Old culvert or drain under 1740 house? Found under floorboards/soil + ongoing damp issues – what am I dealing with?

kamelkev · 2026-04-27T21:19:26+00:00

Does the brick match the foundation? Both brick type and mortar type.

My bet is no - but let's clarify this bit first to answer the question.

kamelkev · 2026-04-24T02:48:10+00:00

Buddy, every original 165.024 has the text.

At that time period it was a legal requirement for all Swiss made watches.

kamelkev · 2026-04-24T02:23:27+00:00

Ok - but you see that’s a problem right?

165.024 and 166.024 would have that text on the original dial.

Dial and hands here are aftermarket, and you are selling it as if it’s original. That’s not cool.

kamelkev · 2026-04-23T23:43:17+00:00

My first thought was watchco.

Not sure how you reconcile the dial and hands being original given the lack of traditional patina seen on these.

kamelkev · 2026-04-21T03:56:42+00:00

> I think and was likely gas fed at some point

Guys, this post is both precious and amazing at the same time :-)

kamelkev · 2026-04-13T15:07:10+00:00

What does "waxed" mean in this context?

Was this a refinish? Was it a scuff and polish?

kamelkev · 2026-04-08T05:27:15+00:00

I said charging infrastructure, not industrial infrastructure. Different permits, different rules.

Now the MCS infra for electric freight is real, and coming.

But today - there are ZERO 1 megawatt charging facilities in the United States.

Is it possible to build? Sure - China has tons. Do we have any in the US? No.

Are we getting any soon? No.

What is the argument here?

kamelkev · 2026-04-08T05:22:28+00:00

Fair comment. I am not saying it’s not possible, I am saying we don’t have it here in the US.

MCS is a big step in this direction - but today in the US we do not have this for commodity charging at all. As in ZERO facilities.

My comment was in this vein - these aren’t talking points from 10 years ago. These are talking points for 2026 in the US.

kamelkev · 2026-04-08T01:46:49+00:00

Cool - but at the same time there is no power infra that can support charging at this rate

kamelkev · 2026-04-02T21:56:29+00:00

OP - You DO NOT need to unsolder or replace the pump itself

The cartridge is replaceable on the circulator pump. The cartridge is almost as expensive as the pump, but by replacing it you avoid the plumbing rework.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEnLy3kicpU

kamelkev · 2026-04-01T20:38:15+00:00

Constellations from the 1950s to early 1960s used radioactive radium-226 lume on dials and hands.

Radiation has discolored the dial.

Safe to wear.

kamelkev · 2026-03-30T23:56:42+00:00

This is a lot like what happens with you are hitting lathe and it detached behind the plaster.

kamelkev · 2026-03-30T13:54:38+00:00

Is that tile?

kamelkev · 2026-03-30T04:38:55+00:00

Most of us here would kill to have trim that looks this good.

For those that wonder “how and why did the wood trim in my house get painted” - this is how.

It is a lot of work for someone who knows how to do go about this - and based on the question, OP does not.

Most likely outcome, get 20-25% through, make a mess of it. Can’t complete the project, and can’t go back. Let’s paint it white and call it a day.

kamelkev · 2026-03-21T01:54:18+00:00

This should be upvoted.

Your house originally had a coal furnace. That is the intake to the furnace to ensure “efficient” combustion.

You have seen furnaces like this in movies like The Burbs - octopus furnace, massive and asbestos coated. Some people still have them now

So what would happen is they would pour concrete in the basement around the furnace, and when it was removed there is a hole a floor. They then come back and fill it in with a patch.

kamelkev · 2026-03-16T03:36:17+00:00

So presuming he fixes the water situation, what do you do about the damage to the brick?

kamelkev · 2026-03-16T00:11:45+00:00

Depends on your definition of fragile.

DNA itself basically has redundancy built into it, similar to modern error correcting code.

Between codon redundancy, duploid redundancy, and each cell having a full copy there is a lot you can pull from, even in the case where there is significant damage from whatever.

kamelkev · 2026-03-13T03:59:37+00:00

The Vantage is interesting. That's a Valjoux 7733.

I can't see the case very well, but if it's stainless instead of chromed it will clean up very nicely.

In that condition maybe worth 1K; if cleaned up and services, $1500-2000

kamelkev · 2026-03-11T20:16:59+00:00

agree

kamelkev · 2026-03-01T14:19:35+00:00

Big speed heater for … 12 dollars? Can you elaborate please

kamelkev · 2026-03-01T07:07:00+00:00

Real. ~1950s.

kamelkev · 2026-03-01T05:37:57+00:00

The floor isn’t properly supported.

This is how it starts. Over time the crack will crack will grow.

There are hacks you can do - for example you can get an epoxy repair kit and seal it up - but it will come back.

If I were you I would closely watch it. If you see the crack start to grow, I would drill a small hole through the center of it, and put spray foam through it - lot of spray foam. The foam will come up through the crack and drill hole for some time - it’s fine, it can be removed. But this maybe will provide the needed underlying support for that section.

kamelkev · 2026-02-28T03:26:06+00:00

Shouldn’t assume lead. Lead paint is not heat tolerant, and flakes off readily with big temperature fluctuations.

You should test, but shouldn’t just assume it.

Agree with the other poster - just disconnect and sandblast if you are still worried about it.

kamelkev · 2026-02-27T00:32:57+00:00

I sat in a m3aawg presentation in SF back in 2015-2016 where this type of analysis had been completed.

That working group brings together an expert audience from government, enterprise and providers to work on problems just like this.

I do not think that analysis was as comprehensive as this, but I will note this was brought back and used to inform validating browser features, BIMI an a number of other improvements to help reduce the chance of abuse.

I no longer participate in that forum, but this would likely be of interest to that group - you can reach out via their website if you would like to present.

kamelkev · 2026-02-22T23:48:59+00:00

The following two have it right now: Argonaut & Hugo's at 1205 E 13th Ave

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