Home Improvement

TJT · Jul 17, 2023

Yeah Ryobi is top quality stuff really. I've had the same edge trimmer for a decade and the battery hasn't even lost charge.

So I am looking to get spray foam insulation done. Has anyone done this? I have a need for both better insulation as TX is hot AF and my primary creature comfort of better sound reduction. We have this open plan house that seems to be the rage lately. While I like it it has the side effect of me being able to hear everything going on from my work desk. To the point of I can hear my wife and kids talking and not the work call I am on despite the computer being right in front of me and I have headphones on.

To aid in that spray foam insulation and I am also getting a solid wood door for the home office put in.

Daidraco · Jul 17, 2023

TJT said:
Yeah Ryobi is top quality stuff really. I've had the same edge trimmer for a decade and the battery hasn't even lost charge.

So I am looking to get spray foam insulation done. Has anyone done this? I have a need for both better insulation as TX is hot AF and my primary creature comfort of better sound reduction. We have this open plan house that seems to be the rage lately. While I like it it has the side effect of me being able to hear everything going on from my work desk. To the point of I can hear my wife and kids talking and not the work call I am on despite the computer being right in front of me and I have headphones on.

To aid in that spray foam insulation and I am also getting a solid wood door for the home office put in.

Ive got bamboo-hardwood floors on the entire main level and vaulted ceilings through some of it. The main floor is just over 1600 sq/ft. I can hear what Christina is putting on the back deck when Im sitting in the living room. Its the materials, and as you commented, the open floor plan, that are allowing the sound to travel (in my opinion.)

As for the spray in foam - it has the highest resistance value per square inch. Obviously, you would use Fiber Glass insulation for the Attic (R45 or something). If you ask most people, they'll have no idea what the hell the "R" value means, much less what level they have for insulation.

If the conversation between the two things are connected - you'll have better results if you put a sound deadening barrier up after the insulation, before the sheetrock, and then after the sheetrock is done, use sound deadening paint. We only do that stuff when replacing the sheetrock on the exterior (between and exterior-interior) of our condo's because the cost sky rockets. Rarely do we ever have to outright replace sheetrock, and can normally just paint over it.

BrutulTM · Jul 17, 2023

I don't have any experience with soundproofing but this guy's videos have been good for me on a lot of other projects.

Dandai · Jul 17, 2023

TJT said:
Yeah Ryobi is top quality stuff really. I've had the same edge trimmer for a decade and the battery hasn't even lost charge.

So I am looking to get spray foam insulation done. Has anyone done this? I have a need for both better insulation as TX is hot AF and my primary creature comfort of better sound reduction. We have this open plan house that seems to be the rage lately. While I like it it has the side effect of me being able to hear everything going on from my work desk. To the point of I can hear my wife and kids talking and not the work call I am on despite the computer being right in front of me and I have headphones on.

To aid in that spray foam insulation and I am also getting a solid wood door for the home office put in.

I encapsulated my crawlspace in my last house with a spray foam kit. It was simple but I did a lot of prep and watching vids on technique and what not to do. I don’t know that you’ll get sound dampening from it though. My understanding for sound proofing is that you want big voids between interior walls and a dedicated mini split for climate control (ie no ventilation shared with other rooms).

Pasteton · Jul 17, 2023

Anyone ass a pizza oven in their backyard?
Also kinda unrelated but anyone have experience with TICs with people you know/friends?

Lanx · Jul 17, 2023

Pasteton said:
Anyone ass a pizza oven in their backyard?
Also kinda unrelated but anyone have experience with TICs with people you know/friends?

i have a ooni oven

it was originally a pellet, but after years of taking too long to come to temp, i got tired of it and got the propane attachment

youre probably talking about one of these tho

ToeMissile · Jul 17, 2023

Vorph · Jul 17, 2023

Does electrical code allow me to put an outlet here?

In case it's not clear, it's a basement window that was paneled over like 30 or so years ago when the heat was changed from oil to gas. I just want to attach a weatherized box and outdoor rated outlet there since I currently have no exterior power anywhere on the house. And it's a pain in the ass to get any too, since there's only a small part of the exposed foundation that is cinderblock and the rest of it is stone that appears to be about 2' thick.

Dandai · Jul 17, 2023

Vorph said:
Does electrical code allow me to put an outlet here?

View attachment 482903
In case it's not clear, it's a basement window that was paneled over like 30 or so years ago when the heat was changed from oil to gas. I just want to attach a weatherized box and outdoor rated outlet there since I currently have no exterior power anywhere on the house. And it's a pain in the ass to get any too, since there's only a small part of the exposed foundation that is cinderblock and the rest of it is stone that appears to be about 2' thick.

You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t mind insurance not paying out

Captain Suave · Jul 17, 2023

Dandai said:
You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t mind insurance not paying out

Depending on how much your local government has a stick up their ass you can be forced to remove unpermitted/code-violating modifications to the house. My wife's aunt was forced to remove a mini split AC in her garage after her neighbors turned her in (fuck those people), and I've heard horror stories of people having to rip out entire room additions to their house because of permit violations.

Vorph · Jul 17, 2023

Dandai said:
You can do whatever you want as long as you don’t mind insurance not paying out

I mind. Though I'm pretty sure any new line that I run with a GFCI breaker and new romex is 99.999999999% less likely to be the cause of a fire than the fabric covered two conductor shit running throughout the rest of the house. (Which I'm also getting rid of as part of this project, at least on the first floor where I have easy access to everything... going to have to shell out the cash for an electrician to come in and do the upper floors.)

Captain Suave · Jul 17, 2023

Vorph said:
the fabric covered two conductor shit running throughout the rest of the house. (Which I'm also getting rid of as part of this project, at least on the first floor where I have easy access to everything... going to have to shell out the cash for an electrician to come in and do the upper floors.)

Same shit in my house, also on the docket for later in the year. I definitely need an electrician, though, as I also need a main panel upgrade. Current wiring is old and a clusterfuck. I'm going to put in 40 circuits, each room lights and outlets isolated, multiple high amp circuits to the garage, and one big one for an EV charger, all after which I don't want to think about it again for at least 20 years.

Hopefully electricians are more available in your area. I literally couldn't find one willing to move two outlets and set up a dryer circuit for my bathroom remodel.

Palum · Jul 17, 2023

Vorph said:
Does electrical code allow me to put an outlet here?

View attachment 482903
In case it's not clear, it's a basement window that was paneled over like 30 or so years ago when the heat was changed from oil to gas. I just want to attach a weatherized box and outdoor rated outlet there since I currently have no exterior power anywhere on the house. And it's a pain in the ass to get any too, since there's only a small part of the exposed foundation that is cinderblock and the rest of it is stone that appears to be about 2' thick.

What is that pipe?

Vorph · Jul 17, 2023

Palum said:
What is that pipe?

Furnace exhaust.

Palum · Jul 17, 2023

Vorph said:
Furnace exhaust.

I don't think there's anything specific as long as it's GFCI, WR, covered box. Just working space and general clearance. If you're feeling pensive run it into conduit and around there corner into the exterior wall?

Palum · Jul 18, 2023

What is a reasonable cost for square foot to expect to redo ceiling with new drywall overlay? I've been told this is the cheapest/easiest way to remove textured ceilings vs scraping. I do not think I have strapping so probably needs to be 3/8" unfortunately.

lurkingdirk · Jul 18, 2023

Palum said:
What is a reasonable cost for square foot to expect to redo ceiling with new drywall overlay? I've been told this is the cheapest/easiest way to remove textured ceilings vs scraping. I do not think I have strapping so probably needs to be 3/8" unfortunately.

Scraping isn't bad at all, and the best part is that it is not skilled labour. You can do all the scraping yourself and have a plasterer come in and finish it up. Use plenty of water once you break the paint seal and it doesn't go that badly. You should really try just a small part in a closet or somewhere that is fairly inconspicuous to see how it goes. If you get part way don't and say "fuck it," you can still go the overlay route and you haven't lost any money.

Palum · Jul 18, 2023

lurkingdirk said:
Scraping isn't bad at all, and the best part is that it is not skilled labour. You can do all the scraping yourself and have a plasterer come in and finish it up. Use plenty of water once you break the paint seal and it doesn't go that badly. You should really try just a small part in a closet or somewhere that is fairly inconspicuous to see how it goes. If you get part way don't and say "fuck it," you can still go the overlay route and you haven't lost any money.

I've done this in one room. It was not easy work (really just dealing with the astronomical mess) and there's a lot of clean up to finish. I guess the problem is, if I go one or two rooms at a time there's not really a drywall person interested in small jobs like that (at least recently).

Lanx · Jul 18, 2023

lurkingdirk said:
Scraping isn't bad at all, and the best part is that it is not skilled labour. You can do all the scraping yourself and have a plasterer come in and finish it up. Use plenty of water once you break the paint seal and it doesn't go that badly. You should really try just a small part in a closet or somewhere that is fairly inconspicuous to see how it goes. If you get part way don't and say "fuck it," you can still go the overlay route and you haven't lost any money.

yup thats what i did, i did the laundry closet in my old home

lots of water, lots of mess

i didnt think it was worth it, after i saw all my neighbors homes and they still had popcorn

Burren · Jul 18, 2023

lurkingdirk said:
Scraping isn't bad at all, and the best part is that it is not skilled labour. You can do all the scraping yourself and have a plasterer come in and finish it up. Use plenty of water once you break the paint seal and it doesn't go that badly. You should really try just a small part in a closet or somewhere that is fairly inconspicuous to see how it goes. If you get part way don't and say "fuck it," you can still go the overlay route and you haven't lost any money.

Seems like it would be miserable on the shoulders and neck though.

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Home Improvement

TJT

Mr. Poopybutthole

Daidraco

Avatar of War Slayer

BrutulTM

Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.

Dandai

<WoW Guild Officer>

Pasteton

Blackwing Lair Raider

Lanx

ToeMissile

Pronouns: zie/zhem/zer

Vorph

Silver Baronet of the Realm

Dandai

<WoW Guild Officer>

Captain Suave

Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris.

Vorph

Silver Baronet of the Realm

Captain Suave

Caesar si viveret, ad remum dareris.

Palum

what Suineg set it to

Vorph

Silver Baronet of the Realm

Palum

what Suineg set it to

Palum

what Suineg set it to

lurkingdirk

AssHat Taint

Palum

what Suineg set it to

Lanx

Burren

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