Kitchen Exhaust Fan – December 2023
Don’t fence me in. This kitchen’s downdraft exhaust fan doesn’t have a chance of working properly when its terminal is buried in the ground.
Plumbing Trap – November 2023
Plumbing traps are like opinions: everybody has one. This sink should have one trap – no more, and no less.
Water Heater Safety – October 2023
It’s never a good idea to disable a safety valve by capping it. Perhaps this homeowner missed the MythBusters episode which showed how this mistake can allow the water heater to blow up.
Electrical and Plumbing – September 2023
Fashionable sinks haven’t sported S-traps for over 100 years. Like wearing white shoes after labor day, S-traps simply aren’t done. Of course, the lack of a high loop at the dishwasher drain is also a sad error. These mistakes will make little difference, however, to the poor soul who reaches a wet hand under the sink to turn on the disposer, only to [...]
Oregon Smoke Alarm Rules – Could They be Any More Confusing?
Oregon has several sets of rules for smoke alarms. Some rules apply to newly constructed houses, some apply to renovated houses, and some apply to rentals, but the rules that I’ll write about today have to with houses that are being sold. (Note: If you’re interested in the very important and surprising differences between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, read our blog about that [...]
