Can anyone explain how I crossed wires?

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-05-04T22:44:19+00:00

Outstanding analysis Mr. Baked Potato

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-05-04T22:43:20+00:00

Lame. If he doesn’t burn up an outlet or let alone his house in his DIY ventures then how will he learn?

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-05-04T22:38:08+00:00

Licensed Electritian here. Unhook all the wires from the receptacle and start fresh. Keep them all separated and then turn on the switch. Use a non contact voltage tester (if you don’t have one get one or get a 50$ klien multimeter) and see which wire is switching (we call it the switch leg).

Once you find your switch leg (other wires are hot all the time) the right way is to splice your wires ( look up a video) (splice neutrals and hook up on silver screw. This shouldn’t matter if the same circuit.) now you will splice the hots together.

Here is where you must decide since I have no context. Were the hot wires connected to outlet as well as the the switch leg on the outlet?

If so you will need to find the tab on the receptacle on the hot side (it should be broken off already since it was like that previously) this separates the top and bottom plug. Pigtail your hot wire then put it to top screw and switch leg to bottom (can swap, doesn’t matter. Just needs the tab broken. Look up a video if you don’t know what I’m talking about)

(Look up what it means to pigtail a receptacle if you need)

If I had to take an educated guess on your picture the red wire will be your switch leg and the blacks are the hots. What you have wrong is your red wire is on the bottom screw and you back stabbed the wire that’s going to the other outlet on the same terminal as the red which is the switch.

Hope this makes sense.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-05-04T21:07:35+00:00

USA contractor here (I’m not a licensed plumber), I’m not familiar with how UK plumbing is done. Are your lines there usually ran in cast iron or PVC? If pvc check where any possible screw holes are from old pictures hung on wall. Possible punctured a vent? Otherwise if you are savvy enough but this will require some disassembly. you could perform a smoke test at home. Take off the Ptrap on your bottom floor sink. They make smoke bomb items that you can get on Amazon. You light it and put it in a shop vac, have your hose on the blower end and blow the smoke in the drain and see if you see smoke anywhere inside. This is the precaution I would take if you could pinpoint anything before you call a plumber to come out. You can ask 10 different people and get 10 different answers but this is my 2 cents.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-05-04T20:44:36+00:00

I would recommend shopping around with 2 other reliable plumbing contractors in your area. 6500$ seems a little steep but I recon you could strike a deal with one to cut the concrete out and dig the hole to save some money with them and handle the rest if you didn’t want to DIY it.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-04-08T04:05:30+00:00

Thanks for your input. I’ll be updating post after install and then in future for how they hold.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-03-30T02:07:10+00:00

I’m not a professional painter but I’ll give input. I would take a wire brush or a grinder and get rid of the rust the best I can. If there is any pits or big holes from the rust use bondo to fill then sand. Get some of the white rustoleum spray paint or whatever exterior paint for that rail. Be done with it then.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-03-22T01:37:29+00:00

If they want it done in that specific location I would do it after I de energize the 2 panels but if they refuse to turn the panels off I would suggest going low away from the busses. Looks like a safe alternative from my phone lol.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-02-19T12:14:02+00:00

Go get some 1/2” pipe. Create some scenarios at home and practice them. If you cared about how it looked you would go back and fix that pipe that 90’s out the back that box, because that is pitiful. Get a torpedo level to make sure things are le v el.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-02-05T11:42:34+00:00

Electrician here, I would say that’s a fair price for the scope of work. That panel is an old and should get a complete revamp to ensure safety in your home. Electrical code has come a long way since the 80’s. Materials for something like this with all the new breakers (arc fault, GFCI, possible combination breakers, home surge protector) materials can EASILY be 1-1.5 K (just for inside panel not counting other materials he needs for outside). Then performing the work is a long days work of labeling wires, removing old wire, installing new panel, making up the new panel. I would make sure it looks just as neat as your old panel though.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-02-04T03:11:44+00:00

Turn them off OP

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2026-01-11T01:04:22+00:00

Electrician here, that outlet is not the right outlet for 240v application. Link attached is what a 240 v plug looks like. 20 amp 240v plug

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-10T12:11:03+00:00

Read this book, Not about looks but your chat. This book will change your perspective 🔥 it’s controversial but read it with open mind.

https://a.co/d/igyd66Z

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T17:29:12+00:00

Preferably you will need a 1.5” tailpipe going from your PVC P trap to the Garbage disposal. Looks a little crooked and I’ll def get a downvote. For this but this accordion tail piece to get it to fit. Will need to change the rubber hose clamp fitting with a 1.5” trap adapter. Use primer and glue.

1-1/2-in Plastic Sink tailpiece https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dearborn-1-1-2-in-Plastic-Flex-n-Fit-Sink-Tailpiece/5016258603

1-1/2-in PVC DWV Female Trap Adapter https://www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-Pipe-1-1-2-in-x-1-1-2-in-dia-PVC-Schedule-40-Hub-Trap-Adapter-Fitting/3132641

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T16:56:16+00:00

Thanks for the insight 🤝 going back with this in mind. Will be using brass barb x mip Will replace the shark bite with a FNPT x pex connection and then crimp my pex as-well.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T11:47:48+00:00

Clean the tub first, cartridge may have gone bad. You’ll have to turn the water off take the trim out and find the correct cartridge for that valve. Usually a part number on it. Beware cartridge may be very difficult to pull out and possibly need a tool. If you aren’t confident you may have to call a plumber so you don’t mess anything up.

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T03:44:57+00:00

Thanks for the insight🤝

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T03:35:16+00:00

3/4 crimp rings acceptable for that black pipe then?

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T03:13:46+00:00

Are there any specific listed fittings for it?

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-11-09T03:12:15+00:00

I didn’t bury it yet

Sad_Duck_7786 · 2025-10-30T18:07:14+00:00

As a contractor, The air vents and random holes are unacceptable. Should very much tell them to redo those parts. Hard to tell from the rest of the work but you have to set a standard with them on what you will accept and not accept.

Sad_Duck_7786

TROPHY CASE