Home Improvement Thread

Postby **mac5155** » Sun Mar 24, 2019 3:39 pm

Yeah I am gonna get someone else for sure. It's funny he told me he did like 15 quotes yesterday and then they threw a post on their page about how estimates are now going to cost money. Sounds like a lot of people are like... Whoa, nevermind.

Postby **NTP66** » Sun Mar 24, 2019 4:35 pm

Estimates that cost money? Seriously, **** that guy.

Postby **NTP66** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 10:36 am

I know others have looked into them, but did anyone here ever buy a smart thermostat that included a remote sensor? Honeywell has a new model that includes one, and I'm considering giving it a try in an effort to keep the upstairs cooler during summer (forced air and my vents are mainly on the floor). My only issue is that this was literally just released and I can't find a single review for it anywhere yet, and don't want to be the guinea pig.

Postby **mac5155** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:03 am

I have one (an Ecobee 4). I'm not sure if the sensor is helping or hurting. I don't have zoned climate control, and one room always seems to read a lower temp than the rest of the house. I think this keeps the system running longer.

Postby **NTP66** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:06 am

I would expect the system to run longer than normal in my situation - upstairs warmer than downstairs, with the remote sensor located upstairs. I'm fine with the downstairs temp being a few degrees cooler, too. I just want to sleep more comfortably.

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 1:48 pm

I've been waiting for something new to come out to compete with the Ecobee/Nest. Reviews in here plus ones on Amazon have kept me from pursuing either. I know we waste a lot of energy bc we basically just leave our thermostat on "hold" at all times (except for vacations). My wife's work schedule and our weekend schedule are so random that it's hard to set any type of program.

NTP, please feel free to be my guinea pig. tyfys

Postby **mac5155** » Mon Mar 25, 2019 2:55 pm

So i was doing some stuff in my basement yesterday and noticed some step cracks in my mortar in the foundation, and then at the very top (probably right at ground level) a ~15-20 foot horizontal crack in the mortar. My first instinct is pure panic then I start reading Google and horizontal cracks are terrible as expected but in the mortar too or just horizontal cracks in cement? Either way my one year home warranty is up like next month, though I do believe I have a 20 year foundation warranty, but still. I'll be calling my builder this week.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 1:08 pm

Spent yesterday evening and this morning building a deck on the side of my house.

Postby **dodint** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 1:09 pm

Did you attach it to the house with lag bolts?

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 1:09 pm

Yes. That part was easy.

I designed the whole thing to wrap around the existing concrete stoop, but I got halfway done and realized that the stoop itself was not squared.

Had to make some adjustments.

Postby **robbiestoupe** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 2:48 pm

I see you went with the precast concrete footers. Thinking of using the same for my shed foundation. Much better than waiting the 28 days for concrete to cure.

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 3:08 pm

Yep. They are not that much, and it is much easier to use.

Postby **shmenguin** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 4:54 pm

I Hue'd up my office/attic/guest room

...and the lights sync to music
https://i.imgur.com/uPFPqLK.gifv
https://i.imgur.com/5zlK6YE.gifv

Postby **Freddy Rumsen** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 4:55 pm

That is fantastic.

Postby **skullman80** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:03 pm

I Hue'd up my office/attic/guest room

...and the lights sync to music
https://i.imgur.com/uPFPqLK.gifv
https://i.imgur.com/5zlK6YE.gifv

My company thanks you for your support and donations.

Postby **shmenguin** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:09 pm

I Hue'd up my office/attic/guest room

...and the lights sync to music
https://i.imgur.com/uPFPqLK.gifv
https://i.imgur.com/5zlK6YE.gifv
My company thanks you for your support and donations.

I just light strip’d the kitchen cabinets. I’m at about 95% hue across the house. You have received more of my money than my children.

Postby **NTP66** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:37 pm

I was going to go the Hue route, but the bulbs simply aren’t bright enough yet.

Postby **Willie Kool** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:38 pm

That's awesome. I've been thinking about Hue since they came out, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Postby **shmenguin** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:43 pm

I was going to go the Hue route, but the bulbs simply aren’t bright enough yet.

I have them at less than 50% at most times. I can’t even fathom your use case.

Postby **NTP66** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 5:49 pm

I have a lot of single fixture rooms where I need the most lumens to light up very large rooms. A few of the Hue bulbs provide 800 lumens of light, but they’d be replacing bulbs that provide 1150-1200 lumens.

I figure they’ll get there in a year or two. If not, then I’m just a bad use case for the solution.

Postby **Willie Kool** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:27 pm

Get some lamps...

Postby **shafnutz05** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:42 pm

Shmenguin that is awesome.

I've never even heard of Hue until today.

Postby **NTP66** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 6:51 pm

Get some lamps...

Nope.

Postby **DigitalGypsy66** » Fri Mar 29, 2019 8:58 pm

I saw this post on reddit yesterday: https://reddit.app.link/DXNdn3NVsV

Basically, he tied his Hue lights to his video card output. Very cool.

Postby **NTP66** » Sat Mar 30, 2019 6:54 am

Saw that, as well. Very cool. I’d consider doing something like that if I were a gamer.