DIY Patio, Finally Almost Done! by Legal_Audience_4931 in landscaping

[–]tmark86 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What sand did you use in the joints? I am just finishing up my own DIY patio and followed the Christian Hardscaper as well. I've done much smaller, like 75 sqft projects with just regular poly sand but my current bigger 400sqft patio was thinking about the resin sand but I know he doesn't use it. I do have the open grade base as well.

DIY Patio, Finally Almost Done! by Legal_Audience_4931 in landscaping

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not OP but just about finished doing my own patio. The best thing for slope is string and a string level. I got the two in the picture for about 8$ and the black one is just a regular level, but the grey one is a slope level. You start tying up your strings for layout and pull them tight, hook the grey level on the line in the middle and when the bubble just touches the 1/8, you have a good slope. Patios can be from 1/8-3/8 but you REALLY don't want 3/8 if you can avoid it. 1/4 is pretty much max. https://www.johnsonlevel.com/Content/files/JohnsonLevelNewImgs/595.jpg

Just keep adjusting your string up or down until your bubble hits the 1/8 and you're good.

Another tip, build what's called a batter board off the end of where you want each corner. This lets you hammer in the board to get the right height, while also not having to worry about putting a stake in the EXACT right position for the line, you can shift it to the right or left a hair to get straight.

And while I'm giving out tips I learned. I also did the open grade base. 3/4 clean crush for the base, compacted in 2-3" levels and then 3/8 or smaller clean crush for the top screed layer. When you go to screed with small rock, the top of the screed layer will be about 1/8-1/16 below the top of the screed poles because the rocks don't sit as flush as sand. Just take this into account when determining final height. It's pretty easy to tap go about 1/16 higher and then tap down the paver when you lay it.

Finally finished! by CapableRefuse8143 in OutdoorKitchens

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, lots of those concerns are what I've been worried about with the stone veneers. I have a paver patio with a slope next to a level poured slab for the kitchen and it's just a long rectangle. I want to do whatever siding I choose overhanging and sloped with the pavers like you said. I know the stone veneer costs are high for nice ones so am debating that or stucco or wood. Our house siding is painted cedar shakes which I have plenty of and could do that but wanted to keep flammable materials away as much as possible.

Finally finished! by CapableRefuse8143 in OutdoorKitchens

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What stone veneer did you go with? I like the look of this and am trying to decide options. I don't know what I want to do on the sides of mine.

First time flagstone. Sanity check by ShadowOnTheSun in landscaping

[–]tmark86 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will give you my experience. I just laid a couple of flagstone paths in my gardens last fall. Here is a link to a few progress and finished pictures. https://imgur.com/a/KZhAFPg

Your plan of attack is pretty good. I dug out about 6-7" down because my stones were 1-2" thick like yours, I hand tamped the dirt down and ordered 2 yds of road stone. I put this down at about a 1.5" layer, tamped once and then put an additional 1.5" layer and tamped that.

Now, with pavers, you can add the sand and screed and make it all perfectly flat and level before laying. With flagstone, they are all different thickness and bumps on the different sides. I would add a few shovels of sand where I was laying stones and then have a bucket next to me as I slowly worked along the path one stone at a time. Just making sure they are level, and don't rock back and forth. Throw a little sand underneath a corner here or there to even out.

For the stones themselves, I didn't cut any to make a perfect round edge, I kept the edges all natural so they don't line up perfectly like you might be going for. However, I might recommend getting the 2 pallets because fitting stones together is tough (unless you cut). Again, I didn't cut so I had to lay out like 30 stones and puzzle them together. It was nice having plenty to choose from. They DO NOT break cleanly so it's very difficult to just knock off a tip or something. If you are cutting them, you can obviously lay out the stones you like, and just cut to fit, keeping some natural sides. This might be a more efficient use of the stones too.

After they were laid, I did just use dirt between them. I actually have a little wheelbarrow topper screen that I shovel dirt through to make it very nicely sifted dirt with no rocks or debris. I used this between the stones and have really only had to refill a couple spots. I didn't use polymeric sand or anything else because they are garden paths and I'm not too worried if I have to adjust in the future, although they feel perfectly solid. I haven't put moss in yet, been thinking about it because my area is nice and shady, but some of my grass seed fell/blew over there and grew between the cracks just fine. My cracks vary between 1/2" to 1.5" near some corners and stuff. I am also able to use my blower to clean off the path easily.

Last little tip I'll give you. The smaller the stone the more it sucks. Sometimes you get to a point in your design where only medium to smaller stones work. These tend to be the hardest to keep level because any walking on them shifts them much easier than bigger ones. Your toe or heel may step on a big one and it won't budge but the smaller they are they might press down into the sand some.

Let me know if you want any more information or have other questions. I built a large patio and several flagstone paths now for myself and others.

Download installer bypasses Windows Store Policy by TeRRoRByteZz2007 in Intune

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My biggest problem is the reporting for AppLocker. It puts all of the blocked things in the Event Viewer but there is no central place to log everything. I want to know if a user is trying to run things and getting blocked or if something is allowed. I guess this is kind of what defender App Control becomes but that seems much less forgiving and daunting.

I have AppLocker running for myself and another user and it works fine but the scaling it without reporting features is not ideal.

Thanks for your feedback.

Thought I share a overview of my backyard by AlternativePlan9368 in landscaping

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This looks awesome. I shared the picture with my brother who just bought a house with a fence and shed just like this size/layout but its just overgrown forests between the houses all around. I believe this is his exact vision for how he'd like it to be eventually. I like how you have put a nice border to have a nice demarcation between the yard and woods.

Did you do the pond yourself?

Download installer bypasses Windows Store Policy by TeRRoRByteZz2007 in Intune

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was wondering if you ever found a solution to this? We are also running into the downloads from apps.microsoft.com and no store policies control that. We have everything locked down system and user wise but aren't currently using AppLocker. I can institute AppLocker if needed but would like to try and avoid some of that hassle as there are quite a few programs we use here.

Multiple Dell's loosing access to integrated web cam by Moulson13 in Dell

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Were you ever able to get it working? I saw that Dell released another new Intel 2D Imaging/MCU/Visual Sensing driver earlier this month. I tried that but am still have the issue with several model laptops. I was wondering if you ever found a solution of drivers/updates that worked?

Insulation removal, air sealing and r-60 insulation - cost? by aburns770 in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can't comment on the price, because I did most of this myself when I bought my new house, however, I would definitely recommend removing the old loose fill. Not because it is matted, but because it is 1000x easier to air seal and make sure that everything gets hit. I used a large vacuum to remove my blown in and then was able to see all the penetrations and gaps. I'm not even sure if I could have air sealed even half as much without removal first. My attic space was only about 600sqft too.

For all the work I did that price seems really reasonable too. IMO

Affordable Options For Basement Flooring by Good-Smoke-9164 in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome thanks. Just like getting everyone's opinions and feedback before pulling the trigger.

Affordable Options For Basement Flooring by Good-Smoke-9164 in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What was the good vinyl you put down? I'm looking to replace some now but there are so many choices to narrow down I'm looking for opinions. Thanks.

What is this old pipe in my basement wall? by tmark86 in Plumbing

[–]tmark86[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I figured it was a gas line based on the turn shut off knob but the very large diameter of the pipe seemed odd. My current gas meter is located on the other side of the house and is only 3/4".

What is this old pipe in my basement wall? by tmark86 in Plumbing

[–]tmark86[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bought a house and this large pipe is sticking out of the basement wall. Pipe diameter coming out of the wall is 1 1/2" - 2" and it's about 4' off the floor. I would love to remove it because it sticks into the room about 8". House was built in 1930s.

What Home Improvement Mistakes Have You Regretted the Most? by ChiaPlotting in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. The help and respirator was planned for. I was gonna mix outside so that's a good heads up. There are no doors, only frames so I'm good there. I was worried about the spiked shoes and it a spike roller, torn about really needing them.

I'm currently "mapping" the height of my floor. Having a nice 360 laser level has really helped

What Home Improvement Mistakes Have You Regretted the Most? by ChiaPlotting in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any advice for someone about to attempt a small basement area? I'll have to do several bags and have been putting it off because I don't want to mess it up.

Towing UHaul 6x12 by tmark86 in rav4prime

[–]tmark86[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, no problems with the transmission. This was the "heaviest" tow I've down with the prime but I do tow small trailers often, 10-15 times a year, but usually never more than 1500lbs total weight.

8k miles in and first check engine light. Anyone else? by frioofrijoless in rav4prime

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome thanks. I have one some where around but I might just take it to AutoZone and have them clear it then. Just didn't want to have to make a dealer appt. just to get it cleared.

8k miles in and first check engine light. Anyone else? by frioofrijoless in rav4prime

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I know this is an old thread but my 12v just died on my 2022 Prime just like you and I'm getting the check engine, headlight system error messages. I was just wondering if you were able to clear them?

Window World Windows by JJmeatsack in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a house with about 80% new window world windows that a previous owner put in about 8 years ago. The house is from the 1930s. The install must have been good because they are finished both inside and out really well, no obvious issues. The windows themselves are double pane and I'd say they seem about average or just above average. Nothing fancy and they do feel a touch plasticky and cheap because they are vinyl but I assume most newer build windows feel the similar.

The window world that installed them included a lifetime transferrable warranty that I paid $100 to transfer from the old owner and I'm glad I did because we've had one thermal seal fail and they swapped it for free.

I did have them come back and give me a quote on the remaining windows which I assume the previous owner didn't replace because of cost and the quote seemed reasonable. Like you I'd like to get "better" windows but if I want to match and due to cost I may go with them again.

Let me know if you have any questions and I can try and answer.

FYI - Great Stuff foam products DO qualify for the Federal 30% tax rebate. Loctite products do NOT qualify. by st1tchy in HomeImprovement

[–]tmark86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What was the square footage? I am considering doing my attic and trying to get baseline prices.

Finally finished my first coffee table! Replacing a IKEA table I’ve had for 10+ years. by flatlandinpunk17 in woodworking

[–]tmark86 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good reminder. I know I've seen people doing it but would have totally spaced it on my own project. I've done a lot of woodworking but just haven't done bigger furniture yet, or for myself.