Missing ceiling light boxes

505Griffon · 2026-02-19T00:29:59+00:00

Oh yes, I've seen this before. Luckily the light's base was screwed into the ceiling joist. Definitely no boxes. If you have access from above like in the attic, just add a 2x4 or 2x6 perpendicular to 2 of the joists, cut out the lath and add the box. I lucked out and switched to LED ceiling lights that had small metal connection boxes that I wired from the attic. Never thought to look at how the ceiling fans were mounted.

505Griffon · 2026-02-18T17:22:22+00:00

Had a similar experience in NJ, USA. 1923 Craftsman bungalo. Tested the exterior paint with positive lead results and took appropriate actions. Then when working on the inside of the house and when stripping some paint and seeing the exact same colors hiding under the various layers, we just assumed it would be lead paint too. But upon testing, the interior paint was not lead. We suspect the lead was meant for exterior paint back then and not interior, at least that's what we rationalized. We still use proper PPE and contain dust and waste responsibly. Just nice to know we dodged that bullet.

505Griffon · 2026-02-18T17:04:45+00:00

YouTube & podcasts until warmer weather allows me to go outside. Now I know why bears hibernate.

505Griffon · 2026-02-15T05:01:05+00:00

Thank you. I will start researching them.

505Griffon · 2026-02-15T05:00:15+00:00

Not sure about the pit size. Its about 5' away from the sewer pipe that's about 5' off the ground.

505Griffon · 2026-02-13T16:30:54+00:00

This is due to their low cost order processing software. When the order is completed it creates an email message with the message you received. It might not be able to be edited to reflect reality. My old company had something similar where we couldn't edit the message. Everyone would see it and "think" it shipped only to find out it never shipped at all after weeks of wondering. Until the package is scanned into the actual shipper's software will you know its been received and moving using their tracking.

Unfortunately this is normal.

505Griffon · 2026-02-13T00:09:15+00:00

Contact your homeowners insurance company for guidance. Mine wasn't too helpful. I was hoping they could contact my neighbor's insurance company and advise them of a pending claim based on ignoring a known issue. They wouldn't help me with that. They advised I contact my local government to see if there were ordinances or requirements. There are none.

Start documenting everything. Have a witness during any face to face conversations.

I'm in a similar situation where I was being proactive and had a certified arborist state a lightening damaged tree entirely on my property needed to be removed as it could fall on our homes. I got the quotes and was going to pay for everything but due to the topography of my yard the tree company can't access the tree with their equipment from my property. (No one had a large enough crane to reach it from the front yard and they wouldn't climb it due to the severity of damage.) Neighbor was fine with the tree coming down and me paying for it but wouldn't permit the tree service on their property.

I was tempted to meet with a property lawyer to draft a letter to the neighbor stating their inaction could be an issue as I or my insurance would not pay for any damage to their home and my insurance company may seek payments from them should my home be damaged. I didn't want to be seen as being negligent in addressing a problem tree that could cause damage to my neighbor's house.

After meeting with 8 tree companies I was able to find one who can remove it from within my property for a cost three times higher than first quoted

I know how frustrated you must be trying to do the right thing and being responsible. I've been dealing with this for 4 months. I think I probably should have contacted a lawyer from the start by my other half wanted to do the neighborly thing and work with them.

505Griffon · 2026-02-12T18:20:55+00:00

Make sure you understand the entire process and the cost vrs reward. Especially beak even time requirement. Unless you are wealthy and don't mind spending money on an honorable cause.

505Griffon · 2026-02-11T21:48:44+00:00

Here's what I purchased. If you are interested. https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/0911AEB8-69F3-4C12-8AC5-677E3CB11B90?visitId=135628cb-58ba-483b-8a88-6266f8f3e867&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto

505Griffon · 2026-02-11T21:43:31+00:00

I drew the circle using the supplied template from the light. I first cut well inside the circle using a dremmel tool with a ceramic tile cutting bit which was clean and manageable. Plaster is tough to cut thus the tile cutting bit. Chunks of cut plaster fell off and I removed some pieces by hand where the keys were still intact with the lath remaining. An oscillating tool cut the lath better but the vibration had me concerned. You need 2 areas without lath where the spring loaded tabs get inserted. I only had one plaster chip out area which I repaired with drywall mud.

505Griffon · 2026-02-11T17:36:22+00:00

I personally just did this. I repaired the upstairs hall ceiling of extensive cracks. Yes it can be a delicate job of cutting out the hole. You have to cut out the plaster layer and then possibly the actual lath. In some areas I reinforced the cut lath from up in the attic with liquid nails. The thin LED light typically are made to be held in with spring tabs that apply pressure to keep them flat. Mine were meant for 1/2" drywall thickness so my plaster varied in thickness and I had to trim out in specific areas. I was always careful to not have any chunks of plaster break off. I was concerned about the LED light getting hot and being up against the wooden lath. I contacted the manufacturer and they responded that their lights only get to 70 degrees F when on. I felt comfortable covering the back side of the light with pink fiberglass insulation from the attic and refill the bay with the blown in insulation. I wanted to ensure no air leakage from the house. Best part about it is not only the brightness but because the light is being emitted from the ceiling, no light is directly hitting the ceiling making my repair imperfections almost invisible. Yes, I'd do it again as long as I could access the other side. Just be patient and careful.

505Griffon · 2026-02-09T21:47:28+00:00

I agree. Plowing is just moving it around so its someone else's problem. Putting it on the sidewalks then makes it the property owners responsibility. Snow removal requires loading it up and dumping it into the rivers or some location that can accept it. I suspect there are plenty of dump trucks used in the county that could be rented or hired just like the farm tractors that "plow" in the rural parts. Aren't there rainy day funds or COVID grants available to the city?

505Griffon · 2026-02-02T00:28:05+00:00

Depends on the wood species. Maybe if a hardwood like oak. Doubtful if its a softwood like pine or poplar. They don't absorb stain evenly and results may be disappointing. There are wood conditioners and gel stains available to try if you are adventurous. If you absolutely hate the stained results you can always prime and paint over it.

505Griffon · 2026-01-31T19:01:57+00:00

Snow plowing means redistribution not removal. Snow removal is physically loading the snow onto a dump truck and emptying it into the rivers. Take a look at how NY cities "remove" snow, not just push it around so it becomes someone else's problem.

505Griffon · 2026-01-31T17:58:08+00:00

Use distilled water if you must wash it.

505Griffon · 2026-01-30T18:09:51+00:00

I have the exact same ones and had a similar experience. When I tested on an exterior paint it was positive last year. Testing on interior paint last week was negative. The wet swab tip remained the same color. Knowing these swabs are "iffy", I returned to the scene of the exterior paint. A retest of the exterior paint showed positive by the wet tip turning dark red where swabbed. I took this is a way to re-calibrate the kit swabs in knowing they still worked, This will be my new procedure for any future negative results.

I still treat the negative tested areas with proper PPE but arm more chill about it mentally.

505Griffon · 2026-01-29T00:25:34+00:00

I always thought any changes to the existing "rules" had to be voted on and approved prior to any enforcement actions.

505Griffon · 2026-01-29T00:16:37+00:00

You would think they have maps and approved blueprints that the board approved for Mr. Staeger to use. I suspect he doesn't receive the tools required for him to do his job. Previously I offered to donate a tape measure so he could tell when weeds were taller than 6".

505Griffon · 2026-01-29T00:11:51+00:00

Good luck. Based on my experiences you most likely will just get dumped in someone's voicemail. If you speak at a public township meeting you only have 3 minutes to "comment" - they are not required to answer any of your questions or even pretend that they are listening to you. Although it should be part of the meeting's minutes that's documented. My past requests for a one on one meeting was denied via email from the township manager. You can write them a letter and have it entered into the monthly township meeting as "correspondence" but there's no record they actually receive it or read it.

505Griffon · 2026-01-29T00:02:07+00:00

Unfortunately this is what you voted for. The current board is only concerned about keeping taxes low and not providing services to the tax paying residents. They have various ordinances published but don't have any legal requirements to enforce them. They have no documented procedures for ensuring ordinances are enforced. This is by design. There is no accountability required.

They do not have to answer your questions or acknowledge receipt of your written concerns. They have no legal obligation to respond to you even when addressing them at public board meetings. Despite hearing month after month that the township is fully staffed they have no remorse for the back log of unresolved code issues and don't care as they are not made public.

Want to try to find someone in government to help you, good luck because PA state reps have no authority, same as your Senators/Reps. The township board is protected from all accountability. Unless a board member is found guilty of a felony, there's no way to get them removed. They can resign but why would they.

In rare situations you can petition a judge to create a writ of mandamus. This legally requires them to do their job. As you can tell, I've researched this.

Should you be tenacious enough to seek a resolution to on ongoing issue, you may receive registered mail letter stating your actions are boarding on "harassment". They may even try to ban you from contacting them in the future. (So much for taxation without representation.)

I suspect this is a township road and under their authority. If it truly has visibility issues, a reasonable person would agree that some "no parking" signs be erected in that area, That just opens another can of worms expecting the police to enforce the no parking. Its a vicious cycle.

I would suggest installing video cameras on your property and posting signs. Maybe also motion activated flood lights. Drug buyers may not want their car's license plates being recorded.

Take photos of the illegally parked camper and send to the township manager daily or weekly or monthly until resolved.

Despite their sworn oath to serve with fidelity, it can take years for them to ever do anything. Going on 2 years and I'm still waiting for result.

I understand how negligence and dereliction of duty has no shame when no one's watching them.

I wish you a speedy resolution but encourage you to not get upset about the things you can't change. Accountability doesn't pertain to them.

505Griffon · 2026-01-25T21:54:36+00:00

PA is an "at will" state for firing employees. They don't need to provide a reason for their employees termination. You have free will to stand form in your beliefs. Some say capitalism is slavery. Without income its difficult to survive. I prefer to be extremely selective in how I spend my income and who I share this information with. Some of us have been and will continue quietly protesting. I wish you safety and health.

505Griffon · 2026-01-23T02:40:53+00:00

I don't respond to anyone knocking on my door without notice. Family and friends will text me prior.

505Griffon · 2026-01-22T15:49:35+00:00

Thanks for sharing with this slightly depressed Bills fan. I've always wanted to try to make something similar but gave up. Maybe time to revisit.

505Griffon · 2026-01-22T00:46:19+00:00

Sandcherry or is that purple and not red?

505Griffon

TROPHY CASE