A Home Handyman's Tales of Victory and Defeat

On a side note: When I finally retired from doing HVAC work, we had a couple of new hires fresh from Tech School.
One in particular was a hard working young man who was always asking questions and had a drive to learn all he could
about Commercial units ( something the schools just don't get into much ).

We talked about the cost of test equipment/tools needed to do most jobs and I knew he was starting a family and money was tight.
I did an inventory of my personal equipment/tools and decided that I would 'Pay-IT-Forward' and help him out.
Never throwing anything out, I'd kept a lot of older items after I upgraded to newer stuff.
My last day, we met in the parking lot and I unloaded a fair amount of test equipment and tools over to his truck.
Could have sold the stuff, but just felt he would get more use from them.
Just something I was taught to do...
 

fmdog44 said:
I hate buying a special tool for a one time application. Years later I see it and have no idea what it is for.
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Shortly after we moved from the UK to California, we had a yard sell to lighten the junk load.
I had bought a Bosch Router in England for a job and it is a 220 volt unit with an British plug end.
Put a price of 5 bucks on it and set it on the junk table.
A person asked if it worked and I explained it was not suitable for use here in the U.S. being 220 volt unit and 50 hz.
and most people don't have an outlet for that except maybe where their dryer hooks up.
He said no problem and offered 2 bucks. Sold it and always wondered how he got on with it.
 

Wait...WAIT!! I'm laughing so hard right now, I can't finish reading this. Your cute little puppy...that one got me. But in all seriousness...you MB are amazing! That you can do all that yourself and try, even when not particularly successful is great. I wish I'd had a handyman husband. Mrs. Pecos is so blessed! I'll return to read more later and no doubt be even more amazed. :D
 
Wow - very impressive! My husband is pretty handy on smaller things which has saved us a lot of money over the years.

One year he decided to build a shed in the back yard. He invited a friend to come and help dig the hold for the posts. A couple of weeks later, he decided not to build it. I don't remember why. He called his friend and asked him if he wanted to come over and help refill all the holes. His friend was not amused.
 
Jeweltea said:
Wow - very impressive! My husband is pretty handy on smaller things which has saved us a lot of money over the years.

One year he decided to build a shed in the back yard. He invited a friend to come and help dig the hold for the posts. A couple of weeks later, he decided not to build it. I don't remember why. He called his friend and asked him if he wanted to come over and help refill all the holes. His friend was not amused.
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I wanted a fairly large shed and learned that it was far cheaper to buy one that was already made and have it delivered.

The first rule when it comes to sheds is: “there is no such thing as a shed that is too large.”
This also applies to patios.
 
Pecos said:
Some of you will identify with me, some will sympathize, and some will just laugh.
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Love it, Pecos

I can so identify....especially plumbing....GNAH!

I've dug into appliances a time or two
Dyers are relatively easy
Washers, not so much

Had to dig into one
Seems there was no way around taking the sides and top off

Looked thru a few YouTube vids

This one ol' guy was soooooo good, and explicit
Didn't have to disassemble much at all
He knew the shortcuts
It was like lazar surgery

YouTube vids are godsends

However, some just waste time
Too wordy
Waaaay too wordy
45 minutes into it and he's still talking about the warranty...

Pecos said:
Refrigerator, simple task and I won, but only after buying a special tool that I had never seen before.
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Yeah, the triple jointed socket extension
Used it once

Pecos said:
Still, I have saved thousands of dollars and my ego is still intact though a bit battered.
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Good show, Pard
 
Pecos said:
LOL, We have to learn from someone else, do some research, or go the “trial and error” route which often teaches us that we should have tried the other routes first.
I worked with a number of military electronics technicians who happened to be women and they were the equal of their male counterparts. One advantage they did have was greater patience, and a better appreciation for the probably results if they got careless.
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And here I thought I could go up to any man, ask him to repair whatever needed fixing in my apartment and he would have no problem doing so. No? sheesh, what a let down. lol
 
Like I said...I'm further amazed! I know you saved boo-koo bucks which I imagine has to be part of the satisfaction. My son has consulted what we call "You Tube University" to find out how to fix some things. He mostly has success but I don't know how easy or hard they were. You have snakes under your porch??!!! :eek: As we used to say back in the day..."Gon' witcha bad self!" LOL :ROFLMAO:
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
Like I said...I'm further amazed! I know you saved boo-koo bucks which I imagine has to be part of the satisfaction. My son has consulted what we call "You Tube University" to find out how to fix some things. He mostly has success but I don't know how easy or hard they were. You have snakes under your porch??!!! :eek: As we used to say back in the day..."Gon' witcha bad self!" LOL :ROFLMAO:
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There are great U-tube videos and some that will lead you completely astray. It is often hard to tell the difference and out there somewhere may be some guy having a great laugh over the mischief he has caused.

Snakes are pretty common here, and the vast majority of them are good guys. I have never observed a venomous one under the house, but we do find them in the yard. Pygmy Rattlers are pretty little guys, but do not pick them up. One of the people who worked with me picked one up and got nailed three times before he dropped that "cute little" guy. We also have a few copperheads and cottonmouths (water moccasins).

But maybe I am not completely sane LOL, or "no guts, no glory." My wife has largely put an end to me going under the house or going up on the roof either.
 
Pecos said:
There are great U-tube videos and some that will lead you completely astray. It is often hard to tell the difference and out there somewhere may be some guy having a great laugh over the mischief he has caused.

Snakes are pretty common here, and the vast majority of them are good guys. I have never observed a venomous one under the house, but we do find them in the yard. Pygmy Rattlers are pretty little guys, but do not pick them up. One of the people who worked with me picked one up and got nailed three times before he dropped that "cute little" guy. We also have a few copperheads and cottonmouths (water moccasins).

But maybe I am not completely sane LOL, or "no guts, no glory." My wife has largely put an end to me going under the house or going up on the roof either.
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Are there snakes on your roof too?
 
Jeweltea said:
Are there snakes on your roof too?
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I moved back home for a short time in my 30s and I was on my parents porch swing one evening contemplating life and something dark appeared in my peripheral vision and swung toward me. I looked over and it was a big black snake. I hopped off that swing and was in the house so fast I scared the hell out of her cat. She goes out with the broom and shoes it away.
 
Jeweltea said:
Are there snakes on your roof too?
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Not that I have seen, but we do have some climbers here and even though ours are not poisonous it still freaks me. The thought of having any snake drop on you from out of a tree is not very comforting. When they climb our trees, they are after young birds and young squirrels.
 
Got a question for you, Pecos, and the DIY men (and women) on this site - just had flooding in my basement, so after fixing the leak (by plumbers), am in the process of having the drywall put up and painting done (contractors). I'm not a DIY person, and I live alone. I'm thinking of replacing my electric 40 gallon GE water heater that I've had for 12 years in the basement (it was already there when we moved in 12 years ago) - just in case it decides to act up also. I don't want another flood in the basement! Am I being too paranoid by replacing it before it goes bad?

So my question is, what electric water heater is the best way to go? I was reading about electric water heaters with a 12 year warranty being built so they would last, but the plumbers in the area want to get me a 3-5 year warranty water heater (Ruud, Noland, or Northeastern). I don't want to be at their mercy. I also am looking into Home Depot and Lowe's, but a plumber told me that if something goes bad before the warranty is over, I would have to return it to Home Depot and then the new one will only have a warranty.

So any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated!!!
 
This is a tough question. When I replaced our inside electric water heater, I got an outside gas fired tankless heater that has proven to be pretty reliable and can supply almost endless hot water.

I would not buy a tankless electric hot water heater because the massive current drain on the electrical system would require a major upgrade to our electrical wiring.

So unless you have the capability of switching over to gas, replacing your current water heater with something similar is still probably your best option.
 
palides2021 said:
So my question is, what electric water heater is the best way to go? So any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated!!!
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Look for a local plumber who has a good reputation, and do some research on what brands he recommends, then go for the Best rated heater. Replacing a water heater can be a bit of a chore...depending upon where it is located, and what plumbing modifications need to be made. The big box stores may have better prices, but if it breaks, you have to start all over again.

Our GE is almost 20 years old, and I had to replace one of the heating elements about 5 years ago, but so far, that's it. I do flush it out every
Spring, and I'm hoping it lasts a few more years.
 
I have several plumbing problems that need attention: Fifteen years ago I could repair them,but/,...

Cleaning U Joints on sinks is simple-IF you can Lay Down and work over your head...🤥
Need to switch our commodes, Now Can't Lift a commode😑
Scared to call a plumber$$$, seeking a handy man

Pecos says You Tube lies: 'Household repairs are simple, see video.' Ha, don't believe it. Lies🤥🤥🤥🤥
 
I can sympathize with the Vespa repair. I volunteer at a hospice repairing their walker, wheelchairs and other medical equipment. Some of the hardware is metric, some SAE. I now have a complete set of both metric and SAE wrenches, sockets, and hex keys to handle the repairs.
 
Don M. said:
Look for a local plumber who has a good reputation, and do some research on what brands he recommends, then go for the Best rated heater. Replacing a water heater can be a bit of a chore...depending upon where it is located, and what plumbing modifications need to be made. The big box stores may have better prices, but if it breaks, you have to start all over again.

Our GE is almost 20 years old, and I had to replace one of the heating elements about 5 years ago, but so far, that's it. I do flush it out every
Spring, and I'm hoping it lasts a few more years.
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Thanks for the info, Don M. Interesting that your GE is almost 20 years old! I didn't know they lasted that long! I just want to replace mine before it goes bad. Haven't flushed it in awhile, though.
 
palides2021 said:
Thanks for the info, Don M. Interesting that your GE is almost 20 years old! I didn't know they lasted that long! I just want to replace mine before it goes bad. Haven't flushed it in awhile, though.
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Not understanding why if your water heater is still working why you are replacing it? Age of it or just want to feel that you are getting ahead of it failing?

As for Home Depot. You could ask what plumbers they use & check on them as far as reputation & quality of work.

If nothing else watch this video to understand what is involved in replacing one.

Then check out comparison pricing to these
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Water-Heaters/10-Year/N-5yc1vZbqlyZ1z0w5i9

I'm not promoting home depot just trying to offer a way to compare quality of workmanship & pricing.
 
Knight said:
Not understanding why if your water heater is still working why you are replacing it? Age of it or just want to feel that you are getting ahead of it failing?

As for Home Depot. You could ask what plumbers they use & check on them as far as reputation & quality of work.

If nothing else watch this video to understand what is involved in replacing one.

Then check out comparison pricing to these
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Water-Heaters/10-Year/N-5yc1vZbqlyZ1z0w5i9

I'm not promoting home depot just trying to offer a way to compare quality of workmanship & pricing.
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Thanks Knight! Will check out the videos. The reason I want to replace it is because I just had flooding in my basement from a leaky pipe. I live alone. I don't want to wake up again in the future with another flooding. Especially if I'm having the whole basement redone. The water heater is old. When does one replace it? After it's flooded the basement? Or before? Just trying to be proactive here. Meanwhile, I did get a couple local plumbers to come in the next few days to give me estimates.
 
I was real proud of myself when I replaced a heating element on a dryer. There were two. A week after I replaced one, it was time to replace the other one. Why didn't I do both at the same time? I didn't know any better. There was no YouTube in those days.

I was stupid and forgot to mix the whatever kind of stuff with the gas in the can marked "leaf blower". Fouled the motor and had to buy a new leaf blower.

I was real proud of myself when I figured out why the mower wouldn't start after sitting unused for three years. A filter, some carb cleaner and a spark plug later, presto!

In vocational school we were required to work on our own cars...to keep us honest, I guess...and the first class I asked the instructor if working on my own car would void the warranty. He just rolled his eyes.

I was real proud of myself when I rebuilt a carburetor on my 1978 Plymouth Volare. The rebuild kit was $10+ and came with about three zillion gaskets. How hard could it be? Laid out everything on a tarp on the living room floor. Had a dishpan with gas in it to clean parts. Easy peasy, right? Just take it apart, replace gaskets, put it back together in the same order as I took it apart. Zowie! 125 miles on a quarter tank of gas! Except that as soon as I braked for a stop sign, the car died. Raise hood, disconnect fuel line, pour some gas into a cup-like lid from a can of something aerosol I had in the car, then pour the gas into the fuel line, reconnect fuel line, and good to go until the next time I needed to stop. Rinse and repeat. The big problem seems to have had something to do with the venturi tube, but I can't remember exactly what it was. The mechanic who fixed my "rebuild" charged $85. A lot of money back then. And the house stunk to high heaven of gas for a couple of weeks.

After that experience, I limited myself to changing my own oil.

What I learned: when you don't know what you're doing, hire it done. Too soon old, too late smart.
 
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Saved about $1800 this fall on two DIY jobs. Both were straight forward but a little time consuming.

But when it comes to plumbing, I have the towels and water catch pans ready cause I ALWAYS need them! I laughed when my son in law suggested I install my gas furnace!
 

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