u/aa040371

My home has very average/middling quality vinyl windows...the latch part that holds the window closed is pretty much all plastic, and I doubt they will survive 5 years. My old home (see pic) has metal latches in original windows that have held up for life of the home, currently ~29 years old. I'd like to replace my plastic latches with metal ones like these. Is this feasible?

I guess there are two practical considerations:

-1) How are latches on new vinyl windows attached? with screws or something more permanent like a bolt+nut needing access from inside window?

-2) If feasible, where can I source these better latches from? I'd need to identify them specifically, I expect. At the moment I am not sure of the window brand.

lol...looks like I can't post a pic, but here's a Dropbox link if seeing what I am talking about helps:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/oefy0ttflwc51hyvmwnuv/2026-05-14-07.35.22.jpg?rlkey=0qr8cjq5znbvk0az1i1h2ldkh

Edit: looks like the windows are "Ply Gem":

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wvksdih4q4l751ec430yp/2023-04-20-11.09.18.jpg?rlkey=rgsbmowdlfc3pf013fviiffys

Case 1: VPN (Windscribe) on; attempts to reach URL using Firefox receive a "Server Not Found" response.

Case 2: VPN (Windscribe) on; attempts to reach same URL using Chrome work as expected.

Case 3: VPN off; attempts to reach same URL using Firefox work as expected.

Case 4: VPN off; attempts to reach same URL using Chrome work as expected.

So connecting to this site and occasionally other sites with Firefox and VPN on creates the issue. No other browser and VPN on/off combination generates the "server not found" response, just the Firefox/VPN on combination.

How can I solve or troubleshoot this?

I am going to put new blinds up in a recently built home, probably a cellular style. So i'll be looking for an installer, but I am nervous as I read a lot of bad reviews for supposedly established companies and contractors. I am not sure of the best place to go looking for one (Facebook? Yelp? Craigslist? etc.?), and also not sure how to weed out the less dependable or competent ones.

So I am open to any thoughts or warnings or general advice, please.

I have a shed set on risers/pavers, so it's movable anytime I want, i.e. not permanently on a slab or something. I was told by a neighbor who has his set up like this that it should not be taxed by the county. Is this true? Does it depend on the specific county?

Edit: SInce it apparently matters, I am in Fannin County. Although I am interested in others' experiences from other countries as well.

A new (to me) house has some defects/deficiencies that I think should reduce its general value in an appraisal. Taking pics and vids and writing up some blurbs is not an issue for me, but wondering how to go about justifying a value/appraisal reduction is. For instance, it has a concrete floor throughout that looks OK(ish), but was never sealed and so shows some stains. How do I tell the Appraisal District protest review committee that it is worth $?? less because of this? Do I have to hire an appraiser? Or do I SWAG it and hope they accept my guess?

In my recently finished barndominium (in far northeast Texas, a.k.a. Texoma) I asked for concrete floors to be ground, stained, polished, and sealed. Builders did 3 out of 4 and I wasn't savvy enough to understand since they said it was all done and the floors looked good...sigh. So walls are painted and trim (baseboards) is in.

So...I guess I need to understand a few things:

1) What are pros/cons of not sealing the floor? I am pretty sure it is all "con" but I am trying to get moved in, and this situation just became apparent.

2) My research tells me I have two basic choices...a penetrating sealer and an epoxy top coat. Is one or the other specifically better given the situation?

3) If I do decide to hire a contractor to do this, I am petrified about how to not get scammed, which includes a well-intentioned person that doesn't understand he doesn't know what he is doing but talks a good game. Basically I am asking how do I separate the people I want to do this from the people I should avoid. The problem here is I am sort of desperate.

4) Finally, on a sq-ft basis, how much should this cost if all that is need is a basic cleaning and then the sealing process, incl. protecting baseboards and etc. Repeating, the house is in far northeast Texas, a.k.a. Texoma.

ETA:

5) If I use a penetrating sealer now, can I reapply over the years as/when needed? Similarly, in the years to come, is it an option to apply an epoxy coating over the penetrating sealer?

Please, I don't need any finger-wagging or comments or advice re: builders and their work. I already know and will deal with them later. I just have to try and figure out what to do and how to move forward from here in the short/immediate term.

I am going to need to move a few of the heavier tools in my shop via trailer or cargo truck and will likely go get someone from Plano DLC to help for the day.

1) Is the entrance/exit "trailer friendly"? i.e., I'll be towing a trailer most likely, and once in, I'd hate to embarrass myself by having to try and back it up to get out again.

2) What's the current going rate/offer for this type of work? $15/hour, I think someone posted it elsewhere, but I'm not sure if anyone seconded that comment.

I will need to renew electricity service plan at beginning of June for a short term before I move. Is 12.5ish cents/kWh the best rate I am likely to find in the 75013 area code? PtF site, after uploading my usage data, seems to think so:

https://preview.redd.it/6visrhi7ckxg1.png?width=846&format=png&auto=webp&s=d2db496ad3e4d006ff89e7130e10eeff5d31d0f1

I am thinking about re-sodding my lawn. A small patio home in Allen so it's just the front, ~1000 sq ft. It's currently Bermuda (about 25 years old, if that matters) but has thinned out noticeably over the last 5 years despite all my attempts to revive it. This is probably due to overgrown mature trees everywhere, now as well as effects of being overrun by rabbits and their shit pellets.

So looking to get a few quotes and hire someone...does anyone have any recommendations?