The Home Renovation Thread

Seeking some advice on how to cut this old gas pipe as flush as possible
View attachment 9111760

I picked up an angle grinder so my thought was 1) cut off wheel as close as I can then just grind it down, 2) just go to town and grind it down, or 3) start with a sawzall
I would try to cut in into 1/4 sections vertically, then use vise grips to break each section off flush
 
Seeking some advice on how to cut this old gas pipe as flush as possible
View attachment 9111760

I picked up an angle grinder so my thought was 1) cut off wheel as close as I can then just grind it down, 2) just go to town and grind it down, or 3) start with a sawzall
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an oscillating multi-tool with a metal cutting blade will cut it absolutely flush. Something like this:

 
It was actually so much easier than I thought. I found a monkey wrench and turns out that nut twisted off (I thought it was mortared in), pulled up the thin metal hose and multi tool took 30 seconds. Hammered it down and just have to epoxy is or try and cut a piece of tile to fit there until we re do the whole floor
20220814_122604.jpg
 
Man, how things have changed since I made this thread all those years ago. One thing remained constant - my wife is has a never-ending drive to improve our homes. Won’t lie - it’s always annoying (lol), but things we did or contracted out at the old house put us in a great place when we sold it.

The adventure continues this coming Monday with a complete kitchen demo and reno and
new hardwood surfaces throughout most the main level. We hired the contractor that did our old kitchen and he’s an amazing craftsman, so I’m excited for the end-result. Hand built maple cabinets, pantry, island, etc. Should look fantastic. Very much not excited for the mess and general chaos over the next month though.

That’s awesome, good luck!

I’m mired in that right now. Over last year into this, we’ve had all 4 bathrooms remodeled. Still need to have the glass installed for the basement bathroom. All we did ourselves was the demo/removal and then the finishing touches.

Next she wants new kitchen countertops, the cabinets professionally refinished, new fireplace mantle with wrap-around stacked-stone all the way up to the vaulted ceiling, new front door (one thing I can agree with as the vapor barrier was compromised during original install, looks terrible), tear up the rug in the master and replace with hardwood while having all the hardwood (upstairs/main floor/3 landings/stairs/bannister, etc) sanded and refinished… geez, I can’t remember what else because my head is spinning.

We took advantage of the federal loan tax deferment and paid off the kids’ college loans. After, I said, "ok, now give me time to recoup, rebuild and invest."

She agreed… for like 5 minutes. But she’s the breadwinner now, and she sure is flexing!
 
That’s awesome, good luck!

I’m mired in that right now. Over last year into this, we’ve had all 4 bathrooms remodeled. Still need to have the glass installed for the basement bathroom. All we did ourselves was the demo/removal and then the finishing touches.

Next she wants new kitchen countertops, the cabinets professionally refinished, new fireplace mantle with wrap-around stacked-stone all the way up to the vaulted ceiling, new front door (one thing I can agree with as the vapor barrier was compromised during original install, looks terrible), tear up the rug in the master and replace with hardwood while having all the hardwood (upstairs/main floor/3 landings/stairs/bannister, etc) sanded and refinished… geez, I can’t remember what else because my head is spinning.

We took advantage of the federal loan tax deferment and paid off the kids’ college loans. After, I said, "ok, now give me time to recoup, rebuild and invest."

She agreed… for like 5 minutes. But she’s the breadwinner now, and she sure is flexing!

Its certainly a love/hate thing :p I spent most the week grumpy but I’m adjusting.
 
Its certainly a love/hate thing I spent most the week grumpy but I’m adjusting.
Same. The master bath for example. I thought the remodel was obscene, as to expense. And it is, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that she made the right call.
 
Has anybody seen a drain piece like this? I've found images of similar pieces, but nothing with this type of side inlet (1.25" ID), where a flex-hose (1.5" ID) coming from the overflow drain is attached with a stainless screw clamp. It's 2.5" tall.

1662815830650.png

It's part of the drain for a walk-in tub we inherited in our last move. This is compressed to the bottom of the tub, along with a gasket. The strainer inside the tub has a long bolt that screws into a nut that is supposed to be embedded in a pvc ring in the center. That ring has cracked and will no longer hold the nut in place to adequately tighten and compress the gasket.

1662816438439.png
 
Double Sink I believe
 
Our bathtub is getting replaced as I type this. Been a long time coming for this, but glad we will finally have a working tub in the master bath again.

next up will be the walk-in shower and the tile in the master bath, but we don’t have a date or plan on that just yet. Besides that, we will just need to paint the bathrooms and they will all be done!
 
Our bathtub is getting replaced as I type this. Been a long time coming for this, but glad we will finally have a working tub in the master bath again.

next up will be the walk-in shower and the tile in the master bath, but we don’t have a date or plan on that just yet. Besides that, we will just need to paint the bathrooms and they will all be done!
Zero transition into Shower?
 
Zero transition into Shower?

nah. Just a 1980s house where we will be replacing but not shifting to much of the floor plan.

alcove tub across from vanity, then there was a pocket door (removed today) that separated a walk/step in shower across from the toilet.
We’d like to replace all the tile (I will probably try to do it myself once I am recovered), and have the walk/step in shower redone.
 
After a little over a month waiting from IKEA, inexpensive counter top came in. Ripped it and had enough left over for a little shelf. Installing the 1X3 support around the perimeter was a pain without moving the washer. Floats just above them.
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Will paint the little shelf brackets and marks on the wall from a snug fit:oops:. Left the stuff putting back tasks to the boss. Thin rolling rack goes between the two units.
 
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After a little over a month waiting from IKEA, inexpensive counter top came in. Ripped it and had enough left over for a little shelf.
View attachment 9121384
Will paint the brackets and marks on the wall from a snug fit:oops:. Left the stuff putting back tasks to the boss. Thin rolling rack goes between the two units.
Looks really good
 
After a little over a month waiting from IKEA, inexpensive counter top came in. Ripped it and had enough left over for a little shelf. Installing the 1X3 support around the perimeter was a pain without moving the washer. Floats just above them.
View attachment 9121384
Will paint the little shelf brackets and marks on the wall from a snug fit:oops:. Left the stuff putting back tasks to the boss. Thin rolling rack goes between the two units.
How do you slide out shelf to get to shut-offs, looks like door trim is in the way?
 
How do you slide out shelf to get to shut-offs, looks like door trim is in the way?
I cut out an opening over them if quick access is ever needed. If anything rolls into that opening it will fall between the units to retrieve.

To take it off I would have to take the little shelf above off first. Enough room below cabinets to tilt up one end and get passed the trim. Countertop is heavy enough I don't need to secure it to support and won't pull out due to trim.
 
Continuing to work on our outside lawn+landscape project. Since the goal for the back is to level and put stone (and hopefully an above ground pool), I took up all the larger river rock that was acting as a border to our patio (poorly executed, dirt just bogged it and then it grew grass and weeds).. I thought I would have enouhh for maybe half of one of the two tree bases but nope, not even a 5th of one

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In spring I'll have to decide between getting a couple tons of the same type, or going for the cheaper white versions and just having these mixed in .. the price is drastic as I think dark ones like thos at like .60/lb and the white is, unless I was misquoted, .04 per lb .. basically $2000 vs a few hundred
 
Man the first year (not even) of home ownership has not been kind. Had a lot I planned to get done over the next couple of years but seems like it’s getting pushed back longer and longer. In the last 9 months we’ve had to:

-Repair the deck
-Regrade two sides of the house
-Replace a sump pump
-Replace all the galvanized in the basement
-Replace the sump pump discharge line
-Replace a utility sink
-Currently dealing with water coming through the foundation on 3 sides

On top of that the AC unit gave out two weeks ago and today the roof is leaking in the garage and our gutters are shot in the front….what did I get myself into
 
Man the first year (not even) of home ownership has not been kind. Had a lot I planned to get done over the next couple of years but seems like it’s getting pushed back longer and longer. In the last 9 months we’ve had to:

-Repair the deck
-Regrade two sides of the house
-Replace a sump pump
-Replace all the galvanized in the basement
-Replace the sump pump discharge line
-Replace a utility sink
-Currently dealing with water coming through the foundation on 3 sides

On top of that the AC unit gave out two weeks ago and today the roof is leaking in the garage and our gutters are shot in the front….what did I get myself into

I'm not trying to pile on or anything - that sucks - but did you have a home inspection prior to close? Did the buyer fail to disclose the leaking foundation issue? I'd be plenty angry at the agent and/or inspector if that were the case.
 
I'm not trying to pile on or anything - that sucks - but did you have a home inspection prior to close? Did the buyer fail to disclose the leaking foundation issue? I'd be plenty angry at the agent and/or inspector if that were the case.
We had an informational inspection only. I don’t believe they disclosed a leaky foundation and I don’t think it came up in the inspection. There were things that did come up that pointed to it but it was never explicitly stated that it was the exact cause
 
The project over the few days, getting these rocks under the trees

8 tons is a friggin lot
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You didn't want anything a bit smaller?
Lol no, in fact I needed larger rocks so they would stay in place on the slope and due to the tree roots.. I got the border done last night so tonight will be just shoveling into a wheel barrow and dumping

Trick or treaters were helping me in exchange for candy last night. It was their idea :ROFLMAO:
 
Lol no, in fact I needed larger rocks so they would stay in place on the slope and due to the tree roots.. I got the border done last night so tonight will be just shoveling into a wheel barrow and dumping

Trick or treaters were helping me in exchange for candy last night. It was their idea :ROFLMAO:

Cool. We don't have the slope, fortunately, so I'm either going with #4 or a combo of #3 and #4.
 
Well, it was a productive day but also unfortunately missed an absolutely stunning golf weather day , but this is finally done
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Other than continuing to work on the lawn, the front of the house is done 😎
 
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