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» rdreher9 - How I Got A Place To Live

I built from the ground up. Started with a small house, on a good slab, no live water in slab, hot water heater/ copper pipes in attic. Added on over 20 year period. Advantages are/ it's affordable/ can use salvaged materials some. Got a good house/ well insulated/ stucco/ metal roof. Disadvantages/ lower resell value/ not been able to get basic homeowners insurance[lapsed policy]. Actually i have no idea what place is worth. But i have no note/ never did. The insurance industry is adapted to contractors/ sub- division type dwelling/ that fine if you got the money. I did what i had to do. Wood burning heaters should have chimmy pipe enclosed in brick with air space/ bigger is better. I replace stove pipes/ every few years/ from the roof. A straight pipe/ from heater is best. Most people have a chimmley fire before they learn what to do/ i did. Creosote/ carbon build up is best dealt with in the design phase/ not latter. rdreher9

-- posted by rdreher9

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» tyanna - Re: How I Got A Place To Live

In response to message posted by rdreher9:

Sounds interesting. I agree that adding on over time is usually a better way to go unless you need the space for kids that are going to be out of the house before the additions are completed.
One thing with having trouble with the insurance is that I would guess this has to do with no permits or contractors working with you to make sure everything was done up to code. In some counties they will allow you to do at least some of the work yourself, if you get permits, have it inspected throughout the process, and sometimes work with a contractor.
I know another thing with the chimney design has to do with how high above the peak of the roof it needs to be in order to have proper draft. It changes from place to place and I know that I don't know what it is for my place.

-- posted by tyanna

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