The words “home work” can mean two different things. One is the “homework” we had to do as kids, when we were in school … that type of “homework” was math or english or history or other subjects like that from the classes we were taking. But the other meaning of “home work” is “work you do on your home”, as an adult, when you own a home … and that second meaning is what I’m talking about here.
I’ll share a few photos and the basics of a little work that I’ve done inside and outside my home over the past few months this year. I’m not going to include the usual, regular chores inside the house or gardening outside the house, but I want to show just a few unusual things I’ve done that are a one-time thing (I hope) while I own this home. 🙂
First up … my water heater was replaced a little while ago. That was done in conjunction with some major underground water leaks that resulted in the homeowner association here buying/installing new flooring, buying/installing new wallboard, buying/installing new bricks behind my wood stove because the wall behind those bricks had mold in it, and other such stuff as that. But, as long as my water heater was out of the way (it had to be removed in order to repair the water leak), then as long as the water heater was out on the back patio, and since it was original to the house in 1981, I elected to purchase (and pay for) a new water heater. Cool beans! 🙂 And yes, all the other work was paid for by the homeowner association, appropriately.
When the fellows installed the new water heater, they had to cut a hole in the wall for the “overheat” line, so if the water heater overheated, the excess hot water would flow out that line, into the copper line in the wall, and eventually exit through a pipe to the outside of the house. But, they had to cut a hole in the wall to do that, to make that connection. They were swamped with that other water leak plumbing work in my house too … lots of work that I helped them with, rolled up my sleeves and pulled out my tools and helped them. The three of us (the two guys and I) had a great time working together. They had spent extra time getting the work in my house done before work that was needed by other customers so, when the work was finally done in my home, they had to race off to other jobs, but they promised to come back as soon as they could and finish this one last job … photo below … to cover the hole in the wall where that overheat line connected to the copper pipe.
Well, I wasn’t too enamored of having a hole in the wall where a mouse (or a rat) could enter my home if it got into the attic, or the wall space, or under the house. So rather than wait for the guys, I tackled this small job myself. I cut a small piece of press-board that fit nicely to cover that hole, then I cut it in half (top to bottom) and I cut a hole in the center of it to allow it to fit around the pipe.
Then I screwed both halves to the wall, then sealed it, and painted it. In the photo below, one more coat of paint was needed, but then after that it was complete.
A week or so later, the guys came back to finish up some real plumbing work. When they saw that I’d covered the hole, and knowing the other work I’d done on things around the house and the help I’d given them with plumbing issues, they were mightily impressed and offered me a job! Truly. I thought about that for about 1/10 of a second and declined. I’d rather stay retired, and go camping. 🙂 But that felt pretty good.
Next project … the closet off the kitchen where the washer/dryer is located needed cleaning and repair and painting. So I took the doors off, pulled out the washer and dryer, and got to work. The photo below is after the cleaning and painting and repairs to the plumbing, walls, floor, etc.
I replaced both “faucets” that feed hot and cold water to the washing machine, using quarter-turn valves that are so much easier to turn than the ones you have to turn and turn and turn. Horizontal is off. Vertical is on. Simple.
I also plugged a large hole in the wall just above the hose where the water exit hose from the washer goes.
I untangled the dryer vent hose (it was actually coiled on the floor behind the dryer and was almost completely compressed, almost no air flow). I fixed it and attached it more securely too.
Then I moved the washer and dryer back in, hooked everything up again, and put all my supplies back on the shelves after painting and cleaning up there too, and then reattached the closet doors.
Whew, I’m worn out!! 🙂
But then another project got my attention. Actually, it has had my attention for awhile but I finally got around to doing something about it. The photo below shows the 1981 baseboard heater that’s in the master bathroom. I almost never use that bathroom. I had already checked that wiring and it was safe. But still, that 220-amp baseboard heater needed to be replaced.
So I did that! After turning off the electricity to the unit, of course, and double checking with a test stick. Here’s the brand new WHITE 220-amp baseboard heater in place (below), properly wired so the over-heat sensor would activate if needed.
Some time after that, I was sitting in the living room in my orange upholstered chair that my parents had purchased in 1960 in the Philippines, when the metal supports underneath gave way and I was suddenly sitting at a significant angle to the left, almost dumped out of the chair and onto the floor, yikes! The metal supports underneath hold the chair level and hold the extending foot rests level, when the chair leans backward or forward (it’s a very comfortable recliner). Well, obviously, something was broken or had come loose. So UP the chair went, upside down, on the sofa, and I took it apart to explore the problem.
Photo below is a closeup of one side underneath where the metal pieces unfold and fold when the chair tilts backwards or forwards, as it reclines or sits upright.
I took both sides apart so I could inspect all joints and fittings.
Lined up all the nuts and bolts and washers so I knew what I needed to buy.
Then I bought new nuts and bolts and washers … and reused the ones that were still good.
I used the proper tools for the job, including a chunk of wood to support those metal brackets when I needed to hammer or punch something on them, so the rest of the chair wouldn’t be damaged.
Eventually, I figured out what had come loose (1 thing) and what had broken (another 1 thing) and then put everything back together good as new.
Here (below) is the underside of the chair with everything reinstalled perfectly.
Then I reinstalled the wood and metal parts underneath the chair that keep the chair aligned and strong, and reinstalled the folding foot rests.
And, eventually!, the chair was finished and back in place. And it now works perfectly with no danger of my falling out. I love this chair. I want to keep it in my life.
Next project was outdoors. A neighbor of mine had experienced rats in her attic a couple of years ago. The attic ventilation holes in her home weren’t covered with a screen to prevent such entry. So I finally got around to checking mine. They were ok, but some were pretty rusty. So I bought a roll of stainless steel screen mesh that’s made for this purpose, then I cut squares, and then I used my electric staple gun to attach a square over each hole … 48 holes total around my house.
Rats are not welcome!
The last project earlier this spring was to replace a hose bibb that had started to leak just a tiny bit. Rather than install a standard twist handle hose bibb (one you turn and turn and turn and turn), I chose to install one with a quarter-turn handle. They are SO EASY to turn. As with the washing machine hose bibb handles … horizontal is off … vertical is full on … and it takes just a gentle, tiny turn of the handle to reduce or increase the water volume.
Fun stuff. I enjoy doing projects like these around my home. I have a good time doing work like this. I often learn something. And I know my home is simply getting better and better.
Here’s to success in all things that you folks do too!