Home Improvement: You don’t need to fix everything folks :) |
- You don’t need to fix everything folks :)
- Just venting
- Getting rid of old people smell (serious!)
- I just found out that the old house that I wanted to buy only has reinforced concrete pillars at the first floor. How important is this?
- Gas insert from fireplace removal
- Question about old faucet replacement...
- Is a 4F degree difference in winter heating really a $200+ monthly difference in older homes? (Minnesota)
- Snaking a shower drain
- Fixing interior hollow core doors
- Help! Smoke detector constantly chirping and I can’t find it
- How to patch up holes in dry wall while trying to mount a tv?
- Battle with rat - wife wants him dead
- Fixing a terrifying caulk job
- Sealing broken asbestos cementing
- Replacing front door concerns
- Need advice for blocking the stomps of my upstairs neighbor!
- Heavy Gate
- What is this part of my irrigation system, is it safe, and how do I get it to stop leaking water all the time?
- Chimney Leaks
- Can I take my doorknobs to be rekeyed at Home Depot?
- Dining room outlets stopped working. Dining light work. Resetting GFCI did not fix them.
- Gutter question
- How to level old hardwood before installing vinyl plank
- Where does my furnace filter go?
| You don’t need to fix everything folks :) Posted: 12 Dec 2020 04:12 AM PST I joined last night at someone told me Reddit was awesome for asking questions (I had a small bathroom vent issue) and I got an answer right away so was pleased In one night on this subreddit just makes me want to say that it's okay if your house isn't perfect and you don't need to fix every little thing. Basement not insulated? That's okay for now. Just get an extra blanket or turn the heat up 2-3 degrees when companies over. Dated kitchen? That's okay for now. Is it still functional? Got a kitchen cabinet door starting to become a bit loose? Just tighten it up if you can - doesn't mean you need an entire kitchen reno. Dated bathroom? That's okay for now. It's in functional - you're good :) Old windows that don't hold the heat? That's okay for now. That's a big price tag. Houses back years ago held up just fine without creme of the crop windows Don't under estimate what a coat of paint can do to a house / room. Not everyone can buy a "forever home" - some people buy their starter home etc and it turns out to be a forever home with lots of work over years and years. That's okay too :). Some people want to own and can't. Unless you have issues that are causing damage to your home, just enjoy life and keep up on basic maintaince. I cannot tell you how many people I know have dated homes with issues but just no extra money to make it into their dream home. I see people taking about 50-80K jobs on a house that cost 200k. I have never been against putting money into a house but I'll probably put 80k into my 175k home over the course of 10-15 years I hope - and that's major upgrades and remodels of rooms. Not all at once. I'm going to be here forever so I'll make things right but in time. It's okay to not keep up with the Jones's :) Edit #1. Thanks for some awards. I didn't know those were a thing :) I just wanted to say I do agree with the energy saving upgrades when you can afford it. Also to look into home energy audits for those too. My post was just to say that do things as you can. My post was posted as there were quite a few posts in which I saw people actually take on big projects as someone else posted theirs and it almost made them feel like they should. I'm new to Reddit so apologies if I upset anyone :). Happy Saturday (going to install my bathroom exhaust fan now). [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 06:35 PM PST Literally and figuratively. Was cleaning out kitchen cabinets when I decided to check out the not-very-accessible hood vent cabinet and found this: https://imgur.com/Q3jgh1h Tin foil, scotch tape, and some wires holding the vent together. Here's what it looked like once I removed that atrocity: https://imgur.com/HVzYTcF My repair: https://imgur.com/8BMnf10. Foil tape, rigid ducting, hose clamps, duct reducer. Anyone else have a house that was previously owned by a DIYer where you think you've found it all, but new fun seems to constantly arise? The gift that keeps on giving. [link] [comments] |
| Getting rid of old people smell (serious!) Posted: 12 Dec 2020 05:58 PM PST Help! Just bought a house from a very old couple, and it smells like a nursing home. We've lit candles, cleaned, carpets cleaned, and still inevitably we come back home and it smells like old people. OK it could be worse, but we just want something nice and pleasant! Edit: should mention we have painted the entire interior. Edit 2: to try and not offend anybody "of age"... it smells like a nursing home. Not necessarily old people... [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 09:16 AM PST How important would you say that this is? Basically the second floor is masonry only, and the attic is masonry in the northern and southern side that supports some large wooden beams which support the roof. I'm guessing that the attic won't be constructible for this reason. Note that the house also has humidity in the northern and southern walls (and a bit in an interior wall) up to 90% compared to interior walls which have it like 20-30%, the roof doesn't provide sufficient coverage, long cracks in the vertical walls at the first floor, etc. The house: https://www.fotocasa.es/es/comprar/vivienda/noia/calefaccion-parking-jardin/157755671/d [link] [comments] |
| Gas insert from fireplace removal Posted: 12 Dec 2020 06:17 PM PST I am looking to buy a house that has a gas fireplace insert in a wood fireplace. Always wanted a wood fireplace in my house so was thinking of having the gas insert removed. Is that advisable? If so, typically how much does something like that cost? Who would I need to hire to do something like this? [link] [comments] |
| Question about old faucet replacement... Posted: 12 Dec 2020 07:59 PM PST I am pretty new to DIY and not very familiar with plumbing. I usually read and watch a lot of videos before trying anything. So, Here's my question. I am thinking of replacing bath faucet in our new condo. I did replace the faucet in our old home but the water lines were flexible. We have copper lines now. I couldn't find any vids online on how to replace copper lines with flexible, If it involved cutting/welding, I will opt for a licensed plumber. DIY or no? Edit: Pics in comments Edit2: I have uploaded the water lines under kitchen sink. If I were to replicate the same setup in my bathroom, is it as simple as unscrewing the copper lines and screwing in the flexible ones just like the one in my kitchen? [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 08:58 PM PST Myself and a friend both have older homes in Minnesota, both built in the 40s. He tells me that he kept his house at 70-72, occasionally upping it to 74 in previous winters, but last year kept it at 68 all the time, only manually bumping it up to 72 during the half-hour that he showered in the morning. He said his old bill was between $280-350 every winter month, but the year he made the change it never exceeded $100. Is that really true? Can that huge difference in dollars really happen for just a small difference in temp? Have I really been wasting a thousand dollars or more every winter just by staying comfy and not wearing a sweater and warm socks? [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 07:04 PM PST Couldn't figure out why I could not snake shower drain in the home we just bought. Kept hitting what felt like metal. Found the culprit! 😳 Looks like a wrench of some sort... [link] [comments] |
| Fixing interior hollow core doors Posted: 12 Dec 2020 07:02 PM PST So i have a store where i sell Primed interior hollow core doors, and at times we get some doors in that need to be slightly repaired. I never really have an issue repairing the doors because all i have to do is add some White wood filler and sand the door up. The problem is that when i sand the the primed door up, the damaged is fixed but it still shows the repair patch on the door which looks ugly when a customer has an order and wants to pick up the door. Is there a way to blend the repair patches with door without having to paint the whole door? Im not sure how they initially prime the doors. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. [link] [comments] |
| Help! Smoke detector constantly chirping and I can’t find it Posted: 12 Dec 2020 05:10 PM PST Hi everyone-I'm not totally sure if this is the right place to post but I'm at a loss. I moved into a house about a year ago (it was largely renovated right before I bought it). Two days ago I started hearing a sound like the smoke detector low batter chirping noise. I've checked every detector and they are wired in with battery back up (I've tested them and they are all fine). The weird part is that this beeping sounds like it's coming from inside the ceiling...we had someone come over and look around our attic but they couldn't find anything. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has ever heard of a smoke detector being left somewhere in a renovation and then plastered over? Any advice would be very appreciated. I'm totally at a loss! [link] [comments] |
| How to patch up holes in dry wall while trying to mount a tv? Posted: 12 Dec 2020 07:30 PM PST My piece of shit stud finder and my inexperience has led to this unfortunate phenomena. Please help [link] [comments] |
| Battle with rat - wife wants him dead Posted: 12 Dec 2020 01:15 PM PST So just before Thanksgiving I was up in our attic and found rat droppings and saw something scurry out of sight. I set up a Ring cam and lo and behold it was a rat. He apparently comes and goes between our attic and the sub floor via a shaft where the flue to an old floor heater (since replaced with HVAC) hangs. I crawled around the subfloor and found a decent size hole around the water line leading to our gas water heater (which sits outside the house in an enclosure). I bought some Xcluder fill and stuffed it nice and tight. I also set out a Havaheart live trap and baited with peanut butter and oatmeal. The first night after we heard a bunch of movement in the attic (probably him freaking out over the loss of his exit) and saw him coming and going through the shaft. I checked the trap and he ate the food but didn't trigger the trap! I went back to the subfloor and saw he had pulled out all the fill (think steel wool-type material but a lot pokier). I saw him once or twice on camera right after, and last weekend I refilled the hole with more Xcluder and stapled 1/4" galvanized steel mesh over the area and adjacent areas. I also purchased some new Harris live traps and set them out near where we have seen him typically. But I havent seen or heard the rat for a whole week (no camera alerts). Today I started putting wire mesh in the attic over the top of the shaft where he has been coming and going to block his pathway (shoulda done that initially). What are the chances he is still up there? I'm worried he found a new escape hatch somewhere I can't get to or have moved his nest somewhere else in our attic. I was trying to be kind to him but now my wife wants him dead and I'm starting to agree with her... [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 05:32 PM PST Hi all. I just bought an 18 year old house in Florida. The previous owner applied a huge amount of caulk where the baseboards meet the tile. It was extremely unsightly so I started removing it (which is taking forever). It seems like the builder installed the baseboard before the tile. What is the best way to remove all of this caulk? And what do I replace it with? Grout, thinner bead of caulk, new baseboard or shoe molding throughout? https://imgur.com/gallery/UN22eYD Thank you! [link] [comments] |
| Sealing broken asbestos cementing Posted: 12 Dec 2020 09:04 PM PST Title. A layer of broken asbestos cement sheeting in my 1970s kitchen. Since tiles are missing from a section of the floor, a broken area of asbestos is exposed to the air. I cannot afford to have it removed or professionally sealed atm, so am doing it myself. How do I go about it? I am planning on using spray paint to try prevent fibres from entering the air; is this feasible? What preparations would I have to make prior to doing so? [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 08:34 PM PST Hello, I am replacing my front door in St. Louis and used the Lowes youtube how to video (I have zero experience). I took off the trim to prep to replace the door all in one day and found that the dry wall around the door behind the trim was cracking. https://imgur.com/a/wVVEEii Is this something I should be concerned about? Third pic is actually just where the new (dry) paint chipped pulling off the trim, I repainted over that and will probably put on some more coats and then sand down whatever is still showing, is this the correct thing to do here? [link] [comments] |
| Need advice for blocking the stomps of my upstairs neighbor! Posted: 12 Dec 2020 06:17 PM PST Hi! So, I just moved into a new apartment and my upstairs neighbor is a LOUD and heavy walker who seems to walk for hours on end. Initially, I wanted a top floor apartment.. for this reason. Then, I fell in love with my unit (which is below someone) because it met a lot of my needs and I thought, "Meh, the possible noise I might face couldn't be THAT bad. If need be, I can maybe somehow soundproof it". Well, low and behold, I think I may have the loudest walker living above me. (I have had a 550 pound man living above me before. I heard him, but it wasn't this often or this bad... The building was very likely built better as far as sound insulation goes.). I have NO idea what my current neighbor does for a living, but they work from home and CONSTANTLY walk back and forth from room to room, stomping, and opening and closing drawers all day. They occasionally walk so heavily that it literally vibrates the floor under my feet. I feel like they have their health app up and are trying to get their 10,000 steps in. From some research I've done, it sounds like I need something to block vibrations. All of the floors are wood. I live in an apartment building, so can install anything crazy. It needs to be something I'd be able to uninstall, so I can put the apartment back to it's original condition when I move. Can I fully block the sounds? I record videos and teach from home so this would be lovely! Would mass loaded vinyl do the trick? My apartment has a little nook/study area behind the kitchen and next to the living room (it doesn't have doors and the way the that crown molding is around the entryways, I don't think I'd be able to install doors). I'd ideally love to just soundproof that area, and put up soundproof curtains by the kitchen entrance and the living room entrance. Would this do a pretty good job blocking the sound? If I need to soundproof the living room, kitchen, and nook, would something like acoustic foam panels for the ceiling or mass loaded vinyl make a big difference? I was told by one of the property managers that they don't foresee an issue with me installing those if I return it to the original condition. I've asked about switching apartments, but it's a no go. My boyfriend and I both teach classes from home-- we teach the same class in different rooms, so I either need a 1 bedroom with a nook or a 2 bedroom. There aren't anymore one bedrooms with a nook and id have to go up by several hundred dollars per month for a two bedroom. I can't find a clear solution or whether or not there is a solution, so figure I would come to Reddit. Sorry for the long post haha. Trying to give as many details as I can. I would greatly appreciate any help, experience, etc. THANK YOU! [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 02:44 PM PST I'm a first time fence/gate builder. I'm building a double swing gate. Each gate is 3' across, about 4' tall. I'm using 2' pressure treated lumber because it's easy and will last the longest on the shady side of my house, I'm in a mostly wet, rainy climate (PNW). I could use lighter cedar boards, but I'd have to find the right widths, stain it, etc. The problem: each 3' gate will be heavy, probably 60 lbs. The post are well set, 4'x6' PT. And each post is attached to a 'dead man' T under the ground. Are my gates too heavy? I want it to last a long time. Is this unnecessary wear on my posts? I'm not so much worried about sagging as I am about what that much weight will do to my posts over time. Thanks. [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 02:43 PM PST I have had a wet patch in my yard for a few months and today I discovered what is causing it: This is seemingly part of the irrigation system, but it was covered with a green cover so I know it is not meant to rise out of the ground. The hole was filled with water when I uncovered it, and after draining the water it quickly filled back up again. I have tightened both nozzles in there rightwards as far as they will go, but water still seems to be building up inside. Additionally, there are what look to be electrical wires coming out of the central nozzle. They are firmly rooted in it and disappear somewhere underneath the whole assembly. Is this safe? Can I turn it off from here without electrocuting myself? How do I get it to stop leaking water constantly? Thanks in advance. [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 05:20 PM PST I recently had my chimney cap replaced due to water dripping during heavy rain onto the top of my gas fireplace. Cracks in the cap were to blame and a full replacement recommended. I had the cap replaced but during some recent snow melt I had the exact same issue, if not worse than before. I climbed to the roof today to inspect the work and saw this: https://imgur.com/gallery/SxonLjC Is this shoddy finishing work and the likely cause of the leaks? Any recommendations aside from calling them back to finish this work? [link] [comments] |
| Can I take my doorknobs to be rekeyed at Home Depot? Posted: 12 Dec 2020 05:02 PM PST We bought doorknobs and deadbolts at home depot last year and asked them to key them all to match. We now need them changed, just so the old keys don't fit. Would it be possible to take them off and back to Home Depot to be rekeyed? Someone mentioned this to me. [link] [comments] |
| Dining room outlets stopped working. Dining light work. Resetting GFCI did not fix them. Posted: 12 Dec 2020 11:38 AM PST Hi, any help appreciated. My dining room outlets (3) stopped working, but the dining room lights still work. I've reset the GFCI (light turns off and on), the breaker and checked for any loose/shorted/burnt wiring on all the outlets. So far nothing, they look clean. A few days ago my wife was blow drying in the dining room for a project when the lights went out . I assumed it was just the breaker so I reset it. Than the GFCI when that didn't work. Then checked all outlets (breaker off of course). Should I call an electrician? [link] [comments] |
| Posted: 12 Dec 2020 04:58 PM PST Hello, We have a metal roof draining into a gutter. I thought it was overflowing as water would come down between the gutter and the house during a rain. I got up there today and the gutter and down spout are clear. The roof terminates about 1" over the gutter. I tested with the garden hose and water still runs between the house and gutter, kind of clueless. Thanks [link] [comments] |
| How to level old hardwood before installing vinyl plank Posted: 12 Dec 2020 04:52 PM PST I bought a house built in 1918. Ripped up the old vinyl and found old 1918 Douglas Fir hardwood planks that have since acquired a lot of pet stains and are creating a mild urine smell. Wood floor guy came out and said the urine penetrated too deep and can't be refinished without looking like trash. Decided I am going to paint it with KILZ and install new vinyl. Went to start my project and youtube is telling me it has to be somewhat flat (no more than 3/16 inch height diff per 10 ft radius). My floor is more than that, up to a half inch in some spots. Looked into speed set and it said not to use on hardwood. Do I have any other options? Or do I have to rip up the old hardwood and put down new OSB/plywood and shim it for flatness? Or is there another option I am not seeing? And would you install a vapor barrier? I live on the coast in oregon, btw. Quite humid. Thanks guys. [link] [comments] |
| Where does my furnace filter go? Posted: 12 Dec 2020 04:21 PM PST So I just went up to my attic to try to figure out how replace my furnace filter, and there wasn't one. I took off the door to where I thought it should be, but nothing was in there. There doesn't seem to be any where that stands out as the filter spot either. The link has pics of the setup and the manual. I can take more pics if needed. I appreciate any help! Edit: link to the pictures Edit 2: mystery solved. Thanks for the help! [link] [comments] |
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