No trees are in the area, it just might have leaky wax seals or something (house built in 1972).But if they had found a tampon or several, or something jammed in there, how would I break the news that they were going to have to pay for that?

Granite requires regular sealing, and it does stain!

The only thing about natural stone tile is that you have to seal it with a stone sealer before you grout it.

Use a good sealing primer.

I plan for a minimum of $2k for code inspection work- sidewalks, window locks, trip hazards, maintenance issues (basement wall sealing, exterior brick work, painting exterior trim on windows, screens, and then all of the expected- plumbing, HVAC cert, chimney cert, electrical,  and on and on.)  

. - A petitionhaving been duly filed by XXXX who is/aredomiciled at XXXXYOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before theSurrogate's Court, New York County, at 502, 31Chambers Street, New York, New York, on FEBRUARY 17,2012, at 9:30 o'clock in the fore noon of that day,why a decree should not be made in the estate ofXXXX aka latelydomiciled at XXXXX States admitting to probate aWill dated October 5, 2009 (and Codicil(s), if any,dated) a copy of which is attached, as the Will ofXXXX deceased, relating to real and personalproperty, and directing that: Letters Testamentaryissue to XXXXDated, Attested and Sealed, December 29, 2011HON.

Replacing pump seals was an annual event.

The resin of the coating sucks into the more porous areas and sits on top of the sealed areas, leaving a dull spot where your repair was made.  

Wife ain't too pleased with a 19" rack in her pantry it has to be said, but until she can move 200lbs, that's where it'll be.Wires will be soldered and shrink sealed just by the light itself for ease.

I would then seal up the chimney and cover the whole area with dry wall.