The Home Improvement Thread

[Ashasx]

Does anybody know a contractor that might be able to help with subfloor and stairwell creaking in my home?

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by cupofjoe

Hi all, I just noticed this reference to my company. I am the regional manager in Calgary for Cupboards Express. I am little late to respond to this particular post but if you have any questions regarding Kitchens, you can ask in this thread or DM if you like.

Originally Posted by Shazam View Post
If you're willing to wait a bit there's a few places in town that have better quality stuff "ready to assemble" as it were.

e.g. http://www.cupboardsexpress.com/

(I have no idea how good this company is, just did a googles search).

Quick answer to Shazam post. We are actually not a ready to assemble type of cabinet rather our cabinets come pre-assembled. Many DYI's use our cabinets and pick it up at the dock door. We also have delivery and installation for those who prefer these services.

Most of kitchens are ready in 3-5 weeks from deposit date. This includes custom size cabinets as well.

[dubc80]

Anyone here interested in a very small job?
I bought a bi-fold closet door, but its a little bit too wide, so it does not close.

I just need to have a strip taken off of it.

I think all I need is someone with a table saw and probably some horses to support it as you slide it along.

The place I bought I from is not interested in doing this.

Anyone interested and have the capability and tools?

[photon]

How big a strip? A lot of those doors are hollow so you have to be careful on how much you can take off.

[dubc80]

Originally Posted by photon

How big a strip? A lot of those doors are hollow so you have to be careful on how much you can take off.

I'd have to re-measure. Not a ton. Maybe 1/2" to 3/4"? Dont think it would be more than 1" for sure.

I think I can get away with taking a bit off each side if needed since there is a bit of give depending on where you place the door on the track hardware at the top and bottom.

[photon]

I don't really know how thick the solid part on the sides is, I've only trimmed the bottom off of hollow core doors.

[surferguy]

How wide are the doors? I might be able to help you out without much of an issue. It doesn’t seem like it’s a big ask at first glance. I’ve got a couple different ways that it could be done. What part of the city you in?

You could come tonight if you want.


From Google:

how much can you cut off the sides of a bifold door?

Remember, you only have about an inch and a half available to lose from the average hollow core door. If you need to take off more than that, think about replacing the door instead. Start by drawing a pencil line to show where you're cutting, then grab a knife and a guide and score the surface of the door.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Can anyone recommend a blind company that might have these style rolling blinds?

Spoiler!

The outside blind is a full black panel, and the inside one is a half black mesh. Most of our windows have both, but the kitchen window only has the inside mesh panel. It's a west facing window and even with the mesh blind drawn the sun is too bright when eating in the summer evenings. I'd really like to find a company that can just install a full black blind to match all the other windows instead of replacing the existing mesh one with something completely different

[calgarygeologist]

For all the AC folks, is there any routine or regular service that should be done on the AC unit? The unit is about 20 years old and in the ten years that we've owned the house I've never done anything to the unit other than housing it off periodically. The significant other says I should call someone in for a service but is there anything that actually needs to be done? It still blows cold and isn't loud or anything so I don't really have any concerns.

[timun]

If your condenser (the outdoor unit) has a fan without sealed bearings it should be oiled every year. At 20-years-old, it's probably sealed and fine as-is. Check for damage to the fins; if they're bent, you can get a tool called a fin comb and straighten them. Otherwise just keep it clean.

The evaporator (the coil inside the duct above your furnace) should be periodically cleaned; it's generally not something you're going to be able to do yourself. Make sure you change your furnace filter regularly.

If you find the air coming out your registers is warm or the volume of air seems noticeably less than usual, check the evaporator; it may become blocked with ice if it's overtaxed. Often the cause is low refrigerant level in the system, however anything related to refrigerant pressure/leaks, don't DIY: call a tech.

[iggy_oi]

My hot water tank may have bit the dust. Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced plumbing company to replace it?

[kevman]

Is there such thing as a temporary roof fix? Something one step better than a tarp that doesn't include new shingles?

We've got some old T-lock shingles that are in bad shape. They don't leak and we're looking at an addition in the next year or two so it doesn't seem worth the cost (or environmental impact) to redo the roof. However they do fill our eavestroughs up with asphalt after it rains and sometimes stray shingles end up in the trees. That and they're pretty unsightly.

Can I roll a tar over the old shingles or something like that?

[Fuzz]

I patched in some shingles in a few spots when I needed to make it through the winter, but it sounds like your whole roof is really bad. I just had a few spots around vents to replace.

[Wormius]

TIL that maneuvering the plumbing snake down the overflow works so much better than trying to get it through the drain to clear a clog in the bathtub. And it seems to actually go in the right direction. Holy cow, I was wondering why I was never able to effectively get it to drain normally.

[FLAME ENVY]

Originally Posted by iggy_oi

My hot water tank may have bit the dust. Does anyone have any recommendations for a reasonably priced plumbing company to replace it?

We used Tank King for our last replacement and they were great.

[TheIronMaiden]

Can someone tell me their preference between a oxygen injection and green sand iron filters?

[psyang]

We have a water leak in one of our bay windows. It appears to be coming from the flashing around the windows, or maybe the casing. We'd rather not replace the windows outright - does anyone know of a place that will do window repairs? Or is replacement my only option?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by psyang

We have a water leak in one of our bay windows. It appears to be coming from the flashing around the windows, or maybe the casing. We'd rather not replace the windows outright - does anyone know of a place that will do window repairs? Or is replacement my only option?

If it's from the top I can pretty well guarantee you it's the drip edge flashing. That is replaceable and a fairly easy repair if you have vinyl siding.

[psyang]

Originally Posted by Shazam

If it's from the top I can pretty well guarantee you it's the drip edge flashing. That is replaceable and a fairly easy repair if you have vinyl siding.

The drip flashing was replaced last year. The window configuration is a bit complicated (it's a large, multi-window bay window), so I suspect it is the casing that separates a couple windows that is the issue.

Any recommendations for a repair company who can diagnose and fix the issue?

[powderjunkie]

We have a couple weak spots on our deck (ground level) where the cut edge of deckboards are rotting...I'm looking for a thin material to overlay and beef them up - only needs to last 1-2 seasons as we are thinking about a bigger design change to the deck/backyard so I don't want to replace the boards yet.

Obviously hardboard won't work, but looking for something like outdoor-rated hardboard? just needs to be thin and reasonably strong...