Re: Home and garden projects
 

The cucumbers are doing well this year, arguably too well. I picked our first cucumbers last weekend - 11 of them. By Friday I had picked another 5, and I expect another 5+/- to swell to pickable size by Sunday evening. BUT there are perhaps another 20-30 set fruit that will swell over the next 7-10 days, .... AND I estimate that there are 200-300 flowers currently open. :blink:

The tomato plants are looking strong and healthy, but haven't set any fruit yet; I was a little late planting them. :(

Re: Home and garden projects
 

So while little Miss P was at summer camp today I set about replacing the toilet in the main bathroom ("her bathroom", as she has no siblings).

I removed the old toilet to discover the flange, to which you bolt the toilet, didn't have the usual curved keyhole shaped slots to slot the bolts into, it had radial slots (like spokes on a wheel) so the bolts slide inwards from the outside edge, ...... or they would do if the previous owner hadn't put down ceramic tile and tiled right up to the edge of the flange! :frown:

Luckily the old bolts were in good shape and could be reused, which also saved me from having to get my grinder out to trim the new bolts once installed.

Little Miss P came home and I said nothing, I had put everything back in the bathroom exactly as she had left it, complete with tissues and a bottle of water for the plants, sitting on the cistern. I waited for a few minutes, then after about half an hour she bounced downstairs.

"I have had a visit from the toilet fairy!" she announced. :D

Re: Home and garden projects
 

Haha. Although I don't have children, I'm sure it's those moments you remember for a long time.

Re: Home and garden projects
 

Wait till you see what she left under her pillow. :sneaky:

Re: Home and garden projects
 

brilliant!


I've spent a couple of hours this afternoon putting insulation on the garage doors. Cursing myself for not doing it when it was cooler....
I bought r13 faced insulation and some of those thin wire rod thingies to hold it in place. Just need to tidy up tomorrow but it already feels cooler in there.

Re: Home and garden projects
 

Are your doors sectional / metal (articulating door type)?

Re: Home and garden projects
 

Yes.
Just bought duct tape to tidy it all up

Re: Home and garden projects
 

Hopefully new roof should be complete by end of the week. I wish the contractors hadn't thrown all the gutter guards in the trash. That's another $300 or so to spend out.

They did pull a fair number out of the dumpster(biffa) this morning, so not so bad. Contractors are strange people.

Re: Home and garden projects
 

OK, as I get told I make bad decisions. Typical problem, having new roof, contractor cant read instructions. They used regular staples instead of plastic capped staples on the deck protection.

They have laid 70% of the shingles so what do I do now? Make them take it off and redo it or just hope it doesn't leak?
I should have just trusted them and assumed they knew what they were doing.

When installing synthetic roof deck protection, such as GAF Deck-Armorâ„¢, Tiger Pawâ„¢ or
FeltBuster™ Roof Deck Protection, always follow these critical steps, as well as “good roofing
practice”:
1. Follow All Application Instructions… available on the roll wrapper or on GAF.com

5. Fastening… is extremely important on these products:
Always use plastic cap nails or plastic cap staples to fasten these products in locations
specified by the application instructions and as marked on the surface of the product. Nails or staples without caps can damage the product and cause leaking
All plastic cap nails or plastic cap staples must be tight and flush to the roof deck. Always replace
over-driven, “cupped”, loose, or cracked caps
Locate fasteners 6” on-center in the side lap area and stagger two rows of 12” on-center fasteners
in field, if the product will be left exposed to high-wind. For enhanced protection against rain and
snow, install tape over exposed cap nails or cap staples*.
6. Side and End Laps… can be vulnerable to weather infiltration during extreme weather. For
enhanced protection against rain, snow and high wind:
Install the product with 6” side laps and 12” end laps
Tape the lap areas*
7. Heavy Traffic Areas… Always re-cover areas of heavy traffic, scuffing, tears or punctures

Re: Home and garden projects
 

We're also probably looking at a new roof in the next few weeks. Going on 20 years old, got a few missing shingles and the vents are leaking.

Re: Home and garden projects
 

I feel I am now an expert on roof ventilation and materials. The contractor also hasn't put in enough eave/soffit vents for the newer standards. I feel I have to learn a trade each time I hire a contractor.

Called GAF and the staple thing is not such a big deal. It's concerning because the no staples is printed everywhere.

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I've been slowly opening up the soffit vents in our attic. Morons before us sprayed cellulose everywhere and blocked them all up. It is a horrible job.

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I have posted as much before - getting lots of DIY experience in different areas makes it much easier to negotiate with contractors, discuss options, and perhaps most importantly, act as your own quality and code inspector. :nod:

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Might be easier and cheaper to get a smartvent installed

GAF | Cobra IntakePro

Re: Home and garden projects
 

How is buying a gadget and having it installed going to be cheaper than a project that requires no materials and uses free labour? :confused: