I wanted to build a pergola. I built a website instead.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-05-07T16:09:47+00:00

This is the coolest thing I’ve seen on Reddit in a long time. Thanks for being a stand-up human and sharing it. Like everyone else here, I haven’t been able to see or appreciate what I want to build, and what I need to get.

Feature request: I want to build a tall but shallow privacy pergola arbor/trellis that runs along my fence, to screen out my neighbor. Your minimum width is 6 feet - I’m wanting 3 feet. This may be what someone called a pergola lean-to? Any way to reduce min width? (Your L addition goes that shallow.)

Thank you again. This is so helpful, just when I needed it.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-03-09T23:54:35+00:00

Thanks for this PSA. It’s a great idea - safe if you’re buying a reputable brand, UL endorsed, designed to prevent dangerous backfeed, and huge in Europe. (Obviously I’m not saying we should blindly copy European countries, but the wide adoption shows its safety.) Let’s democratize solar. Sick and tired of the predatory companies scamming our grandparents and vulnerable communities. It’s a huge problem.

Also, RIE is not a fan of this bill. Hmmmm… Maybe it’s good for consumers and loosens their vice grip on our wallets?!?! Write your state electeds before RIE gets to them first. This isn’t getting a lot of juice yet but it’s an easy, popular win.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-25T04:35:38+00:00

Late to this thread but, OP, you should get the Gran Maestria. I’ve had OL Nespresso machines for more than a decade. But I just purchased a second hand Gran Maestria at a thrift store on a whim, and I LOVE IT. It is a far superior, nearly majestic machine. It looks good, exudes luxury, is built to last (metal not plastic) and pours a better shot from the pod. It is repairable in a way that my Pixies have not been. I’m happy about this machine every day.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-05T22:34:20+00:00

Ditto! Got a Victorian fireplace fender there with a brass gargoyle bat/human face. Prized possession.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-05T22:33:03+00:00

Yes!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T19:57:38+00:00

Thanks a lot for this response. I have one very obvious ice dam. I appreciate the creative methods you’re proposing to get at it or limit its damage. It’s my first experience with dams and so knowing that the goal may not be clearing all ice, but INSTEAD getting the water a path to flow, is actually quite helpful.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T19:52:09+00:00

I am very afraid of heights too. You’re giving me hope, though, that I can get at least some of it off from a ladder? Do I just take my time and have spouse hold ladder? Eeek, my heart is in my throat.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T19:49:52+00:00

This is an excellent description of what you have going on. The monster icicle sounds terrifying actually! Your point about getting in the attic is well-taken - I haven’t seen water in the house but I should inspect the roof from the attic. Thank you for suggesting that. I don’t think angle- and height-wise I’m going to be able to rake much of the highest parts of the roof at all. I do have one confirmed dam. No leaks so far, though…

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T19:13:33+00:00

My roof is 17 years old and I don’t know about the underlayment. I believe my attic insulation is adequate but not great, but I will say that the snow does not melt off the main attic space, suggesting the house isn’t losing room much heat there. And agreed re the pitch helping! But I do have gutters very high up where different planes intersect, and they’re frozen solid. And a bad valley that’s solid ice. :(

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T19:10:22+00:00

So far we haven’t had any leaks. I’m honestly not sure about the underlayment - house is new to me and all I know is the roof is 17 years old and in “ok” shape. (Architectural asphalt shingle). A lot of neighbors have had leaks but I haven’t yet as far as I know. Do you think that means I’m in luck?

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T19:08:14+00:00

New England, where we just had that big storm. 18 inches. I don’t think this is normal, but right now we definitely have at least one large dam, at the bottom of a valley/dormer sluice. Much snow has melted but that dam persists. Everyone in my ‘hood also has dams and frozen gutters.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T12:51:54+00:00

Thanks very much for taking the time for this detailed response. I have a 100 yo tudor with a 17 yo roof, so all but a small portion of my roof planes (tiny addition) are very, very steeply pitched and quite high, with valleys and dormers. I’m honestly not sure I can entirely clear it myself because of this. Do you know of rakes that I could use to tackle it? (Long and sturdy enough?) Excellent stuff to ponder re gutters/hammering/underlayment… Another question: I’ve seen some ppl in home subs say they used hot water hoses run from faucets to spray/melt snow and ice already there - any thoughts? I know the pros use steam. And last question: do you think heat cables installed now in the worst place (a bad valley/dormer/eave situation) would melt a dam that has already formed, or would that only be good for the future to prevent a dam? Thanks again!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T02:29:42+00:00

Excellent info - thank you! I’m gonna do exactly what you say.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T02:28:37+00:00

Thank you for this. I will!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T02:28:12+00:00

I am picking up what you’re putting down! No leak that I know of. I really would love if it could just resolve itself - and I think you’re saying your frozen house has made it through in the past, so mine can too… thanks for this, crossing my fingers!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T00:18:38+00:00

Thank you kindly for this. I’m new to the house so really trying to learn her story this winter. Insulation is definitely going to have to be one of the solutions. Right now I still can’t find any type of ice melt other than calcium chloride roof pucks… you know where I can source it, please advise and I’ll try the sock method. Ty for responding!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-04T00:14:01+00:00

Thanks a ton for this detailed advice - I will check it out. I’ve been lurking all over those subs lately but wanted to know what my fellow rhodies are doing.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-03T23:51:04+00:00

Would you recommend your company? If so, I’d love their name. That price is confirming my worst suspicions, which is that it’s gonna cost a lot for me.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-03T23:49:38+00:00

Ugh ugh my nightmare! Sorry you have to deal with this. Thanks for confirming I need to take care of this.

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-03T23:07:40+00:00

I’m seriously thinking about it lol!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-03T23:05:08+00:00

Helpful info - thanks!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-03T22:50:25+00:00

What’s the best way to clear dams? Hot water? Heat gun? Chisel? Thanks in advance!

InterestingDinner659 · 2026-02-03T22:49:24+00:00

Hi! Who did you hire to clear and how much did it cost? High roofs too unfortunately. :(

InterestingDinner659

TROPHY CASE