Home remodel

[bmags]

I'm learning that by March I should really have sketched out when I'm going to work on things in the summer. I had a checklist, but then you miss a few weeks and you start to realize you probably need to wait a year.

[Jenksismyhero]

This is where having an engineering background and 3D CAD at work has helped me a few times, especially when I built a new deck/staircase at our previous house. Lots of little minor tweaks to the design on the computer when I would realize "wait, I can't built that that way." Had a good idea of every board and cut that had to be made before I even bought the wood. The village permit office also appreciated a set of real plans rather than crayon scribbles on a napkin they usually get.

 

A lot of that is stuff that a pro would have breezed right by because they've run into the same thing a dozen times before, but it's always harder figuring it out the first time.

 

 

 

It'll be something that I'll notice forever but nobody else would ever be at eye-level (hopefully).

 

My bro in law is a general contractor and it's really annoying when i'm stumped on something and he can offer a solution in about 3 seconds. I mean i'm grateful for the advice and all but still.

 

He's also really good at knowing about random products at Mendards/Home Depot that work for a given situation. "Oh yeah they make a fastener that looks like X, just go grab that."

[Texsox]

Now I see. I thought you were concerned about the stair overhanging too much. I like the last idea you have with the 5/4 and 1/4 round.

[Texsox]

Flashing not going perfect between headwall and roof. Stopped to help my neighbor / plumber install a new water heater. That is not fitting. A 2016 water heater doesn't easily fit into a 1996 closet. Current challenge is fitting the expansion tank.

 

update

Not bad. The new water heater is installed. The next thing will be to see if American Home Shield honors what they told me on the phone. My home warranty should cover most of the cost. I elected to not use their plumber, choosing my neighbor (Licensed, Insured) instead. I'm sending in the invoice for reimbursement.

[Jenksismyhero]

Random question - for those that can track it, how long do your AC units run on a given day?

 

We got a Nest last fall and it worked great at keeping the house at my set temp all through the winter. Now we're using it for the first time to cool the house and i'm questioning if I have an AC issue. For the last week or two, my AC has been running between 10 and 13 hours a day. Other than the one 73 degree day we had when i turned the AC off, the rest of the time it's been in the high 80's, low 90's, so I expect the thing to work a lot more than if it was 79-80. I've never been able to track how long the system has been on before, so I have no idea if this is normal or not. It seems like a lot. This thing rarely shuts off. It constantly runs until it gets dark out.

 

And the other thing is i have it set at 72 but i'm not confident it will get any cooler. I set it to 69 once and after an hour it only got to 71. I've cleared all the returns. I checked every vent and i'm getting cold air throughout the house. The humidity in the house is way down, so I know it's working, it just doesn't seem to be working efficiently. I keep thinking maybe there's something wrong with the unit, but why would I be getting cold air if the AC wasn't work right? And i'm getting plenty of airflow so it's not the fan.

 

Maybe this is normal? Is this part of the Nest tech that forces my system to run more economically (running it longer means less start/stop time?)

 

Any guesses?

[iamshack]

Random question - for those that can track it, how long do your AC units run on a given day?

 

We got a Nest last fall and it worked great at keeping the house at my set temp all through the winter. Now we're using it for the first time to cool the house and i'm questioning if I have an AC issue. For the last week or two, my AC has been running between 10 and 13 hours a day. Other than the one 73 degree day we had when i turned the AC off, the rest of the time it's been in the high 80's, low 90's, so I expect the thing to work a lot more than if it was 79-80. I've never been able to track how long the system has been on before, so I have no idea if this is normal or not. It seems like a lot. This thing rarely shuts off. It constantly runs until it gets dark out.

 

And the other thing is i have it set at 72 but i'm not confident it will get any cooler. I set it to 69 once and after an hour it only got to 71. I've cleared all the returns. I checked every vent and i'm getting cold air throughout the house. The humidity in the house is way down, so I know it's working, it just doesn't seem to be working efficiently. I keep thinking maybe there's something wrong with the unit, but why would I be getting cold air if the AC wasn't work right? And i'm getting plenty of airflow so it's not the fan.

 

Maybe this is normal? Is this part of the Nest tech that forces my system to run more economically (running it longer means less start/stop time?)

 

Any guesses?

Have you checked your ductwork? My parents had this issue and they had some ductwork that had collapsed in their attic and so it was drawing very hot air and struggling to keep up. But yeah, I suppose it could also be Nest's algorithm...

[StrangeSox]

I do not envy your electricity bill.

[Jenksismyhero]

Have you checked your ductwork? My parents had this issue and they had some ductwork that had collapsed in their attic and so it was drawing very hot air and struggling to keep up. But yeah, I suppose it could also be Nest's algorithm...

 

It's a one story ranch, so i'm not sure how/why any ductwork would have changed. And again, I've gone to every vent and they all blow out cold air at a pretty good flow. That's why i keep thinking it's something with the Nest. I noticed yesterday the thing was set at 72 and the house was at 72 but it didn't turn off.

 

I'd hate to call the a/c guy and be charged $150 for a visit only for him to be like "yep, it's hot out, it'll work a little harder."

[Jenksismyhero]

I do not envy your electricity bill.

 

Yeah i'm terrified of what it will be. 10 hours a day does not seem normal, even for really hot days.

[iamshack]

Yeah i'm terrified of what it will be. 10 hours a day does not seem normal, even for really hot days.

You may want to take a look at this

[Jenksismyhero]

You may want to take a look at this

 

I had read that but it doesn't seem to apply. Mine never runs the A/C unless I have the cool setting on.

[Chisoxfn]

You may want to take a look at this

I actually ended up not buying a nest, because the more I read reviews, the more it seemed like there were a hell of a lot of downsides vs. the coolness of the concept. Especially in the case of people who aren't typically at their house during the day. Its one thing when you legitimately are there all day, there can be value in the nest, but more I read basically said, it tends to "overwork" and "overload" everything and in most cases, people would just be better with a standard programmable thermostat (with a little wifi if you want it).

[Texsox]

Is this the first summer in the house? Have you asked your neighbors (who in most subdivisions will have similar setups) how long theirs run? You may also check with the electric utility to compare usage with last year.

 

 

[LittleHurt05]

Is a hand saw enough to cut aluminum downspouts? Or do I need to find something stronger? I just need to cut like 3 or 4 pieces down to size.

[StrangeSox]

Is a hand saw enough to cut aluminum downspouts? Or do I need to find something stronger? I just need to cut like 3 or 4 pieces down to size.

 

fine-blade hacksaw would be best.

[LittleHurt05]

fine-blade hacksaw would be best.

 

Thats a good call, I think I have one laying around the shop somewhere. I can borrow an electric saw but I'd rather not if I don't need to. Very little experience, so I worry for my fingers.

[bmags]

Got a new dishwasher. I still think that while they are slicker and less broken, the one thing nice about the locking dishwashers was knowing what was clean/dirty.

[StrangeSox]

Got a new dishwasher. I still think that while they are slicker and less broken, the one thing nice about the locking dishwashers was knowing what was clean/dirty.

 

Ours his a little light it projects on the floor when it's clean.

[bmags]

Who can keep track of lights though. Need a big metal piece you slide across.

[iamshack]

Who can keep track of lights though. Need a big metal piece you slide across.

My wife complains about this as well. Of all the appliances we purchased, the dishwasher has probably been the one that has met our expectations the easiest, and yet she is always asking me whether I opened the dishwasher or not, as that is how she keeps track of whether the contents are clean or not.

[TheTruth05]

Does anybody have any experiences they can share with having a company or person come in and install hardwood flooring in their homes? I'm looking to purchasing a home that has mostly carpet throughout and I'm trying to gauge how much of a hassle financially and mentally something like this takes.

Edited July 18, 2016 by TheTruth05

[bmags]

Does anybody have any experiences they can share with having a company or person come in and install hardwood flooring in their homes? I'm looking to purchasing a home that has mostly carpet throughout and I'm trying to gauge how much of a hassle financially and mentally something like this takes.

 

I had a recommendation from my wifes parents (he did their floors) whom we met and liked.

Our experience -

- We refinished our floors and replaced a whole section of vinyl tile to match the wood throughout the rest of the first floor. He matched the stain perfectly and 1 year in nobody would be able to know we had a section added much later

- He came in at quote, and his quote was competitive

- Floors need to be the first thing you do, the amount of dust this creates should not be underestimated. We did the steps of floors first, skim coated our plaster walls second, painted third. Don't move your stuff in before your floors for obvious reasons beside dust.

 

Overall though, this was one of my favorite projects we did and was worth every penny.

 

 

[TheTruth05]

I had a recommendation from my wifes parents (he did their floors) whom we met and liked.

Our experience -

- We refinished our floors and replaced a whole section of vinyl tile to match the wood throughout the rest of the first floor. He matched the stain perfectly and 1 year in nobody would be able to know we had a section added much later

- He came in at quote, and his quote was competitive

- Floors need to be the first thing you do, the amount of dust this creates should not be underestimated. We did the steps of floors first, skim coated our plaster walls second, painted third. Don't move your stuff in before your floors for obvious reasons beside dust.

 

Overall though, this was one of my favorite projects we did and was worth every penny.

'

Thanks for the response, I actually helped take the carpet off, sand,and stain the wood under the carpet in the living room of my parent's home so I completely understand your note about the dust because at that point we just covered everything up with plastic but it was an absolute mess of dust. The floor came out great but the cleaning was such a pain in the ass after that.

 

 

[bmags]

That was one of the easiest quote processes I've had. It's all there. We had some issues with sub flooring but timeline and money wise I feel like they have this process down.

[TheTruth05]

That was one of the easiest quote processes I've had. It's all there. We had some issues with sub flooring but timeline and money wise I feel like they have this process down.

 

Kinda dumb question but did sub flooring factor in a lot into the quote? I figured what mattered most was square footage.

Edited July 18, 2016 by TheTruth05