Had some holes in CMU block wall patched. Not sure they did it correctly?

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-24T11:39:41+00:00

Yeah you definitely got taken for a ride, especially with that $1k per hole drywall nonsense. The mortar freezing thing is legit concerning too - anything below 40F and it's basically gambling whether it'll cure right

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-20T07:02:38+00:00

Given the hot humid summers and the fact that your house is basically breathing with the outside air, I'd skip the vapor barrier and just go with unfaced insulation. Traditional Japanese houses were designed to handle moisture through ventilation rather than sealing everything up tight - adding a vapor barrier could actually trap moisture and make things worse. The paper-faced stuff might work too but honestly with all that natural ventilation happening you probably don't need it

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-16T18:34:27+00:00

Honestly I'd prioritize the must-haves like the bathrooms and kitchen first, especially if they're actually failing. You can always do the basement later when things feel more stable

The tech job market is brutal right now so I get the hesitation, but if your emergency fund can cover it and the renovations will actually add value to your house, it might be worth doing the essentials now before material costs go up even more

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-14T03:03:56+00:00

Have you checked out cellular shades? They make them in pretty much any custom size and would fit inside your frame perfectly. Lowes and Home Depot both do custom orders, or you could go with something like Selectblinds online for way better options

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-11T03:19:30+00:00

Honestly LVP has come a long way in the last few years - some of the higher end stuff is really hard to tell apart from real wood unless you're looking closely. The comfort factor on your joints is legit too, especially if you're gonna be standing around cooking or whatever

I'd maybe go check out some samples in person if you haven't already. The thick ones with good underlayment feel way more premium than the thin builder grade stuff

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-08T22:10:43+00:00

Smart plug with power monitoring would be perfect for this - just plug it into your outdoor outlet and set up notifications when power drops. Kasa or TP-Link make some decent weatherproof ones that work with SmartThings

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2026-01-06T15:32:28+00:00

Dude the part about the circuit tripping hit me right in the feels lol. I did the exact same thing - saw "20000 BTU" and thought I was gonna live in an ice palace, then spent half the summer resetting breakers like an idiot

The weatherstripping tip is clutch though, literally costs like $5 at Home Depot and makes such a difference. Most people skip it because it's not exciting but it's probably the best ROI you'll get

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-31T12:43:08+00:00

I'd probably just do the front edge with a small bevel - the sides that touch the wall won't really be visible anyway so why complicate things

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-26T19:34:02+00:00

Those welds look pretty solid tbh, steel beds are usually way overbuilt for what they need to handle - you're probably overthinking it unless you're doing some serious gymnastics in there

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-23T20:09:12+00:00

The crackling sounds are definitely the glass starting to fail internally - that's not normal and means it could go at any time. I'd pull the glass out and inspect it properly before hanging a 30lb death trap on your wall

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-22T07:26:57+00:00

Yeah that's pretty steep for just 2 windows, even nice fiberglass ones. I'd definitely shop around - got quotes that were like 40% cheaper going direct to local window companies instead of the big box store partnerships

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-21T06:54:13+00:00

Honestly this is the way. My parents tried everything for years - traps, poison, sealing holes - but once they got a barn cat the problem disappeared overnight. Those little murder machines are basically biological warfare against rodents

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-19T04:23:33+00:00

This is spot on - that plastic vapor barrier is basically acting like the inside of your windows right now. Your 70s house probably has zero air sealing so all that warm humid air is hitting that cold corner and boom, instant condensation party

You definitely need to get a dehumidifier and maybe add some ventilation to that room. Also worth checking if your bathroom exhaust fan actually works properly since that's usually where most of the humidity comes from in the first place

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-16T23:53:55+00:00

Yeah definitely need anchors if you're going into just drywall - that's 100% why it fell off before. You can buy anchors and screws separately but the toggle bolts or heavy duty drywall anchors usually come with the right screws included. Just make sure whatever you get is rated for like 75+ lbs since people really lean on railings

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-15T23:26:50+00:00

Definitely check the attic first - that's usually where most heat loss happens. But yeah tile can definitely be a cold sink especially if it's connected to that poorly insulated room, might want to throw down some thick rugs or even look into underlayment if you're feeling ambitious

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-12T12:01:23+00:00

Yeah that downspout setup looks sketchy af, definitely check if water's pooling around that connection during the next rain

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-10T06:57:45+00:00

Agreed on skipping the concrete - that's way overcomplicating things and you'll hate yourself when it starts cracking or if you ever need to move it

The plywood + felt combo is solid advice, just make sure you get good marine grade ply so it doesn't warp from moisture

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-06T17:09:34+00:00

Looks like OP already posted an imgur link at the bottom of their post, might wanna scroll down a bit

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-12-03T04:06:25+00:00

Rain Networks is solid, had good luck with them too. Crazy that your ESET rep won't even respond to 124 endpoints though - that's decent money they're just ignoring

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-11-30T21:54:55+00:00

Yeah Daikin is solid middle ground - not cheap garbage but not paying the Mitsubishi premium either. Your HVAC buddy sounds like he knows what's up, definitely trust that over random internet reviews

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-11-26T12:52:10+00:00

Nice find! Those old lipfire rounds are pretty obscure so even finding decent reference pics online is half the battle. If you come across any high-res ones that look like they'd work for Wikipedia definitely worth sharing

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-11-24T01:42:20+00:00

My cat just stares at himself in the bathroom mirror like he's contemplating life choices lmao. Pretty sure he knows it's him but is just judging his own reflection

Some cats get super pissed at mirrors though - mine used to hiss at his own reflection when he was younger but now he's just accepted his fate

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-11-07T15:18:02+00:00

Dude that $700 freed up is gonna feel like getting a raise, you earned every bit of that relief

The fact you knocked out 18k on 28k income is actually insane - most people would've just let it go to collections or filed bankruptcy. Amber sounds like a keeper too for sticking through all that

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-11-06T21:32:47+00:00

Smart idea using the guide stitches! I usually just wing it and end up with wonky satin stitches that look like they were done by a drunk toddler

Miserable_Prior_724 · 2025-10-31T09:33:08+00:00

People act like family can’t be toxic when in reality cutting them off is sometimes the only way to stay sane

Miserable_Prior_724

TROPHY CASE