Home Improvement Thread

[blackjack68]

We're getting new gutters, a roof and insulation. boner-time!

[Shyster]

this sounds close to my situation. Door opener is about 10-15 years old. I had an incandescent in there, and it vibrates them to the point where I'm swapping bulbs 2-3x a year. Tried to go with an LED bulb since I was tired of walking in the dark and it was all I had on my shelf.

Missed this post earlier. For my garage-door opener, I replaced the bulbs on the unit with two of those screw-in adapters that turn a lamp socket into a two-prong electrical plug. I then bought a couple of those inexpensive utility clamp lights, plugged the lamps into the new plugs, put LED flood lights in the clamp fixtures, and clamped them on either side of the support beam running across my garage. Not only does this insulate the bulbs from any vibration, it lets me aim the lights wherever I want to get optimal lighting in my garage, and it also lets me use the garage-opener lights as a floodlight for my driveway.

[Viva la Ben]

We're getting new gutters, a roof and insulation. boner-time!

That’s how yinz keep it fresh?

[blackjack68]

After 21 years of marriage, it takes different things.

[nocera]

Is it normal to smell gas from your water heater when it fires up? No smell when it’s not actively heating but there’s a definite smell when it’s firing.

In general, you should not smell propane/gas at any time. That tells me you might have an issue where a little bit of gas is leaking--generally the flame will burn up all the gas before it ever has a chance to get to where you can smell it, but perhaps it's not firing fast enough? We had an issue a few weeks back where our laundry room (and only our laundry room) smelled like propane. It wasn't a terribly strong smell, and it only lasted a few days (shortly after we got our propane filled), but that is never a welcome smell.

Update on this: gas company confirmed a leak at the control valve. Found out the water heater was installed in 94 so rather than put the $150 into replacing the control valve I opted for a new one and had it installed today for $670. Seemed like a decent price but what the hell do I know?

[shafnutz05]

At first I thought that was to just replace the control valve and my jaw dropped

Water heaters vary greatly in cost and quality. That is one of the items in our house that I would NEVER go cheap on,after the horror stories I've heard.

[NTP66]

$670 for an atmospheric vent unit sounds good. Which brand did you get? On a related note, there was recently a recall on AO Smith water heaters.

[nocera]

$670 for an atmospheric vent unit sounds good. Which brand did you get? On a related note, there was recently a recall on AO Smith water heaters.

It’s a Ruud, which is apparently the “generic” arm of Rheem. Didn’t even think to ask Mr. Water Heater about the brand they were quoting. Hopefully it doesn’t end up biting me in the ass.

[NTP66]

Rheem and Ruud units all go down the same assembly line, just receive different badges. Is the drain valve on it plastic or brass?

[nocera]

Rheem and Ruud units all go down the same assembly line, just receive different badges. Is the drain valve on it plastic or brass?

Brass.

[mac5155]

Question.

Under our front porch, our builders put sort of a "root cellar" to speak. The problem is the ceiling (galvanized corrugated decking under cement porch) sweats a lot because of non insulation. I bought some foam board and heavy duty adhesive thinking I'd just glue it up but that's not really working. Aside from framing it in and nailing the insulation to the frame anyone have better ideas?

[Willie Kool]

Question.

Under our front porch, our builders put sort of a "root cellar" to speak. The problem is the ceiling (galvanized corrugated decking under cement porch) sweats a lot because of non insulation. I bought some foam board and heavy duty adhesive thinking I'd just glue it up but that's not really working. Aside from framing it in and nailing the insulation to the frame anyone have better ideas?

Spray foam.

[mac5155]

Question.

Under our front porch, our builders put sort of a "root cellar" to speak. The problem is the ceiling (galvanized corrugated decking under cement porch) sweats a lot because of non insulation. I bought some foam board and heavy duty adhesive thinking I'd just glue it up but that's not really working. Aside from framing it in and nailing the insulation to the frame anyone have better ideas?

Spray foam.

Yeah kind of figured this is my only option.

[Lemon Berry Lobster]

[NTP66]

This is 100% accurate, as my wife can attest to.

[meow]

This is 100% accurate, as my wife can attest to.

[mac5155]

Has anyone ever replaced the door seal/gasket on an upright freezer?

[meow]

Can it be any different than replacing a gasket on...anything? Either feed it through from one side or work it in as you go

[mac5155]

I guess that's why I'm asking. Is it a worthwhile endeavor. Most gaskets look to be like $75.

[NTP66]

If your seal is shot, it's certainly cheaper and easier than replacing the freezer. Some freezers have tracks for the gaskets, and some simply have tape-backed gaskets.

[mac5155]

Might just go the ratchet-strap-around-the-door route

[Viva la Ben]

Get one of those childproof latches.

[NTP66]

How would mac open the freezer then?

[meow]

Stick a cinder block on it

[mac5155]

Honestly it's fine if you ask me. I'm just sick of the incessant complaining from my wife as she has about 15 days worth of breast milk in there.