House Maintenance Safety Issues and Hazards

Browsing Month »January, 2009«

Kitchen GFCI Receptacle and Other Electrical Requirements

January 30, 2009

Kitchen GFCI receptacles are required by the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code) to be installed along the countertop surfaces. GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Actually, this requirement has been in place since 1996 NEC, and an important thing to remember: If you have an older kitchen, and for any reason decided to replace a regular [...]

Laundry GFCI Receptacles and Utility / Wet Bar Sinks Areas

January 28, 2009

Installation of laundry GFCI receptacles and GFCI protection for utility / wet bar sink areas where the electrical outlets are installed within 6ft from the outside edge of the sink is required by the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code). GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Remember to always upgrade to the latest code requirement, if [...]

Unfinished Basement GFCI Receptacles

January 27, 2009

Unfinished basement receptacles require GFCI protection as stated in the 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code). GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Unfinished basement it’s an area or portion of the basement area that is not intended to be used as a habitable room. Habitable room it’s a space arranged for living, eating or sleeping purposes [...]

Crawlspace GFCI, At or Below Grade Level

January 27, 2009

GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Crawlspace GFCI protection for receptacles changed slightly in 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code). 2005 NEC exception that allowed single receptacles for not easily moved appliances to be excluded from GFCI requirement has been removed. Because of the moisture, flooding, drainage problems , crawlspace GFCI protection absolutely makes sense in [...]

High Efficiency Furnace Plastic Vent Pipe Types

January 25, 2009

// < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 300x250,HE furnace vent pipe types */ google_ad_slot = "9650801356"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> Plastic vent pipe types listed below have been certified by the American Gas Association for use in furnaces classified as Category 4. These particular types of furnaces use positive pressure vent [...]

House Exterior GFCI Receptacles

January 25, 2009

The 2008 NEC did not change house exterior GFCI receptacles requirement protection since the previous edition. All outdoor house receptacles must be GFCI protected. GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) There is one exception from this requirement: If you have electrical outlets that are not readily accessible (you can’t reach them standing on the ground [...]

Garage GFCI Receptacles and GFCI in Accessory Buildings

January 23, 2009

GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Exceptions for the garage GFCI receptacles and GFCI’s in accessory buildings have been removed by the newest 2008 NEC (National Electrical Code). The new rules apply to the structures that have a floor located at or below grade level, are not intended for use as habitable rooms and limited [...]

Combustion Air for Fuel Burning Appliances

January 23, 2009

All types of fuel burning appliances in our homes require air to properly burn that fuel. It is called Combustion Air and it actually has three functions: It  is required to properly burn fuel To dilute exhaust gases that are being vented to exterior To vent and cool appliances The most popular fuel used in [...]

Bathroom GFCI Receptacles and Electrical Components

January 21, 2009

Bathroom GFCI receptacle protection is required by the NEC (National Electrical Code), and of course by the common sense – why would you risk getting electrocuted if you can secure your safety by installing GFCI outlet. Since some bathrooms are currently equipped with many electrical current hungry devices, power supply requirements had to be slightly [...]

GFCI Locations in Residential Buildings based on 2008 NEC

January 21, 2009

From this post you can follow links to all GFCI locations in residential buildings based on 2008 NEC – at the bottom section. GFCI – (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Before installing GFCI receptacles or replacing a regular outlet receptacle, always check with your local code enforcement division, there may be some additional regulations applied, sometimes [...]

GFCI Outlet Purpose and GFCI Location History

January 19, 2009

The simplest explanation of the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Receptacle Purpose would be: GFCI devices save lives by limiting the duration of electrical shocks. Learn How to Install GFCI Receptacle The real life scenario: Let’s say that you’re using a metal knife or fork to pull out your breakfast from the toaster which is [...]

Saddle Valve Installation

January 18, 2009

If the saddle valve installation is your first plumbing job, don’t worry, it’s very simple. Just follow these instructions carefully: Even if the saddle valve came with some appliance installation kit, it may not be permitted in your area. You may want to check if such installation complies with your local plumbing code. This How [...]

Ghost Marks and Soot Deposits on House Walls

January 15, 2009

During my inspections, I have been asked many times about ghostly looking soot and dust marks on house interior surfaces. Since there was usually a mold concern in my clients’ questions, I’ll try to explain the ghost mark phenomenon. Is it a mold issue? In most cases, it is not. If you notice ghost marks [...]

Gas-Appliance Chimney Placement and Termination

January 14, 2009

Furnace and / or water heater chimney requires proper placement and termination to safely discharge exhaust gases from the appliances combustion (fuel burning) process. Improper chimney placement and termination is often responsible for back-drafts, excessive corrosion of the chimney pipe walls, condensation, and Carbon Monoxide contamination of your house. The rule explained on the pictures [...]

Plumbing Vent Flashing Does Not Work with Roofing Cement

January 12, 2009

House plumbing vent flashing is required around the pipe at its roof surface penetration. Without it, or if improperly installed, rain water or melting snow will seep around the vent and damage the roof decking material, sometimes making its way down to the wall / ceiling surfaces inside the property. Depending on your roofing material [...]

Brick Chimney Crown – Almost Never Done Right

January 5, 2009

A brick chimney crown – also known as a chimney termination cap, cement wash, or just a chimney cap – seals the chimney top opening around the flue and sheds rainwater / prevents moisture from deteriorating the chimney. For the chimney crown to fulfill its purpose, it must be properly shaped and installed. Unfortunately, after [...]

Patio Sump Pump Solutions

January 2, 2009

House walkout basements opening to a patio (or just a patio located below the grade) sometimes require a dedicated drainage system. A combination of a drain tile and / or sump pump ensures that moisture intrusion will not threaten the living space located at the same level; it will also prevent your patio from turning [...]

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