Gil Strachan asked:


More and more frequently insurance companies are refusing to insure homes with 60 amp services, knob and tube wiring, and in some cases, even aluminum wiring. Does this mean these types of components or systems are categorically dangerous? No. Like all electrical components, they can be dangerous is they do not meet certain minimum requirements, but they can also be as safe as any others.

The Consumer Division of the Insurance Bureau of Canada operates an information line at 1-800-387-2880 that can answer some questions with respect to how to obtain insurance on homes equipped with 60 amp services, knob & tube and aluminum wiring.

60 Amp Services

Most standard sized homes built prior to the 1960’s were equipped with a 60 amp electrical service. This size of service was reasonably well suited to the needs of living at the time. However, the search for convenience and enhanced lifestyle has generally increased the demand on the electrical systems of homes today.

A common misunderstanding is that the ampacity (size, or capacity) of a home’s electrical service is determined by checking the main breaker or fuses or the rating imprinted on the panel. This method of determining size is fraught with problems as the ratings of breakers, fuses and panels may correlate to the size of the electrical service, but in many cases they don’t. The panel could have been upgraded without upgrading the service wires.

Electric Service Entry

The size of an electrical service is established by the ampacity (capacity) of the incoming service wires. The only reliable method of determining the size of the service is to observe and correctly identify the size of the incoming wires and the related equipment (mast, meter base, etc.).

It is becoming a common belief that electrical services less than 100 amps are inadequate, therefore unsafe and therefore, they must be upgraded. Smaller electrical services, such as 60 amps a not necessarily unsafe and are not categorically inadequate. A 60 amp service will however, limit the number of appliances that can be used at any one time.

For safey and practical purposes the adequacy of an electrical service should be judged against the size of the potential or expected load it will be required to carry. To some degree the load is determined by the size and number of circuits in the home and by the size of the home.

One indication of a service that is undersized for the demands applied to it is the blowing or popping of the main fuses or breaker switch. If the main fuses or breaker is affected, the service is probably undersized. If the service is undersized for the current demands, increasing the size of the service is one option; an alternative is to reduce the quantity of heavy loads such as the oven, clothes dryer or water heater. Central air-conditioners also draw heavy current and the installation of one may require the upgrading of the electrical service.

Another common belief is that if an individual circuit breaker pops or a fuse blows on a regular basis, the service requires upgrading. Problems with individual circuit breakers or fuses indicate only that the circuit involved has a problem and most likely, it is more heavily loaded than it was designed to be. A service upgrade would not necessarily solve this problem. What is probably needed is to reduce the load on the affected circuit, possibly by introducing another circuit into the area where it’s needed.

“Knob & Tube” Wiring

Knob & tube wiring is a type of wiring which was in common use until the 1940’s and sometimes used as late as the 1950’s. The nick-name is derived from the ceramic knobs that are employed to insulate and secure the wiring runs and the ceramic tubes employed to protect the wires where they pass thru potentially abrasive materials (primarily wood joists, studs etc.) Unlike subsequent wiring systems where all the wires in a run are enclosed in a cable, the two wires (black/hot and white/neutral) run separately and only come together at a terminal (switch, receptacle, fixture, junction box etc.).

Knob & Tube Wiring

Knob & tube wiring does not provide a third wire for grounding and is therefore considered unsafe in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and outdoors. In other areas, knob & tube wiring that is in good condition with sheathing intact, properly protected from damage, and that hasn’t been subjected to extended periods of overloading which can cause it to become brittle, should not pose an increased safety risk.

Aside from the preceding concerns, the primary risk with knob & tube wiring, it seems, is it’s relative accessibility for amateur repairs, upgrades and maintenance. It is not uncommon to see a system with knob & tube wiring that has a history of amateur work (poorly joined connections, unfastened runs, unprotected wires, etc.). If a house does have knob & tube wiring wiring it should be inspected to ensure that it is properly installed and in good condition.

Note: Many older homes with originally installed knob & tube wiring have had some of the wiring upgraded. While modern wiring is visible in many areas, much of the knob & tube wiring may still be in place and concealed beneath floors, above ceilings and hehind walls.

If a few, but not all, of the circuits are in poor condition they can be replaced eventually without rewiring the whole house. However, if most or all of the circuits are in poor condition, it may be more economical to completely rewire the home. Rewiring can also allow the electrical system to be more convenient as the new circuits can be designed to accomodate the present lifestyle of the occupants of the home.

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brndnh721 asked:


Wanted to see rough price for adding plumbing for dishwasher , there are hot and cold pipes and a drain pipe right below in basement about 5 feet from dishwasher and can this plumbing come up behind the dishwasher?
The sink is to far away to tap off and I will be doing the electrical

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senseless asked:

How many people with mancaves actually have a Genuine Man Cave? mancaves.com

muhameedthamer asked:


How did cave man descoverd coal or chimistry??????

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Dan asked:


I did extensive work to my home I live in this summer..roof, windows, plumbing are they tax deductable?

Get help with your home.

John Parks asked:


Come on, admit it. You’d love to have a new and improved kitchen but you’re convinced you could never afford it, right? Remodeling your kitchen doesn’t have to put you into long-term debt. By putting these tips into practice, you could have that kitchen remodel you’ve been dreaming of and still have money left over in the bank.

1. Don’t be afraid to consult a professional. Their insider remodeling secrets could save you a bundle on your kitchen makeover. Advice from a cabinetry company can help you bring affordable elegance to your kitchen remodel.

2. Consider replacing your kitchen cabinets’ hardware as opposed to the entire door. Today’s hardware options include nickel, steel, copper, porcelain, wood and iron to suit a wide range of kitchen remodeling tastes. You’ll be amazed at how big of a transformation this seemingly little strategy can make in your kitchen remodel project.

3. If your kitchen cabinets are sound but the doors have seen better days, refacing them is a much cheaper alternative to replacing them. Glass doors allow you to show off your kitchen collection while laminate doors (in a variety of colors) and wood doors (in a variety of type) give you that contemporary or rustic kitchen remodel look you’re seeking.

4. Eliminate your kitchen clutter with affordable organizational items like pan drawers, lazy susans, cutlery dividers and pull out sink basis. Once everything is stored away inside these inexpensive accessories, your kitchen will look instantly refreshed, without spending a fortune on a complete remodel.

A remodeled and up-to-date kitchen provides one of the highest returns on investment in home improvement. These simple and inexpensive remodeling tips will help you not only enjoy your kitchen more, but will also bring you a higher dollar value when you sell your home.

Don M Fisher asked:


If you are thinking of the next project for Electrical Home Improvement try one of the new home electrical systems. These “home improvement electrical” systems are very cheap to build and install, will also save you a lot of money in electricity bills from your provider. These systems can be an add-on one step at a time until your home becomes 100% self powering.

In the last 100 years our civilization has invented the airplane, gone to the moon and living in space. We have invented the electric tube and the printing press which have both developed and merged into computers and instant mass media access, and some of these had their beginning in small electrical home improvement projects developed in the back yard or basements.

Energy, the biggest Industry in the World has been left behind in the Stone Age by remaining total dependent on carbon fossil fuels. The majority of our Home Energy needs produced today come from Hydro Electric (dams), Steam (carbon fossil fuels) or Nuclear; these are very unfriendly to the environment contributing to the green house effect and global warming. There has been a few people working on home improvement systems to finding ways of alternate energy sources and have scaled these into a single affordable home electrical improvement package.

It has only been in the last 20 years that improvement to electrical home supply has been seriously looked at with the development of Wind, Solar and Magnetic Generators, and this is only because the general population started to become concerned about environmental issues. Our whole civilization is 100% dependent on electricity to make our life comfortable and achieve the all our advancements. Why then has the method of burning fossil fuels to produce electricity not changed in the last century?

There are alternative home electric systems available to you that are home size that come in the form of electrical home improvement plans or kits. They are easy to build or install, safe to operate, affordable and will supply enough electricity to operate your entire home.

The two main benefits you receive by taking on one of these electrical home improvement projects:

1. Save your money by not paying for electricity.

2. These systems operate pollution free and you will be helping to reduce global warming.

Let us be honest here, the electricity supply companies are not going to sell you a stand-alone free electrical home improvement system, in fact can start manufacturing a system without encountering massive opposition. This is why these electricity producing electrical home improvement projects are sold on the internet. You can build them at home with materials from your local hardware store or buy a assembled kits and have the system install any local handyman can do this.

The different types of Electrical Improvement projects for alternative home electricity systems and be found at the links located within this article. There is a lot more detailed information at this review site to a comprehensive comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each electrical home improvement project type.

#1 Antelope Valley Contractor

Greg Dennely asked:


Remodeling a kitchen can be fun or a disaster; I once heard the divorce rating during kitchen remodeling is high! Living without a kitchen can be more than an inconvenience, it can be painful.

So whether you are a man or a woman, single or married, here are some important planning tips about kitchen islands to avoid the headaches and minimize your kitchen downtime.

The Kitchen Triangle - No this is not like the Bermuda triangle, though plenty of stuff seems to disappear in my kitchen! The most efficient design for most kitchens is when the locations of the stove, refrigerator, and sink/dishwasher form a triangle. Consider this when planning the construction of a kitchen island. What is the purpose of the island?

An island can:
* provide more workspace
* house appliances
* add storage
* provide seating and eating space

The Kitchen Island - If you are adding an island, there are some measurements to keep in mind. There needs to be a minimum of 36″ for walking between counters, appliances, cabinets and islands. Also ensure that every one of the appliance and cabinet doors has ample room to open and close completely. The height of the island should be the same as your counter height. Many are square or rectangular, though the shape of your island is only limited by the space and your imagination.

Islands are usually designed with the same finishing materials as the kitchen cabinets in order to blend in perfectly. However they can be metal, wood, or stone. Some islands wrap the surface material down one or more of the sides. Islands often need electricity. You don’t want to have electrical cords hanging across the walkway areas. Electrical outlets can be installed high on the sides of the island and preferably away from any seating areas around the island. Check local codes. Most advise 20 amp 120-volt circuits and GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles.

Appliances on the Island - Islands can incorporate appliances, stove tops, and even sinks.

Above Your Island - The lighting above your island should be considered as well as other options. In many installations, cabinets, pots and pan hangers, and vent hoods or exhaust chutes can be installed above the island, depending on the application. There are all sorts of different racks available for hanging pots and pans above your island. They come in many shapes and sizes and finishes. Be sure to measure for clearance if people will be seated anywhere around the island.

Island Tops - Counter top planning requires some answers to a few questions:
* How much cooking and baking will be done?
* What is the counter top budget?
* What material do you prefer?

Think about heat resistant counter top materials such as stone, granite, tile, or metal that blends with the other counter tops in the area. Nowadays people do mix and match surfaces depending on use.

Make sure edges and corners are smooth and rounded for safety. The most widely used counter top materials for many years were Formica and laminates. Now lower costs and technology are replacing laminates with natural stone and newer fabricated surfaces. Some counter top materials include butcher block, ceramic, concrete, copper, granite, laminate, limestone, marble, quartz, slate, soapstone, stainless steel, stone, tile, and wood.

Under Your Island - Under island cabinets and drawers are common and useful storage. If your island holds the primary sink you’ll likely want to put in a dishwasher as well. An island can often be a useful location to have a trash bin installed as people may be eating around the area regularly.

No Island is an Island - Even your island is subject to local building codes. You will want to run your plans by a local contractor and/or your zoning code engineer to make sure your island is meeting all building codes.

yellowpages asked:

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durakool asked:

Informative video showing the differences in the materials and quality of Durakools ULTRA line of patio covers.

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