OT Home Owners: Threadpocalypse

[Retsyn]

The house is a vinyl sided cape BTW so there's really no architectural flourish to it either. I want a plywood box and a plywood rectangle on a cement foundation covered in vinyl siding that resembles the siding on the rest of the house. That's it. There's no carriage doors, no exotic requirements. Nothing.

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[n2oiroc]

Originally Posted by Kaiser

Aliens watching us from space: "So, there are these magical green organisms growing wild all over their planet that provide the very gas that these dumb animals require to live...and they're killing them by the billions? "

About 1 hour after i brushed against that damn nettle i was spraying it. Had a big itchy welt on my arm for a week. Stuff is nasty.

[tobylazur]

I'd like to get rid of the fluorescent fixture in our kitchen, and put in something nicer. Do they make recessed lighting that can be installed without attic access? I don't think there's much depth between the ceiling and the roof in the kitchen.

I'm not a huge fan of track lighting, but it maybe when we have to do.

[Kenmichi]

Well I'll christen the new thread with a fun post.

Wife calls me while I'm at work and tells me the AC condenser decided to dump a bunch of water into the ceiling which made its way to the floor. So she shut off the HVAC and decided to just go to work... Guess I'll have to address it when I get home but this should be fun.

We do have a home warranty but we're unsure which of the components will be covered whether it'll be the ceiling repair or AC unit. Definitely puts a dampener on my day, I was planning to go pick up a BNIB JDM roof vent already painted Aspen White this weekend! But not now just in case the home warranty doesn't cover this.

[Thunderpaw]

Originally Posted by Kenmichi

Well I'll christen the new thread with a fun post.

Wife calls me while I'm at work and tells me the AC condenser decided to dump a bunch of water into the ceiling which made its way to the floor. So she shut off the HVAC and decided to just go to work... Guess I'll have to address it when I get home but this should be fun.

We do have a home warranty but we're unsure which of the components will be covered whether it'll be the ceiling repair or AC unit. Definitely puts a dampener on my day, I was planning to go pick up a BNIB JDM roof vent already painted Aspen White this weekend! But not now just in case the home warranty doesn't cover this.

Home warranty should fix the unit. Homeowners insurance should cover water damage.

[shiplemw]

Originally Posted by tobylazur

I'd like to get rid of the fluorescent fixture in our kitchen, and put in something nicer. Do they make recessed lighting that can be installed without attic access? I don't think there's much depth between the ceiling and the roof in the kitchen.

I'm not a huge fan of track lighting, but it maybe when we have to do.

They do make recessed lighting that doesn't require attic access.

They typically look like http://www.amazon.com/Halo-H7RICT-Housing-Remodel-Voltage/dp/B0009J8RMA/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1464878938&sr=1-7&keywords=recessed+lighting

[Grap]

Originally Posted by tobylazur

I'd like to get rid of the fluorescent fixture in our kitchen, and put in something nicer. Do they make recessed lighting that can be installed without attic access? I don't think there's much depth between the ceiling and the roof in the kitchen.

I'm not a huge fan of track lighting, but it maybe when we have to do.

Yes, they do have retrofit systems that you put in from below. Make sure if you have insulation up there, that you get IC rated units.

Like this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_60554-337-H7...AID=1706932857

[Grap]

Originally Posted by Kenmichi

Well I'll christen the new thread with a fun post.

Wife calls me while I'm at work and tells me the AC condenser decided to dump a bunch of water into the ceiling which made its way to the floor. So she shut off the HVAC and decided to just go to work... Guess I'll have to address it when I get home but this should be fun.

We do have a home warranty but we're unsure which of the components will be covered whether it'll be the ceiling repair or AC unit. Definitely puts a dampener on my day, I was planning to go pick up a BNIB JDM roof vent already painted Aspen White this weekend! But not now just in case the home warranty doesn't cover this.

Your condenser should be outside, the air-handler and coil are in the house. If you have water dumping in the ceiling, then the most likely cause is a blocked condensate drain, or a condensate pump has stopped working. Both should be fairly easy fixes.

[tobylazur]

Originally Posted by shiplemw

They do make recessed lighting that doesn't require attic access.

They typically look like this

Originally Posted by Grap

Yes, they do have retrofit systems that you put in from below. Make sure if you have insulation up there, that you get IC rated units.

Like this: http://www.lowes.com/pd_60554-337-H7...AID=1706932857

Thank you guys. I suppose my next step is to see how deep the space is above the ceiling.

[Pohenegamook]

Originally Posted by fliz

They do have all kinds of programs. There was even a "group pull" a couple weeks ago in a natural area down the road (which I didn't know about until I started researching last weekend).

Pretty sure we have tons of this - I don't care for it but I've never been told to eradicate it / that it's noxious. It's definitely invasive.

Originally Posted by fliz

Unfortunately, nothing eats this. They are researching biocontrol, but there's nothing yet. I guess goats will eat it...but my work blocks that rentagoat site.

well, nothing eats it except people
http://www.botanicalartspress.com/bl...ot-horseradish

If it's edible, it's not noxious. It's invasive and annoying (but also tasty)

You apparently need to cook more lamb

[Grap]

You might be able to install a few LED units if you don't mind making some holes in the ceiling.

[Kenmichi]

Originally Posted by Thunderpaw

Home warranty should fix the unit. Homeowners insurance should cover water damage.

I hope so. Our home warranty is through FHA and they're really weird about how they spend money. Spent 600 dollars to try and repair a 700 dollar washing machine and when the 600 dollar repair didn't work they just replaced the whole washer with a brand new unit. But then they just throw tons of little 2 to 3 dollar parts at our malfunctioning dishwasher that have nothing to do with the problem.

"The dishes aren't getting cleaned"
"Well lets fix the utensil rack while we're in here"
"So how are we going to fix the 'dish washing' part?"
"Here's a new wheel for the top rack to slide on"
"So how are we going to fix the 'dish washing' part?"
"We should clean the drain"
"..."
"Here's your problem, there was a little barcode tag stuck in the drain"
"Please leave my home."

Originally Posted by Grap

Your condenser should be outside, the air-handler and coil are in the house. If you have water dumping in the ceiling, then the most likely cause is a blocked condensate drain, or a condensate pump has stopped working. Both should be fairly easy fixes.

Sorry, wrong terminology but you got the idea.

Should be an easy fix but it's still something I'd rather not have to worry about when we're moving into a slight heat wave and have a newborn in the house.

[BraveUlysses]

Anyone had a fireplace remodeled?

Currently, I have a gas insert but don't really care for the look of the bricks and sitting hearth. I'm in the middle of putting laminate flooring down throughout the house and it really won't look as good with this 80/90's style fireplace.

Should I look for a contractor who can come up with a few ideas or hire an interior designer for a few hours to give us some ideas to present to a contractor?

[Grap]

Originally Posted by BraveUlysses

Anyone had a fireplace remodeled?

Currently, I have a gas insert but don't really care for the look of the bricks and sitting hearth. I'm in the middle of putting laminate flooring down throughout the house and it really won't look as good with this 80/90's style fireplace.

Should I look for a contractor who can come up with a few ideas or hire an interior designer for a few hours to give us some ideas to present to a contractor?

Apparently, covering the brick with Durock and adding tile of your choice is hot right now.

[hooziewhatsit]

Originally Posted by fliz

Yeah, that's what I've been using, except recommended for garlic mustard is 3oz/gal., and coverage is 300 sq ft/gal.

Make sure you don't forget a good surfactant. Dawn dish soap works well with roundup. You want something to break down the surface tension so it soaks the leaves even better.

<-- Needs to go spray some more weeds. Daisies are on the docket this year. I've gotten rid of most of the thistles over the last few years, but still have a few here and there.

Edit: also check Farm/Garden type stores. They typically have bulk herbicides for prices that aren't too bad.

[Grap]

Originally Posted by hooziewhatsit

Make sure you don't forget a good surfactant. Dawn dish soap works well with roundup. You want something to break down the surface tension so it soaks the leaves even better.

*Grap likes this*

[The Motel Fella]

Originally Posted by Retsyn

So I've pretty much ****ing had it with contractors. Half of them don't bother to even return your call, of those only half actually show up for the appointment and then I get a quote that's completely unreasonable. All I want is a garage and a breezeway added to my house. I don't want marble floors or solid gold screws or ceiling joists made out of whale ribs or anything. I don't care if its insulated or drywalled. I don't care if they bother to put a room above it. How the **** can this very basic construction cost 70K?

Sounds about right.

Garage would be anywhere from 25-50K, plus tying into the structure...bruh, you gonna pay.

[Retsyn]

Originally Posted by The Motel Fella

Sounds about right.

Garage would be anywhere from 25-50K, plus tying into the structure...bruh, you gonna pay.

It would actually make more financial sense to put 30K of lipstick on this pig, sell it and buy something else that already has a ****ing garage. 70K for something that MAY add 30K to my house. **** that.

[The Motel Fella]

^Sadly? Yup.

[Grap]

Originally Posted by Retsyn

It would actually make more financial sense to put 30K of lipstick on this pig, sell it and buy something else that already has a ****ing garage. 70K for something that MAY add 30K to my house. **** that.

Yeah, next house I move into is going to have a garage already, or it will be built before I move in. When I moved into my current house, I had ALL these plans of 'Well the garage can go there, I can do this, that and the other thing." Then reality set in and I realized it would cost close to $15k just in site work to put it where I'd want, at the size I want, with the features I want....sorry, can't justify nearly $80k for a garage.

[cwb124]

$13,300 sound reasonable for a 96% efficient 100,000 BTU propane furnace with 4 ton 16 SEER heat pump/AC?

[Retsyn]

Originally Posted by Grap

Yeah, next house I move into is going to have a garage already, or it will be built before I move in. When I moved into my current house, I had ALL these plans of 'Well the garage can go there, I can do this, that and the other thing." Then reality set in and I realized it would cost close to $15k just in site work to put it where I'd want, at the size I want, with the features I want....sorry, can't justify nearly $80k for a garage.

I've put up with it for 15 years. I saved 30K and had 30K on tap from the bank and figured that would do it. The closest I got was 63K and he only had a 5% contingency. Everything I've read says that 10% is a minimum. There's only one thing worse than no garage. 1/2 a garage that I can't afford to finish. So, no. I'm going to have a few things done around the house, maybe do the main bathroom and ponder my next step. From a ****ing deep slipper tub...

[Grap]

Originally Posted by cwb124

$13,300 sound reasonable for a 96% efficient 100,000 BTU propane furnace with 4 ton 16 SEER heat pump/AC?

That's everything, installation, charging, permits, removal of old system....any ductwork?

Is it an easy installation or are they doing a s-ton of work to change it out?

Sounds a little high to me, but I've seen worse prices for less.

I found the original quote for the system that was put in my childhood house back in 1987...100,000 BTU gas furnace, and 2,5 ton A/C unit, $2,200 installed.

[cwb124]

Originally Posted by Grap

That's everything, installation, charging, permits, removal of old system....any ductwork?

Is it an easy installation or are they doing a s-ton of work to change it out?

Sounds a little high to me, but I've seen worse prices for less.

I found the original quote for the system that was put in my childhood house back in 1987...100,000 BTU gas furnace, and 2,5 ton A/C unit, $2,200 installed.

That's everything. New lineset, changing my condensate drain out from draining to the floor to a pump down to the septic (not sure it's necessary, it's been fine as is). Charging. No mention of permits, I don't think they need them. Removal of old system.

No ductwork needs to happen as it's basically a one for one replacement, although they are giving me a bigger air filter duct area thingy.

Edit - I have no condenser pad currently, it's sitting on the mulch. They are putting in a crushed stone + fiberglass pad.

[DeusExMachina]

Yay new thread.