What are the chances?

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I was about to start priming the walls on my new room addition when I noticed the lights weren't working. I did a little investigating, then more, then it stretched into hours, then a day. I finally discovered the problem. The exterior siding had been put on after the wiring was done. For some reason the builder was putting siding on with 3 inch nails. I don't know why. One of the nails missed the stud and went through all three runs of romex right where they were stapled to the stud. If I tried I couldn't do this in 100 years.

I only found it because after hours of trying to figure it out I took a long shot and started looking at where the nails on the siding were placed. I guessed, and hit the jackpot on the first one.

masraum · 08-17-2011, 12:12 PM

Wow, at least the house didn't burn down, and at least you hadn't already painted the wall that you've now had to tear into. Replacing the wire sounds like a pain in the rear!

Heel n Toe · 08-17-2011, 12:13 PM

And now you gotta hope it's not the only place it occurred.

lane912 · 08-17-2011, 12:23 PM

well you get a outlet box and your choice of two gang receptacle or switch installed right there, and every where else there is a break. or pull new conductors......

think of it a opportunity to upgrade

lane912 · 08-17-2011, 12:27 PM

conversation between laborers doing siding instail...

bill starts telling bob about last night" so i was getting a lap dance and you wouldnt believe what she.... wow did you just see my hammer spark?"
bob exclaims"you keep asking weird questions like that you can side the house yourself!"

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

That's why you have CBs.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

Wow, at least the house didn't burn down, and at least you hadn't already painted the wall that you've now had to tear into. Replacing the wire sounds like a pain in the rear!

Oh boy would it be a pain! On this job I hired a general and told him I would be the electrician. It was clearly his carpenters who made the mistake. Actually, I think of it as bad luck. Stuff happens sometimes. We talked about the putting in a splice box and me having to live with a cover on the wall vs him ripping the drywall out and starting over. There is a switchbox about 8 inches below the damage, so we agreed I'll run new wire from the switch to the damaged area, put in a splice box, and get a $500 credit on the cost of the job. I'm OK with that.