11 August 2001

The Incompetent Handyman

It turns out that the work done by the handyman so far on the a/c ductwork is all screwed up.

Background: the wall/ceiling in the hallway was getting water stained as a result of condensation forming on the A/C ducts. This is a sign the ducts weren't insulated properly -- and sure enough, that was the case when the handyman ripped the sheetrock down. So he's ripped off the old insulation (which was just straight fiberglass insulation -- no vapor barrier) and replaced it with standard R-13 insulation.

Well, THAT is a problem. Current practice is either to use insulated flex-ducts, or in the case of older ducts to use insulation with a vapor barrier or to reinsulate and then tape a water vapor sheath OVER the insulation. The handyman has done none of this -- and so condensation is gathering, running down the new insulation to the ceiling area he has ripped out, and has begun dripping again.

I left a message for the owner tonight (who lives in the upstairs duplex) that he needs to get an experienced a/c man to come in and do this job right, because his handyman doesn't seem to know what he's doing.

THIS would be one of many reasons I prefer renting instead of owning. It's NOT my problem, and if the job isn't done right and has to be redone in a year's time (after the insulation becomes good and soaked, and then takes out the new sheet rock), it's still NOT my problem.

But I do wonder why so many people are so incompetent at their professions.

[Posted @ 11:23 PM CST]