Home Improvement Today?

Wife's office updates:

I think it turned out really good overall. truthfully, there was a little bleeding on many parts of it, but luckily it doesn't show up in pictures




and finally, once everything was done and we removed the tape:

 

Looks damn good @mbarbay!

 

Is there anything you can put on your yard to keep yellow jackets out? I just found nest #7 this morning. I may find 1-3 nests per year, but never 7, and it’s only mid July.

 

I'm sure you've already read or tried these.

https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-keep-yellow-jackets-away/

I didn't know cucumbers and aluminum had a chemical reaction.

 

I’m thinking about spreading Eco-Logic, it’s not harmful to kids or pets and has a lot of peppermint in it I think.

 

Hi, I have a few questions about my upcoming laminate install over concrete slab/vat...

- If I use roofers felt to fill in low spots, should I lay the vapor barrier over the felt (as opposed to under the felt)?

- I am leaning toward using Pergo Timbercraft laminate. This does not have an underlayment attached. I was then considering using Pergo Gold foam underlayment. They say their underlayment has a vapor barrier attached. Would it be good practice to add a separate vapor barrier (Visqueen) under the Pergo Gold underlayment to play it safe, or is it overkill?

- Regarding the underlayment, as mentioned I am considering using Pergo Gold. In the bedrooms upstairs, I used felt underlayment. Would using foam underlayment (Pergo Gold) be a good option for downstairs that may potentially see some water (daughter spilling liquids, etc)?

 

I’m not a flooring expert so take this reply for what it’s worth (nothing).
-I’d say over.
-Second vapor barrier is overkill
-With most laminates, if a spill is wiped up within a few minutes, it shouldn’t get to the underlayment. If you are worried about spills or liquids that may sit for hours, you need a waterproof, not just water resistant floor. Some LVP is waterproof. Most laminate is water resistant. I put laminate in the master bedroom. After one of the dogs staked their claim there while we were on vacation and the dog sitters didn’t notice to clean it, the laminate expanded. After drying, it mostly contracted back, but I can tell where the moisture damaged it. After that, we decided to pass on the laminate and do waterproof LVP everywhere else we had previously thought we were going to want laminate.

 

Thanks, Mark! Appreciate the feedback!

 

not much ive found but erradication...its usually indicative of colder or longer winter...i usually find them by stepping right in the middle of the nest...

 

I found nest #8 and #9 yesterday morning. I found this on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/xO3TvAb_WcM

 

BRILLIANT!!
if you have a drone laying around you could always park it on top of them too and when they fly out BRRRP!
https://youtu.be/YrfGzCfxmkI

 

Replaced my water heater anode rod. This is what it looks like after one year of service.

At my previous house the water heater lasted 18 years without a problem. When I replaced it I also installed a water softener. Seven years later the second water heater started leaking and I was pissed. But, come to find out the anode rod doesn't last as long in softened water. That is a fun fact that I didn't learn until I was this many years old.

My new house has a water softener and a high efficiency water heater that is going to be freaking expensive to replace, so I want it to last as long as possible. On the water heaters annual maintenance I decided to see what the anode rod looks like and to replace it with a magnesium rod. I was a little surprised to see how much of the first rod was gone. At best it would have lasted 2 years. In a year I'll pull this new rod and we can compare aluminum vs magnesium anode rods.

 

What is the pH of your water?

 

According to the city's water page 7.75.

 

Aside from window replacement and a couple of small items the laundry room/half bath remodel is done.

before:




After:

 

Anyone know how I can run 2x 10/3 through a single 3/4 knockout clamp?

The 3/4 clamp I have are only rated for a single wire. Does anyone make one that can do 2 of this size?

 

Do you not have any more knockouts available?

 

Not really. It's an exterior box that only has one on the back. There are some in the sides but I want to avoid using those if possible.

 

What about just drilling another hole in the back to make a knockout?

 

A normal punch wouldn't work but I think a drill would. I think it's a cast aluminum box.

The only NEC rules I'm aware of is it must be done with good workmanship so I think that'll work.

Thanks for the idea.