Home-owners...What are your current projects? (3 Viewers)

[stbugs]

Had to disassemble a tub drain to remove a lego.

Funny, my kid’s bathroom tub isn’t draining right. There used to be a zillion legos in there so I need to see if it’s that or just the fact that they’re older and dirtier (drano) or I have to fish out the legos I know are still in there.

That said, replaced all the bathroom stuff after we finished the 3rd floor nicely. It was finished when we built the house but just drywall, paint and carpet. Wife wanted the oil rubbed bronze. The sink faucet and drain was the biggest pain. I wasn’t sure how to get the old drain out until I watched a video and the nut to hold in the faucet was behind the sink and hard to reach. It’s a small vanity and even being able to put my head in one door (had to take them off too) still was just getting lucky to loosen it without seeing it/being able to reach it with both hands. Also, had to get another new faucet since the one I bought first wasn’t straight. SMH. Looks great now that it’s done and I like the pop up drain. No putty needed as well which was nice.

 

[stbugs]

We had a huge windstorm in DC this week. I have 3 sheets of shingles in my yard.  Also have a couple shingles on the roof that look like they are severely shifted from the wind.  Called the insurance company and they are coming out on Thursday.  With a $5,000 deductible, I’m wanting a new roof.  Anyone have any experience dealing with insurance companies on these issues?

$5000 deductible? JFC, didn’t realize you could even get it that high. 

 

[dschuler]

$5000 deductible? JFC, didn’t realize you could even get it that high. 

I was basically able to add on this house at almost no additional costs to my insurance payment by raising the deductible on both properties.  Looking back now, I’m not sure how great of an idea that was.... 

 

[Borden]

I was basically able to add on this house at almost no additional costs to my insurance payment by raising the deductible on both properties.  Looking back now, I’m not sure how great of an idea that was.... 

Depends on how much you saved. If you saved $1000 a year between the two then you’re even after 5 years. 

Good luck with the insurance companies. Make sure to keep any receipts from extra costs that you had from the wind storm. Also, get estimates from multiple companies for the repairs. 

 

[doowain]

We had a huge windstorm in DC this week. I have 3 sheets of shingles in my yard.  Also have a couple shingles on the roof that look like they are severely shifted from the wind.  Called the insurance company and they are coming out on Thursday.  With a $5,000 deductible, I’m wanting a new roof.  Anyone have any experience dealing with insurance companies on these issues?

You should've called the roofing company first.  That's what I did and they interacted with the insurance company for me.   $500 deductible got me a brand new roof.

This happens all the time.

 

[matuski]

Went and bought up a bunch of Rubbermaid Fasttrack items that a Lowe's had on clearance.... on impulse.  

This stuff is pretty sweet.  Easy to install, looks great, all kinds of hooks/shelving options.  

 

[wilked]

We had a huge windstorm in DC this week. I have 3 sheets of shingles in my yard.  Also have a couple shingles on the roof that look like they are severely shifted from the wind.  Called the insurance company and they are coming out on Thursday.  With a $5,000 deductible, I’m wanting a new roof.  Anyone have any experience dealing with insurance companies on these issues?

How old is the roof?

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

I moved into my house about a year and a half ago and was grilling in the dirt. My wife and I built the deck a year ago and added the railings and detail work over those next few months. Last month I began the bar section and I just finished it this weekend. Really happy with how it came out.

https://imgur.com/a/vPvyv

 

[jwb]

I moved into my house about a year and a half ago and was grilling in the dirt. My wife and I built the deck a year ago and added the railings and detail work over those next few months. Last month I began the bar section and I just finished it this weekend. Really happy with how it came out.

https://imgur.com/a/vPvyv

wow, that's really nice!!!

 

[wilked]

I moved into my house about a year and a half ago and was grilling in the dirt. My wife and I built the deck a year ago and added the railings and detail work over those next few months. Last month I began the bar section and I just finished it this weekend. Really happy with how it came out.

https://imgur.com/a/vPvyv

Your wife pretty handy? (pun intended - but really, does she know her way around a caulk gun?)

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Your wife pretty handy? (pun intended - but really, does she know her way around a caulk gun?)

 She's somewhat handy. She's better at telling me her opinion on how things should be done.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I've been shopping online for several days for a cheap new or reconditioned table saw. I have a long list of uses over the next couple months. I sold a pretty nice older one a year ago and have done the flipped skil saw thing a couple times in a pinch. So yesterday I settled on the cheapest Ryobi refurb on Ebay $99. This afternoon I hear the doorbell, see the UPS truck, check the front door and there's a brand new Craftsman Evolv Table Saw from Sears sitting there. Wth? Did I buy this by mistake? I have checked every account looking for the charge. There's nothing. I have not paid for this yet here it is ready to go. What to do?

 

[EYLive]

Is there a good site for bathroom remodeling ideas?
We probably going to complete renovate our master bathroom and replace the his and her sinks with vanities in the front bathroom. Need some design ideas. Even better if price ranges are included.

 

[Johnny Rock]

I've been shopping online for several days for a cheap new or reconditioned table saw. I have a long list of uses over the next couple months. I sold a pretty nice older one a year ago and have done the flipped skil saw thing a couple times in a pinch. So yesterday I settled on the cheapest Ryobi refurb on Ebay $99. This afternoon I hear the doorbell, see the UPS truck, check the front door and there's a brand new Craftsman Evolv Table Saw from Sears sitting there. Wth? Did I buy this by mistake? I have checked every account looking for the charge. There's nothing. I have not paid for this yet here it is ready to go. What to do?

Did the eBay seller you chose send the wrong item by mistake?

 

[Chaos Commish]

Did the eBay seller you chose send the wrong item by mistake?

No. What arrived today was shipped by Sears. The Ebay seller (CPO) has also shipped the one I bought. Expected delivery 3-10. I only have a few ways to buy online. I have checked every possibility and nothing. My Sears account says I have no orders in the last two months. Yet they shipped me somthing I've been shopping for and may have even put in my cart at some point to check shipping and taxes. I don't remember. I looked at a lot of saws.

 

[Borden]

Is there a good site for bathroom remodeling ideas?
We probably going to complete renovate our master bathroom and replace the his and her sinks with vanities in the front bathroom. Need some design ideas. Even better if price ranges are included.

Houzz is the best place for just pictures. If your bathroom has some type of unique aspect (small, bay window, long or whatever) then just type in “*whatever feature* bathroom renovation” into google images and scroll through. 

Once you have some things picked out (vanity, sinks, taps, floors and tub are the main ones) then just go onto the Home Depot website and find basically what you want. Of course you should shop around for better prices but this will give you a general idea of what it will cost. If you’re getting a contractor to do it material multiplied by two is a rough idea of what you’ll be paying. Obviously there’s a bunch of things that could throw off this number but it’s at least a general number. 

Bathroom renovations are usually not too difficult to do on your own, as long as you aren’t moving plumbing. If you go with a bunch of tile it can get exhausting but it is do-able. 

 

[Ron Swanson]

I moved into my house about a year and a half ago and was grilling in the dirt. My wife and I built the deck a year ago and added the railings and detail work over those next few months. Last month I began the bar section and I just finished it this weekend. Really happy with how it came out.

https://imgur.com/a/vPvyv

Very nice. South Florida?

 

[EYLive]

Houzz is the best place for just pictures. If your bathroom has some type of unique aspect (small, bay window, long or whatever) then just type in “*whatever feature* bathroom renovation” into google images and scroll through. 

Once you have some things picked out (vanity, sinks, taps, floors and tub are the main ones) then just go onto the Home Depot website and find basically what you want. Of course you should shop around for better prices but this will give you a general idea of what it will cost. If you’re getting a contractor to do it material multiplied by two is a rough idea of what you’ll be paying. Obviously there’s a bunch of things that could throw off this number but it’s at least a general number. 

Bathroom renovations are usually not too difficult to do on your own, as long as you aren’t moving plumbing. If you go with a bunch of tile it can get exhausting but it is do-able. 

Houzz has a billion pages of photos. Good stuff. 

 

[wilked]

Use build.com for materials. Depot has crap for things like vanities, lights, fixtures 

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Very nice. South Florida?

Thanks. St. Pete.

 

[mr. furley]

apparently fixing a ####### garage door

chain got loose and now the door won't open more than a few inches. suspecting that i just need to put the chain back on track, like a bike chain.  anyone do this before? sound about right? 

what are the chances i lose an arm when one of those cables snaps free and whips back at me?

 

[mr. furley]

Went and bought up a bunch of Rubbermaid Fasttrack items that a Lowe's had on clearance.... on impulse.  

This stuff is pretty sweet.  Easy to install, looks great, all kinds of hooks/shelving options.  

 

 

[Bossman]

apparently fixing a ####### garage door

chain got loose and now the door won't open more than a few inches. suspecting that i just need to put the chain back on track, like a bike chain.  anyone do this before? sound about right? 

what are the chances i lose an arm when one of those cables snaps free and whips back at me?

I'm not an expert but I've fussed with my own on several occasions. Sounds like that chain is likely the issue / fix.

also, if yours has overhead springs, check to see if one hasn't broken.  One of my co-workers just had one of his break that was only 5 years old.

... and those cables wont take your arm off ... but they will take out an eye.

 

[belljr]

apparently fixing a ####### garage door

chain got loose and now the door won't open more than a few inches. suspecting that i just need to put the chain back on track, like a bike chain.  anyone do this before? sound about right? 

what are the chances i lose an arm when one of those cables snaps free and whips back at me?

Unhook the garage door latch. See if you can manually open it. If so it's the chain. If not easy check the spring like mentioned

 

[mr. furley]

Unhook the garage door latch. See if you can manually open it. If so it's the chain. If not easy check the spring like mentioned

tightened the chain. still can't open the door. even manually. it's stuck somehow.

 

[dschuler]

How old is the roof?

Not really sure.  We bought the house with a leak on the ceiling that had just been repaired.  So part of the roof was fairly new, but the other had some wear and tear.  The insurance company hired inspectors to drive out to the whole DC area, and he put down 2015 when I told him about the patch.  Although I wasn’t missing shingles on the back side, he was able to slide his arm under them easily, so I’m expecting coverage for a new roof.  I should get a statement from the insurance company in the next few days, I’ll post an update. This is a pretty good video I found yesterday for a roof claim, and I looked for similar things today when the inspector was out.

https://youtu.be/s3az1JOx2Xs

 

[Johnny Rock]

apparently fixing a ####### garage door

chain got loose and now the door won't open more than a few inches. suspecting that i just need to put the chain back on track, like a bike chain.  anyone do this before? sound about right? 

what are the chances i lose an arm when one of those cables snaps free and whips back at me?

Are you typing with one hand or are you ok?

 

[Bossman]

tightened the chain. still can't open the door. even manually. it's stuck somehow.

sounds like one of the springs broke.  If that's the case, It's not stuck, just really heavy with only one spring helping lift it.

 

[Bossman]

No. What arrived today was shipped by Sears. The Ebay seller (CPO) has also shipped the one I bought. Expected delivery 3-10. I only have a few ways to buy online. I have checked every possibility and nothing. My Sears account says I have no orders in the last two months. Yet they shipped me somthing I've been shopping for and may have even put in my cart at some point to check shipping and taxes. I don't remember. I looked at a lot of saws.

I believe that you have a secret admirer. 

... if you use it, be prepared to return sexual favors to him.

 

[LoadLetterPaper]

I own 2 condos, I am putting old/refinished cabinets up in the kitchen of one of them

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

I moved into my house about a year and a half ago and was grilling in the dirt. My wife and I built the deck a year ago and added the railings and detail work over those next few months. Last month I began the bar section and I just finished it this weekend. Really happy with how it came out.

https://imgur.com/a/vPvyv

Looks nice, how easy was the faux stone?  I'm thinking of doing a few columns

 

[mr. furley]

sounds like one of the springs broke.  If that's the case, It's not stuck, just really heavy with only one spring helping lift it.

yeah, this was my conclusion. we're having a repair guy come out today to fix it. 

 

[glvsav37]

I have an interior bathroom door that is not staying open. Any idea how to fix this?  Wife is starting to nag about it. I assume you need to adjust the hinges but they are screwed into the wooden jam? how much can i adjust them?

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I have an interior bathroom door that is not staying open. Any idea how to fix this?  Wife is starting to nag about it. I assume you need to adjust the hinges but they are screwed into the wooden jam? how much can i adjust them?

Not quite sure I understand. You shouldn't have self-closing hinges on an interior bathroom door, so that wouldn't be it.

How old is the home? Is there an HVAC vent near the door?

 

[glvsav37]

Not quite sure I understand. You shouldn't have self-closing hinges on an interior bathroom door, so that wouldn't be it.

How old is the home? Is there an HVAC vent near the door?

no, not self closing...sorry. We keep the bathroom door open when not in use, but instead of staying open, it slowly swings closed all by itself. I'm assuming its not balanced or something. Home is 15 years old. Never had a problem with it until recently. 

 

[Uruk-Hai]

no, not self closing...sorry. We keep the bathroom door open when not in use, but instead of staying open, it slowly swings closed all by itself. I'm assuming its not balanced or something. Home is 15 years old. Never had a problem with it until recently. 

Are you able to tell if it's square & plumb?

I was asking about the HVAC vent because I've seen them blow hollow core doors shut. 

You can get magnetic door stops (one piece goes on the door, the other on the wall/floor) that are strong enough to stop benign, settlement-caused closings (i.e. the door just kind of drifts closed). 

 

[ragincajun]

I'm pretty useless when it comes to being handy but I'm certain I can do this myself - I just need some advice as to how.

The wooden fence in my backyard is in rough shape.  One of the main posts in leaning heavy after the wind storm.  I checked it out.  The posts are placed into concrete and the concrete "blocks" are in the ground.  For this particular post, the earth around the concrete block has fissured causing the entire thing to become loose and makes half my backyard fence lean inwards.  In other words, the post is in the concrete, the concrete is surround by earth which normally keeps it upright, the earth around the block isn't tightly packed enough to provide support as intended.

I feel like just pouring more concrete around the existing concrete block won't work long term but that may be the best option?

Any ideas?  Can post a pic if needed.

Any possibility of putting new posts in between the existing posts and then taking the old posts out?  May be able to dig the hole deeper and make it stronger?

 

[wilked]

no, not self closing...sorry. We keep the bathroom door open when not in use, but instead of staying open, it slowly swings closed all by itself. I'm assuming its not balanced or something. Home is 15 years old. Never had a problem with it until recently. 

It would be pretty heavily out of plumb to do that.  Does it shut cleanly?  When it is shut, are the gaps around the door fairly uniform?  Take a look at the hinges, any screws loose, or anything look out of the ordinary?  

 

[wilked]

Here's one fix

https://www.homerepairtutor.com/fix-a-door-that-closes-or-opens-by-itself/

 

[Chaos Commish]

I believe that you have a secret admirer. 

... if you use it, be prepared to return sexual favors to him.

Yup. BiL was buying a couple appliances at Sears and I guess their reward program made adding the saw practically free so he sent it as a surprise. That was weird and now I have two. 

Anyway, my current project is weedeating.

 

[stbugs]

sounds like one of the springs broke.  If that's the case, It's not stuck, just really heavy with only one spring helping lift it.

I had to replace a spring on my big door (two car) a few months ago. Same thing, just up and broke. Didn't take long for the place to fix it and they had a coupon for a spring, so not too bad. Used the same place when my old door opener failed and they replaced that. Pretty reasonable IIRC and worth the extra over trying to do it myself. The spring wasn't something I'd mess with at all.

 

[belljr]

i'm on my second (third?) set of springs.

They last ~7years for me - but we use the door everyday multiple times.

I get them both changed when goes bad. 

Its the same price to change one or both minus the cost of the springs.  Meanig he changes 1 spring it's $75 plus install (I think it was ~ $200 total don't remember).

If the second spring breaks later I'm out another 200.  

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Looks nice, how easy was the faux stone?  I'm thinking of doing a few columns

It wasn't too hard- used my miter saw to cut. It's fragile though.

 

[Bossman]

So I'm planning on building this work bench tomorrow... Work Bench

Nice simple design. I'm making it a full 96" vs the 65" that is shown.

One question that maybe a fellow FBG can answer for me ...

What is the purpose of adding the 1.25" cleat that the top is fastened too? Why wouldn't you just fasten the plywood top to the 2x6's? 

Is there some structural advantage that I'm not aware of?

 

[ragincajun]

More stability possibly

 

[pollardsvision]

I got a long list of #### to do for Spring. Yesterday, I had a little time. I didn't do any of that, but I mounted a TV on the wall of the patio. I hate being inside, but wanted to watch some basketball. Plus, baseball season is coming up. It's becoming a proper redneck patio. 

 

[wilked]

So I'm planning on building this work bench tomorrow... Work Bench

Nice simple design. I'm making it a full 96" vs the 65" that is shown.

One question that maybe a fellow FBG can answer for me ...

What is the purpose of adding the 1.25" cleat that the top is fastened too? Why wouldn't you just fasten the plywood top to the 2x6's? 

Is there some structural advantage that I'm not aware of?

Only thing I can figure is to prevent 'twisting' / rocking of the structure.  Seems stupid though, I might skip it.  If you add screws on the top plywood that should stabilize plenty

 

[wilked]

I got a long list of #### to do for Spring. Yesterday, I had a little time. I didn't do any of that, but I mounted a TV on the wall of the patio. I hate being inside, but wanted to watch some basketball. Plus, baseball season is coming up. It's becoming a proper redneck patio. 

solid wire management ;-)

 

[belljr]

If you need to move it you can take the top off by just removing the bolts

 

[Bossman]

If you need to move it you can take the top off by just removing the bolts

Ah, yes. The article does mention the ability to disassemble easy for storage or moving.

The hardboard top glued on over the plywood bench top would cover the screws preventing the top from ever being removed. I have no plans to store or move so I'll skip this.

Structurally, I went with 3 2x4 joists front to back to support the plywood bench top and lower shelf as this makes the most sense to me ... vs the side to side "rib" that the instructions show.