Recent content by Kent in KC

Update: The Electric coop did a study for me and ran it all trhough a computer program. Result: I need only 2.65 tons of A/C for my 3500 sq ft house. Big reasons: Icynene foam insulation, south-southeast orientation (passive solar) with 24" overhangs over the windows (to shade them in summer...

Did you try commercial grade Goof Off on those paint spills? It works for me.

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I just built one. Pretty simple but make sure you get everything straight (upright) and level. Here's a trick: wrap the poles with 24" aluminum flashing about 18" off the ground to keep rats and snakes from crawling up into the rafters. Thay can't traverse the slick metal. I also ran a belt line...

I paint big coffee cans. Folgers now sells their stuff in red plastic jars with screw on lids. Peel the label off and put your own on.

Update: The electric coop did the heating and cooling loading study for me (free). It used a computer program, was quite detailed and considered many things I had not thought of. They came up with a 2.65 ton A/C requirement, about 30% less then the A/C guy wanted to sell me.

Check with your A/C vendor or local utility or elec coop to get a heating/cooling loading calculation done. Mine was free and proved that my 3700 sq ft house only needed a 2.65 ton AC, saving me money up front and down the road. You do not want an oversized A/C, they cycle on and off and that's...

I sprayed Icynene on the bottom sides of my roof sheathing in my new house and garage, as well as the exterior walls. I considered cellulose, which is cheaper, but opted for Icynene because it seals against infiltration better and won't be ruined if it gets wet (like a roof leak). Also, it is...

I don't think you have any choice: you'll have to put one of those mini-trampolines there. Boing up. Boing down. Hang a rope and you might be able to make it all the way outside without touching the floor.

How about some air bags? Deploy on contact. Also good for keeping stupid cats off the walls. Peyow!!

My cordless sander (Firestorm 18v) with a medium grit pad makes short work of drywall sanding. Nice, flat and smooth seams in about five or six passes.

I put deadbolts on my doors, but without cutting the hole through the door for the lockset. Result: you can deadbolt it from the inside and there's no way to pick the lock from the outside. Also, used 4" deck screws to secure the striker plate to the studs.

Check to see if your utility (gas or electric) has a deal on a 100 gal hot water heater. Mine does ($300) and a lower rate for using it.

Danski, thanks but I have no can lights, stainless or granite in my home. I'm putting my money in energy efficient hvac, appliances, etc. Phil, thanks for the insight about the hvac forums. One of my favorite boards by the way, is yesterdaystractor.com. A bunch of smart people, friendly and...

You might wanna think about getting some serious protection around that plumbing. Wouldn't want to smash anything. Looks good.