Home Improvement Thread

Postby **Miami Vice** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:41 pm

Here are some basic jobs that don't require a permit in the city http://pittsburghpa.gov/pli/permits/residential

replacing receptacles is ok. adding outlets isnt.

Postby **Silentom** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:44 pm

Is that for in the city limits only? As I understand it; you need an electrical license to do most things in the city itself. But, in AGH county in general, you do not.

Postby **Miami Vice** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:44 pm

yea the city of pittsburgh

Postby **Silentom** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 1:47 pm

Thought so. Otherwise, I'd be in trouble, lol. When I bought my house I replaced the entrance cable, removed any knob and tube, and consolidated/moved 2 separate breaker boxes to one big one myself.

I'd be effed in the city.

Postby **LITT** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 3:08 pm

What's the average price for install of hardwood by SF?

Postby **dodint** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 1:50 pm

Can't seem to find a definitive answer to this out there as everyone has a different opinion.

I have a large three piece window in my living room. The two outside pieces have screens as you can slide them open from the top or bottom. Is there any reason not to take the screens out for the winter? I'm going to have them out to hang Christmas lights anyway, might just leave them out for the winter to get a little more light and for a cleaner look.

https://goo.gl/photos/H4akBkNTHMjwr8Xq8

You can see in picture that there is a difference in light that gets in. The suggestion I've heard is to take screens out of south and east windows, and leave north and west screens in. This window faces north.

I'm going to end up doing it anyway, but wanted to know if there was any actual reason not to.

Postby **AuthorTony** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:20 pm

I'm going to end up doing it anyway, but wanted to know if there was any actual reason not to.

I can't fathom there'd be any reason to leave them in. I always take mine out. Seems like snow/ice would be awfully hard on the screens if they were in all winter long.

Postby **dodint** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:41 pm

What I read was to leave the screens in the north and west windows so as to keep the ice and snow off of the window glass since the sun can't get to them as readily. Whatever. I took them out and it looks great.

Postby **Craig** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:43 pm

I bricked over all my windows. and the house isnt even made of brick.

Postby **AuthorTony** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:45 pm

What I read was to leave the screens in the north and west windows so as to keep the ice and snow off of the window glass since the sun can't get to them as readily. Whatever. I took them out and it looks great.

I've never had a problem with snow or ice accumulating on my windows, and as you know, Somerset has some rough winters. I think you'll be fine. And, like you said, it really brightens things up.

Postby **dodint** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:51 pm

I bricked over all my windows. and the house isnt even made of brick.

Bricks in the windows, river rock in the garage. Hard life.

Postby **Craig** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 5:03 pm

My mattress is a burlap sack filled with gravel.

Postby **dodint** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 5:19 pm

Now you sound like my wife.

Postby **Craig** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 6:14 pm

Do you think im complaining?

Postby **AuthorTony** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:18 pm

I'm thinking about changing out the original vinyl siding on my house for either quarter or half log siding. I dig the log cabin look.

I need to measure the exterior walls to get an estimate on how much lumber I'd need. I'm trying to decide if this is something I might possibly be able to install myself. The areas that concern me the most are around the deck on the side and back walls. The deck is currently installed "over" the vinyl siding, and the vinyl extends to about 6 inches below the deck. I have no idea how I'd get the wood siding in that gap. Would I just but the wood siding as tight against the deck as possible?

My neighbor does a fair amount of construction so I'm going to run this by him too. I'm just rambling.

Postby **mac5155** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:11 pm

I would love to live in a log cabin

Postby **meow** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:23 pm

You're going to remove the vinyl, correct?

Postby **AuthorTony** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:28 pm

Yes, but the current vinyl siding is "under" the decking in places. The wood from the deck is butted against the siding. It won't be hard to cut/break the vinyl off in those spots, I'm just not entirely sure what to do with the wood siding in those places.

Postby **PFiDC** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:30 pm

Took up carpet all weekend (in addition to finishing most of the painting). Hardwood in the bedroom and hall needs sanding and staining. The living room is near perfect.

I never want to take up carpet again.

We also decided to do the bathroom floor ourselves in vinyl. With the money saved on that we are going to hire someone to sand and finish the roughly 200 sq. ft. of hardwood. After all my research I decided that sanding and finishing hardwood floors is too much of a pain in the butt to make it worth hiring a pro.

We still need to lay new vinyl in the kitchen, do crown molding in all rooms, 2 chair rails, paint the bathroom, change the toilet and sink, paint bathroom cabinets, install base boards in the kitchen, and intall shoe molding throughout the house.

It will all be worth it but man...buying new construction definitely had its upside...

Postby **AuthorTony** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:33 pm

Silly question, I'm sure, but are there any free software or online options where I could enter the exterior measurements of my house, the doors, windows, etc. and get a somewhat decent looking, printable design?

Postby **dodint** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:55 pm

www.freecadweb.org/

Learning curve might be a little steep but the end result will be dead on.

Postby **blackjack68** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:55 pm

Anyone ever do blown-in insulation?

Doing it myself would save hundreds for what seems to be a 2-4 hour job.

Home Depot givesyou the machine for 24 hours if you buy 10 bags or more of the Owens-Corning at about $30 per bag.

Postby **tifosi77** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:00 pm

Anyone ever build or have built for them a floating desk? We're considering re-doing our office, and we want an 11' floating desk. Just typing that out sounds expensive.....

Postby **dodint** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:04 pm

Anyone ever ask a nearly random question?

Postby **PFiDC** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:22 pm

Anyone ever do blown-in insulation?

Doing it myself would save hundreds for what seems to be a 2-4 hour job.

Home Depot givesyou the machine for 24 hours if you buy 10 bags or more of the Owens-Corning at about $30 per bag.

I have never done it on my own home but I have performed the job before. It's dirty but not that hard once you get the feel for it. Wear a respirator (duh) and safety GOGGLES. The glasses....zey do nossing....

Is this in a basement or attic? How open of a space is it? If it's a smaller space it's a giant pain in the arse.