Fireplaces In & Out
Fire is one of the primitive holdovers from the Stone Age, like shelter and clothing that we still hold sacred. Everyone enjoys a good campfire. Humans have improved upon it, we have accessorized it and no longer use it as our primary cooking tool, unless you are...
What is a Foundation Vent?
Foundation vents are a common device found in most forms of residential construction. They are a necessity but usually obscured by mature shrubbery and are never accentuated. In fact, you could have lived in your home for over 50 years and have never noticed them....
Fixing Concrete Fractures
According to my concrete contractor John. "There are only two types of concrete, that which is cracked already, and that which has the potential to crack." Although your slabs may be "cracking up"...it is no laughing matter. Using cement wisely and properly is an art...
What Does Hail Damage Do to a Roof?
Here in the Treasure Valley Idaho we had a big hail storm September 5th 2013. It came in from South West and clobbered the North West end of the valley hard, especially Eagle, Idaho. Roofers all over the region started licking their lips and scouting out the areas...
Ode To An Old Appliance.
Most folks don't think much about dishwashers, they have become a necessity of modern life. Most kitchens have them and if they do, the most common decision is what color they will be. Stainless is all the rage right now but black and white are still selling according...
9 Volt Battery Safety Alert
I saw a heartfelt plea from a gentleman on the internet that had a 9 volt battery cause a serious house fire. Part of his concern is that he felt very responsible because he was ignorant of the danger and asked that I pass this information along. I'm doing my duty to...
Recent Posts
Gas Furnace Flame Sensor Fix
The flame sensor was an ingenious solution to a serious safety problem. On a gas furnace, they provide an incredible safety feature when they are working right. When they aren't they become a menace and cause silly service calls. For some reason there seems to be a...
Failing Exhaust Duct work
A client called to report a hot exhaust wall in their bathroom. Naturally fire and Carbon monoxide poison come to mind. The gas water heater exhaust and the 80% furnace exhausts commingle and go up and out of the home in a double walled oval exhaust flu. The home was...
Is My House Toxic?
I have always enjoyed understanding building science and have dabbled in the realm of an amateur of sorts trying to discover what is causing a home to make a resident feel ill when they are inside of it. Being a former Paramedic, I blend my knowledge into a pretty...
Figuring Out a Three Way Switch
Three way switches used to frighten me, they seemed so complicated. I found a great residential electrical book and redrew the diagram several times until I thought I had it figured out. Inevitably, I ended up not trusting myself and randomly switching wires around...
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