The Home Improvement Thread

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Titan2

So that works like a giant kitty litter?

I am surprised you don't have plumbing. Oh, well, you crazy BC hippies.

THAT'S what the litter boxes in schools look like. I kept picturing the small ones I use for my cat and couldn't figure out how a teenager would properly use that!

Spoiler!

that didnt actually need green text, did it?

[Fuzz]

That's the poop deck.

[Fuzz]

I've got a fence that's the sienna brown PT. I'd like to take care of this before it becomes that faded black streaky mess that they eventually all degrade into.


I know you can buy the brown cut ends treatment, but is that the best to re-coat with? I assume some sort of stain is what I'm actually looking for. I'm happy with the colour now, what product should I be going with? It's less than 15 feet of fence, so not concerned on buying the absolute cheapest thing.

[puffnstuff]

I used the cut ends treatment stuff to seal/paint some planter boxes I made. Been at leas 4 years now, still look good. I did it more because I had 3/4ths of the can left and no where else to really use it, so itd just sit on the shelf otherwise.

[Fuzz]

Ya, I did use up mine on one area of the fence that was going to be inaccessible. It's fine, I'm just not sure the longevity.

[sketchyt]

Anyone have recommendations for one of those dirt/soil-in-a-giant-bag delivery places to re-seed a lawn? Would also like recommendations on grass seed.

[mrkajz44]

I think I have voles under my front concrete walk and steps. I'm hoping they are recent as the damage to the grass is very minimal and very close to the holes themselves.

Any recommendations for extermination? I don't want to do anything myself via traps as it's out front and there is a bit too much foot traffic out there to just lay out a bunch of snap traps.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Anyone have recommendations for one of those dirt/soil-in-a-giant-bag delivery places to re-seed a lawn? Would also like recommendations on grass seed.

I've used a few different bag suppliers on different occasions and they're all pretty similar. Landscape Supply Guys is my current go to, but I wouldn't overthink it.

For seed last year I used Manderley seed for some bare spots because it's the same mix as their sod, but I'm not a lawn guy so I couldn't tell you if it's good or not. It seems to turn into grass though and that's the important part to me.

[topfiverecords]

Eagle Lake is often recommened for landscape supply.

I used Bark Mulch Depot once and it was decent.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I think I have voles under my front concrete walk and steps. I'm hoping they are recent as the damage to the grass is very minimal and very close to the holes themselves.

Any recommendations for extermination? I don't want to do anything myself via traps as it's out front and there is a bit too much foot traffic out there to just lay out a bunch of snap traps.

I've successfully used Peregrine Pest Control for a few years to deal with mice. Responsive and good service. Local company too.

[Titan2]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I've successfully used Peregrine Pest Control for a few years to deal with mice. Responsive and good service. Local company too.

WTF? They don't use birds? What a let down.

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I've successfully used Peregrine Pest Control for a few years to deal with mice. Responsive and good service. Local company too.

Gave them a call and booked an appointment. Sounded professional and knew what they were doing. Thanks for the recommendation!

[photon]

Was looking again at those large louvered pergolas at Costco...



The feet I assume you would just bolt to the deck surface.. mine is plywood with that vinyl deck stuff on top, I guess my concern would be keeping the waterproof nature of the deck surface, bolting it down puts holes in that. Would some kind of silicone sealant rated for outdoor use be sufficient?

I'd just be afraid that making some kind of weights wouldn't be enough for how windy it can get where I am.

[CroFlames]

You can easily seal up the screw hole, yes.

But I would imagine you'd have to screw/bolt that honker to the actual deck joists because if your louvers are closed and a wind picks up... sayonara.

[photon]

Yeah or put blocking between the joists where the feet are to attach to and bolt into those

[Cappy]

Has anyone gotten the 3M film guard for their countertops rather than annual seals?

I just installed quartzite and it was mentioned that some people are installing this rather than sealant. Some companies will do it for a few hundred - couple thousand depending on the size.

Wondering if it's worth it.

EDIT: i cant remember the name of it in canada but i believe its marketed as Stoneguard in the US: https://www.stoneguardusa.com/

[Fuzz]

Do you need to do anything to quartz? I never have.

[Shazam]

Wow it's the white person version of Asians wrapping their couches in vinyl.

[kevman]

I'd never invest in nice materials only to cover them up. Things look used when you used them, that's kind of the point.

But then again I don't wrap cars or bikes or electronics or anything else I own.

[Wormius]

I don’t think you need anything for quartz. Just clean up spills in a timely fashion. For things that stained, just went lightly with a magic eraser.