January 16, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter
AsktheBuilder Newsletter
Yesterday, I chatted a small love message to Kathy my wife. I was in my man cave (click here to see my awesome cave floor) over the garage, see the photo just above, and she was down in her warm basement conservatory office with a view out to the lake and her bird feeders.
I thanked her for making these to-die-for date cookies. She makes them once a year for Christmas. It's important to realize that I carefully control the consumption of these delicacies because once gone, you don't see them again for many moons.
Yesterday after lunch, I ate one to try to get rid of the jalapeno burn that beset my stomach. I was in a small amount of discomfort from eating leftover pizza that had copious amounts of jalapeno slices on it.
I share this with you because not only should I send Kathy more love notes, but I also need to do the same with you.
Too often I forget how lucky I am to have you as a subscriber. You may have been one of the many that not only read the crazy AZEK story on Saturday, but you also made the small effort to answer the question AND leave a comment at the bottom of the column.
You have no idea how valuable that feedback is to me and others.
Your feedback might save lives because it sends a message that could cause a company to rethink how they sell a product.
Thank you so much and I'd give you a big hug right now if we were face to face.
Sewer Gas Feedback
Have you ever had sewer gas in your home or business? If so, I'd love to hear from you.
I'd like to use your feedback to help others who suffer from this dilemma.
Please CLICK HERE and take a few moments to answer a few questions. I've also included an area where you can type out a short story sharing what happened.
THANKS in advance for taking the time to do this.
Furnaces & AC Units in Unconditioned Spaces
As I was creating this newsletter, I got a fascinating email from Dixon who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
His furnace is up in an unconditioned space above his house or garage. He had an issue with his condensate line freezing and wanted advice on how to prevent it from happening so his heat wouldn't shut off.
As is typical with me, I offer unorthodox and tough-love advice. Sometimes it's hard to accept for a number of reasons. Yes, I know I can do a better job of sugar coating my responses.
Here's what I sent back:
Forget about heat tape. VERY DANGEROUS STUFF.
Increase the size of the condensate drain pipe. 2-inch minimum.
Finally, I'd NEVER EVER put a heating / cooling unit in an unconditioned space.
For a HOST of reasons ... the first being it doesn't even make sense to have a furnace out on a patio in the winter....
That's basically what you have ...
If you're building a new home, don't let the architect or builder convince you to put your furnace or AC unit up in an attic or other unconditioned space.
I don't care WHAT THEY SAY. It's a mistake.
Create some small utility room on the main floor and put it in there.
You'll NEVER EVER regret making this decision to keep the unit out of an area where the temperature extremes work AGAINST what you're trying to accomplish inside your home.
Think about it. Why would you want your furnace and ductwork to be surrounded by air that's minus 20 F?. Why would you want the AC unit to be working away up in an attic space where the air temperature is a blistering 150 F?
It's INSANE ...
What's more, it's easier for a service man to work on the unit if it's in a room where he has easy access to the equipment.
New & Revised Columns For You
Condensation on New or OLD Windows - How to STOP IT!
Fantastic Laminate Flooring - STEP-BY-STEP Videos Here!!!
DIY Plumbing Challenges - I Can HELP YOU On the Phone
That's quite enough for today.
Be sure to take part in the Sewer Gas Survey if you've had the problem!!!!
Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
Do It Right, Not Over!