The Home Improvement Thread

[Oswego]

After adding a new gas stove, high efficiency gas water heater, and high efficiency gas forced air home heater last year I get this e-mail two days ago and FREAK out

I said to myself something must be wrong or one of my appliances must be fubar.

Then I look online and see they haven't read my meter since last year and everything has been guesstimated. I started a war with them last year because they never read my meter and still don't.

So I read my meter myself and put it online.

Today I check and all be darned... not only is my house running efficient they have been over billing me the entire time. Looks like my first few months of winter will be free. My average gas consumption is below $20 a month in reaility during summer. Ill have to keep reading my meter so I can see how I compare to others with real data not a bunch of false BS.

I really wish cable and utilities did not have monopolies. Kinda sucks being stuck with crappy service.

 

[AlienXtx]

Yeah if you could pick n choose you could get way better rates.

 

[Taco Loco]

Yeah if you could pick n choose you could get way better rates.

The city is the electric monopoly provider where I live

 

[AlienXtx]

The city is the electric monopoly provider where I live

Yeah I think Bryan/CS is too. I have a COOP out here so it's not to bad.

 

[Taco Loco]

My lawn crew cleaned up 4 trees and took out the dead branches today.

 

[AlienXtx]

My yard crew (me) moved my mower around to the car port and parked it. It's more of a dust storm creator right now.

 

[Silverback]

For you Texas folks who want to get a better power rate... if you are able to.

Power To Choose | Home

 

[Oswego]

For you Texas folks who want to get a better power rate... if you are able to.

Power To Choose | Home

I changed over to paying a renewable power company 2 years ago. Sorry Ant!

I thought it was a sham until I looked into it and while I don't get renewable power per say my money goes to a company who invests in it. I pay a little more, but I don't consume much so my bills are always less than others who use the normal suppliers.

 

[Oswego]

So the "door Devil" hardware I installed on one of my exterior doors last week was OK, but Ive found better. One of my buddy's from my door manufacturing days pointed me to these guys Home Owners | Armor Concepts

The hardware is much more significant and the hinge plates get their screws integrated into the actual hinges. I think this is a much better option, but also 2x the cost of the door devil brand stuff. You get what you pay for based on my initial look at the hardware. This brand also offers anti crow bar plates so you can't hammer a crow bar into the strike side and pry it open. Pretty darn well thought out. If your on a budget go with door devil - if security is #1 I'd say go with Door Armor. Either way your door will be MUCH more secure than it was. Based on what Ive seen just about anyone can kick in a door that's not reinforced.

Also just got my last shipment of bulbs and Forsythias in. Tomorrow is all Dr Greenthumb Can't wait for the first frost to get my wildflower seeds sowed

 

[Taco Loco]

My yard crew (me) moved my mower around to the car port and parked it. It's more of a dust storm creator right now.

We need rain, news reported that we’re now in extreme drought, we had less than 1” of rain in more than 3 months. The soil here is 100% sand, tons of dust and I often see dumbasses out mowing without face masks, one is my neighbor and the next day I’ll hear him coughing up a lung,


10 piles added today, total of 14 piles ready to haul to the back, only 150 more trees to go,
I just need to get some more diesel for the tractor.

 

[Oswego]

dang... starting to look like a desert. If your on a well I hope your levels are OK.

Ive been keeping an eye on this guy for a while while searching for off grid water harvesting. Not the sharpest tool, but he's got a pretty good head on his shoulders and lives in the desert with his wife off only rainwater

 

[Oswego]

much better engineering

double plates vs one

anti pry plate

w/security threads

 

[tx_shooter]

That stuff reminds me of the doors I would work around in secure buildings and jails.

 

[Oswego]

That stuff reminds me of the doors I would work around in secure buildings and jails.

I sell secure entrances/man traps/BR products yet you could kick in any of my homes doors in 1 kick

Just figured out what new locksets I want for every door in the house last night after finding out the hard way the turn handle and anti crow bar plate combo is a finger eater when pulling the door shut. Buying through a local commercial locksmith wholesaler I use for work so they can key them all the same.

My current locksets can be bumped open in 5 seconds, but I should be able to replace them all under warranty due to their lifetime finish warranty. Always keep your receipts for that stuff. Ive gotten new handles from Anderson for my screen door multiple times now because the finishes only lasts 5 years or so. When I sell Ill just throw the old/new schlage stuff back on and take the good sets with me.





Ironically - we made the top ten baby....


coming in at #8....


the best place in my county.... and my tax burden.....



Camden, NJ 9 New Jersey cities listed in 50 most miserable cities in America, report says

 

[tx_shooter]

If you are going to suck might as well suck the most. Lol

 

[Silverback]

Texas had a lot more cities on that list than I expected. But when I read the city I agreed with most of them.

 

[Silverback]

Installing a new water softener tomorrow. The one we put in when we built the house has developed a "Salt Dam" in it... luckily I added a bypass to it. But its junk now. Went with a better quality water softener this time, my friend is a plumber so he is spearheading the operation. I could do it, but it will go MUCH faster with him in charge.

 

[Oswego]

every darn cylinder I look up that I can get keyed alike for all my doors in my house is pick-able.....and easily.....

Now looking into Abloy Protec 2 but they are upwards of $660 to do my house with their deadbolts and levers. I might just bite down and get them. To date only one guy has ever picked it and it took him a year to make the tool to pick it. I especially like their lockable thumb-turn for when you go away. Cylinder/cylinder is asking for trouble and thumbturns in themselves let anyone exit your house that gets in so it would be nice to have this lockable thumb turn option.

These guys are pretty good if you are looking to upgrade your security Abloy :: Manufacturers :: Security Snobs

 

[Taco Loco]

every darn cylinder I look up that I can get keyed alike for all my doors in my house is pick-able.....and easily.....

Now looking into Abloy Protec 2 but they are upwards of $660 to do my house with their deadbolts and levers. I might just bite down and get them. To date only one guy has ever picked it and it took him a year to make the tool to pick it. I especially like their lockable thumb-turn for when you go away. Cylinder/cylinder is asking for trouble and thumbturns in themselves let anyone exit your house that gets in so it would be nice to have this lockable thumb turn option.

These guys are pretty good if you are looking to upgrade your security Abloy :: Manufacturers :: Security Snobs

Don’t spend the extra money, if someone wants in, they will, the thief could care less about your door locks. Most thieves kick in door, or bust a small widow on the door or enter through a window all together.

 

[tex]

Don’t spend the extra money, if someone wants in, they will, the thief could care less about your door locks. Most thieves kick in door, or bust a small widow on the door or enter through a window all together.

This. I take the usual measures but if a thief wants in they will get in