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Keep Snow Away From Sidewall Exhaust Vents

Side Wall Direct Vents:

Direct-venting or side wall vent chimney and flue systems are a Photo: AConcordCarpenter.commethod of venting the exhaust gases from a heating appliance directly out through the side wall of a building while eliminating the need for a vertical chimney of any sort.

Direct Venting uses a power ventilating blower or fan to cool outgoing gases passing through the building wall (sidewall direct exhaust) or roof or through an existing unused chimney through which a vent pipe is passed .

Blocked Snowfall Hazard

High efficiency furnaces, water heaters and other energy-saving appliances may have exhaust vents that exit your building through an exterior wall rather than through a chimney. These vents can become blocked in the winter months by snow and ice, which can affect the safe operation of the appliance.

In geographical areas with considerable snowfall, it is advisable to locate the vent terminal much higher than the minimum 12-inches above ground to prevent blockage by snow accumulation or drifting.

For at least some heating appliances and manufacturers, and to solve vent clearance difficulties when your installation cannot meet the specifications in the Gas Code, manufacturers’ specifications, or local building codes, roof vent termination kits are available.

Protecting A Side Wall Vent From Snow Build Up

In order to keep snow away from sidewall exhaust vents fall I made a simple A-Frame to protect  and deflect the snow from this low sidewall vent.

Click here to see how easy it is to make.

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About

Avatar of Robert Robillard

Robert Robillard is the editor of the blog, A Concord Carpenter, Assistant Editor of Tool Box Buzz and principal of a carpentry and renovation business located in Concord, Massachusetts. Rob hosts the Concord Carpenter... Read more

Wear Your @&*%$# Gloves

Many construction pros wear gloves on the job – first thing they do in the morning is put them on. But do you put on the gloves for every job?  What if you’re taking a break, take them off and need to make a quick hole in a foundation or remove a tree branch?  Do you throw the gloves on for a two-minute job?  Well, the answer to that is yes. If you wear gloves to cut concrete, they become a requirement on the job no matter what’s happening or how long the project will take. Think about it, if you injure yourself then you’ll get to look forward to a nice medical bill coming your way — or worse, reduced or no income to pay it. Maybe gloves aren’t for everyone, but ask one of our colleagues who forgot to wear his gloves for a recip-saw project recently:

gloves

If you are looking for a top-of-the-line glove, check out the amazing R21 Ringer Glove the guys over at toolmonger.com found.

 

Also, take a look at what to consider when choosing work gloves:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/226133-the-best-quality-work-gloves/

Some addition thoughts on gloves include:  In a hot climate or working in the middle of the summer – choose a glove that’s made with a breathable fabric, but resists cuts from sharp or jagged objects.  Cloth gloves are breathable, but many do not protect against rugged surfaces.  Leather gloves are great in cooler temperatures, but you might find them too hot in the summer – to the point of sweating right off your hand.  Look for strategic padding on the palm, which can provide added protection against blisters.

What are your thoughts on work gloves?  Do you have a favorite?

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BeThePro.com is a construction industry information source for professionals working in the North American market. It provides access to how-to, best practices and best new materials details from experts in a variety of disciplines.

Temporary Stairs – Job Built or Reusable?

temporary stairs

I’d use a 2 x 8 here at least…

FineHomebuilding.com just posted an interesting article about a reusable temporary stair system called TeleFlight Stair System that looks pretty well thought out.  It seems to have all the bases covered in terms of efficiency, stability and adjustability.

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Avatar of Joe Sainz

Joe Sainz (Google+) is a union carpenter with experience in concrete construction, landscaping, carpentry and electrical mechanics. In his current role with the accessories group of Bosch Power Tools-North America, he’s... Read more

What are Engineered Fibers? (Hint: It’s Not Engineered Lumber)

engineered fibers

Read a great article recently about engineered fibers.  When I first picked it up, I thought it was about a new type of engineered lumber, but I was very wrong.  Engineered fiber is a new material that is being used to prevent you from getting cut.  Read more about it at Modern Contractor Solutions.  (Here’s a link the the PDF)

Did you enjoy this article? If so, join more than 45,000 of your peers who subscribe to the BeThePro.com newsletter to receive professional construction articles and news.

About

Avatar of Joe Sainz

Joe Sainz (Google+) is a union carpenter with experience in concrete construction, landscaping, carpentry and electrical mechanics. In his current role with the accessories group of Bosch Power Tools-North America, he’s... Read more

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