tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post8627174822222197791..comments2024-03-13T16:06:11.396-05:00Comments on the anti-soma: Random ramblingsHeroditus Huxleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-12577716236941751072014-03-30T10:30:40.930-05:002014-03-30T10:30:40.930-05:00I'm beginning to think we need to hire this do...I'm beginning to think we need to hire this done.Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-85934430383948953212014-03-30T10:30:14.450-05:002014-03-30T10:30:14.450-05:00I'd prefer the patio, too. The deck is nice, ...I'd prefer the patio, too. The deck is nice, but even if it were in perfect condition, we'd still have to do something about fixing the yard--there's nothing keeping the dog or the kids from going under the deck and out the side. The fencing stops at the corner of the deck. And I can't help but think it'd be simpler to get some more chain link fencing and extend it the twelve feet from where it is to the corner of the house.Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-31437562250229998922014-03-30T10:27:37.875-05:002014-03-30T10:27:37.875-05:00We've budgeted for the expense. It's the ...We've budgeted for the expense. It's the difficulty that I'm getting worried about, and that there may be no difference between fixing the deck and creating a patio.Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-50672779800513430072014-03-30T10:26:50.864-05:002014-03-30T10:26:50.864-05:00I've found mouse remains in our litter box. S...I've found mouse remains in our litter box. Skulls, sometimes part of a rib cage. I've found tails with the end still bloody dropped in the cats' food dish, too. <br /><br />I haven't yet found foam earplugs in the litter box. I have found bits of colored poop in the yard where the dog goes--not sure if she's eating chalk or crayons.Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-43705164482974549762014-03-30T09:10:52.781-05:002014-03-30T09:10:52.781-05:00Ah, yes, orange foam earplugs. My cat Max does mo...Ah, yes, orange foam earplugs. My cat Max does more than just steal them. He steals them, nuzzles them and then eats them! I've seen him steal and nuzzle them. I know he eats them because they come out in the same condition they went in! It is quite an interesting sight when one is cleaning the litter box! ;-)Navy91https://www.blogger.com/profile/09023454206877290403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-61703261264876994952014-03-29T19:27:30.782-05:002014-03-29T19:27:30.782-05:00I don't want to be a killjoy, but removing a d...I don't want to be a killjoy, but removing a deck that has planks fastened with inexpensive screws can be daunting. The heads usually are so corroded, they strip out and removal requires a stout wrecking bar and some elbow grease, which is the same method for the planks if nails were used. <br /><br />Even with good fasteners, plank removal is a task. Every fastener requires a screw gun, or electric drill. <br /><br />After removal, all structural members need to be checked, since they can deteriorate, or the fasteners loosened by time and wood expansion. If the wood at the fastener is to the point the fastener won't hold securely, a new fastener needs installing, and it's best to remove the old one, to reduce wood splitting. <br /><br />It's all work, and if you're removing all the planks, a substantial part of complete removal is already accomplished. <br /><br />Personally, I prefer a brick, or concrete paver. Decks are great, but usually required for elevated surfaces. If a few steps are all that's required to bring you to the level of the ground, the pavers - if installed in a sand bed, with good drainage - are a once in a lifetime project, which needs little, to no maintenance. Besides that, additions can be made at a leisurely pace, and children can be valuable helpers as they carry one paver at a time, which prevents constantly getting up to retrieve more pavers. Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-21721755731169982322014-03-29T14:07:26.145-05:002014-03-29T14:07:26.145-05:00A easy beam to make is one out of three lengths of...A easy beam to make is one out of three lengths of 2x6 or 2x8 with 1/2"plywood (not OSB) that is cut to width sandwiched between the 2X's. A layered 2x6 beam like this will support most houses let alone a deck.<br />Lay out the first full length of the 2x's (bow to the top), then liquid nails, then a length of the plywood, then more liquid nails, then another length of the 2x's, using 10d nails nail this length of 2x's through what will be the middle 2x to the bottom layer 2x, then more liquid nails, another layer of the plywood, more liquid nails, then the final layer of the 2x's, nail this to the middle 2x, then turn this beam over and nail the bottom 2x to the middle 2x. The resulting beam will hold much more than just 2x's nailed together. Green 2x6x10 run around $10 each, one sheet of 1/2" green plywood about $25, 4 tubes of liquid nails $8 and two pounds of 10d nails $10. Another thing, cut the length of the 2x's and plywood so that the end seams do not match. The hard part is getting pillars to stay at the proper height. Have used shortened floor support tubes with screw plates and other times jacked up and added or removed wood between the beam and ground to match the heaving. Use at least two jacks to raise the beam and deck, three jacks would be easier. If you go with a brick / paver patio that is on the ground, to do it right is almost like pouring a cement slab with lots of time, effort and money involved.jon spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10886632644249920124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-33336459896426375912014-03-29T12:50:16.516-05:002014-03-29T12:50:16.516-05:00Unfortunately, H, maintaining a home is never inex...Unfortunately, H, maintaining a home is never inexpensive. ;) Jess does have a good point, though his idea will depend on the ground under the deck, if it's prone to turn into mud the extra surface area will be essential so the block doesn't sink and cause the deck to warp after it's been rebuilt. <br /> Grognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-3733459094819044562014-03-29T11:20:22.783-05:002014-03-29T11:20:22.783-05:00You're beginning to make me think that Odysseu...You're beginning to make me think that Odysseus's plan to save money is going to cost more in both time and money than tearing out the deck and replacing it with a brick paver patio. Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-59092046342087916102014-03-29T10:55:24.012-05:002014-03-29T10:55:24.012-05:00I'll add to Grog's post: Place some concre...I'll add to Grog's post: Place some concrete pads under the blocks to help displace the weight. As far as jacking up the structure, a small, inexpensive hydraulic jack of about 1.5 tons should be plenty of jack. Since the sag is so severe, taking the sag out over a few weekends is probably best. This will allow the wood to assume the new shape and the load to transfer evenly. <br /><br />Also, they make deck boards for the planking, which can be treated wood or plastic. There is a special screw for decks, that won't rust, or bleed like a galvanized fastener. <br /><br />It's best to insure the support members are level, without sags before replacing the planking. If this step is avoided, leveling can cause the new boards to pop loose, or have spaces wider than normal. Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969361446367636746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-82360343916056978152014-03-29T10:54:07.282-05:002014-03-29T10:54:07.282-05:00It's attached at all four corners, just saggin...It's attached at all four corners, just sagging in the middle. It's ugly and splintery, not unsafe.Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-6368440780401393502014-03-29T10:47:28.365-05:002014-03-29T10:47:28.365-05:00Try some Hank Williams Jr, Charlie Pride, and Port...Try some Hank Williams Jr, Charlie Pride, and Porter Waggoner , maybe a little Marty Robins, with your son. Sounds like he has inherently good taste in music.<br /><br />When you start talking about getting under something heavy and jacking it up, I get nervous. My dad dropped a truck on himself that way, and even my crazy brother T hired a professional to do the repairs on his back porch, rather than crawl under there himself.Harry Flashmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05071021900005041592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-86771722196291513192014-03-29T10:21:42.988-05:002014-03-29T10:21:42.988-05:00Thanks, Grog--big help. I had no clue how much br...Thanks, Grog--big help. I had no clue how much bracing we'd need, and no clue how to go about it. Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-19189349374476732072014-03-29T09:38:48.848-05:002014-03-29T09:38:48.848-05:00oops, typo alert, that should be "making"...oops, typo alert, that should be "making" :/ Grognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-3249377285602468612014-03-29T09:36:27.786-05:002014-03-29T09:36:27.786-05:00Here's my suggestion for the deck, if Odysseus...Here's my suggestion for the deck, if Odysseus gets some support blocks similar to the link; <br /><br />http://www.homedepot.com/p/Titan-Block-10-5-in-x-7-25-in-x-10-5-in-Concrete-Deck-Block-101523/204840962<br /><br />my suggestion is to use 12 of these or a similar block, if they're spaced at 3 foot intervals each way, 4 rows side to side and 3 rows back door to steps, that should give excellent bracing for the deck. Also, O should get 2 boxes of 2.5" wood screws for maikng sure all the timbers are securely tied together. If there's not a hd or lowes near you, the local hardware store should have something that will work. Grognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-68783289569767000312014-03-29T09:26:50.999-05:002014-03-29T09:26:50.999-05:00I've read Carey's first trilogy, and enjoy...I've read Carey's first trilogy, and enjoyed the story around the smut. I really liked Carey's The Sundering duo--actually liked it better, since it was all story, no smut. I loved Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series until it went from urban fantasy/horror to pornography. <br /><br />I have one that does have smut in it in the queue to be written, but it's just that: in the queue. After a while, reading sex gets boring to me. I won't write more than one book with sex in it, no matter how well they sell. I can't write something I find boring to read very well.Heroditus Huxleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11049569750742829144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7529212130092758272.post-34034440239491534052014-03-29T09:11:26.463-05:002014-03-29T09:11:26.463-05:00Jaqueline Carey had a great first trilogy, a decen...Jaqueline Carey had a great first trilogy, a decent second trilogy, and I haven't bothered reading anything she wrote after that. <br /><br />But then again, John Ringo also writes sci fi smut, so evidently it sells pretty well.SordidPandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00657526230826604643noreply@blogger.com