bcworkz

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Apr 11	comment	What NEC requirements apply to installing receptacle next to a tree? Any wood in contact with earth should be decay resistant or treated. Over sized rigid conduit would also be adequate support, though if it's considered a structural support it would be a code violation. I see it as unsupported conduit simply supporting itself, non-structural, but this may be wishful thinking.
Apr 11	answered	Why does water and gunk back up through the overflow hole in the bathroom sink?
Apr 10	comment	Will a Dremel multipurpose bit cut through 1/2 inch polycarbonate? To prevent melted plastic from gumming up the bit, the feed rate would have to be painfully slow. You will make faster progress with a manual coping saw similar in cost to a couple Dremel bits.
Apr 10	comment	Which steel is stronger: Cold rolled, hot rolled, or stainless? Yes, exactly! The important section property to compare for relative stiffness, since most steels are equally stiff, is moment of inertia (I). 1/4 x 1-1/2 bar stock I=0.0703. The 1-1/2x1/2x1/8 channel I=0.0796, only 13% stiffer, but at 5/6 the weight. The stiffness of a given sectional area increases in proportion to the distance squared from the center line, so big gains in stiffness by moving more area away from the center line. The difference is small with small sections, huge for larger sections.
Apr 9	comment	Which steel is stronger: Cold rolled, hot rolled, or stainless? If you can at all see your way into using a channel section instead of bar stock, you will find this shape is substantially stiffer than bar stock for the same weight per foot. The more material farther from the centerline makes for stiffer sections. This is why I beams are popular in steel structures.
Apr 9	comment	How does this axial-flow propeller pump work? The windings are often around ferrous cores to amplify the generated magnetism. The magnets in the armature are attracted to these cores even though there is no current flowing. I'm pretty sure the tilt does not help move water, it is to allow for less than perfect balancing to reduce manufacturing cost.
Apr 9	comment	How can I fix a bathtub refinishing debacle? You may not need to completely remove it, only achieve an even uniform surface. Still not easy. Thinking out of the box, look at what's possible in auto body work. Once the surface is even, apply a proper resurfacing product. I wonder, can this product be applied over bondo?
Apr 9	comment	Why did my ceiling light fixture stop working after adding an outlet on the same circuit? You probably actually were measuring voltage (volts), not current (amps). What kind of connectors did you employ? It's possible for a bad connection to deliver voltage, but not enough current to drive a light.
Apr 9	comment	How to resolve a drainage issue with aerator lower than the original outlet See Update 2 in original answer. I knew I would run out of room answering as a comment here.
Apr 9	revised	How to resolve a drainage issue with aerator lower than the original outlet More info based on OP's added questions
Apr 8	revised	How to resolve a drainage issue with aerator lower than the original outlet added image
Apr 8	comment	Should I attempt to get to a potentially damaged trap and check it out myself? Since it's backing up from somewhere, the garage drain trap is not the problem, it is something common to both the kitchen (if that's really the source) and the garage drain, but before the main, so between the wye and the main line.
Apr 8	comment	How to resolve a drainage issue with aerator lower than the original outlet No, I'm suggesting B and E go away. Dishwasher will go into disposer, this will buffer any possible trap scouring (not sure if that would be an issue). Turn D or it's long replacement so it's outlet is down. Shorten the horizontal out of disposer and rotate F 90 deg to match the new location of D. It's getting late now, I'll try to scan a crude sketch and post it above tomorrow.
Apr 6	comment	What could be causing low pressure in my new faucet? 2.2gpm is the max. allowed flow rate according to model plumbing codes in the US, so finding a higher flow in the US could be difficult. The reasoning for this restriction is to conserve water and energy, a laudable goal. Some fixtures, especially cheaper ones, achieve this with a restrictor plate above the aerator which is easily removed, defeating the conservation intent.
Apr 6	comment	Can I use two 2x4's to replace 4x4 posts in a loft bed? Yes it is a deck of sorts, but instead of a 60psf live load for a crowd of people dancing, for which your size recommendations are completely appropriate, we're looking at more like 15psf live load for 2 people, um... "dancing". 2x4 joists and 2x6 beam will be fine, IMO. Compare with the member sizes often seen in commercial bed frames. I feel like I'm nit-picking you with minor details, even though you always have excellent answers. I call 'em as I see 'em.
Apr 6	comment	If I use (2) 3/4“ inlet PEX manifolds (hot/cold), do I need 1” PEX supply from the meter? Even with a 3/4" meter, 1" pipe will reduce the pressure drop due to friction. How much is saved depends on the peak flow, it could be significant or inconsequential. The determining factor is not the manifold size, it is the actual simultaneous fixture demand.
Apr 6	answered	How to resolve a drainage issue with aerator lower than the original outlet
Apr 5	comment	Can a lack of oxygen cause septic tank deterioration? It's me, Capt. Pedantic again. Sludge is actually the indigestible material at the bottom, there is no point aerating that, you want to leave it undisturbed. You want to aerate the sewage above that layer. I wonder if simply venting the tank would help, if it is not already. One should strongly desire to avoid the mechanical complexity of an aeration system unless completely necessary.
Apr 4	comment	Is it alright for an exhaust fan to vent into the loft? +1 Even though it is agreed this is a terrible practice, it is apparently a quite common practice. The more I hear about it, the angrier I get. I imagine a special unpleasant place for people that do bad things because no one can easily see it.
Apr 4	comment	Can my drywall act as an air barrier? Wrapping the exterior does not in any way address the issue of moisture migrating from the interior and condensing in the insulation. It does stop external air infiltration from removing heat from the insulation quickly.