OT: Sens Lounge LXXXI | Time to clean up your act son!

[BonkTastic]

So. Thanks to a toilet, it looks like I might be doing an entire home reno.

I had that sort of happen to me a few years ago.

Undiagnosed leaky toilet caused major long-term water damage to the parts of the house underneath it, and now you've discovered a magical world of rot?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

I had another dream about the Senators and this one involved the Senators making it to the stanley cup finals.

You are one weird dude

 

[Caeldan]

I had that sort of happen to me a few years ago.

Undiagnosed leaky toilet caused major long-term water damage to the parts of the house underneath it, and now you've discovered a magical world of rot?

More along the lines of catastrophic failure of the resevoir tank (crack runs from bottom to top) causing water to flow out at whatever the refill rate of a full flush toilet is. Did I mention it was the upstairs toilet?

Carpet upstairs = toast.
Laminate floor downstairs = toast.
Vanities in both bathrooms = toast.
Tile floor in the upstairs bathroom where it happened = toast due to water getting under through the stress cracks from the concrete
Melanine cupboards in kitchen = toast.
Stucco'd ceiling (concrete building) = toast.
Drywall across a good percentage of the main floor of the unit = toast.

So about the only things being left alone are the walls upstairs, and the tile floor in the laundry room, main floor bathroom and the foyer/kitchen areas.

On the bright side, I had zero damage to any contents of note due to the water (lost a cupboard of teas) - though their industrial dehumidiers did a number on the veneer of the corner cabinet I've got... so that's going to be addressed.

There's commercial units underneath my unit (small condo building), which also apparently have water damage... but that part is just for the insurance companies to duke it out I hope (my adjuster said something to the effect of I'll have no liability as it's due to a manufacturer defect).

 

[BonkTastic]

More along the lines of catastrophic failure of the resevoir tank (crack runs from bottom to top) causing water to flow out at whatever the refill rate of a full flush toilet is. Did I mention it was the upstairs toilet?

Carpet upstairs = toast.
Laminate floor downstairs = toast.
Vanities in both bathrooms = toast.
Tile floor in the upstairs bathroom where it happened = toast due to water getting under through the stress cracks from the concrete
Melanine cupboards in kitchen = toast.
Stucco'd ceiling (concrete building) = toast.
Drywall across a good percentage of the main floor of the unit = toast.

So about the only things being left alone are the walls upstairs, and the tile floor in the laundry room, main floor bathroom and the foyer/kitchen areas.

On the bright side, I had zero damage to any contents of note due to the water (lost a cupboard of teas) - though their industrial dehumidiers did a number on the veneer of the corner cabinet I've got... so that's going to be addressed.

There's commercial units underneath my unit (small condo building), which also apparently have water damage... but that part is just for the insurance companies to duke it out I hope (my adjuster said something to the effect of I'll have no liability as it's due to a manufacturer defect).

Jeez, that sucks.

On the bright side though, that's why you have home insurance... it'll be rough for a while, but a new kitchen + new bathrooms will do wonders for the value of your unit. What's your deductible on this?

As someone who knows someone who's gone through this before, see what they'll give you as a replacement value on the laminate, and if it's only a small jump in price to put in hardwood, do that. You're already committed to replacing the flooring, now is your opportunity to add tons of resale value to your place at a fraction of the value.

If the insurance company give you $2.50/sq.ft to replace the laminate, you can get hardwood installed for about $3/sq.ft if you shop around, and you'll more than make up the difference on resale value when you decide to sell the place. If you can afford the $0.50 per sq.ft difference out of pocket, it's a good investment, assuming of course you don't have another catastrophic leak.


... Unless you don't own the place? In that case, disregard all advice about putting any money into the unit.

 

[Caeldan]

Jeez, that sucks.

On the bright side though, that's why you have home insurance... it'll be rough for a while, but a new kitchen + new bathrooms will do wonders for the value of your unit. What's your deductible on this?

As someone who knows someone who's gone through this before, see what they'll give you as a replacement value on the laminate, and if it's only a small jump in price to put in hardwood, do that. You're already committed to replacing the flooring, now is your opportunity to add tons of resale value to your place at a fraction of the value.

If the insurance company give you $2.50/sq.ft to replace the laminate, you can get hardwood installed for about $3/sq.ft if you shop around, and you'll more than make up the difference on resale value when you decide to sell the place. If you can afford the $0.50 per sq.ft difference out of pocket, it's a good investment, assuming of course you don't have another catastrophic leak.


... Unless you don't own the place? In that case, disregard all advice about putting any money into the unit.

I own the place.
And yeah, I'm already thinking about doing some of that...

For example - going to replace all my sinks, since the water where I am is so hard it eats up everything. Going to replace both toilets at the same time since I'll have a plumber in anyway. The kitchen will get a slight redesign to include an over the range microwave and roughing in for a dishwasher.

I'm debating what I want to do about floors though because
1) concrete underneath - therefore cold.
2) I have pets, and they like to have traction *somewhere* in the house... and the whippet especially likes soft areas to lie down. But I understand that resale-wise, hardwood is the way to go.
3) I think I need to research some floor heating, maybe to use to heat the rooms in general since I have baseboard heating anyway and having a larger surface area might improve efficiency to where I feel comfortable (plus I think floor systems have a thermostat control).

I think the biggest downside to putting the money in is that I'll put in these upgrades... and then still have to live here for another 5 years before I'm in the right spot to resell, won't be able to quite capitalize on the new upgrades to upgrade into a house with a yard yet.

Also wondering whether it'd be worthwhile to talk to the bank about a home reno loan if I'm going to be doing this much work... could probably upgrade a few other things like newer baseboards too while I have an electrician already doing other work.

 

[saskriders]

http://www.cbc.ca/22minutes/videos/clips-season-22/target-canada

 

[Super Cake]

You are one weird dude

I know.

 

[BonkTastic]

I own the place.
And yeah, I'm already thinking about doing some of that...

For example - going to replace all my sinks, since the water where I am is so hard it eats up everything. Going to replace both toilets at the same time since I'll have a plumber in anyway. The kitchen will get a slight redesign to include an over the range microwave and roughing in for a dishwasher.

I'm debating what I want to do about floors though because
1) concrete underneath - therefore cold.
2) I have pets, and they like to have traction *somewhere* in the house... and the whippet especially likes soft areas to lie down. But I understand that resale-wise, hardwood is the way to go.
3) I think I need to research some floor heating, maybe to use to heat the rooms in general since I have baseboard heating anyway and having a larger surface area might improve efficiency to where I feel comfortable (plus I think floor systems have a thermostat control).

I think the biggest downside to putting the money in is that I'll put in these upgrades... and then still have to live here for another 5 years before I'm in the right spot to resell, won't be able to quite capitalize on the new upgrades to upgrade into a house with a yard yet.

Also wondering whether it'd be worthwhile to talk to the bank about a home reno loan if I'm going to be doing this much work... could probably upgrade a few other things like newer baseboards too while I have an electrician already doing other work.

All of my "Pets + hardwood" friends have rugs/runners down their hallways for pet traction.

Also, I think 5 years is long enough to still recoup some of the benefits of the upgrades.

What kind of place do you have? Is it like one of those two-floors-up/two-floors-down condo type places?

 

[Caeldan]

All of my "Pets + hardwood" friends have rugs/runners down their hallways for pet traction.

Also, I think 5 years is long enough to still recoup some of the benefits of the upgrades.

What kind of place do you have? Is it like one of those two-floors-up/two-floors-down condo type places?

30yo building. There's actually a cluster of three separate buildings all about 15 or so units per. Just a single floor of residential, but they're 'houselike' in that you have a main floor and an upstairs. It's two bedroom, 1.5 bath, galley kitchen, and an open area for living/dining/foyer for the main floor. Corner units I believe are three bedroom and a larger balcony.

Because building is built into a hill, there's also a row commercial units below me on the main street. Some units are sitting overtop of the covered parking area.

 

[coladin]

30yo building. There's actually a cluster of three separate buildings all about 15 or so units per. Just a single floor of residential, but they're 'houselike' in that you have a main floor and an upstairs. It's two bedroom, 1.5 bath, galley kitchen, and an open area for living/dining/foyer for the main floor. Corner units I believe are three bedroom and a larger balcony.

Because building is built into a hill, there's also a row commercial units below me on the main street. Some units are sitting overtop of the covered parking area.

If I were you, ask your insurance company about how much they will give you in a lumpsum payment. They overpay, typically, and with the cheque they give you, no strings attached, you could do a lot of great stuff. I've been through this a few times. First get them to give you the numbers as to what they think the damage is and the cost to repair. Let's say, just for arguments sake, $20,000.00. You ask them for $15,000 and you will do it your self, and make off like a bandit!

 

[BonkTastic]

If I were you, ask your insurance company about how much they will give you in a lumpsum payment. They overpay, typically, and with the cheque they give you, no strings attached, you could do a lot of great stuff. I've been through this a few times. First get them to give you the numbers as to what they think the damage is and the cost to repair. Let's say, just for arguments sake, $20,000.00. You ask them for $15,000 and you will do it your self, and make off like a bandit!

Yeah, if you do this, definitely make sure they include the cost of labour in that lump sum.

Even if you don't want to do the work yourself, get quotes on how much labor is going to cost, submit the highest quote, and give the work to someone willing to do the job a bit cheaper.

By no means should you hire the guy/company offering the cheapest quote, though. In the world of home reno private contractors, the cheapest quote can often be the most expensive one when you factor in all of the stuff you're going to have to re-do when their work isn't up to code, or when everything starts breaking in a year because you hired the cheapest guy to come in and basically screw you out of your money.

 

[Benjamin]

So apparently there are only two types of mics for PC. Junk ones for less then 20 and quality ones for 80+. Nothing in-between.

 

[Caeldan]

Yeah, I'll consider the lump sum option. Though my only concern is that I might get told my accommodations are on my own at that point. Currently staying a month but the plan generally is that we're in a hotel until the work is done, since the kitchen is the longest lead time. Plus with pets, having them roaming around with exposed electrical and drywall work is not the greatest idea.

I don't know if I have the time /energy to deal with it all myself, so just using the preferred vendors could work out but we'll have to wait and see how the numbers work out.

I think Monday or Tuesday I should have that.

 

[harvey]

Miss canada sticks it to 'em

hmm i wonder what would happen if i pulled on one of her sticks....

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/hail+Miss+Canada+vengeful+hockey/10751581/story.html

 

[MainDotC]

Isn't the comment section in the Ottawa Citizen enough?

 

[MainDotC]

I really hate how workers build up some mess that gives enough of a facade for a promotion and then leave it for someone else to clean up.

 

[ChocolateLeclaire]

I had another dream about the Senators and this one involved the Senators making it to the stanley cup finals.

You know, people might be mocking you but the year the Sens went to the Cup, before the playoffs began, I had the weirdest dream where I was watching the Sens play the Sabres and we scored in OT to go the Finals. I remember waking up and laughing at that dream because the Sabres (and I remember this DISTINCTLY) were wearing their alternate jerseys at the time. I laughed it off because why would they be wearing their alternates in the playoffs, it was the Buffaslug era.

Well...lo and behold, flash forward a few weeks and just as OT of Game 5 is about to start, I tell my friends: "We're going to win it here..." because...the Sabres were wearing their alternate jerseys.

I haven't had ANY dreams like that since.

 

[Super Cake]

You know, people might be mocking you but the year the Sens went to the Cup, before the playoffs began, I had the weirdest dream where I was watching the Sens play the Sabres and we scored in OT to go the Finals. I remember waking up and laughing at that dream because the Sabres (and I remember this DISTINCTLY) were wearing their alternate jerseys at the time. I laughed it off because why would they be wearing their alternates in the playoffs, it was the Buffaslug era.

Well...lo and behold, flash forward a few weeks and just as OT of Game 5 is about to start, I tell my friends: "We're going to win it here..." because...the Sabres were wearing their alternate jerseys.

I haven't had ANY dreams like that since.

Now that is interesting.

Maybe my dream will come true this time.

 

[ChocolateLeclaire]

Now that is interesting.

Maybe my dream will come true this time.

 

[DrakeAndJosh]

I have a dream about the sens every couple of months. They're almost always extremely uninteresting. My last one was Peter Schaefer coming out of retirement and joining the sens but I don't really remember what happened

 

[Caeldan]

I have a dream about the sens every couple of months. They're almost always extremely uninteresting. My last one was Peter Schaefer coming out of retirement and joining the sens but I don't really remember what happened

What's with all of this hockey talk in the lounge all of a sudden?!?!

Seriously though, it's that veteran presence we need... Be like our own personal Gary Roberts and lead us to the promised land.

 

[Harbinger]

Met my buddy's new girlfriend today. She is a devout anti-vaxxer and vegan. I plan to avoid her as much as I can.

 

[18Hossa]

Met my buddy's new girlfriend today. She is a devout anti-vaxxer and vegan. I plan to avoid her as much as I can.

Is your buddy okay?

 

[Benjamin]

So does Vader not realize he never gets more powerful after he switches to the dark? If anything in ep. 4, 5, and 6 he is weaker then in ep. 3. He has no agility and needs a suit to keep him alive. The emperor doesn't even teach him force lightning and clearly didn't allow him to learn about keeping people alive via the force. How does he not realize he got scammed and was held back?

 

[BonkTastic]

So does Vader not realize he never gets more powerful after he switches to the dark? If anything in ep. 4, 5, and 6 he is weaker then in ep. 3. He has no agility and needs a suit to keep him alive. The emperor doesn't even teach him force lightning and clearly didn't allow him to learn about keeping people alive via the force. How does he not realize he got scammed and was held back?

In Vader's defence, that's not a side effect of going to the dark side... that's a side effect of losing both your legs in a lightsabre battle, being left for dead on the side of a volcano/active lava flow, and being so severely burned across every square inch of your body (including burned lungs!) that you need a body suit to stay alive.