The Home Improvement Thread

[speede5]

I have seen a lot more concrete basements needing massive repairs than wood. Of all the wood foundations I've seen not one was compromised in any way.

Cracks, bows, heaves. So many ways for a foundation to fail but it all boils down to proper construction.

Even if a wall is having issues there are better options than replacing the entire foundation. It is pretty rare to have to replace an entire foundation of any material.

[d00little]

Originally Posted by speede5

I have seen a lot more concrete basements needing massive repairs than wood. Of all the wood foundations I've seen not one was compromised in any way.

Cracks, bows, heaves. So many ways for a foundation to fail but it all boils down to proper construction.

Even if a wall is having issues there are better options than replacing the entire foundation. It is pretty rare to have to replace an entire foundation of any material.

Yeah, my only reasoning for considering this option was if a new foundation costs (let's say) $50K and it would get you a resale price $75K higher (in addition to selling in a fraction of the time), it would seem like it would be a good investment.

[Ironhorse]

So I have a jackass neighbour who has been "renovating" his house and yard just down the alley from me. Started in July. Looks like it's just him and his Bobcat and his buddy. Thus far he built a new deck (whatever, that part looks nice) but now he's put up an eyesore of a 3'+ concrete pony wall (built the forms himself out of old fence boards) with about an 8' fence on top to separate his yard from the alley. Built himself a pad in the alley out of left over concrete for his bins too. Did I mention the doorway in the fence that drops 3' down? I don't see how a monstrosity like this project could not contravene a bylaw or two.

This guy has never been one to have friendly interactions with the neighbourhood, but now he's taken pissing off the neighbourhood to a whole new level. Always starts after 7:00am and ends right at 10:00, so he's not technically breaking any noise laws, but we've been listening to this amateur show for 8 weeks now. Forget sleeping in a bit, going to bed early with the window open, or enjoying your deck.

My wife thinks we should just call by-law on him. Is there actually a way to have those boys casually happen to come by and check this thing out?

[Fuzz]

That fence is probably illegal height and he can't pour concrete in the alley, unless it is inside his property line. Call 311. Unfortunately it will probably lead to a longer period of noise as he fixes all of it.

And now you made me feel guilty for my garage build...though I'm usually done by 7:00pm because I'm worn out by then! I don't use noisy stuff until 9:00am.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by d00little

Yeah, my only reasoning for considering this option was if a new foundation costs (let's say) $50K and it would get you a resale price $75K higher (in addition to selling in a fraction of the time), it would seem like it would be a good investment.

If your willing to sink 50K into reno's to flip a house you would be much better off updating something from the 80's (kitchens and baths) then replacing a foundation that is structurally sound.

[jwslam]

Originally Posted by speede5

If your willing to sink 50K into reno's to flip a house you would be much better off updating something from the 80's (kitchens and baths) then replacing a foundation that is structurally sound.

When someone giving advice randomly uses apostrophe s, doesn't understand the difference between "then" and "than", and "your" and "you're"...

Let me break down what you just said as the receiver of your advice: "If my willing to skin 50k into reno (possessive) to flip a house I would be much better off updating something from the 80's. Afterwards, replace a foundation that is structurally sound."

[Fuzz]

I'd rather take renovation advice from someone in the industry that sucks at English than an English major who knows nothing about foundations...

Maybe he is on his phone, maybe in a rush, maybe had a Pilsner or 15...doesn't mean his advice is bad.


...and you spelled "sink" wrong...

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by jwslam

When someone giving advice randomly uses apostrophe s, doesn't understand the difference between "then" and "than", and "your" and "you're"...

Let me break down what you just said as the receiver of your advice: "If my willing to skin 50k into reno (possessive) to flip a house I would be much better off updating something from the 80's. Afterwards, replace a foundation that is structurally sound."

When someone is a dink.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by jwslam

When someone giving advice randomly uses apostrophe s, doesn't understand the difference between "then" and "than", and "your" and "you're"...

Let me break down what you just said as the receiver of your advice: "If my willing to skin 50k into reno (possessive) to flip a house I would be much better off updating something from the 80's. Afterwards, replace a foundation that is structurally sound."

Is this necessary?

[speede5]

You got me on the bad grammar but my opinion still stands.

Thanks for the defense Fuzz, I don't think I should be considered exactly in the industry, I've just done a lot of renos, and have been subcontracting on the side for a few years. I have owned houses with structural issues, and built a couple basement suites in houses with foundation issues (which we resolved).

I have a lot of connections in town in real estate and construction, and have dealt with engineers to repair, replace, and shore up foundations, but I wouldn't consider myself an expert. Just a handyman who will tackle almost anything.

[jwslam]

Originally Posted by speede5

You got me on the bad grammar but my opinion still stands.

I'm not picking on you for bad advice, I'm just saying that the way it's written says to do the kitchen/bathroom, followed by doing the foundation after. That's the difference between 'then' and 'than'.

[surferguy]

It seems to me that you are just being pedantic about grammar when it was pretty clear what he was getting at.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by jwslam

I'm not picking on you for bad advice, I'm just saying that the way it's written says to do the kitchen/bathroom, followed by doing the foundation after. That's the difference between 'then' and 'than'.

Now if you could just figure out periods and commas we could build a decent basement at a good price.

[jwslam]

Originally Posted by surferguy

It seems to me that you are just being pedantic about grammar when it was pretty clear what he was getting at.

Tell that to the guy who reads that and goes to do a bathroom/kitchen reno, followed by fixing the foundation.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by jwslam

Tell that to the guy who reads that and goes to do a bathroom/kitchen reno, followed by fixing the foundation.

That will never happen now because of you. You're a hero, pat yourself on the back.

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by jwslam

Tell that to the guy who reads that and goes to do a bathroom/kitchen reno, followed by fixing the foundation.

Read his post again, he is advocating spending that money on a kitchen or bathroom instead of fixing something that isn't broken.

It is obvious that you completely overlooked that to jump on a guy about his grammar. Now you won't back down from your position by going Kayne West on him.

"I respect your opinion and imma let you finish but before you give advice make sure that your grammar is correct."


Keep that up, it's a great way to earn respect around here.

[Ironhorse]

Does anyone know what the rules are for running construction equipment at night in a residential neighborhood? Ass-hat neighbor is at it again in the back alley with his bobcat at 9:30pm, and the kids can't sleep because of the constant scraping and beeping.

[llwhiteoutll]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Does anyone know what the rules are for running construction equipment at night in a residential neighborhood? Ass-hat neighbor is at it again in the back alley with his bobcat at 9:30pm, and the kids can't sleep because of the constant scraping and beeping.

He's good until 10PM

[s_procee]

He is permitted to until 10, he is just not constructing by "good neighbour" standards.

You should check to see if he has a permit or if there are safety violations.

Had to edit before Mr. Grammer show's up

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by s_procee

He is permitted to until 10, he is just not constructing by "good neighbour" standards.

You should check to see if he has a permit or if there are safety violations.

Had to edit before Mr. Grammer show's up

Did you mean: Grammar