just a renovation rant

Flatbutt1 · 03-10-2007, 01:23 PM

If any of you guys haven't bought a house yet..DON"T!! At least not an older one. Jeez...all I want to do is a facelift on one room. I had knotty pine planking installed on the ceiling and HPL flooring installed. Nice.

I'm doing the wainscoting myself 'cause its easy. BUT. I have to install outlet box extenders on the plugs and switches BUT the farkin' pigtails aren't long enough !!!!! Grrr.

I certainly can't pull new wire thru the walls 'cause its the second floor so I guess I need to splice 6 inches onto the existing wire somehow.

Wotta pain.

Rant over

competentone · 03-10-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flatbutt1
... so I guess I need to splice 6 inches onto the existing wire somehow.

I do it all the time. It shouldn't be difficult; just put a "U" shaped hook on the new section of wire you're splicing in, align it with the old wire you're connecting to, and screw on a wire nut. When connected fold the union back into the box. With the box extenders you should have plenty of room for the extra wire-nut connections.

Flatbutt1 · 03-10-2007, 06:08 PM

Thanks! Thought that would be the way to go, but its good to have validation.

tdatk · 03-10-2007, 06:23 PM

Flat,
You might want to take digital pics of the switch box wireing before you take things apart. Helps when start adding pig tails.

Flatbutt1 · 03-11-2007, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tdatk
Flat,
You might want to take digital pics of the switch box wireing before you take things apart. Helps when start adding pig tails.

notfarnow · 03-11-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tdatk

You might want to take digital pics of the switch box wireing before you take things apart. Helps when start adding pig tails.

Great idea!

Flatbutt, I feel your pain.

I'll say this though, I don't think it's the age of a house that's the issue, but how many meatheads it passed through in that time.

I have an 1870's era farmhouse that had gone through at least 2 major rebuilts; one in the 1920s and one in the 80s. The folks who got at it in the 80s should have just walked away.

I've gradually developed the theory & tale that the guy would come home after work, have 6 rum & cokes, and start working on the house. I imagine him moving on to wiring at 1- 2 AM, after his 9th or 10th drink. There are some circuits that service the kitchen outlets, front and rear door lights, and one outlet in the bedroom. Then, right beside it, there's a circuit that runs to one fluorescent light in the basement. Niiice