 Ask
the handyman
By John O’Rourke
Q. I’d like to remove a wall between
my dining room and living room. How can I determine if it
is a load-bearing wall?
A. The most definitive way to determine if
the existing wall is supporting the structure above is to
remove a portion of the ceiling covering so as to expose the
structural framing on each side of the wall. If floor joists
are running perpendicular to the wall, this is most likely
a load-bearing wall. Should you find the framing to be running
parallel with the wall on both sides, then the wall is most
likely not load bearing. A qualified building/remodeling contractor
or structural engineer would be able to provide you with an
accurate determination of the wall’s load-bearing status.
Q. How do I change light switches and plugs
in my house? Is it dangerous?
A. Working with electricity is dangerous
if not done properly. It can cause injury or death and the
possible loss of physical property. This type of work should
only be done by someone who is knowledgeable and experienced
at the specific task to be accomplished.
Before attempting to replace any electrical items, be sure
to turn off the electrical power at the electric circuit panel.
Any circuits that have been turned off should be secured to
prevent someone from accidentally turning the electricity
back on while it is being serviced.
With the electricity off, you may begin safely removing the
original fixture and replacing it with a new electrical device.
Be sure to keep all wires grouped together as you originally
found them and make note of what they were attached to. Basic
household wiring typically consists of a bare copper/green
wire, black wire, white wire and sometimes a red wire. The
bare copper/green is probably the most important in that it
is the ground wire. This wire provides a path for the electricity
to “escape” in case of a faulty electrical connection.
The white wire is usually the neutral and the black wire is
typically the hot or live wire, but this is not always the
case. Sometimes there may be a red wire. As long as you reconnect
the wiring to the new device as you originally found it connected
to the old device, all should be fine. If you are unsure of
what you are doing, it is best to err on the side of caution
and consult a qualified electrician.
Q. My house is 30 years old. There are no
soffit or ridge vents, and it’s insulated well. But
it seems to be musty on the second floor. Are there any solutions?
A. Based on the details given, it appears
that moisture is being trapped in the attic area or below
the roof surface. The trapped moisture gets into the insulation
and wooden surfaces of the house and causes mold to grow in
this damp environment. To prevent continued and future problems
the house needs to be ventilated properly. The ideal ventilation
scenario is to have air vents installed along the bottom of
the roofline to allow fresh air to enter this enclosed space.
This is typically done by placing vents along the soffit or
by installing a ventilated drip edge. A continuous vent along
the peak of the roof is most effective in allowing the stale,
moist air to escape. Vents located solely in the gable ends
of a building do not typically allow for proper ventilation.
In addition to ventilation at the bottom and top of the roofline,
there needs to be continuous, unobstructed space provided
just below the surface of the roof sheathing for the air to
flow freely from the bottom to the top of the roof structure.
This is particularly important in a Cape-style home or a cathedral
ceiling.
To eliminate the existing musty smell within your home, which
is most likely caused by mold growth in the enclosed attic
space, you may need to replace the insulation below the roofline
if it has become mold infested. Other surfaces, such as the
wood framing, roof sheathing and the backside of the plasterboard
or drywall, may have mold growing on it. These areas can usually
be easily accessed in an open attic area. Should you have
a Cape-style home or a cathedral ceiling, you will need to
remove the ceiling coverings to gain access to the insulated
areas and roof framing. Depending on how severe the mold situation
is in your home, you may need to consult with a company that
specializes in mold remediation.
John O’Rourke is the owner/operator of Case Handyman
Services of Cape Cod. He has been maintaining, repairing and
improving homes for more than 25 years. You can reach him
at jorourke@casehandyman.com.
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