for price quotes and one guy started spouting a bunch of random unsolicited stuff about encapsulated fiberglass.

you don't just hire a home inspector out of the phone book.   Get referrals and ask to see copies of reports on properties to see how thorough they are.

All the people I called are referrals from friends and realtors, and I've got a bunch of stud reports already.

[ednksu]

SD please update on lawn care equipment.  Did you stick with battery powered trimmers? 

[steve dave]

SD please update on lawn care equipment.  Did you stick with battery powered trimmers?

Yes, it works great. Can trim, edge and blow off the place in one charge.

[Institutional Control]

steve dave, get a toaster that burns a selfie on it and your house is complete.

You wife will love seeing your face every morning with her cup of coffee.

http://www.burntimpressions.com/

[steve dave]

I'm going to mow my grass again tonight guys