Ken Meyer

All true, but the roofer isn't obligated to improve it, just fix it. It has stood the test of time, it's been that way for 87 years, and according to the homeowner, they just tore off 5 layers!

Thanks, I think the guy who did the cuts will not be performing the repairs. I'm sure the homeowner would not even allow the guy near his house again.

Got a call from a homeowner this morning. He just has a new roof installed, they added ridge vents. The goof who cut the sheathing for the vents set his saw too deep and cut into every 2x4 rafter about an inch or so. Some of the rafters are now notched at the top where they meet the ridge board, which is a 2x4. The roofer is offering to repair the rafters by attaching plywood gussets on either side of each rafter. It seems like a reasonable fix to me, what do you think? Would it be better to sister some short pieces of 2x4 onto the cut rafters? Click to Enlarge 35.6 KB Click to Enlarge 39.44 KB Click to Enlarge 44.28 KB Click to Enlarge 47.74 KB

Jim was typing at the same time I was, he answered my question. The receptacle in question was labeled "GFCI protected" only.

If a GFCI receptacle replaces a 2 slot receptacle, it's ungrounded but acceptable, so what is the difference? I suppose it would be best to label the GFCI breaker protected receptacle I asked about "no equipment ground", but why is that not required when a GFCI receptacle is installed on a 2 wire circuit? At least I've never seen it done.

3 slot outlets on a 2 wire circuit are OK if they are protected by a GFCI breaker, correct? This would be similar to adding GFCI receptacles where only 2 wires are present, no?

It's a locate wire. They are color coded for each utility.

Here's a photo of a crimp connector. Click to Enlarge 46.82 KB

You will need to try one out at a store to see if the keyboard is comfortable for you, but the Asus netbook I have has the same size keyboard (92%), I find it easy to type on.

Did you try an automotive hand cleaner like GoJo? It's pretty good at getting sticky stuff off.

Is this flex line for a vented gas log fireplace bent too sharply? The installation instructions simply said "use proper bending procedures". My understanding from the Dormont installation instructions I found say no smaller than an inch and a half internal diameter (approximately the diameter of a golf ball). Click to Enlarge 40.51 KB

In an effort to decode their serial number system, I kept a log of serial numbers and dates from Wesco furnaces. (Till I got bored with it.) The most recent one I ever found was from 1990. I suppose they went out of business shortly afterwards. I was never able to decode their system -- heck, there may not have been a system; they might have just been consecutively numbered. If anyone's up for solving a puzzle, here's what I've got: 1972 - A-553166 1975 - B-474712 1978 - B-629503 1979 - B-668018 1979 - B-656649A 1980 - B-667591 1987 - B-802958 1988 - B-803857 1990 - B-805346 - Jim Katen, Oregon Found one today, serial # 616967, so that would make it 1977?

New construction, skinny house, in the first floor half bath there was a laundry chute coming from the upstairs hallway and a laundry hookup (well, part of one). I'm willing to bet the plumbing was roughed in and someone drywalled right over it. It doesn't do much good to have a dryer hookup if you can't get the clothes wet in the first place. Click to Enlarge 15.82 KB

I guess it didn't work against winged vermin. Of course, when you have a big opening like this, what can you expect? Click to Enlarge 51.4 KB

Thanks, made by Weyerhauser?

Can anyone identify this type of cellulose insulation? It has long fibers in it, looks like sawdust and wood fibers. Any idea if it would have been treated with fire retardant? There's only 3 or so inches of it, could it be covered with more blown in insulation? 1961 ranch. Click to Enlarge 56.95 KB Click to Enlarge 82.04 KB

It seems like English is not this guy's first language. I have most of them figured out, but XOLODI and CVET1 (if that's what they say) have me stumped. The panel is labeled in this order: left side:washer, furnace, dryer, bath plugs, 2nd floor lights, bedroom lights, garage right side: kitchen plugs, vac plugs (built in vacuum system), microwave, fridg, dinning plug (sic), disposle (sic), dishwasher, smoke alarms, 1st floor lights. It doesn't really matter what the labels on the conductors say, but I found it funny. My wife thinks the guy is Russian. Click to Enlarge 34.76 KB Click to Enlarge 31.83 KB Click to Enlarge 48.27 KB Click to Enlarge 28.1 KB

Thanks. I should have explained it better. These are the conductors connecting to the breakers and neutral bar in the main panel.

Is there any requirement that a trap has to be removable for cleaning? This one is tight against the bottom of the cabinet. Couldn't find anything in Code Check that addresses this. Yes, I know the sink stopper arm is disconnected. Click to Enlarge 21.04 KB

Is this considered bundling? The issue of bundling cables has been discussed here before, does it apply to individual conductors like this? This is inside the main panel. Click to Enlarge 22.69 KB

Here's one where the laundry room was moved to a new location and the old vent pipe was removed, but someone forgot to do anything with the old roof jack. It had been like that all winter, I was amazed not to find water stains on the ceiling below. Click to Enlarge 52.43 KB

First time I've seen one of these. It was nailed to the lowest siding course near the oil tank vent and filler pipe. It has many coats of paint on it, and is barely legible. I enhanced it to make it more readable, it seems to say for tank size 620 (gallons), and tank location ' 6 8". Does the location mean 6' 8" from the foundation, or something else? Click to Enlarge 24.33 KB

The double pole breakers in the top section of an old Murray split bus panel are splayed apart, while the ones in the lower lighting section are not. The breakers feel solid, no wiggle at all. The spacing between the 2 rows of breakers is even, and the panel cover fits normally. Is this the way they are supposed to fit? Click to Enlarge 79.22 KB

Randy, after reading your original post I looked into Sync Toy, and found that people were complaining about how the new version didn't work very well. There is some free file sync software out there, you could try CNET downloads for starters. There's one called Good Sync that I was about to try before I realized that my new Asus netbook has a file sync utility already installed. What brand of netbook do you have? If it's an Asus Eee, maybe you have Data Sync already. It's easy to use and works good, so far...

Thanks, I'd obviously never seen one before, either.