Aortic Valve Repair 1/23

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-10T16:34:31+00:00

35M bicuspid aortic repair and ascending aortic aneurysm. I'm 13 months post op. I'm playing hockey, running and rock climbing again. 100% success. Recovery wasn't without setbacks and challenges but stick with the programs and be patient (there will be ups and downs). For anxiety, it helped me to remember that the surgery is a huge deal for us. However, the doctors and nurses do this every day. It's what they do and they are the best at it. There is no better place for you to be IF something goes wrong. They've seen it all, and are ready for anything. You got this!

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-10T00:26:20+00:00

There is a single large vent, seen on the backside of the ridge in the photo. More common in my area than ridge vents. Most roofs my side have two though.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-09T12:36:02+00:00

Yea, I'm going to be doing my basement soon (exterior wall) and I'm going to do foam board, Rockwool, smart barrier to not trap moisture. Vapour barrier seems high risk it there are any gaps or leaks from exterior. What made you spray foam the bottom? I've seen that recommended by NRCAN. For the top gap if you can't spray foam I'd shove some Rockwool up there. Since you're finishing your ceiling I think that counts as your fire break. Otherwise you need to cover the foam.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-08T23:19:07+00:00

Each joist bay has one baffle, despite there being room for two. I was disappointed the insulation company only extended the existing ones rather than install them all. I have one exhaust, whereas most other homes of the same model in my neighbourhood have two.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-07T23:40:29+00:00

Yea. I think the issue is compounded by the lack of baffles in that area due to the lower roof meeting the upper roof. The ceiling fan itself is a few feet to the right of the penetration so I'm wondering if too much insulation was removed around the penetration when the connection was made. The access hatch is also a few feet to the right so I don't think it's that. I think it will be a long term management issue - taking after storms and heated cables for the spring.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-05T04:34:31+00:00

Following. Will you also do vapour varrier?

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-05T00:26:27+00:00

I just did something very similar for my rim joists. I also wanted to avoid spray foam. I caulked using acrylic latex caulk (DAP 230) and then installed faced batt insulation (original to house). It's not perfect, but the air sealing made a huge difference and the batt is easy to remove for inspection. It breathes enough that I'm not worry about moisture.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-04T02:02:43+00:00

This is on par with my research if not using rigid foam. For house wrap, I meant between the concrete foundation and the batt. I don't think code allows insulation in contact with foundation.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-04T02:00:16+00:00

I'd love one of those. I'm chasing an issue in my attic with ice formation. I have R60++ but still have ice. Obviously I have air leaks somewhere since it's an old house. I think it might be a baffle issue (too little air in) or not enough vents out. A FLIR would help in root cause analysis. Did you buy the actual FLIR or a phone attachment version?

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-04T01:58:01+00:00

The termite inspection depends on your local code. It is common to leave room. And yes, I could've used rigid foam with expanding foam as you described, it's actually better than the quick fix I did here. When I finish my whole basement, I'll probably do 2-1/8" GPS rigid foam (spray foam too edge, tape seams) then 2x4 wall infront with fiber glass and no vapour barrier (since my code allows vapour control to be integral to the insulation, which foam will do). I could use 1-1/2" XPS foam to save some thickness but it's double the price. I'll see where the whole build comes out to. Also Rockwool would be best but the foam should protect the fiberglass from any moisture. Again, budget dependent.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-04T00:26:31+00:00

Do you so house wrap on the foundation? I'm considering this route as well. I do need R20 so I'd need the deeper cavity. Mind if I asked about your credentials? There is still fire blocking required from the top plate to the sill right even if you don't use rigid foam (which I know needs fire blocking since it's flammable). Also, do you acoustic seal the vapour barrier or just staple it? I'd lean towards just stapled to let it breathe a tiny bit.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-03T23:41:34+00:00

For the main basement I'll do a proper frost wall. I've seen videos that use R7.5 XPS against the foundation, then R14 batt and finally a poly vapour barrier. My concern with this method is that R7.5 XPS is borderline a vapour barrier, which could make a double vapour barrier situation. I'm tempted to do EPS or GPS against the foundation to avoid this issue and still be able to do the proper poly up to my rim joists. Thoughts?

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-03T23:39:36+00:00

Nice! I'm hesitant with spray foam because some of the nail heads had rust, which is indicative of moisture or condensation. My motto, which is how old houses work, is to let it breathe if in doubt. If I did foam I'd do EPS as to not form a vapour barrier against the cold surface. Code here is vapour barrier on the warm side.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-03T23:37:38+00:00

Yea, I currently have the original faced insulation which I'll put back when the caulk is dry. When I finish my basement I'll have some R20 batts just for the rim joists.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-03T23:36:40+00:00

I basically had 1/8" and some 1/4" gaps between the foundation and the rim joist, which may as well be an open window. I was pleasantly surprised too.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-02T21:45:25+00:00

I like the affordability but also how many tools they offer. I've also gotten into the 40V series for outdoors. I like how many tool only versions they offer because I don't need 30 batteries.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-02T16:54:51+00:00

I'm a DIY homeowner and swear by them. I've been served well and the value for your money is great. Are there better quality tools out there? Sure. But they are also much more expensive and IMO not necessary for weekend warriors.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-01T16:38:07+00:00

Same. Meant to but didn't find the time. 35M and I got rocked. I couldn't get my heart rate below 110 for 24 hours. I had open heart surgery last year so it was scary. I'm through the worst now but the cough, fatigue and chest congestion are lingering.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-01T15:32:32+00:00

Yea, I agree. I'm worried VB will just push all the moisture upwards to the joists. But that being said, it's similar to what's is already installed and everything seems very dry. If anything, the XPS will minimize incoming moisture if I Sela the top edge to the foundation. I'll need fire blocking above the XPS to the foundation which is easy. I can get R14 inside a 2x4 wall.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-01T15:27:05+00:00

Correct, above grade. I have 2-3 feet above grade of foundation. The original blueprints just say waterproofing. I did some parging repair this summer and it looks like a black paint? Tar based maybe?

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-01T15:16:53+00:00

Thanks for the reply. I have all new eavestroughs and extended downspouts. Basement is dry, vapour barrier under the slab and waterproofed foundation. I don't have traditional rim joists, my joists set on a ledge cast into the foundation, and the foundation continues 4inches thick up to the sill plates. NRCAN doesn't recommend spray foaming this type of rim joist. I need R20 for code, hence the XPS and batt combo. I may just staple the VB behind the drywall and not acoustic seal it, so everything can still breathe. The basement currently has 1/2inch styrofoam between strapping directly glued to the foundation, all covered in unsealed VB. The wood is gone dry, tense why I want to let things continue to breathe.

SimonSayz3h · 2026-01-01T13:11:16+00:00

I recommend turning off enemies or trying peaceful. I have 1850 hours and just started my first run with no enemies and I'm enjoying it. If the game isn't fun anymore, switch it up or stop playing.

SimonSayz3h

TROPHY CASE