• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

The joys of homeownership!

whoaru99 said:
I wonder how many of those fires I read about start in or spread due to homeowner flower beds and such?
Click to expand...
When a very young man I did a couple summers as a forest fire fighter (dangerous as hell)... it is usually the dried out brush on hillsides that take a lightning strike (or carelessly discarded cigarette) and start to burn... add a little wind and you're off to the races. Once it gets going tree tops (no matter how green) will burn and pine forests are extremely susceptible to having the fire jump from tree to tree like a book of matches going off.

Best thing you can do is keep pine trees 200 ft away (others 100 ft), clear the excess brush near the house, no wood fencing, etc... make it hard for the fire to catch.
 
krautmaster said:
When a very young man I did a couple summers as a forest fire fighter (dangerous as hell)... it is usually the dried out brush on hillsides that take a lightning strike (or carelessly discarded cigarette) and start to burn... add a little wind and you're off to the races.
Click to expand...
Yes, it was sort of a poke at CA and their deadfall/brush policies I thought would resonate with Erik. My uncle used to live in Weed, CA and took issue with that as the issue mostly at the heart of it.
 
The joys of home ownership sometimes involve catastrophes - which turns 'joy' into stress/panic.

Sunday we had another fire close by in the SAME canyon we live off of. We had a fire in the same location back in early June - and we were under evacuation orders then. So we bugged out. That one was put out the same day.

Sunday ANOTHER fire started as 2 acres with some smoke and then due to the heat and wind grew to 130 acres. We watched from the backyard as the smoke columns grew in size and crept closer.

We checked our 'go bags' and waited for the evacuation status: it starts with 'warning' (get ready), then 'order (go get out).

We watched Cal Fire and local firefighters battle the spread of the fire up and down the canyon slopes; they had helicopters dropping water from nearby golf courses, and they brought in a C-130, a couple of S-2s dropping retardant. At one point they called in the big boy a DC-10. We got the 'warning' and were ready to bug out.

Fortunately, after about 5 hours of constant drops, they got a handle on it and stopped it's forward progress and we were able to stay at home!

Whew!

Investigators somehow pieced together some clues and arrested a suspect on Monday for arson. GRRRRrrrrr!

Oh the 'joy'.
 
Last edited:
Well on a more positive note, I've had a couple of days to get on with a couple of smallish jobs. Down lights in hallway downstairs, replacing a single light that left a dark corner making it difficult to use the downstairs bathroom. And I'm midway to installing a second switch to the garage light, so we have a light switch accessible from the internal entrance. Eventually I'll add some extra lights in there too as it is a bit dim. Small things, but it just makes everything a bit easier to live with.
 
I completed #1 on my "to do" list, now that I have time. I insulated the garage door. Replaced the hinges with the "green hinges" and put new nylon rollers on. If anyone is looking at the hinges/rollers I will tell you, it is a VERY noticeable difference. The Mrs. cannot even hear the door open inside the house. And in the garage itself, almost silent. It also pushes the door against the seal. I am impressed with it!
 
I hated the thought of doing it but I broke down and called the drain clean out guy yesterday. When he was handing me the bill for a measely $125 I kinda wanted to hug him but my wife was here.:) The kitchen sink drain goes straight down to the basement and then the laundry T's into it there - then the pipe is under the concrete floor over to the main 4" cast iron pipe and out to the street. The nasty spot was between the spot where the kitchen and laundrt T together and the drain under the floor. Only about a 5' section but he went in 35-40 '. Nice!! I've used snakes on this issue before but his power auger is 10X better.

So... he just used a power drain snake auger. I'd consider buying one if a decent one could be had for $200-ish. Any great suggestions? I don't like trusting online reviews.
 
I bought one of these at Lowes several years ago for about 1/2 of what the price is now If you buy one be advised that the 50 ft version is usually not long enough, but this 75 foot one gets clogs that are way out there. I have to use it about every two years on the clothes washer drain and sometimes kitchen sink.

 
Last edited:
krautmaster said:
I bought one of these at Lowes several years ago for about 1/2 of what the price is now If you buy one be advised that the 50 ft version is usually not long enough, but this 75 foot one gets clogs that are way out there. I have to use about every two years on the clothes washer drain and sometimes kitchen sink.

Click to expand...
That one would be equal to me hiring the man to come out once a year for the next three years. If we could roll back the clock 30 years, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Not a bad investment, but the next place we live might be at is assisted-living. (Hope not!!!!)
 
Lux Man said:
That one would be equal to me hiring the man to come out once a year for the next three years. If we could roll back the clock 30 years, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Not a bad investment, but the next place we live might be at is assisted-living. (Hope not!!!!)
Click to expand...
I bought the thing after my wife paid the Roto-Rooter guy $325 to unclog the kitchen sink while I was away on work stuff for a couple weeks.
 
krautmaster said:
I bought one of these at Lowes several years ago for about 1/2 of what the price is now If you buy one be advised that the 50 ft version is usually not long enough, but this 75 foot one gets clogs that are way out there. I have to use it about every two years on the clothes washer drain and sometimes kitchen sink.

Click to expand...
The thing is necessary!

I've had my auger since the mid-90's. I think it's a craftsman drill with the snake housing attached. I bought mine after I had the underground drains for the downspouts got roots in them. Had a guy do it the first time, but then I saw his handheld version at SEARS. Man, I just put that on the list to do each Spring to clean the last of the leaves and any new roots out to start the warm seasons. Never another blockage.
 
drjohnnyfeva said:
The thing is necessary!

I've had my auger since the mid-90's. I think it's a craftsman drill with the snake housing attached. I bought mine after I had the underground drains for the downspouts got roots in them. Had a guy do it the first time, but then I saw his handheld version at SEARS. Man, I just put that on the list to do each Spring to clean the last of the leaves and any new roots out to start the warm seasons. Never another blockage.
Click to expand...
I thought about that. My Makita drill will twist my arm off. Is it hard to hold the drill and slowly feed in the cable. It seems like 3 hands would be needed for it not to be cumbersome. What is your experience? Can 1 guy do it easy enuf?
 
Lux Man said:
I thought about that. My Makita drill will twist my arm off. Is it hard to hold the drill and slowly feed in the cable. It seems like 3 hands would be needed for it not to be cumbersome. What is your experience? Can 1 guy do it easy enuf?
Click to expand...
Yeah, you can definitely do it with one person. I ended up switching out to a slightly thicker snake. The thicker snake doesn't kink and twist on itself as much as the thinner one did. Don't feed too much snake because it will twist on itself in the drain. The most important thing is to take it slow. When you start hitting a backup, just take it easy and get a little at a time. It takes some getting used to, just don't keep cramming the line in, that's where it might kink or twist. There's also a lock on auger that keeps the snake from going in or out. You lock it when you hit the back up and then kind of just use the drill itself in and out. As you make progress, you unlock the auger to feed more line then lock it again to work the blockage. Repeat, repeat until the auger either punches thru or you have to pull it out to take the debris off. And then you repeat until it clears.

If you've ever seen a pro do it, they use like a one inch+ diameter snake on a giant wheel and feed the snake in with one gloved hand while the auger spins on a standing frame. The smaller hand unit one torques at the drill, but if you feed it in and pull it out to clean it frequently, it is manageable. The fatter snake also has a little more strength than the standard so you can tell when you need to pull it out, or work it in and out a little to proceed, or get it all the way out to get the debris off the cutting or spiral bit and then proceed again.

Just takes a little getting used to, but I got it to the point where I just sat on a Homer Bucket by the drain and 30 minutes later the drain was completely clear. If you have really bad clogs it will not be so easy the first time and you might need a pro with an industrial auger, but once it's clear, even if you spend the time yourself with the smaller unit the first time, the succeeding times will be much more simple.

We've moved from that house so I haven't needed the big SEARS one yet at the new place, but I did buy a little 25 foot hand crank unit for sinks and toilets that I've busted out at the new place a few times. Works the same, it's just that you crank by hand with the auger lock on, then feed more out, lock it... you get the idea.

GREAT tool!
 
DesertRatt said:
I hope all the changes means you can get homeowners insurance!
Click to expand...
Word on the street is that these new regulations will not be enforced by state/city government inspections or fines, but rather the insurance industry.

If you don't comply, you won't get renewed. I've talked to a lot of my neighbors who have been dropped by various insurance carriers and it is getting harder and harder to find companies that will carry you on a policy.

The new Zone Zero laws will mean it will be even harder. I *get* the concern of fire - heck, we just had two fires within two months close to our house within 2 miles! I get it, but the cost is high and looks dreary with no plants. :(

FYI: Zone Zero is the first 5 feet from all outside walls and doors around your house. You can't have plants or flammable items (like trash cans, hoses, storage bins, wood or plastic patio furniture, etc) within this 5 foot 'zone'. Wood fencing that touches the house and up to 5 ft away as well must be replaced with zone zero approved material (aluminum or other metal, but not vinyl as that is combustible).
 
Last edited:
Will do most things to a house...but tend to balk at the electrical/plumbing fixes. Insurance woes, if something comes back and bites ya!

With an aging house, the driveway, if concrete that cracks, and if asphalt that needs recovering, and the wooden deck with repairs can add up, but if you farm it out, it can be costly.

With a dog, some green stuff on the ground is a must, again a constant pain with the weeds, maintenance and the critters that want to eat it. Then there's the trees, as once they get big...the pro's have to take charge.

But, the alternative of RENTING is out of the question right now, so sayeth the SO, who NEVER wants "to be at the mercy" a she puts it... "of an owner"!

Necessary above evils,:rolleyes: but there's still pride in ownership.


Q
 
Quadman2 said:
Will do most things to a house...but tend to balk at the electrical/plumbing fixes. Insurance woes, if something comes back and bites ya!

With an aging house, the driveway, if concrete that cracks, and if asphalt that needs recovering, and the wooden deck with repairs can add up, but if you farm it out, it can be costly.

With a dog, some green stuff on the ground is a must, again a constant pain with the weeds, maintenance and the critters that want to eat it. Then there's the trees, as once they get big...the pro's have to take charge.

But, the alternative of RENTING is out of the question right now, so sayeth the SO, who NEVER wants "to be at the mercy" a she puts it... "of an owner"!

Necessary above evils,:rolleyes: but there's still pride in ownership.


Q
Click to expand...
I'll do lightweight plumbing and electric... Ceiling fans, outlet and switch changes, water supply lines, sink drains and installing fixtures, and even toilet replacements when needed... and all painting and drywall work - as much as I freaking hate drywall and plaster repair. (if I wind up in hell, my punishment will be raking leaves with a three tine rake in the wind and sanding DRYWALL, I hate it! lol) Anyway, those are the things my father said I should learn. He taught me how to do breakers too, but that has always scared the crap out of me so I leave that and any underground, attic, or in wall stuff to pros. But just the things I mentioned I can do, like my father promised, save an enormous amount of money. Just take your time and do it right.

Edit: And I do everything outside with the lawn and fences and gardens and bushes... That saves a ton too and I like the exercise part of that. Paid my way thru two Master's running my lawn and grounds service. ;)
 
Speaking of the elderly...my parents house developed an electrical fault. Half the house tripped the RCD. Electrician investigated, a power point was damp. That'll do it. The only place it could be coming from is roof. Sparky went on roof to have a look, lots of gaps and cracks. Suggested roofing needs repairs.

Roofer came in...entire roof is in need of renovation. Sparky won't come back until roof is done, and that makes sense. Of course, weather has been bad for about the last month, with not much let up.

We were given 2 options, 9k just to fix gaps and broken tiles, 12k to do full reno which includes recoating tiles. Getting close to 15k with sparkles. Doing the lot and then house goes on market. The final straw so to speak.

Wants to move into a retirement type village, other people around, all houses no step, better access to facilities and services, and closer to the city. Better doing now as a planned exercise than in a rush later on.
 
felix_katze said:
Speaking of the elderly...my parents house developed an electrical fault. Half the house tripped the RCD. Electrician investigated, a power point was damp. That'll do it. The only place it could be coming from is roof. Sparky went on roof to have a look, lots of gaps and cracks. Suggested roofing needs repairs.

Roofer came in...entire roof is in need of renovation. Sparky won't come back until roof is done, and that makes sense. Of course, weather has been bad for about the last month, with not much let up.

We were given 2 options, 9k just to fix gaps and broken tiles, 12k to do full reno which includes recoating tiles. Getting close to 15k with sparkles. Doing the lot and then house goes on market. The final straw so to speak.

Wants to move into a retirement type village, other people around, all houses no step, better access to facilities and services, and closer to the city. Better doing now as a planned exercise than in a rush later on.
Click to expand...
I'm "liking" your post, not because I'm happy you have to replace your roof, but because I'm in the same situation.

We bought our current house new in 1994, so we have an old roof. Here in SoCal, we are bracing for this so called "Super El-Nino" which (may) means heavy rains are a-comin'.

I just got our first estimate for our roof and it wasn't good. The inspector did a really thorough job - poked under all the corners of the roof, pulled tiles to look at the decking and felt papering, flashings, fans seals, ducting, etc. Took pictures to document it all to show us first hand.

Our roof is definitely showing severe signs of age and is compromised.

And we have solar panels, so that means disconnecting, removing, storing, re-installing, re-connecting after the new roof is in place.

The estimate was for $34K and that's keeping our existing tiles which are in good shape.

I've got two more estimates coming next week before making a decision.

I just hope we can get this done before the predicted heavy rains.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom