Question About Home Repair / Utilities

[kb4ns]

I have an odd situation. Some of the wood around the top of my house is rotting. Not unusual, I know. But... one of the pieces is where the utilities come into the house and a tension wire is secured. Who do I need to contact about this since I don't like messin' with anything remotely close to power lines? Would a "handyman" be able to replace the wood and take care of detatching / reattaching the tension wire? Do I need an electrician? Or do I have to have the utility company come out?

Below is a picture of the area in question. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Erik88]

just grab hold of the wire and squeeze real tight

[kb4ns]

just grab hold of the wire and squeeze real tight

Ok, what next?

[enfield]

A handyman can do that for you. You need to replace those trim boards (treated lumber would be nice), seal and repaint. If you're going to be there long, I highly recommend getting aluminum trim installed over the wood. Zero maintenance.

[Randy W]

As a licensed Home Inspector my recommendations would be to call the local power compnay. From the meter out it is there problem. See if they will replace the board it may cost more if they will do it. If you want to you can arrange for a licensed and insured electrican / contractor to replace the trim while the electric company is there to disconnect the power.

[kb4ns]

I appreciate it, guys.

From the meter out it is there problem.

Memphis Light Gas & Water's policy is that they don't handle anything once it hits the service drop outside of the weatherhead (other than the meter itself). I'm not sure whether or not they'd even offer the service of replacing the board. I'll have to ask.

I've got a buddy who is rather handy who is gonna swing by later and look at it.

[mikegideon]

Any handyman CAN do it, but at that point, they're property of the utility company. On the power lines, YOUR wires start at the splices right before they enter the weatherhead. No big deal if nothing happens. If that messenger gets away from whoever disconnects it, you're going to be paying some of the most expensive electrical guys around, and may damage the weatherhead and riser to boot. There's no way to kill the power at that point, except at the pole. There's gonna be a healthy amount of tension on that messenger unless it's a pretty short drop from the pole.

I would print that pic, go visit a local electrical contractor, and ask how they do it. Service entrance stuff can be tricky.

[mikegideon]

I appreciate it, guys.

Memphis Light Gas & Water's policy is that they don't handle anything once it hits the service drop outside of the weatherhead (other than the meter itself). I'm not sure whether or not they'd even offer the service of replacing the board. I'll have to ask.

I've got a buddy who is rather handy who is gonna swing by later and look at it.

I doubt that they would replace the board, but the messenger belongs to them.

[kb4ns]

Yeah. I called the power company and they said that they come out and kill the power at the pole. Then they reconnect it after a contractor replaces the board.

[Armed Aviator]

Ok, what next?

thanks, I needed that!

[Guest db99wj]

That would be some strong current to make your, KB's, "hair" look like that!!!

Edited April 11, 2011 by db99wj

[mikegideon]

That would be some strong current to make your "hair" look like that!!!

Oh, it's available at the weatherhead. You probably wouldn't look as coherent as that guy though, being dead and all.

[Guest db99wj]

Oh, it's available at the weatherhead. You probably wouldn't look as coherent as that guy though, being dead and all.

I take it you've never seen KB's "hair"!

[mikegideon]

I take it you've never seen KB's "hair"!

Last picture I saw, it was way too short to do that.

[Guest db99wj]

Last picture I saw, it was way too short to do that.

Yep! He is so going to taze me the next time I see him!

[mikegideon]

Yep! He is so going to taze me the next time I see him!

I'm sure he would be happy to if you asked just the right way

[jdi731]

I'm sure he would be happy to if you asked just the right way

I'm sure he'd be happy to if he asked the wrong way as well!

[Guest db99wj]

I'm sure he'd be happy to if he asked the wrong way as well!

...and probably happy if you didn't ask and he thought you might needed it!

[mikegideon]

...and probably happy if you didn't ask and he thought you might needed it!

Sounds like you're gonna get tased, no matter what

[jdi731]

Sounds like you're gonna get tased, no matter what

I'm not so sure I'd looking for Jon if that was the case... Something about getting tased just doesn't sound like to much fun

[mikegideon]

I'm not so sure I'd looking for Jon if that was the case... Something about getting tased just doesn't sound like to much fun

It will be fine. Just don't eat a lot of fruit the morning of.

[Guest db99wj]

Well his power is out, yes it went out again today due to today's storm, maybe it won't be charged!

I imagine he is in a really good mood!

I think he started a facebook fanpage called "My Amish Paradise"!

Edited April 11, 2011 by db99wj

[kb4ns]

And I'm back... In a record 2.5 hours!! Whoo hoo! I'm really getting tired of overhead power lines and wind.

And DB... Where are you gonna be Thursday morning? I need to taze you tell you something.

[Guest db99wj]

And I'm back... In a record 2.5 hours!! Whoo hoo! I'm really getting tired of overhead power lines and wind.

And DB... Where are you gonna be Thursday morning? I need to taze you tell you something.

[mikegideon]

And I'm back... In a record 2.5 hours!! Whoo hoo! I'm really getting tired of overhead power lines and wind.

And DB... Where are you gonna be Thursday morning? I need to taze you tell you something.

Fair warning. Lay off the fruit