AsktheBuilder.com Issue #1292 (I think)

August 11, 2024

Dear ,

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

(Helen Keller)

Once again, the week flew by. Time waits for no one.

My son and I are just about finished installing all of the electric cables in his massive basement finishing project. We're creating 1,300 square feet of new space.

When you think about it, we're building a house under his house sans a roof and exterior siding. It's a massive undertaking.

He's never done electric work before but he's been a quick study. Yesterday we had to take apart a three-way switch at the bottom of the steps and re-route the cables. Part of the task was to disconnect the switch from operating all of the basement lights. Now when you flip the switch, only a light at the top of the steps and one at the bottom works.

That was a deep learning experience for him. He was amazed I could figure out how the circuit was wired. Keep in mind the existing cables disappeared up into holes in the subfloor above. I taught him how to think like the electrician who installed the original circuit.

You do know the difference between a wire and a cable, right? A cable contains two, or more, wires. A wire is a single conductor. Normal cable in your home has two conductors and a ground wire.

I think we have two more full days of electrical work including installing and connecting a sub-panel.

One of the tricks I've taught him is to take a fine-tipped permanent marker and write on the insulation of certain cables what is going on. For example, I might write LINE FROM PANEL CIRCUIT 2 or LOAD TO BAR PENDANT LIGHTS.

I prefer to run all the cables to the outlet and switch boxes. Once all the cable is installed, then I make up all the joints in the boxes. The notes are really helpful weeks later when you've forgotten where each cable goes. You don't have to create these notes for normal cables that are daisy-chained from one outlet to another as you can see what's going on since drywall is not yet installed.

If you need HELP installing electrical cables or figuring out a switch or circuit, I can DO IT OVER THE PHONE. CLICK HERE to have Tim the Virtual Electrician make a service call. I GUARANTEE you I'll save you well over $100 what you'll pay a real electrician to come to your home.

Horrible Terrible Videos

I spent some time this past week locating videos for you that show the WRONG way to do things.

Before we get to the BAD videos, here are two that should be of great interest to you.

The first is a very clever trick should you be working alone. If you need to cut a piece of plywood or OSB and don't want the piece to crack as you finish the cut, WATCH THIS.

Have you ever wondered how a master slate cutter cuts and trims slate? Realize slate is solid rock. WATCH THIS.

Now for the BAD videos.

My college degree is in geology with a focus on both hydrogeology and continental glaciation. Hydrogeology is the study of groundwater.

Stop and think for a moment. Have you ever wondered why and how spring water is crystal clear? How about well water? It's clear too.

What about the muddy water in creeks or streams? Before a storm strikes, that water is clear. After a storm the water is muddy. Why? Think about that for a moment.

Do you know why roads get ruined once a pothole develops? The weight of a vehicle tire crashing down into the pothole filled with water forces water DOWN through the base. The water then mixes with the soil under the road base.

Repeated episodes of the tires crashing into the hole create a pumping action not unlike when you use a plunger to clear a drain pipe. Soil and clay is pulled up into the gravel base.

When this soil mixes with the gravel base, it lubricates it causing the gravel to lose strength. Geotextile road fabrics were created to STOP this. They BLOCK the soil from getting to the gravel.

Some people who thnk they're drainage experts feel you should line french drain trenches with this fabric. They also feel you should put these textile socks around the perforated drain pipe.

It's not required. Why? 

Think about the crystal-clear water in springs and wells. Silt is NOT moving through water that passes through the A layer of topsoil. The soil itself filters this silt in just a few inches of travel.

A fabric installed in a drainage system SLOWS the movement of water into the system.

WATCH THIS video and imagine if you didn't know what I just shared.

Bad Deck Flashing

Before you watch the next bad video, go see what happened at Ed's house. A DUMB builder/carpenter caused severe ROT at his home. GO HERE to see what happens when you hire IDIOTS.

Now imagine you didn't know me and you hired IDIOTS who claim they know everything about the BEST WAY to flash a deck.

GO HERE TO WATCH IDIOTS AT WORK.

I feel so sorry for you and so many others. YouTube is FLOODED with videos showing the WRONG WAY TO DO SO MANY THINGS.

Did you know  I offer TRANSCRIBED phone calls?

Yes, there's NO NEED for you to try to remember what I say OR to take notes. Within an hour of us talking, I can often send you a transcription of the entire conversation you can print out.

Pretty cool, right?

Do you need me to come to your home? I can do that too.

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"Yeah, right. That's the way it is. It's down there and I'm in here. I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.

Andy Dufresne just before he escapes from Shawshank prison.

CLICK HERE to see this classic movie scene.

#DoNotComply

Once bitten, twice shy...

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

The BEST Love Story of all time - well, maybe a close second.

That's enough for a Sunday morning.

Peace out.

Tim Carter (PhD, FullyAwakeology)

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Electromagnetic Adventures: www.W3ATB.com

My Pronouns: Told/You/So

Do It Right, Not Over!