Anyone else forced to DIY during quarantine? Share your pics!

Rehabbing & House Flipping
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Anyone else forced to DIY during quarantine? Share your pics!

Steve Vaughan
Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes

This bad handyman is accidentally looking to get promoted to just a regular handyman. Ive never been afraid to roll up  my sleeves, but I generally know what I don't know and hire out the more advanced or specialized tasks. No longer an option with the quarantine.

We have been tearing out our kitchen for the past few weeks and putting our cupboards and cabinets into our latest rental project. All was going fine until the quarantine and our governor stating non-essential construction must stop.   

The cabinets and countertops are being delivered Monday.  The pro contractor (my bro in law) is no longer coming.  The drywaller? Nope. Electrician? Plumber? Yeah, right.   

Here are some pics of a bad handyman stretching his skills.  Share your stories and pics.  Forced to stretch during the quarantine?

Instructions?  People read those?

Remove these uppers and let there be light!

Remove coat closet for big fridge with ice maker.

Respect for tapers. Simple but not easy!

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Mark Vannasdall
Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 7 votes
6y

No contractors so trying to finish as much as I can 

6Reply
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  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y

    A little electrical advice, please?

    Can I use the large screw at the bottom of my neutral bus to secure my new 6 awg range wire? (white one of course - 6/3 with ground) 

    Would especially appreciate advice from my DIY colleaues @Jim K.  @JD Martin and @Joe Splitrock

    Thanks for any help! 

    1Reply
  • Jordan Kashav
    Member since 2020 · 9 posts · 7 votes
    6y

    Steve -

    While not quite at your level...

    I closed on my first property (a 5-unit; 4 of which I'm renting and 1 of which I'm occupying) on February 19, right before things started going south re: COVID-19. The place I bought was badly under-managed, with lots of "low-hanging" opportunities for improvement. I won't list them all here, but one of them was the basement. Spent about 16 hours cleaning it out. Two pickup trucks full of debris to clear out. Furnace was sitting on old bricks that were starting to crumble and needed reinforcement. I thought part of the floor was dirt; turns out there is concrete underneath after all. Piles of bat dung from an old infestation. Some of the old drywall was crumbling, as was some of the masonry. And lots more.


    Before and after photos here. Next step is to install a coin-operated washer and dryer, which is one of two major pieces of feedback that current renters had for me when I took over the place. Other projects ongoing, but figured I'd share this one in the spirit of your post.

    Before:


    After:

    4Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

    A little electrical advice, please?

    Can I use the large screw at the bottom of my neutral bus to secure my new 6 awg range wire? (white one of course - 6/3 with ground) 

    Would especially appreciate advice from my DIY colleaues @Jim K.  @JD Martin and @Joe Splitrock

    Thanks for any help! 

     I would take the bottom two neutral wires and double them up, leaving an open spot for the 6 awg wire. 

    5Reply
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    6y

    @Steve Vaughan I don't have a project as ambitious as yours, but I did make a cork frame for my dart board and cleaned the garage over the weekend. I am probably going to do some painting and other things that are not an emergency. My wife is making a list, haha. We are one of the few states that doesn't have a mandatory stay at home. Our Governor says our state constitution would not allow it. That means construction is still moving here. My state has 10 people per square mile, so you could say we have social distancing covered. 

    2Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

    Can I use the large screw at the bottom of my neutral bus to secure my new 6 awg range wire? (white one of course - 6/3 with ground) 

    Thanks for any help! 

     I would take the bottom two neutral wires and double them up, leaving an open spot for the 6 awg wire. 

     Great idea,  Joe.  I'll do that.  Thank you my friend!

    2Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Jordan Kashav:

    Steve -

    While not quite at your level...

    I closed on my first property (a 5-unit; 4 of which I'm renting and 1 of which I'm occupying) on February 19, right before things started going south re: COVID-19. The place I bought was badly under-managed, with lots of "low-hanging" opportunities for improvement. I won't list them all here, but one of them was the basement. Spent about 16 hours cleaning it out. Two pickup trucks full of debris to clear out. Furnace was sitting on old bricks that were starting to crumble and needed reinforcement. I thought part of the floor was dirt; turns out there is concrete underneath after all. Piles of bat dung from an old infestation. Some of the old drywall was crumbling, as was some of the masonry. And lots more.


    Before and after photos here. Next step is to install a coin-operated washer and dryer, which is one of two major pieces of feedback that current renters had for me when I took over the place. Other projects ongoing, but figured I'd share this one in the spirit of your post.

    Before:


    After:

    Awesome job, Jordan. Care to share some numbers? 

    Well done. Thanks for sharing!

    0Reply
  • Max T.
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    @Steve Vaughan

    How to add photos from iPhone app?

    0Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Max T.:

    @Steve Vaughan

    How to add photos from iPhone app?

    I don't have that, Max, but I add via the little pic icon at the bottom of the reply box next the bold and italic buttons.  

    Hopefully someone else might know if different. Would be cool to see what you've been working on👍

    0Reply
  • Max T.
    Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y
    2Reply
  • Mark Vannasdall
    Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 7 votes
    6y

    No contractors so trying to finish as much as I can 

    6Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    Well , I am a contractor , but I have 2 bored boys and I decided they needed a project since they have done all moms requests . So I had them build a paver patio and fire pit . I used the loader to level the stone , they did the rest . They are 11 and 14 . 

    6Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    I am taking the pics and drinking adult beverages

    5Reply
  • John Teachout
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    I'm assuming you're just adding circuits to a pre-existing load center. However, for quite a few years now code has required neutral and grounds to be separated. ie, neutral bar isolated.

    1Reply
  • Barb Asay
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 64 posts · 40 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @John Teachout:

    I'm assuming you're just adding circuits to a pre-existing load center. However, for quite a few years now code has required neutral and grounds to be separated. ie, neutral bar isolated.

    This.   Double tapping nuetral wires is a code violation or at the very least an improper install and potential hazard.   

    0Reply
  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

    A little electrical advice, please?

    Can I use the large screw at the bottom of my neutral bus to secure my new 6 awg range wire? (white one of course - 6/3 with ground) 

    Would especially appreciate advice from my DIY colleaues @Jim K.  @JD Martin and @Joe Splitrock

    Thanks for any help! 

     I would take the bottom two neutral wires and double them up, leaving an open spot for the 6 awg wire. 

     This is exactly what I would do as well. That looks like a main/ground wire mount and it probably has continuity and would probably hold a 6 gauge wire but I wouldn't trust it based on its size. As you can see from some of the upper ones you can usually get 2-3 standard 12/14 gauge wires in each terminal. That looks like an old board - do you have enough open amps to run a 50 amp breaker for the range? 

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    2Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Barb Asay:
    Originally posted by @John Teachout:

    I'm assuming you're just adding circuits to a pre-existing load center. However, for quite a few years now code has required neutral and grounds to be separated. ie, neutral bar isolated.

    This.   Double tapping nuetral wires is a code violation or at the very least an improper install and potential hazard.   

    Thank you.  Do you know if using the large available screw at the bottom of the neutral bus is ok?  Appreciate it. 

    0Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @JD Martin:
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:

    A little electrical advice, please?

    Can I use the large screw at the bottom of my neutral bus to secure my new 6 awg range wire? (white one of course - 6/3 with ground) 

    Would especially appreciate advice from my DIY colleaues @Jim K.  @JD Martin and @Joe Splitrock

    Thanks for any help! 

     I would take the bottom two neutral wires and double them up, leaving an open spot for the 6 awg wire. 

     This is exactly what I would do as well. That looks like a main/ground wire mount and it probably has continuity and would probably hold a 6 gauge wire but I wouldn't trust it based on its size. As you can see from some of the upper ones you can usually get 2-3 standard 12/14 gauge wires in each terminal. That looks like an old board - do you have enough open amps to run a 50 amp breaker for the range? 

    Thanks, JD.  Yep, it is an old board.  I'll be removing the existing small range and separate cooktop for a modern stand-alone so I will have the room.  Pic of the beautiful 1961 original little built-

    in attached.

    1Reply
  • John Teachout
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:
    Originally posted by @Barb Asay:
    Originally posted by @John Teachout:

    I'm assuming you're just adding circuits to a pre-existing load center. However, for quite a few years now code has required neutral and grounds to be separated. ie, neutral bar isolated.

    This.   Double tapping nuetral wires is a code violation or at the very least an improper install and potential hazard.   

    Thank you.  Do you know if using the large available screw at the bottom of the neutral bus is ok?  Appreciate it. 

     Can't see enough of the box to know how it's set up. If it was me, I'd move some of the grounds over to the other strip as there appears to be some vacant locations in there. Not sure if the holes in the neutral bar will accept a 6 ga wire but most likely will. What did the old range have for a power supply? Can you use that space?

    1Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    6y

    @Steve Vaughan

    I wouldn't know. Still weak on electricity, always have been.

    My own project involves changing out all the lights and ceiling fans of the upstairs floor of my duplex with LED lighting. I just finished it today. Continuing the death march to C of O...

    1Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @John Teachout:
    Originally posted by @Steve Vaughan:
    Originally posted by @Barb Asay:
    Originally posted by @John Teachout:

    I'm assuming you're just adding circuits to a pre-existing load center. However, for quite a few years now code has required neutral and grounds to be separated. ie, neutral bar isolated.

    This.   Double tapping nuetral wires is a code violation or at the very least an improper install and potential hazard.   

    Thank you.  Do you know if using the large available screw at the bottom of the neutral bus is ok?  Appreciate it. 

     Can't see enough of the box to know how it's set up. If it was me, I'd move some of the grounds over to the other strip as there appears to be some vacant locations in there. Not sure if the holes in the neutral bar will accept a 6 ga wire but most likely will. What did the old range have for a power supply? Can you use that space?

    Thanks, John. The old range and separate cooktop has I believe a 30 and 20 (waiting until the new stove arrives before locating and pulling). I may be able to use those bus spots when I pull them.

    Now that I've learned more, I plan to shut the whole panel off and move all grounds off the neutral bar if I can.  There is a whole other half just as busy but not as double-tapped.  I appreciate your help!

    0Reply
  • Barb Asay
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 64 posts · 40 votes
    6y

    @Steve Vaughan

    I’m sorry, I’m not sure.  All I know for sure is Neutrals and grounds should always be separate.  And neutrals should only have one per lug.  Doubled tapping is not correct.  Depending on your panel it may be ok to double tap grounds.

    1Reply
  • Barb Asay
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 64 posts · 40 votes
    6y
    @Steve Vaughan

    Props for getting after it.  “Quarantine” hasn’t changed stuff for us much as we have had horrendous luck hiring anything out and DIY as much as the building inspector will allow.  

    Here’s our current project...total gut job inside and out.  Hired out electric, plumbing and hvac but everything else is us.  Our kiddos are getting an education on windows, siding, drywall, kitchen and bath installs...they complain a little but that usually stops pretty quick when their pay gets docked lol

    4Reply
  • Matt Nolan
    Watertown, MA · Member since 2016 · 53 posts · 42 votes
    6y

    I was doing some reorganizing of the basement in my primary home when I noticed just the smallest amount of water on the concrete floor. Turns out, the entire cast iron drain was rotted out beneath my garage. My brother and I went to Home Depot to rent a jack hammer and got right to work. 

    Hole is dug, old pipe removed, and now we’re laying some new PVC. 

    2Reply
  • Steve Vaughan
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · East Wenatchee, WA · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Matthew Paul:

    Well , I am a contractor , but I have 2 bored boys and I decided they needed a project since they have done all moms requests . So I had them build a paver patio and fire pit . I used the loader to level the stone , they did the rest . They are 11 and 14 . 

     That's awesome.  I like to involve my boys in projects, too👍

    1Reply
  • Brian Ellis
    Rental Property Investor · South shore, MA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    Looking good Steve!!

    I Just wrapped up a side job:

    Updated my duplex kitchen Last week:

    And finally trimmed out some windows (6 months procrastination):

    3Reply
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