Vamped Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Are we still talking about expensive home repairs and home improvements? >.> I now have the intense urge to watch HGTV like the adult I am Spoiler 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpme Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 9 minutes ago, InsaneFox said: Well Lowe’s, Whirlpool, A.O. Smith, and every one of my installers (4 local Indianapolis companies) seem to disagree. I worked for menards 90% of our sub contractors that come disagree with water softener unless you have well water city water it not needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) 18 hours ago, Ginguy said: Ouch. When you replace the rest of your sanitary drain, be sure to put in a back-flow prevention valve. Best couple hundred dollars you will spend. I wouldn't run the fireplace if the ventilation is suspect, and the electrical is kind of scary. Is it knob and tube (replace that shit immediately) or just older and possibly a mix of copper and aluminum (safe if it was done right)? I got hit last year with needing a new roof and having to put in a drainage tile to control water in my front yard, that sucked. Yay home equity loan being lower than the financing offer from the roofing company, and yay for being able to pay it off early without penalty. Still sucked though, I had to pass up on a White House Christmas tour and some other cool opportunities. Home ownership is really good for unexpected and costly bills.... THIS. THIS SHIT. THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE is why I don’t own a house. Fucking throwing pearls before swine and diamonds into a bottomless pit. If I get a house, I’m fucking RENTING, for THIS reason. Edited January 4, 2020 by lupin_bebop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsaneFox Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 8 minutes ago, helpme said: I worked for menards 90% of our sub contractors that come disagree with water softener unless you have well water city water it not needed Guess we’re gonna have to agree to disagree. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITasteLikeSex Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 10 minutes ago, helpme said: I worked for menards 90% of our sub contractors that come disagree with water softener unless you have well water city water it not needed Wait up whose nards did you work for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpme Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html Effect of hard-water WITH water-softener: Efficiency of gas and electric water heaters is unchanged over time when hard water is softened, however softened water corrodes anode rod and will reduce life of water heater unless anode rod inspected and replaced every 2 years. Once anode rod is 50-75% corroded, water heater tank begins to rust. This condition leads to leaking water heater which cannot be repaired. Rusted water heaters can rupture and cause massive damage as water runs until problem is discovered. Effect of hard-water with NO water-softener: Efficiency of gas heater drops 6-8% after two years > cleaning tank of sediment build-up will not restore full efficiency > however, regular flushing to prevent sediment maintains efficiency > Tankless gas heater will fail when pressure sensor clogs with sediment within 2-3 years depending on hardness of water > regular de-liming will not restore efficiency > softener and filter are required > Efficiency of electric heater stays at 99% until sediment reaches bottom element > cleaning tank and replacing lower element restores full efficiency > regular flushing to prevent sediment build-up also maintains efficiency Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpme Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 1 minute ago, ITasteLikeSex said: Wait up whose nards did you work for? https://www.menards.com Probably doesn't exist by you yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helpme Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 4 minutes ago, InsaneFox said: Guess we’re gonna have to agree to disagree. Apparently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITasteLikeSex Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Just now, helpme said: https://www.menards.com Probably doesn't exist by you yet I was just making a testicles joke 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 3 hours ago, InsaneFox said: When they said ‘significant up front’ they mean SIGNIFICANT. I’m not a plumber, but going to gas tankless requires you to have a second vent pipe installed, on top of the heater which is probably 300-400 dollars more expensive. You NEED a water softener or your investment, so that’s another 400-800 dollars if you don’t have one. Unless you like replacing expensive shit in your home every few years. With electric, you gotta upgrade your breakers and wiring instead of your vent. So pick your poison. Okay. I need to weigh in on this for 2 reasons: 1. Some of this is a little misguided/Out-of-date 2. I helped my mom sell houses and help people make this decision a lot. Gas tankless does not require a second vent line. It IS prudent to have one, but not always up to code. Since your are using natural gas, the vent system is already built into line, so making another is redundant. Check your local building codes and with your local Fire Marshall, because they are the best resources. It’s all up to what state you are in. In the Midwest, you may need to do this. In Texas, nope. Water softener? Again, not necessary, in most cases. Water softeners are really only needed in super rural areas and areas that use well water. That is a completely unnecessary expense, especially since most municipal water supplies ADD softeners to water in the first place. Again, it’s down to where you live. You may have to do this is the Midwest, but in Texas, nope. Upgrading breakers and wiring? Again, not necessarily. It depends on how old your home is. If your home is less than 8-10 years old, you don’t really need to touch anything. Older than 15? Then, you’ll probably need the upgrade. This one comes down to age, and how much of a power vampire you are. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptorpat Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 28 minutes ago, lupin_bebop said: It’s all up to what state you are in. In the Midwest, you may need to do this. In Texas, nope. Also Texas: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avec Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 58 minutes ago, lupin_bebop said: THIS. THIS SHIT. THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE is why I don’t own a house. Fucking throwing pearls before swine and diamonds into a bottomless pit. If I get a house, I’m fucking RENTING, for THIS reason. As much as renting seems like a money sucker, there are so many things I've seen in the past year (including in this thread) that make me never want to own a house. A giant tree branch fell in our yard this year into the street and luckily didn't hit any vehicles, but apparently the property owner pays for the cleanup. The sidewalk in front of your house gets fucked up somehow, you pay for it. A pipe bursts on your property, you pay for it. I realize I'm a bit naive/uneducated about some of this, but its wild to me that the city doesn't pay for some of these things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsaneFox Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 40 minutes ago, lupin_bebop said: Upgrading breakers and wiring? Again, not necessarily. It depends on how old your home is. If your home is less than 8-10 years old, you don’t really need to touch anything. Older than 15? Then, you’ll probably need the upgrade. This one comes down to age, and how much of a power vampire you are. Depending on the model of tankless water heater you need either 8 or 10 gauge wire and 30 - 40 amp breakers. Typical tanked water heaters need a 20-30 amp breaker with 12 - 10 gauge wire. If your wire is too small it could overheat and burn you house down. I mean, it IS just Pat’s house. But if he’s in it when it goes up, who is gonna put up with everybody’s shit around here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 5 hours ago, Admin_Raptorpat said: Also Texas: That is in Port Neces, which is at the coast. Giving you an idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptorpat Posted January 5, 2020 Author Share Posted January 5, 2020 I'm making fun of the state's lack of safety standards you dingus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 4 hours ago, Admin_Raptorpat said: I'm making fun of the state's lack of safety standards you dingus I know. It by the coast....oil...Texas....too layered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAC Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 On the thing of renting over buying. I get the point of renting and I did it for a long time, you don't have to pay for those fixes. But for where I live I was paying more a month for rent than what my mortgage payment is now. You have to think of your house as an investment you can profit off of later that your paying into. Where when your renting your just paying and paying, yeah you get live there, but in the end your getting nothing. When I'm old and just paying my utilities and not worrying about rent....that will be awesome. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptorpat Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 So Monday morning I get ready for work, as I'm walking out the door I decide to peek in the basement just to make sure everything was ok. Good thing I did because there was an inch or two of water, the pump wasn't triggered, and the dehumidifier was running (and connection between the cord and the extension cord was submerged). Basically all the water than had been leaking and had been pumped out, combined with the meltwater from the two ft of snow we got a few weeks ago and whatever precipitation since, was just seeping back in. The pump spits the water out basically right on the other side of the foundation so it filters right back in, and the pump stopped overnight. So that was cool. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avec Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 That's awful Pat. I hope the situation is better now - rerouting where the water is going or something. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avec Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 On 1/6/2020 at 7:37 AM, CAC said: On the thing of renting over buying. I get the point of renting and I did it for a long time, you don't have to pay for those fixes. But for where I live I was paying more a month for rent than what my mortgage payment is now. You have to think of your house as an investment you can profit off of later that your paying into. Where when your renting your just paying and paying, yeah you get live there, but in the end your getting nothing. When I'm old and just paying my utilities and not worrying about rent....that will be awesome. This makes sense if you plan on staying somewhere for a long time and can get a loan. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaBarney Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 1 hour ago, Admin_Raptorpat said: Good thing I did because there was an inch or two of water, the pump wasn't triggered, and the dehumidifier was running (and connection between the cord and the extension cord was submerged). Wtfff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Admin_Raptorpat said: So Monday morning I get ready for work, as I'm walking out the door I decide to peek in the basement just to make sure everything was ok. Good thing I did because there was an inch or two of water, the pump wasn't triggered, and the dehumidifier was running (and connection between the cord and the extension cord was submerged). Basically all the water than had been leaking and had been pumped out, combined with the meltwater from the two ft of snow we got a few weeks ago and whatever precipitation since, was just seeping back in. The pump spits the water out basically right on the other side of the foundation so it filters right back in, and the pump stopped overnight. So that was cool. Seriously......who the Hell did you hire for this? Do they not know the basics of their job? I mean.....I'm not insanely knowledgeable about pumps and all, but I have a basic knowledge of water and physics.......Jebus fuck. Maybe 2020 is already walking on my fucking dendrites.....I need a vacation and drinks..... Also......WHAT THE FUCK? FIRE THIS PERSON IMMEDIATELY. It's Flood Protocol 101 to keep ALL electrical connections and plugs OFF THE FUCKING FLOOR when doing pumping/draining/dehumidifying. Seriously, WHAT. THE. FUCK. Inexperience, I can understand, take, and forgive.......Incompetence is something I just can't fucking STAND. This is me as a GROWN ASS MAN of the house talking. Edited January 9, 2020 by lupin_bebop 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptorpat Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 Both predate my buying the house. Previous owner installed the pump like that and the house came with the dehumidifier. I can't really fire the previous owners of the house and I never realized the volume of water I was dealing with. Hindsight is 20/20. It never occurred to me to check the hose outside because I had never visually caught it pumping water out one pit-full at a time every three days or so (from the dehumidifier) until the constant stream of water pouring out Monday morning after the flooding revealed everything wrong with it's placement or that the corrugated hose was riddled with holes from wear and tear. And it never occurred to me to move the cord because it never occurred to me until it happened that the pump would not trigger overnight and that I'd wake up to a wholly submerged basement floor. It's on the other side of the basement. The plug is by the ceiling and the cord can't reach, so they used one of those full size, orange extension cords. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilosipherStoned Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 The main take away I'm getting from this thread is I can expect water heater problems myself before I'm probably ready to deal with them.. At least you could afford to buy a new unit I guess.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 Yes. You can still fire the previous owners of the house. I did it a lot to my apartment management. I’m giving you leeway when it comes to house stuff. Doesn’t stop me from screwing with you about it for giggles, though. Like I said, inexperience I can stand. Since you didn’t purchase the house, I can’t fully expect you to inspect every book and cranny. You SHOULD have at least basic knowledge of the hardware and things in the house. Which, in this case, you DO. Conditions of everything? I can’t 100% hold you accountable there, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilosipherStoned Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 I made sure they werent just telling me my water heater was new when I bought my house... It's gas.. and all the components and visible hose/piping looks great, and the manufacture date printed on it was inline with what the previous occupants told me so...*shrugs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raptorpat Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 I can't fire the previous owners, they are definitely deceased. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naraku4656 Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Admin_Raptorpat said: I can't fire the previous owners, they are definitely deceased. dig them up and fire them Edited January 10, 2020 by Naraku4656 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 On 1/9/2020 at 5:55 PM, Admin_Raptorpat said: I can't fire the previous owners, they are definitely deceased. So....to kinda give you an idea why I kinda know this shit..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogue_Alphonse Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 4 hours ago, lupin_bebop said: So....to kinda give you an idea why I kinda know this shit..... Looks like just the pressure relief valve is leaking. Also that pipe coming from it is hella against code. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupin_bebop Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Rogue_Alphonse said: Looks like just the pressure relief valve is leaking. Also that pipe coming from it is hella against code. EXACTLY. I’ve had to do it. Also the pressure release wasn’t it here. Wish it was. That Pope? When we moved in...it WAS up to code. It changed by the time this picture was taken. Everything in the top left from the roof? Nope. Edited January 12, 2020 by lupin_bebop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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