Brian G

Originally posted by Jim Morrison Nothing good, and plenty of bad stuff will result from having an oak (or any other large tree) that close to the house. I always warn clients about potential problems and recommend removal if they're too close, but there is one benefit to having them. Down here we call it "shade", and in the summer we treasure it. Brian G. High 90's Every Day and in a Drought As We Speak...SEND RAIN! [:-crazy]

I'm for anything that will improve efficiency, but.... Ick! Brian G. It's Gonna Be Extra Cold Tomorrow; Kids, Start Eating & Take Your Laxatives! [:-crazy]

Originally posted by Paul MacLean Still, I bought it. Mostly because the wife sleeps better and I share a bed with her. Ah-so, the wise man invests in peace and quiet...worth every penny. Brian G. The Master Knows From Whence His Bread is Buttered [-crzwom] [:-crazy]

I second that. Every country should have at least one neighbor like Canada. [:-angel] Brian G. Salute! [:-love]

My 1971 mo-bile home is still heated and cooled by the original units (Evans). I hope to replace them by this time next year, even though they work fine. I'm sure a new system would save the kids some money and do a better job. Brian G. All It Takes Is Money [:-indiffe

I like the first one. A big, sturdy Bungalow...my favorite. [:-love] Brian G. Bungalow in the Junglow [:-mohawk]

I can buy all of that except for the tires. They don't act naturally. Is it just me? Is there something going on with them that I'm missing? Brian G. Tires Don't Roll Slowly Uphill [:-boggled

I would agree. I believe part of the rationale for the outlet location requirements on island cabinets is based on that very idea (hanging cords are bad). I would think the requirements would apply to those other types of counter top as well, but there may be nothing specific in any code to support that position. If you need GFCI protection at parts of a kitchen counter top far from a sink, why wouldn't you need them at those other wet locations with no sink? If that rule tranfers to the other types of location, why wouldn't the ones about location also apply? Brian G. Just Thinking Out Loud [:-taped]

Amazingly, that murder attempt was typically moronic. I used to watch some Court TV before my cable provider dropped it, and I was astounded at how many equally stupid attempts are made. How long would it have taken the cops to put 2 & 2 together once they found out about the recent life insurance policy? My brother is right when he says "Prisons are full of guys who will tell you how dumb the cops are". Brian G. Moron Is As Moron Does [:-dunce]

Originally posted by kurt Amazingly, that jug is designed for that specific purpose. I guess it would be better to call it "non-standard" and "improper" than unconventional and improvised then, but still wrong. It sort of reminds me of those goofy pleated/flexible plumbing pieces they make and sell for people who can't make two pipes line up. Brian G. Goofy Building Products (a division of Disney Construction Industries) [:-dopey]

I've heard of rigs that vented into buckets of water, but not into a bag. I'd just say that it was an unconventional, improvised arrangement that may well represent a fire hazard, I'm concerned about it, and I strongly recommend changing to safe, proven method of dryer venting (preferrably to the exterior). Something along those lines, with any relevent specifics you think will help make your case for change. Brian G. Venting on Venting [:-bigmout

I have an "X-Tend & Climb" I bought on eBay. I've been happy with it, and they run about $100 less than a "Tele-Steps". I was cautious of mine for while, but these days I have a lot of confidence in it. Just make sure you have the steps out to the point where they lock and you're good to go. Brian G. Steppin' Up [^]

If I wanted to play it safe I'd probably just note it in the report, but leave it out of the summary unless there was a real reason to put it in. CYA, but no red herring to distract from the more meaningful issues. State the observation and the potential issue something like Jimmy has, and end with one of the "If this concerns you have an electrician blah-blah-blah..." recommendations. Boiler plate could do that pretty easily, very little time spent. Brian G. CYA = Cover Your Assets []

Okay, I'll be the bad guy. I don't write it up, even though there's no question that it violates the manufacturers' specs and instructions. In an accumulated 20 years or so of selling the stuff, tinkering and doing wiring, and inspecting I have yet to see one single instance where it caused any problem at all. After all this time, I ain't writing it up until I see one. I don't fault anyone else for doing otherwise, I'm just totally convinced this is a meaningless issue. I've heard that some manufacturers are beginning to pay the extra money to have thier breakers tested (and therefore listed) to go in other brands of panel with like designs, but I can't confirm that at the moment. They may as well, 'cause there's isn't 2 cents difference in any of them on the inside (residential stuff). Around here I rarely see a house more than 5 years old that doesn't have at least one odd breaker in it. Brian G. Wild Insane HI, Skating on the Ragged Edge of Disaster [:-masked]

This kind of thing clearly pisses Richard off. [:-gnasher Brian G. Clearly Amused []

I think you have it right Mark. That's a 100 amp panel. It's like Mike says, they need to make the main and panel ratings agree one way or the other. They also can't clip strands out of the 2/0 to make it fit in a 100 amp breaker, so if they go that way the wire will have to be replaced too. No way it'll fit into the lugs of a 100 amp breaker. Brian G. An Overload in the Making [:-wiltel]

You gotta admit though, the green is a lovely accent to the brown shingles, silver flashing, and red brick. [] Brian G. No Brown Moss After Labor Day (It's a Rule!) [^]

The little one on top is the first colonial pizza oven. The door below is for human cremation. Never do both at once, it makes the pizza taste funny. [:-yuck] Brian G. Cod Pizza Anyone? [:-sick]

My mother's side of the family are Franks', but all the German I know was learned watching Hogan's Hero's and WWII movies. Brian G. Achtung Schwinehund! Mach Schnell! Javould, Herr Commandant! Spreken Ze Duscht? Nein. [:-slaphap

I think a float switch is actually better (properly installed). Most people have no idea about any of this stuff to start with, so if they did happen to be wandering around in the yard and saw the auxiliary drain line dripping, they would think nothing of it. Time goes on, eventually the auxiliary drain line clogs too, and now there's a big mess on the ceiling. What good was the auxiliary line? If the float switch shuts the system down and someone has to make the call to get a guy out to find out what the problem is, the big mess never happens. If I could change anything about that I would have them set the float switch way down the side of the pan. What's the point of waiting for it get really full before shutting down? One inch of water should do it. I regularly find furnace/evaporator combo's in a closet in the middle of a slab house with no back-up drain line of any kind, and no way to get one to the exterior. I always recommend installing a small pan in the return air cavity with a float switch and running the auxiliary line to it. Not hard to do, but it should serve very well...no big mess. I don't know how many have followed through and done it, but that isn't my concern. Brian G. Floating A Suggestion [^]

Originally posted by tneumann Instead of using mortar they used clear silicone/caulking. Looks like 100% silicone....seller mentioned the "mason" told here he couldn't get new mortar to stick to old mortar. Apparently the "mason" has never heard of repointing. Jeez. Is it right? Almost certainly not. Will it work? Maybe. I don't know of anyone trying to use silicone for that purpose or what result they got. The manufacturers usually list the materials it will and won't stick to well on the tube. If it's 100% silicone it'll probably take the heat okay, but other than that we're looking at an experiment. Brian G. Mason With Pointy Head Noted at Chimney [:-dunce]

Heckuva den! Brian G. How Big Do They Made Big Screen TV's Now? [:-basebal[:-basketb[:-footbal[:-golf][:-hockey][:-jump2]