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  1. M

    Why would I have a single GFCI outlet in the garage?

    My garage fridge is on its own circuit. The only GFCI circuit is for the exterior outlets. I've got the only garage that I've ever seen with even a single GFCI.
  2. M

    Why would I have a single GFCI outlet in the garage?

    I put a GFCI as the first outlet in my garage. It's the same concept as having one near a bathroom sink.
  3. M

    Is this wiring dangerous

    Judging from how that's wired I'd inspect the wiring throughout the entire home. Usually when I find something like that I find more oddly wired things.
  4. M

    Water Heater Leaking

    I recall reading about some heaters having rods that were reacting with hard water and causing a sulfur smell when they corrode. I have never changed a rod so..
  5. M

    Water Heater Leaking

    I just replaced a Bradford water heater that matches that description. There were a number of complaints about the model I replaced rusting through. 9 years old means that it is time for a replacement, though. The particular unit I had replaced was on a closed city water system without an...
  6. M

    Breaker keeps tripping

    If you can borrow an AC clamp meter you can monitor the amperage draw of the circuit. I do this near the breaker while there's a load on the circuit. I found that our 20 amp kitchen circuit was drawing around 22 amps with the coffee pot, microwave, and toaster operating. This did not trip the...
  7. M

    Is this wiring dangerous

    Aside from "Code" and legality issues, the safety of this depends on the gauge wire powering this outlet, the amperage of the breaker, and how many amps are drawn. If that's 14/2 running to the box I'd definitely do something about it. If it were my home I'd join these wires in a junction box...
  8. M

    Removing galvanized and going copper

    My personal suggestion here. -3/4" copper or larger to the water heater and cold water. -3/4" or larger OUT of the water heater. -Build a manifold that equally distributes water pressure to each fixture, even if you decide to use pex. Each sink or appliance should be split to 1/2" lines...
  9. M

    Pump Basement Natural Spring in to City Sewer?

    Do pumps usually have a check valve built in? I read that these do but I have no idea. The current pump has a 40' corrugated 1-1/2" plastic line that pumps straight upward for about 5' and turns with three 90s and finally to a barrel where the water eventually evaporates. Here's the spring barrel.
  10. M

    Help with Outside Garage Lighting

    1. Turn off breaker to Light Circuit. Or suspect breaker circuit(s). 2. Confirm there is no power to switch terminals. Disconnect switch. Confirm there is no power to suspect pair of wires to exterior lights. 3. Remove exterior light(s) to access wires. Confirm there is no power to actual...
  11. M

    Pump Basement Natural Spring in to City Sewer?

    How would you go about plumbing in a drain for the pump without a floor drain? I can tap in to one of several 1-1/2" PVC drain pipes that are running horizontally to the main drain. All drains as well as the main are at least 4' above basement floor level. *Tapping into drain pipe* Sanitary...
  12. M

    Help with Outside Garage Lighting

    I've always felt that wire nuts aren't very safe. A wire that wasn't in the nut tight enough can eventually wiggle its way out and wreak havoc. Seen it many times. Avoid checking the current at the pigtail end at the light switch terminal. Instead, test the main power source wire entering the...
  13. M

    Pump Basement Natural Spring in to City Sewer?

    I wish I'd had photos of the spring. I call this house "A Nightmare on Maple Street".
  14. M

    Pump Basement Natural Spring in to City Sewer?

    The reason I started doing work on this basement is because the city water is so hard that it ruined the water heater, toilet, and copper plumbing lines. It began as a toilet and water heater replacement job but I noticed there was no expansion tank and thus a 4 year old water heater was...
  15. M

    Pump Basement Natural Spring in to City Sewer?

    I've read about it being illegal to have a sump pump routed to a city sewer drain in the home but how about a natural spring in the basement? Yes, this basement has a 55 gallon plastic drum with the bottom cut out embeded in the concrete that fills with spring water. I've never seen anything...
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