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In this episode of the podcast: Correcting a mistake from the last episode (but it reinforces my original point). A Facebook ad brings out the self-appointed experts An update on our basement renovation Debating whether or not to run ethernet cable in a wireless world A bit of sticker shock at the electrical panel (AFCI breakers ain't cheap) Deciding to use my dad's snow blower for the first time in 14 years Tracking down a water leak. Was it coming from the roof, or from somewhere a little more obvious?

Home improvement television shows often distort your perception of how long a renovation should take. But you can't compare yourself to a slick television production. And there are advantages to a project taking longer than anticipated. You can read more about my first basement renovation here: https://thumbandhammer.com/basement/

The somewhat annual "Year in Review" podcast episode ties things up for 2021 by looking back at our home improvement accomplishments in the last 12 months and the current progress with the basement renovation. I also render my final verdict on whether or not the tankless water heater delivers on its promise of energy savings. Plus one drawback of the tankless water heater that caught us a bit by surprise.

This episode is all about the process of doing your own electrical work in Ontario Canada, from filing a Notification of Electrical Work with the Electrical Safety Authority to the rough-in inspection. Be sure to follow the laws and regulations that apply to you where you live. And don't mess around with electrical work unless you know what you are doing.

Sparky is slang for an electrician, which I am not. However, I have done my own electrical work. And I have hired Licensed Electrical Contractors. Each approach has its pros and cons. This episode covers some of the reasons why you may or may not want to (or, should or should not) do your own electrical work. Topics covered * Who is allowed to do electrical work in Ontario, Canada.* Following the latest version of the Electrical Code (either the National Electrical Code in the US or the Canadian Electrical Code in Canada)* The pitfalls of researching online* Second-guessing rules that seem to be open to interpretation* How the Electrical Safety Authority's messaging may have unintended consequences. Recommended Resource Electrical Code Simplified House Wiring Guide by PS Knight is an indispensable resource for Canadians wanting to do their own electrical work. You can buy it directly from their website: https://psknight.com Disclaimer Electricity is dangerous. Don't mess around with it if you don't know what you are doing. Always follow your local laws and get the appropriate permits and inspections. And refer to the most recent edition of the Electrical Code that applies to you.

I had a few questions about new rules in the electrical code, so I asked a licensed electrical contractor. It did not go well. Find out how five Japanese words might have saved our relationship. Links and resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igPIk79wAPg Viva La Dirt League: "The problem with workplace jargon: acronyms" (and be sure to check out the rest of their videos). The Simpsons clip is from "To Surveil with Love" S21E20 (audio recorded from YouTube). Electrical Code Simplified- House Wiring Guide by PS Knight is an indispensable guide for homeowners doing their own electrical work in Canada. It may be purchased directly at the following link: https://psknight.com/residential. (not an affiliate link).

This is not a paid endorsement... In this episode of the podcast, I share two products I found after hours of searching for solutions to specific problems I was facing with my home improvements. Xcel IGA I needed to attach the bottom plate of a stud wall to a concrete slab without using mechanical fasteners and construction adhesive was the obvious solution. Xcel makes a variety of adhesives and their IGA product is the best construction adhesive that I have ever used. You can find more information on their websites: Canada: https://XcelProducts.ca Europe: https://excelproducts.co.uk United States: https://xcelprousa.com Zinsser Bin I needed vapor barrier for the garage ceiling. The easiest solution was to use a vapor barrier primer. After many hours of trying to track down a product I had used previously (Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec Vapor Barrier Primer) without success, I found exactly what I needed, readily available locally. This was clearly a case where I was searching for a specific product and not seeing other solutions that were right in front of me. You can read more about vapor barrier paints at the following link: https://joneakes.com/jons-fixit-database/1614-Vapour-barrier-paint-it-does-exist-it-does-work Also, searching Google for "zinsser bin perm rating" will provide lots of useful links. Other Links For a deep dive on BluWood, what it was, where it went, and why I ripped out a wall that I had framed with it, you can read my blog post here: https://www.thumbandhammer.com/what-happened-to-bluwood/ I also talk about it in episode 57 of this podcast: https://www.thumbandhammer.com/ep-57-the-only-way-to-finish-a-basement/

Renovation in the time of Covid.... I already work slow enough and that's without a 2 month-long lockdown during a pandemic. The basement is now ready for drywall and in this episode of the podcast, I review the steps that got me to this point. * Framing: The joy of relying on someone else to pick lumber when curb-side pickup was the only option.* Electrical: Not much to say in this episode, but I did it myself and it has passed the rough-in inspection.* Plumbing: Why I chose to hire a plumber and how failure to take my own advice led to a bit of tension. I also share my opinion of our new HVAC equipment after it has been in use for 6 months and explain why a tankless water heater may not be the green environmentally friendly solution that it has been hyped up to be.

There is no shortage of scam products on the internet. One prominent example is Ted's Woodworking which has been offering 16000 woodworking plans for a ridiculously low price for the last decade. Other ads feature inventors who strike out on their own after creating innovative air conditioners, drones or vacuum attachments and their stories are all oddly similar. Plus the one sure way you can get an impressive endorsement for your own product. If you are interested in what other people are saying about Ted's Woodworking, I recommend checking out the following videos: Steve Ramsey (Woodworking for Mere Mortals): https://youtu.be/M292-EA6k9s Steve Ramsey (this one is more in-depth): https://youtu.be/Gr8K-Q2Y6wA Stumpy Nubs (James Hamilton) (this one starts at the time-stamp) : https://youtu.be/OFVSfJrIuJ0?t=519 If you want to check out the air conditioner ad I refer to, you can find it on YouTube https://youtu.be/bvuKB07xczg. This is by no means a recommendation or endorsement (which should be obvious when you listen to this podcast). Update: And after recording this episode, I discovered that the "revolutionary" vacuum attachment being advertised a year ago appears to be a rip-off of an existing product called the "Dust Daddy" that has been around for at least 3 years.

You want your basement to feel like the rest of your house. It should be dry, and comfortable. However, the basement is NOT like the rest of the house. The basement is in a hole in the ground. The simple fact is that there are many different ways to finish a basement-- and none are perfect. The ideal solution for a warm dry basement is a subject of much debate. I talk about a few of the popular options and the one that was recommended by the insulation company we are hiring. Also in this episode, I talk about trying to track down a moisture issue, the discovery of a major problem in our guest bathroom and how everything is connected. If you want to see what I was dealing with, check out the video: https://youtu.be/RHccRGDwcr4 https://youtu.be/RHccRGDwcr4

Often, there are several moving parts in a renovation and figuring out which tasks need to be done before other tasks can get confusing. At least for me. I have gained a lot of respect for general contractors who choreograph these things on a regular basis. Who doesn't like getting money back? We are going to qualify for some home efficiency rebates. The first step is a home energy audit, which needs to be done before any upgrades begin. And finally, sometimes all you need is another set of eyes to help you see the obvious. I have been trying to make the existing basement layout work, partly because I didn't want it to turn into a major framing project. Well, it is turning into a major framing project, but it's going to make my work a lot easier. And it all started with someone uttering the phrase "Why don't you do this instead..."

Stuff is happening. Big stuff. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about our choice of furnace and air conditioner for the house, why I decided on a split ductless system for the garage-workshop, and our reasoning for ditching our hot water tank and going with a tankless water heater. Help support this podcast by clicking through our link when you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dIV7ay