A common way that defects happen in homes is they simply get done wrong from the get-go. Improper installations that involve, clearances, types of materials and code violations are all common. Another way that defects happen is when repairs to existing, properly installed, components get done wrong----during the repairs. This is often the case in areas that involve multiple trades. For example Uncle Harry knows how to do plumbing----or at least good enough to make water run down hill and not leak---but does not fully understand electrical systems. Take for example, this outside faucet repair. One can see where the wall inside the garage has been opened up and new copper piping has been added, replacing the old galvanized pipe and non-frost free type faucet. While there are issues with attaching the copper to the galvanized pipe (electrolysis is possible due to the dissimilar metals), at least it was not leaking. To make this repair or upgrade of the faucet however, the house grounding electrode was disconnected. One can see the disconnected wire at the left of the pipe. The electrical system was still grounded via the ground rods driven near the meter, but this defect results in the incoming water pipe no longer being used as part of the grounding electrode system and also results in all the metal piping in the home being un-bonded to the electrical system. This is how we can be grounded and not grounded all at the same time. Without being overly technical, this condition creates a second pathway to ground. In the event of a ground fault and a person could become part of the pathway as the electricity was trying to figure out which way to go to ground. In other words----bad electrical juju. Obviously the ground wire needs to be properly reconnected to the water pipe by a licensed electrical contractor. Not a difficult fix----but certainly a life saving one. Charles Buell
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Charles,
Thank you for the post. It shows why Buyers should always have the home looked at by an Inspector . . . and that Uncle Harry should go back into retirement.
Charles, another good reason to use a quality home inspector
Ty
Good one! That old "Uncle" who makes repairs . . . ha ha ha. In my repair addendums, there's a clause that stipulates all repairs to be done by a licensed, bonded contractor in the state. That why, we actually don't have Uncle Harry fixing (?) things for the sellers. The picture almost looks like a body opened up for surgery . . .
Ron, these sorts of grounding/bonding issues are important things for inspectors to be looking for.
Thanks Ty
Carla, they do indeed look like surgery----it is in a way. Now if they had closed this up I likely would not have noticed that all of the parts weren't put back together:) I know surgeons hate when that happens!
I'm sure the plumber who disconnected it was thinking, "Some idiot tied this wire to the pipe... sheesh!" Great example and great post!
Joeseph---it is a little hard to understand how anyone could take it off and think it was not necessary to put it back on.
Nice catch, Charles. Makes you wonder sometimes what is going on behind those walls when you see a lot of handyman work.
It's the little things like this that add up to a mountians of problems to be repaired in some homes.
Troy, thanks----it really does. While some things can be "deduced" at times----lots of things just can't be.
Lizette, every day it seems that "oversight" becomes more and more important. At some point we scurried past the point where everyone can just simply do whatever they want:)
Mr Charles,
I hardly think that all these people should be crowing about clever Mr Charles. I know that you did that at your own property so you would have a photo-op. You are so shameless.
Nutsy
"Ground-nutsy"----isn't that a type of burger?
This one is kinda complex for a simple realtor. Let's get back to pvc pipes. LOL
That was the name of the thing that runs from water heaters, wasn't it???
Barbara, I know this one is a "little" more complicated than usual----but it is one I want to be able to link to in my reports for additional information:)
Did you discover that while eating Jujubees?
Hi Charles. There is no substitute for competence in anything we do, repairs, grounding, etc. Education is the key as long as we don't have lazy people listening or in these professions. Thanks for always your well worded and illustrated examples of the right ways to do things. Getting "shocked" is no way to start your day.
Jay, most likely:)
Gary, or end your day either:) With the Internet there is almost no excuse for not being able to find out how to do things correctly----if you really want to know.
If the work was getting properly permitted even your do-it-yourselfers might be okay. I've found building and electrical inspectors to be very helpful.
I'm sure that we all would rather live in a safe and sound home. Anyone wanting to work on their own home should get the proper permits and it would be advisable to at least have someone knowledgeable take a look at the work. The safety of your family and home could be at stake otherwise.
Charles, I think that is the key. Regardless of whether the work is pemitted or not it just needs to be done properly.
Why Charles this is shocking. A jolting revelation that has saved another homeowner form an electrifying problem.
Mr Charles,
There is no point in your comment becoming snide and personal.
Nutsy
Gene, you sound all charged up about it
Nutsy, let me give you a pizza my mind.
All you guys crack me up! What a fun time it would be to go on an inspection with you, CHarles. I'm passing along all this to the Inspector I use alot. He's pretty fun too!
Thanks for a great post!
This is why I always recommend that my buyers get a home imspection.
Ground rods DO NOT provide the ground for the electrical system.
Nor do these provide a path for ground faults.
Chances are this was not properly installed in the first place. This 'may' not be an easy fix.
Doug thanks
Walter,thanks for stopping by.
Mike Ground Rods are certainly one of several means of grounding the electrical system---not sure what you are referring to. It will certainly be as easy to fix as it was to break:)
Charles
From what you wrote this is mostly likely a 'water bond' and not part of the electrode system. If the water enters the home in metal then re-connecting, at that location, would be a safety hazard.
Electrodes are suppose to put the electrical system at the same potential as earth. They do not make the electrical system work.
The ground comes from the power company and not the electrode(s).
Mike this is where the water enters the house and the pipe is being used as part of the grounding electrode system along with the ground rods.
Charles, It looks the same way to me too. In older electrical systems, it was not unusual to see the water system used as the "earth ground" for the electrical system.
Charles: Bad electical juju = zap that will make your hat fly off.
Michael, a HUGH percentage of houses around here have only the water line to the house as the GEC.
Lyn----or worse:)
Charles
Then you are correct. Did they bond the hot/cold waterlines?
Bonded through the shower fixture Mike.
Mr Charles,
I see that you still have your credibility in tact. Very glad to see that since I am one of your serious students and trusted advisors. As I got it figured, ground is down and sky is up. Do you agree?
Your student and mentor,
Nutsy
Nutsy, again the only thing you have to worry about is "ground-squirrel"----could be the next big thing at Burger World!
Charles, Thanks so much for pointing this type of stuff out to us. I learn so much from reading your blog about proper installations
GEC -- Grounding electrode conductor (wire)
The water line is an electrode.
"Bonded through the shower fixture Mike."
Charles how do you know?
Sandy you are welcome,
Mike---why wouldn't it be?
Many disagree with me but a shower valve is NOT a listed bonding device and it can be removed.
Many agree with me that the hot and cold are seperate systems.
Mike, I hear you, and generally most electricians around here will bond the gas pipe, hot and cold pipes all right at the water heater. I can also tell you that as far as the State of Washington is concerned it recognizes a soldered in place shower valve body as adequately connecting the hot and cold pipes together. In many cases this makes for a good deal of redundancy.
Charles
Then in your state there would be no defect. This is one of those, you have to know the rules in your area.
It is sad that electrical rules can not be cut and dry. This is the HI's biggest headache, electrical. Too many different opinions.
I have always said that things would be a lot simpler in the world of electricity of things just would not work when they were wired wrong----unfortunately this is just not the case :) I have a feeling the "principles" are the same pretty much everywhere----it is the interpretation that varies and much of this gets fine tuned every code cycle. Someday there will likely be more consensus----other areas it may not matter
Mr Charles,
If you are looking for consensus, I will agree on this one involving the wire that you ran through the shower rod. Very hard to walk I must say.
Nutsy
Charles i've said it before. Leave the technical work to the experts.