The Home Improvement Thread

[kosmo vinyl]

Dropping this here because we don't have a furniture thread, guaranteed to improve any home



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FnS3FmwacAATdvP?format=jpg&name=small

[Space Freely]

Couple of weeks ago I notices the smoke alarm wasn't working.

I didn't have any 9V batteries and kept forgetting to buy any. I figured it wasn't a big deal since how often do houses in my middle class neighborhood burn down? We've been here for 19 years and zero fires in the neighborhood.

 I got some batteries Sunday and set my smoke alarm back in action.

The very next day, a neighbor's (same block, next street over) house burns to a crisp.

[hutch]

Damn dude it was meant to be you. Close call.

[Dejecty-hatch lııllı|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

. I figured it wasn't a big deal since how often do houses in my middle class neighborhood burn down?

About 10 years ago there was a fire in my neighborhood and a mother and daughter died, I think the smoke detectors were not working

[Space Freely]

. I figured it wasn't a big deal since how often do houses in my middle class neighborhood burn down?

About 10 years ago there was a fire in my neighborhood and a mother and daughter died, I think the smoke detectors were not working

Wow, that's terrible.

This fire took place in the broad daylight of the morning. Whole family got out safely.

We also have a fire extinguisher that has been sitting there in our kitchen unused for at least 19 years. How long are those things supposed to last and how do you test them?

[Dejecty-hatch lııllı|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

We also have a fire extinguisher that has been sitting there in our kitchen unused for at least 19 years. How long are those things supposed to last and how do you test them?

You don't test them, I'd read the label they typically say
but most consumer ones are only 1-time use is my understanding

[sweetcell]

We also have a fire extinguisher that has been sitting there in our kitchen unused for at least 19 years. How long are those things supposed to last and how do you test them?

the chemicals inside the extinguisher don't go bad.  your main concern is pressure.  check the gauge on the the extinguisher, should tell you if there is sufficient pressure in there or not.

[hutch]

Just shake it really hard! If it shakes violently and you hear a crazy gurgle rumble you are good!

[Space Freely]

We have several internal doors and doorframes that are in desperate need of repair or replacement. I won't say how they got broken. Who do we contact? A handyman? Some kind of carpenter? Some kind of door company? Do they get the door for you, or are you supposed to have it? These are all interior doors, not doors that lead to the outside.

[grateful]

I'd think you need to work on the cause, not the symptom.

[hutch]

Dangerous to have outside contractors see that. Under Gov Blackface edict they have to report signs of spousal abuse

[Space Freely]

I'd think you need to work on the cause, not the symptom.

We're sending the cause away to college in less than two years. Problem solved.

[sweetcell]

We have several internal doors and doorframes that are in desperate need of repair or replacement. I won't say how they got broken. Who do we contact? A handyman? Some kind of carpenter? Some kind of door company? Do they get the door for you, or are you supposed to have it? These are all interior doors, not doors that lead to the outside.

depends on the answer to "repair or replacement".
- repair: handyman/general contractor
- replacement: either a competent/experienced handyman, or a door/window company (they often do both).


unless you have very specific requirements for your interior doors, i'd go the handyman route.  a door company is likely overkill and will be expensive*.  measure your doors, then go to a big hardware store and see what door-and-frame sets they have.  they get a handyman to install them.  ideally, have the handyman over beforehand and show him what you want replaced - he might have suggestions, etc.

*we are currently having several windows and the front door replaced by a top-shelf door/window company.  total bill will be more than what we paid for our new car.

These are all interior doors, not doors that lead to the outside.

thanks for the clarification.

[Space Freely]

We have several internal doors and doorframes that are in desperate need of repair or replacement. I won't say how they got broken. Who do we contact? A handyman? Some kind of carpenter? Some kind of door company? Do they get the door for you, or are you supposed to have it? These are all interior doors, not doors that lead to the outside.

depends on the answer to "repair or replacement".
- repair: handyman/general contractor
- replacement: either a competent/experienced handyman, or a door/window company (they often do both).


unless you have very specific requirements for your interior doors, i'd go the handyman route.  a door company is likely overkill and will be expensive*.  measure your doors, then go to a big hardware store and see what door-and-frame sets they have.  they get a handyman to install them.  ideally, have the handyman over beforehand and show him what you want replaced - he might have suggestions, etc.

*we are currently having several windows and the front door replaced by a top-shelf door/window company.  total bill will be more than what we paid for our new car.

These are all interior doors, not doors that lead to the outside.

thanks for the clarification.

Thanks. Very helpful. Until yesterday, I think we were in the "repair" category. But now for at least one of them, I'd put it in the "replace" category.

[evilizac]

Not sure how much repair is necessary, but I work for a home repair and painting company, so I looked up something similar for replacement that we did in the past year or so. We're on the pricier side, but I feel like the numbers give a decent breakdown.
For a new door, of reasonable quality, assuming it's door with frame, you're probably looking at $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 for a new door and labor.
   That's likely assuming the following: 2 workers x 8.0 hours to remove and install new, trim out or finish around as necessary, $300-$500 for the door, and another $100-$200 for other materials, as/if necessary.

I hate my job.