Figured I'd take a closer look at my windows, thinking there's something more going on than is immediately obvious. Today I took the side trim off the largest window at the front of the house and felt a draft coming through as I cut away the plaster and the laths. This was a very delicate job, trying not to create clouds of dust in our living room, so relatively slow moving. But having felt a draft I knew I was onto something. So I got the shop vac, cleaned out all the accumulated dust and crud, and sprayed foam around all the gaps and edges. There are still more windows to do (I ran out of time, so only did the one) but it already feels like it's quieter in here. Which can only be a good thing. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy so with any luck I'll get to the other windows in the room. It does seem like I'm onto something here.
Got another couple of windows kinda-sorta-fixed up. What I found behind these pieces of trim was remarkable - chunks of concrete missing from the blocks and more drafts. Trying to get my foam gun into place is nigh on impossible so I ended up using a piece of 1/2" PEX with a 90-degree elbow on the end. When I was done I threw the PEX in the trash and cleaned out the elbow with acetone so I can use it again. The noise seems at least a little better. It's hard to know just what to expect, and how much noise is inevitable living next to the road.
Another helping of Fun With Windows. Not a lot of time to work with yesterday but decided to look at a couple of windows in a room that's mostly gutted already. This one was a real eye-opener. At one point I could see daylight around the window trim (just a tiny strip, but a strip nonetheless). For much of the height of the window the only thing between indoors and outdoors was.... a strip of metal flashing, or a strip of sealant. So I stripped the perished sealant away, brushed the metal and concrete with a wire brush, and applied a fresh coat of sealant to it. Then I got busy with the foam gun, forcing as much foam into the space behind the trim as I could manage. I'm going through the foam at quite a rate but it's really making a difference. I haven't put the fiberglass back into the cavities but already the reduction in noise is considerable. Not only that but this morning it was 41 degrees outside and still holding 59 degrees inside. Before I made my changes it would drop into the low 50s overnight. I bought four cans of foam last week, and I've used two full cans already. I'm wishing I'd gone for the 12-can contractor pack now.
Tango, you might want to consider buying stock in the company that makes the foam. At least then you might get some of your money back in dividends.
I wish I'd bought stock in Dewalt back around the time I bought my first tools. I bought tools way overpowered for my immediate need (which at the time was to drill four 1/16" holes in wood, and put small screws into the holes) figuring I'd use them in anger in the future. I had no idea just what "use in anger" would turn out to mean. In fairness many of my tools are still overpowered for my needs but having contractor grade equipment does mean I'm never dealing with my tools letting me down. As with many of the things I've owned over the years, I'd rather have tools needing a better operator, than being the operator needing better tools.
Know the feeling. When I purchased a stand mixer I got a professional grade one to be sure it would stand up to my bread making. (I burned up a cheaper one making bread.)
I've learned that if I buy cheap I end up buying twice, so figure I decide whether to buy something disposable or a high grade tool. If I'm going to use it once and only once then a cheapie from Harbor Freight is probably fine. If I'm going to depend on it then I'd rather have a known brand and a higher end product.
That's why when I replaced my stand mixer I got top of the line. It had to stand up to my bread. I enjoy baking bread.
For something you enjoy doing there's even more reason to get something to make things more enjoyable.
Finally got some nice weather, so I can get out walking in the woods more often. I bought myself a pair of branch cutters because some of the trails I like to hike are a bit overgrown. One of the trails could use something a little more potent, but I don't have hedge trimmers and I'm not sure that people just showing up with power tools is considered appropriate. Maybe the powers that be will keep things well maintained - it's a fairly new trail and it would be a shame if it becomes impassable due to spikey brush so soon.
A lot of trails around here are user-maintained even though they may regulated through a government agency. You could probably find that out pretty quick with a couple of calls.
Volunteers doing maintenance with hand tools is accepted and appreciated. The local park manager basically said I could do more or less what I wanted, as long as it didn't involve power tools. I can get a battery powered hedge trimmer for $149, just contemplating how much of my own cash I want to put into maintaining trails. I do really like this new loop I've found, but might look to sneak it into the budget during a month that's didn't hurt the credit card too much elsewhere.