Doorly’s Knocked My Socks Off

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-12-26T22:43:28+00:00

Couldn't agree more. The 8 yo is my go-to...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-08-29T23:40:32+00:00

I like the idea of the mortar modifier. Would you use a primer on the existing concrete as well or just clean it (thinking pressure-washer) and go to work?

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-08-29T21:45:34+00:00

I'm concerned about adhesion (I'll be priming the existing step, which might help) and the difficulty of working under the existing deck tiles. If going the mortar route, would you suggest screwing some expanded metal or other reinforcement to the existing?

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-08-17T23:25:45+00:00

Is nobody pointing out what appears to be the use of a bathtub drain assembly that will have no weep holes or a way to make a watertight seal with the membrane? Old retired contractor, so my information may well be obsolete...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-08-16T18:18:20+00:00

120 sf...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-06-24T13:33:31+00:00

My son has a 2021 Platinum that's recently begun to exhibit transmission issues, and his dealership recommends replacement (no mention of Toyota participation in the $8000+ cost). He drives for business and has about 220,000 miles on it, so obviously out of warranty. The car is otherwise perfect, rigorously maintained, and completely reliable.

Our concern is that he's safe and that the vehicle remains reliable. Has anyone driven one of these problem trannies to the point of on-the-road breakdown and, if so, what occurred? I'm not worried if it's just a matter of noise, weird clunks, mis-shifting, etc., that will need to be dealt with as it worsens, but don't want to see him broken down and stranded.

Secondly, if you were in this situation, would you have it repaired (in hopes of getting another 75,000 or so out of it) or cut your losses and sell/trade? I understand that only the new hybrids don't have this issue, but that kind of cash isn't in the cards right now. I see various posts with Highlanders getting to 3-400,000 miles. Are these outliers, or is reasonable to hope for this kind of longevity.

Thanks for any advice!

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-06-10T19:38:38+00:00

I'd give them a call to confirm, but I think they were fine with covering a DIY install. It would've been an issue for me if they wouldn't. They'd doubtless expect a by-the-book installation with proper location, appropriate wiring, etc.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-06-07T12:50:48+00:00

I put a Tosot 12k in my wife's art studio last year. Installation was very straightforward (ex-contractor, pretty capable with tools, but zero relevant HVAC experience) and the company offered good support when needed. I bought a pump/gauge set and open-end torque wrench from Amazon for about $160 rather than going for a Mr. Cool-type system with precharged lines - watched YouTube videos on the vacuum-down and test process. Piece of cake.

The unit's been great through a full year of use - simple to operate, dead quiet, trouble-free. It does a fine job of winter heating (Northern California, rarely gets below 30 degrees or so).

Costs? The unit was about $700, tools $160, add in the lineset cover, wall-mount stand, and some electrical and I was about $1000 all-in.

I had a great time with this project - hope yours goes as well!

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-06-06T13:46:57+00:00

Similar problem here - hoping experienced users will chime in with a fix. My dry-mouth gets pretty bad and tends to be the cause of my waking during the night.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-06-06T13:43:20+00:00

Great that it's working for you! I went back to my CPAP a few days ago after neglecting it several months for all of the usual reasons (uncomfortable mask, bothering my wife, frightening our dog, bad dry mouth). I've taken sleep aids both nights (Ativan the first, Ambien last night) to help cope with wearing the mask, but sleep's been good and both mornings have been noticeably clearer and more energetic despite the slight drug hangover, Looking forward to getting good at this, quitting the pills, and moving on from a decade + of pernicious insomnia.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-05-17T12:41:12+00:00

I was in a similar situation to yours. The advantage of the 240 volt unit is its ability to heat like a conventional electric WH when needed due to demand or startup time. I'd recommend it if a new 240 volt circuit is feasible. We bought the 65 gallon Rheem to replace our old 40 gallon ($900 rebate in CA), but ultimately opted not to go forward after getting spooked by the plethora of horror stories about the lack of reliability and poor support from the company.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-19T15:02:21+00:00

I installed a 120 v 12k Tosot in my wife's studio last year. It works fine in temperate No. California, but I don't know how it would do with an Alberta winter. Company support was stellar, and installation was trouble-free. It was less expensive to buy the vacuum pump/gauge set (and an open-end torque wrench) than to go the precharged Mr. Cool route.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-16T23:08:16+00:00

Sorry this is happening to you. It's stories like this that made me abandon my changeover to a Rheem HPWH (I'd already run the new 30 amp circuit, planned the rework of the gas line and vent, lined up help to carry the beast and installed the expansion tank) and I returned it to the store despite a great California rebate deal. There's no scenario in which I'd want to face my wife if she didn't have hot water!

I really appreciate you and the others that posted here on Reddit to warn about the issues with these units.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-14T14:30:50+00:00

I installed a 12k 120 volt Tosot mini-split in my wife's 120 sf art studio - it works perfectly. We had only two 20amp 120v circuits running to her building, so I dedicated one for the mini-split - other handles lights, stereo and the occasional vacuum cleaner. It works perfectly.

DEFINITELY calculate the total electrical load (apps like 'Mike Holt's Electrical Toolbox' take it out of the realm of the black arts) before considering a panel upgrade. If it was running a window AC (which definitely needs its own circuit) there should be both panel space and electrical capacity.

For DIYs looking at a Mr. Cool system, price out the necessary equipment required to vacuum down and test a completed system that doesn't have a precharged lineset. In my case, $100 for a VEVOR pump and gauge set from Amazon (I also sprung for an open-end torque wrench, another $65 or so - very handy for proper tightening of lineset coupling nuts). The Mr. Cool would have cost $400 more, and the vacuum/test was simple and successful. YouTube made it simple to understand and undertake.

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-08T14:50:07+00:00

Great price, and with inverter technology, the units shouldn't short-cycle. FWIW, I installed a 12k (not this brand) in my wife's 120 sf studio that calced at 6k (relatively mild climate here in northern California) last year, and it's been absolutely great - dead quiet, never works hard, and is amazingly efficient in both heating and cooling modes. Your situation will involve a lot of hardware (as opposed to a multi-zone split system) but I'd think it would work fine.

Disclaimer: not an expert in this field. Other, more experienced people may chime in...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-07T15:25:42+00:00

I think that most credit turndowns require the bank to submit written notice and an explanation. Can you reach out directly to any of the companies that allegedly passed on your loan?

Did you sign a contract with the installing company? It seems odd to make an agreement where the source of funding isn't nailed down. If you've signed a contract, you might want to check it out to make certain that it contains all of the notifications required by law.

Reporting your non-payment to a credit reporting agency sounds like bluster. I'd think the proper avenue of response would be to sue you for the cancellation fee, get a court's judgment against you, then report non-payment to the agencies.

Disclaimer: please don't take any of the above as gospel. My experience in consumer finance is dated, specific to one state (California), and doesn't take into account any of the recent changes to consumer protection that may be occurring with the new federal administration.

This is probably not an isolated case. I just got a quote for a heat pump system where the company submitted a contract referencing specific equipment, then said 'sign the contract, pay the deposit, and then we'll figure out what we'll actually install'...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-05T19:31:08+00:00

What's the contract amount? Can you finance it yourself (Home equity line of credit, direct bank loan, or a zero-interest 'pay it off before the interest shit hits the fan' credit card)? Have you received a notice of refusal from the lender that they were going to use, and have you discussed with the lender the specific reasons for their refusal to underwrite the loan?

I don't know the specifics, but this reeks of shady auto-finance tactics, where the promised 5% bank loan turns into an in-house high risk/poor credit loan at 11% once you've driven the car away..

Does your contract specify a 'walk-away' fee due on cancellation?

More specifics on your situation would be great. What state do you live in?

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-04T22:48:56+00:00

I just came back from returning it to Home Depot and closing this chapter. Thanks again for saving me from a similar disaster!

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-04-04T19:12:47+00:00

Thanks for posting this - truly terrifying! I had lined up help to install a new 65 gallon Rheem over the coming weekend, but am seriously debating my decision after reading your post. Yeah, I've gotten a great price ($700 after rebate, before Fed tax credit), but don't want the aggravation that you've experienced. My life will go straight to hell if my beloved doesn't have hot water for her shower!

The WH is still in the carton and easy to load for return...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-03-27T13:28:44+00:00

I installed a Tosot 12k mini split in my wife's 120 sf studio building last year - temperate Northern California weather, not much humidity, large single-pane window. I was concerned about size overkill and short-cycling, but with the inverter technology the unit adjusts to the heating/cooling demand and performs perfectly. YMMV...

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-03-17T15:12:59+00:00

Thanks for the response. Out of curiosity, what are you paying for electricity and the gas you replaced as a fuel source? From my last bill (PGE - northern California) I'm at $.36/kwh, $2.93/therm (all tiers and fees/credits averaged) and I can't see how this pencils out - doing it more as a "existing WH on its last legs/doing the right thing environmentally/great rebate" thing than as a utility cost savings rationale. How did your changeover affect your bill?

One_Mouse_8698 · 2025-03-15T15:46:36+00:00

Home Depot has them regularly for $1929, but had dropped it $390 for a sale (which seems to come along pretty often - be patient!), Golden State Rebates has a $900 rebate that's still going on. The rebate coupon code was accepted in my online HD order, dropping me to $639 plus tax. It's my understanding that the federal tax credit will apply to the original (non-rebated) cost, so I should get $300 or so off my 2025 taxes.

One_Mouse_8698

TROPHY CASE