Usually I try to come up with a fun, snappy title. I just can’t think of any fun snappy titles on the topic of tile grout. Really what I’m concerned with here is smoke-damage to tile grout. This always, obviously, … Continue reading →

Now, let me start by saying that quote is original with me. So if you use it in the future, I expect a citation. But if you think about it, it’s true. The early bird doesn’t always get the worm, … Continue reading →

The Environmental Protection Agency, as part of a settlement of litigation regarding the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP) rule, has agreed to a number of revisions to the 2008 RRP rule. One of these revisions involves vertical … Continue reading →

A valued customer suggested that I write a newsletter about a few difficult judgment-laden circumstances that come up in property claims handling. So I thought I’d write about some sticky wickets. What’s a wicket? Wicket comes from cricket. It is … Continue reading →

My dad always said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. However, I think we’d all agree that, pretty much, all the stuff that results from the demolition of damaged building parts is trash. What seems harder to agree … Continue reading →

There’s a book that used to be a bible of sorts, called How To Estimate Building Losses And Construction Costs. It was written by Paul Thomas, something of an apostle back in the days when property adjusting was done with … Continue reading →

We know Jesus was sinless, but was he perfect?  Did he ever hit his thumb with a hammer, or nick his finger with a saw blade?  This question has troubled theologians for centuries.  So I ask the question, could the … Continue reading →

As most of us know, the RICO law or the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is intended to allow law enforcement to more effectively prosecute “organized” criminals.  More recently it has evolved into a bludgeon used by government officials … Continue reading →

I’ve now entered my metallic age.  Silver hair, gold teeth, and lead bottom.  (Credit to Erma Bombeck for that turn of phrase).  And then there’s the mercury in my teeth.  Which could be removed.  Unlike that lead I was talking … Continue reading →