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Do it yourself home repairs

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:53 pm
by Ryan from Ohio
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...

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

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...

:surprised

What a fricking night.

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:14 pm
by sinister audio
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.

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:11 pm
by UNIQUE SOUTH
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.

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:04 am
by cargodz
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 :p

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:17 am
by Ryan from Ohio
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 :(

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:17 am
by Ryan from Ohio
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!

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:16 pm
by William from NOLA
Yea, that hornet spray will knock them straight down on contact.

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:53 am
by Ryan from Ohio
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.

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:05 am
by cargodz
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 :p

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:54 pm
by Ryan from Ohio
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...

:thumbsup