Search found 15 matches

by clarionite
Mon Aug 09, 2021 4:31 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

powerboatr wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 2:19 pm
clarionite wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 11:16 am On one of the several trips out to the property for inspections, I met two of the "neighbors". I put that in quotes because neither of them live close enough to see. But the guy who runs the herd of Brahma in the pasture next to me mentioned that at one time there was an easement to allow them to fill up a water trough for the cattle. He said that it had changed hands enough times though that nobody was honoring it. I told him that I grew up in the country. We didn't have to have any easement, if he needed to fill up a trough, feel free to do so. Just please don't drain my well.

Well, when we started doing the plumbing I found the original main line that runs under the foundation. I was curious as to why they'd cut that line and ran 3/4" pex out the wall, around the house on the ground and back in at the other end of the house. So I connected the line and turned it on, It came out where I was expecting. I let it run for a bit to make sure to flush the line. Then I put a ball valve on that end to see if it would hold pressure. I could hear water running out of the pressure tank, so I started looking for the leak. My buddy was walking around the perimeter of the house looking at the foundation. He came back to where I was and said, I found your leak and you're not going to like it. I asked him if it was bad. And he said you just need to come take a look at this. Across the drive, in the other pasture there was a stream of water shooting up about 5-6 feet. I went over to look at it and it's the spigot they put in to fill that water trough. And it was corroded open. about 15 minutes of time and a $4 spigot and I was able to use the main under the foundation again. When I finish with the replumb inside, I'll dig down and put a ball valve on the line going over to the pasture. But for now I don't think I'm in any danger of it freezing. LOL
good neighbor you are, maybe he can toss you a few fresh steaks from slaughter from time to time :tiphat:

i just had a guy do an estimate for a residential well
our area 500 to 600 feet to hit good sand, 15k to 20k , he said casing has doubled in last year and its murder
i think i will wait
That's about the depth of my well, right at 600 feet.

There's 85 acres of pasture land that butts up against my property on that side. about 5 acres of it isn't cleared and it's obvious that the cows aren't using that area because the weeds and underbrush is about 6 feet tall. I'm hoping to become a good enough neighbor that they'll consider selling me an acre or 5 of that uncleared area to give me a little more breathing room on my property. I'd love to put a couple of pens up for when my step-daughter is old enough to start 4H.
by clarionite
Mon Aug 09, 2021 1:45 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

PUCKER wrote: Mon Aug 09, 2021 12:48 pm Quite an adventure you've got there, clarionite! And I think your hands are about to be like iron fists, soon enough!
Growing up on a farm, we wore gloves.. A lot. there were always several pairs of gloves in the truck. different types for different work. Over the years, I've gotten away from using them, unless it's a pair of rubber meat gloves when pulling meat from the smoker. Looks like I need to get some more. I was always partial to Doe skin for the garden, and cow hide palmed cloth gloves when working with shovels or post hole diggers.

The bobcat will be here in two weeks to do some clean up in the yard. So I've got to wrap up the plumbing soon and get a DR trimmer out here to knock the grass down. All the while I'll be doing a full time job, and a contract job on the side. Anyone figured out how to get more than 24 hours out of a day yet?
by clarionite
Mon Aug 09, 2021 11:16 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

On one of the several trips out to the property for inspections, I met two of the "neighbors". I put that in quotes because neither of them live close enough to see. But the guy who runs the herd of Brahma in the pasture next to me mentioned that at one time there was an easement to allow them to fill up a water trough for the cattle. He said that it had changed hands enough times though that nobody was honoring it. I told him that I grew up in the country. We didn't have to have any easement, if he needed to fill up a trough, feel free to do so. Just please don't drain my well.

Well, when we started doing the plumbing I found the original main line that runs under the foundation. I was curious as to why they'd cut that line and ran 3/4" pex out the wall, around the house on the ground and back in at the other end of the house. So I connected the line and turned it on, It came out where I was expecting. I let it run for a bit to make sure to flush the line. Then I put a ball valve on that end to see if it would hold pressure. I could hear water running out of the pressure tank, so I started looking for the leak. My buddy was walking around the perimeter of the house looking at the foundation. He came back to where I was and said, I found your leak and you're not going to like it. I asked him if it was bad. And he said you just need to come take a look at this. Across the drive, in the other pasture there was a stream of water shooting up about 5-6 feet. I went over to look at it and it's the spigot they put in to fill that water trough. And it was corroded open. about 15 minutes of time and a $4 spigot and I was able to use the main under the foundation again. When I finish with the replumb inside, I'll dig down and put a ball valve on the line going over to the pasture. But for now I don't think I'm in any danger of it freezing. LOL
by clarionite
Mon Aug 09, 2021 11:03 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

powerboatr wrote: Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:16 pm oh yeah a wolf spider hanging out in the jacuzzi would be an eviction post haste of that dude.

we got some sonic rodent and ground burrowing animal deterring devices from amazon a few weeks back to run off the ground moles, field mice, snakes, etc..it takes 7 to 10 days to be effective. lets say my neighbor now has new residents digging up her lawn. zero poisons and no dying in the walls.

inexpensive ,
the place looks like its going to be terrific to call home.
I didn't have to evict him, he expired naturally and I just had to arrange transportation. LOL

I ordered some of those spikes to give a try. Thanks for the link.
by clarionite
Mon Aug 09, 2021 10:56 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

E10 wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 3:51 pm Beware. Texas counties have ordinances concerning wells, septic systems, hunting (less than 10 acres), etc. Check with local officials. And HOAs could be trouble - our property in Kerr Co. Is bounded by two but beholden to neither. Just the same, congrats. It’s a great feeling.
The well and the septic system both are done correctly. I made sure of that during the inspection process. I'm putting in a 2000 gallon tank, and I'm going to follow the rules with placement of it too.

The plumbing on the other hand... it looks like someone gave a 5 year old some PVC and said here, make water come out there.
I spent the weekend replumbing the place in PEX. Since I'm starting from scratch, I'm doing it how I want. I have ball valves everywhere. I'm making sure I have the ability to shut down any section I want and purge it before a freeze. Instead of running hot water lines 100 ft from the water heater, I bought an inline heater for the master bath. That way I just had to run one 3/4 inch cold water line. All the lines they had running outside the house, laying on the ground... well that's all gone. The PEX is all inside the house, ran like it should have been in the first place. I did find that even though the upstairs has no bathrooms (yet) they thought about that and I have lines ran up there that are capped. And a drain pipe ran up there too. They didn't think to cap that one, can't imagine what it smelled like during the summer up there.

I have blisters on my hands from using a shovel to get the Johnson grass that's been growing in the seams of the concrete up. I grew up on a farm, but it's been many years since I've handled a shovel for very long. My hands have gotten soft.
by clarionite
Thu Aug 05, 2021 12:00 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

powerboatr wrote: Thu Aug 05, 2021 11:42 am tons and tons of potential
outstanding

you have a pretty blank canvas
one bg man cave area, :anamatedbanana :anamatedbanana
that big area with the foam insulation with the spiders...get it bombed and get rind of them...they will take over and say hi when you laying under a car :biggrinjester:
I'm no fan of spiders. But my primary concern is the rodent issues. It's been vacant for a long time, in the middle of cow pastures. So field mice are a huge problem. And where field mice are, snakes follow. During the pest inspection, he found a diamond back behind the water heater. I detest spiders. But I'd rather have a wolf spider come say hi and welcome to the neighborhood than a rattle snake.

I've bought some bucket traps for rodents. They're getting placed tomorrow. I'll progress up with some poison when the numbers start getting lower in the traps. (I hate the smell of dead rodents tucked away in the walls) and then I'll put out some massive glue traps to help with the snakes that don't decide to move when the food situation changes. I'll also do a lot of landscaping to keep them at bay. And fill any egress I find.

The amount of work I have ahead of me hasn't really sunk in yet. Thankfully I'm one of those that enjoys doing it myself. The entire place is getting a fresh coat of paint this month. Bought a nice airless rig with a 100' hose and reversible nozzles to help clear clogs. Now I need to find an inexpensive scissor lift with wheels for outdoors for rent.

Edit: The thing that looks like spider webbing, is actually blown insulation. There are spiders... a massive wolf spider has taken up residence in the jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom. It's been there all three times I've walked through the place. My wife was less than thrilled to see the current occupant. So it's getting eviction service tomorrow also.
by clarionite
Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:16 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

Here are a few of the pics from the listing. I'll get some better ones after we close tomorrow.

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by clarionite
Mon Aug 02, 2021 11:57 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

The appraisal came back today. It came in within value, so it's gone to underwriting. I should be able to close this week. Hopefully Wednesday or Thursday. I'm excited.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:59 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

Soccerdad1995 wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:42 pm It sounds like you've got the space for a nice indoor range on days when it gets too hot to shoot in the back yard....
I'd love to set one up, so I could teach and shoot on site. But there's a range just across the freeway from me. So I won't be in a huge rush to put it in.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:58 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

philip964 wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:33 pm Congratulations!!

Is you new home in the country or is this located inside a City limit or in an urban County that might be fussy?
It's out in the country. Wild west rules... no rules.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:20 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

We should be closing Wednesday. Before putting in the offer, I researched the utilities. Internet is a huge deal for me. I'm a programmer, and work remotely often. I also need a static IP, to access my server and view my security system. All 3 ISP's I talked to prior to the offer said no problem, and they sell Static IP's. Trying to get service scheduled today. First one now says that I'd need an 80' tower to clear the ridge between their tower and mine. I have a 60' tower. Second one (dsl) says they won't sell me a static IP as a residential customer. Their 25/3mb service is 56 a month. Another 29 if I get a phone (haven't had a phone at home in almost 15 years). But they'll give me a static IP if I do the business service. Exact same speed, comes with a phone line and one free static IP. For 139. So $55 for the static IP. Third company now says they can't reach that location for the same reason as the first. Tower's not tall enough to clear the ridge. So now I need to see what adding another 20' section to my tower will cost me. The first one was very interested in putting equipment on my tower to extend their coverage area. I'd get my service for free. Now I have to figure out how many month's it would take of $139 per month to pay for the tower extension. And if they put their equipment on it, that'll probably nix my plans for putting a discone antenna up for Ham and aviation radios.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 22, 2021 4:50 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

ELB wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:37 pm
clarionite wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:25 pm Thanks everyone. To say we're excited is an understatement. I turned 49 in June. So I'm planning on this being my final house. And as such, I'm remodeling it to how I want, ...
Wait, I didn't read "walk-in combination gun-safe/tornado shelter" in there any place.
The walk in gun-safe will be combined with the Server room. Access to it will be off of my office, and it will have secured access and climate control.
The shelter will be classified info. :coolgleamA:
I thought I'd have to convince my wife we needed one. But she brought it up first, wanting to know where we were going to put the bunker in.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:25 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

Thanks everyone. To say we're excited is an understatement. I turned 49 in June. So I'm planning on this being my final house. And as such, I'm remodeling it to how I want, not how we think resale will be best. The kitchen and pantry will be massive with counter tops that are a few inches taller than standard as we're both very tall. The master suite will be very large too. It'll have a walk in shower with a rainforest style head. His and her walk in closets, with lots of storage and a dressing station with vanity in hers. Mine will have plenty of lockable storage for my toys. And she wants a large tub in the master bath. Either a claw foot, or a large European style tub. Heated stone flooring. She also wants a nice area she can have coffee and read in the mornings built into our suite. An on demand water heater will be put in so I never have to worry about a hot shower. And our bedroom will have it's own zone in the AC.

I may be dead before we finish all the modifications, but it will be ours.

Edit: And I'm thinking ahead, all the master suite stuff will be on the first floor. And all first floor doors will be wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:20 pm
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

Re: First Texas Home

TxRVer wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:48 pm When's the open house/party? Congratulations and welcome home.
I have some remodeling to do. But I've told my wife that we need to have a party for our friends right after we close. That way when they say "This looks nice" when we're done remodeling we can say "No, this is fantastic. You saw what it looked like before" LOL

I have at least a dozen friends who have claimed they'll come help move and with the remodeling. But I've moved enough to know that those claims usually end up with, oh I didn't realize it was this weekend. I can't make it.
by clarionite
Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:12 am
Forum: Off-Topic
Topic: First Texas Home
Replies: 34
Views: 10223

First Texas Home

I've lived in the great state of Texas now for 15 years. As the saying goes, I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could.
My family line is from Texas, before it was a state. Best I can tell, they got here sometime just before or right after it became it's own country.

On August 9, 2021 I'm scheduled to close on my first house that I own here. I own a three lots that I bought about 10 years ago, intending on building a home on but decided I didn't like the neighborhood shortly after I bought them. So I've been a Texas land owner for a little bit, but I'm excited about the new home.

It's a barndominium. Started life as a Warehouse and manufacturing facility for a metal building company. It sits on an acre, has 10,000 sf of area under metal roof, and 3200 sf of living quarters. Of the 50x90 warehouse, I still have 50x50 of useable space. And I have a 60x70 garage with two bays, each has a 12x12 roll up door. I have a 40x80 18ft tall covered parking area that will nicely accommodate my pontoon boat, my double axle trailer and my 5th wheel RV. There's plenty of back yard space. And the best part is that it's surrounded completely by cattle fields. 85 acre, 83 acre, 27 acre and 400 acre farms are my neighbors. I can see two hay barns and one house on the other side of the 400 acre farm up on a ridge. But it's far enough away I can't make out anything in their yard and they can't in mine.

I finally have room to set up my office how I want. I have room for my reloading bench. I have quite a bit of remodeling to do on the living quarters, but I'm excited. And I've been a Texan at heart for quite a while now, but I feel like I'm a real Texan now.

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