Meanderer
Supreme Member
The Bungalow Mystery is the third volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series written under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene.
Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
I don't care if it is a bungalow, it has a lot of history there!
I am ready to cry, the plumber came out today and reworked both showers with new "guts" and fixtures (which I was very pleased with the way they looked). I went up and took a shower tonight and guess what? It is still leaking downstairs in the kitchen! So there is something more going on there. Got to call him back in the morning. I have been researching it on line and it could be either the shower drain (which was repaired in 2002) or the shower head (which was repaired in 2012). From what I have read, it is never, never the shower pan that is cracked (it's a one piece fiberglass unit). I did see on YouTube how to check if it is a shower drain issue. Put a plastic plate on the drain and seal it with duct tape. Fill the shower bottom with water and walk around the drain. Have someone downstairs to see if it leaks. We will see. I am at my wits end with these plumbing issues!
I am ready to cry, the plumber came out today and reworked both showers with new "guts" and fixtures (which I was very pleased with the way they looked). I went up and took a shower tonight and guess what? It is still leaking downstairs in the kitchen! So there is something more going on there. Got to call him back in the morning. I have been researching it on line and it could be either the shower drain (which was repaired in 2002) or the shower head (which was repaired in 2012). From what I have read, it is never, never the shower pan that is cracked (it's a one piece fiberglass unit). I did see on YouTube how to check if it is a shower drain issue. Put a plastic plate on the drain and seal it with duct tape. Fill the shower bottom with water and walk around the drain. Have someone downstairs to see if it leaks. We will see. I am at my wits end with these plumbing issues!
Oh no! I'm sorry Maggie. I can imagine how frustrated you are. The drain in my guest bath shower sprang a leak a few years ago. It was because I never used it, and whatever putty they used to seal it dried up and cracked. Hope the plumber can come out ASAP and fix it without tearing out more stuff. Good thing you tried it out right away.
Just reporting a *little* progress on the shelves yesterday, but not much.
This is the frame I was talking about, temporarily stuck up against the wall. It will form the back of the shelves. I'll adjust the bottom after laying the blocks and concrete, then make another frame for the front and hook them together (somehow
).
This "trial run" thing was unnecessary if you know what you're doing, but I don't, and wanted to make sure everything would fit well before laying blocks that can't be removed. The frame is square, level, and plumb, and I was able to push it as far back as possible.
These shelves will need to be enclosed on the back, because there will be large gaps behind in places. If something falls back there, it can't ever be recovered. I don't want this thing sticking out into the basement any more than necessary, so the backing material should be attached behind this frame first. Engineered-wood barn siding would be too heavy---I can barely lift just this frame. Will try 1/4" plywood instead.
The new blocks look grey in sunlight, but blue in fluorescent light. Might should have gone with just plain old red clay bricks. Oh well...
Now I can mark off where to lay those blocks, based on where this wall sits, and how deep I want the shelves. Fingers crossed.
This is the frame I was talking about, temporarily stuck up against the wall. It will form the back of the shelves. I'll adjust the bottom after laying the blocks and concrete, then make another frame for the front and hook them together (somehow
).
This "trial run" thing was unnecessary if you know what you're doing, but I don't, and wanted to make sure everything would fit well before laying blocks that can't be removed. The frame is square, level, and plumb, and I was able to push it as far back as possible.
These shelves will need to be enclosed on the back, because there will be large gaps behind in places. If something falls back there, it can't ever be recovered. I don't want this thing sticking out into the basement any more than necessary, so the backing material should be attached behind this frame first. Engineered-wood barn siding would be too heavy---I can barely lift just this frame. Will try 1/4" plywood instead.
The new blocks look grey in sunlight, but blue in fluorescent light.
Might should have gone with just plain old red clay bricks. Oh well... Now I can mark off where to lay those blocks, based on where this wall sits, and how deep I want the shelves. Fingers crossed.
By top, do you mean install the backing material on the face of the rear frame (after it is secured), instead of behind (before)? If so, two things I wouldn't particularly like about that.
1. I think it would make it messy to connect the front and rear frames together to make the shelves, unless I cut a bunch of small pieces, one for each shelf.
2. It would cut out 3.5 inches of depth to the shelves, making them stick out in the room that much more.
However, it may come down to that in the long run.
But maybe you meant something else? If so, I'm always interested in hearing ideas and advice.
Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
An inexpensive option might be to put a sheet of heavy plastic or a blue tarp over the back. I thought about cardboard from a refrigerator box or some other large item but I'm afraid it would not last, unless it was treated/painted, if moisture seeps through the concrete. If you construct the shelves on the basement floor you could staple the plastic to the back of the shelves before putting them into position.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thanks everyone. I thought about stuffing it full of insulation back there. No moisture would "seep" in, but the place is generally humid in the summer months. Things rust a lot. Refrigerator cardboard would probably hold up. Remember, I only got probably 20 more years (if I'm lucky). Ha!
:lol: Is that the first sign of the end? When one starts to mold?
Peg board is an excellent idea! What are you storing on those shelves? Is it something you could put in clear plastic storage containers? Would not have to worry about anything falling behind the shelves. I have some metal shelves in the basement that I have the clear totes and I use a marker to label the totes, .... Xmas Decor, Fall Decor, Painting Supplies, etc.
Shalimar
SF VIP
- Location
- Vancouver Island Canada
I always thought it was moss that predicted terminal decrepitude??
What is this "peg board" and "totes" and "markers" of which ye all speak? You guys are so organized. :lol:
Maggiemae, this will be small stuff, not much bigger than paint cans, like jars and boxes full of nails and screws, detergent, spray cans, wood filler, small tools, shoe box size plastic containers, motor oil..... I don't know now. Maybe I won't have enough stuff to put in it. :eewwk: You all have got me to thinking again. {sigh}
I already have some deep free-standing heavy-duty shelves for big stuff.
Maggiemae, this will be small stuff, not much bigger than paint cans, like jars and boxes full of nails and screws, detergent, spray cans, wood filler, small tools, shoe box size plastic containers, motor oil..... I don't know now.
Maybe I won't have enough stuff to put in it. :eewwk: You all have got me to thinking again. {sigh} I already have some deep free-standing heavy-duty shelves for big stuff.
Me too. That's why I try to keep moving and rolling.
I get it...I have one of those shelves too. I keep my miscellaneous nails, screws, and any other hardware (that I, for some reason, will not throw out because you never know when you might need it) in Christmas cookie tins that I have kept through the years. Wish I had a tote with small and big bills of money! LOL I have got so many half empty paint cans it is really sad. But I don't know how to get rid of them. The garbage people do not want you putting them in the garbage. And they are not lead based. I read somewhere that if they are water based you can leave them open for awhile and the water will evaporate and you can scoop out the remains or stuff with newspaper. We do not have a recycle place around here for paint.
Don't worry....build a shelf and the stuff will come!
Don't worry....build a shelf and the stuff will come!
Here you can fill half empty water based paint cans with cat litter, let them dry a little, then put them in the trash. The main thing they don't want is liquid spilling out all over everything.
So true.
Is your plumber scheduled to come back yet?
Btw, have you seen the deer lately?
Called the plumber today...we are pretty sure it is the drain pipe (or the gasket on the drain). It was replaced in 2002, so it is probably worn out. I ran the shower (with no one in it) and no leak. I guess the weight of a person would cause a worn gasket to have water seep out. I did a lot of research online (I'm sure he was impressed with that) LOL. Anyway, he can't get here until next week. So what is another weekend? Atleast, we have another shower we can use in the mean time.
Oh me, the deer! Last week my grandson and I were sitting on the sun porch one morning and we looked out and saw one deer walk up the side yard and then five more came up with the big buck at the back of the pack! It was something to see! Then our little dogs started barking and they took off into the woods. I wish I had my camera ready.
Oh me, the deer! Last week my grandson and I were sitting on the sun porch one morning and we looked out and saw one deer walk up the side yard and then five more came up with the big buck at the back of the pack! It was something to see! Then our little dogs started barking and they took off into the woods. I wish I had my camera ready.
Great! I remember you were worried about them not having enough to eat last fall. Seems like all of them are females here.
I walked out the back side of the barn last week and surprised two half grown ones very close by, maybe 50 feet away. Wished I'd had a camera too, but they were long gone in an instant.
Meanderer, if these shelves come out looking neat, I'll probably just leave them empty. Ha!
Today is goat check afternoon---good excuse for not starting anything big, like laying blocks. Instead, drawing sketches of how to put the two frames together, add shelves, and still make it look pretty from the front.layful:
Latest idea (update) ---side view, inside, one shelf, all 2x4 except noted. Shelf material plywood.
Lots of work. Lots of seams. Lots of places to look messy. Wish I had a band saw to cut out corners.
Today is goat check afternoon---good excuse for not starting anything big, like laying blocks.
Instead, drawing sketches of how to put the two frames together, add shelves, and still make it look pretty from the front.layful: Latest idea (update) ---side view, inside, one shelf, all 2x4 except noted. Shelf material plywood.
Lots of work. Lots of seams. Lots of places to look messy.
Wish I had a band saw to cut out corners.
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Nancy, time is on your side...just do it at your own pace. Oh my goodness, if you think it looks messy, so be it. It's not like "Southern Living Magazine" or "This Old House" magazine is going to be doing an article about it. Many projects I have done over the years were not perfect by any means. But it's my house and I don't care. Atleast I did the best I was capable of doing. You are too much of a perfectionist! Let it go girl!
Yippee, the plumber called today around 11:00 AM and he had got finished with a job earlier than he had thought and he came out and fixed the drain in the shower. The chaulk was dry and brittle. Well, "duh", after 15 years I guess so! He fixed it and did not charge me! Win, Win! I will be happy after someone takes a shower again and no leak! We will see what happens!
Yippee, the plumber called today around 11:00 AM and he had got finished with a job earlier than he had thought and he came out and fixed the drain in the shower. The chaulk was dry and brittle. Well, "duh", after 15 years I guess so! He fixed it and did not charge me! Win, Win! I will be happy after someone takes a shower again and no leak! We will see what happens!
Meanderer
Supreme Member
....he's putty in your hands!