Thoughts and ideas from one of the best area home inspectors in the Bloomington Normal area.
Archive for April, 2008
Remember to Label the Electrical Panel On/Off Switches
1479 days
?Remember to Label the Electrical Panel On/Off Switches
By Dan Powell
One of my pet peeves of contractors; more particularly, electricians has followed us in every single house we have lived in. Label the gosh darn on-off switches that are in the main electrical panel, will ya!
There is nothing more frustrating when one needs to turn the power off for a certain electrical outlet / light switch. You know what is going to happen, right?
The light switch you need to turn off the power will be the one that is the furthest away from the electrical panel. And, of course there is no label on any of the on-off switches which lead you to having to guess through trial and error, one switch box at a time, which one of them provides the power for the area of the house containing the light switch.
Why are the on-off switches in the electrical panel never labeled? Especially the one you want?
Are electricians lazy? Well, to be honest, that is very debatable. There are building codes and electrical codes and laws of physics which electricians need to adhere. But, none of those codes indicates that the wiring or rewiring job is not finished until the switch box is properly and accurately labeled. Or, do they?
So, today’s waste of 1/2 an hour with a dozen trips up and down the stairs from one end of the house on the main floor to the electrical panel room at the opposite end of the house in the basement was not enjoyable. Of course, not all contractors, electricians and the like are plain lazy and do just enough to get paid and then leave. I am sure any electrical contractor you would use would never do that. It will always be your neighbor who encounters this situation, right? 
And, if you are the home owner, for gosh sakes, when you actually do find the on-off switch on the electrical panel that is the one you want, label it yourself! No, you will not remember the next time you need to find it again.
For more lessons learned from our own home renovation experiences, visit our blog, Daily Home Renovation Tips at the following resource link: http://DailyHomeRenoTips.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Powell
What Aluminum Wiring Looks Like
1479 days
by ClintonR
in Electrical
What Aluminum Wiring Looks Like
By Michael Del Greco?
While training a home inspector I saw an electrical contractor’s apprentice look right at a panel wired with single strand aluminum wiring and not even notice it was there.
Why?
He did not think to look for aluminum single strand wire because the home was “too new” to have single strand aluminum wiring. Although he was correct about the age of the home (it was built long after aluminum wiring was commonly used) he missed a major safety defect that is very expensive to cure. Someone must have found an old coil or two around when the addition was added.
What does aluminum wiring look like? How would most home owner’s or Realtors know the home had aluminum wiring?
If the home has BX (metal exterior wiring) it does not have aluminum wiring. I have never seen aluminum wiring in BX and have never heard of it being made. There is a tin coated copper wire in BX that was very common. It is NOT a hazard at all.
If the home has Romex wire (plastic or cloth covered) look at the writing on the wire. If it says CU or copper it is not aluminum. If it says AL or aluminum it is aluminum.
Removing electric panel covers is NOT a job for those who do not know how to do it. There is enough power inside the average electric panel to kill you and a few others. If you are in doubt hire and pay for a professional to determine the type wire in a home, it is well worth it.
Michael Del Greco is President of Accurate Inspections, Inc., a home inspection business.
He has been a home inspector since 1993 and prior to that spent seven years as a construction project manager.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Del_Greco
Replacing An Outlet or Light Switch
1479 days
by ClintonR
in Electrical
Replacing An Outlet or Light Switch
By Alana Tanner?
It’s not something you give much thought to, most people never consider replacing their power outlets or light switches unless it’s for redecorating purposes. But sometimes there is a real need to do this, especially if they are worn out and becoming an electrical fire hazard. Worn out receptacles can be annoying if they quit working sporadically.
Replacing these isn’t expensive, you can pick one up for a couple of dollars at any hardware or home improvement store. When you’re ready, be sure you turn off the power to that switch because you do NOT want any electrical shocks or burns. Test to be sure the power is truly off with a circuit tester.
Here’s a rough step by step on how to replace your outlet receptacles.
1. Remove the outlet cover and then unscrew it from the mounting.
2. Pull it out of the box so you can work with it easier. If you’re not electrically inclined it’s best to label the wires so you know what location to put them back to.
3. Disconnect all the wires and remove the old outlet.
4. Be sure your new outlet is rated for the circuit you’re on. Reconnect the wires as instructed with the directions.
5. Put the outlet cover back on, screwing everything in again.
6. Test it for power.
What if you need to replace a light switch? This is not a difficult task either and the replacement part is also inexpensive.
Again, turn off the power to work in a safe environment. Repeat steps 1 through 3 from the outlet replacement above. This time be sure to mark the white wire as being hot. Disconnect the wires from the old switch and attach them to the new one. When everything is secured and screwed in tight, push the switch back into the receptacle box and replace the cover.
For more information on outlet covers and light switch plates visit our switch plate website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alana_Tanner
Understanding Your Circuit Breakers
1479 days
by ClintonR
in Uncategorized
Understanding Your Circuit Breakers
By Dennis Driscoll?
One of the most common electrical troubles that you will run into is going to be a tripped circuit breaker of a blown fuse.
You should know where your circuit breakers or fuse box are located well in advance and become some what familiar with it.
Do not wait till you have no lights and then run around the house in dismay or panic not knowing what to do. Most of the time if you loose lights or power in one of the rooms of your house you will just have to re-set your circuit breaker or change your fuse.
Inside your circuit breaker box you will see a bunch of black items that look like switches that move left to right or side to side. When a breaker is tripped you should see a red indicator on the left side of the breaker switch itself. Most breaker switches are designed this way, although I have seen some that do not show this and the only way you will know that it is tripped is by re-setting the breaker.
Re-setting the breaker is simply done by switching from left to right, you will hear a distinct click as you do this, that is the point of re-setting.
There are many reasons that a circuit breaker will trip but, the most common of them will be overloading a circuit. What I mean by this is you are trying to run too many things on one circuit. How many times have you plugged in your hair dryer and lost power to the bathroom? Most likely you may have had a curling iron plugged in at the same time. Both of these small appliances are high wattage items and most likely cannot be run at the same time. Another example could be the coffee maker and the microwave in the kitchen.
As you get familiar with your circuit breakers you should label them so you know what each one is for hopefully this will be already done for you, but if not this is easy to do. You can do this with a helper and the easiest way is to turn on a light in the room that you are trying to identify. Then start switching the breakers to the off state. When the light in that particular room goes out then you know you have found the correct breaker for that room.
Usually on the door of the breaker box there should be an area where you can write on so you can identify each breaker, if not be creative and draw yourself a diagram which you or anyone in the household can understand. These tips should help you when the lights go out the next time, and you won’t have to panic while trying to figure things out.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_Driscoll
Major Remodel – Upgrade Your Electrical Service!
Major Remodel – Upgrade Your Electrical Service!
By Bill Prudehome
If you are contemplating a major remodel, the addition of a room or garage, or a new kitchen you should consider upgrading your electrical service.
Thirty years ago, the average new home was equipped with a 60 amp electrical service connected to a screw-in fuse panel with two fuse blocks. The common distribution was a fuse block for the stove and one for the hot water tank. The balance of the homes electrical needs were served by six, 15amp screw-in fuses.
Twenty years ago the average new home was equipped with a 100 amp electrical service and some of them used the latest in technology, circuit breakers.
Now the average home is equipped with a 200 amp electrical service with a distribution panel handling up to 40, 15amp circuit breakers serving the electrical needs of the home.
North American?s are electrical power hungry. Today our air conditioning systems take more power than an entire home did 30 years ago. A kitchen, in a new home, will usually be equipped with a number of receptacles capable of supplying more than 60 amps just to counter top appliances.
Adding receptacles does not increase the available power if they are looped from other receptacles. To get more power to a location the circuit should run directly from the distribution panel.
Old style distribution panels, those with screw-in fuses are generally considered fire hazards. The contact between the base of the fuse and the buss bar oxidizes or charcoals from poor contact. In order for the current to continue to flow heat is generated. In many areas, insurance companies will not renew homeowner insurance if the home is equipped with an electrical distribution panel that has screw-in fuses.
If your current electrical service to your home is less than 200 amps, and/or if it has a distribution panel that uses screw in fuses, you should consider replacing it as a top priority in any major renovation project.
For additional information on electrical distribution for your home or other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome
What Is Electrical Tape And How Do You Use It?
1480 days
by ClintonR
in Electrical
What Is Electrical Tape And How Do You Use It?
By P Klien
Introduction
IMPORTANT: Do not use electrical tape on live or active circuits! Always, always, always turn off all power sources before attempting to make any electrical repairs and always consult a licensed electrician before attempting to make any repairs.
Electrical tape is a type of pressure-sensitive tape used to insulate electrical wires and other material that conduct electricity. It’s used by electricians to insulate electrical wires and is designed with a dielectric resistance to electrical current.
Uses
The fact that electrical tape is stretchy, easily torn by hand, can be written on, and generally removes from smooth surfaces cleanly makes it useful for a number of other applications, including color coding – electrical tape comes in many colors, labeling and temporarily taping objects together. Electrical tape is often also used to secure lighting cables to the truss in stagecraft, and is commonly known as LX tape for this reason.
There are many other unconventional uses, too. For example, electrical tape is used by youths in cricket playing nations to wrap around tennis balls to make them look and/or act or like cricket balls. It’s even used by “second rowers” and “locks” in rugby to tape back their ears! But, for the most part, unlike duct tape which is not for ducts, electrical tape is actually designed for electrical uses.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s easy to install and easy to remove. But, be sure to check the label to see if the electrical tape is appropriate for the conditions of your application.
Find electrical tape now at ConnectorCountry.com your source for electrical supplies!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=P_Klien
Septic System Basics
Septic System Basics
By Jack Bosch
Roughly one-quarter of all American homes disposes of their wastewater through onsite (unsewered) systems. Using such systems, individual homeowners are responsible for the treatment and disposal of their own wastewater. Most are typically located where centralized wastewater treatment is unavailable or impractical, such as in rural areas. The most popular onsite method currently in use is the septic system. Septics use the soil to treat small wastewater flows. When properly constructed and maintained, septic systems both are reliable and safe.
Although there are numerous types of septic systems available, all operate using the same general means. A typical system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box, and a rock-and-gravel-lined absorption field (also known as a drain- or leach field, leech field). All of these components are connected by pipes called conveyance lines.
Tanks are normally constructed of concrete, fiberglass or plastic, and are usually of a size large enough to hold a minimum of 750 to 1000 gallons of sewage. The tank’s purpose is to temporarily contain the wastewater as solids and liquids separate. The solids (known as sludge) sink to the bottom of the tank, while scum floats on top of the liquid. The sludge and scum remain in the tank and must be pumped out periodically (generally every 3 to 5 years with a properly working system). The liquid wastewater, commonly called effluent, passes on through the tank to the distribution box. The distribution box channels the effluent into a network of perforated underground pipes in the absorption field, where it passes through holes in the pipes into the field. There it’s stored until absorbed by the soil. The absorption field treats the wastewater through physical, chemical and biological processes, effectively filtering it before it reaches the ground water.
When installing a septic system, the main factors to consider include the size of the lot, the depth of the soil and its percolation rate (how quickly it absorbs water), and the depth to the seasonal high water table levels. If building on a parcel of vacant land, it’s also wise to determine the best location for the septic system before deciding on where to put your house and well. The required installation process can vary from state to state, and even from county to county, so contact the area’s local zoning department for advice.
Jack Bosch began investing in real estate in 1999. Along the way he discovered a secret system of buying land for literally pennies on the dollar and reselling the property for thousands more. Since his first transaction he has personally bought and sold over 5000 properties using his fine tuned system. Jack to this day still invests and profits from real estate, however now he also offers his secret strategy of buying and selling real estate for huge profits to You! You can find his complete wealth building system at http://www.LandForPennies.com and at http://www.SecretLandProfits.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Bosch
Remodeling a Bathroom and Refinishing and Restoring Baseboard Heating Element Covers
Remodeling a Bathroom and Refinishing and Restoring Baseboard Heating Element Covers
By Mark Donovan?
If you are considering remodeling your home’s bathroom then you should add refinishing baseboard heating element covers to the list of tasks to do. Rusty baseboard heating element covers are frequent occurrences in older bathrooms.
The installation of new toilets, tubs, sinks, vanities, and flooring are typically involved in a bathroom remodeling job, however sometimes the heating element is forgotten. If not refinished or replaced, the rusty baseboard heating element covers can look even more unsightly after the rest of the bathroom has been remodeled. Refinishing your Bathroom’s Baseboard Heating Element Covers can play a major role in restoring a new look to your bathroom.
If your home is a few years old and has hot water baseboard heating in it, chances are your bathroom baseboard heating element covers are rusted and in need of refinishing.
Bathrooms, as well as Kitchens, Laundry rooms and basements, are more likely to see rusty baseboard heating element covers due to the high moisture levels and condensation that typically occur in them.
There are several rust resistant baseboard heating element covers available on the market today, however it can be very expensive to replace your existing baseboard heating elements with these new products. The other alternative is to refinish and restore your existing baseboard heating element covers with a little sweat equity.
Refinishing or restoring baseboard heating elements is something simple enough for a DIY homeowner to do (with the right knowledge) and can save significant dollars. Installing new baseboard heating elements, on the other hand, typically involves the cost of an entire new heating element and a plumber.
Most hot water baseboard heating elements can be easily disassembled by simply pulling away the front covers from the bracket assembly. The panels can then be cleaned, sanded and repainted to be restored to a like-new finish and appearance.
So if your thinking about remodeling your bathroom don?t forget to include your hot water baseboard heating element covers to the list of tasks to do.
For more information on refinishing and restoring baseboard heating element covers see the Refinishing Baseboard Heating Element Cover Ebook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Refinishing Baseboard Heating Element Cover EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for restoring baseboard heating element covers and includes how-to pictures for every key step in the process.
Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Donovan
Consider Geothermal For Your New Home Heating System!
Consider Geothermal For Your New Home Heating System!
By Bill Prudehome
One thing is for sure energy prices are going to continue to rise. If you are considering replacing your heating and cooling systems or if you are building a new home then you should consider the advantages of using geothermal! One of the most energy efficient methods of heating and cooling your home is to use a geothermal heat exchanger.
Some geothermal systems even provide hot water for your home.
Geothermal heating and cooling is not science fiction, it is a proven method of supplying heating and cooling and its acceptance, and installation is growing daily. Savings on yearly energy bills can be as much as 60 percent. In the US, the federal government and many states are providing tax incentives and credits if you install a geothermal HVAC system. Other countries including Canada also have incentive programs. Check out your local electrical utility or government website.
How does it work?
It uses technologies that have been around for many years – pumps and heat exchangers. A well is drilled on your property. The water from the well is pumped through a heat exchanger in your home where a portion of the latent heat in that water is removed and used to heat your home. In the summer, as the water temperature is cooler than the outside air the system provides air conditioning to your home. In climates where temperatures fall below 0 degrees, supplemental heating using gas, electricity, or fuel oil may be incorporated into the system.
Electricity is used to power the pump and the circulation fans. There is no cost to the homeowner for the actual heat. No gas or fuel oil is consumed.
A geothermal system is not only cost beneficial, it is very environmentally friendly and it conserves our precious fossil fuels.
Interested?
For additional information on geothermal heating and cooling systems, follow the link.
For additional information on geothermal HVAC systems for your home or for information on other home renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome
Making A Home More Efficient When It Comes To Heating And Cooling
Making A Home More Efficient When It Comes To Heating And Cooling
By Kevin Cox
Heating and cooling cost are one aspect of a home that can be brought down with the right steps. Heating and cooling cost do tend to go up throughout the years and can take a lot of money out of your pocket over time. One thing you can do to make a home more efficient when it comes to heating and cooling is getting more insulation. One great way to add more insulation to a home is when adding vinyl siding, not only you will save on your heating and cooling bills you will be giving your home a new look from the outside. When getting vinyl siding it is important to get the thickest insulation you can afford.
Another thing when it comes to vinyl sidings is get a life time guarantee. The last thing you want is to get vinyl sidings and in a couple of month some more money has to come out of your pocket. With a life time guarantee if something ever happens with the vinyl siding or the insulation it will be replace or fixed for free. Another thing you can do to make a home more efficient when it comes to heating and cooling is replace the windows. Windows that are efficient when it comes to heating and cooling tend to be a bit more expensive than your conventional windows. The good thing is these windows pay for them self in less than ten years form the savings you get for being more efficient. With windows it is also wise to have a life time guarantee.
One last thing you can do to make a home more efficient when it comes to heating and cooling is replace any door leading to outside the home if you feel a draft when waking by them. Making a home more efficient when it comes to heating and cooling may seem expensive but it will pay for itself throughout the life of the home.
A good web site where you can see more information on topics like this is Real Estate Facts which is highly recommended. Thank you and enjoy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Cox
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