The Home Improvement Thread

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

The issue with plumbing fixtures is if you get then yourself and end up with one with an issue, then they'll stand around twiddling their thumbs and it ain't their fault. So make sure you spend a bit extra for a contingency if something shows up wonky.

One way to get plumbing fixtures and sinks for really cheap is to aim at open box/broken box and returns where someone just didn't like the look. You can potentially save thousands of dollars if you wait on certain premium fixtures to go on clearance when the entire line is going to be discontinued etc. That's what I did. Heck, I bought a bunch of extras the open box/returns etc. were so cheap. But a refresh where we could just switch gears to something different isn't potentially the same as a build where they get specific sub contractors.

Yeah, I have a list of proposed fixtures now and can use that to get pricing on alternatives. It honestly doesn't seem like the contractors' pricing is any better than I could do just going to Home Depot, so I'll probably do that. The main thing is trying to find a tub in the size I want (72" long alcove, 32" to 36" wide) that isn't obnoxiously expensive. Trying to get one of FB marketplace etc but you're sort of at the mercy of what happens to be there.

I wish freestanding tubs weren't trendy. Lots of those around, and they are quite impractical IMO.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yeah, I have a list of proposed fixtures now and can use that to get pricing on alternatives. It honestly doesn't seem like the contractors' pricing is any better than I could do just going to Home Depot, so I'll probably do that. The main thing is trying to find a tub in the size I want (72" long alcove, 32" to 36" wide) that isn't obnoxiously expensive. Trying to get one of FB marketplace etc but you're sort of at the mercy of what happens to be there.

I wish freestanding tubs weren't trendy. Lots of those around, and they are quite impractical IMO.

Due to your location, what about sourcing one from the US?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I've looked but it seems like a pain to try to get one back over the border.

Anyway, check it out, I have a floor.

[Geraldsh]

Camera angle puts quite a slope on it - or - you’ll know where to find your marbles.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Figured I'd throw in some angles from the front.

New stuff... I'm contemplating doing polished slab flooring in the main room with tile in the kitchen. Got a new quote from a fireplace installer on a wood stove insert... 9000. Not outrageous but more than I was hoping. Going to see if there is another option but might just be the reality these days.

Still waffling on those two colours but you can see from the front how it might look with either of them.




Colour swatches:

Spoiler!

[Wormius]

The Country Lane Red looks like it would fit in well with the natural surroundings.

[Wormius]

PolyB replacement. If you want to be totally depressed by when you witness your finished basement being turned into swiss cheese.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Wormius

PolyB replacement. If you want to be totally depressed by when you witness your finished basement being turned into swiss cheese.

I don't get what any of this means.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I don't get what any of this means.

We’re getting all of the polyb pipes replaced in our house. Many sections of walls and ceilings have been cut open.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I don't get what any of this means.

So Poly B was a type of plumbing pipe that is prone to failure if it was left exposed to the sun. Now think of all the time that construction materials are left outside. After the pipe is processed, on the back of a delivery truck, at a plumbing companys office, on site waiting to be installed. Basically if this pipe was covered from the sun it poses little to no issue, but there is no way of knowing its history so the safe play is to bite the bullet and replace it.

They cut holes absolutely everywhere to remove the Poly B piping and install the new stuff.

[Wormius]

We are also in the midst of some kitchen and bathroom renos that are going to require some plumbing and drain changes, so this logically made the most sense to do it now, but the amount of destruction surprised me. I thought it could be done more surgically, but I guess not. On the bright side, they exposed most of the gas lines, so can get this roughed in for gas stove and bbq.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

So Poly B was a type of plumbing pipe that is prone to failure if it was left exposed to the sun. Now think of all the time that construction materials are left outside. After the pipe is processed, on the back of a delivery truck, at a plumbing companys office, on site waiting to be installed. Basically if this pipe was covered from the sun it poses little to no issue, but there is no way of knowing its history so the safe play is to bite the bullet and replace it.

They cut holes absolutely everywhere to remove the Poly B piping and install the new stuff.

Funny thing is PEX also degrades when exposed to UV.

People just didn't listen back then.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Wormius

We are also in the midst of some kitchen and bathroom renos that are going to require some plumbing and drain changes, so this logically made the most sense to do it now, but the amount of destruction surprised me. I thought it could be done more surgically, but I guess not. On the bright side, they exposed most of the gas lines, so can get this roughed in for gas stove and bbq.

At least you got to double dip with getting gas lines installed. Is there any new electric cables you want installed for the future? Maybe 240v to the garage for a car charger or a hot tub? I did those when our basement was being finished just to future proof the house.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

At least you got to double dip with getting gas lines installed. Is there any new electric cables you want installed for the future? Maybe 240v to the garage for a car charger or a hot tub? I did those when our basement was being finished just to future proof the house.

Definitely will pursue the 240v to the garage for charging. It’s basically a straight shot now between the panel and the garage. Hopefully the panel would support it.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Definitely will pursue the 240v to the garage for charging. It’s basically a straight shot now between the panel and the garage. Hopefully the panel would support it.

For sure, get it done now. Also consider extra data cabling you may want for hardwired connections. The damage to the ceiling is already done so now is the time

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

For sure, get it done now. Also consider extra data cabling you may want for hardwired connections. The damage to the ceiling is already done so now is the time

I did all of the network cabling years ago. It was pretty painful because I was trying to minimize the damage. It was a lot of fishing and magnets and everything. I am not sure if I can do the charger? Our panel is only 100A.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I did all of the network cabling years ago. It was pretty painful because I was trying to minimize the damage. It was a lot of fishing and magnets and everything. I am not sure if I can do the charger? Our panel is only 100A.

Tough to say without knowing the full set up of your house. If I were you I would at least run the cable, terminate it in a plug but not connect it to your panel. This generally isn’t ok to do in accordance to code but for cost / convenience I would absolutely be doing it now and try to slide it under the radar.

Then when you go to “get a car charger installed” you can have your set up looked at by an electrician, permitted appropriately, and installed at a much lower cost and with less damage to your house.

[lucky1]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I did all of the network cabling years ago. It was pretty painful because I was trying to minimize the damage. It was a lot of fishing and magnets and everything. I am not sure if I can do the charger? Our panel is only 100A.

is there a sub panel in the garage already? if yes, what's the size of the breaker feeding that panel? or is there just 1 or 2 120V circuits pulled out to the garage? if you're pulling electrical permits now, it would be the time to install a sub panel in the garage (if not already done), and then a dryer plug pulled from that garage panel. Charging stations don't need to be hardwired, they can simply be 'plugged' in to a standard 220V dryer plug -

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I did all of the network cabling years ago. It was pretty painful because I was trying to minimize the damage. It was a lot of fishing and magnets and everything. I am not sure if I can do the charger? Our panel is only 100A.

You will likely need a load management relay of some sort with your charger, so if you have an electric dryer or oven it will allow them to run over your charger. It’s not an issue because you are pairing the charger with something that has intermittent usage.

Most homes that go to a level 2 charger that have either an ac or hot tub are gonna need this solution since you won’t want to upgrade your service and there’s really no need to anyways as the load management keeps your below the limit of the panel.

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Lots of info...

[/spoiler]

Dude. You are the most informative and generous with your knowledge poster on this site. All of those tips are well worth considering and the fact you even think of this stuff is pretty impressive. Every post is detailed with tons of info.

I have thought this for a while and just wanted to let you know it is appreciated.

Thanks.