What non automotive projects and repairs are you doing?

[BlackBart]

Yeah, brick has to breathe.

[xHeart]

Limestone sills, lintels, and caps are common with brick homes in our area. After professionally tuck-pointing all the brick work; I've started to restore limestones back to its natural look. Some paint removal, few have turned dark with grime - rain, being under the tree, mold, etc. Not in perfect shape; but surfaces, corners and edges are showing off natural tones after being refreshed with two coats of water-based satin sealer. It will take me 4-5 summers.

[BlackBart]

There's a company called Prosoco we used to use a lot on historic stone buildings.

https://prosoco.com/products/hard-surfa ... -cleaners/

[volvolugnut]

More quiet observation of my bricks. It appears white was applied first, then tan and then some black may have been sprayed or splattered on some bricks. The white and tan are on most bricks and appear applied with a pad or brush.
I am considering doing an analysis of color percentage on a large area of the brick wall. Not sure if this would be helpful, since the area stained must still be random placement and size. I have not found any information on the internet on how a brick factory makes these random colored bricks.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

I started another house project. All of my windows are aluminum frame single glazed and most do not have added storm windows. I had long planned to purchase completed storm windows to add to the outside frames, but when I started looking of a supplier this spring, I learned no one makes them anymore.
After several false starts I found a place to buy all the window frame materials and how to make them myself. There were still some supply delays so it took 2 months to get the parts. I will buy the glass locally.
I have now cut the aluminum frame parts to 45 degrees with a miter box and hack saw. The corners are aluminum stampings that press into the frame sides. I will attach self adhesive felt to the top and bottom frames for sealing and the sides will be screwed to the original window frames. Vinyl U shaped inserts cushion and seal the glass in the frames.
volvolugnut

[xHeart]

All of my windows are aluminum frame single glazed and most do not have added storm windows.

We have old windows too but all painted wood. The added storm window -- exterior panes -- are aluminum frame with glass for winter, and mesh for summer. Each replacement window (aluminum-clad double-hung) is about $1300.

I keep the old windows clean and working.

[volvolugnut]

I got the glass for my storm windows yesterday. $880 for 8 sheets. The tech was concerned the single strength glass would break when I hauled them home flat in the back of my V70, so he delivered them at no charge. This morning I assembled, but not installed, the first window with no problems. I will feel better when they are all installed.
volvolugnut

[volvolugnut]

My wife informed me today that she wants backup power storage for the house. NOT a generator, but battery or ??? power storage.
Your ideas?
volvolugnut

[abscate]

Crazy stupid. Look up what it cost in fuel for a day backup power with a Generac


Get a good quality 2000 watt generator like a Honda and you can run furnace, fridge, and a room AC for a week on 5 gallons of fuel

[volvolugnut]

Additional information on backup power:
We have a heat pump with electric heater strip backup if the heat pump can't keep up in coldest weather like the 2021 storm. No fuel oil or propane heating to carry most of the heating load.
We have no window AC units, only the central heat pump for A/C.
We are planning, at a later date, to add solar roof panels to recharge the batteries.
With a generator, I would be concerned about having fuel ready at all times, running power cords from outside to inside, and all the startup trouble to change from grid to generator.
volvolugnut