Jerry Simon

Client wants to put foam-tube insulation on all copper water supply lines pre-drywall for sound insulation. Any cons to doing this?

Women develop brains when pregnant? Blondes too?

Got the job. Thanks, Katen; gonna use the Dollar Store line more often.

It's easier to move into position to terminate at the lug. It also gives you some slack if the lug goes bad and you have to cut the conductor. 2/0 is hard to bend. I've been up to 750 MCM in an industrial plant. It puts ropes in your forearms after a couple years. Marc That makes sense, though it appears if the wires were cut to the exact, minimum length needed, one could pull the middle of each cable toward themselves and easily slip the end of the wire into the lug (as was probably done with the neutral). How 'bout the bend radius? Okay?

Why did the electrician put these *loops* in the two hot SEC's, instead of cutting the wiring and running same straight down into the main lugs - as was done with the neutral cable? Does the cable bending appear excessive (I think it does). And, what's the problem with over-bending; damaged internal cable wiring (and if so, how does the damage pose a problem)? Click to Enlarge 55.27 KB

Mike, All contact has been by email. I'm just getting used to this; probably half my initial contacts are by email. I'm glad I carry a smart phone. I like your Jower's phrase.

Though it pains me to say anything too terribly nice to you, this is brilliant. I'm going to take advantage of our friendship and, with impunity, steal it from you. I wish everyone would steal it. We'd all benefit from it. I got a fence-sitter right now; me, or the cheaper guy. I'll see if my email to her tips her in my favor. All I said was what Jim said. . . I'm wondering, though, if one might take offense if they do indeed shop at the Dollar Store. Bain, you've now stolen from at least two brilliant folk. Hope you're proud of yourself.

Oh, you're still on that; I thought you also had drip cap problemos. I suggest you hire a good home inspector to figure out what needs doing.

This that house on Tall Grass? If so, I can see why you have no cash, seeing what you paid for it back in '09. But what does that have to do with no drip caps? They forget those on your house as well?

Thanks Mike. Yeah, I read. That's where I found their *best practice* to use along with a metal drip cap. As far a the guarantee, I read it covers the product, not any water damage.

I guess it's only a "best-practice". . . See attached from install manual. Click to Enlarge 31.2 KB

Cedar siding, and projecting, horizontal wood trim junctures under the siding, above windows and above lone trim boards, are only caulked; no drip-caps. Builder claims the Dupont StraightFlash product used behind the windows will suffice. I think the StraightFlash used along with drip-cap flashing is needed (and maybe not even the StraightFlash if properly installed drip-caps are present; but not just StraightFlash alone). Your thoughts?

Really? For a flashing install job that would probably cost no more than a few hundred dollars. . . Golly.

Here's my top twelve magazines up for sale. Alpha Cement published 1921 Click to Enlarge 103.53?KB Click to Enlarge 109.56?KB Sears Building Material and Millwork published 1921 Click to Enlarge 46.64?KB Click to Enlarge 61.58?KB Montgomery Ward Building Materials published 1929 Click to Enlarge 47.44?KB Click to Enlarge 54.86?KB The Mentor (American Historic Homes) Published 1915 Click to Enlarge 138.11?KB Click to Enlarge 125.13?KB Home and Garden Published 1905 Click to Enlarge 117.83?KB Click to Enlarge 127.14?KB Hardware Age Published 1913 Click to Enlarge 117.33?KB Click to Enlarge 126.02?KB Wardway Homes Published 1924 by Montgomery Ward Click to Enlarge 135.24?KB Click to Enlarge 131.82?KB Modern Homes publised 1934 by Sears Roebuck Click to Enlarge 97.97?KB Click to Enlarge 118.46?KB Plumbing Catalog 1929 by B-Karol & Sons Co. of Chicago Click to Enlarge 114.76?KB Click to Enlarge 124.41?KB Achitecture and Building published 1895 Click to Enlarge 126.93?KB Click to Enlarge 60.89?KB Click to Enlarge 141.49?KB Keith's Magazine on Home Building published 1910 Click to Enlarge 126.15?KB Click to Enlarge 92.07?KB Keith's Magazine on Home Building published 1909 Click to Enlarge 105.94?KB Click to Enlarge 104.59?KB Most are in good to fair condition; last one, Keith's, with torn-up cover. This will be sold by an auction, minimum bid is $150.00. Auction will end tomorrow, Sunday, at midnight. $12.00 to ship. Post bids here or email me.

Yeah, back-drafting gas appliances can be a problem in certain circumstances. Here's how I tell my clients to use them. Come home and let's assume it's 80 degrees+ in the house. Rather than turn on the ac, run the fan for five minutes to suck out a lot of heat. Then, use the ac to more effectively/efficiently cool-down a now not-as-hot house. 'Course, since you don't see 'em much, you probably won't have to remember any of this. Your time could be better spent reading some really old and cool Audel's Builders books. . . (Shameless)

You got it. Send me an email and remind me of your shipping address. Thanks, Marc. I'll ship as soon as I receive.

10 Issues American Home Magazines, all from the 1940's. 14 Issues The Home Desirable Magazine, all from the 1930's. 4 Issues House & Garden and House Beautiful, all from the 1930's. Old Sears & Wards Electrical Mags Old Concrete Block Laying Mag Various other mags from the 40's, 50's, & 60's. Forty-one in all. Cool to look at the old ads alone. Some good condition, some fair, a few poor. Asking only $20.00, but gotta charge $12.00 shipping. Click to Enlarge 54.46?KB Click to Enlarge 48.89?KB Click to Enlarge 45.5?KB Click to Enlarge 47.02?KB Click to Enlarge 41.54?KB

Sold. (I emailed ya, David)

Practically brand new; my old spare, used maybe 2 or 3 times. I'll include four spare replacement switches, belt-case, lanyard, spare switch rubber boot, and five brand new Surefire Lithium batteries. Asking $60 OBO and I'll include shipping. Click to Enlarge 30.23?KB

Price lowered from $150.00 t0 $100.00. This is really a good buy. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0870309758

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0869460631 Click to Enlarge 54.69 KB

Most all my clients think contrary to you. I see so little ivy-related damage, though, that I'm with you. I read once that the Masonry Institute claims ivy will decrease the lifespan of masonry by 10%. So, those ivy-covered castles from hundreds of years ago only got another couple centuries or so left. Pity.

Looks like fungus

I know Katen & I use IR. Any other brilliant minds out there?

I gots three spare switches. Send me ten bucks and they're yours.