This Old #%&@*$ House

I guess I was reading this as cash also meaning checks... as in, not credit. I mean for handyman type stuff I guess hard cash is fine but like more than a couple grand in cash seems a little wierd. But not illegal and for a discount sure why not.

LeapingGnome wrote:

I guess that depends on how you feel about tax evasion...

Someone else's tax evasion.

You're not doing anything legally wrong by paying cash. The contractor will be if they're not claiming that and paying tax on it.

Which of course they won't if they're offering a cash discount, but strictly speaking, your hands are clean in this situation.

Moggy wrote:
LeapingGnome wrote:

I guess that depends on how you feel about tax evasion...

I've always taken the position that someone receiving cash isn't necessarily evading tax. It maybe easier to deposit. Checks can be cancelled or can bounce. There's no additional charge (like with debit and credit cards).

I'm not the conscience of my vendors.

Let's be honest the guy evading some tax on side project install is your water bear of a problem. The corporations, millionaires, and billionaires evading taxes are your entire ocean of problem. Tax evasion is tax evasion but let's focus our energy here. He's making at most $50 to $100k in tax free dollars if he gives up every weekend and finds enough willing folks.

We'll usually pay by card if the price is the same, but by check if they do the 3% extra thing. Really, that's only been our previous HVAC company, and they were nice and pretty competent, but always seemed a bit sketchy. I found them on Home Advisor, and they had a website and actual vans, but they had two or three different phone numbers, and they frequently went to voicemail.

When we were getting some windows re-done, the installers did a few extra things on the side for us, and we paid them with a check for that. Except our main bank is Capital One 360, which doesn't have physical locations. He came back a half hour later to ask if we could write him a check from a bank he could get it cashed at immediately, because his helper guy needed the cash for his kids that weekend. Fortunately, we have a backup account at a local bank, and I was able to give him a check from there. Dangers of using an internet-first bank, I guess.

We updated our main floor this spring, including replacing the popcorn ceiling with knockdown texture, painting the walls and kitchen cabinets, and replacing all the brass hardware with brushed nickel.

I also replaced all the ceiling light fixtures, and here lies my problem: flickering lights on one circuit. There are three new fixtures on the kitchen light circuit, all with LED bulbs. They will occasionally pulse with the same rhythmic flicker. It will last for several minutes to an hour, then stop.

I can't reproduce the problem on demand. It does not seem to be related to other large appliance or HVAC activity. There are new hallway LED fixtures on a different circuit that do not flicker when the kitchen-circuit lights do. It definitely seems to be isolated to one circuit.

I have tried the easy fixes, based on articles I've read: tighten the bulbs, replace an old dimmer switch with one designed for LEDs. My next step is to replace the switches for the recessed lighting on the same circuit (since they have sometimes been touchy), then take down the new fixtures and double-check the wiring. I believe I have identified all items on that circuit but it's possible I missed one.

Any other ideas, before I call a professional? My concern is that, since I can't reproduce the problem, the electrician won't have enough to go on to diagnose properly.

I think if you take a video of it that should be at least a head start for a pro.

So I will enable anyone who has or has not thought of how much they NEED a backpack 4 gallon pump sprayer. Harbor Freight has a $30 one and it was AMAZING to use. I was spraying on wood cleaner to attempt to salvage my decaying deck until wood prices come down or I decide to go full cement patio. I used my old sprayer who was my first and unfortunately slightly clogged helper. It wasn't gonna work no more last night. This morning I went and picked up this beautiful monster and I think I spent more time putting it together out of the box than the 10 minutes I took spraying my deck with the chemical solution. When it comes to sprayers unless you're doing a tiny job get this guy and you'll thank me later.
IMAGE(https://shop.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/3/63092_W3.jpg)

Listen, if using a tank sprayer is really that much fun, I have a hill full of buckthorn that's clearly a good time.

/tomsawyer

MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Listen, if using a tank sprayer is really that much fun, I have a hill full of buckthorn that's clearly a good time.

/tomsawyer

Lol, if spraying worked to kill buckthorn I'd be over there in a heart beat....Alas you must cut and paint the stem with roundup to kill it. Or get a pack of goats....Which I'd also recommend.

Hobear wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Listen, if using a tank sprayer is really that much fun, I have a hill full of buckthorn that's clearly a good time.

/tomsawyer

Lol, if spraying worked to kill buckthorn I'd be over there in a heart beat....Alas you must cut and paint the stem with roundup to kill it. Or get a pack of goats....Which I'd also recommend.

I have a friend who hired goats, and they worked well, so I've actually been considering it. When they built these houses, they gave everybody on my street nice, neat lots, and just tacked all the rest of it onto my lot for some reason, and that's the giant buckthorn farm. Ugh.

MilkmanDanimal wrote:
Hobear wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Listen, if using a tank sprayer is really that much fun, I have a hill full of buckthorn that's clearly a good time.

/tomsawyer

Lol, if spraying worked to kill buckthorn I'd be over there in a heart beat....Alas you must cut and paint the stem with roundup to kill it. Or get a pack of goats....Which I'd also recommend.

I have a friend who hired goats, and they worked well, so I've actually been considering it. When they built these houses, they gave everybody on my street nice, neat lots, and just tacked all the rest of it onto my lot for some reason, and that's the giant buckthorn farm. Ugh.

IF you do want more information about removal in general here you go.

It's really a multi year process. Such a pain and Buckthorn is ALL OVER MN. It's awful.

Speaking of weeds, here is an all natural weed killer that my father in law swears by:
1 gallon Vinegar
2 cups epson salt
1/4 cup Dawn dish soap(The blue original)

Mix and spray in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Weeds should be dead by evening. Cheaper and no cancer causing ingredients like most chemical weed killers.

Hobear wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:
Hobear wrote:
MilkmanDanimal wrote:

Listen, if using a tank sprayer is really that much fun, I have a hill full of buckthorn that's clearly a good time.

/tomsawyer

Lol, if spraying worked to kill buckthorn I'd be over there in a heart beat....Alas you must cut and paint the stem with roundup to kill it. Or get a pack of goats....Which I'd also recommend.

I have a friend who hired goats, and they worked well, so I've actually been considering it. When they built these houses, they gave everybody on my street nice, neat lots, and just tacked all the rest of it onto my lot for some reason, and that's the giant buckthorn farm. Ugh.

IF you do want more information about removal in general here you go.

It's really a multi year process. Such a pain and Buckthorn is ALL OVER MN. It's awful.

Oh, I know, it sucks, and I've just been putting it off. As has everyone else, apparently; before you clear, they want you to meet with the city tree inspector who gives you instructions on the best way to clear, and I met with him right after May 1 when they start doing that. He let me know that, if you call them by Wednesday, they'll come and pick up any Buckthorn you have if you put it next to the street, trunk-first. Great, I called a few Wednesdays later. The first pickup? It was two months out. So, now I have two massive piles of cut Buckthorn sitting on my hill for another month and a half.

Rainsmercy wrote:

Speaking of weeds, here is an all natural weed killer that my father in law swears by:
1 gallon Vinegar
2 cups epson salt
1/4 cup Dawn dish soap(The blue original)

Mix and spray in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Weeds should be dead by evening. Cheaper and no cancer causing ingredients like most chemical weed killers.

The above-ground parts of the weed will be dead. The roots will still be alive though.

mudbunny wrote:
Rainsmercy wrote:

Speaking of weeds, here is an all natural weed killer that my father in law swears by:
1 gallon Vinegar
2 cups epson salt
1/4 cup Dawn dish soap(The blue original)

Mix and spray in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Weeds should be dead by evening. Cheaper and no cancer causing ingredients like most chemical weed killers.

The above-ground parts of the weed will be dead. The roots will still be alive though.

For buckthorn you do need the commercial grade stuff but use a cup and a paint brush or a bingo dobber and that will kill off your buckthorn. Or wrap in black plastic or a few others. I think roundup might be the least worst beyond goats.

If you enjoy your pump backpack sprayer, may I introduce you to a battery powered backpack sprayer? I love mine. It lays down 2 giant bottles of ant/bug spray to the foundation of my house in like 5 minutes.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ON...

I think I bought it on sale or clearance a long time ago for like ....60 bucks?

astralplaydoh wrote:

If you enjoy your pump backpack sprayer, may I introduce you to a battery powered backpack sprayer? I love mine. It lays down 2 giant bottles of ant/bug spray to the foundation of my house in like 5 minutes.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ON...

I think I bought it on sale or clearance a long time ago for like ....60 bucks?

Since you mentioned it, what chemical are you using?

For just a barrier around the foundation? I just use the Ortho Home Defense I think.

I was an exterminator in a prior life, for 3 or so years, and our go-to was Cyfluthrin based products. Here is a link for some: https://store.doyourownpestcontrol.c...

Cyfluthrin is safe for mammals, but pretty nasty to invertebrates/fish/birds, so I would either use it to create an indoor perimeter defense, or if you do use it outdoors (which my company did) but be sure to use it on a day that it's not going to rain, but it will dry pretty quickly when you spray it on your outside foundation.

I don’t blame people for taking advantage of the rules. I blame the people who made the rules, and the people using their power, wealth, and influence to bend the rule makers to their will.

UpToIsomorphism wrote:

I don’t blame people for taking advantage of the rules. I blame the people who made the rules, and the people using their power, wealth, and influence to bend the rule makers to their will.

I think you're in the wrong thread.

Quintin_Stone wrote:
UpToIsomorphism wrote:

I don’t blame people for taking advantage of the rules. I blame the people who made the rules, and the people using their power, wealth, and influence to bend the rule makers to their will.

I think you're in the wrong thread. :lol:

nah it's just a typo, but I fixed it.

UpToIsomorphism wrote:

I don’t blame people for taking advantage of the rulers. I blame the people who made the rulers, and the people using their power, wealth, and influence to bend the ruler makers to their will.

Is this still about paying in cash?

Whew.

Sink has been leaking off and on for a few weeks. It's one of those faucets that is a sprayer, and when we pulled it out to spray there was a minor leak at the connection. Tried to tighten it up, hold it a certain way, some tape, hehe... but it's kept leaking. The last couple days it got worse, and my wife noticed it leaking down into the faucet as she put it back and got concerned. Yes, we had some water leaking under the cabinet. I didn't think of that before, thought it was only leaking when we pulled on it.

Thankfully the cabinet held up, just a bit of a water circle. And don't think we got any leaks through to the floor. But wife was insistent we change it now. So she ran and did curbside pickup for a new faucet while the kids were napping, and then right at 5 I got to work. The new one looked really easy to put in... but the old one, doing the reverse was very difficult.

Couldn't get the connections undone at the start. The old hot/cold connections were really short from the faucet and had some extensions coming down. Couldn't grip that pipe at all, and the bolts were huge, couldn't really get a grip on those either. So had to undo down at the hot/cold shutoff, which was better anyway for the new faucet as it had longer connections. Ok not a huge hurdle, but then... the underneath odd bolt that was holding the faucet on was rusted together. This little bastard...
IMAGE(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ZFmoRQeBoVJA27lBq3_aoUKXy4VrYG_-vKtH36JrVBly71-5KJwzv4sb_DhFS7TE0dC4PWKEiZbqDXSeW4NuElSLYCf6GLk1aeAtsCh2L3qhhPT6dpFaawmsw9r_exGT3OQYX6W8DrvsfcKEuBykdKySJ5Kt2_viTB3VRjFF6-2BLi8SKsWSsMyQj-G4J5qvzj0pXcSW8De-)

Got the screws out and then couldn't turn it. Whole faucet was shifting up top. Couldn't get any of my tools around it. WTF. Called my dad on video and showed him the new piece that looked similar... he said maybe a Basin Wrench, which of course he has but I don't. So another trip to store... not in the wrenches, over in the plumbing section, grr. I get home, it still doesn't look big enough, but it manages to catch from the screwhole to the notch halfway around like in the image, and I can sort of get a grip. But I turn and turn, and the faucet is grinding the top of the sink but this thing isn't coming loose. Have my wife try to hold the faucet, no dice. We switch, no dice. She has to deal with crying baby for a bit, so I try wedging a screwdriver between the faucet and one of the side holes, to give me something to turn against... it just wedges the screwdriver and bends the old faucet cover a bit. Dammit.

Finally I combine methods, have my wife hold the screwdriver to pin the plate down and I turned for everything I had underneath... creak... it moves! Holy sh*t, I can unscrew it and take it off. Whew...

Then, remember those really large connections for hot and cold on old faucet? Can't get the goddamn circle bolt thing and washer off over the connectors and extender pipe they had on there. Like I got it over the first one above the extender, but couldn't get it over the second one because the extender was a lot wider than the original connection hose. OMG!

But I had that ring down far enough that I could pull the faucet through at the top some... all the way to where it was stuck. And like I said before the new faucet had way longer connectors so this extension stuff is just trash. Got my handy dewalt handheld saw out and cut through that little piece of crap. Without the extender, the stupid circle and washer falls off finally, and the old faucet goes straight in the trash. I never want to see it again haha.

New faucet install is super clean, super easy, done in 30 minutes or less. Hot, cold, spray, no leaks, everything looks great.

TLDR: I replaced a leaky kitchen faucet/sprayer. But it was a war. And I won.

You won the battle. The house is the war.

Tile is being installed Saturday. Nervous as hell that we have the same problem as last try with grout popping/cracking and tiles breaking. I know I installed the subfloor and cement backerboard after watching at least 10-15 videos and the floor is the quietest/squeak free it has ever been but my subconscious is being a little jerk.

Plumbing is very scary, but generally it pretty easy to fix as long as you don't have to cut old cast iron pipes that were welded together during the second World War. It's just pipes - it's what's in the pipes that unnerves people

Hobear wrote:
mudbunny wrote:
Rainsmercy wrote:

Speaking of weeds, here is an all natural weed killer that my father in law swears by:
1 gallon Vinegar
2 cups epson salt
1/4 cup Dawn dish soap(The blue original)

Mix and spray in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Weeds should be dead by evening. Cheaper and no cancer causing ingredients like most chemical weed killers.

The above-ground parts of the weed will be dead. The roots will still be alive though.

For buckthorn you do need the commercial grade stuff but use a cup and a paint brush or a bingo dobber and that will kill off your buckthorn. Or wrap in black plastic or a few others. I think roundup might be the least worst beyond goats.

Back when I spent a lot of summer hours clearing buckthorn, they were mostly full-on trees, and we'd use the branches to build bonfires over the stumps.

Oops.

Kitchen tile, take 2, grout tomorrow......

IMAGE(https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/199850204_10227922776721839_4062656062921382046_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=Euk34W1lB-8AX-IY43E&tn=lq3FlQNFgrNycsdJ&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-2.fna&oh=6fcc62f47b996f53d00a2370973e9dd2&oe=60C9805F)

IMAGE(https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/199354052_10227922777081848_5764765491509731542_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=dHhGyg-H7R0AX8b8Qi7&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-2.fna&oh=f60e072fa31803c9c6e5995f5d63168e&oe=60C9E478)

IMAGE(https://scontent.ffcm1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/131309758_10227922793122249_1512637174084279205_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=o2v7jrjGwXEAX9j7jg9&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-1.fna&oh=157b46cfe1af02209beb737e13f38785&oe=60C9FA21)

IMAGE(https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/196619105_10227923463539009_6409266433062627407_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=KO1aSUROAlYAX9VOEfX&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-2.fna&oh=8a3575b6b57ed1af29beaa0aa5aac8c6&oe=60CAE3BE)

IMAGE(https://scontent.ffcm1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/131384478_10227925045698562_3922299271350855085_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=iO2_J3plmDcAX9TOpfH&_nc_ht=scontent.ffcm1-2.fna&oh=5489b833f7c28b05564374a6242c6c0b&oe=60CA38A4)