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![Servicing my condensing boiler](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_f6ff04e42e87451fa780e128acbab443~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_f6ff04e42e87451fa780e128acbab443~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Oct 2, 20233 min read
Servicing my condensing boiler
Having run out of other automotive and home projects for the moment, I recently turned my attention to some long overdue servicing on the...
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![Replacing a "rear propshaft" seal](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_d3a8f7d39734405d920df23ae4a619a9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_d3a8f7d39734405d920df23ae4a619a9~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jul 17, 20212 min read
Replacing a "rear propshaft" seal
After doing a complete timing belt job recently, I thought I'd take it easy and tackle something a bit less involved: replacing the...
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![The "timing belt job from hell"](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_40a476ef9c5f45e29bc5a98c33bc19db~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_40a476ef9c5f45e29bc5a98c33bc19db~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jul 6, 20213 min read
The "timing belt job from hell"
I've borrowed the title of this post from the YouTuber and mechanic whose channel is called "Ratchets and Wrenches." In the 21 years I've...
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![Replacing inner CV joint boots](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_0f69f4266f8447729fa80f4c630b22a9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_0f69f4266f8447729fa80f4c630b22a9~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Mar 25, 20212 min read
Replacing inner CV joint boots
I've only had my Quickjacks for a few months now, but they are already almost paying for themselves. So far, I've done some transmission...
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![Elevating my DIY game to a new level](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_3a8bfb31c9f94eceb53ae11580fdb68b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_3a8bfb31c9f94eceb53ae11580fdb68b~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jan 22, 20213 min read
Elevating my DIY game to a new level
I've been wanting a set of Quickjacks for a long time, and I finally got one for my cars this past Christmas. The Quickjacks quite...
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![Effervescent about removing efflorescence](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_6f2c2d00211144f785ca974d38332fb3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_6f2c2d00211144f785ca974d38332fb3~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jan 1, 20212 min read
Effervescent about removing efflorescence
Efflorescence may sound like some pop band (think "Evanescence"), but it is not (although it may be just as vulgar). I recently noticed...
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![I'm not a hoarder, Part 2](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_0d6816da1cb8401987f7e92de611d44e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_0d6816da1cb8401987f7e92de611d44e~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jan 1, 20211 min read
I'm not a hoarder, Part 2
If you've seen pictures of my basement, you might be wondering, "Why does he have so much crap? Is he a hoarder?" No! As I've posted...
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![Worse than a lump of coal: A sump pump failure for Christmas](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_d172890354324a47a602cbd17f91edc6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6aef16_d172890354324a47a602cbd17f91edc6~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jan 1, 20213 min read
Worse than a lump of coal: A sump pump failure for Christmas
I woke up on Christmas morning to find an alert on my mobile that my basement water leak sensor had been triggered overnight. Not having...
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!["One word: Plastics"](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_14f8b1843fbd4b0ebdbcd33508ac1e6f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_14f8b1843fbd4b0ebdbcd33508ac1e6f~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Sep 13, 20204 min read
"One word: Plastics"
That line from the 1967 classic "The Graduate" seems to have become one of the most memorable in cinematic history for literary reasons...
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![I installed a modern anachronism](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_23aa22dd169a4727904908ea15fe54f1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_23aa22dd169a4727904908ea15fe54f1~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Sep 3, 20203 min read
I installed a modern anachronism
The mailbox will one day go the way of the pay phone and Blockbuster stores. Nonetheless, I thought I needed a mailbox for my new house,...
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![Flat roofs need scarecrows](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_82df2725a7de4c5d9314511a6957a813~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_82df2725a7de4c5d9314511a6957a813~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jul 10, 20201 min read
Flat roofs need scarecrows
I've previously written about how specifying a roof hatch was a no-brainer when I was building my house -- because one never knows when...
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![I used binder clips to create a very versatile window cleaning tool](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_7236852958524ff4a597f50bceb6040d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_7236852958524ff4a597f50bceb6040d~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jul 2, 20203 min read
I used binder clips to create a very versatile window cleaning tool
My modern house has 32 windows. More than half of them are large floor-to-ceiling windows. Cleaning the windows is a chore in and of...
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![I used my automotive hydraulic trolley jack for a plumbing project](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_bfa918a4a8754ffab083933419106898~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_bfa918a4a8754ffab083933419106898~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jun 1, 20202 min read
I used my automotive hydraulic trolley jack for a plumbing project
My Craftsman trolley lifting jack that I use on my cars came in quite handy for a plumbing project today. Backing up a bit: I wanted to...
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![I’m not a hoarder/“If you want it done right, do it yourself” Part 3](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_b4f3732502104f5fa60861fcf236639c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_b4f3732502104f5fa60861fcf236639c~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Mar 17, 20202 min read
I’m not a hoarder/“If you want it done right, do it yourself” Part 3
My basement is key to my home maintenance needs When you’re stuck at home on the first day of a COVID-19 lockdown with not much to do,...
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![Making Surround Sound Speakers Portable...](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_b200c79c396f42b3ba5e0bc781f76d4a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_b200c79c396f42b3ba5e0bc781f76d4a~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Jan 3, 20203 min read
Making Surround Sound Speakers Portable...
... using an Ikea clothes rack When most people look at this Ikea Rigga clothes rack, they see a clothes rack. I see a chassis for a...
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![Up on the Roof](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_7195b03429934bf89300382aa061fbcd~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_7195b03429934bf89300382aa061fbcd~mv2_d_3024_4032_s_4_2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Dec 29, 20191 min read
Up on the Roof
Making use of my roof hatch When designing my new house, there was little question that it would have a flat roof for a thoroughly modern...
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![Plastic, Plastic, Everywhere](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_df12b83483794999be5268898893ee75~mv2_d_1613_1210_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_df12b83483794999be5268898893ee75~mv2_d_1613_1210_s_2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Nov 19, 20192 min read
Plastic, Plastic, Everywhere
The Container Store's Titan resin cabinet is a Rube Goldberg explosion of plastic parts I'm not usually daunted by furniture requiring...
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!["IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT, DO IT YOURSELF," PART II](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_d6bfec50e567487bbc272f276a7f102c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_d6bfec50e567487bbc272f276a7f102c~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Nov 15, 20192 min read
"IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT, DO IT YOURSELF," PART II
How I passed Arlington County's stringent stormwater management facilities standards with flying colors As a follow-on to my first post...
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![WALL SWITCH PLATE LABELS THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE CRAP](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_e721369a1fe44ce8a1b69dd48ffb4adc~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_e721369a1fe44ce8a1b69dd48ffb4adc~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Nov 12, 20191 min read
WALL SWITCH PLATE LABELS THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE CRAP
How my "krauter" car sticker mods led to an aesthetic home interior design solution I often find "synergies" between my experience...
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![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_62ffbac51eb14fc68a4e438f01336860~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/6aef16_62ffbac51eb14fc68a4e438f01336860~mv2.webp)
!["IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT, DO IT YOURSELF"](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6aef16_62ffbac51eb14fc68a4e438f01336860~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6aef16_62ffbac51eb14fc68a4e438f01336860~mv2.webp)
cultureofdoing
Nov 12, 20192 min read
"IF YOU WANT SOMETHING DONE RIGHT, DO IT YOURSELF"
How I had to fix my general contractor's total f*ck-up. My first blog post is about the wisdom of the Do-It-Yourselfer's mantra that "if...
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