It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

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Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Originally posted by big john:
I'm amazed anything works.
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You and me, both. :eek:

The house is a mid '50s "moderne" built on a slab, unusual in single family dwellings around here. It's a period piece with mahogeny siding, a 4"x4" tongue & groove structural ceiling with the roof membrane over that. . .no voids. There's a fair amount of rigid metal conduit in the slab that, until my project started, was intact. Intact except for the two bathrooms. They had been reset in just the last few years and that's when the work in my photos was done.

It's a miracle that this thing hasn't burned.

BuriedJBox3web.jpg


The feed in the switch box shown above lead to this buried 2 gang plastic rework box (in this photo) that was attached to a stud by screws shot through the box side wall. The box is on its side. 1/2" metal flex comes into this one from the left, and the wire nuts just slid off. The only thing that held the wire nuts was tape. The bath outlet load went through these splices.

The dwelling is getting a gut and reset, so I get to make things right.
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

problem solved the plumber did it when he redid the bathroom or was it the plumbers 6 year old son who after watching his father work says I do not want to do that for a living when I grow up I want something eaisier
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Another example of why electrical supplies should not be sold to just anybody who wants to buy them.

Too bad the owner of the building at the time this "work" was done can't be prosecuted. Bet your butt you wouldn't see as much of this if the owner was afraid to sell his house because the next owner might discover the handiwork and turn him in.

-Hal
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Originally posted by al hildenbrand:
Here are two more pics:

The first was behind a single gang plaster ring. I particularly like the long, thin shaving of cable sheath hanging in the box:

:D
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Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Hal, I don't think that prohibiting selling supplies to a non-licensed electrician would be the answer. I have seen H.O.s that have done just as good of an installation. I have also seen electricians that are just as demanding as a DIY to burn down a house.
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Originally posted by hbiss: Another example of why electrical supplies should not be sold to just anybody who wants to buy them.
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As much as I like the idea, I think it would be as succesful as Prohibition.
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

By throttlebody:
What goes through their heads at the time they are doing this kind of work is what is truly amazing.
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You would be amazed at how many of these DYS are very proud of their work and readily want to show it off to you when you go there to do other work LOL. :roll:
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Originally posted by induster:
jesus.
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True enough induster, he was a carpenter and they usually don't have a good reputation when it comes to electricity. But HE illuminated the whole universe in just one day. That shows speed and ability.

I say, a guy like that is worth keeping.
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

They dont sell furnaces to just anybody 'round here, but all the electrical panels you want. :roll: IMO it results in less DIY HVAC.
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

They dont sell furnaces to just anybody 'round here...
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Same where I am. When I was doing maintenance work, to buy any HVAC supplies, I had to show these supply houses my refrigerant license (it didn't matter whether I was attempting to purchase refrigerant or not), and they had to have my company in their computers. One place wouldn't even let you in the store if you weren't with a repair company!

All the parts needed to do any serious HVAC repair are pretty strictly controlled around here. How come they have it together, but the electrical supply shops will sell anything to anyone?

-John
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Maybe they should sell lumber only to carpenters and roofing material to roofers.

Oh better stop selling auto parts to shade tree mechanics.

First aid supplies....you better be at least an RN.

Sorry but I think it is ridiculous to even think like that.

Refrigerant is a controlled substance so I can see that. I bet if you push the issue you could buy most everything else.

In this area the big box stores sell gas fired water heaters and boilers.

This is a free country and in many areas it is legal to do your own electric work.
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Ok, then I like my idea of holding the owner responsible for work that is a danger to life. I believe everywhere in the US, when you sell a house, you are required to disclose all material defects. If the new owner discovers that something wasn't disclosed they can legally go after the previous owner.

I think something like this is even more serious since it was done intentionally without regard and then not disclosed when the house was sold. Criminal charges would be proper because it puts the unaware new owner in a life threatening situation.

If an electrician can face criminal charges for improper work, why not a homeowner who does (or allows to be done) unpermitted and uninspected work that is a clear hazard, then sells the property to an unsuspecting buyer?

-Hal

[ February 24, 2006, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: hbiss ]
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Would selling a house take away the liability as it is now?

I am asking I really don't know but it seems doubtful.

I know my first aid example was extreme but I think auto parts are a good example. Think about the unskilled repairing brakes or front suspension repairs, that can put other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

JMO, Bob
 
Re: It Never Ceases To Amaze Me

Originally posted by iwire:
Would selling a house take away the liability as it is now?

I am asking I really don't know but it seems doubtful.
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It would be the onus of the new buyer to perform due diligence.

When I was house hunting, I absolutely refused to pay a premium for "spontaneous construction". This would result in my offer being substaintially lower than the next Joe in line - who would happily pay the premium for shoddy work, just to be able to say "I own it".

If the existing laws (disclosure) had a bit more teeth to them, and inspections (CCO) were carried out with a bit more vigor...the spontaneous construction might be reduced - a little.

In NJ, with the fix and flip mentality, people just don't care - a $200k with $50k in spontanity can result in a selling price of over $400k. How much are the fines? I honestly don't know, but even IF $50k in fines were levied, Joe Fix-n-Flip still netted $150k. Why should he care?

EDIT: Still misspelling after all these years

[ February 24, 2006, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: celtic ]
 
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