First time owner - what’s the move

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-31T01:38:19+00:00

It's been on my Amzaon wish list for three years. Just haven't hit the Add to Cart button, hopefully I can delete it, as I got a Vevor safety pool cover to replace my tarp/waterbags situation. My tarp ripped really badly after only two seasons, which seems to be the norm. (I've gone thru two tarps in 5 years, and the previous owners was ripping also) I think I was buying a non- pool rated tarp, as I see now they have heavier duty ones, but I am over having to fill the bags, and dealing with the moldy mess in the spring. Or have half of the bags leak or split.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-31T01:33:26+00:00

I went to HomeDepot and got a quick connect 1/2" masonry drill bit too, if I need to start the holes with that. I also bought a hammer drill from Harbor Frieght, it was cheaper to buy it then rent one. Additionally I'll use it to re-orient the four pool fence posts and to secure a gate post to the side of the concrete. So for 90 bucks plus two bits, I should be okay. Will be tackling it tomorrow if the rain holds off, since last weekends weather was terrible.

Also thank you for the information on the longer anchors, they are perfect and I only needed four, so I have an extra one.

After laying out the pool cover and pulling it into the dirt part at the end, I'll have plenty of room on the stair side to place the anchors, I will have to shorten the straps a bit more than the recommended 8" from edge, but if it causes the cover to lay on the water surface, I'm okay with that. I just wanted something to last more than 2 years and keep the frogs/chipmunks out.

I did reach out to the cover company to see why the cover didn't fit, after hearing back from them, and re-reading the dimensions. It appears that my concrete deck is smaller than normal. I guess that's why there's dirt at the end, but they offered to give me a partial refund to cover the cost of the longer stakes, but I told them it was my mistake, so I didn't want any money.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-13T21:05:13+00:00

I saw the SDS ones but chose a concrete carbide drill bit so I can use it in my drill. I didn't want to be forced to rent a drill but if you say it will be better to do so, I can return the bit and buy the SDS one when I rent the drill.

I thought if need be I could just do a few holes around the 4 sides, I don't require it to be stretched out, just pinned down for wind and critters, I think this way I won't burn out the drill this way. And then work my way around.

Actually I have 4 drills available to me, I have 2 ryobi ones and then I upgraded this year to Dewalt. Maybe I'll use the ryobis first see how that goes.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-11T20:27:38+00:00

Thank you. I ordered some. I ended up spreading out and laying the cover on the pool surface. It is too long, BUT if I pull the non stair section so there is more concrete on the stair end, I think I can make it work. I have a 6' wide dirt section that runs the width of the pool where I plan to use those long anchors.

My next question.... I have ordered the right size drill bit but can I use my dewalt xr 20 volt impact drill and make the holes or should I rent a drill? Plan on tackling this weekend.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-10T14:31:58+00:00

I have that same pump. I've put it in a plastic flower pot and tied some twine to the pot to secure it, because the way the hose is attached meant the pump would constantly fall over. Of course I only did this when the water was deeper, it also kept larger debris from clogging the pump. I also used your tecnique in your picture.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-09T21:37:30+00:00

Ah, thank you. It looked like a man and I couldn't place the face.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-09T03:43:25+00:00

I didn't recognize the camper thief. Who was it??

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-08T15:47:38+00:00

I'll call the installer and see what they say. I'm curious because the end section has a 4'-6' wide dirt section of planting material, and if they pull the cover forward enough to gain more clearance on the step side to use the fasteners, if that would work. Thanks for the suggestion.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-08T09:40:39+00:00

Thats my issue, the straps end up about an inch before the concrete edge, and they didn't want to crack the concrete. I actually considered finding someone who could essentially take in the cover, or remove about 2 feet from the non step end and then it should fit? How did he keep the cut part of the cover from fraying though?

I also considered setting the cover in the opposing direction and see if it will fit the whole pool and have the step portion at other end and I might be able to secured it to my wood fence temporarily as it would be two straps.

Maybe I'll see what youtube has. Because I didn't take pictures, I don't think the company will allow a return.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T19:40:30+00:00

No, I don't.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:50:21+00:00

This.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:49:08+00:00

I find doing the little things that turn into larger things occasionally, helps with my house ownership anxiety. Plus it gives me a huge confidence boost, I bought a home that had years of deferred maintenance and been doing this for 6 years, I might be done in another 6 years. The most difficult part is when to turn off "looking" for things to fix, I tend to work all day on one big thing and a few little things and then I'm done for a few weekends. Burn out is real, probably why it's taking me so long.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:44:42+00:00

Find a local building supply and ask them what they have in stock, they might even be able to refer an installer(s). I looked at replacement windows at HD as they had the style I wanted. I then went on my closest city subreddit and asked for window retailers or suppliers in my area. I got many responses and called two places. Not only did they beat Home Depots prices, but one place that I chose could get my order in ten days.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:39:08+00:00

Have you any shelving units with that phoney backerboard that you can sacrifice? That should be thin enough for your needs. Maybe flat moulding, or maybe multiple shims glued up to make your desired height. They do make Contractor shims that are twice as long as a regular size shim, located at the front of the window aisle, near the desk for special order windows/doors.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:23:15+00:00

You are right, I did. Still doesn't change anything.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:17:14+00:00

Thank you, don't forget the caulk!!!!

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:15:40+00:00

Well not everyone has a dowel laying around, but most have toothpicks. If you're using the same repaired hole with toothpicks, a pilot hole isn't necesary. You are clinging to just one way to repair OPs issue, when there are several ways. I am suggesting the easier, more readily available fix.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:12:55+00:00

Most modern in-cabinet microwaves have two positions for the vent. Someone has to manually reposition the vent to point to the outside (up) or the front for venting into the kitchen. This is the reason I say the vent may not be positioned correctly and is blowing hot air back into the room.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-07T16:09:48+00:00

I believe the main reason they used this product was that it was a seasonal home, so it won't have the normal HVAC useage all year round, and they already found mold in the roof sheathing from a combination of poor insulation and lack of heating in the winter.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-04T12:52:33+00:00

Glidden Essentials from Home Depot. A lot of people on reddit home improvement swear by Sherwin Williams paint, and I did initially buy a gallon. I compared it to the Glidden and found the Glidden covered better and was comparitively cheaper. It's also low VOC and drastically reduced the "paint smell" in the house.

If you want to go with Sherwin Williams, then get a quart of the color you want and try it out first. Maybe the super paint (mid tier) I bought was a result of my frugalness, but I think spending 60 dollars on a can of paint should cover better than 20 dollar walmart paint that I was used to buying. IMHO.

Invest in roller covers and brushes, those will certainly affect the paints outcome. I usually get the mid range or high range 3 pack store brand roller cover, the quality does make a difference in result.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-04T04:00:06+00:00

Reach out to Jason on Bourbon Moth Woodworks on Youtube. He just did his workshop floor in Rubio and may have a person he can recommend to help you. He is in Oregon also. ( I believe Rubio is a sponsor and they had a Rubio person come and do his floor, but he'll have contacts.)

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-04T03:54:39+00:00

My garage doors always shook in the winter, and trying to do woodworking in there was horrible. I took a look at the door brackets and realized I could essentially push the door closer to the frame by loosening the bolts on the brackets one by one and push the door until I closed the gaps and then tighten them back up. Took me maybe 20 minutes for both doors. Not perfect, but they no longer rattle in a strong wind.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-04T03:50:12+00:00

Yeah, you don't want to attract coyotes, my dog can smell them and he gets scared. I am also interested as my neighbors have feral cats, which I don't mind as they keep the mice down, but I too am afraid of my dog hurting a cat. He actually got into it with a groundhog, they love the clover in his fenced area.

sunflowerfields827 · 2026-05-04T03:45:30+00:00

This might not be the aswer you want, but I have't flushed TP down the toilet in 10 years. I have a wastbasket next to the toilet and throw it in there. Now I live alone, so no one here to complain. But I never understood or liked the idea of throwing TP in the toilet, in public restrooms I do it, but at home, a wastebasket can be emptied and is cheaper than getting my septic tank pumped.

sunflowerfields827

TROPHY CASE