Not Enough Circuits (Answer)

Hey Mattela,

I recommend that you consult the electrician doing your work. Or, if you are knowledgeable on wiring and the safety precautions of doing the work, you can do the work yourself.

My recommendation is to run two twenty-amp circuits. Put half of your outlets on one and the other half on the other. If you are doing this yourself, don’t forget to use 12/2 wires. For safety, never attempt a do-it-your-self electrical job without the proper knowledge of wiring methods and safety precautions.

Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Not Enough Circuits (Question)

Hey Al,

We just moved into a larger house with a workshop area. It is large enough for my tools, but it only has a 15-amp lighting circuit and no outlets. I am upgrading the electrical service to run my power tools.

I have a table saw, a bench grinder, a vacuum cleaner, a table sander, and a drill press. Between my son and I, we may run two of these tools at a time and I want the circuits to be adequate for this, without tripping breakers. I need to install six receptacles, but I need to know how many circuits to put them on and what amp breakers to use?

Can you help me?

Mattela

I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Chimney Cap (Answer)

Dear Amelia,

Chimney caps are protective coverings for chimneys that are usually made of aluminum, galvanized or stainless steel, or copper. Most have a mesh screening that serves as a spark arrestor and barrier against animals. They also prevent rain from entering the flue of the chimney.

All chimneys, even unused ones need a cap to keep out rain. The rain will soak into the masonry and bring moisture into your house.

Since this chimney is not in use, you can either use a chimney cap, or block the flue. A two inch masonry block can be caulked or cemented on the top of the flue to seal it completely off. This a more permanent fix.


Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Chimney Cap (Question)

Hey Al,

We recently purchased a thirty-year-old house that has been completely updated.

Our home inspector said that the chimney does not have a cap. He also said that the chimney was used for the old furnace and the old water heater. Both have been removed and replaced with new units that have their own venting system.

Since the chimney is no longer being used for anything, should I still put a cap on it?

Can you help me understand?

Amelia


I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Black Staining on the Roof (Answer)

Hey Tony,

The black staining is caused by the growth of algae and fungus spores that land on your roof. Trees do not have to be nearby for these air-born menaces to set up camp on your roof. All they need to grow is the nutrients from both the dirt on your roof and the limestone granules on the shingles. Heat and moisture on your roof will help them turn your whole roof black.

Roof shingles come in a wide variety of quality as indicated by the prices. The higher quality shingles have treatment to prevent algae and fungus growth. This treatment involves adding varying amounts of copper and zinc granules, and petroleum distillates on the shingles. Cleaning and controlling algae and fungus growth can add to the life of your roof.

If you choose to clean the roof yourself, be careful of products that are just bleach or chlorine. This type of product can leave your roof streaked and can also dry out the singles and cause premature cracking and a shorter shingle life. Some of these products also will kill grass and shrubbery. Read product labels carefully and follow the application directions. Most of all, be careful working on the roof, because you can cause damage to yourself and the roof.

Another alternative is to call a qualified roof cleaning company. You still need to ask if the products they use will cause streaking or grass and shrub damage. Roof cleaning companies can also provide preventative maintenance services that can prevent future algae and fungus growth.

Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Black Staining on the Roof (Question)

Hey Al,

We live in a twenty-year-old ranch, with a two-year-old roof. We had the new roof done in a light colored shingle.

Now we have noticed black staining starting near the peak and running towards the edge. Our house faces south, but the stains are on both sides of the roof. We are not close to trees, so we cannot figure out what is causing these stains.

Can you tell us what these stains are and how to get rid of them?

Tony

Thanks for your question.

I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Deck Staining (Answer)

Hey Mark,

It is difficult to put a time factor on when it is safe to seal, paint or stain newly constructed porches or decks. What really matters is the moisture content of the material. The moisture content for paint, sealer, and stain applications should not exceed 14 percent. To determine the moisture content, you will need to rent a moisture meter. Some of these meters have probes that look like pins; they are only intended to touch on the surface for the moisture reading, not actually inserted into the material.

For older decks, it’s a bit easier to determine when to stain or reseal. A simple test would be to check the deck after a short or moderate rainfall – or pour a half-cup of water on slowly. If water is beading on the surface, the deck is sealed and protected. If the water is absorbed quickly, it’s time to reseal.

There are many brands and types of deck finish; none is perfect for all situations. Their success lies not in the type of ingredients – or the price – but in how well they penetrate the wood. The more they soak into the wood, the longer the finish will last. Be sure, however, to get a sealer with ultraviolet protection, since sun can be your deck’s worst enemy.

Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Deck Staining (Question)

Hey Al,

I built a new house with a deck in May 2003. I have heard that you shouldn’t stain your deck or porch for a year, but I would like to do so before winter even though the wood is pressure-treated (the new kind).

Which is correct?

Mark

Thanks for your question.

I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Draining Problem (Answer)

Hey Val,

Judging from the age of your house and the symptoms you described, you probably have a clogged or collapsed yard drain. The drain line for the sewer runs from your house to the street, where it connects to the public sewer system. These lines can be crushed from tree roots or get clogged over time.
The reason that the drains only clog when you use a lot of water is because the lines are only partially blocked. Under light use, the drains can handle the water without backing up. With heavy use, the lines fill faster than the partially clogged drain can drain.
For a temporary fix, you can buy some drain line cleaning crystals that you can flush down the toilet. But the best way to fix this is to have a plumber clean and scope the drain.
If they tell you that you have “Orangeburg” pipe, you will need it replaced. Orangeburg is the brand name of a bituminous fiber sewer pipe material that was made by rolling tar and paper into the shape of a tube. The pipe tends to deteriorate with age and no longer maintains a round interior circumference. The pipe can be further damaged with the use of routers. These pipes also are susceptible to damage from plant roots.

Al

Thanks for your question.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.

Draining Problem (Question)

Hey Al,

We live in a slab home that was built in the sixties. We are on the public sewer system. We have lived here for ten years and up to this point we have never had a problem with slow drains. The weird thing is that the drains work fine until we wash a lot of clothes or take several baths in a row. Then everything backs up.

Thanks for any help you can give us.

Val

Thanks for your question.

I will post the answer tomorrow.

Please send questions to agarrett54@hotmail.com Please put "Hey Al" in the subject box.