What non automotive projects and repairs are you doing?

[Sveedy]

^ A note of caution; Typically you leave a little bit of space between the ends of the siding boards, and there is differences of opinions as to whether that joint should be caulked. If its caulked tight, then when the boards expand, the caulk is pushed out of the joint and shows every vertical joint on the wall. If the boards are actually touching at the ends, you could end up with bowed warped looking walls as the siding tries to expand. All siding will expand and contract, so you want to leave enough room for it to do that. The longer the board, the more it will move over its length. A 16' board will expand and contract a lot more than say a 4' board.
Wood is a little better about it. Composite types need a fairly large gap ( almost 1/4 " ! ), which they sometimes cover with special vertical flashing bits between the ends of the boards.

[abscate]

My ongoing house siding and trim replacement is back in action. I pry off the old boards, fit new prepainted boards, generally recut for better fit, primer the ends, paint the ends, nail in place, caulk the joints, and finally touchup and paint the hot galvanized nail heads. No wonder this is taking so long. But, I like my results.
volvolugnut

Take a break in a red chair once in a while…

[xHeart]

After a recent roof replacement, I've started to look at gutters are downspouts with interest -- the gutters and downspouts are least attractive visual elements of our brick house. It appears, the aluminum gutters and downspout were used for channeling and moving away rainwater during repairs -- never intended as a permanent fixture, however this utility is now a must component in every home in our area. The aging underground drain makes homeowners add yards of aluminum across their lawns -- some are digging for french drain.

There are several mansions and churches on my drive to and from work. The Eastern Church buildings, especially, make gutters and downspouts integral to its masonry work - very elegant use of limestone material - some have gargoyles. Modern architecture embellishes this same masonry treatment like a waterfall in their design - a common feature of Veterans' memorial.

[volvolugnut]

This gutter discussion reminds me that my parents house once had gutters built into the eves. The details are vague, but there were troughs built at the edge of the roof to catch rain. The troughs emptied into pipes inside the wall and then down and out at ground level. This was all removed and rot repaired in the 1960's. All of the 'ginger bread' trim was also removed at that time. This house was Victorian style built about 1910 by my great grandfather.
volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

^^^ Neat!

[BlackBart]

After a recent roof replacement, I've started to look at gutters are downspouts with interest -- the gutters and downspouts are least attractive visual elements of our brick house.

They're not inexpensive, but half-round copper gutters and round downspouts are a classy look. They'll turn a nice dark brown over time.

Half-Round-20150610_103158-Copy.jpg (311.38 KiB) Viewed 364 times

[xHeart]

They're not inexpensive, but half-round copper gutters and round downspouts are a classy look. They'll turn a nice dark brown over time.

Love these round copper made gutter system. One of our neighbors has bird cutouts clipped on to help keep the mourning doves away from nesting.

[abscate]

Best part of these are when Copper spikes again these are easy to scrounge for good return on scrap.

[BlackBart]

You know when the Milwaukee RR let their system deteriorate, they gave up on the ingenious electric-powered zone from E Montana to the edge of Washington, and just dumped hundreds of miles of big thick overhead copper cable. Much of it along here was dumped on the riverbank and half buried in sand bars. My 96 yr old neighbor used to talk about going to scrounge some as little kids. People got tickets for “stealing” this abandoned cable. I wonder what the diameter was.

[volvolugnut]

Get your waders out. Copper is over $4 a pound now.
The copper gutter users may have to keep their ladders locked inside.
Last time I sold scrap metal, they got my photo, drivers license and signature.

volvolugnut