Do it yourself home repairs

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:53 pm

Why is it every time I go to do one of these projects it never goes down good?

I know my place was built in 1926 and all, but good lord. Also Im not a carpenter, so that hurts also.

So my one window was super mega bad. Rotted wood, wood falling apart, etc, etc.

Landlord said go ahead and replace. I talked with the loving people at Lowes. The consensus (between two employees at two locations) was top tear the old window down to the cinder blocks and put a replacement in right on the blocks.

So I measured accordingly. Ordered my window, waited two weeks and its here today.

So my first fight- Hornets. The mortar betweens some blocks was gone and they had a nest. No problem, got the ladder and the expanding foam. Problem solved. Boy they were pissed...

SO I get the window tore out. The last few pieces went at once. So the piece over the bottom blocks went... And tadaaaaa... Open holes... And Hornets...

So none were coming out at this point. I go get a newspaper and wad it up, push in hole and foamed the top. Well the last hole had what looked to be an old nest at the top. So i foamed it a bit. A few come out the hole, about 10-15. 2 hours go by. I go in and figured just push the nest down and push the paper in quickly. Well that didnt work... I shat you not at least 200 poured out of that hole in a split second. The can got dropped on my 4 Foot (shit you not) back jump, I swatted one off my arm matrix style while running for the door.

In the end I got stung/bit/screwed one time.

So now its dark out the hide in there. The little foam I did get in there had the hole semi plugged. I cleaned the can up to ensure proper foam flow this time around (malfunction caused my sting). Turned light on, foamed it quick and back out. One found me again, but I was to quick for it.

So now its foamed up. My window opening is just open. my bed clothes is all in there. I hope no birds make there way in there...

What a fricking night.

sinister audio · Post by **sinister audio** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:14 pm

I decided to put a back door on my house at 9:30 one night. not quite the best idea and pretty hard to get it done with a half hour of sun light. I got it done though.

UNIQUE SOUTH · Post by **UNIQUE SOUTH** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:11 pm

But Ryan,

Just think about how much things you learned NOT to do next time in the process, LOL.

Without defeat comes no victory, so make a few more mistakes, but just a few.

Better luck tomorrow.

cargodz · Post by **cargodz** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:04 am

When dealing with Hornets... Always do it at night time and Always use a flashlight so you can shed a little light, but not enough to stir them up... Oh and you may want to try wasp and hornet spray next time to kill them rather than expanding foam

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:17 am

Well I got all them little bastards last night, I think. I havent been into the lair yet this morning...

I gotta get to my Uncles to pick up a sheet of OSB thats going into the window while I wait for another one

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:17 am

Well shit. I just opened the door. I forgot I left the piece off wood ontop the fresh foam to hold it down. So Im sure its stuck to it now.

Also they were flying around. I thought I had them FOR SURE.

Time to go get some hornet spray and kill & fill!

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:16 pm

Yea, that hornet spray will knock them straight down on contact.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:53 am

Well I went in yet again yesterday evening. Filled the hole up (i think- again).

I hung up a yellow jacket trap outside. Nothing in it this morning... Looks to be about 10-15 them outside. Dont see any coming/going out of the block.

Got another can of spary (on my third now).

I ended up having to order a new window. Today I gotta take the old one back and pick up some 2x10 wood to frame it in.

cargodz · Post by **cargodz** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:05 am

Wow this window project is really turning out to be more trouble than what it's worth... You'd have been just as well off to have bought a piece of plexy larger than the frame and bolting it to the wall

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:54 pm

Ok got the correct window on its way.

I ended up buying a piece of 2 x 12 x 16' long and having it cut to size there. Brought it home, nailed it together in the shape of a U as the tops metal inside the window hole.

I had to go break out the BFH to get that damned thing in. I finally succeeded though. Had to chisel out some mortar though. Put up some OSB to cover the hole while waiting for the window.

Im just happy I can sleep in my bed tonight and not the air mattress...