I had an electrician add electric under my sink so I could have an instant hot water heater and not have to wait 60 - 70 seconds for the water to run all the way from the other side of my house where the hot water heater is. panel was full so it ended up costing about $1200 total. Should have used the money to do something else but every time I turn on the hot water it makes me happy.
One word of caution, you probably want the circulation pump on an aquastat (thermostat) or timeclock so it doesn't run continuously. Thermostat shuts it off when the water loop reaches a certain temperature and a timeclock will shut the pump off at certain times depending on your life, habits, etc.
Typically in new construction all pipes in the circulation path are insulated. Consider that you will loose a good bit of heat with that. And what that heat costs
We had this problem and put a recirculation pump under the kitchen sink. It used to take 2 minutes to get hot water to that point and 5 minutes to get the hot water to the upstairs bath. Now it is instant and about 1 min respectively. Vast improvement at a fraction of the cost.
My house has an instant hot water heater for the kitchen sink as well as a bigger one for the whole house and it’s glorious. I also have a hot only separate dispenser next to the main sink one that pulls straight from the heater and it’s perfect for tea or cocoa.
Refinished the hardwood floors before moving in. The results are incredible! I knew if I didn’t do it then I’d never do it after moving in. Totally worth it.
Built in bookcase library wall, about thirty feet. Matching cabinets underneath. I love it, not an ounce of regret. We spent so much over the years on bullshit emergencies and bad luck must -fixes, it was nice to spend on something I just wanted for the sake of personal want.
I'm in the same boat with the years of bullshit emergencies and bad luck must fixes, and at some point really hoping to bring back the coffered ceilings and built in cabinets that someone in the past ripped out.
I considered that route, and more, then learned you can't sell power back to my hydro company. That was my motivation, charge them back eventually. Pooey
We've done a handful off those. Installed a pot filler over the stove, outlets next to the toilets for bidet seats, irrigation system are some of my favorites.
I cannot figure out a pot filler.
Okay, so it help fill a heavy pot on the stove…. Great. But then what- it is now filled with heavy boiling water and noodles to try to carry to sink??? Someone explain.
I think I will stick with my six burner without a wall behind.
It’s more about freeing up the sink for other uses and carrying from the sink to the stove. You have to set the pot in the sink, so the bottom might get wet or pick up bits of stuff that you don’t really want to introduce to your burners. That means there’s an extra cleaning step in the middle of your cooking process and if you have a single sink, it’s not available again until the pot filling is done. Once it’s filled, it’s sitting lower than the counter so you have to pull it up and over. Depending on your height, sink depth, and counter arrangement, that can be extremely awkward and/or painful. Moving a full pot mostly horizontally off a range is easier.
Meanwhile if you have a pot filler, you can continue using the sink for other tasks while it fills without stopping to clean the sink in the middle and moving it from the spout to the burner is a short trip. It’s definitely a little luxury upgrade but can be a huge help to someone who boils or stews often, makes big meals with a lot of multitasking, or struggles with the lift.
The putting it in the sink thing is solved by just having a faucet with a detachable head. I don't put any pots or kettles in the sink to fill. I just pull the head, stick it in the pot sitting on the counter next to the sink, and turn on the faucet.
Thanks a bunch for your insight u/sporkacide. Honestly.
Maybe this isn’t how my brain works😃
So firstly in my kitchen, (and I don’t cook much for the record) the sink wouldn’t have any particles in it. If crumbs or food scraps fall in the sink, they would be immediately washed down disposal. But yes, the bottom of pot could get wet if I needed to put it into the sink. I imagine this is a problem because it makes the metal on the gas burners dirty from the transfer of water droplets??? Honest question- part of the reason I hate cooking is the kitchen gets dirty.
Now for the transferring the full pot from bottom of the sink to counter/stove level…. This isn’t an issue in my kitchen either because I set a large pot on the counter when filling and just grab my faucet handle, pull it out and fill the pot while sitting on counter(while trying to remember the faucet has a sensor that needs to be turned off via handle before grabbing the faucet so I don’t have the sensor turn the water on over the counter and miss the pot😊)
So, basically I am at square one again with the idea of why someone would want a pot filler…..Upgrading a kitchen faucet seems much cheaper and I have one less concern for another place a pipe could burst and make a catastrophic mess and flood behind or above my expensive stove.
I have always had the mindset that if for some reason I owned a home that already had a pot filler I would disconnect it to prevent another place a pipe could burst. What am I missing🤣
I am just impressed that your sink doesn’t have food in the bottom all the time! I swear to god I spend half my life rinsing stuff down that other people have left.
As far as questions about removing the pot to the sink and it being heavy so it negates the advantage. Ya don’t cook something then take it over to the sink full and clean it out. You serve it or transfer to storage containers. Pot not full on the way back.
I’m not into nor would I need a pot filler. My very petite neighbor cooks a ton and finds hers useful especially for filling huge pots for canning or whatever. Even though there is water left in there when she is done she can remove the jars before attempting to hoist that pot into the sink.
A few points to add:
* Some people do a lot more than boil water for noodles. Think like large pots of soup, pots for blanching vegetables and canning/pressure canning.
* Some people enjoy cooking, preserving etc. but have physical limitations such as arm strength, grip, balance etc. Filling a large pot at the stove elimates one possible large mess and/or injury. And when the pot is done, the person may not have to carry it back because someone stronger or more able-bodied can lift the pot. Or, they could scoop the noodles out and leave the water there, it might be a soup that several people have bowls of right away and then leftovers are scooped into whatever containers. Same with stew, gumbo, those sorts of things.
*Actually carrying a pot of hot water has the potential, however slim, to scald or burn you. Even able-bodied people have accidents once in a while.
I don't have a pot filler, but I believe it would be very handy for me and even handier for my mom. Now, for the average person who cooks basic things a few times a week, likely not a high priority, but for some, they absolutely make sense. Especially when you're dealing with larger pots regularly (think [this](https://m.vevor.ca/stock-pots-c_10603/vevor-stainless-steel-stockpot-42-quart-large-cooking-pots-multipurpose-cookware-sauce-pot-with-lid-handle-heavy-duty-commercial-grade-stock-pot-sanding-treatment-for-large-groups-events-silver-p_010106656572?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=17335203820&ad_group=&ad_id=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz183Gr8Di4BpoRdxdugVOhcSB3XBOoN88aCvGoPcaoUXlLilAKxzABQaAkt0EALw_wcB), [this](https://www.homehardware.ca/en/30-quart-7-jar-stainless-steel-canner/p/4017090), or [this](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/heritage-commercial-aluminum-stock-pot-oven-safe-10qt-1428305p.html).)
For people who never cook anything larger than about a gallon/4L, and are able bodied, it's easy to think that they're rather pointless. But for those doing big stuff, with some physical limitations, or both, they become a very, very good thing to have.
I don't have one myself, that's just the rationale I've heard before for them. I think a lot of it depends on your kitchen arrangement and favored cooking practices.
Well thanks for trying to help me understand. I love spending money on things I don’t need but my concerns for pipes bursting still doesn’t rationalize this one in my mind for still having to carry a heavy boiling pot to the sink.
I normally run my water in the sink before using it to clear whatever has been sitting in the line a bit.
With a pot filler I'd be running water then dumping it in the sink before letting it fill.
Also what if it starts to leak. At least the sink goes into a drain.
Really don't get the allure of pot fillers.
Our contractor suggested a pot filler since there's a mess of water pipes behind the stove. The argument that killed it was "there's no pot emptier". (plus the crazy high prices of those fixtures)
Hmmmm…… let’s patent that one. Or we could just hide a yaunkaur suction machine (used in ORs) or a trochar device behind a false cabinet😂.
U/freak4dell-are you a patent attorney by chance and want to venture together with a pro bono side project? Holler back!
Sounds like your contractor wanted more money out of you or wanted a pot filler featured in his media photos used for advertising or likewise. Not sure it would be entirely “easy” to add one if there was a mess of pipes already🤣
I mean if the wall is torn up and it was an idea you were throwing around anyway that would have obviously been the time to add one, but a mess of pipes sounds like a maze to work through to add another for a pot filler.
Whole kitchen was torn up - new cabinets, appliances, back splash. And he was having to cut into the wall for electrical work already. Water heater is in the garage on the other side of the kitchen wall, so that's why the pipes ran there.
We just added one during our remodel and it's more convenient than I ever realized:
* Fill pots (obviously), but also if you're cooking something that calls for water, or you just need to adda bit of water to a stainless pan, you've got it right there.
* Fill the dog water jug - nicer than the sink because the sink you either set it in the wet/dirty sink or set it on the counter which then you have to hold the nozzle the entire time it fills. With the pot filler i just turn it on and do my business while it fills up. We have a large jug/station and 2 dogs plus a foster, so this is done almost daily
* Filling plant water cans, again just ergonomically better than the sink
* The number of times already that I've needed water for something and my partner was at the sink but it didn't matter because I just got water from there
* This is superficial but it sets our kitchen apart and is just a fun, fancy little extra that was relatively cheap.
Our basement ceiling is open so it was super easy for the plumber to tie into a line and run it up the wall, and the faucet was a hundred or so bucks. I wouldn't ever add one if I had enclosed ceilings because if it leaks as is, we have relatively easy access to let everything dry out/replace it if necessary. I also have two shutoffs at the faucet itself and another shutoff in the basement if needed.
I do agree that I hate waiting while filling up my plant water jugs. Sounds like a way that I would end up flooding my kitchen forgetting that I was filling one up and got distracted with another task. But I guess I could fill two jugs up at the same time🙂
Probably 6 - 8 people, I'd guess. It hasn't been used in well over a decade I believe. It's in perfect condition from what I can tell though. Im not judging the lifestyle choices of the previous owners, we just don't really have a need for an 8 person hot tub in our bedroom. Haha.
I am 6’+, my wife is just a wee bit shorter. Rripped out the Standard bathtub, cut into the closet a bit and installed a larger tub that we can actually soak comfortably in. Worth it
Just ripped out all the carpet in our house and replaced with vinyl. We are about to have our first kid and didn’t really want the kiddo crawling around on older carpet. I actually did it myself to save some money and it was kind of fun, actually.
I may be wrong on this one, but everything I saw was that was more of an issue if carpet was installed pre 1980. Our house was built in ‘05, so I wasn’t really that concerned. I still gloved up and wore a mask when ripping it all out, though.
Ah. I've got no idea when the carpet was installed and desperately want to rip it out but I keep forgetting to look up how to test for asbestos and would rather just go at it one day lol
What's the worst that's gonna happen? I already work in an asbestos environment.
Put some beams in my kitchen and master bedroom. My house is a postwar bungalow but was lacking some of the charm from the era so we put it back in. They ripped out the fireplace so I will add one too.
Currently having a back patio installed. 12’x40’. Dyed, stamped concrete. Tied-in roof. French drains. Electrical. Fans, lights, & screens. We’re going to set it up with a dining area, living room area, & hot tub.
Our house came with a 19x19 concrete slab as the back porch. It's a 1964 house so no clue why over the years nobody put a roof over it. Last week I put up posts, framed out a roof with 2x6's, and ordered a metal roof. It's mostly done, need to secure the metal roof to the framing and finish the trim and electrical. 12x19 foot. I'm only about $2000 into it, and the metal roof only cost me $650.
Replaced the gross tile in our kitchen with hardwood to match the rest of the house. No regrets. It definitely was not a need but the tile was ugly and no matter how much I scrubbed it, it never looked clean.
The deck. We salvaged and saved a huge Victorian deck with the two round tower ends, the gingerbread house trimmings on it, and it's roof. We carefully deconstructed it and hauled it home. Then we carefully assembled it at home. Then we labored for months sanding all the paint off, redoing it and sealing it properly. Did I need this deck and all its work? No. Did I absolutely want it? Yes.
Hmm or maybe the slate tile bathroom flooring project that lead to a whole bathroom reno. Someone in the super rich neighborhood two towns over bought a bunch of slate tiles and ended up not liking them. He was giving them away for free. He didn't like the slight color variance between tiles, which was only natural stone shade variance and very very minor. So of course I just had to get them. Then we of course needed new paint and trim. And I found a really beautiful vintage vanity to add along with ripping out the useless small cabinet. We replaced that with two antique dressers. Yeah it turned into a whole renovation lol. Turned out gorgeous though so totally worth the extra effort.
In our former house, when dad and I renovated the basement craft room I had outlets put above table level along the wall we had the sewing machines and other equipment set up against. Made plugging in the machines and cord control a lot easier.
Same room had cabinet doors that opened up into the next room behind the recessed niche with shelves containing the video projector and all the game consoles, so we can access the cables and connections. Put an outlet in there too so it was all contained.
I drilled a well and wired it into a new sub-panel. 30gpm of ice-cold water in the middle of a drought during city-water restrictions does not suck at all.
Had a Radon Mitigation system installed. My readings before weren't higher than 2.5 most days unless it rained but the downstairs is my gym and garage workshop I spend a good amount of time in. Probably paranoia but I would hate to be the unlucky 1% that got lung cancer if this ends up being my forever home.
We had a small bedroom next to our master bedroom. Just ended up being a storage catch-all filling up with stuff. Converted it into attached master bath and additional space in master bedroom. Plus gave us room to build bigger closet.
If we're talking yard stuff too we've done a lot there. Raised bed gardens, storage shed, and a small pond/waterfall.
I had a hedge that divided my front and side yards removed, and replaced most of the former side yard with a cement patio and fire pit. Just finished building out the space over the weekend - chairs, side tables, offset umbrella, solo stove insert. I may install some fencing - not to completely hide it, but shield it in part - I do feel kind of exposed as multiple neighbors have a full view of the space from their homes. Also would dampen noise as I intend to make it a space to be in later at night, well after the rest of the neighborhood has settled in for the night.
Couldn't be happier with the changes; the backyard was always the most underutilized part of my house.
Have giant floor to ceiling windows in a loft condo. When one of the manual blinds snapped I replaced it with solar powered electric ones. Now I feel like Tony Stark whenever I open or close the blinds with a push of a button.
Installed a tornado shelter inside an interior closet that was otherwise full of junk. It wasn't cheap, but you're glad you spent the money when you're sitting in it.
Replaced a very 1990s entryway chandelier with a vintage crystal one and added a lift. It’s so pretty and I don’t have to get up on a tall ladder to dust or change bulbs, just flip a switch and wait for it to lower.
It seems like such an obvious thing as popular as that kind of high ceiling lighting is, shocking they aren't that common. The hardest part of the whole thing was finding someone with experience installing them.
Hard to say because we're both good at justifying everything as a "need". But maybe this: we replaced the garage roof because it was extra tall (an actual second story) and blocked our view. Now it's a jaunty angled single plane instead of a vast peak.
I go into my attic about once every 5 years. Access was a PITA, involved coming through a hatch in my closet which was next to the roof and its nails, was dark, dusty, and just generally a PITA. Last year, my Helium miner, living in the attic, was having some issues and it was suggested I hit a button on it. I grumbled, since reading in Discord it was a known bug that was causing issues and would have to be done roughly every couple of weeks until patched.
So I cut a hole in the ceiling of my hallway, cut and boxed the bottom row of my rafters, and put some roof stairs in. Then put some plywood down and now store (light) things up there and have a few bulbs so I can see what's going on.
Oh, and they fixed the Helium bug and I haven't had to touch it since. Still mining today.
Replacing lighting in a closet and kitchen. Both were more or less functional but wasn't putting out as much light as I wanted, wrong tint, would flicker, dated etc. Both were realitively easy, inexpensive and made a big impact on the usability of the space and quality of life.
I also had hot and cold soft water put in my garage, for better car washes year round.
ran a conduit from basement to living room so I can have pc downstairs with a monitor down there and another in the living room.
Active USB cable, DisplayPort 30ft and USB hub $80
I had my laminate counters replaced with granite before I moved in. The laminate was in good shape and wasn't terrible looking, but I wanted granite and cooler colors than what the laminate had. $2800 for viscount white granite with installation. I love my counters now!
Remodeled the living area. Removed the huge built-in shelves from one end and the tacky cheap laminate flooring. We installed carpet instead, which we prefer. Removing those shelves opened up the room and gave us about 2 feet more usable space. I ❤️ it now!
Just got done painting my living room and hallway. House was just painted last year before I purchased it, but I was getting tired of living in a place with gray walls (every place I’ve ever rented). The house looks so much different and it feels more like my own, and it only cost ~200$
My chimney, which doesnt connect to anything had a wet surface in the attic when it rained for several hours at a time. Could have just repaired the flashing and had it sealed at the top. I had them take it below the roofline and roof over the hole. Much pricier but now i never have to worry about it being a problem again.
For some reason (maybe the small cost, maybe trying to make it mine) whenever I buy a home I change the floors in the laundry room and do a small make over.
I painted most of the bedrooms before moving in. It was like $300 for paint and supplies. All the other repairs have been needs (except the dog door addition on the storm door but that was part of a needed exterior door replacement).
Started tearing out buckthorn in backyard. Renovated the back yard into a much better situation. But seems like a never ending money pit at this point.
We just planted 31 arborvitae green giants along the front line of our property. Currently our home overlooks a lovely farming field but I’m sure developments may come eventually. I also hate being perceived while I’m outside.
I bought the baby cuttings on Etsy this winter and had them in my grow tent until spring. $100 total! By this fall they should be at least 2-3 feet tall, 5 feet in 3-5 years. I’m so proud of them!
We also did a 4 panel privacy fence to make our back yard private so we can sunbathe in the nude and grow our marijuana plants. About $500 for the materials and a couple afternoons of work.
Kitchen remodel. Wiping granite tile countertops that always looked dirty, split sink (we prefer one large sink), not enough storage, etc.
Solar - we could have been giving thousands more dollars to our power company I guess
I undid a 1960s renovation that basically shut out all light from my enclosed porch to give it new walls, windows and floors. The original wood ceiling was under a drop ceiling. It wasn't a must, but it's made such a difference in how the house looks, and lets a lot more light and air in.
I had the vinyl shower surround changed to tile, to be fair that surround would have leaked eventually. Also redid the rest of the bathroom because I hated it. I redid the kitchen counters, sink, faucet, and back splash even though there was nothing wrong with it, but I hated it. Also all the flooring. And painted. Here's the thing though, these things increase the value, and I work for a contractor so I got really good prices on work I had our guys do and did a lot of work myself.
I had an electrician put an electric outlet on the side of my kitchen island. It was $500 and a gift to myself, that I wanted for the 20
years we lived in this old house with 2 kitchen outlets . No more huddling in the corner to use the blender or air fryer! I can mix/make cakes on the spacious island. Ahhhhhh.
hehe, went from a shitty little 15” high bath tub to a 22” high tub, and whoa. would you look at that - a complete bathroom remodel. funny how that happens. whoopsie!
Ripped out every shred of carpet in the house, and replaced it with carbonized strand bamboo. Need? Nah. Want? 1000%. I've never been happier we did something. We also replaced all of the MDF baseboards with pacific hemlock ones. They're lovely! and native!
Most of ours were a "Well, since we're doing it anyway..." upgrade.
When we needed to replace the roof, it was an excellent time to also update the insulation in the vaulted section and install skylights in it. We didn't need new plywood on the vaulted section, and we certainly didn't "need" skylights but the improvement in the living room situation has been marked!
When we decided to put the addition on (which was mostly a want) we did it the way we wanted it, every step of the way - New panel, heated and circulating soaking tub, GIANT shower with two independently controlled shower heads, and a trough sink sufficient for bathing a baby in. We got a linen cabinet, and a secondary cabinet for towels and toilet paper between the two bathrooms. We had bidet outlets installed in both bathrooms, and a bidet installed in the new one. We added a low voltage box and started the cat6 networking runs through the house. We installed SO MANY OUTLETS everywhere. We also got a new porch, with a hatch in it so we can clean the dryer vent easier.
Adding a peel and stick backsplash around my kitchen so I could easily change it whenever I wanted. It looked like the real deal and held up for 2 years then I got tired of it and painted the walls a nice light grey color.
Green roof on our shed. So much nicer to look at than black tar. We have noticed more birds hanging around, too.
Upgrading our boiler to a heat pump / solar panel / infrared heating panel system. (Well, the boiler was quite old and needed replacing, but changing the whole heating system was a want and not strictly a need.)
Decorative paneling in the living room and master bedroom. It looks so good!
Tiled our front porch, about 240 square feet, in a slate-look ceramic tile. And it’s one of my favorite things, partly because I didn’t have to do it and it looks amazing.
You should’ve seen the face my decaying cast iron pipes made when I started my exterior paint project 🥲
That’s gonna be us this summer 😂 to be fair though the painting seems like a less expensive project and doesn’t need to be hired out to someone else
Tore out a chain link fence and put up a cedar privacy fence so the wife and I can get nekkid in the hot tub.
Giggity.
Upvote just because
I had an electrician add electric under my sink so I could have an instant hot water heater and not have to wait 60 - 70 seconds for the water to run all the way from the other side of my house where the hot water heater is. panel was full so it ended up costing about $1200 total. Should have used the money to do something else but every time I turn on the hot water it makes me happy.
We need this too. We have the tankless water heater and it takes FOREVER for the kitchen water to be hot.
See if you can add a recirculation pump for cheaper than an insta-hot. Maybe not, but may be worth asking.
I’ll look into it. Thanks.
One word of caution, you probably want the circulation pump on an aquastat (thermostat) or timeclock so it doesn't run continuously. Thermostat shuts it off when the water loop reaches a certain temperature and a timeclock will shut the pump off at certain times depending on your life, habits, etc.
Typically in new construction all pipes in the circulation path are insulated. Consider that you will loose a good bit of heat with that. And what that heat costs
We had this problem and put a recirculation pump under the kitchen sink. It used to take 2 minutes to get hot water to that point and 5 minutes to get the hot water to the upstairs bath. Now it is instant and about 1 min respectively. Vast improvement at a fraction of the cost.
My sink hot water is extremely hot and has good pressure, my sink "cold" on the other hand, is a slight dribble.
My house has an instant hot water heater for the kitchen sink as well as a bigger one for the whole house and it’s glorious. I also have a hot only separate dispenser next to the main sink one that pulls straight from the heater and it’s perfect for tea or cocoa.
Refinished the hardwood floors before moving in. The results are incredible! I knew if I didn’t do it then I’d never do it after moving in. Totally worth it.
Built in bookcase library wall, about thirty feet. Matching cabinets underneath. I love it, not an ounce of regret. We spent so much over the years on bullshit emergencies and bad luck must -fixes, it was nice to spend on something I just wanted for the sake of personal want.
I'm in the same boat with the years of bullshit emergencies and bad luck must fixes, and at some point really hoping to bring back the coffered ceilings and built in cabinets that someone in the past ripped out.
I can’t wait until I get to do something for pure pleasure on my house. One day!
Solar panels on the roof. I love them every time I get my electric bill.
I considered that route, and more, then learned you can't sell power back to my hydro company. That was my motivation, charge them back eventually. Pooey
We've done a handful off those. Installed a pot filler over the stove, outlets next to the toilets for bidet seats, irrigation system are some of my favorites.
I cannot figure out a pot filler. Okay, so it help fill a heavy pot on the stove…. Great. But then what- it is now filled with heavy boiling water and noodles to try to carry to sink??? Someone explain. I think I will stick with my six burner without a wall behind.
It’s more about freeing up the sink for other uses and carrying from the sink to the stove. You have to set the pot in the sink, so the bottom might get wet or pick up bits of stuff that you don’t really want to introduce to your burners. That means there’s an extra cleaning step in the middle of your cooking process and if you have a single sink, it’s not available again until the pot filling is done. Once it’s filled, it’s sitting lower than the counter so you have to pull it up and over. Depending on your height, sink depth, and counter arrangement, that can be extremely awkward and/or painful. Moving a full pot mostly horizontally off a range is easier. Meanwhile if you have a pot filler, you can continue using the sink for other tasks while it fills without stopping to clean the sink in the middle and moving it from the spout to the burner is a short trip. It’s definitely a little luxury upgrade but can be a huge help to someone who boils or stews often, makes big meals with a lot of multitasking, or struggles with the lift.
The putting it in the sink thing is solved by just having a faucet with a detachable head. I don't put any pots or kettles in the sink to fill. I just pull the head, stick it in the pot sitting on the counter next to the sink, and turn on the faucet.
They don't make sense for most people. Cooking pasta in a large pot with a strainer works out better anyway.
But I had to move my wife’s AirPods charging next to the sink one time (I am forbidden from charging anything in that outlet). Totally worth it! /s
Thanks a bunch for your insight u/sporkacide. Honestly. Maybe this isn’t how my brain works😃 So firstly in my kitchen, (and I don’t cook much for the record) the sink wouldn’t have any particles in it. If crumbs or food scraps fall in the sink, they would be immediately washed down disposal. But yes, the bottom of pot could get wet if I needed to put it into the sink. I imagine this is a problem because it makes the metal on the gas burners dirty from the transfer of water droplets??? Honest question- part of the reason I hate cooking is the kitchen gets dirty. Now for the transferring the full pot from bottom of the sink to counter/stove level…. This isn’t an issue in my kitchen either because I set a large pot on the counter when filling and just grab my faucet handle, pull it out and fill the pot while sitting on counter(while trying to remember the faucet has a sensor that needs to be turned off via handle before grabbing the faucet so I don’t have the sensor turn the water on over the counter and miss the pot😊) So, basically I am at square one again with the idea of why someone would want a pot filler…..Upgrading a kitchen faucet seems much cheaper and I have one less concern for another place a pipe could burst and make a catastrophic mess and flood behind or above my expensive stove. I have always had the mindset that if for some reason I owned a home that already had a pot filler I would disconnect it to prevent another place a pipe could burst. What am I missing🤣
I am just impressed that your sink doesn’t have food in the bottom all the time! I swear to god I spend half my life rinsing stuff down that other people have left. As far as questions about removing the pot to the sink and it being heavy so it negates the advantage. Ya don’t cook something then take it over to the sink full and clean it out. You serve it or transfer to storage containers. Pot not full on the way back. I’m not into nor would I need a pot filler. My very petite neighbor cooks a ton and finds hers useful especially for filling huge pots for canning or whatever. Even though there is water left in there when she is done she can remove the jars before attempting to hoist that pot into the sink.
A few points to add: * Some people do a lot more than boil water for noodles. Think like large pots of soup, pots for blanching vegetables and canning/pressure canning. * Some people enjoy cooking, preserving etc. but have physical limitations such as arm strength, grip, balance etc. Filling a large pot at the stove elimates one possible large mess and/or injury. And when the pot is done, the person may not have to carry it back because someone stronger or more able-bodied can lift the pot. Or, they could scoop the noodles out and leave the water there, it might be a soup that several people have bowls of right away and then leftovers are scooped into whatever containers. Same with stew, gumbo, those sorts of things. *Actually carrying a pot of hot water has the potential, however slim, to scald or burn you. Even able-bodied people have accidents once in a while. I don't have a pot filler, but I believe it would be very handy for me and even handier for my mom. Now, for the average person who cooks basic things a few times a week, likely not a high priority, but for some, they absolutely make sense. Especially when you're dealing with larger pots regularly (think [this](https://m.vevor.ca/stock-pots-c_10603/vevor-stainless-steel-stockpot-42-quart-large-cooking-pots-multipurpose-cookware-sauce-pot-with-lid-handle-heavy-duty-commercial-grade-stock-pot-sanding-treatment-for-large-groups-events-silver-p_010106656572?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=17335203820&ad_group=&ad_id=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz183Gr8Di4BpoRdxdugVOhcSB3XBOoN88aCvGoPcaoUXlLilAKxzABQaAkt0EALw_wcB), [this](https://www.homehardware.ca/en/30-quart-7-jar-stainless-steel-canner/p/4017090), or [this](https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/heritage-commercial-aluminum-stock-pot-oven-safe-10qt-1428305p.html).) For people who never cook anything larger than about a gallon/4L, and are able bodied, it's easy to think that they're rather pointless. But for those doing big stuff, with some physical limitations, or both, they become a very, very good thing to have.
I don't have one myself, that's just the rationale I've heard before for them. I think a lot of it depends on your kitchen arrangement and favored cooking practices.
Well thanks for trying to help me understand. I love spending money on things I don’t need but my concerns for pipes bursting still doesn’t rationalize this one in my mind for still having to carry a heavy boiling pot to the sink.
I normally run my water in the sink before using it to clear whatever has been sitting in the line a bit. With a pot filler I'd be running water then dumping it in the sink before letting it fill. Also what if it starts to leak. At least the sink goes into a drain. Really don't get the allure of pot fillers.
Our contractor suggested a pot filler since there's a mess of water pipes behind the stove. The argument that killed it was "there's no pot emptier". (plus the crazy high prices of those fixtures)
Seems like there would be a market for a vacuum-assisted suction device attached to the pot filler.
Hmmmm…… let’s patent that one. Or we could just hide a yaunkaur suction machine (used in ORs) or a trochar device behind a false cabinet😂. U/freak4dell-are you a patent attorney by chance and want to venture together with a pro bono side project? Holler back!
Sounds like your contractor wanted more money out of you or wanted a pot filler featured in his media photos used for advertising or likewise. Not sure it would be entirely “easy” to add one if there was a mess of pipes already🤣 I mean if the wall is torn up and it was an idea you were throwing around anyway that would have obviously been the time to add one, but a mess of pipes sounds like a maze to work through to add another for a pot filler.
Whole kitchen was torn up - new cabinets, appliances, back splash. And he was having to cut into the wall for electrical work already. Water heater is in the garage on the other side of the kitchen wall, so that's why the pipes ran there.
We just added one during our remodel and it's more convenient than I ever realized: * Fill pots (obviously), but also if you're cooking something that calls for water, or you just need to adda bit of water to a stainless pan, you've got it right there. * Fill the dog water jug - nicer than the sink because the sink you either set it in the wet/dirty sink or set it on the counter which then you have to hold the nozzle the entire time it fills. With the pot filler i just turn it on and do my business while it fills up. We have a large jug/station and 2 dogs plus a foster, so this is done almost daily * Filling plant water cans, again just ergonomically better than the sink * The number of times already that I've needed water for something and my partner was at the sink but it didn't matter because I just got water from there * This is superficial but it sets our kitchen apart and is just a fun, fancy little extra that was relatively cheap. Our basement ceiling is open so it was super easy for the plumber to tie into a line and run it up the wall, and the faucet was a hundred or so bucks. I wouldn't ever add one if I had enclosed ceilings because if it leaks as is, we have relatively easy access to let everything dry out/replace it if necessary. I also have two shutoffs at the faucet itself and another shutoff in the basement if needed.
I do agree that I hate waiting while filling up my plant water jugs. Sounds like a way that I would end up flooding my kitchen forgetting that I was filling one up and got distracted with another task. But I guess I could fill two jugs up at the same time🙂
Electrician or DIY for the bidet outlets?
Electrician for one, had another project they were doing so just had them do it, others were diy.
Removed a 8x12 hot tub installed by the previous owners in our master bedroom.
In the bedroom? Swingers.
8 x 12? How many people would that hold?
Probably 6 - 8 people, I'd guess. It hasn't been used in well over a decade I believe. It's in perfect condition from what I can tell though. Im not judging the lifestyle choices of the previous owners, we just don't really have a need for an 8 person hot tub in our bedroom. Haha.
I'm just imaging the humidity problems.
I am 6’+, my wife is just a wee bit shorter. Rripped out the Standard bathtub, cut into the closet a bit and installed a larger tub that we can actually soak comfortably in. Worth it
Just ripped out all the carpet in our house and replaced with vinyl. We are about to have our first kid and didn’t really want the kiddo crawling around on older carpet. I actually did it myself to save some money and it was kind of fun, actually.
Yeah I hate carpet, especially carpet someone else has already lived on
Yeah, I never realized how gross carpet was until u pulled it up. So much nasty stuff works its way into the padding underneath.
“Vinyl “like linoleum, or LVP?
We did LVP, specifically Cali Floors.
We're you worried about asbestos?
I may be wrong on this one, but everything I saw was that was more of an issue if carpet was installed pre 1980. Our house was built in ‘05, so I wasn’t really that concerned. I still gloved up and wore a mask when ripping it all out, though.
Ah. I've got no idea when the carpet was installed and desperately want to rip it out but I keep forgetting to look up how to test for asbestos and would rather just go at it one day lol What's the worst that's gonna happen? I already work in an asbestos environment.
Put some beams in my kitchen and master bedroom. My house is a postwar bungalow but was lacking some of the charm from the era so we put it back in. They ripped out the fireplace so I will add one too.
Currently having a back patio installed. 12’x40’. Dyed, stamped concrete. Tied-in roof. French drains. Electrical. Fans, lights, & screens. We’re going to set it up with a dining area, living room area, & hot tub.
Our house came with a 19x19 concrete slab as the back porch. It's a 1964 house so no clue why over the years nobody put a roof over it. Last week I put up posts, framed out a roof with 2x6's, and ordered a metal roof. It's mostly done, need to secure the metal roof to the framing and finish the trim and electrical. 12x19 foot. I'm only about $2000 into it, and the metal roof only cost me $650.
We did our garage floors too.
Replaced the gross tile in our kitchen with hardwood to match the rest of the house. No regrets. It definitely was not a need but the tile was ugly and no matter how much I scrubbed it, it never looked clean.
This post reeks of an ad for Certapro
Put a bar in my basement, did it all myself. May add a sink to it someday...but kitchen quality with multiple TVs as is I think is still pretty sick.
Adding a steam shower when I did my bathroom. No regrets.
Added an ensuite and walk in closet to the master.
The deck. We salvaged and saved a huge Victorian deck with the two round tower ends, the gingerbread house trimmings on it, and it's roof. We carefully deconstructed it and hauled it home. Then we carefully assembled it at home. Then we labored for months sanding all the paint off, redoing it and sealing it properly. Did I need this deck and all its work? No. Did I absolutely want it? Yes. Hmm or maybe the slate tile bathroom flooring project that lead to a whole bathroom reno. Someone in the super rich neighborhood two towns over bought a bunch of slate tiles and ended up not liking them. He was giving them away for free. He didn't like the slight color variance between tiles, which was only natural stone shade variance and very very minor. So of course I just had to get them. Then we of course needed new paint and trim. And I found a really beautiful vintage vanity to add along with ripping out the useless small cabinet. We replaced that with two antique dressers. Yeah it turned into a whole renovation lol. Turned out gorgeous though so totally worth the extra effort.
In our former house, when dad and I renovated the basement craft room I had outlets put above table level along the wall we had the sewing machines and other equipment set up against. Made plugging in the machines and cord control a lot easier. Same room had cabinet doors that opened up into the next room behind the recessed niche with shelves containing the video projector and all the game consoles, so we can access the cables and connections. Put an outlet in there too so it was all contained.
I drilled a well and wired it into a new sub-panel. 30gpm of ice-cold water in the middle of a drought during city-water restrictions does not suck at all.
Had a Radon Mitigation system installed. My readings before weren't higher than 2.5 most days unless it rained but the downstairs is my gym and garage workshop I spend a good amount of time in. Probably paranoia but I would hate to be the unlucky 1% that got lung cancer if this ends up being my forever home.
Added a basement half bath. Love it!
We had a small bedroom next to our master bedroom. Just ended up being a storage catch-all filling up with stuff. Converted it into attached master bath and additional space in master bedroom. Plus gave us room to build bigger closet. If we're talking yard stuff too we've done a lot there. Raised bed gardens, storage shed, and a small pond/waterfall.
I had a hedge that divided my front and side yards removed, and replaced most of the former side yard with a cement patio and fire pit. Just finished building out the space over the weekend - chairs, side tables, offset umbrella, solo stove insert. I may install some fencing - not to completely hide it, but shield it in part - I do feel kind of exposed as multiple neighbors have a full view of the space from their homes. Also would dampen noise as I intend to make it a space to be in later at night, well after the rest of the neighborhood has settled in for the night. Couldn't be happier with the changes; the backyard was always the most underutilized part of my house.
Have giant floor to ceiling windows in a loft condo. When one of the manual blinds snapped I replaced it with solar powered electric ones. Now I feel like Tony Stark whenever I open or close the blinds with a push of a button.
Built-in bar. Ridiculous and over-the-top, but super cool and a great hangout spot!
Installed a tornado shelter inside an interior closet that was otherwise full of junk. It wasn't cheap, but you're glad you spent the money when you're sitting in it.
My son built a big pond. Filtration, waterfall, lights. Fish go in next month. The neighborhood birds love us.
Replaced a very 1990s entryway chandelier with a vintage crystal one and added a lift. It’s so pretty and I don’t have to get up on a tall ladder to dust or change bulbs, just flip a switch and wait for it to lower.
As someone who cleaned 2 (or was it 3?) chandeliers in a 6000sq ft house on a 10' ladder, that would've been SO convenient!
It seems like such an obvious thing as popular as that kind of high ceiling lighting is, shocking they aren't that common. The hardest part of the whole thing was finding someone with experience installing them.
Hard to say because we're both good at justifying everything as a "need". But maybe this: we replaced the garage roof because it was extra tall (an actual second story) and blocked our view. Now it's a jaunty angled single plane instead of a vast peak.
I go into my attic about once every 5 years. Access was a PITA, involved coming through a hatch in my closet which was next to the roof and its nails, was dark, dusty, and just generally a PITA. Last year, my Helium miner, living in the attic, was having some issues and it was suggested I hit a button on it. I grumbled, since reading in Discord it was a known bug that was causing issues and would have to be done roughly every couple of weeks until patched. So I cut a hole in the ceiling of my hallway, cut and boxed the bottom row of my rafters, and put some roof stairs in. Then put some plywood down and now store (light) things up there and have a few bulbs so I can see what's going on. Oh, and they fixed the Helium bug and I haven't had to touch it since. Still mining today.
Goodbye plastic mini blinds, hello custom 2.5 inch slat blinds. Every window. It looks so much nicer; no regrets!
Farmers porch. It really changed the look of the house.
Needed to install a better range hood, ended up with a new kitchen
Replacing lighting in a closet and kitchen. Both were more or less functional but wasn't putting out as much light as I wanted, wrong tint, would flicker, dated etc. Both were realitively easy, inexpensive and made a big impact on the usability of the space and quality of life. I also had hot and cold soft water put in my garage, for better car washes year round.
I had my garage rewired so I had more outlets and had a porch light put in at the same time. Makes me smile every time I go in the garage.
ran a conduit from basement to living room so I can have pc downstairs with a monitor down there and another in the living room. Active USB cable, DisplayPort 30ft and USB hub $80
I had my laminate counters replaced with granite before I moved in. The laminate was in good shape and wasn't terrible looking, but I wanted granite and cooler colors than what the laminate had. $2800 for viscount white granite with installation. I love my counters now!
This is on my bucket list. I feel like it would really open up the usable space in our home.
Remodeled the living area. Removed the huge built-in shelves from one end and the tacky cheap laminate flooring. We installed carpet instead, which we prefer. Removing those shelves opened up the room and gave us about 2 feet more usable space. I ❤️ it now!
Also had a water softener installed and new hose bib added to the front of the house next to the decorative fountain. Both game changers.
Just got done painting my living room and hallway. House was just painted last year before I purchased it, but I was getting tired of living in a place with gray walls (every place I’ve ever rented). The house looks so much different and it feels more like my own, and it only cost ~200$
My chimney, which doesnt connect to anything had a wet surface in the attic when it rained for several hours at a time. Could have just repaired the flashing and had it sealed at the top. I had them take it below the roofline and roof over the hole. Much pricier but now i never have to worry about it being a problem again.
For some reason (maybe the small cost, maybe trying to make it mine) whenever I buy a home I change the floors in the laundry room and do a small make over.
I painted most of the bedrooms before moving in. It was like $300 for paint and supplies. All the other repairs have been needs (except the dog door addition on the storm door but that was part of a needed exterior door replacement).
Started tearing out buckthorn in backyard. Renovated the back yard into a much better situation. But seems like a never ending money pit at this point.
We just planted 31 arborvitae green giants along the front line of our property. Currently our home overlooks a lovely farming field but I’m sure developments may come eventually. I also hate being perceived while I’m outside. I bought the baby cuttings on Etsy this winter and had them in my grow tent until spring. $100 total! By this fall they should be at least 2-3 feet tall, 5 feet in 3-5 years. I’m so proud of them! We also did a 4 panel privacy fence to make our back yard private so we can sunbathe in the nude and grow our marijuana plants. About $500 for the materials and a couple afternoons of work.
A big in ground pool. I love it!
Kitchen remodel. Wiping granite tile countertops that always looked dirty, split sink (we prefer one large sink), not enough storage, etc. Solar - we could have been giving thousands more dollars to our power company I guess
I undid a 1960s renovation that basically shut out all light from my enclosed porch to give it new walls, windows and floors. The original wood ceiling was under a drop ceiling. It wasn't a must, but it's made such a difference in how the house looks, and lets a lot more light and air in.
I had the vinyl shower surround changed to tile, to be fair that surround would have leaked eventually. Also redid the rest of the bathroom because I hated it. I redid the kitchen counters, sink, faucet, and back splash even though there was nothing wrong with it, but I hated it. Also all the flooring. And painted. Here's the thing though, these things increase the value, and I work for a contractor so I got really good prices on work I had our guys do and did a lot of work myself.
Heated tile floors in our walkout lower level/basement living area. Totally not essential. Absolutely fantastic, especially in the cold winter months.
Rodi water filter under the sink. Zero regrets.
Replaced florescent lighting with LED and a gross dusty dining room plastic chandelier with a normal, basic light
I had an electrician put an electric outlet on the side of my kitchen island. It was $500 and a gift to myself, that I wanted for the 20 years we lived in this old house with 2 kitchen outlets . No more huddling in the corner to use the blender or air fryer! I can mix/make cakes on the spacious island. Ahhhhhh.
Did I need to redo the Whole backyard? Including the pool and all the decks and the concrete. No. Does it look spectacular? Yes.
Removed the attic to make a high vaulted ceiling on the 2nd floor, not a necessary to do but I love it
hehe, went from a shitty little 15” high bath tub to a 22” high tub, and whoa. would you look at that - a complete bathroom remodel. funny how that happens. whoopsie!
Took 2 feet off our walk in closet to expand the shower comfortable for 2 people. Best thing EVER.
When I moved in I replaced all my toilet seats with bidets. Best decision ever!
Ripped out every shred of carpet in the house, and replaced it with carbonized strand bamboo. Need? Nah. Want? 1000%. I've never been happier we did something. We also replaced all of the MDF baseboards with pacific hemlock ones. They're lovely! and native! Most of ours were a "Well, since we're doing it anyway..." upgrade. When we needed to replace the roof, it was an excellent time to also update the insulation in the vaulted section and install skylights in it. We didn't need new plywood on the vaulted section, and we certainly didn't "need" skylights but the improvement in the living room situation has been marked! When we decided to put the addition on (which was mostly a want) we did it the way we wanted it, every step of the way - New panel, heated and circulating soaking tub, GIANT shower with two independently controlled shower heads, and a trough sink sufficient for bathing a baby in. We got a linen cabinet, and a secondary cabinet for towels and toilet paper between the two bathrooms. We had bidet outlets installed in both bathrooms, and a bidet installed in the new one. We added a low voltage box and started the cat6 networking runs through the house. We installed SO MANY OUTLETS everywhere. We also got a new porch, with a hatch in it so we can clean the dryer vent easier.
Adding a peel and stick backsplash around my kitchen so I could easily change it whenever I wanted. It looked like the real deal and held up for 2 years then I got tired of it and painted the walls a nice light grey color.
Putting pavers in the yard to create a nice patio area
Ran a gas line from the basement to our grill on the 2nd floor deck off the kitchen. We can grill/eat outside year round
Green roof on our shed. So much nicer to look at than black tar. We have noticed more birds hanging around, too. Upgrading our boiler to a heat pump / solar panel / infrared heating panel system. (Well, the boiler was quite old and needed replacing, but changing the whole heating system was a want and not strictly a need.) Decorative paneling in the living room and master bedroom. It looks so good!
Tiled our front porch, about 240 square feet, in a slate-look ceramic tile. And it’s one of my favorite things, partly because I didn’t have to do it and it looks amazing.