Richard Moore

"Composite decking really is better than traditional wood decks because they are low maintenance and environmentally friendly." Trex and the other composites are good materials, and I have used it on my own deck and a couple of others I have built. But...the one big drawback I have found with my own west-facing Trex deck is that the stuff really soaks up and retains the heat on hot, sunny days. There are times when you really can't walk comfortably on it with bare feet. And I have the lightest color they make. If I had to do it again (which I won't), I would go for Ipe (ironwood) over Trex, even though that's a bit more work to install. I don't know if the composites with hollow channels have the same problem(?), but I'd be reluctant to recommend the solid "Trex" type decking for an exposed south or west facing deck. Sorry for the slight thread drift...good article.

See #45 Brian.

Back to GFCIs for garage door openers... If you have a detached, vault style garage (no other entrance) just make sure that there is a keyed emergency release for the door opener. I did a pre-list inspection last week on an 1910 home with, mostly, newer wiring. Old, detached garage with a newer door and opener. The owner is following me around, and he opens the door using a remote. The garage was so full of "stuff" that you couldn't get more than a foot or so into it. I do a cursory inspection from the doorway and I explain to him that I can't even see any wall receptacles, never mind get to them, but they would need to be GFCI protected. I also strongly recommend a keyed release so that someone could access the garage in case of a power outage. He then closes the door while I start looking around the outside to check how the power is fed to the garage. I find the UG conduit feed behind some plants (looks OK) and also an exterior non-GFCI receptacle. And that's when I had my brain fart!!! I stick the old Suretest in the receptacle and then, despite having just talked about the need for an emergency release, I go ahead and test the exterior receptacle for GFCI. I think something in my head was saying don't do it, but I couldn't stop myself. Sure enough, I hear a click from inside the garage, and immediately start praying the opener was NOT protected. Sheepishly, I ask the owner to try the opener again and, of course, is doesn't respond. @%%#!!! The one small fixed window doesn't appear to offer any access and I'm feeling really stupid and embarrassed. Fortunately, the owner knew the window was only held in place by a couple of bent over nails inside and we were eventually able to jimmy it open. I could then see the GFCI along the interior wall but it was well out of reach. Boosted the younger, skinnier owner through the window and he then "body surfed" over his junk to the receptacle and reset it. Nice guy, and we had a laugh over it, but yet another of those "Doh!" moments for me. I think they're coming more rapidly!

Don't take this the wrong way Clay, but when you electrocute yourself doing this, would you hold us blameless for saying it's OK...even it it was? You need to have this done by a LICENSED ELECTRICIAN!!! He will probably tell you that you will need to also upgrade the service drop and meter, etc as, presumably, they were designed for a single panel in your home.

Chad and Surely, Thanks. No tempering valves, at least at the vanity and kitchen sinks. Very basic set up with standard "cheap" Delta faucets.

Had a small, 2br/1ba, all electric, condo in a 32+ unit building today. New construction, no apts occupied yet. When I tested the dryer receptacle, I measured 208 volts instead of the expected 240. Ok...I understand that the units' regular panels would be fed from a 3 phase system (no access to the electrical room in the underground garage) but this is a first for me (or at least the first time I've measured 208 at a vacant dryer receptacle). Here's my "problem"...When I first arrived, the dishwasher was on the end drying cycle, so someone had obviously been in the unit an hour or so before. I test the hot water temp before restarting it (I want to see for myself it doesn't leak) and only get about 101F. Hmmm...seems low. At the end of the inspection I test it again and still only 101. Thermometer is working OK and WH connections are OK. Seems to me that the "factory set" thermostats are screwed or the recovery rate sucks. I can't imagine the builder resetting the thermostats to a lower setting (this is not a retirement home). Looking at the label of this brand new water heater I see that it is 240/208 but the wattage is reduced almost 22% when used on 208 volts. I did check the AO Smith install manual and found no special wiring for 208. Image Insert: 68.94 KB I'm passing this back to the builder to investigate, repair as needed, and/or explain to the satisfaction of my client but, my questions... Surely the WH thermostats should work the same at both voltages...yes? Are there more "efficient" 208v water heaters that you would typically install when you knew the service would be derived from 3-phase? How much slower would the recovery rate be? 22%? More? Does this cause any "issues" for the other 240/208 appliances? I've probably "missed" measuring 208 volts before in occupied condos. So, finally, does anyone measure voltage across the main lugs at the unit's panel? I think I'm going to start doing that when I have no other convenient outlet.

Yep, it's a shame that we need a code of ethics at all. The truth is that these "laws", just like the laws against robbery, child abuse, murder, etc, etc, have to be in place to disuade the pond slime that are inclined that way. And, of course, even with those laws these things still happen...constantly. In my ideal world, on my perfect island, filled with only decent people, we have no need for any laws at all and get along just fine.

"...he said he thought it was about six years old." That means it's at least 8 years old. I've had a few pre-listing inspections in the last weeks. Every time the owners told me when they thought they had replaced an appliance, it turned out they were off by at least two years. Probably just the way the mind works. I've never seen a Champion water heater. Who makes them?

Yes, I would like to commend the participants for the reasoned and scholarly way they have pursued this delicate subject matter to date. Our sophisticated membership is fully cognizant that there are differing views worthy of consideration. On this particular subject, like most, I may have my own strongly held opinions, but, as I’m always open-minded, I feel that the bizarre loonies that disagree with me are fully entitled to their absurd notions.

Not the expert here but... Aside from the unknown conditions of the older fuse panel and wiring, none that I can think of. Even if the 200-amp panel has a 200-amp main breaker, it's just acting as a big on/off switch with the OCP provided by the fuses. I guess I'd just make sure the clients understand that they do NOT have a 200-amp service. I'd probably also tell them that it would be relatively simple to upgrade to 200-amps if they wished to do so at a later date.

Yep! I had already inspected the water heater and knew it only had the normal connections, which is why I was dead certain, but dead wrong, it wasn't a circ system. Never occured to me that you could, or would want to, use the cold supply as the return loop. It wasn't even that big a house, the water heater was centrally located, and so it wouldn't be that long a run to the kitchen. Besides the filter, I have this picture in mind of limp lettuce after rinsing it with hot water. Thanks to Jim and his prompt reply I was able to explain it in the report, along with the downside. And, of course, I know something I didn't before. TIJ is the best for this. If I had tried this over at IN I'm sure one certain individual would have cut and paste about 20 pages of code "explaining" (term used very loosely) everything BUT what I needed to know.

I sure hope this isn't going to negatively affect my Grumpy Old Fart status! I've worked hard to earn that.

It's actually kind of funny with the water filter in place. "Anyone want a nice refreshing glass of filtered warm water?" Anyway...thanks Jim. I live and learn!

Well...I'll be....!!! Jim, I thought I had the various risers traced, but it was such a rat's nest that it was difficult to keep track of what went where. Looking at your photo, it does make some sense that it might be a re-circ system, of sorts. But, then my next question would be...if you are pumping hot water around the house using the cold water supply as the return to the water heater, wouldn't that mean that you would initially get hot water at the cold tap? That doesn't seem very desirable.

I found this under a kitchen sink today. Image Insert: 92.13 KB Image Insert: 76.74 KB It's a small pump, on a timer, fed from the cold stop-valve, going to the kitchen sink faucet. House pressure was fine at 55 PSI. The sink was fitted with a faucet-mounted Pur water filter. I know squat about these filters and my first thought was that the Pur filter needed extra pressure to function, or for increased flow when being used. I've checked the Pur website and can't find anything in the install & use manuals that would suggest the need for one. But...I can't think of any other reason for it(?). I do know it's definitely not a hot water circulation pump. Not a big deal, I really don't "inspect" these filters, everything seemed to work OK, no leaks, etc, and I'm recommending the client ask the absent seller about it. I did tell him I would ask my "knowlegable on-line colleagues" about it, but I made no promises he would get an answer that way. So...I'm curious! Never seen one before. Was wondering if anyone else had.

Thanks Gary, I only signed up about a week ago to donate some money elsewhere, and hadn't really looked into the nuts and bolts. In fact, if Chad hadn't already sent his money to my account, I probably wouldn't even have thought of Paypal as an option for this. On the business side...Yeah, I see now about the upgrade to a business account. I guess I've never felt the need to accept anything but checks or cash. It's just never been an issue and I don't believe I've lost any business over it, although maybe I have and don't know it. While I can see that the fee is fairly minimal, for a single transaction, my fear is that if I did offer it as an option a bunch more, who would otherwise pay by check, might take that route and the fees over the year would add up. Have to ponder that some more.

Hi Randy, Actually, I'm very new to Paypal too. I think you can do it with a credit card and without setting up an account but I just discovered I can only accept up to 5 non-Paypal transfers or I have to change to a business account...or something(?). Anyway...I've had 2 like that so far. So...for those of you that don't already have a Paypal account, snail-mail would be a better option for me. Thanks, Richard

OK...there seems to be a problem with some of the PM links. For instance when I click on Brian G's name to send a PM it ends up sending it to just "Brian" who is someone else. I had the same issue with Jack Ahern. I've resent those (I hope plain old "Brian" and "Jack" don't send money). I think I got the rest right. No PM here. Did you get mine? - Jim Katen Ummmm, no Jim. Didn't get anything from you at all. It looks like the same issue. I just tried the same sequence with my name and it would have gone off to just "Richard", who evidently lives in Toronto. So...sorry, but you missed out on this, but I'm sure Mike knows you still love him! [] I'm going to post something for the gnomes about this in another thread.

I just sent 13 PMs out to y'all...one each. Or at least I think they went out(?). Let me know if you didn't receive one. Richard

Thanks Kurt et al. That's all we need! The rest of you can save your money for when I start my Ferrari fund.

"Rich, what do you mean "keeping multiple windows in view?" Is there a way to do that other than changing tabs?" I wasn't crazy about the tabs so I turned them off and just open new windows the old way.

OK. I make that 12 + me. Close enough, although I'll take one more. Someone (or Mike) e-mail or PM me Mike's address and I'll get it ordered this morning (from Tiger Direct) before I have to leave for my pm inspection. As for paying me, I'll shoot each of you a PM with my address later. I know this is all a little wierd. but it's fun to put an unexpected grin on someone's face now and then. I also know that some won't read this in time to partake. Mike...it doesn't mean those guys don't appreciate you too! ------------------------- Update: Ordered. Mike, expect it on the 16th. (I'll update that if it changes once I get the tracking info). BTW...I phoned Mike to get his address. He started to get all warm and fuzzy and I basically told him to just shut up and accept it. I think he probably has a happy buzz going on. For all you fine gentlemen who said yes, Thanks. I'll PM you later when I have some more time.

"Thanks, but I wasn't begging; " I know that! I wouldn't have made the offer if I thought you were. Consider it a random act of kindness...and a thank you. The offer and challenge stands! What say you all? All I need is 13 others (the first 13) to say yes, and I'll buy it for him. We can arrange payment later.

I got a good deal at Costco on one of the last XP system Gateways in January, 2007. Part of the reason I went for it was the monitor, a 21" rotatable widescreen. Not quite as big as the one in the link and it doesn't have built-in speakers, but same resolution. I rarely use the portrait mode but, occasionally, it's a nice feature to have. The extra width is very handy for keeping multiple windows in view. Also great for viewing 16/9 photos of our son (the dog). I don't know what you are using now Mike but, considering the time you dedicate to this forum, I think you should definitely have it. In fact, I think we should buy it for him!!! Looks like we would need about $280 total to cover shipping. I'm going to make this easy... I'd be willing, even happy, to donate $20 to the cause. Do I have 13 other TIJ regulars willing to shell out a mere $20 to buy Mikey a better monitor, as a thanks for all his hard work here??

"Sometimes the heat-saving nipples rattle." Yeah, I've had that ever since I changed out my water heater a few years back. Even rattles when I'm just using the cold. I understand there's a marble in these things? On the bright side, I just went and felt my connectors directly above the water heater and even the hot side is barely warm to the touch...so they do work.