Project Update Thursday - 11 Oct 2012 – Conversation in Home Improvement

BMitch

Oct 11, 2012 18:59

Welcome to Project Update Thursday

Matthew PK

@Tester101 I made it a comment for a reason....

Tester101

Or do I have to comb through law books now, as well?

Matthew PK

yes

Tester101

I feel like a friggin' Paralegal.

Matthew PK

@Tester101 epa.gov/burnwise/ordinances.html

Santa Clara Count "Have banned the installation of new wood-burning stoves or fireplaces."

BMitch

Oct 11, 2012 19:02

@Tester101 Sure, you feel like a paralegal and you pissy, I feel a paralegal and I get a lawsuit. There's no equality in the US.

Tester101

Friggin' California.

Why do you have a fireplace in California anyway, isn't it hot there?

wax eagle

@Tester101 it's a big state

Tester101

I don't burn fires in the summer (at least not inside).

BMitch

Where else do you burn your money?

Tester101

If you just want pretty fire in your house, use gas.

Matthew PK

Oct 11, 2012 19:05

@Tester101 California is the hottest average location in the country (Furnace Creek) and the coldest average location in the country (Truckee)

BMitch

@Tester101 I thought the answer was C4.

Matthew PK

reading Amazon reviews of the Lutron Maetro and Diva dimmers... people complain that their CFL/LEDs don't get dim enough.....

I guess they didn't realize that these swithes have a dial to set the dimmer floor

like.... that's one of their more important features.

Tester101

@MatthewPK I don't think many people are aware of this feature.

Matthew PK

@Tester101 apparently not... then they don't seem to realize why they're buying such an expensive dimmer

Tester101

3

Q: Why won't my dimmer dim CFL Lights?

My dinning room had an on/off switch for the light which made it impossible to have romantic dinners there - the light was either too bright or off. So I decided to install a dimmer. Being energy conscious and progressive, I wanted to install a dimmer for compact fluorescent lights. I bought a ...

BMitch

Oct 11, 2012 19:09

I used the Maestro timer for my bathroom fan, Lutron makes some good stuff.

Matthew PK

This bulk dealer for Cree LED bulbs is telling me that they'll give me a special price of $32.99/unit for my bulk purchase of 42 units

I replied with a link to their 8-pack, which sells them at $32.50 per unit

BMitch

@longneck I'm not sure I ever noticed your icon before, very appropriate!

Tester101

@MatthewPK How much is a single unit?

Chris Cudmore

A single unit is always 1

2

Tester101

42 @ $32.99 = $1385.58. 40 @ $32.50 = $1300.00 + 2 @ $x = $1300.00 + 2x.

@ChrisCudmore Thanks.

If x > $42.79, he's giving you a deal.

Chris Cudmore

Oct 11, 2012 19:26

Is anyone actually PUTing?

Tester101

PUT started, and everybody stopped chatting.

Chris Cudmore

That happens. We shut up, so PUTters can PUT.

Steven

OK project update! I spent all of last weekend ripping our steel window frames in my basement - this weekend is the installation of new vinyl windows I bought

I'm going to first frame it with PT lumber - do I need to do anything to the exterior of the PT though? like paint it? anything other then that?

Tester101

@Steven If you take some pictures, that would make an interesting Blog post.

Steven

I have been taking pics :)

I will take some more and maybe write it up!

lesson learned: bigger crow bars= better

oh and good thing I didn't eat up like 6 sawzall blades

Tester101

Oct 11, 2012 19:30

Same is true for just about anything.

The Evil Greebo

Yes i did stuff this weekend

Tester101

@TheEvilGreebo Blog?

The Evil Greebo

No, i didn't blog you evil task master

gregmac

Is there a standard yet for real LED dimming?

Chris Cudmore

It was Thanksgiving here. Didn't do a bloody thing except eat Turkey and Prime Rib.

The Evil Greebo

Oct 11, 2012 19:31

I added branches to my plumbing for PEX use in the near future

gregmac

Eg, running low-voltage to the bulbs, and having dimmers do regular PWM

Steven

trivia: why does the Canadian thanks giving occur earlier?

Chris Cudmore

And Pumpkin Pie! I made 3.

The Evil Greebo

preparing to replace nasty old galvanized pipe with pretty pex

@ChrisCudmore Did you bring enough for EVERYBODY?

Chris Cudmore

Because the frost comes earlier. We harvest earlier.

Nope. Ate them all.

Steven

Oct 11, 2012 19:32

you're the first person I've asked to answer that correctly! congrats, you win... ... hmmm... idunno what you win

The Evil Greebo

@ChrisCudmore Go stand in the corner!

Chris Cudmore

I've got a wife who starves herself all year, and then compensates at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Tester101

@Steven @ChrisCudmore is Canadian, he knows these things.

Steven

im soo full still of turkey - been eating left overs every day

Chris Cudmore

Or Cruises. She's on a mission to bankrupt the cruise lines.

The Evil Greebo

Oct 11, 2012 19:32

@Tester101 I blame Canada

Steven

most of my Canadian friends have no idea why

Chris Cudmore

Steven

:)

The Evil Greebo

They're not even a real country anyway.

Steven

with their itty bity eyes

if you were to add "Air Canada' to that phone it'd be pretty accurate

Tester101

Oct 11, 2012 19:34

@Steven I thought it had something to do with the exchange rate.

Steven

photo

Chris Cudmore

@Steven That's Racist!

Tester101

@ChrisCudmore What does the uncensored version say on the signs?

Chris Cudmore

@Tester101 It was "Terence and Phillip -- Asses of Fire"

Didn't even notice that censoring.

Steven

so back to my real question - do I need to paint the PT lumber or anything else on the outside of the window (basement window, in concrete with PT frame)

or exposed to elements is OK?

Chris Cudmore

Oct 11, 2012 19:37

Why PT? I've never seen that in a basement window.

Steven

well I need to build out a frame slightly due to the way the concrete was poured around the existing frame

Chris Cudmore

What's there now?

Steven

now, nothing, just concrete

but there was a bottom channel before

so the 2x4 will fit it and allow the window to fit properly

Chris Cudmore

Ok.

Can you clad it in vinyl? Or aluminum flashing?

Steven

I suppose I could...

Tester101

Oct 11, 2012 19:38

Use regular lumber and a gasket where it contacts concrete.

Then paint, cover in flashing, whatever.

Chris Cudmore

@Tester101 That's what I was thinking. I don't know if PT is necessary.

Steven

a lot of what I read suggested PT.... but not PT is just as easy

BMitch

Is there anything that says PT is bad? We use it when framing is in contact with concrete

Tester101

PT will dry out, and possibly split, crack, and twist.

Not the best for window frames.

Steven

so just SPF? paint it? (sounds easiest to me) - what kind of gasket?

Chris Cudmore

Oct 11, 2012 19:41

The pink 5" foam stuff you'd put under 2x4 floor studs.

homedepot.ca/product/foamseal-sill-gasket-5-1-2-x-82-x-3-16/…

Steven

1.5" XPS I hope you mean - not 5"

oh

I see

BMitch

We still used pressure treated on top of the foam, only relied on it for draft prevention.

Tester101

Hmm... It does seem people suggest using PT lumber for this, even Family Handyman.

BMitch

If I were to guess, any small rip would result in water wicking through and rotting your plates

Steven

I was just going to put down some waterproof construction adhesive under the PT and tapcon it in

BMitch

Oct 11, 2012 19:47

waterproof construction adhesive won't be a water barrier, if you're exposed to the elements, you still want something else to protect your wood.

Chris Cudmore

@Steven What's your timeline on the basement?

Steven

well I was hoping to do the window this weekend, the rest of it is still up in the air

(called your guy btw, he was working in NY)

Chris Cudmore

No solid plans yet?

Yeah, he's back now.

Steven

well I have a baby on the way, so everything is sorta up in the air

Tester101

@Steven Does it have to be an egress window? Why not do glass block?

Steven

Oct 11, 2012 19:49

not egress, but its in a bathroom so id like to be able to open it

Chris Cudmore

Awesome. Get all work done before it arrives. You won't get any done for three years after.

Tester101

Glass block with a vent

Steven

well ive already got a window...sorta just hoping to use it

Chris Cudmore

Fans are relatively cheap. Put one in anyways.

Steven

I will

Tester101

Oct 11, 2012 19:50

Just a suggestion.

Glass block is also good in a bathroom, since you can't see through it.

Well... not as well as through a regular window anyway.

Chris Cudmore

@Tester101 Especially in a basement. So your next door neighbour won't be able to gaze upon your manliness while mowing the lawn.

Steven

na its a pretty small window well - you cant really see in unless you are standing right there

Tester101

@ChrisCudmore Why are you mowing the lawn in the bathroom?

Steven

so whats the consensus - PT? with anything under it? and paint it?

Tester101

Or do you mean "mowing the lawn" wink wink

Steven

Oct 11, 2012 19:53

lol

Chris Cudmore

I've read that sentence three times. I don't see the ambiguity.

Tim Horton's time!! AFK

Tester101

@Steven PT seems to be the popular choice, but I'd still use a gasket like the one @ChrisCudmore linked to.

Steven

I guess trim it around the wood so there is no chance of tearing..

BMitch

The gasket is dual purpose, no reason not to use it. And I'd go with PT. Hate to finish a job and have to redo it in 5 years.

Steven

do I only need the gasket on the bottom piece, or all of the frame?

Tester101

Oct 11, 2012 19:58

Don't think you can paint the PT right away though. have to wait till it dries out.

BMitch

@Steven Everywhere you're against concrete, mainly to prevent any drafts

Tester101

Gasket all the way around, you'll probably have to buy the roll anyway.

Steven

yea 10 bucks cheap enough

BMitch

But remember that concrete is like a sponge, water travels in every direction in it, so you need to protect from that in all directions.

Tester101

@BMitch How long before painting PT lumber?

Chris Cudmore

Oct 11, 2012 20:00

I'd get it aluminum clad anyways.

BMitch

I've stained PT for a fence right away and never had any issues, the framing was all inside the walls and protected from the weather

Chris Cudmore

It looks better.

BMitch

I agree aluminum over the PT would be a much better look because you don't want any funny pink foam showing on the edges

Steven

never worked with aluminum glad - whats involved?

Chris Cudmore

Call someone. An eavestrough guy will do it.

You need a brake, which is a pretty pricy tool.

It's not that expensive.

Tester101

Oct 11, 2012 20:04

@ChrisCudmore That's a much better name than "gutter".

Steven

hmm im trying not to make this less DIY...

Tester101

@Steven If you take them the metal and your measurements, they might be able to bend it for you (just don't forget to also bring a box of donuts).

The Evil Greebo

@ChrisCudmore You can rent them fairly cheaply

Jeremy Stein

So this is project update Thursday, huh? Here's my project update: While replacing a bathroom faucet, I moved one of the copper pipes out from behind the drain pipe with a couple of 45° bends. It was my first time soldering copper pipe. I was genuinely surprised that it didn't leak when I turned the water back on.

Pretty ugly, eh?

Now that I look at it again, it is kinda crooked. :)

Steven

it doesn't look that bad - actually way better then the job the gas companies guys did at my place installing a new water heater

Chris Cudmore

Oct 11, 2012 20:13

@JeremyStein Copper's not bad. It's the fittings that always trip me up. I can't seem to solder brass worth a darn.

Jeremy Stein

Thank God for professionals who do crummy work. Makes me feel so much better about myself.

Steven

@JeremyStein did you use propane or MAPP?

BMitch

Fixing a solder leak can be a pain in the butt if you can't get the water back out of the line. Always a good idea to do it right the first time. :)

Jeremy Stein

Propane. Didn't want to spring for the expensive stuff because I didn't know how often I'd do it.

Actually, the guy at the store sold me a propane torch with a bottle of MAPP. Took me 2 trips back to get the right combo.

The Evil Greebo

solder joints look fine to me

maybe a little much solder but I end up using that much too

Steven

Oct 11, 2012 20:15

better than too little and pinhole leaks!

Jeremy Stein

Out of view are the scorch marks against the wall from the plumber who put this in the first time. That scared me into being extra careful.

The Evil Greebo

@JeremyStein Fire cloth is a good investment

Steven

you need to get a piece of sheet metal or flame retardant material

The Evil Greebo

I've got fire cloth - its still in its packaging

Steven

and a fire extinguisher handy! (seriously, people burn houses down doing this)

The Evil Greebo

Oct 11, 2012 20:18

;)

Jeremy Stein

The pipe was so close to the wall that a cookie sheet wouldn't fit, so I used aluminum foil, which seemed a bit flimsy. I hadn't heard of fire cloth. Sounds great.

The Evil Greebo

i keep a quart of water and a wet towel handy

BMitch

I've got some framing that's crispy from a prior owners shoddy plumbing job

Jeremy Stein

Great tips, guys. There must be some more plumbing jobs around my house somewhere to try out the suggestions...

The Evil Greebo

@BMitch i have a crispy frame that's my own fault

copper was 1/2" from underside of joist and had water in it

tried too long to get a good join and scorched the joist but never melted the solder

Steven

Oct 11, 2012 20:22

one nice thing about MAPP is that it tends to boil small amounts of water off quickly enough that you can still solder

The Evil Greebo

this wasn't a small amount - water kept trickling in from points in the line that were ... hills and valleys

i tried for an hour to clear it - and would get more water

gave up, yanked it, put in pex

i even tried to blow air thru the line w/ the shop vac

i'm sure it would have looked very comical to an onlooker

Steven

I once used white bread to stop a trickle

but there was a laundry faucet at the other end w/o an aerator so it just got pushed out

BMitch

white bread FTW!

The Evil Greebo

i thought about it

but we only had potato bread and I like it too much

Steven

there is a company that makes these plungers that can block pipes and take the heat of a torch - forget what they are called

The Evil Greebo

Oct 11, 2012 20:26

@Steven question - you put a plunger in - you solder the pipe - now the pipe is closed up - how do you get it out?

Steven

it only works in some scenarios -like a union and you just need to keep the water back

BMitch

Hobby project?

0

Q: I want to make a flashlight that I can control

I want to have a battery powered flashlight that I can control. It can be done in any way. But I need to be able to make it in about two weeks. Does anyone have any Ideas on how to go about this? Thanks in advance.

electrical wiring lighting

Steven

there are also freezing kits you can use

The Evil Greebo

Every flashlight I've ever bought had an on and off switch, and I used my hand to point it where I wanted it to shine. What kind of control were you thinking about? — The Evil Greebo 15 secs ago

Steven

that freeze the pipe temporarily (Far enough down the line that you don't melt it instantly)

then solder and wait for it to defrost

The Evil Greebo

Oct 11, 2012 20:28

Well since I had the pex anyway... using it and replacing the main fit ;)

gregmac

@BMitch per our discussion last week (or week before?) .. close because it's not a real question. it's a "design this for me" question.

The Evil Greebo

@gregmac tru

added close vote

Matthew PK

@Tester101 If I was just buying one it's $38.63... but this same dealer has an online offering for less than the "special price' he's offering me.

Jeremy Stein

Oct 11, 2012 20:47

@Steven Has anyone tried one of those aerosol fire extinguishers? Seems convenient.

I think the regular ones look a little intimidating, but everyone knows how to spray from a can.

Something like this: amzn.com/dp/B001229JCU

BMitch

I've considered myself lucky to never have tried any fire extinguisher.

Thanks for joining this week's PUT

Project Update Thursday - 11 Oct 2012

Home Improvement

Participants