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DYI Entry For Darwin Awards

rjw | Posted in Construction Techniques on November 19, 2005 03:50am

True, I didn’t see any bodies piled up, but it was a vacant house and the ambulance had probably come and gone….

(Note:Small and Large version of all pics for big pipe and small pipe folks … you know who you are <G,D&R>:)

DYI Clue #1: Flue in “barn” attic: see FlueInBarnSmall1.jpg

But heck, that was just the heater flue for the “pool house”

Clue 2: “Step into my laundry,” said the spider to the fly: FlueInsideSmall.jpg

Let’s go to the close up: DHW_TopSmall.jpg

Aside from the lack of a P/T valve extension (heck, the l’il wifey might just like a surprise blast of 210 degree hot water when she’s loading the laundry someday – green arrow)

And no, those aren’t leaks at the blue arrows, that be called condensation, matey. Think of it: condensation on a hot water pipe outlet from water vapor in the flue gases!)

Call that condensation clue #3

Clue #4: The red arrow knows!

But heck, it’s all very simple: the darn “flue flap” doesn’t open all of the way (and yes, that is immediately outside of the laundry/utility room!)

Clue #5: FlueFlapSmall.jpg

Just clean that little puppy out and yer all set. BTW, remember this: “9 – 1 – 1” The phone’s right over there ….

What the heck, the flue gases it was spilling around the bonnet were only about 850 ppm CO air free! (ANSI allows max of 400ppm airfree in the flue: no spillage allowed, though)

Lesson: don’t mess around with installing combustion appliances unless you really dislike the world!


View Image
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    maddog3 | Nov 19, 2005 04:22pm | #1

    is this place on the market...?

  2. User avater
    Sailfish | Nov 19, 2005 04:38pm | #2

    Is this also the DIY thread of DYIers? ;-)

    I have an uncle that has NEVER had a pro come to his farm to fix or install anything. The pics I could show you.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    WWPD

    1. User avater
      PeteDraganic | Nov 19, 2005 04:41pm | #3

      Bob,

      If you don't quit posting pictures of the handywork I've done at my house, you're going to get it.

      Pete

      http://www.peteforgovernor.com

    2. User avater
      rjw | Nov 19, 2005 09:41pm | #8

      >>Is this also the DIY thread of DYIers? ;-)Errrrrr.Either I screwed up the title, or I was cleverly meaning "Do Yourself In-ers."

      View Image

      Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

  3. MisterT | Nov 19, 2005 04:48pm | #4

    So how many $$$ did it take for a satisfactory/pass grade on the inspection report???

    ;o)

     

    Mr. T.  MOTOL

    "They keep talking about drafting a constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it's worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore."
    -- George Carlin

    "I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bull$hit."

    I'm Swiss!

     

    1. experienced | Nov 19, 2005 05:26pm | #5

      On Natural Selction, something I saw recently goes like this:

      After being around 150 years or so, I know Darwin's theory was wrong; I see too many fools and ignoramouses everyday.

    2. User avater
      rjw | Nov 19, 2005 09:47pm | #9

      >>So how many $$$ did it take for a satisfactory/pass grade on the inspection report???;o)Well, for the record, I don't "pass or fail" houses, just spot the problems and explain their significance so the buyers can make informed decisions. *In some cases (like the water heater) I also shut down the unit.This was a vacant house, so not too much fuss.I hate doing inspections with this kind of work and the seller/wife is home (and sometimes telling me about all the "great" improvements her hubby did.)I really hate ratting out a fellow guy, but there have been a few times where I've told the wife to not let her husband do any more work for safety's sake!

      ____________________

      * I'd never take money, of course. Perish the thought. I'm generally open, however, to whatever Click and Clack are suggesting that week for the Puzzler answers to be sent in on<!---->

      View Image

      Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

      <!---->

      Edited 11/19/2005 1:50 pm ET by rjw

      1. experienced | Nov 19, 2005 10:47pm | #10

        Your quote:

        "I hate doing inspections with this kind of work and the seller/wife is home (and sometimes telling me about all the "great" improvements her hubby did.)

        I really hate ratting out a fellow guy, but there have been a few times where I've told the wife to not let her husband do any more work for safety's sake!"

        Ain't it the truth, though!!! A great many finsihed basements in my area tell the truth when I get to the wiring done by the homeowner/renovator-not enough receptacles for code, ungrounded/reversed polarity receptacles, electric heaters for 2 separate rooms on 1 thermostat (also a fixed, too small window for fire egress purposes in a basement bedroom; man,  think of your kids!!!)

  4. User avater
    Gunner | Nov 19, 2005 05:45pm | #6

    What's it gonna cost me for you to turn your head on this one?

     

     

     

     

    http://bootliquor.com/

  5. Mooney | Nov 19, 2005 07:19pm | #7

    I guss I could get a electric heater , but you really hurt my feelings on my idea to run the power cord for the Christmas lights .

    Tim

     

  6. User avater
    Luka | Nov 20, 2005 12:47am | #11

    Bob, it's not doing anybody any favors, to upload the "small" pics, if they are too small to see.

    Small file size is good. Small screen size is not.

    They are just blurs on my screen.


    A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon. - Napoleon Boneparte

    1. User avater
      rjw | Nov 20, 2005 02:12am | #12

      Yeah, they display a bit smnaller than I was hoping for, but I'm curious, what size monitor and screen res do you use?What size "small" image do you think would be a good compromise for the dial-up folks? .... I'm going to start another thread: "What Size Image Works? with variations for folks to comment on.I was trying to figure out how to display them as "thumbnails" in the message itself with links to the larger versions; several fruitless attempts in the sandbox and I gave up, needing to be out and about.

      View Image

      Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

      1. User avater
        razzman | Nov 20, 2005 02:20am | #13

        rjw-

        I recall various dialups in the past saying 80 to 100kb will work ok for them.

        I'm thinking if you took your full size pic of 251kb and shrank it down to the common 480x640 size in the image size irfanview it would probably do the trick. Or if not try a slightly smaller dimension.  

        'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity

      2. User avater
        Gunner | Nov 20, 2005 02:48am | #14

        Razz is right 480x640 keeps the kids that play basketball in flip flops from crying.........:)

         

         

         

         

        http://bootliquor.com/

        1. calvin | Nov 20, 2005 03:23am | #15

          Watch it tech boy.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

          Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

          Quittin' Time

           

          1. User avater
            Gunner | Nov 20, 2005 03:37am | #18

             

             

             

            http://bootliquor.com/

            Edited 11/19/2005 7:37 pm ET by Gunner

          2. calvin | Nov 20, 2005 04:01am | #19

            Man, you put on some tonnage.

            Better lay off that N.O. food a bit.

            For your wife's benefit, turn off the lights.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            Quittin' Time

             

          3. User avater
            Gunner | Nov 20, 2005 04:26am | #20

            GET IN MY BELLY!

             

             

             

             

            http://bootliquor.com/

        2. 4Lorn1 | Nov 20, 2005 03:33am | #17

          Re: "Razz is right 480x640 keeps the kids that play basketball in flip flops from crying.........:)"Recently upgraded my internet connection. Went from generic soup cans and salvaged package twine to real Progresso soup cans and mason line. I feel so high tech. Partying like it's 1999. Well 1984 anyway. Big Brother is watching and, by the way, I love Fearless Leader.Years ago where I lived 56K was normal. Now its 28.8 and for a few hours each month, if the wind doesn't mess with the string, 33.2KB/sec.Anything under 500Kb is OK.

      3. User avater
        Luka | Nov 20, 2005 07:27am | #21

        You have already been answered anyway, but when did I ever let something like that stop me from posting ?;o)640 by 480 is the smallest you should make an image, as far as screen size. (My screen resoultion is set at 1024 by 768)50k is plenty small enough file size for just about anybody. Anything between 50k and 110k is usually just about ideal for my dialup. 110k being the upper limit of what I will stick around to download if I do not have a great deal of interest in the pic for obvious reasons.
        A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of coloured ribbon. - Napoleon Boneparte

        1. User avater
          rjw | Nov 20, 2005 03:07pm | #23

          >> but when did I ever let something like that stop me from posting ?My brother!

          View Image

          Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

  7. User avater
    BillHartmann | Nov 20, 2005 03:25am | #16

    There is nothing wrong with the first one.

    You just had the cammera upside down. (insert appropriate political comment here)

  8. davem | Nov 20, 2005 07:29am | #22

    ok, i hate to appear as ignert as i really am, but what's wrong with the flue setups? ok, the duct tape around the opening is a no-no, but what else?

    1. User avater
      rjw | Nov 20, 2005 03:15pm | #24

      The main problems are 1: On a natural draft (atmospheric) combustion appliance, the flue has to extend above the roof (and re the space heater, it has to go up, not sideways and slightly down - some sideways but still up is OK (general rule, no more tah 1/3 of it's length may be horizontal)And 2: Never, ever put a flapper (or any other potential obstruction) on a flue. Never. No way. Unh, unh, UNH!(I think heat activated bi-metal flue dampers should be outlawed, my self. Electro-mechanical, like on some oil furnaces and boilers and, rarely, in my area, gas appliances, are just fine.)The normal force of air moving up a flue (draft) from a water heater (or atmospheric furnace - which includes mid-efficiency 80+ "draft induced furnaces) is about what you would use to gently blow out a match from, oh, 6 inches away.No way any flapper would be lifted by such a mild force.

      View Image

      Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

  9. JohnSprung | Nov 22, 2005 02:21am | #25

    Am I interpreting the geography correctly here?  Does the sideways flue in the first picture connect the W/H in pictures two and three with the dryer flapper vent in the fourth picture? 

     

     

    -- J.S.

     

    1. User avater
      rjw | Nov 23, 2005 06:32am | #26

      No, sorry for the confusion. The sideways flue in the garage was just the first example I saw of this guy;s work.The rest of the pics: the water heater and flapper, were in the house. The water heater flue rose about 3' up and then when straight out through the wall where it immediately termninated at the flapper.

      View Image

      Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace

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