Projects/Home Improvement Thread

Jimmy3Putt

Jimmy3Putt

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Yes, the value increases, but so do my property taxes.
I’m entering the grumpy old man phase of life. I’m sick of the honey do lists and endless projects.
 
Wild Bill

Wild Bill

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I spent my weekend finishing up installing new siding on my rental. Didn’t have scaffolding, and the guy I usually pay to help bailed on me, so I spent two straight days going up and down a ladder. My calves are screaming right now.

I may need to get a few quotes to power wash/paint so I can work up the motivation to go do that myself too.
 
FU BK

FU BK

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I need to do a roof. House is only 12 years old but the old junk 3 tabs are shot. Trying to decide if I have 1 more roof left in me or not.
 
Irish#1

Irish#1

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I'm going to build a couple of small brick columns at the entrance to our driveway. They'll be somewhere around 3 - 3 1/2' tall with a limestone cap. I want to install some nice solar lights on top. Looking for something with 400 lumens or better. Searching online has produced limited results. Any experience or recommendations on where to look?
 
BleedBlueGold

BleedBlueGold

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Irish#1 said:
I'm going to build a couple of small brick columns at the entrance to our driveway. They'll be somewhere around 3 - 3 1/2' tall with a limestone cap. I want to install some nice solar lights on top. Looking for something with 400 lumens or better. Searching online has produced limited results. Any experience or recommendations on where to look?
Click to expand...

Could get creative and get a standard light for the column and wire it through a converter to solar yourself. Probably open up your options quite a bit more .
 
Armyirish47

Armyirish47

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I’ve got an open attic with 40 year old ducts for the hvac, is it worth reinsulating and getting new ducts? Or wait until get a new unit in the next couple years?
 
Punky

Punky

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Irish#1 said:
I'm going to build a couple of small brick columns at the entrance to our driveway. They'll be somewhere around 3 - 3 1/2' tall with a limestone cap. I want to install some nice solar lights on top. Looking for something with 400 lumens or better. Searching online has produced limited results. Any experience or recommendations on where to look?
Click to expand...

Dude, now's your chance. Screw the columns, get something that speaks of quality and class for the driveway, and shows off your allegiance.....

Irish Lawn Jockey.jpeg
 
I

Irishdawg

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FU BK said:
As a sheet metal worker, wait until you get the new unit so everything is sized properly
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Agreed, plus all the new ducts re-run & sealed properly! Proper insulation depth will make a difference, as well. Caulking/foaming all your penetrations from the ceiling to the attic helps big time. Remove fixture, register etc. covers and caulk or foaming any gaps!! Less leakage the better!!
 
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SWirishfan

SWirishfan

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Irishdawg said:
Agreed, plus all the new ducts re-run & sealed properly! Proper insulation depth will make a difference, as well. Caulking/foaming all your penetrations from the ceiling to the attic helps big time. Remove fixture, register etc. covers and caulk or foaming any gaps!! Less leakage the better!!
Click to expand...
Make sure the contractors size the returns properly. About 10 years ago, I upgraded to a much higher SEER rated system. The contractor did not fix the returns for the added flow, choking the system in the height of the Phoenix summer. Killed 2 compressors in the first 4 years, warranty covered but had to go out of pocket for the refrigerant.

Anywhoo, had a friend who runs a home inspection business look at it. He recommended that I add a 2nd smaller return, so he and I did that. No issues since then.

Anecdote DNE data & coincidence DNE causality, but adding another 36 sq-in of return availability and no more problems in the last 6 years.
 
Irish2155

Irish2155

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Garage door spring broke today. Can’t even get my car out. Lol

How much is this going to cost me?

2026 has been a bitch so far…

…fridge, AC, washing machine, and now garage door have all broken and needed replaced. In addition to my neighbor’s tree clogging my damn sewage pipe and needing to install a clean out to fix it. $$$
 
NDVirginia19

NDVirginia19

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I had to fix my dishwasher too. Thankfully spent the hour or so looking for a YouTube video of someone with the exact same problem I had. Saved about $300 and just had to buy a new 15V cable and some cable nuts because the previous owners didn’t give me any realistic amount of wiggle room to plug it back in.

On another note I may have become the youngest homeowner in America to purchase a new landline for their house. Something about the west facing wall in my house where my bed sits against just completely blocks cell signal, and which is inconvenient when I need to be reached by phone sometimes in the middle of the night. The soon-to-be fiancée is not a fan of the volume of the home phone
 
Irish#1

Irish#1

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Irish2155 said:
Garage door spring broke today. Can’t even get my car out. Lol

How much is this going to cost me?

2026 has been a bitch so far…

…fridge, AC, washing machine, and now garage door have all broken and needed replaced. In addition to my neighbor’s tree clogging my damn sewage pipe and needing to install a clean out to fix it. $$$
Click to expand...
Don't try to fix it yourself. Those springs are extremely dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Had a guy in my old neighborhood try to fix his and the spring uncoiled and went right through his heart.
 
Irish2155

Irish2155

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Irish#1 said:
Don't try to fix it yourself. Those springs are extremely dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Had a guy in my old neighborhood try to fix his and the spring uncoiled and went right through his heart.
Click to expand...

Yikes. Yeah, waiting on a repair guy to call me back.

I rarely fix anything myself. Being a handyman isn’t in my bag of tricks. 😃
 
SWirishfan

SWirishfan

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Irish2155 said:
Yikes. Yeah, waiting on a repair guy to call me back.

I rarely fix anything myself. Being a handyman isn’t in my bag of tricks. 😃
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I had a spring break about 2 years ago. Cost me about $200 for both springs.

Edit: that was cost for the repair guy. I left those bad boys alone.
 
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GoldenToTheGrave

GoldenToTheGrave

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Irish2155 said:
Yikes. Yeah, waiting on a repair guy to call me back.

I rarely fix anything myself. Being a handyman isn’t in my bag of tricks. 😃
Click to expand...
My bag of tricks is knowing when "If I try to fix it myself it'll likely cost me more money trying to un-fuck my fuckup".
 
FU BK

FU BK

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Irish2155 said:
Garage door spring broke today. Can’t even get my car out. Lol

How much is this going to cost me?

2026 has been a bitch so far…

…fridge, AC, washing machine, and now garage door have all broken and needed replaced. In addition to my neighbor’s tree clogging my damn sewage pipe and needing to install a clean out to fix it. $$$
Click to expand...
Mine broke last year....did it myself. Think i spent 85 for 2 springs
 
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