Home repairs (broken stuff)

[PessOptimist]

Happy Monday TSPTalkers.

Over the years there have been discussions about home repairs and problems. They are spread out all over the MB, some in the lounge, some in member’s account talk.

I thought, mods willing, I would start a thread under The Bulletin Board called home repair.

If anyone should run across old posts about fixing stuff, please post a link here.

This one is a little weird and could be painful.

We replaced our kitchen faucet. Handle broke off the old one, not being ADA compliant apparently? :worried: Hired a plumber to do it as I just can’t get in to those positions now and actually have two hands available to connect things.

He did a good job overall considering he had to replace the “angle stops” under the sink. (remember when they were called “stop cocks?”) He made a nice neat loop in the cold water supply line since it was a little long. All was working great when he left Saturday afternoon. Monday morning I discovered no cold water at the faucet. About that time SWMBO came to the kitchen and informed me she had left a note and explained the note at length. Bottom line, washing dishes and water got real hot suddenly. Glad she wasn’t washing her hair.

The loop in the supply line had kinked. I believe due to normal movement during turn on and shut off. This stopped the cold water supply. When I touched the kink, another developed near it. The supply lines are part of the faucet and not replaceable. They are braided stainless steel with a plastic tube inside. Apparently very thin braided stainless steel. Very fragile.

I removed the feed, took out the loop and let it lay where it wanted against the wall. Seems OK now but the cabinet under the sink is used a lot and what will the future bring? Maybe the plastic tube was weakened so a waterfall is coming up?

Yes, I expressed my displeasure to all involved, especially the manufacturer, MOEN.

The main reason for posting this was that the last thing you would expect while running water would be for it to get real hot all of the sudden. Cold yeah if you run the water heater out or your on demand craps out.

Yes, I turned down the temperature on the tank heater. I may get complaints but I may save some money from that horrendous $18 gas bill.

Heads up. Especially if you are washing your hair and it gets hot, hot, hot.

PO

 

[nnuut]

This will be a very popular thread!! I am MR. FIXIT at my house, two women and one 8 year old grandson.

 

[bmneveu]

This might be a good spot to list all our home projects completed during all the lockdown/quarantine time. Anyone got any good ones?

My wife and I did a lot. Put in a 10'x10' paver section to extend our back porch. Knocked out the wall under the stairs and extended a closet into the space to add about 24 sqft of fully finished storage space. Those were probably the hardest ones. Remodeled all 3 bathrooms and the laundry room as well. Added some flooring in the attic. We stayed busy.

 

[nasa1974]

My problem is I spend more time going back and forth to Home Depot or Lowes then I do on the project.

 

[bmneveu]

LOL same here. One of the most frustrating things is getting back from the store, starting back up on the project and realizing you need to make another store run for something else. Live and learn!

 

[rangerray]

Happy Monday TSPTalkers.


I removed the feed, took out the loop and let it lay where it wanted against the wall.

PO

Hacker hint #1) A few bags of plastic zip ties of various sizes are your friend. Secure zip ties around the line loosely at strategic points, then fasten the zip tie to the back of the undercounter surface with a stapler. You will not kink the line or damage the internal plastic portion of your braided line.

Hacker hint #2) Go to your local discount store (Walmart, Lowes, etc.) and buy an Arrow heavy duty manual stapler. Staples are available in multiple sizes and there are dozens of uses for staples.

 

[alevin]

Had minisplit heat pump/ac installed finally due to elder parent living in the home this summer not able to cope with stairs or heat. the one window ac in the house is below main level. good enough for sleep and evening activities for me in peak summer heat home from work, but not a useable room for unsteady elder in middle of the night, bathroom access for the elder would require stair navigation while I'm sleeping elsewhere. not good setup. I love the minisplits. now the entire house is liveable in summer heat here.

I looked at the minisplits 10years back, and opted for passive-energy upgrades instead. This time, the costs were 30% less than estimates back then and better equipment I hope. glad I waited.

 

[Bullitt]

We had a Moen faucet and it was constantly leaking. I kept going to plumbing shop and getting the various parts for fixing inside the handles. The guy there, a master plumber, finally said Moen says buy it for looks, buy it for life, but they definitely won't last your life.

Problem fixed when we had a plumbers grade Delta faucet installed in it's place. It's not the prettiest, but it does the job without problems.

 

[ravensfan]

I've actually had a number of projects over the course of this lockdown. First I have a split rail fence around my property and had to replace a number of posts and rails. It was a little tough digging up the rotted posts but it is completed and I hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon.

Next project was to re-organize my woodshop. I installed some upper cabinets to house some of the items that were laying all over my work benches and I managed to find a place for all my tools. Big improvement...

I also did a few improvements/upgrades on my camper. Technically not a home improvement, but definitely made it more livable.

And the final project, still in the works is a ravensfan mancave. I'm about half way done with it. Been researching a bar which will make it nice during sporting events. However, I have lost my incentive to complete the project as I see my Ravens, Orioles and NASCAR bring politics into their sport. I look at this as all show and no go as they stand there locked arm in arm or kneel during the National Anthem. If they really want to help, get involved in the community instead of showboating on Sunday afternoon. Eventually the mancave will be finished, but it has been a struggle.

 

[rangerray]

And the final project, still in the works is a ravensfan mancave. I'm about half way done with it. Been researching a bar which will make it nice during sporting events. However, I have lost my incentive to complete the project as I see my Ravens, Orioles and NASCAR bring politics into their sport. I look at this as all show and no go as they stand there locked arm in arm or kneel during the National Anthem. If they really want to help, get involved in the community instead of showboating on Sunday afternoon. Eventually the mancave will be finished, but it has been a struggle.

All is not lost. Have you looked into the world of competitive team cornhole? I watched a tournament on TV and it was completely free of politics as far as I could tell.

Working on a camper? Me too. I found a nice pop-up that was light enough to pull behind my 2-dr Jeep and upgraded the canvas, fixed the propane furnace, and installed an A/C unit on the roof that instills fear in the wife and kids. I plan to do quite a bit of camping and possibly some off-roading in retirement. The lockdown was the perfect time for that stuff.

I also did some interior painting which made my wife love me just a little more. I built a cover for the back door of my house to stand under when it's raining. I added more shelving in my shed/second home in the backyard. I waxed vehicles. I got all of my neighborhood mowing duties completed during the cool hours of the day. I limbed up trees, pruned what needed and got flower beds in order. I did a proper set-up on a rather expensive acoustic guitar that I'd been intimidated by for far too long.

I did ALL of the grocery shopping, most of the cooking/grilling/smoking and errand running.

It was a very productive time, and although I still had a full paycheck coming, it was a glimpse of what retirement might possibly be like.

 

[nnuut]

Well, the torrential rain and wind forced trash and MUD into my swimming pool, now I have a mud pool. I have some drains around the cement to drain off stuff. I checked it at midnight and went to sleep. Trash plugged the drains and made Mud ponds that overflowed into the pool. I've had this pool for over 20 years and nothing like this happened before. Now Mr. Fixit has plenty to do.

 

[nnuut]

On top of that My refrigerator Ice Maker died. After surfing the internet troubleshooting a fix, I decided to replace the whole DAMN thing. It's in the mail!

 

[PessOptimist]

On top of that My refrigerator Ice Maker died. After surfing the internet troubleshooting a fix, I decided to replace the whole DAMN thing. It's in the mail!
View attachment 47205View attachment 47206

Whole damn ice maker or refrigerator?:notrust: "They" say things happen in threes, so watch for it.
Every day when I get up I look for a note from SWMBO or wonder what I am going to discover broken today.
All in all retired life is great isn't it?
PO

 

[PessOptimist]

We had a Moen faucet and it was constantly leaking. I kept going to plumbing shop and getting the various parts for fixing inside the handles. The guy there, a master plumber, finally said Moen says buy it for looks, buy it for life, but they definitely won't last your life.

Problem fixed when we had a plumbers grade Delta faucet installed in it's place. It's not the prettiest, but it does the job without problems.

The previous Moen lasted 13 years with no problems except the handle “breaking off”. It was scheduled for replacement some time as it matched the sink color and that is no longer the trend. Brushed chrome or nickel currently.
I have been told for years by plumbers and non plumbers that the fixtures you buy v what plumbers buy are different. Probably so. Either way, since DIY is getting less and less for me, having a registered professional provide the fixture and install likely won’t cost that much more based on the last experience. Plus the plumber “owns” the installation if they are reputable.

Hacker hint #1) A few bags of plastic zip ties of various sizes are your friend. Secure zip ties around the line loosely at strategic points, then fasten the zip tie to the back of the undercounter surface with a stapler. You will not kink the line or damage the internal plastic portion of your braided line.

Hacker hint #2) Go to your local discount store (Walmart, Lowes, etc.) and buy an Arrow heavy duty manual stapler. Staples are available in multiple sizes and there are dozens of uses for staples.

#1, got some but around here if stored in the garage they tend to deteriorate in a few years. Probably gets to around 130°F out there. Paint spoils in about 2 years. Spackle, caulk about 1. Stapler is hanging on peg board but staples sometimes get gummy after a while. I guess the glue that holds them together melts?

LOL same here. One of the most frustrating things is getting back from the store, starting back up on the project and realizing you need to make another store run for something else. Live and learn!

Yup

My problem is I spend more time going back and forth to Home Depot or Lowes then I do on the project.

Yup, yup. Can be a big problem if water or electric must be off during the project.

Thinking that maybe hiring someone who likely has needed parts in their vehicle is good. Not always true as professionals have had to leave to go get parts.

This might be a good spot to list all our home projects completed during all the lockdown/quarantine time. Anyone got any good ones?

My wife and I did a lot. Put in a 10'x10' paver section to extend our back porch. Knocked out the wall under the stairs and extended a closet into the space to add about 24 sqft of fully finished storage space. Those were probably the hardest ones. Remodeled all 3 bathrooms and the laundry room as well. Added some flooring in the attic. We stayed busy.

No projects worth being called good. My biggest one is cleaning off my workbench in the garage. It’s too damned hot out there!

Stuff covering it are an older “surround sound” system from a bedroom remodel and a 35 year old microwave oven that still works great. I know if I take these to good will or another agency they are going in the dumpster. Probably should set up the receiver and amp for radio in the garage. Probably should trash the microwave. Thought of offering it for free on nextdoor but it meets 1985 standards, not 2020 standards. I doubt it is dangerous as safety mechanisms worked when retired. Whatever, time to try to recycle it and free up that work bench for the fall season when it’s only 90°.

PO

 

[nnuut]

On top of that My refrigerator Ice Maker died. After surfing the internet troubleshooting a fix, I decided to replace the whole DAMN thing. It's in the mail!
View attachment 47205View attachment 47206

PO it's just the ice maker, but we bought the Frig in 2004 so it's ready for it's turn. Frigs use to last for 30 to 40 years, what happened?

 

[Stoplight]

I used to do home (and car) repairs, but I've reached the age where one says : "You know what ? It's worth it, to me, to pay somebody ELSE to do it !"

The hard part is finding that reputable "someone else" ! :smile:


Stoplight...

 

[PessOptimist]

PO it's just the ice maker, but we bought the Frig in 2004 so it's ready for it's turn. Frigs use to last for 30 to 40 years, what happened?

Part of it is styles and features. SWMBO types figure in to that.

Bought a fridge earlier this year. A comma in the price. Bought it from a local chain that owns repairs with the extended warranty. Worth it to keep SO happy. (aka SWMBO)

Now to get political and blame everything on some politician, W was president when you bought it. Probably all his fault.:ban:

Yeah, it’s just a matter of time and your 16 yo fridge will die and not be worthy of repair.

I mentioned before about a 35 yo microwave oven that worked fine when retired. Retired because the new range had to have a matching microwave oven. So some stuff will work for a long time. As stated mw will probably go to trash as who wants it?

 

[nasa1974]

The previous Moen lasted 13 years with no problems except the handle “breaking off”. It was scheduled for replacement some time as it matched the sink color and that is no longer the trend. Brushed chrome or nickel currently.
I have been told for years by plumbers and non plumbers that the fixtures you buy v what plumbers buy are different. Probably so. Either way, since DIY is getting less and less for me, having a registered professional provide the fixture and install likely won’t cost that much more based on the last experience. Plus the plumber “owns” the installation if they are reputable.

PO

Youngest daughter is an interior designer and she designed kitchens a baths for her previous employer (another story) and there is a difference between what you purchase from a plumber and a home improvement store. Besides the cost, being more expensive, its the internal guts of the fixture. The DIY stuff is all plastic on the inside verses brass.