Lost power to 2nd floor on siding installation

Users who are viewing this thread

rjsob

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
They started work on resided our house today and "coincidently" we lost power to the entire 2nd floor. The contractor has an electrician coming out tomorrow, but I am not sure I should trust someone with a direct relation to the siding contractor.

It sure feels like cause and effect. I am just looking for a second opinion. Any recommendations, suggestions would be helpful.

No. Virginia area.
 

Billy_Bob

In the Trades
Messages
419
Reaction score
0
Points
0
What specific work were they doing when power was lost?

It could be they had their power equipment plugged into this circuit and it just tripped a breaker. (Things like air compressors can use a lot of power!)

Also contractors extention cords will become worn and tend to trip GFI breakers.

Or if they were drilling / sawing into the wall, they could have cut a wire.

If nailing, they might have punctured a wire in the wall with a nail.

Or there could be a loose connection somewhere and they could have been just hammering and this caused the connection to break.
 

rjsob

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Mainly nailing up the new siding. The circuit breaker for the rooms just trips almost instantly when you try to reset it. We have turned off everything and unplugged - but it still trips. Their explanation was the hammering causing a wire on an outlet to come loose. I just didn't know how plausible that was.
 

Leejosepho

DIY scratch-pad engineer
Messages
2,483
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
200 miles south of Little Rock
Website
www.nonameyet.org
The circuit breaker for the rooms just trips almost instantly when you try to reset it. We have turned off everything and unplugged - but it still trips. Their explanation was the hammering causing a wire on an outlet to come loose. I just didn't know how plausible that was.

Although not impossible, the "loose wire" theory is not very probable. It is more likely someone drove a nail into a run of wire and has caused a direct short. Maybe the electrician will know how to connect a bell or buzzer that will go silent when the offending nail is pulled, then leave the warning system connected for the remainder of the job. I grew up in an RV factory, and that is how we monitored the wiring of each unit while any nailing, screwing or stapling to its walls was being done.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,600
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
wire

Connect a toner to the outlet and then touch each nail. If one shorted the wire it will complete the circuit when the wire touches the nail's head. Once you find the problem it still has to be repaired, and not just by pulling the nail out.
 

rjsob

New Member
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Thanks all. We will give that a try and talk with the electrician.

Is it reasonable to assume their work caused the problem and that the siding contractor would be responsible for the repair costs? They seem to be hedging about responsibility.
 

mc_1_2_3

New Member
Messages
23
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Western Pennsylvania
If they damaged something, they should definitely pay. If something came loose because of the hammering, then you will likely have to pay since it would have eventually came loose anyway.
 

Bob NH

In the Trades
Messages
3,310
Reaction score
9
Points
0
Location
New Hampshire
The fact that it continues to trip the breaker suggests that a nail hit a wire and caused a short. They may be able to eliminate the short by removing the nail, but that doesn't fix the problem.

The wire should be repaired or replaced to make it safe. That means finding the point of damage.

If they discover that the cable went through a stud less than 1 1/4" from the edge of the stud then they may say that you are responsible because it doesn't meet code requirements.
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks