sburns
Well-known member
What is on the outside of the house in that area? Possibly downspout?
Enough of COVID...what are you doing to the house?
- Thread starter mimico_polak
- Start date
Just a corner. No downspout anywhere in that area.
sburns
Well-known member
Hmmm that seems a little strange. There should be a source for the water if it's going to collect in an area. I know with snow it's just going to land where it does. But with you basement it will give off some heat. If you notice in the winter the snow isn't usually right up to the house it will have about a foot of offset because of the heat vapour escaping.
The device is a thermal imaging thingy, could be that corner is just a cool spot in the image.
I tried to pinpoint the second stud with a magnet. Had some super powerful ones but no joy. Just left me bemused. Caved and scheduled a pro to come and install the TV mount, hide the cords and sort it all out. They are insured so if they screw it up they can sort it out. Also opted for exterior cord hiding as after reading a bit the interior cord options are mostly not to code unless I get an electrician to relocate an outlet to behind the TV.
I suspect there is something in the code about dropping a cord through the wall that isnt rated for in-wall use. Something like the frame tv's that come with their own special cord to run inside the wall are probably legal.
How hard is it to use a mini-excavator? Think I'm going to prepare for a dig around the house in the Spring/summer to just do the waterproofing.
My issues of note are:
1. 4ft of concrete around the majority of the house that needs to be broken down to size / cut off 2ft so I can dig
2. Concrete stairs at the front of the house will need to be broken down and replaced with something different
3. Driveway (asphalt) - 2ft need to be cut out in order to dig by the wall
4. Shed needs to be disassembled to dig in that part of the house (unless there's a way to go UNDER without dying / getting buried
5. Patio needs to be disassembled to dig in that part of the house (same as above)
If I could support the concrete under the shed / patio I'd try that...but then will never be able to compact the ground along those sections.
My issues of note are:
1. 4ft of concrete around the majority of the house that needs to be broken down to size / cut off 2ft so I can dig
2. Concrete stairs at the front of the house will need to be broken down and replaced with something different
3. Driveway (asphalt) - 2ft need to be cut out in order to dig by the wall
4. Shed needs to be disassembled to dig in that part of the house (unless there's a way to go UNDER without dying / getting buried
5. Patio needs to be disassembled to dig in that part of the house (same as above)
If I could support the concrete under the shed / patio I'd try that...but then will never be able to compact the ground along those sections.
Sounds like a sunday afternoon job!
This is exactly what I found. DIY wire fishing behind walls is fine for low voltage cables like HDMI but even for code those should be fire rated. OEM TV power cords is a code no-no. 99% of the time it’s going to be fine but if your insurance company ever gets involved with an issue there it could be a problem. The proper way to do it is supposed to be an electrician rewired outlet box by the TV. I don’t even know if the kits on Amazon are code legal. These are basically a female socket by the TV attached to a male socket by the outlet by a short length of behind the wall cable and then the outlet powers this with a short extension cord.
Regardless, didn’t want to take a chance and an exterior raceway is going to be more or less invisible as the TV is so close to the edge of a window frame and the outlet is at the bottom of the frame.
Only for the excavator part if I’m good!Sounds like a sunday afternoon job!
Move the shed and patio ahead of time and I’m golden. I assume the excavator won’t break through the concrete so would need to cut that up first.
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I had spare 2x8” PT wood I just built another riser to slide into the middle (actually rubber mallet it into the middle as the steps had sagged a bit from flexing now). 30min job, most of which was just digging out tools.
@mimico, put a level on that concrete 4ft slab running around the house and be sue it doesnt tip into the walls . 90% of them pitch the wrong way but to the naked eye it looks fine.
Im not sure digging around your house with an excavator is a DIY deal , I've seen a couple go pretty wrong.
Im not sure digging around your house with an excavator is a DIY deal , I've seen a couple go pretty wrong.
Yup you’re right. My buddys brother is an excavator operator so the plan was to get him to start and learn.
My cousin actually did his semi detached house like that. Got the work started and then another guy took over. Cost him a few bottles of whiskey.
Then the guy that learned dug out a pit for a pool for another buddy.
Thanks @crankcall didnt even think of checking the level of the pads. Knowing Kevin I already know my answer. It’s probably level.
My money is on "level" sloping towards the house. If so, a quicker easier solution could be either a sloped topping layer (may spall if too thin and hard to do on stairs) or mud jack the inside edge of the slabs (not sure how precise they can be with that as it is normally used to lift fallen sections as opposed to raise stable sections).
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Easier than a 747, not as easy as a minivan. If you can handle a motorcycle, standard shift car -- anything that needs coordination and a bit of finesse of eyes, hands, and feet -- it's an easy learn. Within an hour you'll be able to dig a respectable grave.
It's not that hard to learn how to move and dig. I found the toughest parts were getting efficient, and getting dee when you can't see your bucket. I always find the digging part is easier than the backfilling part.
The blade on the front of many mini-exs is probably and easier and faster way to backfill than the bucket. Push some in, tamp it down with the bucket and repeat. On the plus side, mini-exs should be a hell of a lot more stable than a bobcat. With a full bucket, they are happier flat on their face than on their wheels.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
A mini excavator should have no trouble with a 2-3" walkway slab, just get a under under the corner and lift, it will break into pieces under it's own weight.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Yup, that's how you do it.
The hard part is you're never square to the blade when backfilling, being at 45 to the blade plays tricks on the brain -- ever tried to steer a pump truck with a long diagonal load? Same effect.
Slab can be mudjacked away from the house I would bet that is all that is needed.
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