Field Notes
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Field Note: The ‘Hot’ Handle
A “hot” shower handle isn’t a ghost—it’s bad wiring. I found a ground wire clamped to PVC pipe at a Huntsville home. Here’s the fix.
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Field Note: The Flooded Basement
Knee-deep water and a buzzing breaker panel? Read about a recent emergency call and learn why testing your sump pump is critical for safety.
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The Attic Raccoon
Staring down a raccoon in a cramped attic isn’t fun, but fixing the fire hazard she left behind is vital. Here’s a field note from a Zierdt Road repair.
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The ‘Landlord Special’
Found a shower light rigged with lamp cord and duct tape today. The landlord said it was “fine,” but this fire hazard had to go immediately.
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Field Note: The Monte Sano Rock
Man vs. Mountain: Our battle with Monte Sano’s limestone while driving ground rods. Two broken sledgehammers later, we finally won the war.
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Why Lights Dim When AC Starts
Is a flickering light when the AC starts normal? A small blink is physics, but a deep dim signals loose wires or dangerous voltage drop issues.
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Overlamping
Overlamping occurs when you put a high-wattage bulb in a low-rated fixture, melting socket insulation. Learn to spot the risks and prevent fire hazards.
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Aluminum Wiring in 70s Homes
Got a 70s home with aluminum wiring? You don’t need a full rewire. Learn how the ‘purple wire nut’ method prevents fires and saves money.
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The ‘Cheater Plug’ Danger
Those grey ‘cheater plugs’ turn you into the ground wire during an electrical fault. Discover why they are dangerous and how a GFCI outlet is the safer fix.