Project Update Thursday - 2013/01/03 – Conversation in Home Improvement

BMitch

Jan 3, 2013 20:01

Welcome to Project Update Thursday

shirlock homes

really??? haven't been on much to answer anything. holidays so busy

Chris Cudmore

BMitch

Yes, it's really Thursday.

gregmac

yeah I don't really get the hats thing..

BMitch

My world changing project is ending BMitch hunger, so I'm eating a pretzel.

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:01

I've assisted with the assembly of many LEGO projects.

gregmac

so I will continue to ignore it. :)

Chris Cudmore

It's gone tomorrow anyway.

Tester101

@gregmac turns his back on hats.

SwDevMan81

theyre trying to get activity up i guess by giving away hats

shirlock homes

i thiought they were like the animated ones

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:03

Originally, I thought it would be some sort of scavenger hunt type thing.

shirlock homes

me too chris

Chris Cudmore

Which would be a fun idea to get us to read questions.

SwDevMan81

antlers dont really fit well: diy.stackexchange.com/users/7437/swdevman81#winter-bash

shirlock homes

Speaking of questions, is it my imagination or have there been a lot of really strange questions lately?

Chris Cudmore

I didn't realize you could actually wear them.

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 20:07

@ChrisCudmore - yeah u can wear them

BMitch

everyone gets loaded up on eggnog and asks weird questions this time of year

shirlock homes

Ahhh that must be it

gregmac

@ChrisCudmore yeah I think that's what is weird: they are exactly like badges. but hats.

SwDevMan81

haha yeah the knife blade with no handle was interesting

Chris Cudmore

Buy a knife. Remove handle.

gregmac

Jan 3, 2013 20:08

yeah, I'd swear there were 3 of those "I have two lights and switches and one exhaust fan" question

SwDevMan81

haha

BMitch

@gregmac that's because there were

gregmac

from 3 different users. but now I only see 2.. and an accusation that it was the same guy :)

shirlock homes

how to forge a knife to save $$$$$ lmao

gregmac

did one get deleted?

BMitch

Jan 3, 2013 20:09

yep

Bob

"flat bastard file" definition: "pre-forged knife blade with no handle."

shirlock homes

I liked the one today asking how to put plywood shelves in a plaster shower.

Chris Cudmore

@shirlockhomes Step One: Invest thousands of dollars in blacksmith tools

SwDevMan81

hopefully they were pointed to the Poles and Throws blog, that was pretty nice: diy.blogoverflow.com/2012/01/poles-and-throws

Chris Cudmore

Step Two: ???

Bob

Jan 3, 2013 20:11

plywood would be better for feeding your pizza oven.

Chris Cudmore

Step Three: Profit

3

Bob

instead of wet cardboard.

shirlock homes

hehe

SwDevMan81

haha

The Evil Greebo

hoho

BMitch

Jan 3, 2013 20:12

I really want to tell the Maytag question to put his wife on top of the washing machine.

shirlock homes

maybe I'll try that one next week. Gotta gut and build a bathroom. Maybe my customer will like the "unique touch"

The Evil Greebo

@BMitch ROFL

SwDevMan81

haha

shirlock homes

OMG Mitch........lmao

Bob

That would explain why it leaks during spincycle.... ;-)

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 20:13

you guys are wicked. lololololol

BMitch

but then we'll get the comment: "Now it's making even more noises"

gregmac

So my central vac project has been delayed. It evolved into removing the ceiling and insulation in my garage, spray foaming, and then replacing the ceiling 18" higher up. It was almost -20 last night -- not a good time to spend a couple days or a week (or however long it takes me) with no insulation..

shirlock homes

moaning and groining don't count as washer noise

where you at greg?

Bob

does your wife prefer front-load or top-load?

shirlock homes

was 1degreeF this morning. can't wiat to go to Florida in two weeks

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 20:16

hopefully if its top-load its with the lid down

SamTheBrand

@BMitch thx for attending to that edit. Appreciate it.

Tester101

Better forget about the washer, before we get a mod swarm in here.

Chris Cudmore

@BMitch Yes, it is, but now you can get a good night's sleep.

BMitch

Hey @SamTheBrand, do you get the reason for the reject outside of my comment here?

shirlock homes

I sure hope the posters of those questions don't have enough points to chat!!! lmao

gregmac

Jan 3, 2013 20:16

@shirlockhomes southern ontario, canada

near new york state border

oh, -20 in regular degress

shirlock homes

you had this cold stuff a couple days ago

gregmac

-4 in US weather

Bob

It it was pretty cold here in Atlanta last night too.

BMitch

@SamTheBrand And thanks for all the other edits, nice to see SE stopping by since Aarthi abandoned us.

Bob

Nearly freezing

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:17

I'm in Toronto. Hasn't gone below -8C yet.

Bob

:-p

lsiunsuex

29f in Buffalo NY

gregmac

@ChrisCudmore toronto is usually a bit warmer. I'm in Kingston

SwDevMan81

24f in Syracuse Ny

shirlock homes

it's making up for such a mild winter the last couple of years here

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:18

Yeah, We've got that Urban Heat Island effect.

SwDevMan81

was 5f on the drive into work

Chris Cudmore

I shoveled snow for the first time in two years last week.

4 Years ago, there was a Kingston golf course that was open in January.

gregmac

I think I only had to like 3 times last year

last week, we got a stupid amount of snow though

Chris Cudmore

So, When's the DIY.SE Road Trip to Manhattan to fix @ek_ny 's bathroom?

shirlock homes

I had to plow 8 times last winter, but no really large storms, usually only a few inches. we got 16 inches the day after Christmas

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:21

You get those ocean storms don't you.

shirlock homes

yep NorEasters

SwDevMan81

that tile job was amazing

shirlock homes

kinda like a winter hurricane with snow

Chris Cudmore

@SwDevMan81 What was amazing was that he thought really hard about getting it to line up perfectly.

shirlock homes

@SW PPPPPP

BMitch

Jan 3, 2013 20:23

Doh, I got an Ingress invite, as if my free time wasn't already gone

shirlock homes

proper planning prevents piss poor performance lol

SwDevMan81

@ChrisCudmore - I just cant imagine who would do that and think "eh, that doesnt look too bad" haha

i think if it was someone doing it for free id still be pissed

shirlock homes

I must have missed a funny one

SwDevMan81

3

Q: Can I ask my contractor to redo a tile job I'm not happy with?

Click on photo for full size I had my bathroom renovated while I was away last week. I'm not happy with how the floor tile came out. I assumed the contractor would lay the tile out in a uniform way (yes I know-- ass-u-me). The bathroom is pretty small- about 4 1/2 feet by 5 feet of total floo...

hysterical

lsiunsuex

sounds like a job for mike holmes

gregmac

Jan 3, 2013 20:26

@shirlockhomes worse, diy.stackexchange.com/users/9846/ek-ny

Chris Cudmore

Then click through to his other questions.

He's had a bad time with his contractors.

ChrisF

Evening all

Tester101

BMitch

Howdy @ChrisF

Chris Cudmore

The other pic is better.

Much more WTF-y.

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 20:27

haha yup

shirlock homes

I remember him now. didn't they put regular drywall up too?

ChrisF

Did everyone have a good Christmas/New Year?

Tester101

ChrisF

Ouch. That's painful on the eyes

shirlock homes

Really, it's a high end detail lol

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:28

I Still am. Christmas isn't over until the last lego set is built.

SwDevMan81

haha, cost extra to align them

BMitch

I don't take the tree down until the end of January

Chris Cudmore

They are aligned -Perfectly.

Tester101

What, did you expect him to cut tile?

Chris Cudmore

You don't cut that. You snip away the mesh.

gregmac

Jan 3, 2013 20:29

It's art. It reflects the chaos and non-uniformness of everyday life.

SwDevMan81

haha, i feel it would look better if the owner wrote some words between the lines

shirlock homes

my cat is pushing my puter away and chewing on my feet!!!!

BMitch

"rebel tile installer" ... that would make a great business name

Bob

don't be too hard on his tile guy. He's probably an out-of-work astrophysicist.

lsiunsuex

@shirlockhomes that must be a big cat

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 20:30

24 pounds

Chris Cudmore

@shirlockhomes Well, Obviously you have responsibilities to attend to.

shirlock homes

she wants attention or food

Chris Cudmore

@shirlockhomes Sounds like my kids.

shirlock homes

wow, it's after 3 beer time. BRB hehehe

Bob

@shirlockhomes Does she mind you referring to her as "my cat"? :-)

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 20:32

I don't say that out loud.

she can't read

Chris Cudmore

Bob

lol

shirlock homes

lolol so true

Damn, my keg went dry Tuesday, lowing my standards to canned beer. yuk!

I like this semi retired thing

lsiunsuex

why not buy bottles ? then you have a weapon if need be

Chris Cudmore

@shirlockhomes Or as you contractors call it: Winter

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 20:34

got too many weapons here, trying to sell some

Ya, that too, winter and holidays are always slow

gotta do a small bathroom before I head to Florida.... Can't wait

Chris Cudmore

What's a bathroom cost? Take it down to the studs and redo everything?

shirlock homes

this one is a complete gut/rebuild. it's gonna run about 6K

small, basic, nothing fancy

Chris Cudmore

That's not too bad. So I could do it nice for a couple of k more.

shirlock homes

if you do it yourself, you can do a lot for 6 to 7K

Chris Cudmore

I need a shower head that will relieve me of my husbandly duties.

lsiunsuex

Jan 3, 2013 20:38

@ChrisCudmore dont forget @shirlockhomes quote includes labor - if you do it yourself...

shirlock homes

USD that is

Bob

how can a shower head kill spiders and take out the trash?

2

Chris Cudmore

I don't want to do the driwall and wall tile, so I'll contract it.

Bob

That's a lot to ask.

shirlock homes

I got one of those for my wife. lololol A Delta SS handheld with massage

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:40

I'll use it on full butt-blaster setting after wing and beer night.

shirlock homes

lmao

Chris Cudmore

Actually, I want to figure out a way I can fit a bidet in there.

BMitch

There's a mental image I didn't need

shirlock homes

I build a top of the line bath in my other house and my wife loved it, so i had to put in the same thing in this house

Chris Cudmore

I would have loved a bidet when it was still diaper time. Would have made my life a lot easier.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 20:42

Thank god we don't put in many bidets here

Chris Cudmore

Can the drain connect up to the toilet trap?

Bob

I think water jets and soiled baby loins don't mix.

shirlock homes

most bathrooms in older modest homes aren't big enough

just dunk them a few times, no need for a bath

Chris Cudmore

If I lose the tub, and put in a nice shower stall with a tile bench in it, I could fit a bidet.

Bob

Don't need a bidet for dunking///

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:43

Nobody takes baths anymore.

Bob

be sure and put a recessed shelf in your shower stall.

plywood.

Chris Cudmore

With appropriate drainage.

shirlock homes

lololol OSB

Bob

particle mush

ChrisF

That reminds me - I never did write that blog post detailing the build of our walk in shower. Oops.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 20:44

mount it with lags

Bob

lol

Chris Cudmore

Where did this come from?

shirlock homes

some guy asked how to put plywood shelves in his shower

Chris Cudmore

How long would it last with Marine varnish?

shirlock homes

not long!!

wax eagle

Jan 3, 2013 20:46

@ChrisCudmore couple days, at least.

Bob

6 months before it actually leaked. 1.5 yrs before you found the leak.

shirlock homes

maybe he could build the entire shower out of marine plywood and spar varnish

over his plaster and lathe walls aoMG

Bob

to save money.

shirlock homes

yep

Bob

I think plywood's a bad choice.

He should use aluminum flashing.

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:49

Just build it out of drywall and use a kitchen and bath paint. That stuff's washable.

shirlock homes

I gotta write a book with all the crap i have seen that home owners have done to save money.

Bob

Kilz it first. It's waterproof.

shirlock homes

wrap it in bitch. lol

Bob

in what?

shirlock homes

bitchithane, like Grace ice and water shield

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:51

@shirlockhomes I got 99 problems ...

Bob

oh. Of course.

:-)

shirlock homes

sorry you got so many problems Chris

Chris Cudmore

If I have to explain it, it's not funny.

SwDevMan81

but a bitchithane aint one

shirlock homes

must be one of those European things lolololol

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:52

sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/99-Problems-lyrics-Jay-Z/…

Bob

I think "gripeithane" would be more appropriate in this setting...

shirlock homes

Ok Chris. I admit, never listen to music by any artist with a Z at the end. hehe

Bob

lol

no Elvisz?

Johnny Cashz?

shirlock homes

Led Z epplin

Chris Cudmore

In my mind, his name is Jay Zed.

Bob

Jan 3, 2013 20:54

@Chris lol

Chris Cudmore

I've got this Canadian auto correct that replaces ZEE with ZED and Lieutenant with Lefttenant.

shirlock homes

any of you guys get your woman that book 55,77, 99 shades of gray?

Bob

Lefttenant cracks me up.

shirlock homes

whatever number it was

Bob

What about the poor righttennant?

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 20:56

fifty

Chris Cudmore

God no. Like I need her asking for more.

It's actually a Britishism. Lew-tenant was too french for them.

shirlock homes

lolololol was just wondering what effect it had.

SwDevMan81

wife got it herself

Chris Cudmore

I got her a cookbook.

shirlock homes

good move Chris

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:57

And a string of pearls.

shirlock homes

got my wife a Sears Die Hard

Chris Cudmore

Actually, she wanted this particular book.

shirlock homes

with a charger

Chris Cudmore

amazon.com/From-Polish-Country-House-Kitchen/dp/1452110557

SwDevMan81

got a massage, cuz i hate giving them

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 20:58

It's actually a pretty well written book.

SwDevMan81

wonder if fried bologna sandwich is in there

Chris Cudmore

Nope. Bologna is Italian

Tester101

@ChrisCudmore But frying it is Polish.

shirlock homes

i was looking for one by one of your countryman

SwDevMan81

with onions haha

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 21:02

In the army we called it Newfie steak.

We've got Polish Delis here that are bigger than walmarts. No Bologna in stock.

shirlock homes

I love Gordon Ramsay's shows

actually had a name tag put on my chef's coat that says "Chef Ramsey wannabe"

SwDevMan81

remind me never to come over for dinner

Chris Cudmore

Yeah. If I want to get sworn at I can stay home.

shirlock homes

I cook almost as good as I build. so eat or let's build a room lol

SwDevMan81

@ChrisCudmore haha

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:07

got a brand new commercial gas 6 burner range at church. love cooking on that thing. Flames and all lololololol

SwDevMan81

i dont see you on the cooking site shirlock haha

Chris Cudmore

I've seen him there.

shirlock homes

barely have time lately to visit this site. haven't answered a question in weeks

by the time I look at the questions, there are already several good answers

ChrisF

That's the sign of a healthy site.

We're starting to get there on DIY.

shirlock homes

yep, got a few newer good responders

but to be honest, a lot of the questions lately have been really lame

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 21:13

All the good questions have been asked, and all the easy answers have been given.

shirlock homes

ummm never thought of that

ChrisF

To a certain extent that's true.

shirlock homes

I still get votes for answers a year ago

ChrisF

However, there will always be new problems that are slightly different to the ones that have already been asked.

Chris Cudmore

But we've filled up the basics.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:15

I still get votes for that silly question about how to tell the height of a tree. it is up to about 120 or 130

ChrisF

That happens a lot.

Chris Cudmore

Questions like that get voted up because they're interesting reading.

shirlock homes

plus i figure give others a chance to get some votes. folks won't participate if two or three of us do all the answers

Chris Cudmore

Nothing wrong with that one, but it's not the "Best Question Ever ASKED!"

BMitch

@shirlockhomes That one was tweeted to the world, and your answer was the easiest to understand and use.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:18

tweeted??? to the world???? lomfao

SwDevMan81

do u guys have any recommendations on who to talk to about proper roof ventilation? im getting some ice dams buildin up with some water coming in and i think its related to poor ventilation (no sofit vents or gable vents, just the ridge vent)

shirlock homes

I do them all the time.

Chris Cudmore

I'm sure ek_ny could recommend a contractor.

BMitch

lifehacker.com/5875184/…

SwDevMan81

haha

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:18

you wanna get rid of the ice and/or put in vents?

get the guy that put in the tile

SwDevMan81

put in vents (if thats the issue), i did rake off as much snow as i could already

shirlock homes

ya, you really need vents

SwDevMan81

i guess i want to see if the ventilation is the issue

the ridge vent was covered in snow, so i think thats why i got them bad... but i just baught this house, so i have no idea, im just guessin

BMitch

twylah.com/spolsky/tweets/157543749164081152

shirlock homes

if you have ice dams and no vents, that is the problem, combined with perhaps poor ceiling insulation

I have answered that one several times on the site

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 21:21

yeah, i did see all your posts

which is why i went and baught the rake :)

shirlock homes

this is a bad time of year to put in soffit and ridge vents, but you can put in gable vents

SwDevMan81

so yeah, i guess i have to climb up the small hole above the pantry shelving to look in the attic

shirlock homes

if you get dams, use the potasium cloride in the panty hose trick

SwDevMan81

to make it worse, is there is only a sofit on one side of the house, so im guessing i probably need a gable vent

shirlock homes

you will need two on oposite ends of the house

the attic needs to be as cold as possible

so ceiling insulation is very important

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 21:23

ok, will i need a fan as well or some sort? im assuming the sofit vents are ideal

ok, does the insulation have the R rating on it?

shirlock homes

fan will help in the summer for cooling, but not necessary in winter

we do all ceilings in attics to R40 or more now

SwDevMan81

ok good to know, thx

shirlock homes

foam all the holes where wires and j-boxes break the ceiling. They really leak heat

SwDevMan81

ok, ill get up there this weekend and have a better idea whats going on hopefully

shirlock homes

did you read my answer ob how to use pantiehose.

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 21:27

yeah, not to put them directly on the dams

shirlock homes

wrote that one last winter, I think

SwDevMan81

yeah, u have a couple good answers about them

shirlock homes

yes do put them on the dam. they open a slot for water to drain out

put them perpendicular to the drip edge

Chris Cudmore

I tink de dams look purty good when deys gots pantie hose on.

SwDevMan81

right

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:29

i like the nude ones

2

gregmac

@shirlockhomes uh, I think you're in the wrong room

shirlock homes

black is good too

SwDevMan81

ill have my wife buy them haha

shirlock homes

you coward

SwDevMan81

although now adays i probably wouldnt even get a funny look

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:30

remember, not panties, pantie hose

3

SwDevMan81

i have no problems buyin panties

Chris Cudmore

Jesus guys. You're not a man until you've gone through the cash with tampons and chocolate without giving a damn.

shirlock homes

I like to shop for them. lolololololololololol

i hate it when they call for a price check

SwDevMan81

bahaha

Chris Cudmore

Of course the problem is, If a friend sees me with tampons, I really don't have an excuse not to go to the pub with him over the weekend.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:34

Good logic, but glad those days are gone.

not a whole lot of project stuff today. lol

Chris Cudmore

The reality is, my wife doesn't trust me with the shopping. I get it done too fast, and couldn't possibly have captured all available bargains.

SwDevMan81

i have more project stuff, but im gonna ask them as questions to get more pointless rep

shirlock homes

my wife can't look at stuff, she has to handle everything, drives me crazy, so as a result, we don't shop for anything together

Chris Cudmore

I left her at the grocery store one day.

Drove off when she decided it was time to go back in, line up at customer service for a 25 cent coupon she forgot about.

SwDevMan81

haha, im sure she still wasnt done when u go back

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:39

bet you were real popular later that evening.

Chris Cudmore

I didn't hear a peep from her for three days.

shirlock homes

lololol

Chris Cudmore

It was only six blocks.

But she had been dragging me along for hours. I had already told her three times that I had had enough, and was leaving.

shirlock homes

here in Windham maine, a block is 4 miles long

SwDevMan81

yeah, counting to 3 doesnt work with my kids either

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 21:41

I had paid for the groceries too. Asking for the $0.25 when she got home added to my silent treatment.

shirlock homes

it did with my kid, 3 meant an ass wooping, no question about it

only happened once and he learned fast

SwDevMan81

haha

Chris Cudmore

We don't ass whoop any more. To me it means pick them up physically and throw them into the bedroom. Ass whooping would be so much easier.

shirlock homes

A good ass wooping at age 4 goes a long ways. lol

never had to do it again.

Chris Cudmore

I agree. But it's the type of thing that gets government at your door nowadays.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:44

never got to 3 again either

SwDevMan81

yeah, guess its supposed to be positive reenforcement now... still havent mastered it when all im thinking in my head is "wtf r u doing!?"

shirlock homes

ya right

SwDevMan81

cant make that positive haha

shirlock homes

as a kid i was stupid. got wooped regular. lol

Chris Cudmore

My kid was swinging a belt around his head. Hit his temple with the buckle, and gave himself a black eye.

shirlock homes

Jan 3, 2013 21:45

it is positive when you stop

SwDevMan81

yup, me too, and my two other brothers

Chris Cudmore

Then he did it again and hit his brother.

shirlock homes

let the beatings begin

SwDevMan81

fortunately dad was at work most of the day

Chris Cudmore

SwDevMan81

Jan 3, 2013 21:47

u knew it was gonna be a bad night when he comes home angry haha

shirlock homes

i subscribe to the the bill cosby philosphy. i brought you into this world, so I can take you out!

SwDevMan81

haha, but we didnt learn too much, dam stubborn

usually just ended up retaliating by hiding his tools

shirlock homes

you're bad

SwDevMan81

which resulted in a lot of sittin on our hands until we told him where they were

haha, yeah we were terrible kids, im surprised were alive

3 boys, a recipe for disaster

shirlock homes

I had two brothers, we all did OK, even with the woopings. lol

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 21:50

I've got twin boys. 6.5 years old. It's a complete disaster.

shirlock homes

build a dungeon

Chris Cudmore

And in Christian's class, the three horsemen of the apocalypse are Christian, Brayden and Luka. All twins.

SwDevMan81

haha nice

Chris Cudmore

Which means if Robert is smart, he can put the moves on Lola and Maira, their counterparts.

@shirlockhomes I threaten them with the crawl space, but Anna won't let me follow through with it.

shirlock homes

my baby is 24.

BMitch

Jan 3, 2013 21:56

If you build a dungeon, you should blog about it

2

Niall C.

@ChrisCudmore Couldn't you do it while she's walking home from the shops?

shirlock homes

complete with a rack and shackles

Chris Cudmore

@NiallC. Literally busting a gut here.

Niall C.

@ChrisCudmore Sorry. :)

BMitch

@ChrisCudmore call 911

unless, by literally, you mean the Joe Biden definition

Chris Cudmore

Jan 3, 2013 21:59

Seriously. I think I broke something.

BMitch

Duct tape will fix it

shirlock homes

good, no more kids tehn

BMitch

that's a wrap peeps, but feel free to keep on chatting

Thanks for joining this week's PUT

Project Update Thursday - 2013/01/03

Home Improvement

Participants