I am having some contractors do some work in my house. I walked outside and saw this. I told them they are not plugging that p.o.s. into any more outlets in my home. Probably would have been fine, but I like my house and I don't want it burning down. So, am I over-reacting?
Am I over-reacting? Safety issue..
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LovesIPA
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If you didn't tell them to get the **** off your property right now, never come back, and demanded a refund of any money you gave them, I'd say you under-reacted.
They aren't skilled enough to wire in a plug?!!?? Might want to rethink these guys.
Call ur zoning/code enforcement and show them, they could possible get cited or have to take a recert test. Not saying this would cause a fire at your house but if they continue this practice, its only a matter of time until something bad happens.
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This, 100,000 times this.
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Nothing shocking there. It's common to not think positive. The key is stay grounded and focus on the current situation. If you are worried about fire, just tell them to spray it with the hose to keep it wet.
There's a LOT more wrong in that picture than just the makeshift plug (which I've seen done before, never liked it)
You've got an outdoor outlet with NO weatherseal on it to seal out rainwater/snow (I realize snow is not much of a concern in Houston). And you've got an outdoor outlet that does not appear to be GFI protected (unless it's on a GFI breaker, or wired in series with another GFI outlet)
You've got an outdoor outlet with NO weatherseal on it to seal out rainwater/snow (I realize snow is not much of a concern in Houston). And you've got an outdoor outlet that does not appear to be GFI protected (unless it's on a GFI breaker, or wired in series with another GFI outlet)
I assumed it was on the breaker. That's how my outdoor plugs are wired.
LovesIPA
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I wouldn't let those clowns paint my mailbox.
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Nice prattle.
Skitsofits
Member
What kind of work are you having done? I would of lost confidence in their ability
seeing that.
seeing that.
oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer
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Not much different than splicing a cord.
GilaMinumBeer said:
AZ_IPA said:
Ha
That's a great pic in the original post...
and I thought I sometimes like to run fast and loose...I'm not worthy...
I would never shove a cord in an outlet like that! WTF!
and I thought I sometimes like to run fast and loose...I'm not worthy...
I would never shove a cord in an outlet like that! WTF!
brewskerdoo
Well-Known Member
Hopefully these guys aren't electrical contractors. If they are, they clearly do not take their trade seriously and probably should be escorted off the jobsite. I would definitely be uneasy with any contractor that can't be bothered with something as simple as a proper plug assembly on extension cords or powertools. To me, this would speak volumes on the quality workmanship I could expect from these guys. Unless of course you're getting a really good deal, then all's good! 
Certainly agree it's pretty hokey for someone to do that. But, as far as risk to your house I'd say it's low to non-existent. I'd be more worried about their work progress being interrupted and possibly compromised by such a connection than it being a saftey risk to you and yours.
n240sxguy
Well-Known Member
Why kind of worthless POS has so little pride in his work that he does something like that! Jeez! A replacement plug is like $4-5 at lowes.
If you replace the cover, don't replace it with the same kind like you already have (snap covers), as I think those no longer meet electrical code. You should replace it with one that has a cover that can be closed while a cord is plugged in.
Like this:
If your home center doesn't carry them, go to an electrical supply house. They only cost about 10 bucks.
what was that wire powering?
Wow! I'm impressed. I used to have a sign at my desk (when I had such a thing as a desk) that said that I made every effort to make my explanation as idiot proof as possible, but I did not expect an idiot of such caliber. This reminds me of that sign.
Even if this guy has absolutely NO electrical ability at all, which is not entirely unfathomable, he has to come into at least some contact with electricians if he is worth half a **** at all. In which case he could ask for a quick five minute favor to get that repaired. And if he doesn't, it means he pisses off other contractors to the point that they don't want to help him, or he's an idiot and other contractors are smart and distance themselves from him. Or he's just an idiot ( or hardheaded) and doesn't ask for help with things he can't handle.
But that's my take on it. Either way, in my house, dude's gone. No further explanation necessary.
Even if this guy has absolutely NO electrical ability at all, which is not entirely unfathomable, he has to come into at least some contact with electricians if he is worth half a **** at all. In which case he could ask for a quick five minute favor to get that repaired. And if he doesn't, it means he pisses off other contractors to the point that they don't want to help him, or he's an idiot and other contractors are smart and distance themselves from him. Or he's just an idiot ( or hardheaded) and doesn't ask for help with things he can't handle.
But that's my take on it. Either way, in my house, dude's gone. No further explanation necessary.
Airplanedoc
Well-Known Member
Hope that is not the wire for the wet saw
snowtires
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I'm guessing they put in a 2x4 curb and wrapped the liner around it. The proper way to do this method next is to fold and wrap lathe around the curb to hold the liner in place. No screws. No nails. No drywall. Next 1.5" of mud is screeded onto the lathe and mud is screeded (sand cement) onto the floor level on all edges and sloped to the drain min 1/8" per foot. Make sure they don't block the weeping holes on the drain with any sealant or the mud bed won't drain properly any water that makes it past the tile/grout. Make sure they don't put any screws or nails in the cement board below 8 " from the floor. Make sure they use cement board or something that's not drywall. I don't give a rats ass about the plug just make sure that job is done right. I hate crummy tilesetters taking work from me. Okay rant done sorry
Skitsofits
Member
Ha don't beat yourself up it's not uncommon to run into some crap contractors I don't know many people that have had an experience that was not complicated by some avoidable stupidity on the workers part. I hope it gets done right for you this time.
Not overreacting in the least. Your house your rules. Do not hesitate to tell them off for a OSHA violation.
I have seen that done before. I honestly would question the workers work if they are cutting corners on their own safety this way. Do you have a GC for this job? If so report it to them, otherwise call the contrating company and tell them that what you saw, and report the workers. Not legal, not safe, not in my house.
I have seen that done before. I honestly would question the workers work if they are cutting corners on their own safety this way. Do you have a GC for this job? If so report it to them, otherwise call the contrating company and tell them that what you saw, and report the workers. Not legal, not safe, not in my house.
In addition to the obvious safety issues, the kludgy wires-in-the-socket thing makes me wonder what other corners are being cut by these workers. If they are too lazy to replace a $2 plug on a drop cord, they are likely to let some other things slide as well.
So you're in Houston? At the risk of sounding racist, I am curious to know what nationality these contractors were... I've heard some pretty bad stories of people out in CA and the Home Depot Parking Lot Contractors...
Who knows...perhaps the cord end got ripped off/damaged beyond repair taking the drill out of the tool kit that very moment they arrived at your job to unload. Rather than delaying start another hour to run to the store, get a plug, and wire it in, they just "got'er done".
LovesIPA
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't completely discount this as a possibility, but given how lazy/stupid/incompetent people seem to be these days, and how they seem to proliferate like cockroaches, I wouldn't bet a dollar on that if you gave me 1000:1.
