Stew Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 It's coming along,but kitchen still has some work,(no. Not including the countertop). kitchen picQUOTE] I love the butchers block counter top. It looks really nice! I havent decided if I want the butchers block or granite in our kitchen. Do you know if there is a big difference per square foot between the two? ( irealize it all depends on where you buy, but im just wondering in general.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 (edited) I have a question for you DIY guys. I'm one of the most unhandy, handymen around. My question is, I have a dual AC/Heat system for upstairs and downstairs. Two seperate thermostats. The lower T-stat is going through my backup batteries like crazy. What is my problem? Why is the system running off the batteries only (I'm assuming)? I know it's not a wiring problem as the system works when the batteries are in. Did my fuse go out? Or did the T-Stat itself go out? The upstairs one is the same T-stat and I haven't changed the batteries. We just moved in 3 months ago and I'm on my 3rd set of batteries on the lower unit. Maybe someone in here has had the same problem and could help. Probably a bad connection on the power input wire (usually comes from the air handler relay) and it is running on battery checking the connections at both ends or using a continuity tester if ya have one would be 1st if it is getting power the thermostat itself might be bad http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4867651_troubleshooting-digital-thermostat.html Edited April 11, 2012 by twa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Probably a bad connection on the power input wire (usually comes from the air handler relay) and it is running on batterychecking the connections at both ends or using a continuity tester if ya have one would be 1st if it is getting power the thermostat itself might be bad I'm thinking the thermostat, because it gets power and works through the batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 I'm thinking the thermostat, because it gets power and works through the batteries. sounds likely then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 sounds likely then Thanks. Sometimes a different opinion helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Gotta be the thermostat itself pj. It's faulty or wired improperly. Keep in mind a lot of those thermostats are built to take batteries and can be hardwired to the the system itself. You can open up the thermostat yourself and see if it is in fact,hardwired. It's coming along,but kitchen still has some work,(no. Not including the countertop). kitchen pic I love the butchers block counter top. It looks really nice! I havent decided if I want the butchers block or granite in our kitchen. Do you know if there is a big difference per square foot between the two? ( irealize it all depends on where you buy, but im just wondering in general.) Not a big fan in this particular instance. I like a little contrast in color and in texture. In this case,that isn't a real butcher block. It's a laminate,(sturdy as heck though). Granite is where I would like to go in this case,and it is cheaper these days. In some cases,you can get a decent granite counter top cheaper than a butcher block. I like the granite a little better because it can be sturdy as all get out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.T.real,lights,out Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Cant wait to get a house so i can start doing stuff like this. Been helping my Dad put in floors and tile for a while. Hopefully soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Cant wait to get a house so i can start doing stuff like this. Been helping my Dad put in floors and tile for a while. Hopefully soon! It can be a pain in the ass and sometimes a bit daunting,but as cliche as it may be,when you get done it's pretty damn cool. And a whole lot cheaper. My girlfriend loves DIY stuff,so as she looks for houses,we keep that in mind. Really helps to be able to look beyond some of what she has found to what they could be with some sweat equity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Gotta be the thermostat itself pj. It's faulty or wired improperly. Keep in mind a lot of those thermostats are built to take batteries and can be hardwired to the the system itself. You can open up the thermostat yourself and see if it is in fact,hardwired. It is hardwired. I checked the wires and they look intact and are connected real well. I've heard that after a while the T-stats just go out. The house is 13 years old and I'm assuming they are the original. I've been thinking about going ahead and replacing both. We replaced the one in our last house (it was a manual) to a digital and we bought a Hunter brand. I think this brand is Honeywell. Like I said, when the batteries are in, the heat and air run with no problem. When the batteries are low or out, it doesn't do squat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.T.real,lights,out Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 It can be a pain in the ass and sometimes a bit daunting,but as cliche as it may be,when you get done it's pretty damn cool. And a whole lot cheaper. My girlfriend loves DIY stuff,so as she looks for houses,we keep that in mind. Really helps to be able to look beyond some of what she has found to what they could be with some sweat equity. Yea, im sure at times it can be daunting...but like you said it will be very satisfying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 (edited) It is hardwired. I checked the wires and they look intact and are connected real well. I've heard that after a while the T-stats just go out. The house is 13 years old and I'm assuming they are the original. I've been thinking about going ahead and replacing both. We replaced the one in our last house (it was a manual) to a digital and we bought a Hunter brand. I think this brand is Honeywell. Like I said, when the batteries are in, the heat and air run with no problem. When the batteries are low or out, it doesn't do squat. If you have a multimeter, take the T-stat off the wall and check to see if you are getting 24 volts. If not, there is a break or short in your wire going to the T-stat. The wires run directly to the motherboard of your AC/Gas furnace. (usually found right in front of the blower housing when you take the bottom panal of the unit off) Check for a loose connection there too. Its one of those two issues. If you are getting 24 volts at the T-stat, then you would want to replace the T-stat. Honeywell is a decent brand, depending on the model. (like most pieces of equipment.) Edited April 11, 2012 by Stew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 we have a white-rodgers t-stat, and it goes up or down a degree from where you set it (it'll go up one if you're heating, down one if you're lowering), but my AC dude put 'em in my old house, too, and he's the only person I trust to do anything, sooo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yea, im sure at times it can be daunting...but like you said it will be very satisfying. Indeed. Even more so if it's with the better half. Looking forward to working on whatever house my girlfriend finds,(the ultimate honey do list. ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 If you have a multimeter, take the T-stat off the wall and check to see if you are getting 24 volts. If not, there is a break or short in your wire going to the T-stat. The wires run directly to the motherboard of your AC/Gas furnace. (usually found right in front of the blower housing when you take the bottom panal of the unit off) Check for a loose connection there too. Its one of those two issues. If you are getting 24 volts at the T-stat, then you would want to replace the T-stat. Honeywell is a decent brand, depending on the model. (like most pieces of equipment.) I don't have a meter, but my dad does. I'll borrow it and check it. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfitzo53 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Hey handymen folk. My wife and I are renting out our condo and the renter said that the rim around one of the recessed lights in the living room ceiling has come loose. The housing itself seems fine it's just a metal rim that goes around the perimeter of the light where it meets the drywall. How should I go about putting it back in? There doesn't seem to be a point where it will hold itself by friction. Should I drill a small hole and screw it up there? Seems like an ugly fix. Is there some kind of glue I should use? It's a textured ceiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grhqofb5 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Question-- What is the best way to anchor 12" pilings into dirt for the purpose of a foundation for a (small) house? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LD0506 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Generally that trim ring on a recessed light is a friction fit into the light pot or tabs that grab the edges of the hole, etc. I wouldn't glue it unless you already have a buyer lined up- someone's going to be pissed about that sooner or later. Try rotating the trim to see if it "grabs" somewhere else and/or remove it and see if it has tabs that can be carefully bent outwards a little to grab better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Question-- What is the best way to anchor 12" pilings into dirt for the purpose of a foundation for a (small) house? probably depends on the ground,but concrete is rather widely used Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grhqofb5 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 probably depends on the ground,but concrete is rather widely used Below the frost line I assume is the rule. How far, maybe 18 inches? We're talking western MD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yes below the frost line. Local building codes should give guidelines for the frost depth in your area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfitzo53 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Generally that trim ring on a recessed light is a friction fit into the light pot or tabs that grab the edges of the hole, etc. I wouldn't glue it unless you already have a buyer lined up- someone's going to be pissed about that sooner or later.Try rotating the trim to see if it "grabs" somewhere else and/or remove it and see if it has tabs that can be carefully bent outwards a little to grab better. Thanks for tip, I'll fiddle with it more tonight. We have a renter currently in the unit, it's just a cosmetic fix for them. The ceiling is around 12 or 13' high at that spot though, so it's not something she can just do by herself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Yes below the frost line. Local building codes should give guidelines for the frost depth in your area. What is this frost you speak of? Down here ya worry about sinking in the gumbo, never even considered cold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grhqofb5 Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 What is this frost you speak of? Down here ya worry about sinking in the gumbo, never even considered cold In case you're wondering, I'm considering purchasing a piece of land in western MD to eventuallly build a cabin. Thing is, I don't want to pour a concrete foundation, which would require that the property be graded, etc. I'd like to keep the "land" as pristine as possible, so my solution to build on wood pilings, like what you would see at the beach. Three issues I can forsee are (1) plumbing/how to get water to a raised structure while ensuring that pipes will don't freeze (2) insulation of the underside of the structure, and (3) building a stone chimney to a raised structure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Insulation nor the pipe are a real problem(small expense),the chimney I would guess is gonna need a metal support(outa my league) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted August 2, 2012 Share Posted August 2, 2012 Okay. Moving in to the new home. Fiance' wasn't kidding about needing some work. After I find out who did the roofing and some of the plumbing repairs and punch them in the head,I can get to work. So far and this is just a quick list off the top of my head,(such as it is. ). Fix two broken sprinkler heads,(just about done). Replace light switches in1-2 rooms. Build an assortment of shelving in garage,(the dreaded Christmas and every other holiday decoration thing). Install eave and roof venting. Replace flooring in one bathroom,(carpet in there right now. Yuck). Redo all caulking in same bathroom. Power wash siding and under soffit. For starters. :whew: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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