The engineers who designed the truss system will have a record of the bracing required.
Start with the builder and your local building department if you do not know who built the trusses or have a copy of the engineering paperwork (which usually is left in the house with the signed-off building permit).
Q: I have three showers in the house. One of the shower handles is backward — meaning hot is where cold should be, and vice versa.
Is there a simple way to fix this without re-plumbing or replacing the valve? I don't know the brand, but it is a teardrop-shaped push-pull handle (then turn left and right for temperature control) and removable plastic cap.
A: Sounds like you have the ubiquitous Moen shower valve. Pry off the plastic front cover and take out the Phillips screw holding the handle in place beneath. The handle will pull straight out after screw removal.
The screw you removed was attached to the "cartridge." This cartridge needs to turn 180 degrees (it will freely turn 360 degrees in any direction you wish) to correct your hot/cold mismatch.
You may need to remove the outer metal sleeve to gain access to the cartridge, but needle-nose pliers should allow you to turn the cartridge without this additional step.
Reinstall the handle and cover, and enjoy the shower in the manner to which you have become accustomed!
Green remodeling
The City of Seattle's Public Utilities Department has a new series of free "Green Home Remodel" booklets. Complete with glossy pictures that look more Madison Avenue than municipal production, the four booklets focus on kitchens, roofing and bathrooms, with the final piece as an overview.
Author and city employee Thor Peterson did a remarkable job researching and pricing green building methods and materials.
"Pros" and "cons" are used throughout, so materials can be directly compared. Also listed are many great print and online references for further study. Peterson plans to make the booklets available at public gathering spaces in the future.
For now, the Environmental Home Center at 1724 Fourth Ave. S. has copies. Plans are in the works to teach public classes based on this series of booklets in the future.
Speaking of green ...
In celebration of Earth Day, AIA Seattle (American Institute of Architects) is sponsoring the "What Makes it Green" seminar April 1. Keynote speakers are well-known in the field: David Suzuki and Dennis Hayes. Contact AIA Seattle at 1911 First Ave., Seattle WA 98101, 206-448-4938 or www.aiaseattle.org.
Darrell Hay answers readers' questions. Call 206-464-8514 to record your question, |
