The Home Improvement Thread

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Dude that deck isn't even grey yet. You're good for a while.

Reminds me I need to start looking into who's going to build me a deck once the weather warms up.

[arcfyr]

Thanks guys! I won't worry about anything for awhile then - onto finding other things!

[OMG!WTF!]

I agree that your deck is perfectly fine as is now and likely for many more years. But if it really starts bugging you or you wnat a project I think you'd get more out of replacing the existing boards with a new composite that will never require staining and will look the same in 30 years and won't warp, twist or move. Sanding and staining really sucks. It's cheap but depending on your wood, it may be something you have to do every couple years. You'll see a huge improvement with a new deck top. It's also something you can take on yourself easily. No permits required or anything.

[Madman]

Or just get some nice outdoor carpets and fasten them down to the deck.

[arcfyr]

Thanks! My in-laws actually have composite decking and I really like it. With the existing foundations already done, seems simple enough to just replace the existing boards...



I also like the idea for outdoor carpets right now. The thing that bugs me right now is that if I don't wear shoes outside then I can feel the cracks in the wood. I'm really lazy when it comes to throwing on shoes to just check the grill...

[Hockeyguy15]

I leave a pair of old flip flops at the back door.

[Fuzz]

Ya, I leave a pair of Birkenstocks at the back door so I can look like a hippy while I grill.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

I agree that your deck is perfectly fine as is now and likely for many more years. But if it really starts bugging you or you wnat a project I think you'd get more out of replacing the existing boards with a new composite that will never require staining and will look the same in 30 years and won't warp, twist or move. Sanding and staining really sucks. It's cheap but depending on your wood, it may be something you have to do every couple years. You'll see a huge improvement with a new deck top. It's also something you can take on yourself easily. No permits required or anything.

You must be a Trex sales rep.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I have an apple tree that needs a serious pruning ...anyone have recommendations for a tree care company?

4x4 to the rescue! My wife got several quotes, but 4x4 pm'd me with info for a guy he knows. I sent him the pictures, he quoted and it was way less than all the others. He came Saturday, did a professional job and was done in no time. He took time to make sure we were OK with the amount of tree getting removed, as it was quite dramatic, but the tree really needed it. Gave me some pointers, cleaned up and was on his way.

So if you need any tree work, PM 4x4, he'll hook you up! Another win for CP.

[BigNumbers]

Any recommendations for an electrician for a small job? I need a power wire ran through a wall (through tile, though). Don't have time to do it myself...

[Arsenal14]

Since we're asking for Calgary Puck recommendations - I'm looking for someone to help us improve the lighting in our house. Our house has quite high vaulted ceilings upstairs and currently has old potlights for most of it (one room has no ceiling lighting at all) so we're looking both for design advice and actual installation. Do any of you have recommendations?

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

Any recommendations for an electrician for a small job? I need a power wire ran through a wall (through tile, though). Don't have time to do it myself...

Most electricians wont cut tile as it's pretty difficult to do after its laid. Even when wiring houses it's always tile guys cutting the holes out for electricians. Maybe if you would cut the tile an electrician would surely do the job.

[GordonBlue]

need some advice.
in my back yard, the latch for the gate was affixed to the siding of the garage. needless to say this didn't last.

there isn't much room between the gate and the garage, but I thought to use an epoxy adhesive to put in a pole I could put the latch onto. do I have the right idea?

I'm thinking that or put a couple of long screws right through the wall of the garage.

would appreciate some direction.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

need some advice.
in my back yard, the latch for the gate was affixed to the siding of the garage. needless to say this didn't last.

there isn't much room between the gate and the garage, but I thought to use an epoxy adhesive to put in a pole I could put the latch onto. do I have the right idea?

I'm thinking that or put a couple of long screws right through the wall of the garage.

would appreciate some direction.

Is your garage drywalled inside? It would be easy to screw from the inside of the garage into the post rather than through the post into the garage. Also what kind of siding is on your garage? You'd want to attach any post right to the wood sheeting and preferably framing or backing in the garage, not just to the siding. Or if you don't want to do that you could put the post into the ground with cement just like a normal fence post. That way you would not need to attach it to the garage but it would take up more space for the gate opening for sure.

[Fuzz]

Long screws into the framing is going to be your best bet, I would think. Tough to say without a pic.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Long screws into the framing is going to be your best bet, I would think. Tough to say without a pic.

Shouldn't you be worrying about finishing your own garage??

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Shouldn't you be worrying about finishing your own garage??

Hey man, turns out muding and takes a long time. Have you seen how many walls a garage has? Lots man, lots.


I can see the light though! Once I'm done with that it's paint, floor, trim, lights, furnace and done!

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Hey man, turns out muding and takes a long time. Have you seen how many walls a garage has? Lots man, lots.


I can see the light though! Once I'm done with that it's paint, floor, trim, lights, furnace and done!

Well I would hope you had lights in there if you are mudding.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Is your garage drywalled inside? It would be easy to screw from the inside of the garage into the post rather than through the post into the garage. Also what kind of siding is on your garage? You'd want to attach any post right to the wood sheeting and preferably framing or backing in the garage, not just to the siding. Or if you don't want to do that you could put the post into the ground with cement just like a normal fence post. That way you would not need to attach it to the garage but it would take up more space for the gate opening for sure.

garage has vinyl siding which already has 4 holes form two times where the previous owner just had 2 inch screws into the siding of the garage.

inside of the garage is just drywall, yes.

where the post for the latch would need to go there is nothing but concrete, and not much room between the gate and side of the garage.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Long screws into the framing is going to be your best bet, I would think. Tough to say without a pic.

that's probably the simplest since the previous guy already put holes in the siding. maybe I was just over thinking it. I'll give it a go and if I fail, post pics.

had some high winds recently, the latch came off, and the winds then ripped the swinging gate right off the post. laying in the driveway when I got home from work.

one of those things where I knew it was going to be an issue but put off doing anything about it. good reminder for me about preventative maintenance.