I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's the lesson you learned after?

It's called a "learning curve".

Every time you do something new, you acquire something as a result; whether it be tools, knowledge about products, knowledge in knowing what to expect the next time you do something similar, contacts you can go to for help or advice, etc. And, all of those things help you do a better job the next time around.

The soft water copper tubing under my trailer
leaked. I learned that I should not sand the
tubing ends before using compression fittings.

The first shed I built was a total disaster. Turns
out, using full sheets of plywood makes the shed
too tall. Ought have cut them down to 6 feet.
Roof should be gentler than starting with 90
degree angle truss, really hard to put on the
shingles.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"ownerbuilder2012" wrote in message
news
I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?




--
ownerbuilder2012

On 9/25/2012 10:24 PM, ownerbuilder2012 wrote:
I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?





Now over 70, I'm judicious about any repairs I may do myself and will
call in a plumber even though I could probably DIY. I may nurse
something along until something else builds up than I get most bang for
my buck by having more than one job done by the pro when he comes out.
I guess that is my lesson part.

As far as nightmare it was over a dozen years ago when a leak developed
behind the toilet in our basement family room. Since it was in the wall
and toilet had to be removed I had plumber fix leak. I patched the tile
wall and had to replace seal and bolts on toilet tank which broke when
toilet was removed. First time ever bolting on toilet, I cracked it so
I got the plumber back with a new one. I'll never attempt bolting one
down again as how many times in a lifetime does a DIY'er ever do it.

That was not only problem with this powder room. The shut off valves
and drain pipes on sink needed replacement due to plumber jostling
around old parts. Then at end the sink Moen fixture leaked and tiring
of bringing back plumber, I replaced that one myself.

This toilet and sink mess took place over maybe a two week period not to
mention that I was very ill at the time. It was a harrowing time.

On Sep 26, 7:08*am, Frank wrote:
On 9/25/2012 10:24 PM, ownerbuilder2012 wrote:

I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

Now over 70, I'm judicious about any repairs I may do myself and will
call in a plumber even though I could probably DIY. *I may nurse
something along until something else builds up than I get most bang for
my buck by having more than one job done by the pro when he comes out.
I guess that is my lesson part.

As far as nightmare it was over a dozen years ago when a leak developed
behind the toilet in our basement family room. *Since it was in the wall
and toilet had to be removed I had plumber fix leak. *I patched the tile
wall and had to replace seal and bolts on toilet tank which broke when
toilet was removed. *First time ever bolting on toilet, I cracked it so
I got the plumber back with a new one. *I'll never attempt bolting one
down again as how many times in a lifetime does a DIY'er ever do it.

That was not only problem with this powder room. *The shut off valves
and drain pipes on sink needed replacement due to plumber jostling
around old parts. *Then at end the sink Moen fixture leaked and tiring
of bringing back plumber, I replaced that one myself.

This toilet and sink mess took place over maybe a two week period not to
mention that I was very ill at the time. *It was a harrowing time.

I'm pride myself on being a DIY person. A few years ago, I decided to
build myself a 20'x20' workshop form the ground up.
Everything was going well until I got to wiring the interior
electrical outlets with a GFI breaker. Everytime I tried to use an
outlet, it would trip the GFI breaker. I'm not an electrician, so
after about two days of dinking with with problem, I called in an
electrician. The guy came out and within a minute showed me my error
in the breaker box. It was a simple thing that I overlooked. He
didn't even charge me for the service call. I learned that sometimes
its better to have an expert look into an issue, then to waste time
with it. I also learned more about CFI breakers.

Total bathroom gut. Smashed up an iron tub with a sludgehammer. A
piece took off and knocked me out.

On 9/26/2012 10:57 AM, rlz wrote:
On Sep 26, 7:08 am, Frank wrote:
On 9/25/2012 10:24 PM, ownerbuilder2012 wrote:

I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

Now over 70, I'm judicious about any repairs I may do myself and will
call in a plumber even though I could probably DIY. I may nurse
something along until something else builds up than I get most bang for
my buck by having more than one job done by the pro when he comes out.
I guess that is my lesson part.

As far as nightmare it was over a dozen years ago when a leak developed
behind the toilet in our basement family room. Since it was in the wall
and toilet had to be removed I had plumber fix leak. I patched the tile
wall and had to replace seal and bolts on toilet tank which broke when
toilet was removed. First time ever bolting on toilet, I cracked it so
I got the plumber back with a new one. I'll never attempt bolting one
down again as how many times in a lifetime does a DIY'er ever do it.

That was not only problem with this powder room. The shut off valves
and drain pipes on sink needed replacement due to plumber jostling
around old parts. Then at end the sink Moen fixture leaked and tiring
of bringing back plumber, I replaced that one myself.

This toilet and sink mess took place over maybe a two week period not to
mention that I was very ill at the time. It was a harrowing time.

I'm pride myself on being a DIY person. A few years ago, I decided to
build myself a 20'x20' workshop form the ground up.
Everything was going well until I got to wiring the interior
electrical outlets with a GFI breaker. Everytime I tried to use an
outlet, it would trip the GFI breaker. I'm not an electrician, so
after about two days of dinking with with problem, I called in an
electrician. The guy came out and within a minute showed me my error
in the breaker box. It was a simple thing that I overlooked. He
didn't even charge me for the service call. I learned that sometimes
its better to have an expert look into an issue, then to waste time
with it. I also learned more about CFI breakers.




I've had this happen. I was confounded by a 3 way light switch and when
I had electrical contractor come out and bid on a generator transfer
box, I also asked him to include repair of the switch. He not only
corrected it on the spot but did not charge.

On Sep 25, 10:24*pm, ownerbuilder2012
wrote:
I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

--
ownerbuilder2012

Basement bathroom remodel, complete gut, including taking down 2 walls
to make it bigger. The only thing that was going to remain was the
wall mounted toilet. That plan changed after I hit the toilet with a
sledgehammer while removing the wall. Luckily I cracked the bowl above
the water line, so there was no leak.

Lesson re-learned: (I first learned it while in the Boy Scouts
learning how to chop wood) Be aware of your surroundings and clear the
area.

Hmmm...maybe I should mention the time I clamped a 36" steel bar clamp
to a railing while builiding my deck and then stepped back about 10
feet to see how the railing looked. As I walked back towards the deck,
looking at a section away from the bar clamp, the tiny end of the
steel bar - sticking out 2 feet from the deck - simply blended into
the background. It caught me right in the center of the left lens of
my safety glasses, cracked the lens, deflected upwards, and took a
gouge out of my forehead. If not for the safety glasses, my eye would
have been pushed back into my head.

Not technically a "home repair" error, but certainly a lesson learned
about the importance of safety gear and, once again, being aware of
your surroundings.

On 9/25/2012 10:24 PM, ownerbuilder2012 wrote:
I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.


Why not do it neat the first time?


How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

On Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:24:47 +0000, ownerbuilder2012
wrote:


I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

Put a 5/8" staple in my middle finger. Flush with the skin. Luckily
it went on both sides of bone, and missed it.
Had needle-nose pliers handy, grabbed it, screamed and yanked.
It was all over, and I never even felt faint.
Can't remember what I was stapling, just that I don't like that
body-piercing stuff. And I used a real stupid way to figure out which
end of my new stapler shot the staple.
I never did a bad job. If I can't do it right, I have a pro do it.
If your plumbing job doesn't leak and won't leak, and won't cause
future problems, don't worry about it.

I'd dare to guess, if you post the name and phone number of honest
electrician, he'll have more work than he can handle. Post also on Angies
List and Craigslist.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"rlz" wrote in message
...

I'm pride myself on being a DIY person. A few years ago, I decided to
build myself a 20'x20' workshop form the ground up.
Everything was going well until I got to wiring the interior
electrical outlets with a GFI breaker. Everytime I tried to use an
outlet, it would trip the GFI breaker. I'm not an electrician, so
after about two days of dinking with with problem, I called in an
electrician. The guy came out and within a minute showed me my error
in the breaker box. It was a simple thing that I overlooked. He
didn't even charge me for the service call. I learned that sometimes
its better to have an expert look into an issue, then to waste time
with it. I also learned more about CFI breakers.

Reminds me of the time I was drilling to install a CB antenna on the back of
my van. Right back of the sheet metal fender was a spray can.....

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
Put a 5/8" staple in my middle finger. Flush with the skin. Luckily
it went on both sides of bone, and missed it.
Had needle-nose pliers handy, grabbed it, screamed and yanked.
It was all over, and I never even felt faint.

On Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:24:47 +0000, ownerbuilder2012
wrote:

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?


All the ones where I hit my thumb with a hammer!

Suddenly, I began dancing on my tip-toes like a hostile indian,
turning in circles, swinging my hand, and uttering six different
languages at the same time.

On 09/25/2012 07:24 PM, ownerbuilder2012 wrote:
I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

I had to fix the sump pump about 10 years ago, and in the process got
bit by a black widow spider.

After being sick for a week, feeling like I was about to die, I started
to get better.

I still see the widows underneath the house when I have work to do under
there, but I make sure I have my big orange can of Terro with me and
give them (and their nests) a good blast.

*******s.

Jon

On Wed, 26 Sep 2012 02:24:47 +0000, ownerbuilder2012
wrote:


I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that it's
the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what can i
do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want to do it
again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

Changing the lightbulb in my bathroom. I got a new bulb, then stood on
the toilet. I fell into the toilet, and bumped the flusher handle when
I fell, and I got flushed down. It took five days for the sewer
department to find me. I was almost 70 miles from home when they
finally found me. I lost the new lightbulb too!!!

Blondie

Fortunately, you probably lost your appetite,
down there?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

wrote in message
...


How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and what's
the lesson you learned after?

Changing the lightbulb in my bathroom. I got a new bulb, then stood on
the toilet. I fell into the toilet, and bumped the flusher handle when
I fell, and I got flushed down. It took five days for the sewer
department to find me. I was almost 70 miles from home when they
finally found me. I lost the new lightbulb too!!!

Blondie

Was doing the yearly trim of mulberry tree next to dads house. Dad liked it
for it's shade. Years doing this, climbing up tree,and cutting from one
story roof.
Even used small chain saw at times. I'm up 3-4 feet on wooden ladder
resting on tree. As I was falling backwards, I reach out my arm to window
out of desperation, hear crunching sound of my arm, hit ground, twisting my
ankle. I made it it to standing position. I raised left arm, and felt it
slip out of joint. Went into house, took two ibuprofen. Went back outside
to bundle remaining limbs of tree. I'm in denial.
Next day nurse visiting dad suggested I go to hospital. Rotator cuff. After
6 weeks of therapy, I get operation, then 6 more weeks of therapy. My arm
is still has problems going on 10years. My ankle is fine.

Greg

gregz wrote:
Was doing the yearly trim of mulberry tree next to dads house. Dad liked it
for it's shade. Years doing this, climbing up tree,and cutting from one
story roof.
Even used small chain saw at times. I'm up 3-4 feet on wooden ladder
resting on tree. As I was falling backwards, I reach out my arm to window
out of desperation, hear crunching sound of my arm, hit ground, twisting my
ankle. I made it it to standing position. I raised left arm, and felt it
slip out of joint. Went into house, took two ibuprofen. Went back outside
to bundle remaining limbs of tree. I'm in denial.
Next day nurse visiting dad suggested I go to hospital. Rotator cuff. After
6 weeks of therapy, I get operation, then 6 more weeks of therapy. My arm
is still has problems going on 10years. My ankle is fine.

Greg

Oh, dad. He was working on the garage coil spring one day, drunk. I'll
spare the details. He recovered ok.

Greg

I'm really good with plumbing work, that's why it messy. But since I have done it already, maybe a gained a bit of experience and will do it a lot better next time.

I know the steps too! Danced to the tune of throbbing finger a lot of times :-)

Agreed, an expert will always come in handy!

On Sep 27, 9:55*pm, gregz wrote:
gregz wrote:
Was doing the yearly trim of mulberry tree next to dads house. Dad liked it
for it's shade. Years doing this, climbing up tree,and cutting from one
story roof.
Even used small chain saw at times. I'm up 3-4 feet on wooden ladder
resting on tree. As I was falling backwards, I reach out my arm to window
out of desperation, hear crunching sound of my arm, hit ground, twisting my
ankle. I made it it to standing position. I raised left arm, and felt it
slip out of joint. Went into house, took two ibuprofen. Went back outside
to bundle remaining limbs of tree. I'm in denial.
Next day nurse visiting dad suggested I go to hospital. Rotator cuff. After
6 weeks of therapy, I get operation, then 6 more weeks of therapy. My arm
is still has problems going on 10years. My ankle is fine.

Greg

Oh, dad. He was working on the garage coil spring one day, drunk. I'll
spare the details. He recovered ok.

Greg

This is a home repair tale, but it is related to a garage door spring.

I used to work with a guy who parked in his garage, got out of the car
and hit the GDO button on the way into the house. The door spring let
go and smacked him upside the head, splittng the side of face open.
His wife wondered what was taking him so long to come into the house
so she went out and found him barely concious on the garage floor.

He was out of work for a month and still looked beat up when he came
back.

On Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:46:16 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:


This is a home repair tale, but it is related to a garage door spring.

I used to work with a guy who parked in his garage, got out of the car
and hit the GDO button on the way into the house. The door spring let
go and smacked him upside the head, splittng the side of face open.
His wife wondered what was taking him so long to come into the house
so she went out and found him barely concious on the garage floor.

He was out of work for a month and still looked beat up when he came
back.

I was working on my car in my garage in Chicago and kept hearing some
faint yelling. After a couple minutes I went outside in the alley and
tracked it down to a neighbor 2 garages away. He was on a ladder in
the garage with a finger stuck between his garage door panels.
He was trying to increase the tension on the torsion spring and it got
away from him, slamming down with his finger in a gap.
Don't even ask how the hell he had a gap there, I have no idea.
He was an e-room nurse and was probably using medical training.
I've adjusted the same type springs a few times and the door was
always closed when I did it.
Can't remember how I got him loose, but it was pretty quick.
Think I lifted the entire door with a 5' wrecker bar I had then.
But maybe I spread the panels. It was a new garage.
His finger was really chewed up - to the bone.
What I remember most is driving him to the hospital he worked at,
Michael Reese. PITA, a 40 minute drive to the south side in bad
traffic instead of a local hospital 5 minutes away.
Then I waited a couple hours to take him home. His wife was out of
town. He never even bought me a beer, but hey, what are neighbors
for?
Reminds me, I had my old wood panel door replaced with a metal one a
month ago. Dinky torsion springs compared to the old ones.
I like the new light-weight door. Safer all-around.
And another paint job I avoided doing for 15 years.

He's very fortunate you heard, and acted on the call.
I thank you, in case he never does.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...

I was working on my car in my garage in Chicago and kept hearing some
faint yelling. After a couple minutes I went outside in the alley and
tracked it down to a neighbor 2 garages away. He was on a ladder in
the garage with a finger stuck between his garage door panels.
He was trying to increase the tension on the torsion spring and it got
away from him, slamming down with his finger in a gap.
Don't even ask how the hell he had a gap there, I have no idea.
He was an e-room nurse and was probably using medical training.
I've adjusted the same type springs a few times and the door was
always closed when I did it.
Can't remember how I got him loose, but it was pretty quick.
Think I lifted the entire door with a 5' wrecker bar I had then.
But maybe I spread the panels. It was a new garage.
His finger was really chewed up - to the bone.
What I remember most is driving him to the hospital he worked at,
Michael Reese. PITA, a 40 minute drive to the south side in bad
traffic instead of a local hospital 5 minutes away.
Then I waited a couple hours to take him home. His wife was out of
town. He never even bought me a beer, but hey, what are neighbors
for?
Reminds me, I had my old wood panel door replaced with a metal one a
month ago. Dinky torsion springs compared to the old ones.
I like the new light-weight door. Safer all-around.
And another paint job I avoided doing for 15 years.

DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Sep 27, 9:55 pm, gregz wrote:
gregz wrote:
Was doing the yearly trim of mulberry tree next to dads house. Dad liked it
for it's shade. Years doing this, climbing up tree,and cutting from one
story roof.
Even used small chain saw at times. I'm up 3-4 feet on wooden ladder
resting on tree. As I was falling backwards, I reach out my arm to window
out of desperation, hear crunching sound of my arm, hit ground, twisting my
ankle. I made it it to standing position. I raised left arm, and felt it
slip out of joint. Went into house, took two ibuprofen. Went back outside
to bundle remaining limbs of tree. I'm in denial.
Next day nurse visiting dad suggested I go to hospital. Rotator cuff. After
6 weeks of therapy, I get operation, then 6 more weeks of therapy. My arm
is still has problems going on 10years. My ankle is fine.

Greg

Oh, dad. He was working on the garage coil spring one day, drunk. I'll
spare the details. He recovered ok.

Greg

This is a home repair tale, but it is related to a garage door spring.

I used to work with a guy who parked in his garage, got out of the car
and hit the GDO button on the way into the house. The door spring let
go and smacked him upside the head, splittng the side of face open.
His wife wondered what was taking him so long to come into the house
so she went out and found him barely concious on the garage floor.

He was out of work for a month and still looked beat up when he came
back.

Years later, one spring let loose. I could not even budge the double wooden
door. Scary.

I did finally replace it with a steel/foam door.

Greg

DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Sep 27, 9:55 pm, gregz wrote:

gregz wrote:

Was doing the yearly trim of mulberry tree next to dads house. Dad liked it
for it's shade. Years doing this, climbing up tree,and cutting from one
story roof.
Even used small chain saw at times. I'm up 3-4 feet on wooden ladder
resting on tree. As I was falling backwards, I reach out my arm to window
out of desperation, hear crunching sound of my arm, hit ground, twisting my
ankle. I made it it to standing position. I raised left arm, and felt it
slip out of joint. Went into house, took two ibuprofen. Went back outside
to bundle remaining limbs of tree. I'm in denial.
Next day nurse visiting dad suggested I go to hospital. Rotator cuff. After
6 weeks of therapy, I get operation, then 6 more weeks of therapy. My arm
is still has problems going on 10years. My ankle is fine.

Greg

Oh, dad. He was working on the garage coil spring one day, drunk. I'll
spare the details. He recovered ok.

Greg


This is a home repair tale, but it is related to a garage door spring.

I used to work with a guy who parked in his garage, got out of the car
and hit the GDO button on the way into the house. The door spring let
go and smacked him upside the head, splittng the side of face open.
His wife wondered what was taking him so long to come into the house
so she went out and found him barely concious on the garage floor.

He was out of work for a month and still looked beat up when he came
back.

Sounds like that poor guy had tension springs on his garage door and
didn't have safety cables inside them. Bad move...

Sears (for one) sells them, cheap insurance against you, a loved one, or
your vehicle getting whacked:

http://tinyurl.com/cck76hr


Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10e12 furlongs per fortnight.

ownerbuilder2012 wrote in
news

I just did some plumbing repair at home, and all I can say is that
it's the messiest and the worst home repair I've ever done. But what
can i do? it has to be done. I hope I did a good job, I wouldn't want
to do it again any time soon.

How about you? what's the worst home repair you've ever done, and
what's the lesson you learned after?





You are looking for some text as content (although a very small overall
percentage) to put in something you're selling.

Info has value. No freebies from me.