What home improvement work did you do today?

Solid advice right there. Just went through this exact mess a while back for a new court yard area.

 

Good point. I assume I could just dig up the root system once the old concrete is busted up?

 

Unless you reinforce the hell out of it and make it a structural floating slab. But that ain't cheap!

 

Is that the only crack? Or are they very widely space? Without more pictures, maybe mudjacking could be a temporary fix for a few years. And yeah water getting in that crack only exacerbates the problem. Sonneborn/BASF SL-1 caulk is a great product for sealing cracks on level surfaces (self leveling so it flows).

 

I am curious please explain the header requirements for your area.

 

Not sure he would know, since it's being built by a builder. The one on the end wall (third pic) I can understand being doubled 2x6 because it's not load bearing. The one on the left in that third pic does seem a bit undersized, but it also depends on what the code reviewer and engineer have figured. It's a subdivision home, so I'm sure they have everything approved based on their standard plan sets.

@WAtundra4x4 - That particular style of header is going to be a bitch for installing any kind of wall-mounted curtains. I'd recommend you sneak in and add blocking in there before they start insulating the walls. Do the same for any spot you think you'll want to hang a towel holder, toilet paper roll, and behind the door knob on any door where it swings open. That will save you a LOT of headaches later as you live in the house...

 

I unloaded a pallet of similar bricks and laid them over the course of this past weekend, along with a 1/2 yard of 1/4 down shoveling etc (3500 lbs of bricks, placing, leveling, adjusting, releveling etc).....and I'm still sore a few days later.

Mine were 2' long, 50lbs each, 70 of them. I don't envy how many you have to do...but I bet they'll look good.

 

If you are referring to my driveway discussion, I posted a few pictures. There are many cracks unfortunately.

 

@WAtundra4x4 - That particular style of header is going to be a bitch for installing any kind of wall-mounted curtains. I'd recommend you sneak in and add blocking in there before they start insulating the walls. Do the same for any spot you think you'll want to hang a towel holder, toilet paper roll, and behind the door knob on any door where it swings open. That will save you a LOT of headaches later as you live in the house...[/QUOTE]

That is exactly what I did when we built a house in IL. Surprisingly took me almost half a day given all the windows we had. Used a couple of the builders "scrap" 2x6's. Also added insulation to the garage walls that were not a shared wall with the main house as most builders will not insulate those. Also had a bunch of coax wire drops for potential future use. Also added an extra attic access door in the garage..builder told me only one in the main house. I framed it in...the finishers figured it was spec'd out so took it from there.

 

Yeah that driveway is toast!

 

J

thanks for the comments. They are in the rough stages off the framing. The photo that you saw I do not believe will be the finished header configuration. Here is another sliding door/window in another part of the house. I’ll check the headers for sure this weekend.

 

Does this count... Since it's a home away from home? Been 5 years because I couldn't figure out where or how. Glad to have it back. In honor and memorial of those who served.

 

Some solar lights on the fence, nothing huge. Adds a nice touch

 

Link please?

 

MAGGIFT 12 LEDs Solar Fence Lights Wall Mount, 10 Lumen Solar Deck Lights Solar Porch Lights Wall Sconce Warm White Lights for Outdoor, Steps, Yard, Garden, Garage, Patio, Driveway, 4 Pack

$20 MAGGIFT 12 LEDs Solar Fence Lights Wall Mount, 10 Lumen Solar Deck Lights Solar Porch Lights Wall Sconce Warm White Lights for Outdoor, Steps, Yard, Garden, Garage, Patio, Driveway, 4 Pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D9FRD62/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_0EFBVZGFQW8ZJM7M2EC2?_encoding=UTF8

 

OK I didn't do it, wife hired someone to do it for us but I'm pleased with the results. Pressure washed the new house.
Before


After


Gotta trim the bushes.

 

Looks good. Nice lil refresh. Trimming thr bushes will make the house look a lil bigger too

 

Finished up flagstone patio and stone planter bed edging.

 

Looking awesome Chris. I’m jealous of the rock supply, and the means to place them…

 

Whoa. It me or are those massive-sized flagstones?!?

 

I guy that used to work for me built a Japanese garden in his backyard. He moved every one of the big stones from his front curb (where he had them delivered because no equipment could get to his back yard) using two tripod “gantry” devices he built and chain falls, lifting and drifting them through the side yard and to wherever they went in the back. It was sketchy as all hell, and amazing at the same time.

 

Got some window tint film installed on the windows above the kitchen / living room. Should kill the glare from direct sun in the afternoon as that side of the house is the west side