Home repairs and stories

I'm not sure if there is another thread similar to this, but thought I'd start one cuz I have a story.
First off, since moving into the house I'm currently in, we have put in impact windows ($20k), resurfaced and retiled the pool ($5k), took out the popcorn ceiling and did knockdown, plus repaint the whole house ($5kish), replaced the plumbing ($8k) and did all the bathrooms ($25k?).
In May we noticed a leak in the garage after a storm, part of the ceiling had fallen down, the plaster anyway. Called the insurance company, they took forever after bringing people out to put on a tarp and dry everything out. Long story short on this part, they said the roof had run through its life and it wasn't their responsibility, got a 2nd consult and the guy said to not get a 3rd party adjuster. During this time we signed a contract with a roofer.
I did my research, I got another quote and actually tried to get a few more quotes, but didn't get any call backs. This company set up an appointment and came out to the house 3 times before we signed the contract. Had some issues with the HOA not liking the color we picked out for the roof. We are putting in a metal roof.
They were supposed to start last week, but needed to delay because of rain the week before, granted it did rain about 4 or 5 days out of the week, so that's fine. I get a call on Saturday or Sunday that they will be at our house Monday morning. Around 9:30 on Monday I figure, whatever I'll wait until 10 and call the supervisor. Around the same time my wife calls me. She asks me if I think the people on the street in front of us with our exact address, except they live on a street and we live on a terrace, are also getting their roof done. I said no, put on my flip flops and walk to the next street. Sure enough the dump truck is backed up and guys are on the roof. I immediately call the supervisor, no answer, call again, and it goes to VM again. I call the lady who says she'll be my contact. No answer. I call the sales guy. He picks up. I tell him that I think his crew is at the wrong house. Explain the addresses, he quickly says he's gotta go. Meanwhile, one of the guys who speaks english comes down and hands me the phone. I tell his boss or whoever was on the phone that they were at the wrong place. 10 minutes later I get a call from the supervisor, he still didn't know what was going on.
About an hour later, that same crew is now on my roof and starting the tear off. The continue to work on my house for the rest of the day. I leave to take Kyle to get a haircut with me. On the way home, I call my wife and she says the cops are at the other house. When I get home the cops are at our house. I start drinking.
Supervisor calls me later that night, says they'll take care of everything, their guys fucked up.
Supervisor calls me in the morning, he talked to the homeowner, they actually have a contract with another roofing company and are having their roof replaced. Good situation for them.
Tonight I go into the garage to check, because its been raining all day and the area that had the leak didn't really look like it was covered. Sure enough I now have multiple leaks in the ceiling and water on the ground. They also backed the dump truck into a light above my garage and its knocked partially down. Its never worked since we've been here, but they don't know that.
I'm hoping by the time this is taken care of, everything is repaired and in better condition then when they arrived.

TL:DR - Roofing company started to take the wrong roof off. My roof that had leaks wasn't sealed properly before they left and it rained all day and now it is worse.

 holy shit

They can tear off a lot of roof in a couple of hours.

Wow. Wouldn't they want/expect the homeowner there when they get there, at least the first day?

If I was that other homeowner, I wouldn't tell them that I was getting the roof done anyway. I'd probably make them squirm and see what I could get out of them.

MiamiSpartan wrote:Wow. Wouldn't they want/expect the homeowner there when they get there, at least the first day?

If I was that other homeowner, I wouldn't tell them that I was getting the roof done anyway. I'd probably make them squirm and see what I could get out of them.

For the roof, no, the owner doesn't need to be there. They were actually supposed to get started when we were on vacation. We had to move the cars out of the driveway. Where they fucked up, is that the materials were dropped off the day before. Also we had tarps on our roof.
You're going to need a new roof soon, if you haven't replaced yours already.

InTenSity wrote:I'm not sure if there is another thread similar to this, but thought I'd start one cuz I have a story.
First off, since moving into the house I'm currently in, we have put in impact windows ($20k), resurfaced and retiled the pool ($5k), took out the popcorn ceiling and did knockdown, plus repaint the whole house ($5kish), replaced the plumbing ($8k) and did all the bathrooms ($25k?).
In May we noticed a leak in the garage after a storm, part of the ceiling had fallen down, the plaster anyway. Called the insurance company, they took forever after bringing people out to put on a tarp and dry everything out. Long story short on this part, they said the roof had run through its life and it wasn't their responsibility, got a 2nd consult and the guy said to not get a 3rd party adjuster. During this time we signed a contract with a roofer.
I did my research, I got another quote and actually tried to get a few more quotes, but didn't get any call backs. This company set up an appointment and came out to the house 3 times before we signed the contract. Had some issues with the HOA not liking the color we picked out for the roof. We are putting in a metal roof.
They were supposed to start last week, but needed to delay because of rain the week before, granted it did rain about 4 or 5 days out of the week, so that's fine. I get a call on Saturday or Sunday that they will be at our house Monday morning. Around 9:30 on Monday I figure, whatever I'll wait until 10 and call the supervisor. Around the same time my wife calls me. She asks me if I think the people on the street in front of us with our exact address, except they live on a street and we live on a terrace, are also getting their roof done. I said no, put on my flip flops and walk to the next street. Sure enough the dump truck is backed up and guys are on the roof. I immediately call the supervisor, no answer, call again, and it goes to VM again. I call the lady who says she'll be my contact. No answer. I call the sales guy. He picks up. I tell him that I think his crew is at the wrong house. Explain the addresses, he quickly says he's gotta go. Meanwhile, one of the guys who speaks english comes down and hands me the phone. I tell his boss or whoever was on the phone that they were at the wrong place. 10 minutes later I get a call from the supervisor, he still didn't know what was going on.
About an hour later, that same crew is now on my roof and starting the tear off. The continue to work on my house for the rest of the day. I leave to take Kyle to get a haircut with me. On the way home, I call my wife and she says the cops are at the other house. When I get home the cops are at our house. I start drinking.
Supervisor calls me later that night, says they'll take care of everything, their guys fucked up.
Supervisor calls me in the morning, he talked to the homeowner, they actually have a contract with another roofing company and are having their roof replaced. Good situation for them.
Tonight I go into the garage to check, because its been raining all day and the area that had the leak didn't really look like it was covered. Sure enough I now have multiple leaks in the ceiling and water on the ground. They also backed the dump truck into a light above my garage and its knocked partially down. Its never worked since we've been here, but they don't know that.
I'm hoping by the time this is taken care of, everything is repaired and in better condition then when they arrived.

TL:DR - Roofing company started to take the wrong roof off. My roof that had leaks wasn't sealed properly before they left and it rained all day and now it is worse.

JFC. I’m sorry bro. Just think though, someday you’ll be gone and your kids will sell that house for way more than you bought it and put into it and live happy off that cash. Well done.

MSU addict wrote:They can tear off a lot of roof in a couple of hours.

This.

JFC. Please repost, hitting the enter key occasionally to break your rant into readable pieces.

DWags wrote:

MSU addict wrote:They can tear off a lot of roof in a couple of hours.

This.

They had half the roof off in about an hour.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:Tldr...

I need an orange peel patch on my ceiling. Local dry wall guys say they don't have the equipment... Is that real?

No, not really if it is "orange peel".   Acoustical/popcorn ceilings do take some equipment which few people have (no one does this anymore) but can be repaired with a spay can.  FWIW, some of the older ceilings contain asbestos.  

What they are telling you is that it is almost impossible to fix where you won't be able to notice.  They know if they try to patch it you won't be happy and you will bitch/give them a bad review.  Simply not worth it to them.

In my opinion, the best way to correct it is to do the whole ceiling - without texture - as texturing just makes it look dated.  

If you just want it repaired, try a local handyman (some should have some experience) but understand you will be able to notice.  I have flipped houses with the issue.

I have a question

I’m digging post holes for a garden fence (see also, garden thread). How deep do the holes have to be? The posts will be 6-6.5 feet high. Is two feet sufficient with concrete down there holding them or do I have to go to 3?

Two notes- 1) I’m only using a post hole digger here so if you tell me that each one has to be a foot deeper I’m going to be upset with you. 2) honestly, I know this probably isn’t a fashionable thing to say, but I probably will only live here for 5 years, tops. Probably less. If I’m going to run into problems in 20 years because of 2 feet instead of 3 then I honestly don’t really care.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:I have a question

I’m digging post holes for a garden fence (see also, garden thread). How deep do the holes have to be? The posts will be 6-6.5 feet high. Is two feet sufficient with concrete down there holding them or do I have to go to 3?

Two notes- 1) I’m only using a post hole digger here so if you tell me that each one has to be a foot deeper I’m going to be upset with you. 2) honestly, I know this probably isn’t a fashionable thing to say, but I probably will only live here for 5 years, tops. Probably less. If I’m going to run into problems in 20 years because of 2 feet instead of 3 then I honestly don’t really care.

I hate to say "it depends" but I probably should. 

Two feet should be deep enough for a 6-6.5 foot fence, but I would probably go deeper for end, corner and especially gate posts.

But it does depend on soil conditions, and if the fence is subject to wind forces.

InTenSity wrote:

MiamiSpartan wrote:Wow. Wouldn't they want/expect the homeowner there when they get there, at least the first day?

If I was that other homeowner, I wouldn't tell them that I was getting the roof done anyway. I'd probably make them squirm and see what I could get out of them.

For the roof, no, the owner doesn't need to be there. They were actually supposed to get started when we were on vacation. We had to move the cars out of the driveway. Where they fucked up, is that the materials were dropped off the day before. Also we had tarps on our roof.
You're going to need a new roof soon, if you haven't replaced yours already.

When/if I do, I'll be sure to ask who you used, so as not to use them. Then again, if I could pick which wrong house they started tearing up, that might be worth considering for my dumbass neighbor.

MiamiSpartan wrote:

InTenSity wrote:
For the roof, no, the owner doesn't need to be there. They were actually supposed to get started when we were on vacation. We had to move the cars out of the driveway. Where they fucked up, is that the materials were dropped off the day before. Also we had tarps on our roof.
You're going to need a new roof soon, if you haven't replaced yours already.

When/if I do, I'll be sure to ask who you used, so as not to use them.  Then again, if I could pick which wrong house they started tearing up, that might be worth considering for my dumbass neighbor.

They came by today. They are going to fix the garage. I actually really like the people for the most part. The supervisor is knowledgeable and friendly, to me. I think the crew working on my house might've been fired. The roof had issues and they have a different crew here today. Lots of rotten wood up there.

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:I have a question

I’m digging post holes for a garden fence (see also, garden thread). How deep do the holes have to be? The posts will be 6-6.5 feet high. Is two feet sufficient with concrete down there holding them or do I have to go to 3?

Two notes- 1) I’m only using a post hole digger here so if you tell me that each one has to be a foot deeper I’m going to be upset with you. 2) honestly, I know this probably isn’t a fashionable thing to say, but I probably will only live here for 5 years, tops. Probably less. If I’m going to run into problems in 20 years because of 2 feet instead of 3 then I honestly don’t really care.

HOW-TO VIDEOS

The Pantry wrote:

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:I have a question

I’m digging post holes for a garden fence (see also, garden thread). How deep do the holes have to be? The posts will be 6-6.5 feet high. Is two feet sufficient with concrete down there holding them or do I have to go to 3?

Two notes- 1) I’m only using a post hole digger here so if you tell me that each one has to be a foot deeper I’m going to be upset with you. 2) honestly, I know this probably isn’t a fashionable thing to say, but I probably will only live here for 5 years, tops. Probably less. If I’m going to run into problems in 20 years because of 2 feet instead of 3 then I honestly don’t really care.

HOW-TO VIDEOS

Yeah, I saw that, but that’s where I get concerned. It says “1/3 to 1/2 the post height.” But that’s 2-3 feet deep. Which is quite the difference. I’d like to just say that I’m at two so I’m good but I don’t want to put the fence up and the whole thing falls down either

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

The Pantry wrote:

HOW-TO VIDEOS

Yeah, I saw that, but that’s where I get concerned. It says “1/3 to 1/2 the post height.” But that’s 2-3 feet deep. Which is quite the difference. I’d like to just say that I’m at two so I’m good but I don’t want to put the fence up and the whole thing falls down either

Check with your municipality for recommended depth.  They may have a building code for it, like most do for deck posts (generally 42" in Michigan). And don't forget to dig 6" deeper to account for the gravel base.

Motown Spartan wrote:

The Pantry wrote:
Check with your municipality for recommended depth.  They may have a building code for it, like most do for deck posts (generally 42" in Michigan). And don't forget to dig 6" deeper to account for the gravel base.

First thing you’ve said that I’ve agreed with since pre-2016.

Why are you so disagreeable?

The Pantry wrote:

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

Yeah, I saw that, but that’s where I get concerned. It says “1/3 to 1/2 the post height.” But that’s 2-3 feet deep. Which is quite the difference. I’d like to just say that I’m at two so I’m good but I don’t want to put the fence up and the whole thing falls down either

Check with your municipality for recommended depth.  They may have a building code for it, like most do for deck posts (generally 42" in Michigan). And don't forget to dig 6" deeper to account for the gravel base.

Well if they’re just going to say 42 inches or something else ridiculous then I’m not going to check with them

Travis of the Cosmos wrote:

The Pantry wrote:
Check with your municipality for recommended depth.  They may have a building code for it, like most do for deck posts (generally 42" in Michigan).  And don't forget to dig 6" deeper to account for the gravel base.

Well if they’re just going to say 42 inches or something else ridiculous then I’m not going to check with them

So, you're gonna half-ass it?  Why am I not surprised?

Anyone have a home warranty? Your experiences with it?

Some stuff here is getting long-in-the-tooth and think a warranty would be a good idea.

The Pantry wrote:Anyone have a home warranty? Your experiences with it?

Some stuff here is getting long-in-the-tooth and think a warranty would be a good idea.

My experience is underwhelmed. I have been involved with a few instances where people bought them. You have to go through the warranty company to get someone to fix whatever is broken, and let's just say their objective is not to get the highest quality fix for you.
My son had a bad air conditioner and they kept sending people out who just dumped in more freon and left. Next day, it's wasn't working again.
I was involved peripherally with the company and had to pull a few strings to get anyone's attention before they finally authorized me to get it fixed and then they reimbursed.

how difficult is it to hang/mount a TV on the wall?

Robert J Sakimano wrote:how difficult is it to hang/mount a TV on the wall?

Easy. Drill, level, stud finder. Important to know if you have wood or metal studs. Hammer drill if it's brick/concrete.

Things get a bit more dicey if you want to hide the wires in the wall. You either need an electrician to install a new outlet behind where the TV will hang, or there's a kit you can buy that's code compliant. Assuming you care about code compliance in this matter (tMisers don't).

Heat Miser wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:how difficult is it to hang/mount a TV on the wall?

Easy. Drill, level, stud finder. Important to know if you have wood or metal studs. Hammer drill if it's brick/concrete.

Things get a bit more dicey if you want to hide the wires in the wall. You either need an electrician to install a new outlet behind where the TV will hang, or there's a kit you can buy that's code compliant. Assuming you care about code compliance in this matter (tMisers don't).

I'll find a away to make them look edgy and artistic.

thanks - yeah, locating the studs, I've found is the crucial part. Ours are wooden, so shouldn't be too difficult.

I just have this recurring thought of laying in bed at night, sound asleep.. and hearing the TV crashing to the floor and taking part of the wall with it.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
I'll find a away to make them look edgy and artistic.

thanks - yeah, locating the studs, I've found is the crucial part. Ours are wooden, so shouldn't be too difficult.

I just have this recurring thought of laying in bed at night, sound asleep.. and hearing the TV crashing to the floor and taking part of the wall with it.

Nah... you hit a stud, you'll be fine. TVs aren't really that heavy anymore.

If you want it placed where there isn't a stud, you'll have to cut away the drywall where you want it, add a backing plate... repair the hole you just made. (None of that is really difficult either, more of a PITA then anything....painting sucks)

Wiring can be fun if you want to hide that. Maybe something like these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMcehptNiW8

thanks, man.

I'm only pursuing this endeavor because my wife talked us (me) into painting our bedroom over the weekend, including the trim. As with most things, the prep work is the most important step. Any idiot can paint using a roller - the trim is precarious, especially when you don't exactly bend the way you used to.

so now we're on to the "we should really mount the TV on the wall" stage of things I should do.

AvgMSUJoe wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote:
I'll find a away to make them look edgy and artistic.

thanks - yeah, locating the studs, I've found is the crucial part. Ours are wooden, so shouldn't be too difficult.

I just have this recurring thought of laying in bed at night, sound asleep.. and hearing the TV crashing to the floor and taking part of the wall with it.

Nah... you hit a stud, you'll be fine. TVs aren't really that heavy anymore.


Wiring can be fun if you want to hide that. Maybe something like these:

Has it been determined that Bob's TV is not a CRT model?

Rick Saunders wrote:

AvgMSUJoe wrote:
Nah... you hit a stud, you'll be fine. TVs aren't really that heavy anymore.


Wiring can be fun if you want to hide that. Maybe something like these:

Has it been determined that Bob's TV is not a CRT model?

oh, thanks.. I should've clarified that this is the TV in question.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Rick Saunders wrote:

Has it been determined that Bob's TV is not a CRT model?

oh, thanks.. I should've clarified that this is the TV in question.

Baller. Probably no finer instrument exists for watching Your Show of Shows.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Rick Saunders wrote:

Has it been determined that Bob's TV is not a CRT model?

oh, thanks.. I should've clarified that this is the TV in question.

Awesome set up. It’ll be easy to set your cable box on top of.

Rick Saunders wrote:

Robert J Sakimano wrote: oh, thanks.. I should've clarified that this is the TV in question.

Baller. Probably no finer instrument exists for watching Your Show of Shows.

It's such a sweet instrument that I flip it to The Price Is Right and Bob Barker is telling someone how to play Plinko.

Robert J Sakimano wrote:

Rick Saunders wrote:

Has it been determined that Bob's TV is not a CRT model?

oh, thanks.. I should've clarified that this is the TV in question.

A shelf built out of 2 x 6 framing might be needed.