The Home Improvement Thread

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Roofmart delivered mine to my roof in 2022.


I found the people at the order desk helpful for discussion and getting everything I needed.

Thanks! That must have been it, I'll reach out to them Monday.

[Wormius]

Anybody have the non-salt water softener like this:

https://www.rona.ca/en/product/calma...-000-330001570

Curious is its effective and takes up less space than the typical type of water softener.

[BlackArcher101]

No scientific evidence they work. And I wouldn't gamble by paying nearly $600 for a device that is just wire coils and a simple power source. You could DIY one yourself easily for 1/10 the price, or just strap some powerful magnets onto the side of your pipe.

[Fuzz]

It's weird how they've been tested for decades and found to do nothing, yet still sell for... $600! That's some good snake oil.

the resulting scale formation and other water characteristics were compared with those found during a test with no water treatment and a test with chemical treatment with a polyphosphate additive. No beneficial effect was found when using the magnetic device. 6 refs., 6 figs., 4 tabs.

https://www.osti.gov/biblio/567404

[Wormius]

Damn. That’s disappointing. Don’t have much space in mechanical room for a traditional water softener.

[Fuzz]

When I got my on demand HWH installed the plumber was pushing this type of filter for them:


https://watts-oneflow.com/en/


I haven't looked into them at all, but maybe worth looking in to?

[mrkajz44]

On my ceramic stovetop the middle burner of a three zone burner stopped working (the outer two rings still work, but the middle zone is dead. I lifted up the top and quickly realized I was out of my element (ha!). Any suggestions for someone to call for a repair?

[photon]

I've always had good service from the guy from these guys that services the Chestermere area (not sure if it's more than one tech): https://www.appliancedoctorrepair.com/

15+ years now I think I've used them.

[Wormius]

Who was the stove manufacturer? Sometimes they have some decent technicians. I know when our LG Tromm washing machine was having difficulties, I contacted the support on their website and somebody came out from the of the local repair shops.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Alright I have a pretty niche question I can’t seem to solve. I needed to replace my hose bib outside. Brick wall. The previous owner ran it right through an intersection of grout. The hose bibs have these little dinky attachment points and I can’t screw into anything for at least an inch away. Ideally 2”.

I found hose bib adaptors on the US homedepot site, but not for Canada. Is there a term for this sort of bracket? This little hiccup has all but killed most of my garden the last week…

[Fuzz]

Do you mean something like this?


https://www.amazon.ca/Hose-Bib-Buddy...=UP5UVd-GkSqUH


You could probably make something yourself with a piece of scrap metal if you can't find them for a reasonable price.


You may also be able to secure the pipe from the inside with a hose clamp or pipe bracket.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Alright I should have clarified that I also found it on Amazon….

Any other options? Making it isn’t a bad idea but the last thing I need is another step added.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Figured I'd update with a couple of shots to show it painted with flooring and cabinet installation underway.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Who was the stove manufacturer? Sometimes they have some decent technicians. I know when our LG Tromm washing machine was having difficulties, I contacted the support on their website and somebody came out from the of the local repair shops.

We didn't buy the stove ourselves - it was in the home when we bought it many years ago. It's a Kenmore Elite, so I think that was Sears?

I'll try appliance doctor - looks like they serve my area in Calgary.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Alright I should have clarified that I also found it on Amazon….

Any other options? Making it isn’t a bad idea but the last thing I need is another step added.

Was Fuzz right correct that it's a spigot mounting plate or is the part something else?

Is there some type of pipe flange or shower pipe cover thing that could work or something like an old faucet plate that can be adapted cheaply to what you're looking for to install outside?

Something like this?

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/moe...MaAnOsEALw_wcB

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/moe...4718?rrec=true

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

We didn't buy the stove ourselves - it was in the home when we bought it many years ago. It's a Kenmore Elite, so I think that was Sears?

I'll try appliance doctor - looks like they serve my area in Calgary.

Check your appliance model to see if there was a recall or notice on it first. I had a fridge that was in the home I bought and the board fried. It left the light on and sorta melted some stuff from the heat of the incandescent bulb. There was an initial recall notice from almost 10 year prior. I contacted manufacturer to ask if I could purchase the part mentioned in the recall so that I could get someone to repair it for me, but instead manufacturer sent someone to fix it for free.

[jwslam]

Any suggestions on who can install something like this
Pretty specific dimensions since it's replacing an existing cabinet

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by jwslam

Any suggestions on who can install something like this
Pretty specific dimensions since it's replacing an existing cabinet

I think Richelieu makes something like that and would probably have some recommendations for installers. They have some shops in Calgary.

For me, having one of those now, I find them cumbersome and awkward if you don’t have all of your spices and oils in uniformly shaped containers. In our situation, with various Chinese cooking condiments and spices, you have to keep it stuffed so things don’t fall over.

Spice drawers seem like a good idea but not really well-executed. That’s just my opinion though, if you have one and like it, that’s great.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Flooring done. Tiles going in today.



The tilers have suggested I go with a stack layout instead of staggered, which is fine, they know their business. But the issue is that the tiles are not exactly the same size, apparently - some of them are off by a MM or so. Which I am hoping does not show up after they've been grouted...

Next I have to figure out the hood vent for the stove. It vents out a wall, but it's a chimney style hood fan so I guess I'm just going to end up with a chimney all the way up to the 11 foot ceiling over the cabinets that doesn't technically do anything. They also have to move the vent so it's centered.



Everything about this process is just stress inducing. Looking forward to being able to get furniture in there.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Flooring done. Tiles going in today.



The tilers have suggested I go with a stack layout instead of staggered, which is fine, they know their business. But the issue is that the tiles are not exactly the same size, apparently - some of them are off by a MM or so. Which I am hoping does not show up after they've been grouted.

Framing the wall at the end of the tub, flush to the tub face is a mistake from s finishing perspective. Should have extended that 3-4" so the tile finishes on a wall face, not right at the wall corner.