View Full Version : Home Improvement Project #1: Repair Outside Leaks
Home Improvement Project #1
Repair leaks into the basement from the outside of the house.
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Water is getting into the house through the holes between the bricks under the doorstep. The window also leaks because water collects inside the well and comes in through the window.
I have to chisel away the brick under the door, remove the brick and debris and remove the metal window well. Then I have to fill in under the door with concrete. I also have to build a retaining wall from concrete around the window in the approximate shape and placement of the current metal guard there.
Dammit all to Helen Reddy anyway, what the heck kind of forum is this?
I've just entered a state of shallow depression.
I can recommend painting every brick on the structure a different color. That is all.
kristeejo
02-09-2009, 10:44 PM
LOLOL
Sorry, nothing on TV. I only get four channels though. lol
Muddy
02-09-2009, 11:13 PM
Could the severed washtub be left there and used as a form for the concrete?
You could make a mary in a bathtub grotto with that and put it on the front lawn, have it lit at night.
That's what one of my neighbors had back home. They used a standard porcelain coated cast iron bathtub though. I can hardly believe that Catholics do that, but it's quite popular back home, you see lots of them. Give it a try, you'll be the talk of the town. You'll probably need to re-paint the statue and change the spot light every few years, but the bath tub is virtually maintenance free.
Could the severed washtub be left there and used as a form for the concrete?
No. It's failing. Tough to see by the photo.
But it's one of the reasons it's being removed and replaced with concrete.
I'm going to remove it and see how difficult it would be to remove a bit more earth and asphalt around it.
If not too difficult, then the area around the window will be slightly bigger, with the concrete wall replacing (and taking the approximate shape of) the washtub. LOL!
ewomack
03-09-2009, 08:24 AM
Sell and buy a condo! No exterior maintenance!
That's the best advice I can give.
Muddy
03-09-2009, 10:48 AM
HOA dues.
Muddy
03-09-2009, 10:50 AM
But according to Big Ju, you do get to listen to the neighbors shagging. *shrugs*
ewomack
03-09-2009, 11:35 AM
If you blast Benny Hill chase music through the walls, they'll stop.
Muddy
03-09-2009, 11:38 AM
OK, I just went over there and tried that? They sped up.
ewomack
03-09-2009, 11:39 AM
MOVE NOW!!! LEAVE YOUR THINGS!!! GET OUT!!!!
Muddy
03-09-2009, 12:00 PM
OK, but I'm taking my Boba Fett figure.
ewomack
03-09-2009, 12:18 PM
That only makes sense given its market value... and of course its inherent practical use...
Muddy
03-09-2009, 01:05 PM
And it resembles a lingam.
ewomack
03-09-2009, 01:16 PM
Ouch... you ladies out there just ignore that last comment...
"No way you're puttin' that rocket firing backpack in me!"
Muddy
03-09-2009, 01:19 PM
I went to the zoo the other day and the only animal there was a dog.
It was a shit zoo.
ewomack
03-09-2009, 01:22 PM
Once again I put in a dire request for an "unthank" button.
Why will no one heed the call? See you not the need?
kristeejo
03-09-2009, 01:36 PM
ok i can't come into this forum anymore. i won't get my work done.
ewomack
03-09-2009, 01:47 PM
Have I shown you dog cam (http://www.sager.org/webcam/dogcam.html)?!?!
Muddy
03-09-2009, 05:13 PM
Have I shown you dog cam (http://www.sager.org/webcam/dogcam.html)?!?!
Oh gear dog! What happened to Elmo, Daphney and Daisy? Valium overdose?
ewomack
03-09-2009, 05:16 PM
They started hanging out with the former cast of Different Strokes and all hell broke loose... a sad fate...
We got the side door done today.
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Tomorrow, we're going to do brick around the window well, leaving it in place.
Seemed like the easiest idea and it will look nicer than concrete.
Muddy
03-09-2009, 11:19 PM
Looks good guys!
ewomack
03-09-2009, 11:35 PM
Nice! I would have ruined it...
Muddy
04-09-2009, 01:16 AM
That's why you live in a condo.
krisma5
04-09-2009, 04:19 AM
Did a good job.
ewomack
04-09-2009, 08:38 AM
That's why you live in a condo.
Exactly! Now I only ruin the interior. Much cheaper.
Muddy
04-09-2009, 08:52 AM
"I live in hotels
Tear out the walls.
I have accountants
Pay for it all."
Name that tune.
Muddy
04-09-2009, 08:53 AM
Hey Ed, do you realize that we've hijacked every thread around?
ewomack
04-09-2009, 08:54 AM
Joe Walsh... I think it's called "Life's Been Good to me So Far" or something like that... 70s solo hit...
I think we have successfully hijacked everything, yes... should we be proud?
Muddy
04-09-2009, 09:17 AM
I'm proud, aren't you? Yeah Joe Walsh "Life's Been Good".
Muddy
04-09-2009, 09:18 AM
What renowned group did Joe play guitar for before going solo?
Strong
04-09-2009, 11:41 AM
It is looking good Zap. I hope it solves the problem. Try a hose pipe once it is dry.
Muddy
04-09-2009, 11:42 AM
A ho's pipe? wtf?
Strong
04-09-2009, 12:09 PM
You Americans! Hose pipe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hose_(tubing))
A ho's pipe? wtf?
I thought he said hash pipe. I was going to follow his advice.
ewomack
04-09-2009, 01:26 PM
To answer Muddy's question: Good 'ol Joe played for the Eagles.
I liked the title of his hit compilation called "Look What I Did (http://dkpresents.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/joedid.jpg)"
Personally, I prefer ho's pipe...
The window...
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Still have to put an awning above the window, but the bricks are done.
Strong
07-09-2009, 09:24 AM
What is that black stuff around the edges? Tar or some sort of waterproof sealant?
An awning is a good idea, but you'll always get some moisture in there, hopefully not enough to cause a problem. Use a transparent material if possible to let plenty of light in.
So that's where you've been all weekend :sqwink:
What is that black stuff around the edges? Tar or some sort of waterproof sealant?
An awning is a good idea, but you'll always get some moisture in there, hopefully not enough to cause a problem. Use a transparent material if possible to let plenty of light in.
So that's where you've been all weekend :sqwink:
Yeah. I've been busy around the house.
The black stuff is a waterproof sealant/adhesive. I went along the entire side of the house with it.
The stuff between the bricks is not mortar. It is another adhesive that is also supposed to be waterproof.
So, the bricks should keep the ground water out and the awning that I put up should keep the snow and rain out of the window well.
There was clay at the bottom of the window well, too.
So we dug down 12 inches and filled with gravel. That will allow some water to get in there without spilling immediately into the house.
All of this combined should keep the basement dry.
ewomack
07-09-2009, 11:41 AM
Wow! Home improvement indeed! Way nice compared with the before photos...
I want a house in Canada... :sqfrown:
Muddy
07-09-2009, 12:51 PM
You mean you want a condo in Canada. You want to be a Condonadian.
ewomack
07-09-2009, 04:51 PM
Indeed I do. You can laugh at me until your lungs empty, but I won't give up my Condoanian desire.
Muddy
07-09-2009, 04:53 PM
Nor should you. Does your wife want to move too?
ewomack
07-09-2009, 04:55 PM
I think so... I may have to bribe her with a few months off work, though... dang I'd do it... anyone have any openings in Canada?
anyone have any openings in Canada?
Prostitutes?
ewomack
07-09-2009, 05:05 PM
That could work... it at least counts as an opening...
Muddy
07-09-2009, 05:30 PM
There ya go...Canadian prostitutes have as many openings as the next ones.
ewomack
07-09-2009, 05:36 PM
Do you have stats on the orifice counts of prostitutes of various nationalities? I'd like to examine them...
Muddy
07-09-2009, 05:37 PM
The stats?
ewomack
07-09-2009, 05:37 PM
Ummmm... yeah... the stats... yeah...
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