The Home Improvement Thread

[Wormius]

Shower question: we have a metal framed shower where there is aluminum edging around all of the glass panes. In a few spots by the base, there is a black rubber seal between the glass and the metal frame where it has disintegrated. For the life of me though, where do you find an exact replacement? Also, if I try to remove the bottom part of the frame is the glass going to crash down?

It looks like similar to this (spoiler for size):

Spoiler!

[CarlLester]

If I need to shut off my water at curb side shut off, do I need to get the city to do that?

We called the city and they are not coming any time soon. Our plumber tried but it seems that it is seized, so we are back to waiting for the city anyway.

I was just wondering if you 'have to' let the city do that?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by CarlLester

If I need to shut off my water at curb side shut off, do I need to get the city to do that?

We called the city and they are not coming any time soon. Our plumber tried but it seems that it is seized, so we are back to waiting for the city anyway.

I was just wondering if you 'have to' let the city do that?

You need a special tool, but if you break the valve, you buy it. If the plumber found it was seized, you don't have much choice. I was in the exact same situation a few years ago. I think technically plumbers aren't allowed to do it either, or at least don't like to, due to the liability.

[Wormius]

Hmm. Another bathroom related question for plumbing experts. One of our old toilets (dual flush, Rona special from like 2007 or 2008) overflowed from the tank. It could be manually flushed, but the tank neither stopped filling nor did the overflow valve work. Any thoughts on what could have happened? When the water was filling, I tried to activate the float mechanism and it didn't stop the water flow. Once the water in the tank got high, it didn't empty into the bowl like I'd have expected.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Hmm. Another bathroom related question for plumbing experts. One of our old toilets (dual flush, Rona special from like 2007 or 2008) overflowed from the tank. It could be manually flushed, but the tank neither stopped filling nor did the overflow valve work. Any thoughts on what could have happened? When the water was filling, I tried to activate the float mechanism and it didn't stop the water flow. Once the water in the tank got high, it didn't empty into the bowl like I'd have expected.

Thats strange cause the standpipe should be open to prevent the overflow. need pics to understand issue.

As for the shower, most of the one's I've installed the glass and frame were already assembled so the seal was done at factory. In theory it would be replaceable but I think you'd need to know the manufacturer and model, which they change frequently. It's a tight fit too so would be tough to change.

[timun]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Hmm. Another bathroom related question for plumbing experts. One of our old toilets (dual flush, Rona special from like 2007 or 2008) overflowed from the tank. It could be manually flushed, but the tank neither stopped filling nor did the overflow valve work. Any thoughts on what could have happened? When the water was filling, I tried to activate the float mechanism and it didn't stop the water flow. Once the water in the tank got high, it didn't empty into the bowl like I'd have expected.

How high is the overflow tube? You may need to cut it down with a hacksaw.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by speede5

Thats strange cause the standpipe should be open to prevent the overflow. need pics to understand issue.

As for the shower, most of the one's I've installed the glass and frame were already assembled so the seal was done at factory. In theory it would be replaceable but I think you'd need to know the manufacturer and model, which they change frequently. It's a tight fit too so would be tough to change.

Originally Posted by timun

How high is the overflow tube? You may need to cut it down with a hacksaw.

Regarding the toilet, I was mistaken about the overflow, it was working, but the valve to the toilet was on full-blast, so I think it couldn't keep up. I was able to disassemble the fill valve where the washers and diaphragm are located (it's kind of similar to the Glacier Bay dual flush toilets) and they were pretty disintegrated. I ended up going to HD and getting one of those Korky universal replacement kits and it's working like a charm now.

That's disappointing about the shower frames. I looked around HD to see if they had anything remotely similar, but I couldn't find it. I wonder what an alternative is though? Is there a caulking that wouldn't look like crap?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Regarding the toilet, I was mistaken about the overflow, it was working, but the valve to the toilet was on full-blast, so I think it couldn't keep up. I was able to disassemble the fill valve where the washers and diaphragm are located (it's kind of similar to the Glacier Bay dual flush toilets) and they were pretty disintegrated. I ended up going to HD and getting one of those Korky universal replacement kits and it's working like a charm now.

That's disappointing about the shower frames. I looked around HD to see if they had anything remotely similar, but I couldn't find it. I wonder what an alternative is though? Is there a caulking that wouldn't look like crap?

Can you remove the whole unit and take it to a glass shop(Chinook Glass is great)? Or maybe they have a mobile service and they can replace the seals? You could email them pictures and see if they have any ideas for you.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Can anyone recommend someone for gas fireplace cleaning and to install a blower fan on it?

[Calgary14]

How big of a deal is it to see mice in the backyard in winter? Should I set a trap?

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Can anyone recommend someone for gas fireplace cleaning and to install a blower fan on it?

I would call Western Heating and Gas and talk to Scott, he can likely set you up.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

How big of a deal is it to see mice in the backyard in winter? Should I set a trap?

Could be voles too. If so your lawn will be trashed in the spring but I don't know what can be done, the little buggers are tough to get rid of.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

Could be voles too. If so your lawn will be trashed in the spring but I don't know what can be done, the little buggers are tough to get rid of.

Get a cat, or two. :-)

[Calgary14]

What happened was MIL thought it would be neat to stock a bird feeder in the back. So the birds ate it all and made a huge mess dropping almost half the seeds which has attracted the mice or whatever they are. I was shocked/impressed they were out at -20 weather

[Aegypticus]

I’m visiting my parents for Christmas and their furnace blower motor went out. Luckily they were able to get someone in to look at it today, but they’re being quoted $2000 for an OEM replacement. I think they have a pretty high-end furnace, but that sounds completely insane for an electric motor. Am I out to lunch?

[timun]

If it's a newer furnace with an ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor), yeah, it's very plausible that the replacement will cost $2000.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

What happened was MIL thought it would be neat to stock a bird feeder in the back. So the birds ate it all and made a huge mess dropping almost half the seeds which has attracted the mice or whatever they are. I was shocked/impressed they were out at -20 weather

We've had bird feeders for years, so long as your house is well sealed the mice won't get inside. We don't even have an issue with voles, we've seen them before but they've never ruined our lawn. I worry about catching birds and other wildlife in traps outside. Always leave a handful set in our basement in the event they get in, but we haven't seen it in 5 years in this house.

[jeffh]

There could also be an ecm module that would need to be replaced. I hear those aren’t cheap either. Do you know if they were diligent in keeping the furnace filters changed regularly and only using 1” thick filters? I have a feeling dirty/clogged filters or insufficient airflow through the furnace is causing premature failing of those motors.

[Aegypticus]

Originally Posted by jeffh

There could also be an ecm module that would need to be replaced. I hear those aren’t cheap either. Do you know if they were diligent in keeping the furnace filters changed regularly and only using 1” thick filters? I have a feeling dirty/clogged filters or insufficient airflow through the furnace is causing premature failing of those motors.

I think they’ve been on top of maintenance. They have some kind of fancy electronic filter. Just unfortunate that this failure happened just a couple of months after the main board had to be replaced under warranty when it died. That part was subject to a recall iirc. The tech also said there is another motor in there that sounds a little grindy. Seems to be a lot of issues for a 9 year old furnace, but apparently still cheaper than a whole new unit would be at $6-7k.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Alright, how do I reduce kick drum noise?

My back neighbour approached me last year and said he was building a studio in his garage for his band, and was trying his best to soundproof the hell out of it. But was giving me polite warning that it may be noisy. He did a pretty good job, but I can hear his kick drum anywhere in my house. Even in my basement. Forget about outside, that dream died the second he had this idea. But I’d really like to reduce the amount of pounding I hear sitting on my couch.

We had discussed replacing the fence between us, and both agreed on 6’. That was before this. I am thinking of going for maximum permitted 8’ now even though I won’t like the fortress like appearance of it. It has to help right?