Home-owners...What are your current projects? (1 Viewer)

[Fat Nick]

Indefinitely I would think.  It's all pressure treated lumber, so you'll be fine.

This.  There's a common misunderstanding about water rotting wood.  Water rots wood - but not from just getting wet, but rather from getting wet and being unable to dry.  That's the reason flashing and such is so important for the ledger board.  The ledger is isolated against the house - all things equal (i.e. with no flashing, etc) it wouldn't get any more or less water than any other part of the deck.  It's more prone to rotting because it has limited breath ability if water gets between it and the house.  It's also the same logic with why most of the time it's recommended to put a membrane over doubled/tripled joists or beams.  The water can get in, but there's limited ability to dry out quickly.

A deck frame is PT, and if you tear the decking off, air-flow and ability to dry is actually BETTER than it would be with the decking on - it would actually most likely last longer without the decking than with as the decking would trap moisture against the frame. 

 

[belljr]

This.  There's a common misunderstanding about water rotting wood.  Water rots wood - but not from just getting wet, but rather from getting wet and being unable to dry.  That's the reason flashing and such is so important for the ledger board.  The ledger is isolated against the house - all things equal (i.e. with no flashing, etc) it wouldn't get any more or less water than any other part of the deck.  It's more prone to rotting because it has limited breath ability if water gets between it and the house.  It's also the same logic with why most of the time it's recommended to put a membrane over doubled/tripled joists or beams.  The water can get in, but there's limited ability to dry out quickly.

A deck frame is PT, and if you tear the decking off, air-flow and ability to dry is actually BETTER than it would be with the decking on - it would actually most likely last longer without the decking than with as the decking would trap moisture against the frame. 

Thanks. My wood fence has a lot of rot, replacing in fall.

I'm just going to replace my deck a little at a time and was a little concerned.

I mean, I plan to tear off all the floor and rails.  And move/replace any posts or joist that may need it. Well all the posts need moving for PVC fence

But if I do it over a month instead of all in 1 weekend.

 

[Fat Nick]

Thanks. My wood fence has a lot of rot, replacing in fall.

I'm just going to replace my deck a little at a time and was a little concerned.

I mean, I plan to tear off all the floor and rails.  And move/replace any posts or joist that may need it. Well all the posts need moving for PVC fence

But if I do it over a month instead of all in 1 weekend.

You'll be fine.  I built my deck over the course of 4 months without issue.  You'll also be in a good position to mitigate any rot you do find in the frame while you have the decking off.  If you find rot, replace if you can, or at a minimum, re-treat with some copper coat (Copper Green) wood treatment, and if needed, seal it with a membrane or something to prevent that spot from getting wet again.

 

[Quez]

I need mkre insulation blown in my attic.  Is cellulose or fiberglass the way to go?  Also, is this something i should attempt myself?  I saw you can rent the blower from HD, and buy bags of cellulose. 

 

[ragincajun]

what are these terrible things you read? I mean, it's just a gutter anyway

Correct Gutter.  I have a very steep roof with a good bit of surface area which leads to some erosion areas around my foundation.

 

[ragincajun]

I need mkre insulation blown in my attic.  Is cellulose or fiberglass the way to go?  Also, is this something i should attempt myself?  I saw you can rent the blower from HD, and buy bags of cellulose. 

I have done this before and while hot and messy as can be it wasn't that bad.  There was dust everywhere though.

 

[ragincajun]

Is this some cajun saying? What does it mean in English?

Lol I love auto correct.

English: If you cook a fatty cut of meat on the grill the fat drippings cause flare up and a tremendous amount of smoke which fills the porch causing me to go inside for fresh air.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Figure out how to get my dogs to stop scratching the screen on our porch.  They tore through two screens already.  I bought the supposed pet safe screens which they haven't torn yet but I'm not confident in those.  I wanted to put a storm door grill on, but the gap is 40" on both sides of the door (screened in back porch).

Assuming they scratch to come in the house? Either get a breakaway screen (use one at the cabin for all the toddlers who like to push on it) or train your dogs to ring a bell.

 

[FUBAR]

Assuming they scratch to come in the house? Either get a breakaway screen (use one at the cabin for all the toddlers who like to push on it) or train your dogs to ring a bell.

the last couple of days they've started barking to come in.  Not incessant or obnoxious but our 1 year old German Rat terrier has a distinctive woof he uses when he's ready to come in and stop wrestling with his younger sister, a rat-a-pin.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Organize the garage better  

i highly recommend the rubbermaid fasttrack system.  I have virtually everything off of the ground on my garage.  Love them

 

[ragincajun]

Second the fasttrack system.  I would start off with the starter pack to get an idea of the other hooks and lengths you need.  Somehow I ended up with 10 of this baseball bat shovel handle holder things.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I remember seeing somewhere on here about someone buying bulk rocks. I have a 150 sq ft area under my deck that I'd like to cover with rocks. Doesn't matter how high quality they are, since it's just covering the area underneath my deck that is 6-10 feet off the ground (small hill) and I just want something better than the dirt that is there.

I know I can go somewhere and check, but I'm in the beginning of planning a bunch of projects, so I'm just looking for a WAG kinda estimate. I'll refine it later.

TIA.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Jacuzzi tub question. 

So when we moved into our new house we were excited to finally have a nice size jacuzzi tub. I go run it the first time and all the black stuff comes out. So i clean the tub and do some googling. I use dishwasher detergent, which does not work. Then i buy this chemical biofilm killer. Doesnt work. I use both methods. Doesnt work. Seems to have less of the crap, but i still do not want to sit in there .... 

What else can i do?  Can i replace the jets?  Can i use the tub without using the jets without being exposed to the mold or whatever it is?  Do i need a whole new tub?  Cost?  Ideas?

 

[jwb]

Jacuzzi tub question. 

So when we moved into our new house we were excited to finally have a nice size jacuzzi tub. I go run it the first time and all the black stuff comes out. So i clean the tub and do some googling. I use dishwasher detergent, which does not work. Then i buy this chemical biofilm killer. Doesnt work. I use both methods. Doesnt work. Seems to have less of the crap, but i still do not want to sit in there .... 

What else can i do?  Can i replace the jets?  Can i use the tub without using the jets without being exposed to the mold or whatever it is?  Do i need a whole new tub?  Cost?  Ideas?

You need to flush the system, drain, etc. Use this  - I'd double up on the dose since you seem to have a big problem. Then drain the tub and refill, get the water balanced chemically, and see where you are. 

 

[avoiding injuries]

My wife just painted our two white garage doors with Gel Stain mahogany to give the wood look. I'm a little uncertain. Here's about what it looks like. 

http://www.domestically-speaking.com/diy-garage-door-makeover-stain/

 

[MattFancy]

Anyone here have any familiarity with stamped concrete?

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

You need to flush the system, drain, etc. Use this  - I'd double up on the dose since you seem to have a big problem. Then drain the tub and refill, get the water balanced chemically, and see where you are. 

This is a bathtub. 

 

[jwb]

This is a bathtub. 

oh, nevermind. You're doomed. 

(that stuff still might work, though.)

 

[belljr]

This is a bathtub. 

Did you do bleach?

Then cold water?

It may take a few times 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Anyone here have any familiarity with stamped concrete?

Had it done in a few areas and it has held up well.

I also have had a skim coat put over concrete and painted that looked pretty good.

And did the little rubber playground pellets around the pool when my pool deck started looking a little too rough.  

 

[MattFancy]

Had it done in a few areas and it has held up well.

I also have had a skim coat put over concrete and painted that looked pretty good.

And did the little rubber playground pellets around the pool when my pool deck started looking a little too rough.  

We're thinking about doing stamped concrete for our patio. What's usually a good price per sqft?

 

[Binky The Doormat]

We're thinking about doing stamped concrete for our patio. What's usually a good price per sqft?

Most likely depends where you live.  We did our years ago and think we paid around $8.50 SF for a pretty simple stamp pattern.  

 

[MattFancy]

Most likely depends where you live.  We did our years ago and think we paid around $8.50 SF for a pretty simple stamp pattern.  

Gotcha. We were quoted at $12 in MD. Most people I talked to said they thought it was a pretty good price.

 

[matttyl]

Did you do bleach?

Then cold water?

It may take a few times 

That's what we did, took a few times over and over running diluted bleach through the system.  Of course, the wife and I combined have used it maybe 6 times in the past 3 years since. 

note - there is no way to type that out without it sounding like we used it together. 

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Guess who gets to remove a popcorn ceiling 

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Guess who gets to remove a popcorn ceiling 

It would be the guy that I called.

 

[lumpy19]

Gotcha. We were quoted at $12 in MD. Most people I talked to said they thought it was a pretty good price.

I'm at $9 a sq ft in upstate NY

 

[RokNRole]

My girlfriend is going to look in to adopting a kitten and I offered to build her a cat tower.

im reasonably handy and sure I will eventually figure it out.

any tips?

 

[avoiding injuries]

My girlfriend is going to look in to adopting a kitten and I offered to build her a cat tower.

im reasonably handy and sure I will eventually figure it out.

any tips?

Don't get a cat. 

 

[Mr. Ected]

My girlfriend is going to look in to adopting a kitten and I offered to build her a cat tower.

im reasonably handy and sure I will eventually figure it out.

any tips?

Buy one. Time and materials not worth it.

 

[RokNRole]

Don't get a cat. 

I like cats

 

[RokNRole]

Buy one. Time and materials not worth it.

I do believe you are correct sir

thanks for the assist

 

[Megaton]

Power washing cedar fense, then staining.  

 

[Mr. Ected]

Buy one. Time and materials not worth it.

I do believe you are correct sir

thanks for the assist

Gotta remember, we are approaching football season. No time for silly projects!!

 

[RokNRole]

Gotta remember, we are approaching football season. No time for silly projects!!

No way would I build it on Sunday's, Monday nights and sometimes thursday

 

[rascal]

My girlfriend is going to look in to adopting a kitten and I offered to build her a cat tower.

im reasonably handy and sure I will eventually figure it out.

any tips?

Get a new girlfriend.  

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I am considering ripping out a rather major plant "investment" my wife made about 8 years ago in wild growing landscaping plant around our house.  They require constant attention ...and when we don't ...it looks like the Munsters house.  I like clean, easy to keep shrubs.  

 

[RokNRole]

I am considering ripping out a rather major plant "investment" my wife made about 8 years ago in wild growing landscaping plant around our house.  They require constant attention ...and when we don't ...it looks like the Munsters house.  I like clean, easy to keep shrubs.  

Because she has a cat?

she didn't ask for the cat tower, or even the cat.

it was all my idea because she's lonely during the day because she works from home and I thought building a cat castle would be a nice gesture.

but based on mr erects suggestion I'll just buy one because it looks about the same cost or cheaper than buying the materials

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Because she has a cat?

she didn't ask for the cat tower, or even the cat.

it was all my idea because she's lonely during the day because she works from home and I thought building a cat castle would be a nice gesture.

but based on mr erects suggestion I'll just buy one because it looks about the same cost or cheaper than buying the materials




 

I am guessing you have a lot of cats.

 

[RokNRole]

I am guessing you have a lot of cats.

Not at the moment but I've had close to ten in my lifetime, among many other things

im a big animal lover

 

[msommer]

im a big animal lover

TMI

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Not at the moment but I've had close to ten in my lifetime, among many other things

im a big animal lover




 

I think you are naven raven et al

 

[gianmarco]

Because she has a cat?

she didn't ask for the cat tower, or even the cat.

it was all my idea because she's lonely during the day because she works from home and I thought building a cat castle would be a nice gesture.

but based on mr erects suggestion I'll just buy one because it looks about the same cost or cheaper than buying the materials

You can just work on some new shirt designs instead.

 

[RokNRole]

I think you are naven raven et al

The little girl from the Cosby show?

 

[slackjawedyokel]

I remember seeing somewhere on here about someone buying bulk rocks. I have a 150 sq ft area under my deck that I'd like to cover with rocks. Doesn't matter how high quality they are, since it's just covering the area underneath my deck that is 6-10 feet off the ground (small hill) and I just want something better than the dirt that is there.

I know I can go somewhere and check, but I'm in the beginning of planning a bunch of projects, so I'm just looking for a WAG kinda estimate. I'll refine it later.

TIA.

Having rock delivered by the load (usually by the yard) is by far the cheapest. It might be 10-20% of the cost in bags at the big box stores. I had 5 yards of gravel/rock delivered to my driveway for about $200 total. For perspective, that's a little bit smaller of a pile than a VW Bug or other very small car.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

The little girl from the Cosby show?

Nice reveal #### - o.  

 

[RUSF18]

So I have a closet shelving system that has been slowwwwwly caving to one side on the bottom half. It was definitely drifting when we moved in a year and a half ago and I noticed the other day that it looks ready to snap. It's probably made from some kind of cheap laminate. From what I can tell, it is two pieces stacked together so if I can separate them, anyone have a pointer on how I can stabilize the bottom?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

So I have a closet shelving system that has been slowwwwwly caving to one side on the bottom half. It was definitely drifting when we moved in a year and a half ago and I noticed the other day that it looks ready to snap. It's probably made from some kind of cheap laminate. From what I can tell, it is two pieces stacked together so if I can separate them, anyone have a pointer on how I can stabilize the bottom?

Can you post a pic? I'm having trouble visualizing your problem.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Ok, I think my hot water heater is a goner. Any suggestions? I have a fairly flexible - but not unlimited - budget. How are the tankless units?

 

[top dog]

My wife just painted our two white garage doors with Gel Stain mahogany to give the wood look. I'm a little uncertain. Here's about what it looks like. 

http://www.domestically-speaking.com/diy-garage-door-makeover-stain/

I like that look a lot.  Might do that to our garage.