Home Improvement Thread

[OrangeUte]

Hi everybody. Just wanted to give an update on why I've been missing in action lately. We bought a new house with a pool and a larger yard. Because the previous owner owned cats, we have spent the last month ripping out flooring, installing new flooring, painting, and doing some yard work.

It literally took the whole month to get rid of the cat smell. The urine smell in some of the carpets was so bad that even the tackboards were moist and smelly when we pulled them up.

We have put Pergo floors in all the bedrooms, painted them, and spent this weekend moving in. The rest of the house already had Pergo floors, so we left those alone. That will need to be replaced at some point in time.

All I have left is to paint the floorboards. They are in and sanded and caulked. I just needed to move in this weekend so I couldn't finish.

At any rate here's a new thread to discuss home improvements.

We have a large empty closet that we are thinking of what we want to do with it. It is a reach in closet, about 101 inches wide. I took the mirrored bypass doors out, so it's completely open now. I've been looking at some shelving units online but might want to do something more creative like building a tv hutch in part of it then having the rest be a closet with some shelving.

Here are some pics.

Before
560

After
561

Before
562

After563

The furniture is the previous owners. I forgot to take actual before or progress pics.

[OrangeUte]

Here is the master before
565

And after/during
566

I need to get up some pics of the painting. Walls look much better.

In the kitchen and great room area I want to eventually do the textured plaster paint and some crown molding.

Here is the pool. I spent a good part of the last week figuring out the pump system etc. I've never owned a pool before so we will see how this goes.

567

[LA Ute]

Looking good, OU. I remember those times fondly (although I don't want to return to them!).

[OrangeUte]

My front door has a nice metal screen door. I like having it to open for extra ventilation when it cools in the evening.

At the bottom of the door is a huge gap. Does anyone know how to effectively close that off? The rest of the door has a small gap around it as well. We have tons of lizards and frogs and snakes and the usual bugs. Is weatherstripping the answer?

609

[OrangeUte]

Found it. They have a door sweep that installs at the bottom if the door.

[bluegoose]

Ok this is SO not cool. Ub5 gets to see the new house before I do?!?! And to think that I was going to get you some special weather stripping for your front door. Well not any more! You're on your own buddy!

[jrj84105]

As someone who despises carpet, kudos on the new flooring.

[FN Phat]

It looks great, Orange! The pool/backyard looks to have huge potential. The Traeger will fit right in with that back yard!

[LA Ute]

Pools are awesome. Once you figure everything out it's like owning a lawnmower, except simpler.

[San Diego Ute Fan]

Pools are awesome. Once you figure everything out it's like owning a lawnmower, except simpler.

I'll second that. For the first few years, we had a couple of different pool guys taking care of it. Things kept mysteriously "breaking". I fired them and began the maintenance myself. Once dialed in, no problems at all. The once a week cleaning is great "alone time" therapy.

[LA Ute]

I'll second that. For the first few years, we had a couple of different pool guys taking care of it. Things kept mysteriously "breaking". I fired them and began the maintenance myself. Once dialed in, no problems at all. The once a week cleaning is great "alone time" therapy.

Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended.

[San Diego Ute Fan]

Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended.

Done and done. Especially at summer solstice time!

[OrangeUte]

Ok this is SO not cool. Ub5 gets to see the new house before I do?!?! And to think that I was going to get you some special weather stripping for your front door. Well not any more! You're on your own buddy!

I'm planning something special for you at the new place.

[OrangeUte]

It looks great, Orange! The pool/backyard looks to have huge potential. The Traeger will fit right in with that back yard!

Absolutely! The smells that thing puts out are almost worth the purchase price alone.

[LA Ute]

Done and done. Especially at summer solstice time!

Also, one of those gadgets (I've forgotten the name -- they're automatic swimming pool cleaners) that crawl along the pool floor and clean it. They cost a little money, but the one we got changed our lives. Very much worth it! I don't recall which kind ours is, but it's like this one:

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/17077279257607596595?q=automatic%20swimming%20pool %20cleaner&client=firefox-a&hs=WWl&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48293060,d.dmQ&biw=1366&bih=664&sa=X&ei=94bEUbvvEoqw0AGDnYHQAQ&ved=0CHwQ8wIwAw

This is a middle-of-the-road model. There are very pricey ones and less expensive ones as well.

[mUUser]

We had this one, or one similar to it....can't remember. Anyway, I can recommend this type.


http://premierpoolproducts.com/dolphin-pro-diagnostic-in-ground-robotic-pool-cleaner.html

[OrangeUte]

Put in a John Louis closet system for my 2 youngest sons. $260 on amazon. Took about 6 hours to do but now that I have experience it will only take about 4 to do again. Nice wood and goes right into the studs so it is off the floor.

Before and after pics.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/28/pysuze7u.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/28/ugyte7uq.jpg


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[Sullyute]

That looks great. I like the dark red color too.

[LA Ute]

You'll be glad you did that! Looks great.

[FN Phat]

Put in a John Louis closet system for my 2 youngest sons. $260 on amazon. Took about 6 hours to do but now that I have experience it will only take about 4 to do again. Nice wood and goes right into the studs so it is off the floor.

Before and after pics.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/28/pysuze7u.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/28/ugyte7uq.jpg


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I've been looking at systems for my masters WIC. How do you like the quality? I am looking for something that looks high quality and feels nice but doesn't break the bank. I like the way yours looks. Would you do it again?

[OrangeUte]

I've been looking at systems for my masters WIC. How do you like the quality? I am looking for something that looks high quality and feels nice but doesn't break the bank. I like the way yours looks. Would you do it again?

Absolutely. This is the 12" shelf size unit. It comes in the mahogany you see here and a honey oak. There is a deluxe that has 16" shelves (width).

I'm putting this same closet in the same color in my oldest sons room. I am putting it also in the other room but in the honey oak. In the master I am going to put the deluxe in honey oak.

They go in easily and are very sturdy. U just secure then right to the wall in studs and they work absolutely terrific. Quality of the wood is great and looks good. I got some splintering when I chop sawed some of the pieces but it was honestly minimal. Great product.


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[FN Phat]

Absolutely. This is the 12" shelf size unit. It comes in the mahogany you see here and a honey oak. There is a deluxe that has 16" shelves (width).

I'm putting this same closet in the same color in my oldest sons room. I am putting it also in the other room but in the honey oak. In the master I am going to put the deluxe in honey oak.

They go in easily and are very sturdy. U just secure then right to the wall in studs and they work absolutely terrific. Quality of the wood is great and looks good. I got some splintering when I chop sawed some of the pieces but it was honestly minimal. Great product.


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Trying putting blue painters tape where you plan on cutting. That should help eliminate some of the splintering. What type of blade are you using? How many teeth? If you are using a rip blade instead of a finish blade you could experience splintering as well.

Thanks for the heads up. I am going to order the deluxe in mahogany for the WIC in the near future.

[OrangeUte]

Trying putting blue painters tape where you plan on cutting. That should help eliminate some of the splintering. What type of blade are you using? How many teeth? If you are using a rip blade instead of a finish blade you could experience splintering as well.

Thanks for the heads up. I am going to order the deluxe in mahogany for the WIC in the near future.

I'm going to try this next time. I borrowed the saw from a buddy. It was 10". Not sure about the number if teeth. I used it for my flooring when I did that a few months ago and it worked great. The tape idea sounds like a good one.

I'm really happy with the closet. Tons of shelf space and very sturdy. A physician friend and his family used these recently in their own home remodel. They really do look good.

[chrisrenrut]

We have been living through a kitchen renovation for the past month. Our house was built in 1962, and we have lived in it for 12 years. It was time, and we are able to do it fairly cheap due to my step son being a contractor and helping with the project.

We are coming from old wood cabintes, linoleum floring, laminate countertops, and old appliances. We are going to knotty cherry cabinets in a dark stain, on a laminate wood flooring in a light hickory. Granite countertops, upgrated appliances, lighting, sink. Most exciting, is a more open floor plan. It is just a 12-14 space, so no island, but by expanding the cabintes up and taking out a half-wall, it really opens things up and creates more storage.

It is at the stage where it is starting to come together, and is getting pretty exciting.

Here is the kitchen space, stripped bare:

[Sullyute]

Kitchen renovations are tough to endure but worth it. Make sure you post pictures of the finished product.

[UBlender]

Kitchen renovations are tough to endure but worth it. Make sure you post pictures of the finished product.

My kitchen renovation last year might have been the longest 2-8 weeks of my life.

[OrangeUte]

Kitchen renovations are tough to endure but worth it. Make sure you post pictures of the finished product.

Absolutely. And before and after pics. You're kitchen is a similar size to mine and your ideas sound great. Good luck!

[chrisrenrut]

Our kitchen is tantalizingly close to being done. We just have to get the stone backsplash, under-cabinet lights, window coverings, and a pocket door installed.

we are having our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow since we will be out of town on the actual holiday. It will be a nice way to break it in.

932
933

[LA Ute]

Our kitchen is tantalizingly close to being done. We just have to get the stone backsplash, under-cabinet lights, window coverings, and a pocket door installed.

we are having our Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow since we will be out of town on the actual holiday. It will be a nice way to break it in.

932
933

Looks great and I know it was a lot of work. That makes it all the more rewarding, I'm sure.

[OrangeUte]

Looks like a great Turkey cooking kitchen. Beautiful!

[Brian]

anyone have experience with AirPlay for music?
I'm putting in some ceiling speakers in a few rooms, and I'd like to be able to run them off a common receiver/amp. Ideally, the same amp used for the TV.

I have 3 sets of ceiling speakers: bathroom, den, family room. I'd like to be able to run sound from an iphone to any room. If possible, I'd like to get an amp/receiver (with AirPlay) for the TV, and then use it for the speakers. Can AirPlay be configured to turn the amp on/off, select outputs? (From the iPhone: music to bathroom)

Or is there a better way to do this? I'm not an audio perfectionist. So, I don't need a super high end, perfect sound system.

[Diehard Ute]

I have AirPlay...it just streams the music. You'll need to look for a receiver that has multiple zones and an app to control the receiver for what you want to do.

[Damage U]

Finally got my sons bedroom done. Now he needs to move out so I can have a man cave.

[Damage U]

here is some more. If I ever move the new owners will need to be Ute fans or have a lot of blue and orange donkey paint.

[Mormon Red Death]

here is some more. If I ever move the new owners will need to be Ute fans or have a lot of blue and orange donkey paint.

Holy shit that is, sweet.

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[Solon]

Holy shit that is, sweet.

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Amen to that. So cool. Bravo.

EDIT:
Any details to share about how you went about doing it, Damage?

[Damage U]

EDIT:
Any details to share about how you went about doing it, Damage?

I drew it up with pencil and then went through about 6 or 7 rolls of frog tape.

[mUUser]

I know, two years old, but I just saw this. That is freaking awesome brother!

[mUUser]

I wanted to post a wierd'ish product recommendation here. No affiliation with the company.

http://www.amazon.com/Tanglefoot-300000430-Waspinator/dp/B002BKMO42

It says it will stop wasps from building nests, but, I put three up about 5 days ago and it seems like my existing wasp activity has dropped by 90 percent. Tried sprays and traps but nothing seemed to work. If this holds true, I'm gonna say its near miracle status.

I reserve the right to change my mind depending upon future results...........

[Sullyute]

here is some more. If I ever move the new owners will need to be Ute fans or have a lot of blue and orange donkey paint.

Why have i never seen these pictures?! This is awesome!

[Applejack]

Why have i never seen these pictures?! This is awesome!

Agreed. I didn't see these the first time. Looks like a boy's dream.

[mUUser]

I wanted to post a wierd'ish product recommendation here. No affiliation with the company.

http://www.amazon.com/Tanglefoot-300000430-Waspinator/dp/B002BKMO42

It says it will stop wasps from building nests, but, I put three up about 5 days ago and it seems like my existing wasp activity has dropped by 90 percent. Tried sprays and traps but nothing seemed to work. If this holds true, I'm gonna say its near miracle status.

I reserve the right to change my mind depending upon future results...........

Three weeks and this thing is a resounding success. Whereas on a nice day I used to deal with dozens upon dozens of red wasps, today, I might see 3 or 4 outside. I'm gonna go ahead and elevate this product from near miracle, to full miracle status now. I'm so pumped about this product I'm going to go ahead and find another gadgety product to recommend.

[mUUser]

We've finished our remodel in Salt Lake. Just wanted to share an item that we love, but most overlook when building a home or doing a remodel.

We put a w/d in the master closet and it's perhaps the single best add we made in the remodel. Laundry is soooooo convenient and easy now. We had tried this once before when we remodeled a basement in our previous home. We added a w/d to our daughters w/i closet, and she loved it. In SL, we toured a number of new builds and remodels, and only one had a w/d in the bedroom, even though our contractor claims about 40 percent of his complete remodel clients put a w/d in the master closet now. In fact, many times the laundry room wasn't anywhere near a bedroom....often in the basement in a corner somewhere, or, near the mudroom/garage entrance. Our best friends are building a $1.3mm 6500 sf home and they've allocated one laundry room on the main floor. This made no sense to me, so, we kept a full-blown basement laundry to service the downstairs bedrooms, but, added the master stackable to service our room. If building from scratch, I'd be tempted to put a stackable in every bedroom closet. Seriously.

Anyway, one of the best decisions we made for the remodel and thought I'd share for those going through remodeling or building.

[Brian]

That seems like a really good idea... Never thought of that before, but I wish I had it now. It would make it so much easier to wash smaller batches of clothes right in the master bedroom. A sock always seems to fall out of the basket unnoticed while carrying it from the laundry room to the bed for folding....

[LA Ute]

We've finished our remodel in Salt Lake. Just wanted to share an item that we love, but most overlook when building a home or doing a remodel.

We put a w/d in the master closet and it's perhaps the single best add we made in the remodel. Laundry is soooooo convenient and easy now. We had tried this once before when we remodeled a basement in our previous home. We added a w/d to our daughters w/i closet, and she loved it. In SL, we toured a number of new builds and remodels, and only one had a w/d in the bedroom, even though our contractor claims about 40 percent of his complete remodel clients put a w/d in the master closet now. In fact, many times the laundry room wasn't anywhere near a bedroom....often in the basement in a corner somewhere, or, near the mudroom/garage entrance. Our best friends are building a $1.3mm 6500 sf home and they've allocated one laundry room on the main floor. This made no sense to me, so, we kept a full-blown basement laundry to service the downstairs bedrooms, but, added the master stackable to service our room. If building from scratch, I'd be tempted to put a stackable in every bedroom closet. Seriously.

Anyway, one of the best decisions we made for the remodel and thought I'd share for those going through remodeling or building.

You don't miss the closet space?


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[mUUser]

You don't miss the closet space?


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It's been a small price to pay. Really.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Make sure you have a catch basin with a drain to contain the inevitable water dump, then everything would be all right. Having a smaller stacked set in multiple rooms sounds like a great idea, especially if you want to teach kids to be independent.

[LA Ute]

My brother gave me this for Christmas. He got it at FanFast last year - it used to hang from a lamp post in downtown SLC - and had Coach Whitt autograph it. Bonus - now I finally have a picture of the temple in my house.

2327

What a great brother. I am greenly envious!

[NorthwestUteFan]

That is a fun banner!

BTW, I love the look of the blue paint contrasted against the wood floor and off-white lower section (beadboard?). Very nice look in that room.

[Scorcho]

My brother gave me this for Christmas. He got it at FanFast last year - it used to hang from a lamp post in downtown SLC - and had Coach Whitt autograph it. Bonus - now I finally have a picture of the temple in my house.

2327

that is sweet

[mUUser]

How fun! Hey, what's that funky looking vacuum/floor cleaner thingy in the background? I'm sure I'll hit my palm to my forehead after you tell me, but, I just can't place it.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

It was about 10 weeks passed the promised completion date, and had plenty of incredibly frustrating moments, but we finally completed the swimming pool. The first project done was the basketball court, then the pool and concrete work, we’re having a pergola installed this weekend off the back of the house. Remaining projects include: adding turf to the space between the pool and basketball court, landscaping the perimeter and finally, my outdoor kitchen and fire place under the pergola.

Here are a few photos:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/ee2ba9af10092600be56af831ec9aef8.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/efd24ae989c64169a807d76b713df926.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/0775a7764af8a09f256ba77ae49b3681.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/39bacb1131e7ed400a5695756497ef08.jpg


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[LA Ute]

It was about 10 weeks passed the promised completion date, and had plenty of incredibly frustrating moments, but we finally completed the swimming pool. The first project done was the basketball court, then the pool and concrete work, we’re having a pergola installed this weekend off the back of the house. Remaining projects include: adding turf to the space between the pool and basketball court, landscaping the perimeter and finally, my outdoor kitchen and fire place under the pergola.

Here are a few photos:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/ee2ba9af10092600be56af831ec9aef8.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/efd24ae989c64169a807d76b713df926.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/0775a7764af8a09f256ba77ae49b3681.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180818/39bacb1131e7ed400a5695756497ef08.jpg


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Wow, beautiful. Your family and you are looking at years of enjoying what you’ve done. (We’ve almost finished 5 months of remodeling on our new house, and I feel your frustration. It pays off in the end.)

[sancho]

Wow, Dwight.https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/420d3e18-0f5a-439b-9a56-aa2efc7dafd8

[Sullyute]

Looks beautiful. Hopefully lake mead stays full enough for you to enjoy it for years to come.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Looks beautiful. Hopefully lake mead stays full enough for you to enjoy it for years to come.

Are you crazy?! This is exactly way we made the move! Gotta horde the resource while it’s available!


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[U-Ute]

Are you crazy?! This is exactly way we made the move! Gotta horde the resource while it’s available!


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When the water wars start, you can bring your tribe up into my mountain compound. But you have to help us replicate that pool.

[U-Ute]

Imma just leaving this here for inspiration for you guys.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PmwDbkaeJs

[LA Ute]

This is the Sugarhouse-area house I grew up in, in the vicinity of 17th South and 17th East. I can tell from the photos that the interior no longer even resembles the house I knew. My parent bought it in 1953 for $17,000, on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 3%. It's now in escrow for about $650,000.

2402

[Scratch]

This is the Sugarhouse-area house I grew up in, in the vicinity of 17th South and 17th East. I can tell from the photos that the interior no longer even resembles the house I knew. My parent bought it in 1953 for $17,000, on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 3%. It's now in escrow for about $650,000.

2402

Where's the memorial plaque? I would have assumed it would be on the front porch, but maybe there's a dedicated monument in the yard that's just off-screen.

[Diehard Ute]

Imma just leaving this here for inspiration for you guys.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PmwDbkaeJs

Where’s John VA?


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[U-Ute]

Where's the memorial plaque? I would have assumed it would be on the front porch, but maybe there's a dedicated monument in the yard that's just off-screen.

When you walk in they have an interactive tour complete with an animatronic young LA-Ute gazing wistfully at a portrait of Jerry Pimm.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Where’s John VA?


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I saw the Studio C and assumed it was a dumb BYU tv skit.


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[mUUser]

Any of you lads (or ladies) have experience with epoxy coated concrete kitchen countertops? Wanna share your thoughts on it?