RobC

This is a lead service to a 1911 home I renovated last year. Download Attachment: LeadService_M.JPG 79.62 KB Surprisingly enough the inside of the pipe was clean. I expected it to be encrusted with mineral deposit as you would find in a galv. iron pipe. I later cut it flush at the concrete floor and saved it for future reference.

Good Eye Those are control wires and not touching.

Just had an interesting talk with the local authority regarding combustible clearances pertaining to electrical stuff. This is what I'm talking about. Download Attachment: VentClearance1_M.jpg 50.47 KB I know it won't ignite but I would think the proximity of the switch from the C' vent would make it susceptible to operating under higher temerature than designed for. I would also suggest that the plastic would become brittle over time. And possibly a chance for a burn accident to happen. Is there anything else I've missed? Dang I've forgotten ACCESS again. OK! anything else?

Here is a little experiment you can perform that will surprise you. Zero your CO Detector Turn on the gas range and measure Get a pot of cold water and place it on the burner Now measure. SURPRISE! [:-bigeyes] So do you need a vented hood and fan over a GAS range? Now, go ask a professional cook that uses them for a living. I turn my fan on PRIOR to using my gas range and stove. Next one I buy will be electric.

After googling Printkey v5.10 I clicked on the link and found it as freeware. What a great addition to the surfing experience. Thanks Douglas

Most of my training occured in Colorado, where 'H' clips were the standard at the time(60's). Calgary experiences the same kind of weather albeit a bit colder and edge support is a standard here too. 'H' clips are the cheapest method and the most common over T&G or lumber framing (2x3). I can't technically argue how a little piece of aluminum can distribute a load to the adjacent sheathing but I guess it does. We have to remember the load is not a point load (shoe/boot) but rather a distributed load that make the design function as intended. Anyway, if nothing else they should be used to seperate adjoining sheets to allow expansion and contraction. By their nature they seperate the sheets by their wall thinkness. Wall sheathing experiences the same forces and should also be seperated to allow for movement. We're all in a big hurry these days and to ask a framer to kerf the plywood,.... I wouldn't want to be there for the conversation.

Dennis, Are you saying there's no sheathing edge support code in your part of the world? Hard to believe they wouldn't at least enforce the spacing requirement.

Shake head to the left Shake head to the right Shake head to the left Shake head to the rigt With a smile ___149

How about that, great find Terence It looks exactly like the one I saw a few days ago, and priced reasonably I might add. I'll have to 'inspect' the thermostats more closely next time, if I can ever figure out how some of them work. Thanks much for your research

Dennis, I can't see a roofer doing that kind of damage especially with an air driven tool. This looks more like a 28 oz. type hole that usually belongs to a framer. If we had to speculate on the reason for it, I'd go with Chris's explanation. Did you find 'H' clips in the installation? I don't see much of a space between the sheathing.

My supplier of the UNICO system carried fibreglass ducting when it was introduced in Calgary. We had many concerns and complaints with trades and customers, we've gone back to the traditional galv steel stuff. The material has a greater chance of harboring undesirable creatures and other issues with restrictive flow etc. We now recommend smooth pipe, the duct cleaners are happier and we don't have residual construction dust in the system. My two cents.

Assuming they were, I'd have to agree about the test button. And no, I didn't see one. I'm wondering if there IS such an animal in the first place.

I got that from a city electrical inspector and I haven't had the time to research it yet. I know what you mean, thermostats are generally low voltage, but thought I would ask around anyway.

Mike, It's curious you should be posting this. On Monday, we had an inteview with a MAJOR big time plumber dicussing the PB saga. I'm currently, contacting as many local plumbers for a feedback on their service history with PB calls. So far it doesn't look promising and I will be reviewing my stance on this issue as I gather more field information. Regardless of application, the material is destined for self destruction according to some authority. Here is something that may be of interest http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/file ... dex2.html#

I've always been of the understanding that a GFCI is required for electric heating under ceramic tiles. I did a new home recently with bathroom floor heating and for the life of me couldn't find the breaker. After some research I was informed by a SCO that newer systems may use a GFI protected thermostat that replace GFCIs at the panel. What's the general concensus here? Are we cutting corners? or is it not an issue?

Agreed, Generally speaking LB's are installed high enough, in the rim joist generally, that they are both accessible and above snow level. If they were below ground in the winter and surrounded with ice, would they be considered accessible? (Big Smile) Or for that matter does accessible mean visible under all weather conditions? I share the same concern about penetrating a foundation under grade. Overall a poor installation and I've written it up as Further Evaluate.

Kurt It's an endemic desease that has no borders. We suffer from the same thing your'e talking about, called GET IN GET OUT GET PAID GET TO THE NEXT JOB I have recently noticed more and more substandard heating systems, poorly designed and installed. The biggest culprit is the undersized or inappropriately designed return air ducting. Ducting not reduced or convoluted runs around undersized framing opening etc. What's caused all that? GC accepting the lowest bids to maximize profit$$$$$$$$$$$$$. I have a friend in this predicament New home No heat at end runs Calculated return = half the requirement. High TD After removing the return air grills we found framing not cut to accommodate for the size of the grill. What we have is a marginally undersized design installed by an unsupervised, unskilled labor force under a strict schedule to finish the job as quickly as possible.

Sorry Douglas, You'll have to type a little slower cause if there ever was a weak link in my training, electricity is it. When you say LISTED do you mean the L.B. is a fitting approved for damp locations? And if it is approved then the only concern is the accessability isssue, right? So, the discussion would be around the definition of 'accessability'. Anyway, without beating the code issue to death, how would you write this up in a report to reflect the existing condition. Mike, I'm aware of the ban but thought making a reference in type was allowed, unless I've missed something previouly discussed.

SCO comment 1. They require accessibility (as Douglas mentioned). Got to remember that word. 2. They are not approved for damp location and underground is considered damp. Does that sum it up or is there another issue? Makes you wonder how it got passed.

Douglas, Are we saying the L.B's are listed for direct burial in gravel? I know they are gasketed and in theory should be weathertight but in this location wouldn't they be susceptible to leakage? I'm thinking of snow accumulation remaining on and around them for an extended period of time. I'm not sure and will ask about distances above grade requirements. Should be interesting. Wasn't thinking about access, good point.

For some reason, that just didn't look right to me. Download Attachment: LB_Buried_M.jpg 66.6 KB New house, service entrance conductors in one and cable in the other. I'll call the Safety Codes Officer (SCO) tomorrrow for a clarification. I'm hoping he talks about possible moisture entry and inapproriate direct burial fittings etc. Otherwise, I'm having crow for supper....again.

Unprotected opening at stairwell landing. I would choose my words carefully and include a photo in the report. Regardless of any code, I wouldn't want the conversation if a child walked off the platform and down 13.5 risers. My .745 cents

George, Mission: Click N Dash. Didn't look back. Don't know Renters Dog Got to go Ya no what eye mean

Here something I found in my travels. It was located facing a street just around the corner from the front door. Download Attachment: FrozenBibb2M.JPG 32.93 KB

This is the basement bathroom and a bit of the closet showing. Download Attachment: BasementBath1Medium.jpg 36.73 KB It's a young couple buying the home with intentions of major reno in 3-4 years. I offered to remove the furnace at no charge[] There is a time when the only solution is the wrecking ball but this home is in 'pristine' condition, as though it was built a few months ago. It would truly be a crime to see it changed. Ron, I think the Japanese have introduced something similar to what you describe. If I recall they come with optional heated seats, for those cold mornings.[:-cold] To justify the cost, I'd have to move the office in the bathroom.