What "man jobs" have you done today?

DXP55 said:
Oooh -when I look at all these threads of people gutting their houses I am really glad all that is behind me - First house knocked wall down between lounge and dining room - removed chimneys -moved bathroom from front to back bedroom.
2nd house total redecoration and kitchen updates followed by massive extension -Footings had to be 6ft deep due to Oak tree's -27x15ft and 8ft ceilings. New drains and new garage -- This house full gut -rewire -new plumbing -windows and doors -new ceilings due to old ones dropped due to water leaks in loft. New soakaways and drains - miles of concrete paths and concrete areas to sit on dug up.
The wife says we should paint hall and lounge - I said I have polished this load of poo once I am not doing it again.
I now refuse to do anything on this 1970's load of jerry built bungalow crap.
Take my word for it -It never ends even if you think your house is your forever house you do not take into account getting old.
I really do not miss stairs.
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Undertaking exactly this and I don't even plan on keeping the property!
 
I ordered some polished chrome front door furniture online which arrived today, except the door handles weren't polished chrome, they were satin chrome :( Obviously the retailer made a mistake with picking the order, so I checked the order. It was my mistake :(

The retailer is out of stock of polished chrome, and I can't be bothered to go through the online return process so I'm getting new polished chrome handles from Screwfix and our garage back door will be getting a fancy satin chrome door handle.
 
Replaced two taps. Why is everything always harder than planned! Main stop **** to house still lets a tiny bit of water through when shut off. Not ideal. Old isolation valves seized. None on the other tap at all. The isolation valves it does have, are put in really close to a bend, which is really close to the wall. Joy.

Anyway, drained the system down and got to work. Did a bit of a sin...reused the old olive and compression nut on the back of the old seized isolation valve but it seemed in good order. Whacked some jointing compound on and got it installed. I used the ones which terminate in a flat face on the other end for tap tails. Seem ok but I'm going to open and close them every few months to keep them working ok, so that when this Screwfix tap fails again in 2 years with its 10 year warranty, I can whack a new one in in 5 minutes, like the bathroom one I just did the other day. ;) The handle broke off this downstairs one the other day during my demonstration to the Mrs that the handle was stiff and she was just doing it wrong. :) :O
Flow rate was super high so I just toned it down with the isolation valves as this replacement tap does not have flow restrictors in the pack. All seems ok.

So one down one to go. Ensuite tap has been stiff since we moved in and needed replacing too. This time I used some overkill pegler full bore isolation valves with the great big handles, just because I have the room and liked the idea of them lasting longer and never having to worry again. I had more pipe showing this time so cut the old pipe back to remove the old fittings and then used tap tail adapters in the other end for the tap tails. This time flow restrictors were in the box so I used them and meant flow rate was fine. We have a good high pressure unvented system.

But look what nublet here left behind......

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Yeah, the old compression nut just chillin there behind the new isolation valve. **** **** ! :)
 
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jaybee said:
Replaced two taps. Why is everything always harder than planned! Main stop **** to house still lets a tiny bit of water through when shut off. Not ideal. Old isolation valves seized. None on the other tap at all. The isolation valves it does have, are put in really close to a bend, which is really close to the wall. Joy.

Anyway, drained the system down and got to work. Did a bit of a sin...reused the old olive and compression nut on the back of the old seized isolation valve but it seemed in good order. Whacked some jointing compound on and got it installed. I used the ones which terminate in a flat face on the other end for tap tails. Seem ok but I'm going to open and close them every few months to keep them working ok, so that when this Screwfix tap fails again in 2 years with its 10 year warranty, I can whack a new one in in 5 minutes, like the bathroom one I just did the other day. ;) The handle broke off this downstairs one the other day during my demonstration to the Mrs that the handle was stiff and she was just doing it wrong. :) :O
Flow rate was super high so I just toned it down with the isolation valves as this replacement tap does not have flow restrictors in the pack. All seems ok.

So one down one to go. Ensuite tap has been stiff since we moved in and needed replacing too. This time I used some overkill pegler full bore isolation valves with the great big handles, just because I have the room and liked the idea of them lasting longer and never having to worry again. I had more pipe showing this time so cut the old pipe back to remove the old fittings and then used tap tail adapters in the other end for the tap tails. This time flow restrictors were in the box so I used them and meant flow rate was fine. We have a good high pressure unvented system.

But look what nublet here left behind......

3Gfwyakl.jpg


Yeah, the old compression nut just chillin there behind the new isolation valve. **** **** ! :)
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I changed the tap in our kitchen a couple of years ago as it was leaking, I had to file the hole in the resin sink as it was ever so slightly small, that was a hard task. What was worse was the little tool to tighten it dropped down beside me, straight into the hole in the actual floor where the pipe comes up (concrete floor) so I had to order another tool (I laughed about it at the time but it was very annoying).
 
Sometimes I think all the years I spent doing DIY on cars has actually stood me in good stead for a lot of other DIY and general competence and understanding and use of tooling.
When I complain of things being tricky and tight on a DIY plumbing job, or I face a hurdle and have to improvise, I think back to some of the stuff I faced with tight engine bays in cars and it's a walk in the park in comparison.

Otherwise I think man jobs are just through sheer determination to succeed via trial and error, so we don't have to pay UK trade prices!

Do you think the title of the thread should remain so? I recognise that it's not very 2023 now and some females/they/thems may be deeply offended.
 
This weekend was finishing the sound insulation and doing my backer boards.... I ran out of washers!

I'm using backer boards in all areas as it was around 12quid a sheet which is not dissimar to plasterboard price especially the small sheets I can fit in my car

Progress also slow as I need to pack out every wall to get it level
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DXP55 said:
Bloody right -This is the last stronghold for Men - Don't give in. - Anyway women would never have the time what with shopping-cooking -washing -ironing -polishing - vaccing - bringing us cups of tea - and all the other duties women have. :eek:
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Thank you for lowering the otherwise perfectly good tone :rolleyes: :D

I think the quotes in the title covers it fine - it's not really just a man job but it's a decent phrase to convey the meaning.
 
Took off the bandages and pads today to have a look at my new hand and redress it.

Took photo to show the whole family during Christmas diner :D
 
Had another half hour outside in freezing cold with angle grinder and drill sanding paint and rust off wheel barrow frame. - My hands can't cope much these days - Now down to the file and sand paper finishing before painting.
 
Fitted a new 3 gang light switch. Bit fiddly but not too bad. I do need to cut up some wood outside, but not sure I'll get chance. This afternoon I'm meeting workmates at the pub, then fitting outside lights. Think the weather is meant to be very moist tomorrow so can't cut outside, might just leave it till the new year :D .
 
Got the tree - went for an 8 footer! Looks grand.

Also painted the tops of the cupboards, and the minor trim bits. I'll probably just hot glue them on. I'm ready for doors but just ran out of energy.

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I also have the spare worktop for the utility lying on the dining room table, so started work on the left hand side support...

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Need to plaster the chase that's been there a few months too - but then broadly I can decorate/fit skirting and it is done!
 
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