All Forum Posts by: Alma G.

Thank you for your input Jeff! I am having a professional roofer do it and what you advised me to do coincides with the roofer's advice. It's always good to get other people's advice based on their own experiences aside from the professional you are hiring. It helps me confirm the roofer's thoughts and advice.

 I truly appreciate it. Thanks again everyone for your ideas, opinions and willingness to share your experiences and knowledge with us. I appreciate  anyone and everyone out there who is willing to share their  valuable experiences here.

Thank you for your input Mike! There are 5 other things I’d like to mention here  which I need help on and anyone who want to share their experiences, your input is highly appreciated. 

Just an FYI..this house has a top unit and a basement. I’ll live on the top unit & rent out the basement. 

1. The architectural style of the house makes it challenging to put gutters around the front roofline  due to some overhangs ( 2 on each side of the house that goes straight out in a rectangular shape like an inverted U shape but with sharp straight corners and there’s 1 middle overhang that’s like an inverted V shape that is also attached to the roofline and come straight out of the front so  rain water will come from those as the overhang covers a portion of the front and will kind of serve as an extension of the roofline. With that mind...

2. the water from the roofline then drops to soil right on the ground used for landscape plants. This soil is right next to the  front foundation of the house and basement windows. Should I put concrete around this area prevent water from seeping into the foundation and basement windows or pitching the ground level so water drains out faster towards a drain that goes out to street drain. 

3. Also, I have trees in my backyard. The branches tend to stretch out over the roof. I can trim them back but I also want the shade since temperatures  can go up to the 100s easy especially during summertime. So, I have to contend with leaves & sticks cleanup in the gutters also. It will have a longer run in the gutter than the scuppers . I can have someone periodically clean them up.. would that be more cost-effective than spending it on gutters? In relation to this...

4. I heard about Leaf Filter which is supposed to protect your gutter from falling tree debris. I have about 1700 sq ft roofline. Is it worth spending all that money? ( At this point , I don’t know how much is Leaf Filter) 

5.  Also I  need input on underground drain tubes that would connect your gutter downspouts to underground drains thereby keeping water away from your foundation and interior structures & fixtures. I want to know if it’s  worth doing or I can just make downspouts face the concrete and direct water away from  towards a channel drain system already existing. Any input on this is appreciated. 

Thank you in advance to anyone who would share their experiences and thoughts. 

Bought a house with basement & am house hacking. I plan to live above & rent out basement. I was planning to use Rigid Core LVP light color for main living areas for both levels & carpet in all bedrooms & 6 step stairs going up & 6 step stairs going to basement. 

What’s your experience with Rigid Core LVP with light color? Do you recommend it? It is priced higher than a laminate vinyl plank flooring . 

I am also debating if I should use the same Rigid Core LVP on the stairs match instead of carpeting it for ease of cleanup and not having to vacuum but keeping in mind that it is light wood grain pattern quite taupe in color ) would that show stains & dirt fast? I don’t want to stress about cleanup and   maintainence. 

I read that scuppers are easier to maintain and are a cheaper way to drain flat roofs versus gutters or interior drains.  Would like input from anyone else who knows or have experience with flat roofs, pls.

Is there anyone here who can tell me how to use the rental calculator on househacking ? Let's say you rent out your basement while you live on top. Would you count the money you save in rent or living elsewhere as "income" along with the basement rent?