Stephen Lagueux

I know, I know, I misunderstood the concept [:-banghea and got carried away..... arghhhhhh. now looking for a hole to crawl in.... Click to Enlarge 30.33 KB

I checked a few receptacles today for bootleg grounding in a 1974 home and found a few as seen on the pictures. I even got a 120 reading when checked the screw just for the heck of it (second pic). I also checked the range and dryer receptacles. As expected, I got the 240 v. reading when I checked the 2 lines and 120 v. when checked seperatly with the neutral. Where it gets interresting is, I also got a 120 v. reading when I checked the lines with the ground. Now, the way to get this reading is if the ground conductor is bonded with the neutral in the panel or, the receptacles were previously wired using 3 wire cables and someone changed the receptacle to accomodate newer ranges and bootleged the ground. The issue that I have with this is that the appliance's body, being most likely bonded, could get energized if a voltage surge occurs and would pose a serious risk of electric shock. (same concerns on any bootleged 120 v. outlets). What about you guys, what do you think of the energized ground on the 240 volts receptacles? Click to Enlarge 25.29 KB Click to Enlarge 24.33 KB Click to Enlarge 27.39 KB Click to Enlarge 24.53 KB

Thanks for the info. I'm no chimney specialist. WETT certification should be my next formation.

thanks for the link John, I appreciate.

For the Cannucks out there, I can't find anything in the Canadian Building Code for brick support (lenghtwise). Anything? How about on the US side, what does the code say? Click to Enlarge 56.46 KB

yes, a 3 ft minimum height is required and the chimney should be 2 ft higher than any structure in a 10 ft radius. In that case, I suspect the taller chimney was installed after which would explain the height difference and the roof vents are brand new.

those are wood fire place

you're right, in that case it is not that critical and it is not really worth mentioning. The 4 ft clearance is from the manufacturer's installation guide. The vent should not be closer than 4 feet to any structure, wall, chimneys or anything that is higher.

I was told by the actual owner that the previous owner used to use this closet as a wine seller and this was some kind of climate control system. Ever seen one of those? Click to Enlarge 35.62 KB

That's right!! the vent requires a 4 ft clearance, thanks for reminding me.

Twinhouse, what should be the proper clearance in between the 2 chimneys? The distance here is 20 inches. Click to Enlarge 70.81 KB

I guess it would make sense to limit the breaker size next to the main. I'll try to contact siemens just to see what they say about it. Thanks guys.

100 amps Siemens sub panel. Beside its obvious informational role, this 25 amp. max sticker right next and, pointing to the 100 amp main breaker makes me wonder which one should'nt be there, the sticker or the breaker?? What say you? [:-banghea Click to Enlarge 45.77 KB

Just found this link on mechanical roof fasteners. looks pretty much like the picture, made from Firestone Tire and rubber Co. http://www.google.com/patents/EP0276708B1?cl=en

One easy way would be to check with local drywall suppliers. If they ever bought chinese drywall, it would be easy to locate (at least some of it) as every sell slip has the job refference on it. They can talk directly to drywall hangers, they'll tell you if they've hung that type of drywall. But I'm sure the HCC has already thought of it....

That is probably true, a roof rake from the ground will only reach a few feet up. A good samaritan will usually go up on the roof to finish the job with a snow shovel. If you look at the recessed shingles from your pics, they show lot less damage except on lower edges. That would be consistant with shovel scrapings.

I see this type of damage on shingles after a couple of years of shoveling and scraping snow off of roofs.

Yes indeed, had many close calls and I made it part of my ritual.

Actually, what looks like a spliced neutral conductor is actually the grounding electrode conductor. That so called electrician must have bonded the 2 disconects together thinking that this would provide proper grounding to the second system. By doing so, he merged a 200 amp service to a 100 amp. making this a very dengerous situation imo. Click to Enlarge 50.64 KB

yeah, looks like I get them all. You're right, it used to be one house where someone added an appartment to it. There was some sort of home made ventilation device connected to the chimney in the basement. I think we can say there was horticulture activity in there.

Duplex, one 200 amp service entrance, the other 100 amp. Both service disconect bonded together. That can't be right, right? Oh by the way, yes on the 3rd and 4th pic. those are hanging live wires. I almost craped my pants when I saw that. Click to Enlarge 78.13 KB Click to Enlarge 54.62 KB Click to Enlarge 90.31 KB Click to Enlarge 87.9 KB

did you check the returns? There could be valves there...

I've seen those type of fasteners where a spike is welded to the steel deck to hold down foam pads. To see them through the membrane kind of defeats its purpose in the first place.

Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation (2008). For those interrested, BSR-IICRC S520 draft Standard is available untill August 19, 2013 for review and comment as part of the ANSI 45-day public review period. Access the draft Standard and Comment Form from the link below. http://www.iicrc.org/standards/iicrc-s520/

In the vaulted Ceiling? Have them get rid of the bats asap and seal off all penetrations. Bat droppings can be very hazardous to human health. Chances are they will have to replace some insulation and/or wood plancking too.