Home ownership "fun" never ends

[highfigh]

Guess what I hear around 1 am today? No not the sound of daylight time savings, not at all. I hear the sound of loud dripping. My 2nd-floor ceiling was leaking right where the attic furnace is located right above it. My attic furnace sprung a leak filling the water collector tub beneath it, but on inspection the tub wasn't even 1/4 full, so my house thoughtful builders decide to make a hole in it, I guess to prevent water overflow.

If the humidifier has plastic discs with holes in it, make sure they're not loaded with mineral deposits. If they are, it's safe to assume the rest of the innards are, too and that includes the valve shutoff float. My dad used Vinegar to clean everything after the first time this happened, although that furnace was in the basement, so it didn't damage anything.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ok here is some good news for an f-n change: Fridge was repaired by replacing the 3-in-1 starter relay.
Cost of the part $15, the cost of knowing which part to replace and how - $165 - not bad really considering my area prices for expert labor.

The furnace situation is a bit more complicated - part of the furnace or a-coil/fan has a cover box that is made of plastic. guess what happens to plastic which gets very heated over time?

If you guessed it gets cracked - you guessed correctly. For now, it's temporarily patched with a waterproof sealant spray.
Replacing the box is a 1.5-3h job and I am still trying to get hold of my usual AC guy to get his estimate.

 

[mtrycrafts]

They didn't have much business when everything was shut down, so they seem to think they can make it up in the first few months after re-starting. Did you ask for a better price?

...

I didn't ask. That $$ shock was enough.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Gotta get permits in TX to do that sort of thing. Lucky for me my brother in law is a plumber.

Most likely here as well, but not open on Saturday. This is WH is number 5 without permits since 1993.
They approved the original and replaced exactly the same way. Maybe at my expiration date they will come and collect?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Do you know that "as seen on tv" boating sealing spray? Well, I happen to have its alternative for tree pruning waterproof spray. Could you put it on the cracked box? So far, it holds—no leaks for now.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

I always had "fun" hearing of my co-worker home-owners horror stories, "the sub-contractor screwed up the kitchen / bathroom, etc."

 

[RedCharles]

Cannot believe the labor charge they are asking for simple stuff.

The labor shortage is real.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

an update: That spray held precisely less than a day and started leaking again (a bit slowly)
I got a quote of $300 and 2-3 hours of work to replace the collector box cover.
My colleague recommended me his HVAC guy - called him - he said he'd do it for $150, and he finished in about 1/2 hour.
Now four days later, no leaks.

I've bought ZigBee smart water sensors on amazon, configured my Home assistant (open-source smart home hub software) to send me alerts in case of water leaks, and placed sensors in a few critical locations.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The labor shortage is real.

Wife will not pay me to fix things.
Good thing I am able to do it., still.

 

[Dan]

Well looks like much of my sound system gave up the ghost. DVD/CD player drawer will not open, turntable is frozen and multiple software errors on the pre/pro from an out of business company. Also the five channel amp is down a channel. Yes I do play all those old media. The only thing working right now is the 40 year old cassette player!!!!! Mostly because it doesn't get much use....

What is the world coming to when a 35 yo turntable and 20 year old DVD players and preamps fail.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Found this handy video - let's say if you are in the market for home appliances, Samsung isn't the brand you should be looking at all.

I'd also this pretty informative article:

Should You Get a Front-Load or Top-Load Washing Machine?

Front-loaders have the edge on cleaning performance and efficiency, but there are times when a top-loader could be best for you. Here are the facts you need to make a decision.

www.nytimes.com

 

[TLS Guy]

Found this handy video - let's say if you are in the market for home appliances, Samsung isn't the brand you should be looking at all.

I'd also this pretty informative article:

Should You Get a Front-Load or Top-Load Washing Machine?

Front-loaders have the edge on cleaning performance and efficiency, but there are times when a top-loader could be best for you. Here are the facts you need to make a decision.

www.nytimes.com

I have know for years that Samsung appliances are absolute junk!

 

[Replicant 7]

My oldest son had a Samsung refrigerator the one with the French doors and freezer at the bottom 2300 bucks new lasted about 5 years. But he had issues with it from day one, with freezing up, no cold air getting to the refrigerator part. Samsung sent a tech out, that took about month for a Samsung tech to get to him, cause he was the only authorized Samsung tech within a three parish area. My 51" plasma tv last just passed the 18 month warranty went out about 22 months into owning it. Samsung 3D player crashed about 15 months in to owning it. No more Samsung for me. That was a 2.500 learning experience for me.

 

[panteragstk]

Found this handy video - let's say if you are in the market for home appliances, Samsung isn't the brand you should be looking at all.

I'd also this pretty informative article:

Should You Get a Front-Load or Top-Load Washing Machine?

Front-loaders have the edge on cleaning performance and efficiency, but there are times when a top-loader could be best for you. Here are the facts you need to make a decision.

www.nytimes.com

My oldest son had a Samsung refrigerator the one with the French doors and freezer at the bottom 2300 bucks new lasted about 5 years. But he had issues with it from day one, with freezing up, no cold air getting to the refrigerator part. Samsung sent a tech out, that took about month for a Samsung tech to get to him, cause he was the only authorized Samsung tech within a three parish area. My 51" plasma tv last just passed the 18 month warranty went out about 22 months into owning it. Samsung 3D player crashed about 15 months in to owning it. No more Samsung for me. That was a 2.500 learning experience for me.

I used to sell their stuff back in the day and was never a fan. I had a few of their phones, but didn't really like them. Then the phones started catching on fire. Then a washer exploded or something. This is after dealing with managing them professionally for years too.

I won't buy Samsung anything if I can help it. Any company with planned obsolescence is out for me.

 

[Replicant 7]

I used to sell their stuff back in the day and was never a fan. I had a few of their phones, but didn't really like them. Then the phones started catching on fire. Then a washer exploded or something. This is after dealing with managing them professionally for years too.

I won't buy Samsung anything if I can help it. Any company with planned obsolescence is out for me.

I knew you had to be connected! Sooo any ideas if or when prices are gonna come down on audio gear? Saw something on the national news TV CBS that all those ships that where stuck off the coast but now being unloaded. But retailers are stacking in warehouses now keeping the prices high. Fakeflation.

 

[lovinthehd]

Any company with planned obsolescence is out for me.

That would certainly limit choices.....as most seem to subscribe to that model. We have limitless garbage disposal as well as resources, of course.....

 

[panteragstk]

I knew you had to be connected! Sooo any ideas if or when prices are gonna come down on audio gear? Saw something on the national news TV CBS that all those ships that where stuck off the coast but now being unloaded. But retailers are stacking in warehouses now keeping the prices high. Fakeflation.

Things are still all over the place from what I've read. You've got stuck ships, but then a lot of fabs are having issues churning things out. It also depends on the products.

I don't pay attention nearly as much as I used to though. I don't sell or support electronics anymore. Not really anyway.

 

[Replicant 7]

Things are still all over the place from what I've read. You've got stuck ships, but then a lot of fabs are having issues churning things out. It also depends on the products.

I don't pay attention nearly as much as I used to though. I don't sell or support electronics anymore. Not really anyway.

Thanks bro, was mainly just thinking about all the product that's just sitting now in big warehouses just to keep prices high.

 

[Teetertotter?]

Maintaining upkeep on your dwelling, has some issues.........with expense to go with it. I'm sure the AC repair business is going quite well these days. lol Let alone find someone and your put on the waiting list.

I have a plumber friend that will work on the side and have used. I buy the parts and he fixes for a minimal fee. I might have to ask him for a heating/cooling guy in a couple years. Homeownership is a huge undertaking.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

I have a plumber friend that will work on the side and have used. I buy the parts and he fixes for a minimal fee. I might have to ask him for a heating/cooling guy in a couple years. Homeownership is a huge undertaking.

Wow.
My water heater went out I think it was this past December. Just for fun I asked Home Depot to give me a price for installation cost of one of its heaters.
Wow, it came back at $2000. A local plumber back then wanted $1600.
I installed myself as in the past.