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As part of a renovation project I demolished the old clay flue where my gas boiler was vented. Now I need to install a new flue using 5" B vent that I can frame around. Timing is not as critical right now because I don't need heat, but I would like to get it installed so that the framer can...

Not really a heating question - New zero clearance gas fireplaces seem to be built so that the bottom of the firebox is several inches off the floor, which means they have a 4-5" lip on the front, and do not have the same appearance as a masonry fireplace with a flat floor. Is this a design...

I am using Hardi board siding for my new build. Its my understanding that you should have a drainage board, drainage mat, rain screen, or other drainage plane behind cement board, and my architect's drawings show that. My architect specified FP Flameblock OSB (needed for the fire rating), then...

In the footers for my new addition I have 1/2" rebar run inside the forms (concrete not poured yet), and just realized that I should probably consider using it as a ufer ground. However, when I read the rules, some articles state that I have to use "approved" clamps. What are considered to be...

A non-garage question. I have plans for an addition, which includes a five row high CMU wall to enclose a crawl space. Wall will be on a concrete footing, with a 2"x8" sill plate on top, supporting a 2 story addition. Based on the architect plans, it looks like he used the actual height (7...

Not a garage question, but I know there are some knowlegeable folks here. I have a gas boiler and cast iron radiator heat in my 1250 sq ft house, and it works well. We are building out a new porch that will add about 300 sq ft of heated area, and to save floor space I would like to use...

I have a standard efficiency Buderus gas boiler that runs water at about 135-140 degrees with my cast iron hot water radiators. I am considering using in-floor hydronic in a new addition, but my understanding is that it will have to run at a much lower temperature. I have seen a few articles...

My electric meter is mounted on the side of the house about 3 feet from the front corner of the house. We plan to build a side porch addition outside that wall and the meter would be in the way. The addition will be set back one foot from the front of the house, so the remaining wall space...

My BIL had a farm building built this summer in North Dakota and they installed PEX tubing in the slab and a boiler. The system has two zones, one for the garage area and one for the living space. I asked him if they used antifreeze in the system and all he could remember is that the...

Not a garage question: I want to add some additional wired smoke detectors to my house, but cutting holes for a full sized junction box and dealing with insulation above the plaster ceiling makes quite a mess. Could I use one of these small pancake boxes for the smoke detector wiring...

I already have good lighting over my large garage door, but need more light at the side door when I walk up to unlock the door. Installing a wall-mounted light next to the door is harder since they are about 8" thick brick/block walls, so I would prefer to put a couple small lights in the...

I'd like to add a couple remote light switches to my detached garage, so that I can turn on the lights (all LED) from the house. I already have a Samsung hub that supports Z-Wave and Zigbee, and I think the garage is within range. However, all the remote switches seem to have a receiver that...

We are out of town fairly often, and I am looking for a reasonably priced solution for remote monitoring of house/garage temperature, water sensors, etc. I would like to be able to remotely check on the temps in the house, and check water sensors near the sump pump, water heater, and boiler in...

I have a five year old Buderus GC-124 gas boiler for my radiator hydronic heating, and it has an intermittent problem with starting up and running. It failed to heat up properly once last year, and happened again this morning. This morning I found the pump running, but pumping water at about...

I bought a multi-pack of GFCI's, so I did not get wall plates or screws. When I mount the GFCI in a 4"x4" metal two-gang box, standard length wall plate screws are too long because they hit the metal box behind the GFCI mounting tab. I did manage to find one set of short screws in my box of...

I've been shopping for a gooseneck barn light to put above my main garage door, but its a challenge to find one that is reasonably priced, but reliable. This one on Amazon seems to be a decent value, but doesn't offer any options for color or the length of the gooseneck projection...

I have MHF running in PVC conduit under the ground and up to the subpanel in my detached garage. I have not made the final connection to the sub panel. Do I need to have a clamp to secure the MHF as it enters the sub panel? Based on my research online, I don't think a clamp is required...

The interior of my garage walls are unfinished brick, so I will need conduit to protect the wiring until its up above the ceiling. I am planning for one lighting circuit, a couple of 20 amp circuits for bench receptacles, exterior 20 amp receptacle circuit, and in the future a couple of higher...

This is for installation of a QO sub-panel in my garage, breakered at 60 amps in the main panel. Inside the house: I have 2-2-2-4 SER running from my main panel across the house to my exterior basement wall and ending inside an unfinished storage closet. Outside the house: I then have...

I mounted my sub panel in my detached garage, and breakered it at 60 amps at the main panel. In the next week or two I will trench in the conduit and connect the sub to the main panel. Since I don]t have a final layout, I don't want to completely wire the garage right now, however, I do want...