Projects/Home Improvement Thread

RDU Irish

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Only two ways to go Wiz. 1) Sell the house or 2) get VR glasses and watch everything on your phone.

That TV set up would have been a deal breaker for me in buying the house in the first place unless you had some man cave potential somewhere else. I mean it might be fine for watching HGTV sipping on some wine but for any sports whatsoever I would go nuts.
 

NDRock

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I just wouldn't have a tv in that room then. Find another place to watch tv. Putting it in a place that is uncomfortable to watch makes no sense, IMO.
 

wizards8507

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I just wouldn't have a tv in that room then. Find another place to watch tv. Putting it in a place that is uncomfortable to watch makes no sense, IMO.
I don't find it uncomfortable to watch.

Only two ways to go Wiz. 1) Sell the house or 2) get VR glasses and watch everything on your phone.

That TV set up would have been a deal breaker for me in buying the house in the first place unless you had some man cave potential somewhere else. I mean it might be fine for watching HGTV sipping on some wine but for any sports whatsoever I would go nuts.
Jeeze, y'all are really into TV, huh?
 

wizards8507

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I'm usually skeptical of those premade repair kits, but does anyone have experience with those $10 drywall repair patches?

DAP DryDex 8-fl oz White Spackling

We're replacing our TV and media cabinet so we're un-mounting our existing TV and I don't really feel like cutting drywall to patch the holes where I had the cables running.
 

ozzman

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I'm usually skeptical of those premade repair kits, but does anyone have experience with those $10 drywall repair patches?

DAP DryDex 8-fl oz White Spackling

We're replacing our TV and media cabinet so we're un-mounting our existing TV and I don't really feel like cutting drywall to patch the holes where I had the cables running.
They work pretty well, but there is definitely a bump. Also, since you sand it smooth, it's noticeably textureless next to the drywall.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
 

wizards8507

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They work pretty well, but there is definitely a bump. Also, since you sand it smooth, it's noticeably textureless next to the drywall.
Thanks. It'll be behind the new TV anyways, so you won't really see it unless you're looking for it. Also, the drywall on that side of the house is slightly bowed anyway from the chimney settling.
 

Rack Em

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I'm usually skeptical of those premade repair kits, but does anyone have experience with those $10 drywall repair patches?

DAP DryDex 8-fl oz White Spackling

We're replacing our TV and media cabinet so we're un-mounting our existing TV and I don't really feel like cutting drywall to patch the holes where I had the cables running.

Used it before. Nothing is perfect, but you can make it look unnoticeable from a distance.
 

Irish#1

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Thanks. It'll be behind the new TV anyways, so you won't really see it unless you're looking for it. Also, the drywall on that side of the house is slightly bowed anyway from the chimney settling.

How big of a hole are you fixing?
 

Circa

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I'm usually skeptical of those premade repair kits, but does anyone have experience with those $10 drywall repair patches?

DAP DryDex 8-fl oz White Spackling

We're replacing our TV and media cabinet so we're un-mounting our existing TV and I don't really feel like cutting drywall to patch the holes where I had the cables running.

If you haven't already done It, try my thing If ya want. Just buy a bucket of spackling smallest they have but bigger than your pic.. and fine mesh drywall tape. Find some ridged cardboard and drywall screws. stuff the hole with the cardboard in a circular motion. ( cardboard should not project out of existing drywall) Use the tape sparingly. It's to prevent cracks.
I'd go about a half inch into existing drywall because you will need to even out the difference in it's texture to your original wall. Apply mud and tape. let dry, sand. apply finishing mud, let dry sand. Paint
You can look up how to apply tape and mud on youtube. It's not complicated. The cardboard saves all the time and It dries quicker.
Drywall screws are to secure the cardboard 3 or 4 should be plenty on the outside of your hole.

It really comes to your finished product desire. That dap stuff can be a headache and so can any of it If it's your first time trying it...

Good Luck!
 
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NDBoiler

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Or this works too. Buy a 4x8 sheet of drywall and It's perfect. Good idea

That technique is pretty cool, never seen that before and I’ve been in construction for 15+ years.

You shouldn’t need to buy a full size sheet of board though. Most home improvement stores sell little 2x2 pieces for just such an occasion. Or, you could ask and they may have some damaged pieces that you could just cut off a small piece from and use for free.
 

Irish#1

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I’ve repaired a lot of holes but had never seen the California patch. I would use it over anything else. The key to finishing is using a large enough spackle knife. With a three inch hole I would use a 5” or 6” blade.
 

wizards8507

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All I had was a two inch putty knife so I'm going with several sloppy coats of joint compound over an adhesive mesh patch, sanded thoroughly in between each coat. It's not elegant, but I'm getting there.

My bigger concern is that the prior owners of this house didn't leave any paint behind and the ENTIRE house is the same color. I'm hoping the match I found is close enough that I can get away with painting the one wall and not the whole damn house.
 

Circa

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That technique is pretty cool, never seen that before and I’ve been in construction for 15+ years.

You shouldn’t need to buy a full size sheet of board though. Most home improvement stores sell little 2x2 pieces for just such an occasion. Or, you could ask and they may have some damaged pieces that you could just cut off a small piece from and use for free.

Yes they do. I think that California patch is a great way... Just can't be in a hurry with any drywall fix. Dry time has always been my fail.
 

Circa

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All I had was a two inch putty knife so I'm going with several sloppy coats of joint compound over an adhesive mesh patch, sanded thoroughly in between each coat. It's not elegant, but I'm getting there.

My bigger concern is that the prior owners of this house didn't leave any paint behind and the ENTIRE house is the same color. I'm hoping the match I found is close enough that I can get away with painting the one wall and not the whole damn house.

If feasible., I have changed the color of 1 wall In some of my previous endeavors. It adds depth and sophistication In some ways. I think I've watched the Idea on TV or youtube.
I know with my tries, the color of your paint change should be darker but similar to your decor.
 
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Circa

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All I had was a two inch putty knife so I'm going with several sloppy coats of joint compound over an adhesive mesh patch, sanded thoroughly in between each coat. It's not elegant, but I'm getting there.

My bigger concern is that the prior owners of this house didn't leave any paint behind and the ENTIRE house is the same color. I'm hoping the match I found is close enough that I can get away with painting the one wall and not the whole damn house.

"The Dap stuff Is a headache I guess, for most...
 
K

koonja

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We have a gas fireplace in the basement of our new home, but we're rarely down there.

Looking to install a fire place in the upstairs living room in this corner.

Anyone done this? What am I looking at cost wise? Also any advice on gas vs. Electric is helpful.


http://imgur.com/LA3zfIr
 

wizards8507

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We have a gas fireplace in the basement of our new home, but we're rarely down there.

Looking to install a fire place in the upstairs living room in this corner.

Anyone done this? What am I looking at cost wise? Also any advice on gas vs. Electric is helpful.
Everyone I know with a gas fireplace hates it. They don't provide much heat at all and they leak cold air when they're not on (or allow AC to leak out in the summer).

Also, you're going to want to save your money for a new couch. That thing is going to get rekt by the baby.
 

GATTACA!

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Grandparents had a new gas fireplace installed in the fall. Turns out it was pluming out soot or something that turned everything in their house black. Ceilings, walls, cabinets, everything. Insurance company is now going through every single thing, cleaning the entire house.

0/10 would not recommend a gas fireplace.
 
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IrishLion

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We have a gas fireplace in the basement of our new home, but we're rarely down there.

Looking to install a fire place in the upstairs living room in this corner.

Anyone done this? What am I looking at cost wise? Also any advice on gas vs. Electric is helpful.


http://imgur.com/LA3zfIr

Get one of those awesome Amish-made giant space heater things.

Find some Amish country near you, and take a day trip to see what they've got. If you strike out on finding something you like, or don't like the price points, you can at least get awesome Amish-made food for breakfast/lunch, or you can get some of the best coldcuts ever to take home.
 

Rack Em

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get some coldcuts.

toHRrXc.gif
 

Irish#1

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We have a gas fireplace in the basement of our new home, but we're rarely down there.

Looking to install a fire place in the upstairs living room in this corner.

Anyone done this? What am I looking at cost wise? Also any advice on gas vs. Electric is helpful.


http://imgur.com/LA3zfIr

You'd be better off buying a free standing electric unit with its own blower that you can simply plug in. We purchased one for an upstairs bedroom that sits over the garage. It looks like a traditional fireplace mantel. The room it sits in is about 15' X 20'. It has controls to set it as warm as you want. Set it on high and you'll be ripping your clothes off to cool down.
 
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