Home Improvement: Building a privacy fence? Use metal posts! |
- Building a privacy fence? Use metal posts!
- "Baby proofing" the house—for big kids! (becoming foster parents)
- Covid DIY Bedroom Remodel
- Why is everyone trying to talk me out of installing solid hardwood flooring?
- Bought my first home and I'm overwhelmed
- Is enough, enough. Or am I crazy - Hired Contractor
- Anybody file a hail roof/siding claim with State Farm?
- Knocking Down a Wall
- How can I lift these stairs and make them level again?
- How to find a replacement coil for my service door.
- Ventless Dryer Opinons
- Exterior wall bowing inward, foundation issue?
- Considering replacing my toilet with an American Standard Champion 4 but have seen some concerning reviews.
- How frequently do you change washing machine water supply lines?
- Sump Pump and Drain Tile
- Question about Raising a Block Wall
- Outdoor Meter Vault Issue
- Do you have to apply caulking underneath a newly installed toilet?
- Lots of mice outside my home: worth it to get rid of them, or waste of time?
- Question: Should I seal my patio cement?
- Is this safe?
- How do you safely label wood cabinets?
- Cat5 cables from garage to attic, through firewall?
- Ceiling fan wires aren't contained in an outlet box.
| Building a privacy fence? Use metal posts! Posted: 31 Jul 2020 01:59 PM PDT Modern lumber is harvested too young and grows fast with wide grains. New growth 4x4s and even 6x6s twist like they were born to be DNA strands. Galvanized metal 2 ⅜ posts will not rot or twist. This is what I've switched all my bids to these days. [link] [comments] |
| "Baby proofing" the house—for big kids! (becoming foster parents) Posted: 31 Jul 2020 09:08 AM PDT Edit: WOOOOW you guys are so awesome, thank you for all the input!! I had no idea this would be such a popular discussion topic but it's so cool that it is! I've received responses from seasoned parents, current foster families, former foster youth, and everyone in between. It's encouraging to know that there are so many people out there who have a heart for kids in care. My husband and I are still in the preliminary stages of this journey and all this discussion today really helps it feel real, especially since we haven't talked with our parents about it yet. Of course we're not going to worry too much about not being perfectly prepared or having the best home ever. We just have a lot of free time on our hands right now and want to do everything we can to set ourselves up for success and free up as much time as possible, so when we have kids in our home, we can devote so much time and energy to them. <3 My husband and I are starting the process to become foster parents for 3 to 10 year olds. We're first-time parents and we have several months with a lot of free time to finish up all the home renos and improvements we want to do before our lives get a LOT more busy. Any general tips or ideas that you'd recommend for updating our current "childless millennial" home? So far I'm thinking:
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| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 01:51 PM PDT Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a cool project I had the chance to work on with my parents over these interesting last few months. As a family we love to remodel and do fixer upper projects. Still waiting on the flooring and bedside tables but due to the current situation we do not have a current delivery date yet. Located in Southern California. Imgur Link Edited: Added all photos to Imgur album for easier viewing :) [link] [comments] |
| Why is everyone trying to talk me out of installing solid hardwood flooring? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 01:19 PM PDT We recently bought a ranch home that was built in 2013. The main level, aside from kitchen and bathroom, is covered in carpet that is a pain in the butt to clean when our two cats and a dog puke or drag their dirty bones in onto it. So, we know that we'll need to replace the carpets sooner than later. The hard part is....WITH WHAT?! Please help me decide based on resale value, cost, durability, etc. My husband's parents and sister-in-law basically tell us we'd be dumb to get anything but waterpoof luxury vinyl tile/plank having pets. And from what I know about laminate, it can scratch easily. Not a single person has advised solid hardwood floor. They're all about that manufactured practical flooring. We have roughly 1000 sf that would need flooring. Living room, entryway, hallways, kitchen. Bedrooms would stay carpeted. I have no idea what anything would cost. Here's a boring emotional backstory with my love of wood floor. When I was a kid, I took piano lessons from a woman who lived in a really old house. She had beautiful old hardwood floors with antique area rugs. The smell of those old hardwood floors was heaven. I remember staring at those floors while I was waiting for my sister to finish her lesson, dreaming of the house I would have some day. Living in a house without hardwood floors feels like I gave up on my dream. [link] [comments] |
| Bought my first home and I'm overwhelmed Posted: 31 Jul 2020 11:01 AM PDT The house was built in the 40's beautifully maintained by previous owners and was move in ready. I have zero background in home improvement or maintenance. I wasnt blessed with a handy father who passed down home owning knowledge. It feels like i'm in over my head. Ive got friends and familyI can turn to but id like to learn and gain some home owning confidence. Are there any video or book series anyone can recommend for someone with minimal knowledge? Like Home maintenance for dummies? The sidebar here is super helpful and i appreciate the tool bag must have list! [link] [comments] |
| Is enough, enough. Or am I crazy - Hired Contractor Posted: 31 Jul 2020 01:20 PM PDT I hired a landscape contractor on 7/1/20 (gave 50% deposit), he dropped of material (block for wall) and he told me that he would start the work on 7/8/20. So here is a short summary of my conversations: (C = Contractor, M = Me) 7/6/20 - C: "Current work will push me back, will let you know." M: "Ok." 7/7/20 - M: "Any update?" C: "We will be pushed into next week." M: "Ok." 7/10/20 - M: "Do you have a day next week?" C: "Not sure, will let you know." 7/13/20 - M: "Any update on the day? I'm cool with things getting pushed, just need to know a day." C: "I think it is best I cancel the work and give you half your deposit back. I can't have customers rushing me." 7/14/20 - I call him, things are worked out, and he says he will "be over there the following week." 7/22/20 - M: "How are things looking for this week?" C: No response... 7/23/20 - C: "I have to leave out of town for family emergency, but should be starting on 7/30/20." M: "Sounds good." 7/30/20 - M: "How are things looking for today?" C: "Still attending family emergency." M: No worries, do you have an estimate of when you will be back and starting the work?" C: "No response." 7/31/20 - I call him, no answer. Am I crazy, or is enough enough? I am having to balance the line of not reaching out too much because then he will get upset and cancel the work, but like, I just want some sort of schedule. Should I tell him hey, let's go back to your original plan of canceling the work, but I want all of my money back and you can come pick up your materials? Kinda lost here. [link] [comments] |
| Anybody file a hail roof/siding claim with State Farm? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 07:53 PM PDT Many of my neighbors have been getting their roof and siding (aluminum) replaced from a specific hailstorm that happened last year. I'm wondering if it's worth it to contact State Farm to get an adjuster out to see what mine looks like, trying to get an idea of what to expect should I go that route. Been seeing a lot of granules in my gutters. Has anyone done a hail roof or siding claim with State Farm, and how did that go? Did the adjuster approve it on the first visit, or did they give you a hard time and you had to engage a contractor and have them out with the State Farm adjuster for subsequent visits? Do they cut you a check (ACV first) and then reimburse you for actual RCV after your contractor-of-choice finishes the job? Thanks in advance! [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 05:29 PM PDT I have a wall that's probably 8 feet tall by 6 feet long. It separates my kitchen from my dining room. The house was built in the 60s, so the dining room was built to be a "formal" dining room. I'd love for the kitchen and dining room to be more open, so I've thought about having this wall taken down. It rests on a outside wall and does have an electrical outlet in it. Any thoughts on the process for this? Who would I call to get quotes? And any cost estimates? Just starting to toss the idea around, but don't want to continue thinking about something that's just way outside of my price range. [link] [comments] |
| How can I lift these stairs and make them level again? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 08:50 PM PDT I just bought this house and it's very evident the stairs are sinking right in the middle between mine and neighbors front walkway. They appear to be granite, and I'm sure with a large enough pry bar I could lift them, but what should I pack underneath them to insure they stay level once I rest them down again? I believe they've been this way for many years now so hopefully the settling is over with. [link] [comments] |
| How to find a replacement coil for my service door. Posted: 31 Jul 2020 06:31 PM PDT I have a roll up service door with torsion could that have snapped. Is there some place where I can buy replacement coils, or do I have to replace the entire door? The coils have 43 or so turns, and are made from 1/4" stock. pictures of door and coil [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 06:13 PM PDT My mom is currently renovating her home and is potentially going to have to use a ventless dryer so she can move it from the basement to the upstairs. What are the pros/cons of ventless dryers? Does anyone have any recommendations? [link] [comments] |
| Exterior wall bowing inward, foundation issue? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 04:22 PM PDT This house I'm looking to buy has a foundation crack, the kitchen floor is cracked by about half an inch and slightly sloping. However all doors, cabinets, and windows are square and close without issue. My main concern is this front exterior wall that's bowing inward(check out the twisted pipe). What do you guys think? Major foundation issue that will cost $50k+ to fix or just poorly tied walls? Home is 60 years old. https://i.imgur.com/Flpq1Qa.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iGcvA9h.jpg [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 11:39 AM PDT I need to reseat the wax ring in my toilet and was considering replacing my current toilet in the process. I've seen a lot of people on Reddit suggesting the Champion 4 but when I Googled it, it seems people have issues with the tank cracking or a gasket in the tank bubbling. One woman said she had reached out to AS regarding the cracks and they said they fixed the manufacturing issue. Can anyone speak to these issues? [link] [comments] |
| How frequently do you change washing machine water supply lines? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 11:50 AM PDT It's in the title. I read online you should do it every 3 years, but that seems excessive. I currently have braided stainless steel ones. They've been in use for about 7 years, and they look fine. Do you change yours out regularly? Also, how frequently do you change other supply lines (faucets, dishwasher, etc.)? [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 08:16 PM PDT I just wanted to get some more information on sump pumps and drain tiles. I am looking at a house that has some water problems in the basement, has some water seeping in through the basement floor as well as the walls. Not puddling unless very strong rain from what I can tell, mostly just having those wet spots on the concrete. How do I tell if I need to install drain tile or if installing a sump pump is enough to fix the problem. Also, does taking out the concrete when installing the drain tile, is there any structural concerns? I assume not. How do I know what parts of the basement need the drain tile? Also, the house is on a slight slope, should I have the sump pump well on the higher but wetter side or have the drain tile there leading to the sump pump on the lower side where it can go straight up and pump the water outside and easily away from the house? [link] [comments] |
| Question about Raising a Block Wall Posted: 31 Jul 2020 04:30 PM PDT I'm raising my block wall by 1 layer to give us a little more privacy. The wall uses the tongue and groove 4" thick blocks (16" long x 8" tall). The blocks are hollow core and the top layer has flat tops. My question is - Can I add another flat top block on top of the existing ones... or should I remove the whole top layer, add the new hollow blocks, then put capped ones on top of that? Thanks for your help! Here's a pic for reference. [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 04:20 PM PDT Apologies if this is not the right place for this. So I have noticed water building up under my lawn, on my sidewalks and in the street near my house. I called the city public works department and reported a leak. They came out, drained the vault (it was full of water) and declared there is no leak. That was six hours ago. We just had a storm and the meter vault is now overflowing and water is building up in and around the vault. What do I do now? Call a plumber? I have only been in this house for about four months, but I have never noticed anything like this. Thanks! [link] [comments] |
| Do you have to apply caulking underneath a newly installed toilet? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 09:13 AM PDT I keep hearing two sides and in the end it's just preference? [link] [comments] |
| Lots of mice outside my home: worth it to get rid of them, or waste of time? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 07:59 AM PDT I renovated the basement a couple years ago on our new home and found some dead mice in the wall, insulation damage, also found one cranium behind the water heater, and an obvious entry point in the rim joists that are now under about 6 to 12 inches of polyurethane foam (the company I hired did a very thorough job), and one around a window (could see daylight once the fiberglass wool was removed, now filled with foam as well and did the same for the other windows). (Where I live, basements are almost just like any other floor) However I am concerned that mice will find a way in the home one way or another unless everything is absolutely perfect. Didn't sue the previous owners but probably should have; found some evidence they were aware of the presence of mice and that they lied when selling the house on that form where they would have had to declare it. I've set traps on the side of the house where there are the most hiding spots for mice and where there was also the most obvious signs of mice in the basement wall. Well, in about three weeks, not setting traps every day, I'm now at 17 mice caught. A few times I got 3 in the same night. There's not much distance between my neighbour on that side and my home, and they have overgrown weeds in their backyard, and a small pond with circulating water for some reason. Seems like the perfect habitat for mice. So should I just keep killing mice, or should I put all my efforts in making my home mouse-proof? I have some warped vinyl siding that is worrying me, I'll fix that. Not sure if mice can somehow still find ways, though. Are weep holes in brick a concern? [link] [comments] |
| Question: Should I seal my patio cement? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 02:34 PM PDT Hey guys, I have two massive dogs constantly running in my backyard. They bring with them a good bit of dirt on to my patio. I wanted to find a way to help make my patio easier to clean. I have an epoxy on my garage floor and that works great. I cannot find a UV treated epoxy for use outdoors. I do not want to add a decorative stain to my concrete. I see this action as additional maintenance to keep up every few years. Can I seal my plain concrete as is to make it easier to keep clean? If so, is it recommended to add a traction additive to the sealer? Patio Pictures: [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 31 Jul 2020 05:16 PM PDT Hi, the house we bought has a new deck. At this point, it's clear to me that when the flippers built it, they drilled into the concrete slab and sunk the 4x4 post bases into the exiting concrete. I can tell because I can see the original holes in the slab where the old bases used to be, and I presume there's foundation under there. Though the house was built in 1968, so who knows what they used to do back then? So basically the deck is supported by the 4" concrete slabs, not by any sort of foundation blocks or piers. Is this a problem? What should I look out for? Or is this just fine? [link] [comments] |
| How do you safely label wood cabinets? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 04:59 PM PDT I learned that stickers can damage the wood finish. Are there any wood safe stickers? Or is there some other easily removable way of labeling wood cabinets? There is a lot of cabinets in the garage so ideally it would be a cheap method that wouldn't cost much for all the cabinets. Solved - delicate surface painters tape seems like it would do the job: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Paint-Paint-Tools-Supplies-Tape-Painters-Tape/3M/Light-to-medium/N-5yc1vZcibuZ30Z1z1c7cf?storeSelection=6656,1074,6612,1053,660 Thanks for all the advice! [link] [comments] |
| Cat5 cables from garage to attic, through firewall? Posted: 31 Jul 2020 04:43 PM PDT Hey guys! Question for anybody that has done this. I want to mount some security cameras on one side of my house and run the ethernet cables up into the attic through my firewall in the garage. the adjacent room is the living room. Any ideas how to do it correctly? My plan was to get a small piece of emt conduit, cut a small hole into the firewall, place the tube and use fireproof putty to secure it in place, run the 3 cables through it and then use the same putty or some fireproof foam to seal the small crevices in the conduit in between the cables. Any better ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks yall! [link] [comments] |
| Ceiling fan wires aren't contained in an outlet box. Posted: 31 Jul 2020 07:36 AM PDT I just moved into my first home and decided to change out some lights. To preface: the power to this room is off and was so before I started. I finally got the fan down and wanted to replace it with a semi flush mount light. But the fan was just held up by this external fan mount. The wires are coming directly out of the attic with no outlet box. The semi flush mount light can't just screw into the ceiling, right? Is this something an electrician will have to install? Or is it possible to install an outlet box? Is that even necessary? Images: [Fan mount ](fan mount https://imgur.com/gallery/QddiH9O) [link] [comments] |
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