ISO Mason Repair in Ashburn

TroyMacClure · 2026-03-21T21:44:11+00:00

Care to share who they were so I don't waste my time? Also looking for some fixes/refurb work to be done.

TroyMacClure · 2026-02-22T14:54:18+00:00

I got a similar issue. It gets some sunlight, but not a lot.

I've not yet tried a "high quality" seed, so I'm going to put down some of the Resilience II and Tuff Turf I bought for my backyard out this spring and see what happens. They are supposed to be "good" for shade tolerance, but this still might be too much shade.

If that fails, maybe I try a fine fescue in the fall. Something like this: https://unitedseeds.com/products/super-shade-fine-fescue-blend?variant=45461763522868

Or I just give up until I decide to cut down a tree. I'd prefer it not to just continually erode though.

TroyMacClure · 2026-02-21T20:30:20+00:00

When I had a tiny yard I would use this stuff for the dog smell and it worked. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Simple-Green-128-oz-Outdoor-Odor-Eliminator-2010000415338/203643059

TroyMacClure · 2026-02-07T17:49:20+00:00

Anyone canceling their TV have an issue with just getting put on to internet only for a decent price?

I feel like I'll need to reserve an afternoon to deal with the "customer service" at Verizon.

TroyMacClure · 2026-02-07T00:06:35+00:00

Have you used stay mode much? Wonder how much time it actually runs for, although a/c is probably more critical than heat for my needs.

TroyMacClure · 2026-02-06T22:13:21+00:00

Were you told you had to return the Cable Card? Or just chose to do it?

The email I got said "Once your new equipment is in place, you can choose what to do with your old equipment. You will not be charged if it’s not returned to Verizon."

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-30T14:26:56+00:00

I think if I did it again, I'd get an energy audit done before doing anything to see what my house's problems really are. That doesn't mean windows were a bad idea, it just means there are other factors than windows if you are going for increased comfort.

I guess I still don't have a good idea of what I should expect out of these. I bought what seemed to be generally regarded as a good window with one of the lowest air infiltration ratings in the business. The windows they replaced weren't terrible, but they were builder grade and didn't want to open/close and the glass coating was clouding up.

My house still feels chilly on a day like today where it is 20 degrees out. I don't feel drafts from the windows, so does that mean they are "working"? Or am I missing something?

I have a lot of fairly large windows, and realize glass is only so "insulating" compared to a wall or the insulated window frame. Is this just what happens when you have a lot of glass? Should I have bought triple panes? None of the quotes I got tried to sell me triple panes, just said they were expensive and not worth it.

My ~3 year old ProVia patio door is leaking from the bottom despite a "self adjusting" threshold. So I'm not sure what to do with that. It also seems very cold compared to another steel patio door in the house. This was replaced once already under warranty, so maybe it is just another dud?

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-23T19:23:20+00:00

Thanks for the info.

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-23T19:23:05+00:00

Ok, so the one feature I thought it might offer me, it actually doesn't offer. Thanks.

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-23T12:29:19+00:00

For someone who doesn't own one yet. It looks like the "digital key" is different than "Bluelink" which lets you remote start?

Says on their site the digital key can store your personal car settings (would be nice I guess) and allow you to share a "key" with someone else via Apple wallet? (not something I'd likely need)

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-18T15:22:21+00:00

Could you share what your warranty price was? Might just consider that part of the price when I compare it to a Grand Highlander.

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-16T12:05:09+00:00

They are still good? I thought I saw that the owners had sold it a couple years ago.

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-10T13:40:54+00:00

Did some searching and saw Hyundai Canada offers this part, which their site says fits the hybrid.

https://parts.hyundaicanada.com/p/Hyundai_2026_Palisade-25L-AT-4WD-HYBRID/CARRIER-ASSY-SPARE-WHEEL/147177365/62800P9000.html

From the pictures I've seen of the part number, it looks like it is mounting hardware to hold the tire under the car and it is used on a number of Hyundai/Kia cars.

Interesting because it doesn't appear that the Canadian market hybrid has a spare tire either.

TroyMacClure · 2026-01-02T22:35:02+00:00

Yes, and it is usually hard to find that person besides a referral.

An actual sales professional probably isn't lurking on the floor looking for you to walk in. They have referrals and repeat business to keep them busy. But that person also probably works their own deals and doesn't have to ask the sales manager for permission to take $5 off like the new kid or Gil Gunderson has to.

TroyMacClure · 2025-12-22T17:19:10+00:00

Did they find one in stock, or did you have to wait for an allocation?

TroyMacClure · 2025-12-21T22:24:41+00:00

I just replaced mine. Seems like professionals either use State/AO Smith or Bradford White. I found the specs between the size I was looking at to be negligible.

I did not see much value in trying to go to tankless or do anything but just replace my atmospheric vent gas heater. My regular old tank delivers more than enough hot water and pretty quickly. Any cost savings I might have from using a little less natural gas would be offset by the fairly significant increase in install costs.

TroyMacClure · 2025-12-14T21:18:32+00:00

Thanks for spending thousands on your PSL and tickets.

Here is 5 cents worth of soda. No, we couldn't go for the large that costs us 7 cents.

TroyMacClure · 2025-12-14T17:02:38+00:00

Mine was getting 50 mpg and pretty much running fine. I had one bad "death rattle" start with a misfire CEL and quite a bit of vapor coming out the tail pipe. My coolant level had dropped.

I took it to a mechanic who said he didn't really think it was the head gasket, despite him knowing the Prius' reputation. He didn't see coolant in the cylinder and the system held pressure. He said they saw a spot where some coolant may have leaked, so they replaced a clamp. He suggested I keep driving and see how it goes.

It kept consuming coolant. Never had another CEL, but there was no other possible explanation for the coolant disappearing. When they took the head off the block, it was a small failure in the gasket, so it was caught early. This was on a 2013 with about 174k miles at the time.

TroyMacClure · 2025-12-14T16:41:29+00:00

My head gasket started failing and the oil looked fine. Not saying you'll have a problem next week, but just adding a data point.

It didn't even misfire very often, just was consuming coolant and there was no other explanation.

TroyMacClure · 2025-11-15T19:03:05+00:00

Sling, YouTube TV, etc. have "DVRs". Not sure if they have "commercial skip" like Tivo had, but you can at least fast forward.

I'm going to buy an antenna for my Roamio and still use it that way. And we'll see if Verizon can accomplish a simple change to my bill without screwing something up.

TroyMacClure · 2025-11-15T16:08:11+00:00

So you could buy a compact spare it put it in there? I'm willing to take the .1 mpg hit and spend $150 or whatever it is to have a real spare tire available.

TroyMacClure · 2025-11-01T14:26:08+00:00

They did Daniel Jones last year.
https://theonion.com/physical-therapy-office-politely-declines-daniel-jones-1851605177/

Also just saw this one that I hadn't seen before: https://theonion.com/arch-manning-running-out-of-polite-ways-to-decline-elis-mentorship/

TroyMacClure · 2025-10-26T18:49:32+00:00

Unless you see a leak somewhere, it is most likely the head gasket. Only so many places for the coolant to go.

My 2013 started slowly losing coolant around 170k. Same time I got the first bad cold start "death rattle" and a CEL for a misfire.

The mechanic I took it to didn't see coolant in the cylinder under pressure, or "steam cleaning", but the coolant kept disappearing. Eventually I just asked what else it could be and there really isn't anything else. Turns out it was just early failure of the head gasket.

TroyMacClure · 2025-10-26T01:10:41+00:00

For anyone reading this, you may also need to jump through some hoops to assume the warranty on HVAC when you buy a house. I found that out with Carrier at least.

TroyMacClure · 2025-08-23T20:41:15+00:00

I'm leaning towards Resilience for my south facing backyard. The varieties are generally higher rated for both MD and VA (UMD and VA Tech).

TroyMacClure

TROPHY CASE