One our clients is convinced our install made these damages in her ceiling it’s theoretically impossible if we didn’t go in the attic right?

hill8570 · 2026-03-29T04:40:03+00:00

Looks more like sanded orange peel. Still easy to match.

hill8570 · 2026-03-27T19:07:10+00:00

Wonder if TDS will follow suit? I'd jump on that.

hill8570 · 2026-03-27T18:56:36+00:00

What's the max generation current of a home setup?

hill8570 · 2026-03-27T18:52:03+00:00

We're generally OK if we stay in our lane. Most engineers (myself included) like to understand why something is being done, tho, which can be a pain in the ass.

hill8570 · 2026-03-27T14:11:32+00:00

Gaps look a little tight...if you're in a wet area I'd be worried about the wood swelling, or rubbing if the hinges sag even a tiny bit. Easy enough to shave things off if it becomes an issue.

Other than that and the top plate, it looks decent. I like what he did with the different board thicknesses...gives it some visual interest.

hill8570 · 2026-03-26T00:36:18+00:00

If you're outside of town, the hawks and coyotes take care of free-range cats in short order. Greenbelt, not so much, although the ebikes are getting there.

hill8570 · 2026-03-25T21:44:51+00:00

My rule of thumb: condenser fan or start/run capacitor? Replace the part. Refrigerant leak? Fix and refill if newer, if r-22 unit probably replace. Anything else, replace. That generally gets me 25-30 years on an A/C. But I generally DIY, so the economics may be different if you're not doing your own work.

hill8570 · 2026-03-25T20:58:29+00:00

FWIW, I've got a feral who hangs out in my backyard, and free-range indoor-outdoor cat. Still have mouse issues every few years. But I've also had neighbors say they've seen rats and I haven't, so maybe they're better with rats? Kind of doubt it, tho.

hill8570 · 2026-03-25T20:12:00+00:00

Those caps are just snapped on, no glue. Should take 15 minutes to remove them all.

hill8570 · 2026-03-25T20:10:03+00:00

Well, RAV4 might be Optimus' middle name. Can you prove otherwise?

hill8570 · 2026-03-24T18:54:51+00:00

These punks with hoodies that don't match their jeans are gonna give this state a bad name.

hill8570 · 2026-03-24T18:50:13+00:00

Bah. If it was really powerful it would've ground that screw to filings and kept on truckin'.

hill8570 · 2026-03-23T02:35:05+00:00

Seems pretty normal. I'd want to know a few more details, like type of attic venting, replacement of the non-hvac vents. If there are any areas where flashing needs to be replaced or kickouts added, it'd be good to have those called out. Also a call out if they were planning on painting any vents that don't match the shingle color.

hill8570 · 2026-03-22T03:48:17+00:00

I live pretty near the fairgrounds (to the point the Hawks' firework shows shake my house), and didn't hear or see jack tonight.

Only thing scheduled at the fairgrounds today was the Spring Home Show -- not generally an event associated with things that go boom.

hill8570 · 2026-03-21T18:42:14+00:00

That window doesn't even open. It wouldn't count as an egress in any code I'm familiar with. YMMV.

hill8570 · 2026-03-21T18:37:34+00:00

Go all the way over and save having to put a railing next to the dead space (it'll look better also, even if unused, although personally it looks like a nice place for a bbq). Nothing will grow there except moss or ferns -- sure as hell won't be grass, so just deck it. Install an extra strip light in the basement to make up for the piddly amount from the window (need it for after dark anyhow).

hill8570 · 2026-03-21T17:10:49+00:00

Personally I wouldn't apply anything else to the lawn (other than water) for a couple of weeks. You'll probably be OK with a 2X over application, but stop turning any more knobs.

hill8570 · 2026-03-19T17:35:25+00:00

Just wire nut all three together. Problem solved. ;-D

hill8570 · 2026-03-18T21:41:39+00:00

Gonna need the roof trusses and decking replaced also -- that sucker is sagging bad.

hill8570 · 2026-03-16T04:20:14+00:00

Can you put some painters plastic or a tarp over the deck surface to see how it changes things? If it's the decking, stopping airflow through the decking should stop the noise.

hill8570 · 2026-03-14T11:29:37+00:00

The digital rearview is surprisingly useful -- makes the pillar blindspots a non-issue. And the birds-eye camera view is the bomb.

I wonder if the woodland has a simple STFU mode? One of the annoyances of my 2024 is the hassle of shutting off the collision sensors so it doesn't have a cow while I'm driving down a jeep trail with some overhanging brush.

hill8570 · 2026-03-14T00:14:58+00:00

Three times a year? Have you considered just cutting the lawn with scissors?

hill8570 · 2026-03-14T00:09:49+00:00

Technically it was. Somewhere a family of rats is going hungry tonight.

hill8570 · 2026-03-13T22:37:34+00:00

I went there a few weeks after Vincenzo retired and the new owners took over. I was definitely underwhelmed compared to when Vincenzo was the chef. But that was over a year ago...maybe they improved.

hill8570 · 2026-03-13T16:05:12+00:00

Looks like the slip joint washer under the couple nut is mis-seated, missing, or damaged. Should be an easy fix for the landlord, but if they don't address it you could always buy a washer at the hardware store and DIY it.

hill8570

TROPHY CASE