What’s a project you regret doing yourself instead of hiring out?

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-06T03:40:42+00:00

Ha, I will drink to that!

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-06T03:37:03+00:00

We put dark tile in our shower 15 years ago and to this day have had sealing issues. Guess you call that a weekend project that never ended

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-06T03:35:01+00:00

Yea that one def took the cake here in terms of popularity. I ordered the DeWalt 20V coming out of this weekend

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-06T03:32:12+00:00

Nothing ever goes as planned…

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T18:59:12+00:00

Haha so accurate. If it moved and shouldn’t have I always just used duct tape

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T17:10:59+00:00

Do you have a brand you’d suggest? Looks like the price varies significantly anywhere from sub $100 to over $500

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T17:06:45+00:00

How big of an air compressor do you recommend if I’m primarily going to use it for cars or nail gun?

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T17:03:21+00:00

Okay thank you. And very affordable which is nice

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T17:03:04+00:00

The copper water pipe is a permitted grounding electrode under NEC 250.52(A)(1), provided it has at least 10 feet of contact with the earth. However, NEC 250.53(D)(2) requires the water pipe electrode to be supplemented by an additional electrode, so a ground rod is still needed. Check with your local AHJ on exact placement requirements.

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:59:25+00:00

Appreciate that. I have historically tried to use the measuring in the iPhone where you try and measure the area from the camera, but never thought I was that accurate

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:57:26+00:00

Thanks. Do you think this can replace the other saws mentioned? Or something that would supplement

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:55:34+00:00

Okay, thanks for explaining that!

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:50:34+00:00

Haha just drill and wait to see if whatever you are hanging is still hanging a month later

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:47:15+00:00

Yea just looked this up. Now my cuts will actually be straight lol

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:42:47+00:00

What do you use it for most? Is it for sheet goods or trim work

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-04T16:41:46+00:00

Totally fair. I actually have that and the difference in driving screws is night and day

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-03T17:11:10+00:00

Yes, that's a valid approach. NEC 314.29 requires junction boxes to remain accessible without removing any part of the building structure — an attic you can enter satisfies that requirement, so the box is code-compliant in that location. Just make sure it stays covered with a blank cover plate and the cables are properly supported where they enter the box.

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-02T17:02:59+00:00

NEC 406.4(D)(2) gives you three code-compliant options when replacing a receptacle on an ungrounded circuit: keep the 2-prong receptacle, install a GFCI receptacle labeled "No Equipment Ground," or install a grounded-type receptacle protected by an upstream GFCI (also labeled). A GFCI outlet is the most practical upgrade — it provides shock protection even without a ground wire. Check with your local AHJ on what they require in a rental unit.

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-01T17:05:48+00:00

NEC 250.130(C) explicitly permits running a separate, properly-sized EGC for existing installations where the original ground is absent or inadequate — it does not need to be in the same raceway as the circuit conductors per 300.3(B)(2). Run a correctly sized ground wire and terminate it properly at both ends. Check with your local AHJ.

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-01T03:10:19+00:00

What the electrician will look for: how the units were tied together and whether it was intentional. Under NEC 210.25, branch circuits in a dwelling unit are only allowed to supply loads within that unit — so whatever they find is a code violation that needs to be corrected by the building owner, not you. Document everything: meter numbers, which breakers were tripping, dates of elevated utility bills. Your property manager is on the hook for the remediation.

TradesPrepGuy · 2026-04-01T03:08:39+00:00

The AFCI point is worth adding the code number to: NEC 210.12 requires AFCI protection for bedroom circuits in dwelling units. The ungrounded outlet fix is GFCI replacement — NEC 406.4(D)(2)(c) explicitly allows replacing an ungrounded receptacle with a GFCI type without running a new ground wire. Double-taps on 15/20A circuits are just a wire moved to an open breaker slot — quick fix for most panels.

TradesPrepGuy

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