This is just a short little post about "necessity" being, "the mother of invention" (or better yet the child of destruction). Someone wanted a light fixture at the peak of the roof to light up the back yard----who doesn't. Solution?
Just run a wire from a switch next to the fireplace, up through the brick of the chimney, install a receptacle, and just plug it in. This is a wood burning fireplace I might add-----and in obviously poor condition (along with the entire addition that ultimately had to be torn down). It was an installation that hopefully no licensed Sparky would ever do.
You can't see the light in this picture, but you can see the cord coiled up on the roof and running around the corner toward the light. Note also the plug on the pipe running down through the roof-----this is for another light on top of the pipe---and just waiting to be plugged in. Now obviously when you have such an installation you don't want water getting into the outlet and running down inside the chimney where it might do some damage----so you have to tape the outlet all up nice with electrical tape.
At least they didn't use duct tape.
Would duct tape have been better? Let's don't go there.
Charles Buell
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Everything can be fixed with duct tape...
Also I can appreciate the child of destruction line!
Before reading the blog I looked at the picture and thought that looks like a chimney no it couldnt be. What was that guy smoking the day he wired that.
wow... someone went through a lot of trouble to do a really bad installation.
It is amazing how lazy some folks are. Maybe someone's brother-in-law did this for only 2 six packs of beer!
Hi Charles. I see nothing wrong with that installation. This bonehead wants insurance money - don't you see? Sheesh! -Ray
Darrell---it seems like it:)
Heather---same question I asked.
Alan---yup
Jim, I think some guy did it for nothing more than the points it gained him with his wife:)
Ray---why the heck didn't I think of that----of course that is the answer.
I kinda like it, brick's not flammable...right? You really got to wonder what people are thinking at times.
Charles: "child of destruction," thats good stuff:)
But duct tape as you no is no good for electrical work: The silver side is conductive. (I learned that one the hard way years ago!)
Charles - oh my gosh... all the "fun" things you run into in your career :). ~Rita
Charles - I'm heading home right now to do some re-wiring on my chimney. Thanks for your excellent "how to" post, I find it most encouraging. Haha.
How many beers did they have when they decided that was a good idea.
I'd have gone with the duct tape. Yeah, that's the ticket... oh, and a nail on the chimney to hang that coil of wire on. Other than that, no complaints here!
Suesan---probably what the installer was thinking as well. This chimney was far from desireable. First of all it had two fireplaces, one flue, no flue liner and only single wall of brick----just plain weird.
Hey Jim---remember that old song "Eve of destruction":)
Rita----never a dull moment, that is for sure
Matt, let me know how it goes---don't forget to send pictures.
Anita----the were probably a "beer shor of a six pack"
Jay---yes I suggested the nail:) LOL
Was the name of the owner of this property "Rube Goldberg" by chance?? :-)
Jim, I think Rube Goldberg slept in more places than George Washington:)
He wanted to keep the cord from freezing, the last thing you need is a leaky frozen electric line running up through your chimney.
Freezing? What is that?:)
Charlie,
Nutsy took some photos of your house while he was there. Boy, real similarity to those Sparky photos.
Lets see----I wanna see---
Charlie - Now, ain't that the most innovative thing I've ever seen? Gosh, did they try to sell the "outdoor lighting" as a special selling feature too?
Carol, about all it "sold" was itself as a tear-down.
Hey Charles, you do know my comment was meant in jest? I thought is was too funny to pass commenting on. Besides, I'm really enjoying your posts.
Suesan, not to worry----I asumed you were being tongue in cheek----I was just providing a little additional information:)
Charles,
It went great. Thanks for the advice and keep sending me great ideas for home improvement. You're like the Bob Villa of ActiveRain. Enclosed, please find a photo of my handiwork. Thanks again! - Matt
photos courtesty of Scallop Holden
Nice job Matt---I may have you over to my place to help clean up