Home Improvement Thread

[count2infinity]

Last summer I installed a new deck. The plan was to put in a relatively large paver patio off to one side of it for the grill, a fire pit, and some seating. I ran out of time and energy. So going into it this year, I’m considering bringing in an excavating company to do the digging and haul the soil away. Anyone ever done something similar? I just don’t want to be out there digging all spring. I have a feeling it’ll take me forever.

[Nuge]

Last summer I installed a new deck. The plan was to put in a relatively large paver patio off to one side of it for the grill, a fire pit, and some seating. I ran out of time and energy. So going into it this year, I’m considering bringing in an excavating company to do the digging and haul the soil away. Anyone ever done something similar? I just don’t want to be out there digging all spring. I have a feeling it’ll take me forever.

I would probably just pay someone to pour a concrete pad at that point. They’ll do all the excavation and you’ll end up with a better product. Pavers will settle unevenly no matter what.

[count2infinity]

I do need to get some concrete repair done on my front porch. Maybe when I have them come look, I’ll ask for a quote.

[dodint]

I hired an excavator as part of my driveway asphalt project. They did some kind of wizardry that allowed me to avoid having a retaining wall at the end of my garage. I didn't think it was possible. Very happy with the result.

Concrete is actually pretty easy as long as the truck has access to the space. I don't regret concreting the garage ourselves this year. That was a large, complicated job and we were able to do it. Helps that we already had the tools, though.

[count2infinity]

Oh. That’s a point I didn’t think about. I’d imagine a small excavator could get through our fence, but I don’t think a full cement truck could make it.

[dodint]

I likely posted this before but this video of my garage floor build begins with a small excavator. The guy was really good at getting that little guy around in there.

[NTP66]

The cement truck doesn’t need physical access to your backyard. When we had our stamped concrete patio poured, they used wheelbarrows to get the mix to the forms. Pretty standard, really.

[skullman80]

Painting my office today. After that is done we will have officially painted every room in this house. Some multiple times lol.

[AuthorTony]

I'm getting ready to build a chicken coop for my mom, and I'm curious about a vapor barrier. The coop is basically a 4x8 shed. The base will be sitting on concrete deck blocks, so adding in the 2x6 framing and it's going to be about 12 inches off of the ground. I'm not putting in any type of pad or shale base, the blocks will be sitting on the ground.

I'm considering putting in a layer of 6 mil plastic over the base, and having the plastic go under the OSB subfloor. Is that a decent idea? I was also considering putting a layer of 6 mil over the osb, and would then be covered with sheet vinyl. Basically, I don't want rot from below due to ground moisture and I don't want rot from above from the chickens spilling water, etc. Would all of these layers add protection, or would they have the reverse effect from blocking air flow?

I'm also quite certain I'm overthinking this.

[mac5155]

Treated 3/4 plywood and call it a day. That's what I did 4 years ago and it's still solid.. Ironically enough my heat lamp fell onto the floor and burned a solid hole in it last night lol. So there's that. 2x6 is also way overkill. 2x4 floors treated and then 2x3 sidewalls. It's a chicken coop for chrissakes

[AuthorTony]

Yeah, I figured that might be the best option. I just didn't want to have to borrow my uncle's trailer to grab another sheet of ply.

I already bought the framing lumber. I also thought 2x6s were overkill, but I figured it would raise it a bit further off the ground so... I'm pretty good at over-engineering things. ha

[NTP66]

I just paid $3.099/g for my propane refill, which is the second highest price I have ever paid. **** absurd. I'm really glad that I replaced my furnace, because my average usage is definitely lower than it has been in the past.

[NTP66]

I found a new old stock control board for my dishwasher on eBay and bought it. Get it installed, start a test. Panel looks good, let's close the door and see if it works. Panel goes dark while it runs in the background. I give up. Selling both of these panels on eBay, and we'll just deal with this until my wife picks out a new dishwasher that she actually likes.

[mac5155]

Is there a way to track KW usage with an Amazon Alexa Smart Plug?

My electric bill continues to be insane. I want to see how many KWH this old deep freeze uses.

[NTP66]

Is there a way to track KW usage with an Amazon Alexa Smart Plug?

My electric bill continues to be insane. I want to see how many KWH this old deep freeze uses.

Not on all of them, no. TP-Link/Kasa makes a few smart plugs that have the monitoring feature, though. Like this one.

[mac5155]

Thanks. I may just go buy the Kill A Watt from Harbor freight. It seems like a decent buy and I can get it today.

[skullman80]

We have like 10 of those plugs listed above since every light in our house is on a smart plug. They do track electric usage but I’ve never actually paid attention to them. Great plugs though.

[NTP66]

I don't have the monitoring ones for that reason - I'm unlikely to ever actually look. Plus, for things like a big freezer? I doubt these plugs are rated for that kind of power, but I could be wrong. Solar definitely makes me care less about this stuff now.

[willeyeam]

Any draino alternatives for an old house with copper pipes?

Besides replacing all these gd pipes

[Ad@m]

Boiling water with baking soda and vinegar

Green Gobbler

Drain snake

[willeyeam]

Green gobbler sounds like one of mrs meows moves. I'll try option A. Thank you

[DigitalGypsy66]

I had to run some sulfuric acid down my kids' sink yesterday. I love the burning smell and gurgling sounds the drain makes as it burns the crud out. Sadly, not for copper pipes.

[mac5155]

I don't have the monitoring ones for that reason - I'm unlikely to ever actually look. Plus, for things like a big freezer? I doubt these plugs are rated for that kind of power, but I could be wrong. Solar definitely makes me care less about this stuff now.

Yeah I just wanna track it for like 4-5 days. It won't be plugged in full time.

I'm also evaluating hot water tank electric usage and guessing that's where my cost is coming from. Wondering if a tankless gas (propane) would be more efficient. Hmm

[Nuge]

I don't have the monitoring ones for that reason - I'm unlikely to ever actually look. Plus, for things like a big freezer? I doubt these plugs are rated for that kind of power, but I could be wrong. Solar definitely makes me care less about this stuff now.

Yeah I just wanna track it for like 4-5 days. It won't be plugged in full time.

I'm also evaluating hot water tank electric usage and guessing that's where my cost is coming from. Wondering if a tankless gas (propane) would be more efficient. Hmm

I was all set to switch to a tankless natural gas water heater when my last electric tank was starting to go. Then I found somewhere that would install a new electric one for $350. I decided to punt on the tankless until after this one goes.

[mac5155]

Do you think you'd save money energy wise?

I'm thinking that I just need to take shorter showers. I know I'm the problem lol