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Home-owners...What are your current projects? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wilked
- Start date
Osaurus
Footballguy
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
Keep in mind that Im looking at pictures on my phone so this may be obvious but I'm curious to why you left/installed the Livingroom, soon-to-be dinning-room ceiling mini-bulkhead framing in. Why not remove that and just have a flush ceiling?
Nice work WTW. Love the changes. Saved a lot of room and opened things up.
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unckeyherb
Footballguy
Good question an thanks. The reasoning is two fold-firstly, in my experience its very difficult to get the two associated ceilings to actually align-I'd end up feathering a lot of spackle, which is fine but time consuming. The more important reason is that the HVAC unit, ductwork and supports are right above that area and I wouldn't have the clearance necessary nor access to the joists for the downlights.
Lehigh98
Footballguy
Has anyone done a gravel fire pit area like this, this, or this?
Finally took down my kids' decrepit old swingset and now the area (formerly playground mulched) is empty and getting overgrown with weeds. Got a nice Breeo from the fam last Father's Day and just bought some new Adirondack chairs on a deal and a coupon from Costco and thinking about turning the old swingset area into a new firepit area.
Seems simple enough to get some crushed stone and dump it in there with maybe some edging or weed block material underneath. Not sure what type is best to get and if / how I should go about tamping / compacting it down. A little worried what I'd do with a ton of crushed stone if we changed our minds in a few years.
What do you guys think? Pros / Cons? Anyone do a firepit area and if so, do you actually use it much?
TIA!
Finally took down my kids' decrepit old swingset and now the area (formerly playground mulched) is empty and getting overgrown with weeds. Got a nice Breeo from the fam last Father's Day and just bought some new Adirondack chairs on a deal and a coupon from Costco and thinking about turning the old swingset area into a new firepit area.
Seems simple enough to get some crushed stone and dump it in there with maybe some edging or weed block material underneath. Not sure what type is best to get and if / how I should go about tamping / compacting it down. A little worried what I'd do with a ton of crushed stone if we changed our minds in a few years.
What do you guys think? Pros / Cons? Anyone do a firepit area and if so, do you actually use it much?
TIA!
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unckeyherb
Footballguy
Yea I just built one adjacent to our pool. It’s pretty straight forward. Lay down a good weed barrier first and install steel edging to keep everything in place. We use it all the time. It’s great after swimming to get a fire going and warm up.Lehigh98 said:
This is from last year when I installed.  
here’s what it looks like now..
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unckeyherb
Footballguy
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
Nice pool. I think thats the shape what Im leaning to. I like the classic, sleek look of a rectangular pool.
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unckeyherb
Footballguy
Thanks a lot. Yeah we were pretty set on rectangular and set on not having a ton of concrete surrounding the pool. It's out in a field of grass and wanted to keep it minimalistic as possible. Obviously went with large patio on the shallow end.
If you are in the market for pools I'd highly recommend fiberglass-especially if you're looking at rectangle and not some amorphous shape (although you can get those too). The installers showed up to my house at 7am and by 3pm they were topping off the water and grading out the yard. Gone by 3:30
STEADYMOBBIN 22
Footballguy
Since seeing your pool ive been watching pro and con videos all morning. I thought I wanted concrete with all the blue tile but apparently you have to resurface a concrete pool every 15-20 years at a cost of $10k-$20k??? Plus more chemicals, plus more daily upkeep = F that noise.
unckeyherb
Footballguy
Concrete is anywhere from 50-100% more expensive install initially. Like you said it needs to be resurfaced every 10 years and additional chems. Liner pools similarly have to have the liner replaced after 7-10 years.
#### that. Fiberglass is cheap, has a lot of options (mine has a 7'-0" 16" deep tanning ledge, both sides have indented foot ledges for kids to walk along the edge and two built in seats at the deep end as well as 3 color changing lights). It doesn't grow algae, it will never need to be resurfaced, it actually holds the heat of the water better than concrete or liner and the install took a day. Rough cost differential for reference: We installed last year-14'x32', saltwater with heat pump heater and a couple of deck jets. All in with the additional concrete was about $45k. Pricing we got from some other places to do it in concrete ranged from $75k-over $100k
Phil Elliott
Footballguy
Master bath remodel. Demo completed last week because we were told the shower tile, flooring and deco would be available next week. This morning, was advised the deco and flooring is on a container in Virginia port and should be available in 6 weeks.
⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
Yes we did this at our old house. Was great. Use decomposed granite.Lehigh98 said:
glvsav37
Footballguy
Current situation
1/2 of my deck was demo'ed for the pool instal last year. the other 1/2 was 16 years old and needed repair. So we ripped up the boards and figured while we were at it, add a pavilion structure. I'm on a 4th of July deadline for a party, so I need to kick it into high gear.
1/2 of my deck was demo'ed for the pool instal last year. the other 1/2 was 16 years old and needed repair. So we ripped up the boards and figured while we were at it, add a pavilion structure. I'm on a 4th of July deadline for a party, so I need to kick it into high gear.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Captain Cranks
Footballguy
Chemical X
Footballguy
so, looks like it’s time for me to put my hvac system down. i’m at 12 years old and my upstairs crapped out. lost about 1/2 the refrigerant, so it’s likely an evaporator coil, which isn’t worth replacing given age. we are moving in the next 2-4 years, so i don’t think the system will make it and buyers won’t be happy with an ancient system. i am shooting the lock off my wallet and doing 2 compressors, furnaces and coils, basically whole systems. doing a 2 stage upstairs and putting in lennox. anyone do this job? looking for prices to make me feel better.
belljr
Footballguy
Osaurus
Footballguy
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Doesn't look like a wire. Looks like small diameter tubing. Is there an ice maker or fridge near?Captain Cranks said:
You cut it, I bet it pours water.
Captain Cranks
Footballguy
Indeed. Someone opined that it was PEX tubing. It's ultra small; probably only an 1/8 inch. There's a bidet in the master bath which it may have been routed for. Lowes doesn't carry anything under 1/4 PEX materials, but the worker explained how to disconnect the connector. When I got back I grabbed a bucket and decided to give it a shot. Pulled the line out of the connector and nothing. Dry as the desert. Seems like the line was run but never connected to anything. I crimped the line by taping it back on itself and was able to take out the wall framing.
unckeyherb
Footballguy
It’s not Pex. Looks like a tap off water line for a refrigerator ice maker. If you cut it and no water maybe it was never tapped. I bet if you trace it it leads to a screw in connection to a main 1/2” pipe
The Z Machine
Footballguy
It looked pretty yellowed too, which is surprising if it's been inside a wall for a long time.
wilked
Footballguy
I’ll get some photos up later…. Been busy. Took an office adjacent to our bedroom down to the studs, turning it into a master bath.
-all new plumbing
-new pocket door in load bearing wall
-double vanity / toilet / shower / freestanding tub
-underfloor heat
just finished rough plumbing and electric. Will spray foam exterior walls tomorrow.
I am designer, GC, and doing a little of everything (hired a plumber, father in law helped me w electric, will hire spray foam and a roofer for vent caps).
-all new plumbing
-new pocket door in load bearing wall
-double vanity / toilet / shower / freestanding tub
-underfloor heat
just finished rough plumbing and electric. Will spray foam exterior walls tomorrow.
I am designer, GC, and doing a little of everything (hired a plumber, father in law helped me w electric, will hire spray foam and a roofer for vent caps).
Captain Cranks
Footballguy
Hmmm. The theater room is just above that closet with a small sink and dorm room refrigerator. Wonder if the thought was to have a full blown ice maker up there.
ChiefD
Footballguy
Sure thing - would be glad to help.
But for two full systems, you are looking at between 15-20k depending on what is put in. But for someone moving in 2-4 years, I probably wouldn’t go too nuts. You will never get that extra dough back and new homeowners will just be happy they have newer stuff.
UOFI_316
Footballguy
Not related to the hose, but that is a pretty substantial holddown at the left end of that wall. I typically only call those out when it is a 3-4 story building and at the ends of shear walls. In residential there are smaller versions and most houses just use the exterior walls as the shear wall. Where are you located?Captain Cranks said:
Captain Cranks
Footballguy
unckeyherb
Footballguy
Infrastructure Week!
So we had the floors refinished over the last week-like I said its one of the few jobs I'm willing to pay someone else to do.
Pretty happy with how they turned out-at least 60% lighter than previously which is what we wanted.
Dining Room
Living Room
Guest Bedroom
Master Bedroom
I was only able to come down Saturday Morning and work until mid day Sunday so I didn't undertake any big projects, decided instead to do al the new electric for the kids hobbit hole (it had no electric other than a light that was switched from another room.) Had to relocate that switch, add an outlet for the room and tap off to wire in the two switched lights at each bunk bed. Definitely a challenging wiring job.
Also ran recessed power outlet and HDMI Connections up to the TV in living room.
Finished demo of the kitchen cabs where I plan to install open shelving. Completed the soffit framing over the island. Wired new dimmer switch for the island downlights, added an outlet/USB and wired the dimmer switch for two pendants over the dining table-still need complete that part. Downlights installed as well.
Heading back down on Thursday for a couple of weeks and hope to really make some headway into July.
So we had the floors refinished over the last week-like I said its one of the few jobs I'm willing to pay someone else to do.
Pretty happy with how they turned out-at least 60% lighter than previously which is what we wanted.
Dining Room
Living Room
Guest Bedroom
Master Bedroom
I was only able to come down Saturday Morning and work until mid day Sunday so I didn't undertake any big projects, decided instead to do al the new electric for the kids hobbit hole (it had no electric other than a light that was switched from another room.) Had to relocate that switch, add an outlet for the room and tap off to wire in the two switched lights at each bunk bed. Definitely a challenging wiring job.
Also ran recessed power outlet and HDMI Connections up to the TV in living room.
Finished demo of the kitchen cabs where I plan to install open shelving. Completed the soffit framing over the island. Wired new dimmer switch for the island downlights, added an outlet/USB and wired the dimmer switch for two pendants over the dining table-still need complete that part. Downlights installed as well.
Heading back down on Thursday for a couple of weeks and hope to really make some headway into July.
Chemical X
Footballguy
thx-right in the middle and that’s because i am doing a 2 stage upstairs. i’m here as long as the dog is alive and he’s not talking, so i’m hopeful the units will save me money off my monthly electric to kind of offset. i really don’t have a choice it seems. if i did a single stage upstairs, i could’ve saved 3k i believe. i get a pair of $350- rebate cards from lennox and $150- rebate from my electric provider. also, a minuscule $500- reduction for doing both at the same time.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
That seems like it's an air vent just to release pressure instead of actually providing any water flow.
Fat Nick
Footballguy
A little late with the reply, but I did literally the exact thing you're talking about - took down an old swing set that was mulched, and turned it into a fire pit. A few things that haven't been noted here -
Highly recommend putting down PLASTIC, not just weed barrier. I put down thick plastic sheeting. Slice it up in spots to allow water to drain, but it keeps the weeds out. We're going on 8 years, and I have a few stray weeds, but since it's only gravel on top of the plastic, they can't get a deep foothold and come out really easily.
We used river rock, slightly smaller size - it's bigger and prettier than pea gravel. I avoided gravel/millings and things with edges because I wanted to be able to walk on it barefoot and not be in horrible pain.
For the actual pit, consider buying a bowl that fits on top of a paver/stone surround. The raised bowl allows for better airflow and you won't get as much smoke. If you burn right on the ground in the pit, you get a lot of smoldering.
wilked
Footballguy
So broskis
My new bathroom is wide open right now. I can add anything, but in a few weeks that option ends.
Thinking on music in the bathroom. What I have now is a shower and separate freestanding bathtub.
My wife likes to listen to NPR radio. She likes the 'easiness' of just turning our radio on. Alternatively she likes saying "Alexa, play NPR radio station".
I like tunes. Ideally again I could just tell Alexa to "Play Shabba Ranks", but I don't mind doing it with my phone (though synching with bluetooth is a bit of a pain, takes an extra 60-90 seconds).
Open for ideas. Don't want something super complicated, and want it replaceable as tech improves (ie no CD player integrated into the wall).
Current bathroom has a bluetooth capable radio hanging from a hook in the bathroom.
Thanks
My new bathroom is wide open right now. I can add anything, but in a few weeks that option ends.
Thinking on music in the bathroom. What I have now is a shower and separate freestanding bathtub.
My wife likes to listen to NPR radio. She likes the 'easiness' of just turning our radio on. Alternatively she likes saying "Alexa, play NPR radio station".
I like tunes. Ideally again I could just tell Alexa to "Play Shabba Ranks", but I don't mind doing it with my phone (though synching with bluetooth is a bit of a pain, takes an extra 60-90 seconds).
Open for ideas. Don't want something super complicated, and want it replaceable as tech improves (ie no CD player integrated into the wall).
Current bathroom has a bluetooth capable radio hanging from a hook in the bathroom.
Thanks
gianmarco
Footballguy
Our setup:
Sonos speaker was already installed in the ceiling when we moved in. All we did was add an Amazon Echo Dot in the bathroom. Can play anything with voice control and plays over the Sonos speakers.
You should be able to install any Alexa compatible speaker (Or Google or whatever smart setup you use) and then just get an Echo or Google or whatever and set it in the bathroom for voice control.
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unckeyherb
Footballguy
Got some work done this weekend.
Focused on the new bedroom mostly. framed in the rest of the new wall and hung a new door for the girls room. Installed new flooring as well. Next up is the bunk bed install.
also demolished the existing kitchenette to make way for the relocated laundry room. New flooring, vent and washer/dryer hookups next up.
Focused on the new bedroom mostly. framed in the rest of the new wall and hung a new door for the girls room. Installed new flooring as well. Next up is the bunk bed install.
also demolished the existing kitchenette to make way for the relocated laundry room. New flooring, vent and washer/dryer hookups next up.
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The Z Machine
Footballguy
=Smackdown=
Footballguy
Garage / Pool House / Man Cave complete.
I have a Sonos question if anyone knows . . .
Have a Sonos system currently in my garage which is wired to 4 speakers scattered throughout my backyard. I believe its a Sonos ONE (Amp & Port).
Can I run the sound from my Samsung Smart TV through my Sonos system? Do I need a Sound bar or can I run an RCA cable from TV to Sonos port?
Thx
I have a Sonos question if anyone knows . . .
Have a Sonos system currently in my garage which is wired to 4 speakers scattered throughout my backyard. I believe its a Sonos ONE (Amp & Port).
Can I run the sound from my Samsung Smart TV through my Sonos system? Do I need a Sound bar or can I run an RCA cable from TV to Sonos port?
Thx
unckeyherb
Footballguy
Lol, thanks. After days like the ones I've been doing, I sleep like a damn rock. It's been back breaking but things are really starting to come together and look like what we'd planned. Its rewarding so far. I'm going to be really moving into a lot of the finishes soon so I am feeling good about getting it all done in time. The big question marks always come when you are opening up walls to see what sins lie beneath and so far, with the exception of the sanitary stack I didn't foresee, I've been able to adapt pretty well to what the existing structure has thrown at me. Still a lot to do tho. More photos to come soon...
Instinctive
Footballguy
No joke I worked on a project for a company that sells bluetooth enabled, Alexa enabled bath fans. They worked pretty well. Players in the space are Panasonic, Homewerks, and Broan-Nutone.
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wilked
Footballguy
Thx GB.
I have a new fan installed but wouldn’t be a big deal to replace it; I’ll take a look
wilked
Footballguy
My bathroom progress photos. Turning an office into a Master Bath...
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OhxasIpcnspPisOo89BsCGPwJIWMLGa8?usp=sharing
Next step is to cut a pocket door into the load bearing wall separating the bedroom and the bathroom as well as get the roof penetrations / vent stacks complete. Hopefully tomorrow on both of those. Then it's time to start boarding everything up, plaster it, and lots of tile work
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OhxasIpcnspPisOo89BsCGPwJIWMLGa8?usp=sharing
Next step is to cut a pocket door into the load bearing wall separating the bedroom and the bathroom as well as get the roof penetrations / vent stacks complete. Hopefully tomorrow on both of those. Then it's time to start boarding everything up, plaster it, and lots of tile work
ChiefD
Footballguy
wilked
Footballguy
Cast iron
water draining through cast iron is much quieter than through pvc. That area is in my foyer (close to living room) and I didn’t want to make a general announcement to the house every time someone flushed a toilet.
alternatively I could have insulated the soffit (to be built around it) but I want to keep that soffit as narrow as possible for aesthetics
it hoes back to pvc once it disappears into the closet
wilked
Footballguy
The Z Machine
Footballguy
I just bought a hammock chair here in Mexico. I'm planning on mounting it to the ceiling in my den. Ceiling joists hold up the flat roof and I think are 2x8s, maybe 2x10s. It's a single mount point to hold up the chair. It should support 250-300 lbs.
Ideas on how to mount:
Ideas on how to mount:
- Forged Eye Screw, 3/8" diameter with 4" thread into center of joist (on end). Go through drywall ceiling
- Dedicated "Swing Hanger". I think I would mount it the same way, but instead with 2x lag screws or structural wood screws
- Cut hole in drywall to expose section of ceiling joist. Find some sort of bracket that allows bolting through the 2x thickness. Secure with bolt and nut.
