Pullstart 67,132 #1 Posted Tuesday at 11:04 AM I figured it might be a decent idea to start this thread. It’s a major undertaking, but many necessities are being taken care of in one project. We will have two graduation open houses in the next two years and many family functions end up here during summer months. Winter too, I suppose. 1. Our deck was in rough shape. We could re-do the deck boards, but it was also a very poor size and design. It’s gone now! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,132 #2 Posted Tuesday at 11:13 AM I did some welding work and have done some maintenance / repairs on a neighbor and friend’s equipment lately. Instead of charging him, I banked rental time. For example, the dump truck had major tailgate issues and I remedied the route problem in a simple way. Same for his mini excavator when the track blew off on a side hill and the grease zerk fitting stripped out. I took care of it cheaper and faster than most mobile wrench shops might have. 2. The concrete was very broken, un-level and a trip hazard for all ages. It was also quite small around the pool and we were quoted nearly $13,000 to level the slabs and epoxy seal the cracks. I ended up with a quote for $14,000 to pour much larger concrete, and will pour a bit around the back of the house to support the A/C unit and encapsulate the propane line. We roasted the deck and pulled up the cement. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,132 #3 Posted Tuesday at 12:51 PM 3. Pool leak, pool piping update. We were quite surprised this spring to open the pool, and it was nearly empty. I managed to use blue food coloring in a Tony Chatcherie food injection syringe to prove the bottom drain/return pipe had water flow out of it. A test plug proved to stop the water loss. Come to find out, the 1990’s flexible pipe used in pool plumbing was soy based. Mice, worms, and even ants like to chew on it. Time to update to schedule 40 pipe. @Bow_Extreme I’m going 2”! 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,290 #4 Posted Tuesday at 07:29 PM 8 hours ago, Pullstart said: We roasted the deck and pulled up the cement. Please don't burn pressure treated wood because of all the chemical toxins and heavy metals involved. The ash is also poisonous so be careful. AI states even a teaspoon of the ash could be lethal. Yes it's more of a PITA to get rid of but... Illegal to burn PT lumber in all 50 states. Delete the evidence! Looking forward to seeing the finished project 2 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 14,762 #5 Posted Tuesday at 07:42 PM 6 hours ago, Pullstart said: Come to find out, the 1990’s flexible pipe used in pool plumbing was soy based. Mice, worms, and even ants like to chew on it. Just had to replace my daughter's Toyota engine wiring harness for the same reason. Apparently the insulation made from soy products tastes like gummy bears. A mouse ate $2400 in wiring harness... 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 1,246 #6 Posted Wednesday at 12:11 AM 4 hours ago, kpinnc said: Just had to replace my daughter's Toyota engine wiring harness for the same reason. Apparently the insulation made from soy products tastes like gummy bears. A mouse ate $2400 in wiring harness... The little bastards got into my Taco's wiring too. $1200 and change. Knock sensor harness under the intake manifold. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bow_Extreme 575 #7 Posted Wednesday at 11:51 AM 22 hours ago, Pullstart said: 3. Pool leak, pool piping update. We were quite surprised this spring to open the pool, and it was nearly empty. I managed to use blue food coloring in a Tony Chatcherie food injection syringe to prove the bottom drain/return pipe had water flow out of it. A test plug proved to stop the water loss. Come to find out, the 1990’s flexible pipe used in pool plumbing was soy based. Mice, worms, and even ants like to chew on it. Time to update to schedule 40 pipe. @Bow_Extreme I’m going 2”! Things are getting serious!! Isn't that pipe on the bottom side of the pool? Assuming you're going to fully excavate into the pool now? Next Steps: Top Notch DE Filter System, Variable Speed Pump with timer-based settings and or separate timer, and a saltwater chlorinator! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,132 #8 Posted yesterday at 11:24 AM It’s been quiet around here the last two days since Grandma’s passing. Not much banter here, but trying to keep progress going on the project. Concrete comes in 9 days. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,132 #10 Posted yesterday at 11:44 AM (edited) On 8/27/2025 at 7:51 AM, Bow_Extreme said: Isn't that pipe on the bottom side of the pool? yes, our bottom drain is an issue. The pool store fella and I decided I’d stub in a pipe as deep as possible using repipe, and plumb it through the new slab as if all were normal. In the next 2-5 years when we need to replace the liner, we will dig into the back of the deep end and tie into that pipe, replacing the drain basin and all. For now, the test plug will remain in the drain pipe that is currently there, and that pipe will stay in the ground just under the new slab to keep that straw tall. Less likely to siphon out… This 2” pipe is 10’ long and completely below grade. The 45 degree sidewall of the deep end is vermiculite. I am pretty sure I sunk my 2” auger down to the absolute bottom of that corner. It should be near touching and easy to find, perfectly in line with the drain. Edited yesterday at 11:53 AM by Pullstart 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,504 #11 Posted yesterday at 12:12 PM Kevin, you cut off the second video too soon. We never got to see you eating the Blueberry Danish, how was it. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,954 #12 Posted yesterday at 02:06 PM Kinda with 'Fish on the burn. I burn it in the pit now and then but just small scraps. Built many a deer stand with repurposed decks. Built a new wall at spike camp out of an old loading dock from the HVAC shop. All treated... friggen treated is wicked expensive now a days and since EPA outlawed the old stuff with arsenic not worth a hoot. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 60,504 #13 Posted 21 hours ago 8 hours ago, WHX?? said: friggen treated is wicked expensive now a days and since EPA outlawed the old stuff with arsenic not worth a hoot. I built a large deck a dozen years ago and the junk PT was so bad we had it taken down and are going to go with a paver patio instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 67,132 #14 Posted 7 hours ago Every project has its victories and setbacks. We found the boiler lines… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adsm08 3,370 #15 Posted 7 hours ago 20 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Every project has its victories and setbacks. I'm just waiting for the setbacks to start on my garage build. I'm half expecting them to find the old septic tank at some point. City water was run through our neighborhood about 25 years ago when a school was built on the far side from town. Neighbors who have lived here that long have told us the tank is still in the ground. The lines leaving the house run straight towards the build site. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 14,179 #16 Posted 7 hours ago 15 minutes ago, adsm08 said: I'm just waiting for the setbacks to start on my garage build. I'm half expecting them to find the old septic tank at some point. City water was run through our neighborhood about 25 years ago when a school was built on the far side from town. Neighbors who have lived here that long have told us the tank is still in the ground. The lines leaving the house run straight towards the build site. Not just the tank, but the field to be considered. A properly filled-in tank will not cause much trouble; drain lines vary. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
