I just can't win! -vent_

[imagine]

So today I decided to caulk the windows in the kitchen.

We had tried other window weather things with no luck. But we need to do something to break the wind and bring down the bill. Hubby is no help he is frozen in the "we should of" like we would of replaced these a long time ago. ( we didn't be cause it was to much $$)

So I finish caulking the first window and put the blind down and it breaks.

That is how everything has been going lately. I try to fix something and it breaks. I try to use something and it breaks or get ruined etc

[Josephhgoins]

Did the window or the blind break?

I am not sure what I hate more for you. Your Husbands attitude or the trouble with the caulking.

[KimZ]

Did the window or the blind break?

I am not sure what I hate more for you. Your Husbands attitude or the trouble with the caulking.

I absolutely agree.... Smack that man!

I usually feel that way also but then I realized that we can only control so much and Poop Happens......All I can do is send you a great big HUG

[frugalwarrior2]

If it makes you feel any better, we have Wallside thermal windows and still I plastic every year (and quilt some windows). I think some of the seals are broken as the house has shifted.Yea! Also they rebuilt the chimney and the wind funnels down thru my gas fireplace perfectly. So I cardboard that too. So pretty!
Part of it is my 1972 60% efficient furnace can't keep up (w/o going at 75 all the time). My DH is the opposite. Just go ahead and do it cuz' we are going to need one. Well yes dear,but there's a little thing called "money". People want that when they come over and do work. Sigh.

I do understand what you mean about it never ending completely. I need a new water heater,dishwasher,new seals on the fridge,and the blinds-forget about it w/ kitties. So tasty mommy. Oh, and everyone needs a new mattress. I keep saying when the kids leave...

[imagine]

Did the window or the blind break?

I am not sure what I hate more for you. Your Husbands attitude or the trouble with the caulking.

It was the blind that broke not the window. Way easier to fix.

Although I have fixed a window when it broke. These aren't fancy windows just single pain single panel windows.

Hubby's attitude is not bad. He was just stuck in the we should of mode to much to think about what we could do now. We have tried many things with these windows and the winter wind still seems to blow in ( literally blow in you can feel the breeze).

He was really proud of me for figuring out what to do and starting it on my own. He is crossing his fingers that it will work. Me too.

I did buy a new blind and some more caulk ( I ran out) The new blind looks wonderful. The new one wasn't fixed with embroidery floss or duct tape. LOL
It makes the kitchen look wonderful and bright. I was surprised to find that blinds were not as much as I thought. Hubby suggested I pick up one each week or so on grocery day to replace the other that need replacing. That would make it more affordable. Great Idea! I might just do that.

[imagine]

I absolutely agree.... Smack that man!

I usually feel that way also but then I realized that we can only control so much and Poop Happens......All I can do is send you a great big HUG

No smacking needed. He is a very good Husband.

I'm feeling much better. I posted in the post above what I did.
Just venting helped a lot.

[imagine]

If it makes you feel any better, we have Wallside thermal windows and still I plastic every year (and quilt some windows). I think some of the seals are broken as the house has shifted.Yea! Also they rebuilt the chimney and the wind funnels down thru my gas fireplace perfectly. So I cardboard that too. So pretty!
Part of it is my 1972 60% efficient furnace can't keep up (w/o going at 75 all the time). My DH is the opposite. Just go ahead and do it cuz' we are going to need one. Well yes dear,but there's a little thing called "money". People want that when they come over and do work. Sigh.

I do understand what you mean about it never ending completely. I need a new water heater,dishwasher,new seals on the fridge,and the blinds-forget about it w/ kitties. So tasty mommy. Oh, and everyone needs a new mattress. I keep saying when the kids leave...

Oh, Your post makes me feel so much better knowing I'm no the only one these things happen too.

I have to pay the repairman this week for fixing the dishwasher and the dyer. Found a local guy. Good work and seems not to be as expensive.

[Greebo]

Ok if the caulking doesn't work - or doesn't work enough - here is what you do.

Very, very carefully remove the interior trim around the window. Use a utility knife to cut away caulk/paint along the edges (inside and outside edges of the trim) then use a small prybar to VERY CAREFULLY pull out the trim.

Put papers down on the floor around the window and have wet rags handy.

Get 1 can of "Great Stuff" for windows and doors and follow the directions and fill the gap between the window and the rough opening that will have been exposed with the great stuff.

Let dry.

Replace trim.

Enjoy your new weather sealed windows.

[imagine]

Ok if the caulking doesn't work - or doesn't work enough - here is what you do.

Very, very carefully remove the interior trim around the window. Use a utility knife to cut away caulk/paint along the edges (inside and outside edges of the trim) then use a small prybar to VERY CAREFULLY pull out the trim.

Put papers down on the floor around the window and have wet rags handy.

Get 1 can of "Great Stuff" for windows and doors and follow the directions and fill the gap between the window and the rough opening that will have been exposed with the great stuff.

Let dry.

Replace trim.

Enjoy your new weather sealed windows.

These are 1915 single pane windows
These windows are old storm windows like screen windows that you took down after summer and then replaced them with the glass ones for winter. These are the winter ones. We do not replace them with screen ones in the summer.

Will your plan work with those types of windows?

We have used the foam stuff ( think it was the Great stuff) with the basement windows and in other places it would not show or could be hidden.

[MomToTwoBoys]

Let me be one to tell your DH about procrastination with home repairs. We just spent the last two or three months doing five years worth of work. It's exhausting. It'll make you sick.

With that being said, I learned a lot when DH wasn't helping. I learned how to hang a mirror using toggle bolts and how to cut while painting. I've learned how to demo a bathroom and how to spend lots of money.

Oh! I also learned how to put together an upholstered headboard. Now -that- was a ton of fun. I also learned how to caulk a window.

[frugalwarrior2]

lol. Our dishwasher is beyond repair. It take 2x to get things clean and only the pots and pan cycle works. That is when the dial doesn't get stuck. I've only had 2 dishwashers in 25 years of marriage. Appliances cry when they see me coming.

DH has fixed our dryer 2x now but the inner bar fell off last time. It is making a scraping sound now.
DH had to fix some of the internal wiring (like the wires were off and broke) in the furnace a few years ago.

My stove is 21 years old now and works perfectly. I just replaced the inserts,got new burners. Last year I spent hours and got the inside close to new looking.

We live w/ what we have. It's a mental philosophy I was raised w/. I don't feel deprived. I find it amusing most of the time. And when it gets to me I find a way to replace it. Good is sometimes good enough.

[HappyMama]

I have a hundred year old Victorian...with that said most of the windows are fantastic. This was a well built solid manor home, with the best of everything in its time. The windows that don't hold heat... the new ones in the kitchen. I don't think they were insulated properly ( prior owner).

Our Solution: A very wise couple told us to take the insulation from a new computer , cut it out and carefully remove the edges , fill with the cut Styrofoam insulation . Tada!!! Works like a charm, my kitchen is so much warmer now and I am a happy camper in the winter.

Sorry that happened to you, but keep being willing to try, learn and do and it will pay off for you in the future with all your endeavors.

[Greebo]

These are 1915 single pane windows
These windows are old storm windows like screen windows that you took down after summer and then replaced them with the glass ones for winter. These are the winter ones. We do not replace them with screen ones in the summer.

Will your plan work with those types of windows?

We have used the foam stuff ( think it was the Great stuff) with the basement windows and in other places it would not show or could be hidden.

If you can remove the trim and it exposes a gap between the window frame and the rough opening, yes, but if your windows use weights, then don't use spray foam, use fireglass batting insulation (non backed) instead.

[imagine]

If you can remove the trim and it exposes a gap between the window frame and the rough opening, yes, but if your windows use weights, then don't use spray foam, use fireglass batting insulation (non backed) instead.

The ones that use weights are very well insulated and the trim is very pretty shaped solid oak two by fours. Very solid windows with storm windows on the outside

The ones I'm having trouble with has no trim. Just holes in wall were the screens ( this case winter screens) snap into. They are held in place by hooks outside and a hook and eye thing on the inside.

See why we have had to try many different things. No home improvement project is easy with this house. Completely non standard custom all around. LOL

[Palooka]

Imagine, I'm glad you got a new blind out of the ordeal.