Are you a subscriber but don’t have an online account?

Register for full online access.

 
 
 

More stories about Q&A

  • Q&A: Sinking Foundation

    Q. I'm looking at a wood frame house with a block foundation that is settling. The basement wall sits on a 20-inch-wide concrete footing, but someone later poured a concrete brick shelf from footing to grade and then put brick veneer siding on the house.

  • Q&A: Will Wax Protect Wood Floors?

    Q. I'm building a new home for a couple who want to finish their hardwood floors with wax, the way it used to be done. When they recently refinished the polyurethane-topped floors in their existing home, they were upset that they had to move all their fur

  • Q&A: Insulating a Floor Over an Unheated Garage

    Q. Any suggestions on the best way to insulate the ceiling of a garage? The garage will have an in-law suite above, with living, sleeping, and bath areas. The floor construction will be 2x10 joists, or possibly 117/16-inch wood I-joists. I'm especially co

  • Q&A: Must Remodel Come Up to Code?

    Q: If an electrician comes and does work, does he have to bring the whole house up to code? Are there certain things he has to do and others that are optional? What is permitted versus what is best practice?

  • Q&A: Upgrading Two-Prong Outlets

    Q: How about upgrading old two-prong ungrounded outlets from the ’70s and back?

  • Q&A: Should Older Wiring Be Updated?

    Q: When remodeling or adding to an older home, what are some things to look for that indicate the entire house’s wiring should be updated or replaced?

  • Q&A: Tying into Old Armored Cable

    Q: Can you keep old armored-cable circuits, or should you replace them? If you disconnect old circuits, what’s the rule around tearing out old wire versus leaving it buried?

  • Q&A: Tying into Aluminum Wiring

    Q: Why not just tie into aluminum wiring?

  • Q&A: Concealed Splices in Remodels

    Q: What are the rules for dealing with old concealed splices?

  • Q&A: Switching from 3-Wire to 4-Wire 240-Volt Appliance

    Q: How do you wire a four-wire 240-volt appliance (kitchen range or dryer) if there used to be a three-wire appliance there?