This is it. If you have any electrical and plumbing questions and you want some honest but perhaps "un-official," opinions as to what is going on----you may ask them here. Remember though, no opinions given here should be construed as "The Truth," "The Answer," or the "Best Solution." I do think that you will get good enough information to help you ask the right questions of the right people however.
You may have to sort through the blog for the appropriate response to your question (if other questions get asked in between) so please, if everyone would make some reference to the question they are replying to it would be super helpful.
Inspectors, if you mark the "receive updates" box you will always be in on any new questions that come up.
Ask away!
Charles Buell
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)
all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
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to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)
all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
My WORDLESS WEDNESDAY pictures and some selected POEMS & STORIES.
Hey Charles, I don't really have a question, but I do want to receive updates in the event that I can help.
Charles, I have a question I would like to ask about electrical. I am just a few days away from having footings dug for a garage and will need power for the over head doors, lighting and a few fixtures & plugs. The day may come when the second floor becomes an art studio for my wife. How best to pet power to the garage it will be about 15 feet from the house and I don't want a second meter (or a second electrical bill) but my current breaker box is in the basement with concrete walls.
Sub panel, new service, conduit buried ? your thoughts?
Steve
steve@alpinelakes.com
Rick, thanks
Steve, typically this would be done underground and would typically result in a Remote Distribution Panel (sub-panel) in the detached structure. Most jurisdictions don't allow multiple services to residences. While you could meter it separately it would still all come off the one service to the home. Consult with the electrical contractor as to the adequacy of your current service and all that.
Steve,
A sub-panel should do the trick for ya. Without knowing the specfic layout- to bury it or not is really up to you and your electrical contractor. You shouldn't need new (upgraded) service (as long as your original is not over-taxed now) and a sub-panel will allow you to easily add additional circuits for the art studio.
Thanks for providing this resource Charles!
Ut Oh ...... I see abook in the future being published by Charles. The "How To" book on electrical and plumbing with "Real Questions" and the "answers" from the common Joe.
Sean Allen
There's a thin white/translucent tube running between the tap for the laundry tub (main floor) and into a short length of black flexible tubing sticking out of the basement floor (located next to to waste stack). What is this small tube for?
Me thinks you have the makings of another "perpetual blog" here Charles. Sign me up! Done
Rick, thanks for jumping in there
Bobby, you are most welcome
Sean, you think?
Anthon, it would be helpful if you posted a picture but it sounds like a trap primer tube to me. Everytime you use the sink faucet a little water is by-passed into the floor drain trap to keep it filled with water. Does that fit your scenario?
Russ, unlike other areas of the home the electrical in particular should not be messed with unless you really know what you are doing.
Kevin, great to have you----and please jump in on this "perpetual blog" whenever you can.
After today I will not comment on every comment that comes in on the thread so that it doesn't get all cluttered up. Please post pictures with your questions if you can. I also do not intend to answer all the questions myself and expect this to be a "team" effort. Enjoy!
Anthon - for a second opinion - sounds like a trap primer to me too. Many traps that are in an isolated area dry out over time. The contractor will look for ways to keep a little water trickling into the trap to keep it from going dry.
Russ - does someone have a paid up life insurance policy on you. My wife keeps mine current above even the house payment. Hire an electrician, specially in the service panel.
Charles - Good Blog.
Charles/Jack: thank you. Knowing what to Google for, it indeed sounds like the laundry faucet has a built-in trap seal primer outlet.
The small tube Anthon describes is either a trap primer, ...or a drinking fountain for sewer rats.
Believe me that if something comes up and I need an expert answer I will check in with you!
Good concept here Charles... Now to figure on how to take this to a local level...
LOL @ Kevin. That almost made me want to invest in a waterless trap.
I should know this... but, how would someone physically verify a sewer connection to a home?
Thanks in advance and thanks for the forum to ask these kind of questions!
Heather, thanks for using the group this way. Really the only way to verify the connection is to have a sewer scope done. I am sure you can find one in the yellow pages----just find one that isn't also a plumber to reduce the chance of there being a conflict of interest. Does this answer your question?
Charles - It does. Thanks and I will be back with other questions in the future!