How to Fix Stuff

[zoiDman]

...

The house was built in the 70’s. It’s pretty likely there's asbestos. ...

It's really hard to say. It can be Hit or Miss.

When my Sister did a New Roof on her house way back when, she was sure there was Asbestos in the Blown In Attic Insulation. There wasn't. But when she did Central A/C, they found that the old Gravity Heating Ducts did.

If there is Asbestos in the Attic Insulation or the "Popcorn", doing an Abatement isn't as big of a Deal as many believe it will be. Yeah, it will add to the project cost. But once it's gone future projects become more Realistic when you can Flash your No Asbestos Cert.

 

[LAwaters]

I’m back again and this time looking for tips on how to repair these cracks in a front door? This one is showing daylight. There's also a thinner crack in the inset panel above.

 

[DavidOck]

Maybe... try filling them in with "plastic wood", worked in well from both sides with a putty knife, then sanded flush once dry?

Or, if feasible, a weatherproof wood glue and a bar clamp to pull it together to set. That would, of course, need the door to be open for a while...

 

[DavidOck]

And you may need to open up the upper crack a bit, with, say, a dremel like tool, to be able to get the putty actually in...

 

[zoiDman]

For repairs that will be exposed to the Outside, I have had very good luck using "tootsie roll" type Epoxy Putty.

You just cut off a Dab of this stuff...

PC Products 2 oz. PC-Lumber Putty Epoxy 045770 - The Home Depot

PC-Lumber Putty Epoxy is designed for quick emergency-type repairs. Convenient to repair, rebuild and restore all kinds of wood.

www.homedepot.com

... then Knead, Fold, Knead, Fold, Knead, Fold in you fingers for about a Minute and a Half, then roll it into a Small Bead and Smush it into the crack with your fingers. You don't have to do the whole length in one shot. Just do a 6 Inch section at a time. That way you don't feel rushed.

You can also use an Epoxy Paste which is a Lot Cheaper if your doing Bigger Projects. Or if you prefer to work with a Putty knife.

PC Products 6 oz. PC-Woody Wood Epoxy Paste 083338 - The Home Depot

Make permanent repairs without shrinking, cracking or popping out by choosing this PC Products PC-Woody Wood Epoxy Paste.

www.homedepot.com

I think the Putty is Much Easier to work with if you are just doing a Small Project like this door.

BTW - Here's is a somewhat Counter-Intuitive tip for filling small wood cracks. And that is take a piece of Sandpaper and soften the edge of the crack on Both sides. It doesn't take a whole bunch. Just a 1/16" or so.

This helps when you Smush the filer into the crack. It also makes for a gentle transition when you do you Finish Sanding.

 

[LAwaters]

I am constantly amazed at the variety and genius of repair products out there. I know a lot of things are junk and don’t really work, but there are some real jems! Thanks all.

 

[rob33]

I’m back again and this time looking for tips on how to repair these cracks in a front door? This one is showing daylight. There's also a thinner crack in the inset panel above.

View attachment 1018656

I'm a retired 3rd generation cabinet builder with over 45 years experience. A raised panel door is the same as a cabinet door. Here is a link to save me time of giving you the same advice as the #2 comment.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/4510224/repairing-cracked-panels-in-raised-panel-doors

I would replace the door with fiberglass, for a quality wooden door for exterior use would cost 1K and up.

 

[zoiDman]

... for a quality wooden door for exterior use would cost 1K and up.

Ain't that the Truth.

And by the time you get someone to Fit and Hang the door you could Easily by pushing Two Grand.

 

[MikeE3]

Ain't that the Truth.

And by the time you get someone to Fit and Hang the door you could Easily by pushing Two Grand.

Or more! Me knows. We replaced well aged double steel entry doors with a single quality fiberglass door and two side light panels. That 2 grand just scratched the total on the invoice.

 

[MikeE3]

Before:

After:

 

[zoiDman]

Before:
View attachment 1018810

View attachment 1018811

After:

View attachment 1018812
View attachment 1018813

That is a Spectacular Before n' After.

 

[borno]

Well I made the decision to finally try to get control of the squirrel population. It won't be pretty, but I can't stands no more. Ordered a tube trap before they chew up any more wiring in the cars. Someone in the 'hood is feeding them peanuts, that's like turbo fertility for them.

 

[Bronze]

Well I made the decision to finally try to get control of the squirrel population. It won't be pretty, but I can't stands no more. Ordered a tube trap before they chew up any more wiring in the cars. Someone in the 'hood is feeding them peanuts, that's like turbo fertility for them.

Luck

 

[rob33]

Well I made the decision to finally try to get control of the squirrel population. It won't be pretty, but I can't stands no more. Ordered a tube trap before they chew up any more wiring in the cars. Someone in the 'hood is feeding them peanuts, that's like turbo fertility for them.

Hopefully none of your neighbors have a chihuahua that likes peanut butter.

 

[borno]

Hopefully none of your neighbors have a chihuahua that likes peanut butter.

I don't think I'll need bait, they are running rampant and it's 4.5 inch diameter, so it should be safe-ish.

 

[rob33]

I had a orange tabby, I thought he was finding road kill, but I got to see him stalk and catch a squirrel. He would never eat one, only catch and kill for sport to leave at the front door. After a while the rest of the tree rats took the hint and moved on.

 

[borno]

I had a orange tabby, I thought he was finding road kill, but I got to see him stalk and catch a squirrel. He would never eat one, only catch and kill for sport to leave at the front door. After a while the rest of the tree rats took the hint and moved on.

Our first tortie was a good hunter, sadly she was poisoned somehow, I suspected the evil lady down the street. We kept the next cats indoors. But I did remove 6 tree rats in three hours today. lol (I need a pet weasel)

 

[retired1]

Well I made the decision to finally try to get control of the squirrel population. It won't be pretty, but I can't stands no more. Ordered a tube trap before they chew up any more wiring in the cars. Someone in the 'hood is feeding them peanuts, that's like turbo fertility for them.

Be careful. In Texas, squirrel hunting is regulated and while there may not be an actual "season" for 'em, there are bag limits and the such. You're also required to have a valid hunting license. Not sure about the rules in your neck of the woods, but you may want to bone up on 'em before someone turns you in for harming those cute little pets that they take great pains to feed year round.

 

[borno]

Be careful. In Texas, squirrel hunting is regulated and while there may not be an actual "season" for 'em, there are bag limits and the such. You're also required to have a valid hunting license. Not sure about the rules in your neck of the woods, but you may want to bone up on 'em before someone turns you in for harming those cute little pets that they take great pains to feed year round.

Yeah I was just thinking on that, Last thing I need is trouble with the fish cops and a fine, or a new wiring harness for the taco.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Yeah I was just thinking on that, Last thing I need is trouble with the fish cops and a fine, or a new wiring harness for the taco.

Hunting laws don't usually apply to pest control issues where property damage, pet protection, public health, etc. are concerned, even if the pest is regulated for hunting, nor would you need a hunting license to trap them in such situations. But there likely are laws pertaining to how you must/mustn't dispose of the pests (for instance relocation of squirrels might be illegal in your state and humane termination may be the only "way out"). Also, some of the more "stricter" states might absolutely require that you higher licensed wildlife control company to do the work. For me in my area, that would have cost me a little over $3K to take care of the 8 or 9 limb rats I trapped to get and keep them out of my attic early this year.

I personally don't allow statists to make protecting my home their personal financial decision but, of course, you do you.

Fun fact: the only local wildlife control business in my area is owned by the brother of the local animal control officer. The latter referred me to the former. Nice gig.