Projects/Home Improvement Thread

[koonja]

I'm with Wooly on this piece at least. Grown people shouldn't have roommates.

I'm in my 20s and moving out in September. If that makes me weird to you guys, lay it on thick cause it's all there!

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm with Wooly on this piece at least. Grown people shouldn't have roommates.

I agree. Sometimes it's necessary though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[koonja]

I bought the house 10 months ago, and have since replaced 10 windows, installed a door to the basement, installed a 27' tile back splash all by my lonesome, replaced some porch boards, replaced a bathroom exhaust fan with a light/heater/exhaust combo, and will have a deck in before my 1 year anniversary.

There is a reason I lived there for the 1st year while renting out to 3 girls, I just don't have small man syndrome so didn't feel the need to explain my reasoning for having roommates in my 20s when I move to a new city, but since you ask.

 

[woolybug25]

There is a reason I lived there for the 1st year while renting out, I just don't have small man syndrome so didn't feel the need to explain myself, but since you ask.

Welp, you are small... so no one would blame you for that.

 

[IrishLion]

I have a roommate.

She's got a bunch of my money on one of her fingers, and my child grows within her.

But still. I have a roommate.

 

[Monk]

I have a roommate.

She's got a bunch of my money on one of her fingers, and my child grows within her.

But still. I have a roommate.

And it always feels like you are renting from her, not the other way around.

 

[GoldenDome]

I bought the house 10 months ago, and have since replaced 10 windows, installed a door to the basement, installed a 27' tile back splash all by my lonesome, replaced some porch boards, replaced a bathroom exhaust fan with a light/heater/exhaust combo, and will have a deck in before my 1 year anniversary.

There is a reason I lived there for the 1st year while renting out to 3 girls, I just don't have small man syndrome so didn't feel the need to explain my reasoning for having roommates in my 20s when I move to a new city, but since you ask.

Bro, you don't have to explain shit to nobody. If people want to hate, let them hate.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Carpenter bees. Anyone have any thoughts ?

 

[koonja]

I was Craigslisting contractors and came across this. My deck will be either 10 or 11 by 14, and this appears to be in good shape. Probably have to get new corner posts and all new railing so the railing matches.

Free deck (you take down)

 

[wizards8507]

Carpenter bees. Anyone have any thoughts ?

Where are they? I had some in the ceiling above my bed and the noise they made chewing the wood in the attic was unbelievably loud. My attic doesn't provide access to that corner of the house and I didn't have a ladder tall enough to get up there from the outside so we ended up calling a pro. I think it cost something like $125 and he used some serious chemicals that I'm pretty sure you can't buy yourself if you're inclined to DIY.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I was Craigslisting contractors and came across this. My deck will be either 10 or 11 by 14, and this appears to be in good shape. Probably have to get new corner posts and all new railing so the railing matches.

Free deck (you take down)

Don't use wood. Go with the good decking.

Where are they? I had some in the ceiling above my bed and the noise they made chewing the wood in the attic was unbelievably loud. My attic doesn't provide access to that corner of the house and I didn't have a ladder tall enough to get up there from the outside so we ended up calling a pro. I think it cost something like $125 and he used some serious chemicals that I'm pretty sure you can't buy yourself if you're inclined to DIY.

I noticed a few holes in the wood trim around my house. There was 2 bees last year. I sprayed the holes and thought I filled them. I must not have. I noticed 1 bee yesterday. Sprayed all the holes again and filled them this time. It appears it's been an issue for some time (before I moved in 5 years ago). 2 of the 5 people in the house are allergic.

 

[woolybug25]

Carpenter bees. Anyone have any thoughts ?

I remember laughing at Wiz about his bees and then the karma gods smacked me down this spring. Got some in a porch post that completely ate out the middle of it. Ruined that post and it has to be replaced.

I tried run of the mill bee spray. No dice.

 

[woolybug25]

I was Craigslisting contractors and came across this. My deck will be either 10 or 11 by 14, and this appears to be in good shape. Probably have to get new corner posts and all new railing so the railing matches.

Free deck (you take down)

That's a good deal and you'll probably have to jump on it. It read like it was only the deck portion though, not the lattice or steps. They may mean something different by "deck only, nothing else", but that's how it sorta reads. May want to clarify with them.

But yeah, jump all over that shit.

 

[koonja]

That's a good deal and you'll probably have to jump on it. It read like it was only the deck portion though, not the lattice or steps. They may mean something different by "deck only, nothing else", but that's how it sorta reads. May want to clarify with them.

But yeah, jump all over that shit.

I think I'd use the base boards, the side boards, and likely replace the corner posts (since I assume they're burried in cement), steps, and railing (just to make it match and since I'd need more than they currently have). I have a text to the guy, hoping to hear back and that it's still available.

 

[woolybug25]

I think I'd use the base boards, the side boards, and likely replace the corner posts (since I assume they're burried in cement), steps, and railing (just to make it match and since I'd need more than they currently have). I have a text to the guy, hoping to hear back and that it's still available.

Yeah, even if he didn't cement them, it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace them. Let us know, that would be a steal.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I remember laughing at Wiz about his bees and then the karma gods smacked me down this spring. Got some in a porch post that completely ate out the middle of it. Ruined that post and it has to be replaced.

I tried run of the mill bee spray. No dice.

I had a trim piece above the garage that the GF kept claiming was damaged from a woodpecker. I got the ladder out and looked and it was definitely the bees. I just know filling the holes just means they drill another. I'd like to find something to treat the wood wits they won't like.

That's a good deal and you'll probably have to jump on it. It read like it was only the deck portion though, not the lattice or steps. They may mean something different by "deck only, nothing else", but that's how it sorta reads. May want to clarify with them.

But yeah, jump all over that shit.

I hope you're being sarcastic.

I think I'd use the base boards, the side boards, and likely replace the corner posts (since I assume they're burried in cement), steps, and railing (just to make it match and since I'd need more than they currently have). I have a text to the guy, hoping to hear back and that it's still available.

If you buy someone else's already used deck, unassembled, move, then reassemble, you're a slum lord. Treat the historic home with respect. Build a new one. And not out of wood.

 

[wizards8507]

And not out of wood.

Why not? Real wood is beautiful if properly maintained.

 

[koonja]

The deck was taken yesterday when it was posted, so I'm out of luck there. Perhaps a blessing in disguise.

Drawing up my site plan now - was going to go 10x14, but considering going 10x16 since it appears that boards are sold in 16' incriments.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Why not? Real wood is beautiful if properly maintained.

This is a rental property where he'll be renting rooms individually. It won't be treated regularly or likely maintained properly.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm with Wooly on this piece at least. Grown people shouldn't have roommates.

Unless they are super hot chicks who are willing to do you every night!

 

[koonja]

I'm doing wood and will take care of it, Composite is not in the koon's budget.

 

[koonja]

Last QU I promise -- does anyone have a suggestion on going 10 by 16 instead of 10 by 14? Again, my reason would be that they sell boards at 16', and also 'why not'.

Any cost/cutting/convenience considerations or is it no difference?

It will be on the side of the house, house is relatively small, about 45' by 25'

 

[Irish#1]

Carpenter bees. Anyone have any thoughts ?

Well they have teeny tiny hammers, so it takes a while for them to do a job, but they do good work.


Have you tried smoking them out? Never tried it, but heard it works.

 

[Irish#1]

The deck was taken yesterday when it was posted, so I'm out of luck there. Perhaps a blessing in disguise.

Drawing up my site plan now - was going to go 10x14, but considering going 10x16 since it appears that boards are sold in 16' incriments.

Now you're falling in line. You won't regret making it bigger, but you'll regret not making it big enough. As a bonus, if the boards are 16', that's a lot less cutting you have to do.

 

[woolybug25]

Last QU I promise -- does anyone have a suggestion on going 10 by 16 instead of 10 by 14? Again, my reason would be that they sell boards at 16', and also 'why not'.

Any cost/cutting/convenience considerations or is it no difference?

It will be on the side of the house, house is relatively small, about 45' by 25'

Ironically, I just built a back deck with steps today. Just got done, true story.

The only time I build decks in sizes not in lumber increments is when they have to have a custom shape for whatever reason. So you hit the nail on the head (see what I did there? Snort). If you build in the dimensions of boards (8,10,12, etc) then you have less cuts and less mistakes. Which also makes the job easier.

 

[koonja]

Ironically, I just built a back deck with steps today. Just got done, true story.

The only time I build decks in sizes not in lumber increments is when they have to have a custom shape for whatever reason. So you hit the nail on the head (see what I did there? Snort). If you build in the dimensions of boards (8,10,12, etc) then you have less cuts and less mistakes. Which also makes the job easier.

Wooly I like you way better today.

 

[woolybug25]

Wooly I like you way better today.

I had a snickers bar this morning.

 

[phgreek]

I bought the house 10 months ago, and have since replaced 10 windows, installed a door to the basement, installed a 27' tile back splash all by my lonesome, replaced some porch boards, replaced a bathroom exhaust fan with a light/heater/exhaust combo, and will have a deck in before my 1 year anniversary.

There is a reason I lived there for the 1st year while renting out to 3 girls, I just don't have small man syndrome so didn't feel the need to explain my reasoning for having roommates in my 20s when I move to a new city, but since you ask.

I got nuthin but respect for you. Do that 2 or three more times, then come back when you are 40 and laugh. Doing what it takes to make money while you sleep...hell I don't even know you and it makes me smile.

 

[RDU Irish]

Do it before you have kids. As soon as our first born came on the scene all the projects in our 80+ year old house came to a screeching halt and I have not been remotely as productive since. At least 3-4 times longer to finish projects than pre-kids.

I want to gut and rebuild our downstairs bathroom and the main hang up is the self awareness that I just don't have that many continuous hours to plug into that type of project to get it done in less than two or three years. The wife is accepting of sectioned off war zone but is lying to herself about the statute of limitations on said war zone.

 

[wizards8507]

Do it before you have kids. As soon as our first born came on the scene all the projects in our 80+ year old house came to a screeching halt and I have not been remotely as productive since. At least 3-4 times longer to finish projects than pre-kids.

My wife's motto has become "...but we won't." We're looking to move into a bigger house in the next few years and we're going to have to find something that's move-in ready. Every time we see a house that's less than perfect we end up saying something like "all we need to do is replace the shower in the master bedroom."

...but we won't.