House/Property Problems Thread

[JeanLucPicard]

I wanted to start a thread where we ask question about a problem we are facing related to everything in our property (walls,electric,heating,plumbing, etc.), but we're unsure how to solve it or if there is any expert or service we should call.

Let me start:

I made a post in the "super mega weather" about my pipes being frozen. Although that is resolved (they were frozen but didn't burst), I am thinking if there insulation problem in the garage roof. In the garage the roofs is all drywalled - I obviously don't want to rip it and check for insulation. Also, at the time of buying the house (June), the inspector didn't bring up anything about that.

So, is there any specific professional we need to call for this? Are there any ways for me to find out without ripping the drywall? Thanks!

[woob]

Is there no access panel in the drywall to get up into the garage attic? If not, it may be worth it to install one to a) check out this current problem and b) be able to address future issues. Plus, that's a good place to store the crap you never use

Edit: Duh, I didn't think that one through.

[BlackArcher101]

I think there's a room over the garage, so no attic?

JeanLuc, is the room noticeably cold or is only a pipe problem? If not, there might be insulation, but the pipes are on the wrong side of it too close to the garage.

You can always rent a thermal camera to get a quick idea of where insulation could be lacking.

[surferguy]

have you tried transporting in there to take a look?

[Hockeyguy15]

Cut a hole in the drywall below where the bathroom is (doesn't have to be big) and check to see if it's insulated.

Fixing the hole you cut is simple.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Cut a hole in the drywall below where the bathroom is (doesn't have to be big) and check to see if it's insulated.

Fixing the hole you cut is simple.

Make it so.

[wooohooo]

You could also drill a small hole to stick an inspection camera in there... but if you do that, you might as well just cut a bigger access hole.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

You could also drill a small hole to stick an inspection camera in there... but if you do that, you might as well just cut a bigger access hole.

If jhunt has taught me anything, it is that a small hole is better than a big hole....

[Bill Bumface]

I've got a weird one I haven't been able to figure out:

My back porch light works intermittently. It works all summer as far as I can tell. In the winter, some days yes, some days no. Yesterday it wasn't working, even though it wasn't very cold. Some days at the beginning of winter especially, it will work at the same temperatures.

I've inspected the fixture, it seems fine. I've inspected the switch, it seems fine too. It's on the same circuit as a GFCI outdoor outlet. If the outlet is tripped, the light is off. The outlet works just fine all the time....

Ideas?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I've got a weird one I haven't been able to figure out:

My back porch light works intermittently. It works all summer as far as I can tell. In the winter, some days yes, some days no. Yesterday it wasn't working, even though it wasn't very cold. Some days at the beginning of winter especially, it will work at the same temperatures.

I've inspected the fixture, it seems fine. I've inspected the switch, it seems fine too. It's on the same circuit as a GFCI outdoor outlet. If the outlet is tripped, the light is off. The outlet works just fine all the time....

Ideas?

Is it a CFL bulb? Sometimes they have problems in the cold. I'd try an incandescent for a bit and see if it fixes the problem. There are probably still a few stores that have them left.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Is it a CFL bulb? Sometimes they have problems in the cold. I'd try an incandescent for a bit and see if it fixes the problem. There are probably still a few stores that have them left.

Yeah as a slight aside, I notice on the CFL packaging they say that they're not supposed to be used outdoors or in moisture-prone areas. So in other words the anywhere outside and the bathroom.

Ugh with their limited use and difficulties in disposing them, CFLs starting to annoy me!

Anyway, end rant. Carry on.

[Ducay]

First off, I think the idea of this thread isn't great. Problems/Solutions will get lost, and its harder for someone to search for something that comes up. I'd say a megathread for this isn't a great idea.

But anyways, just cut a small hole in the roof and look up there. Either way you'll probably need to do something in that area, so why not make a hole if there will be one anyway. An access hatch is probably a good idea.

One solution might be to insulate the area, and I've seen good success with spray foam insulation. It will also depend on your construction and whether this will be able to insulate the pipes in the cavity (ie is the attic space warm or cold (not temp wise, construction wise).

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I've got a weird one I haven't been able to figure out:

My back porch light works intermittently. It works all summer as far as I can tell. In the winter, some days yes, some days no. Yesterday it wasn't working, even though it wasn't very cold. Some days at the beginning of winter especially, it will work at the same temperatures.

I've inspected the fixture, it seems fine. I've inspected the switch, it seems fine too. It's on the same circuit as a GFCI outdoor outlet. If the outlet is tripped, the light is off. The outlet works just fine all the time....

Ideas?

Sure that it isn't a motion sensing light? They generally only work during dark times, and then also have manual modes which are enabled by series' of switch flicks. If you don't know you have one and how to use it, they can be a PITA to understand. My money is on that.

[Bill Bumface]

^It is not a motion sensing light.

It is a CFL though. I tried another bulb that is working fine on the front porch, but I can't remember if I tried an incandescent. I'll give that another shot. Maybe it's a cheaper fixture and the wiring isn't as good on the porch fixture. That is good to know that humidity plays a role. It does seem to be linked. Last night was pretty humid with all the melt.

[loob job]

^ Probably not the issue but my back deck lights weren't working and it was because the GFC was tripped at the front of the house where i plugged in xmas lights. They are on the same circuit at my place. Took forever to figure it out.

[me_dennis]

I've got one.

So in the back of my house, i've noticed a patch of ice forming on the grass below the eavestrough. There doesn't seem to be any downspouts in the rear of the house, and I can't really tell if there is enough slope for the melting snow to drain to the front downspouts. The patch of ice is obviously caused by the melting snow dripping (as I can see the dripping on warmer days). I've noticed that there are no downspouts at all in the rear of the house.

Is this normal, or do most houses have downspouts in the rear corners as well as the front? This house was newly built and I have tried contacting the builder, but they haven't responded to me. I don't know if I am just making a huge deal out of nothing, but for some reason I feel like having a big puddle/ice patch can't be good for drainage (extra water may seep into the foundation).

Thanks CP

[habernac]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

^It is not a motion sensing light.

It is a CFL though. I tried another bulb that is working fine on the front porch, but I can't remember if I tried an incandescent. I'll give that another shot. Maybe it's a cheaper fixture and the wiring isn't as good on the porch fixture. That is good to know that humidity plays a role. It does seem to be linked. Last night was pretty humid with all the melt.

definitely the bulb. Cold/wet temps affect the one outside our backdoor as well.

[DuffMan]

Does anyone have any experience with running pex to a NG water heater.
or using pex copper risers from the basement to under a kitchen sink, upstairs?

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by me_dennis

I've got one.

So in the back of my house, i've noticed a patch of ice forming on the grass below the eavestrough. There doesn't seem to be any downspouts in the rear of the house, and I can't really tell if there is enough slope for the melting snow to drain to the front downspouts. The patch of ice is obviously caused by the melting snow dripping (as I can see the dripping on warmer days). I've noticed that there are no downspouts at all in the rear of the house.

Is this normal, or do most houses have downspouts in the rear corners as well as the front? This house was newly built and I have tried contacting the builder, but they haven't responded to me. I don't know if I am just making a huge deal out of nothing, but for some reason I feel like having a big puddle/ice patch can't be good for drainage (extra water may seep into the foundation).

Thanks CP

It can be, yes. As long as there is sufficient drainage for the run of troughs. That being said, if you are seeing water pool at one corner it's clearly either not draining properly so you either have a blockage or there should be another downspout.

If you have no downspouts in the rear of your house, I'm assuming that you have (as an example) and north/south facing house with the pitch of your roof facing east/west?

Along with making sure troughs/down spouts are clear, I always suggest people put extensions on the bottom of the downspouts to direct water as far away from your foundation as possible. It's unreal how much water an entire roof can direct to one spot if not setup properly.

[Wormius]

Any thoughts on how to repair a chewed up door jamb? It's at the point where the strike plates won't stay in.

The door is the type below, where there are glass inserts on either side of the door. The screws that were in there were about as long as I could find without punching through to the other side where the glass is.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Any thoughts on how to repair a chewed up door jamb? It's at the point where the strike plates won't stay in.

The door is the type below, where there are glass inserts on either side of the door. The screws that were in there were about as long as I could find without punching through to the other side where the glass is.

Take the screws out, fill the hole with a good quality wood glue, cram it full of toothpicks and snip the ends flush. Let it cure and pop the plate and screws back in.