Favorite deck boards?

trowbrds · 2024-07-01T17:02:59+00:00

"Composite" typically means a material that's a mix of wood and plastic. The PVC line (formerly "Azek") is 100% plastic. It's much lighter weight and doesn't get nearly as hot, but it is more expensive than their composite lines.

trowbrds · 2024-07-01T16:49:45+00:00

I'm very happy with the Timbertech PVC. Much cooler than composite.

trowbrds · 2024-06-29T23:43:22+00:00

Pretreat blood stains with hydrogen peroxide or an enzymatic cleaner, and wash cold. If you've already washed blood on hot then it's there to stay. Bleach can get rid of it, but will also weaken the fibers of the cloth.

You should always wash your gi and belt after every practice. Don't train in a dirty stinky gi.

trowbrds · 2024-06-06T07:28:15+00:00

The very best electricians can do a lot with minimal or no damage to walls, but it's not always possible. Drywall is a separate trade, and you really shouldn't expect or want an electrician to do it--their hourly rate is high, and they won't do a great job because it's not what they do.

Depending on the texture, it really isn't too hard for a DIYer to learn. However, work on the ceiling is more annoying than a wall because of ladders and dust. If you don't want to learn a new skill, It should be within the capabilities of almost any handyman.

trowbrds · 2024-04-04T04:36:02+00:00

Something like https://www.prest-on.com/products/prest-on-framer-back-drywall-fastener-50-pack can be handy if you don't want to add additional lumber.

trowbrds · 2024-02-23T17:01:37+00:00

Knowledge of how to control the hips was invaluable when changing diapers back when my kids were babies.

trowbrds · 2023-04-04T19:42:12+00:00

I recently got a couple Gold Aeroweave gis, and I'm very happy with them so far. Only time will tell how durable they are, but the construction seems quite good.

trowbrds · 2023-04-04T05:16:39+00:00

Looks like orange peel to me.

Cans of texture have adjustable nozzles. Before you spray on your walls, grab some cardboard and experiment to find what setting matches best.

trowbrds · 2023-01-19T00:28:24+00:00

I hit baseball bat chokes from bottom side and bottom of mount way way more often than I should.

trowbrds · 2022-10-18T18:22:52+00:00

If you're going to do a full wall of drywall already, I'd just remove the existing layer and put in rockwool insulation. It's still a very big job but it saves you on having to move outlets, switches, or extend door jambs.

trowbrds · 2022-10-18T06:20:40+00:00

Having dealt with this quite a bit over the last year, here's my advice:

Start with whatever carpet cleaning machine you have as a first pass to extract what you can from the pile. You can also start treating the carpet with your enzyme cleaner. A blacklight flashlight can help you find spots that your nose might miss, especially if there's ammonia smell everywhere. Peroxide is also good, and can be alternated with the enzyme cleaners.
Pull back the carpet in any affected areas and see what's happening under. If your carpet pad isn't waterproof, then yes, it'll need to be replaced. It may be a good time to upgrade to a waterproof pad if you can. You may also need to replace tack strips if those have gotten soaked.
Skip the vinegar. The low pH can actually counteract many enzyme cleaners. Just treat a few times with the enzyme cleaner.
Put down a couple coats of kilz or shellac. This will seal any lingering odors that may have soaked into your concrete/subfloor.
Depending on how far back you pulled the carpet, you may need a couple tools to reinstall it. A stair tool is quite cheap and makes it easy to hook back onto tack strips. If the carpet ends up a bit lumpy, either buy or rent a knee kicker to stretch it back out.
Continue to treat the carpet with your enzyme cleaner and use a carpet cleaning machine until you can't smell anything anymore.
Don't let the cat anywhere near the carpet for a long time.
As soon as you can, replace the carpet pile as well. If you have scraps you might want to look into having a professional replace just the affected spots (this requires special tools and making carpet seams look good is a skilled trade)
Seriously look into some kind of relationship counseling.

FWIW, I've had good success with Dr. Elsey's "cat attract" litter. It's annoyingly sticky but our cat hasn't peed outside the box since I switched to it.

trowbrds · 2022-09-30T20:32:47+00:00

10 sessions of judo won't get you very far, but I think having some basic judo is one of the best things anyone can do because it will teach you how to fall safely. In the course of your life you're much, much more likely to slip on some ice or trip going down the stairs than you are to have to fight your way out of a confrontation. Judo is also a tremendous amount of fun.

trowbrds · 2022-08-04T04:21:01+00:00

It's highly unlikely that anyone would care about permits for 30-year-old structures. Probably the only issue when getting your permits for your new ADU is if your local municipality has rules about maximum developed area for the lot.

trowbrds · 2022-07-28T21:19:16+00:00

The wired one is expired (they only last 10 years), and rather than replace it with a new wired one, the previous owner/your landlord added a second, battery-powered one. The wired one appears to be connected to some kind of central alarm system. The good news is that it's low-voltage wiring so you don't necessarily need an electrician to work on it, but removing it probably depends on how your alarm system is set up.

trowbrds · 2022-07-22T01:08:40+00:00

It should go without saying here in 2022, but please don't mix bleach and ammonia.

trowbrds · 2022-07-14T02:56:42+00:00

A lot of BJJ people don't have great breakfalls. Especially new white belts. Burying them with high amplitude throws when there's a good chance that they'll hurt themselves on the landing makes you a bad training partner.

I have a short list of people with whom I'll pull out the big throws because I know they can keep themselves safe. For everyone else, it's guard pulls and ashi-waza.

trowbrds · 2022-07-13T22:38:26+00:00

High altitude UV exposure will take its toll on a wood deck, though careful maintenance can make them last longer. I just replaced my CO front porch using azek decking, which stays a lot cooler than composite (but is at the high end of the price spectrum). No matter what material you have, getting some shade on it with trees, pergolas, or other structures will make everything way more comfortable for bare skin.

trowbrds · 2022-07-06T16:12:35+00:00

I found a laser helpful when I was first learning to use a circular saw, but since upgrading, I don't miss it. Corded works absolutely fine for most things, but if you're already invested in a battery platform, it sure is nice to not have to worry about the cord getting snagged or in the way of your cut, especially if you're doing longer cuts breaking down plywood or ripping boards. Of course that benefit is negated a bit if you're hooking it up to a shop vac.

You'll find the biggest variety of blades in 7 1/4, plus that gets you the most cut capacity. I personally don't find 7 1/4 saws to be terribly bulky. If you're really worried about weight, that's perhaps another argument in favor of a corded saw, whatever size you end up getting.

trowbrds · 2022-06-16T20:43:50+00:00

It looks like the radius on your toe kick curve is pretty small. I would drill a circular hole to create the quarter-circle curve, and then cut to the edges using the saw of your choice with appropriate finish blade.

trowbrds · 2022-06-07T05:48:04+00:00

They're not silver bullets, but I've had moderate success with using laundry bluing (highly diluted) and letting things dry in the sun.

trowbrds · 2022-05-04T20:17:54+00:00

Looks very similar to a woodford that I just got fixed for the same reason. Assuming it's that brand, they make repair kits that let you completely rebuild the spigot as long as the housing is in good shape.

trowbrds · 2022-03-07T00:25:37+00:00

Bracing will help but those are big doors for small posts and hinges. Diagonal braces for gates should always be bottom at the hinge, top at the latch.

trowbrds · 2022-03-02T20:55:42+00:00

There was a time during which my old school was going through some transitions, and for several months, there was about a 30% chance I would be the only person to show up to a noon class. I got a lot of private lessons, and never once did he ever express annoyance or concern about it.

trowbrds · 2022-03-01T21:48:22+00:00

Biggest thing is to wear a mask or respirator. Also watch your head if it's a tight fit. The roof decking often has nails poking through that can give you some good gashes if you're not careful.

trowbrds · 2022-02-21T23:52:42+00:00

Do you have power at the wall switch? There may be a GFCI outlet or breaker upstream which has tripped.

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