Do It Yourself Help-Home Projects

[Kimbo]

There's a lot of talent here. I was hoping we could help each other with home project questions.

I happen to have a few home projects going on right now and would like to ask some help of someone who knows plumbing.

This is my dilema:

Kitchen - good cold water pressure and poor hot water pressure
Bathtub - has poor hot and cold water pressure
Bathroom - sink has great hot and cold water pressure.

I have replaced the kitchen and bathroom sinks within the past year and I am hesitant to get to involved with my plumbing because it is old galvanized pipe--where is the problem at, just the screens or is it indicitive of an issue with the hot water heater (which is about 15 y/o)?

I've been warned about touching the galvanized pipes..is it true they are hell to work with?

Where is the shut off valve for the tub and how hard is it to replace the whole unit, shower and faucets in the tub. I have the tile slated to be torn down and replaced in Jan so opening the wall is no big deal. I'm just afraid my hot water pressure is not going to make it until then.

Also I have bit of rot in front of the tub--is there a way I can guage how bad the rot is without lifting the tub?

Help.

[violaine]

although i have no answers for any of your questions, kimbo, i love your thread idea :cheer: hopefully, a lot of experiences, and/or problem solving skills visit here, and lessen any burdens on do.it.yourself home repairs.

best,
belle

[Corkey]

Have you drained your water heater? Next check under the house for a shut off valve if not in the water heater area. You should have a water pressure valve some where where your water main is connected to the house. If you don't have one....get one. Good luck!

[weatherboi]

There's a lot of talent here. I was hoping we could help each other with home project questions.

I happen to have a few home projects going on right now and would like to ask some help of someone who knows plumbing.

This is my dilema:

Kitchen - good cold water pressure and poor hot water pressure
Bathtub - has poor hot and cold water pressure
Bathroom - sink has great hot and cold water pressure.

I have replaced the kitchen and bathroom sinks within the past year and I am hesitant to get to involved with my plumbing because it is old galvanized pipe--where is the problem at, just the screens or is it indicitive of an issue with the hot water heater (which is about 15 y/o)?

Sounds like you may have sediments in the valve or shower head for the tub area. The kitchen may be the same thing.

I've been warned about touching the galvanized pipes..is it true they are hell to work with?

Yes they are, I repiped my house before I moved in, it was a bear. They were riddled with sediment and the break down of the metal from the inside of the pipes. I had to replace the pipe from street to house in order to increase water pressure. I was at an advantage since my house is above grade. Still there was no way to save them nor did I want to.

Where is the shut off valve for the tub and how hard is it to replace the whole unit, shower and faucets in the tub. I have the tile slated to be torn down and replaced in Jan so opening the wall is no big deal. I'm just afraid my hot water pressure is not going to make it until then.

I don't have a shut off valve for my tub. If I am doing work I turn it off at the street for safety.

Also I have bit of rot in front of the tub--is there a way I can guage how bad the rot is without lifting the tub?

If your house is above grade you can crawl under and take a look. If not you can try using a water meter. My experice if it reads high the rot will be pretty bad, but I am not there so I am just guessing.

Help.

Good luck!!

[Kimbo]

Good luck!!

Thanks--I do have a shut off valve at the house and there is one on the water heater, I didn't think about shutting it off at the water heater.

In the tub is there a screen to the faucet? I am trying to figure out where that hot water is coming in at, I have two knobs one each so I am assuming they each have their own line of water--I'm not sure where to dig for a screen to clean and suspect it is in the wall. I've never messed with any tub plumbing--replaced lots of sinks and toilets but never messed with the tub.

Do you know if you shut the water off at the vstreet, do you have to be concerned about how open it is when you turn it back on--is there such a thing as to much pressure turning it back on into the house?

I really appreciate the reponses!

[Dylan]

If you have galvanized pipes, the problem with your low pressure water could be the pipes themselves. When they rot, the rot from the inside in. Thus, you won't see any damage until you cut the pipe open...at which point, you'll see all the rot clogging up the pipe. I had this in a house once. And it was the hot water pipes. I started in the bathtub, and ended up replacing all the pipes...allllllllll the way to the street. It was a nightmare.

For the rot in front of the tub: If you're planning on replacing it anyways, you can always try to old "If you can stab a screwdriver through it, it's rotten" test. But that only works if A) you don't have tile, and B) you're already planning on replacing any linoleum (or whatever else you've got on top of the subfloor).


Dylan...hates plumbing

[Jess]

Great thread! Thanks Kimbo for getting it started!

Sorry to hear about your water pressure issues. We have taken on the joys of an older home also ( circa 1850's) which has been updated in interesting manifestations over the years. This includes the labyrinth of pipes and fittings under it. Most of the copper has been replaced, however it wasn't replaced with the size pipes that provide for better pressure so we will be changing those all out this spring. The size of your pipes may have something to do with it, along with what has been mentioned earlier in the metal decay itself.

We just replaced the gauge on the water holding tank and the nipple was totally clogged going into the filter. We are on a well, so I'm not sure if you even have a tank, so that may not be something you can check. Repairing those two things increased our pressure 3X.

Good luck and I hope it turns out to be something manageable for you!

[Novelafemme]

Hey Kimbo :)

JAGG is the honorary DIY home flipper...I think you have his number...give him a call! He loves to talk shop :)

I do remember the galvanized pipes nightmare. My ex recently tore out the 1912 plumbing in his bathroom and it was exactly as Dylan said...rotted from the inside in. Looked like water logged tree roots that had been eatten by termites...YUCK! That can for sure affect your water pressure. :worried:

[christie]

Yay for the DIYers!

Our new countertops are FINALLY in! I cant WAIT to be rid of the existing country blue ones!

As per usual, I am expecting what should be fairly straightforward to be ANYTHING but... By the end of the day, we will have shiney newness and hopefully Jess won't have too much more "tinsel" at hys temples!:wallbreak:

Wish us luck! :dance2:

Christie

[Corkey]

Do you know if you shut the water off at the vstreet, do you have to be concerned about how open it is when you turn it back on--is there such a thing as to much pressure turning it back on into the house?

Kimbo, yes you need to !. Shut it off at the main first, replace, add a water pressure regulator, ask at the store what pressure it should be set to.
2. When you get ready to turn on the water, open all the faucets in the house, this will prevent a bang to the pipes from the sudden pressure return.
Good luck buddy!

[Kimbo]

If you have galvanized pipes, the problem with your low pressure water could be the pipes themselves. When they rot, the rot from the inside in. Thus, you won't see any damage until you cut the pipe open...at which point, you'll see all the rot clogging up the pipe. I had this in a house once. And it was the hot water pipes. I started in the bathtub, and ended up replacing all the pipes...allllllllll the way to the street. It was a nightmare.

For the rot in front of the tub: If you're planning on replacing it anyways, you can always try to old "If you can stab a screwdriver through it, it's rotten" test. But that only works if A) you don't have tile, and B) you're already planning on replacing any linoleum (or whatever else you've got on top of the subfloor).



Dylan...hates plumbing

I hate plumbing too!!

This is actually my fear, Dylan. I've been warned about galvanized plumbing a lot. I've also been warned about the knob and tube electrical in the house. It's a 1942 house that I have very little attachement too.

I am not fixing the house up for my pleasure and am trying to put as little financially into it, I want to put it on the market--this is my last year in Seattle. Chances are someone will buy this house and rip it a part or even rip it down and put a bigger house on the property.

Thanks everyone for your input.

I really need to give in and crawl under the house--not my favorite thing to do. I know I have new copper coming in from the street, I need to get under there and see if I can find some of this stuff, but now I know a few things to look for.

[Kimbo]

Jack- Thank you...I've been tracing my lines and cleaning screens and there is a ton of crap in them. This weekend it looks like I will be spending my time under the house which just thrills the hell out of me!!

[Kimbo]

Shit--I'm not liking what I found. I crawled under the house and I can see the copper coming into the house, it looks like there is a regulator in place where they have tied the copper and the galvanized together. The main galvanized line coming in looks clean and rust free.

What is scaring the hell out of me is what I see coming out of the bathroom wall (under the house). I found one of the pipes with a very small drip coming out of it and is right next to a dime size rust spot--I suspect this is the major culprit and is ready to go--however when looking at the array of joints and lines I see quite a few rusty spots but no other visible drips. I am really having a hard time figuring out where this one line with the drip is going to and quite frankly think it is one of the lines out of the water heater.

This is what is really bothering me--it is sitting right next to my furnace and right by one of the cement slabs that is holding one of my major wall structures--I don't have a full slab, it's all dirt under there with the exception of these obvious reinforced area's to hold up a wall in the house. That slab does not look to stable to me as the dirt is removed from atleast 1/2 of the underside. I am really concerned if the water pipe broke what other damage it has the potential of causing.

Jack this is my question--what are the chances it would explode? Or is it just going to drip and the leak will get bigger? The leak is sitting in a bad spot-right where the pipe is coming thru the floor-. I need time to get some quotes -- I am thinking it is time to open the damn wall and do all the plumbing--at the same time I am going to have them put in a tankless gas water heater. Do you think this is an emergency or will be soon?

The good news is that the furnace has a new air filter and I got to go to home depot today!!

I'm sitting here debating on whether to open that wall up today---this is a '42 house--when you open these walls they flat ass stink.

[Kimbo]

I might add that the rot does not seem to be too bad from what I can tell--I did quite a bit of jabbing with the screw driver and didn't find and really bad spots other than the spot I already know about so I think fixing the floor is going to be easy. I am going to tile the floor so I already know I am going to put in the cement floorboard.

[Kimbo]

(((sorry Kimbo I accidently hit the edit button on your post)))

Good news.
If you can see ANY rot from beneath the floor in the crawl area, make sure to cut a board that will fit between the floor joists and use a few 1x2 to scab it up. Otherwise a termite inspector will call it and charge you to do the same thing.

I'll check this out when I get to working in the bathroom--still projected for Jan of 2010.

Jack I cannot thank you enough--

The game plan is that tomorrow at 0600 I will begin taking down the wall on the opposite side of the bathroom plumbing, at 0830 my friend will be here to train me in the art of plumbing. She thinks we will have it done by noon but what is not done she is going to leave me to do and will check back in on me after she gets done with her racing. We are going to drop the gas lines in for a gas tankless water heater and for a dryer while we are at it. I'm working on the water heater to buy--I think the Bosch Aquastar that is 6.4 GPM, it meets all the criteria for the energy credit. She'll check in with her distributor for a price break and by next weekend, if not sooner we will get that installed and get the wall back up.

We are going to completely replumb all the pipes with the exception of the main pipe in--for now we are going to let that one be and concentrate on everything else. Once I know something like this is going on I have to get if fixed -- I'd be constantly crawling under the house checking on the pipe and I really hate crawling around under there.

I sure hope I can find my knee pads, I know I'm going to be needing them. One thing I am really glad I did is part of the sale agreement on my house was that the prior owner had to clean out the crawl space and install new visqeen (sp?). I've had the house 10 years now but that plastic is still pretty clean and the crawl space seems to be rodent free. The spiders don't bother me but I hate the cobwebs on my face--I take a broom in with me to take care of that.

Wish me luck--I've never plumbed a house before especially after a plumbing crash course.

[WILDCAT]

I LOVE this thread! What a good start Kimbo - although sorry you have to deal with these kinds of repairs and such. They certainly are ongoing for homeowners. I will be back!

Great advice thus far!!

WILD


*Plumber, huh Jack?????? :cc:

[Kimbo]

I LOVE this thread! What a good start Kimbo - although sorry you have to deal with these kinds of repairs and such. They certainly are ongoing for homeowners. I will be back!

Great advice thus far!!

WILD


*Plumber, huh Jack?????? :cc:

Don't you have some wood to chop---:giggle:

I've been so stuck on the plumbing thing I haven't been able to get into the wood chopping thread.

[cara]

This might be slightly off-topic, but i am wondering how people get their outdoor holiday lights so straight and evenly spaced?

[Kimbo]

This might be slightly off-topic, but i am wondering how people get their outdoor holiday lights so straight and evenly spaced?

I've heard they cook a great dinner and invite a butch over and have them do the hanging--! Probably not what ya wanted to hear. Honestly, I've never hung outdoor christmas lights.

[WILDCAT]

Don't you have some wood to chop---:giggle:

I've been so stuck on the plumbing thing I haven't been able to get into the wood chopping thread.

__

Either has anyone else once the "gnomes" invaded!

:canadian:

I will say this, (little bit I KNOW?, kinda...) when I bought this place, it was all customized threaded on the property galvanized piping. My father [back then] came right in (from HIS house building time period, upgrading a large landmark town building, -and just working with things knowledge, I guess) and said "easy replacing that piece". He measured, had it threaded at the local little town hardware store. That lasted years.

And I actually viewed ALL of this "exposed" metal plumbling as something akin to "Lloyd Wright" home artwork! LOL!!

But, I recently got copper replacement. At some point prior to this, (to add on) I adapted some plastic plumbing which is super easy and inexpensive to do of course, but I didn't like it! AT all.

Like some have said though, if you are in it for the LONG haul and have concerns... the galvanized does clog up from the inside. I would have thought that with a smaller diameter the water pressure would have been "greater"...(?) Want to explain that to me Jack?

But, it was well water sediment in mine from over the years, not "rotten from the inside out", that I could tell anyway. Maybe I was misinformed though. (One very unique description of this here, I'll tell ya!! Thanks. LOL!! Blech!!!)

I'm worried about the friggin' carpenter ants here. Whatcha got for that Jack? I've done many things over the years here. Little bastards.

Hi all! Happy SNL!!

WILD

*OH! Hot water tanks should be flushed out regularly, I "think". I did anyway. Now, I have the "hot water on demand", tankless "thingie"... (popular in Paris!). I believe that cut my gas bill down as well! But, like Jack stated, if it is that old, I wouldn't flush that out now unless you want to kayak out of your house!

[Kimbo]

Good deal I'm glad you have some help on the way.:superman:

You mentioned a gas dryer and a tankless water heater, these wont be sharing a gas line.... right?

The manufacture should be calling for a separate gas line coming off the gas meter for the tankless. NO sharing. Id double check on that little ditty.
Then you will be on your way to punching out the required power venting.

Im not going to tell you your old pipes make me nervous because the newer units have built in filters to eliminate the problem of debris jamming up the unit.


LOL, I should be in the wood thread too. I bought a flat screen TV and I have been a damn zombie with my mouth hanging open for a week.
:scarytv:

I am glad I've got some help as well--I was a bit intimidated by the wall with all the pipes and elbows. My friend is also a contractor--ironically she is afraid of gas so she will help me with the wall and pipe but I have to call to have the other line fully brought in and hooked up. I knew that the heater would need it's own line, can the furnace and dryer be on the same line--I have a T already off of that line?

[cara]

Kimbo--I don't have to hang lights this year, it's just something I've always been curious about. My dad refused to put lights up outside, so if we wanted them, we had to do the task ourselves. I could never get them straight, though. :duct:

Jack--Pretty funny question, huh? Ah well. Glad I could keep you entertained. :)

~cara

[WILDCAT]

WILDCAT

Let me get back to you on those questions, Bronco Billy is on, he's trying to rob a train.

wooohooo

Oh my god! This reminded me of the "Married With Children" episode "Psycho Dad"!!! I just saw that AGAIN tonight?!

(Sorry, don't know what your show is, but I'm gigglin' here!!)

PSYCHO DAD!!!!! (There is a "Psycho Mom" version on the show for Peg, too!)

YouTube- Psycho dad and psycho mom

:clap::clap::clap::clap:



*I love Al Bundy's way of fixing things! I know a guy like that!! Seriously!!

[christie]

Kimbo--I don't have to hang lights this year, it's just something I've always been curious about. My dad refused to put lights up outside, so if we wanted them, we had to do the task ourselves. I could never get them straight, though. :duct:

Jack--Pretty funny question, huh? Ah well. Glad I could keep you entertained. :)

~cara

Cara... Being that this is one of my pet peeves.... the "zen" Christmas lights and their unacceptability... I found a couple of tricks over the years...

The lil clip thingys that are sold at whatever your favorite retailer might be... a LIFESAVER. These are for hanging lights on the house...

The lights for trees/shrubs now are sold in "nets" rather than the strings and strings of lights twirled around the shrub.

Other than that, its a matter of patience and "being on a mission"...

On another note... pet peeve #987... special order countertops that were cut WRONG!!!! :furious::furious: Thank goodness that Jess had measured meticulously (how did we ever live without the laser measure thingy from Sears?!?!?) and it wasn't the measurement that was the issue... the manufacturer just cut one of them wrong...

We know Jack's latest obsession with the flat screen... we picked one up on Black Friday with the BluRay DVD... AND have discovered the netflix streaming feature... needless to say, it makes not being able to finish the countertops more bearable.

The last thing on this round of kitchen renovation is installing the faux tin kitchen tiles. They look pretty easy... adhesive up...

Next on the list is moving the w/d and installing beadboard over the existing STUCCO walls in our now dining room....

For now, I am glad that we are on hiatus till after the holidays... more time for TV!!!

[Kimbo]

Well the sheetrock is down and my mess is cleaned up--now that I have a look inside the wall it makes sense. It does look like the culprit pipe is the hotwater pipe out of the water heater. Of course I am not going to be able to get that one fixed today because we will need to drain the tank and move it--I am hoping we can get the new heater early this week.

I've got an 1.5 hours before my friend is here--guess I'll go to Starbucks!

[Kimbo]

Sadly my project is delayed a week. Due to the location of the pipe and the fact that we need to drain and move the water heater and the fact that she thought rehooking up this water heater would be a bad decision. I've got to get the new tank in house so we can do the whole project at once. We have some challenges, we are going to try and move part of the plumbing so it would better accomodate a stackable laundry set saving even more room in the already small room...I am hoping it gets a bit warmer throughout this week--it's pretty cold here, not good for in, out project work.

Stayed tuned--

[cara]

So...I need to hang some curtains. I remember how hard it was last time trying to screw into the wall, so I bought a small, Black & Decker, cordless drill and a small set of drill bits. (My first power tool! I'm so proud!) I've charged the drill the obligatory 17 hours per instruction. I'm scared to drill holes in my wall, though! What if they come out uneven? I know I'm gonna end up spackling the wall when I leave, but I'm still wary of this task. I have to drill 3 holes with a 3/16" bit. Then, I have to put in 3 plastic anchors (my dad called them "Molly Bolts" when I was growing up). The screws will be easy and hanging the curtains will be a breeze.

I just have one question, so far: when measuring where to place the holes, can I base it on the ceiling line, or do I go with the window frame? (And does that make any sense?)

Handily challenged and may need to resort to :duct: if I can't get the curtains to hang level,

cara

[cara]

drill & bits. check!
level? damn!

Thanks for the help, Jack. My curtains are too narrow so I have to go back and buy the wider set. No curtains for me tonight. :( I should probably get a level and a new tape measure while I'm at it.

~cara

[Jess]

OK.. so here's a new one...

How do you go about jacking up a house? Ours is "drooping" in the back area.. specifically the kitchen.

There is a good clearance under it to place jacks/ supports. I have been told to use "pop bottle" jacks ( :eyebrow: sure, I know what those are) and that the process has to be very slow, so as not to upset the foundation.

Is this something I should undertake myself or hire a professional " jacker?" WTF is a house jacker upper called anyway?? LOL. Anyone ( hint Jack) know of a good website with video showing the process?

There is very mild "sloping" in other areas, but the kitchen is the most dramatic. The wife says she hadn't noticed it so much until we placed a new round table in there, which makes it glaringly obvious. So,.. yet another wee little project in the ongoing saga of Extreme Home Makeover: Butch Edition.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Jess

[weatherboi]

http://www.ellisok.com/ellisok/rescon.html

This may be a little more intrusive than you need but we have used a system similar to this to help level an old bed and breakfast here.

I have watched this process a few times and wouldn't think of doing it myself. My liable general contractor side says hire a professional!!!

Hope the links help!!


http://homerenovations.about.com/od/houseexteriorframework/a/homejack.htm

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/framecarp/supplement/floor/joist1/raising.htm

[Jess]

http://www.ellisok.com/ellisok/rescon.html

This may be a little more intrusive than you need but we have used a system similar to this to help level an old bed and breakfast here.

I have watched this process a few times and wouldn't think of doing it myself. My liable general contractor side says hire a professional!!!

Hope the links help!!


http://homerenovations.about.com/od/houseexteriorframework/a/homejack.htm

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/framecarp/supplement/floor/joist1/raising.htm


Thanks a bunch! Everything I have read thus far seems to lean toward hiring the job out. They also seem to state that most contractors don't want to do it. ACK!

Will keep plugging away at as many projects I can handle and leave the intrinsic to structure work to the pro's! Thanks again!

[Bit]

Jess, look in the yellowpages under "basement repair." You should find all kinds of contractors.

We had to have two steel I-beams and four jack posts installed in the basement of That House before we were allowed to move in; it ran us $1800 last April. $1200 of that was for the I-beams (and their installation).

Hey, Cara, I'm all excited; we found LED light strings on sale after the holidays and now have four. I've already got one of those outlets that screws into your porch light fixture, so we'll even be able to plug them in next winter. I'll probably wind them around our porch railings rather than hanging them from the roofline, though.

I bought two outlets, for front and back; our back porch light doesn't work properly because the pull string won't stay in the "on" position, so I'm hoping we can "fix" it by bypassing it; the outlet has a pull chain of its own.

[Jess]

OK.. sooo.. jacking up the house is on hold a while but is definitely still on " THE LIST".

Because working outside makes me feel better, I am starting to plan the re-do of our yard/ lot. I have some very clear ideas of features I want but am having a hard time visualizing exactly how it all needs to come together.

Anyone know of any free landscaping design programs that could help with laying out the yard?

Thanks!

[wolfwalker]

OK.. so here's a new one...

How do you go about jacking up a house? Ours is "drooping" in the back area.. specifically the kitchen.

There is a good clearance under it to place jacks/ supports. I have been told to use "pop bottle" jacks ( :eyebrow: sure, I know what those are) and that the process has to be very slow, so as not to upset the foundation.

Is this something I should undertake myself or hire a professional " jacker?" WTF is a house jacker upper called anyway?? LOL. Anyone ( hint Jack) know of a good website with video showing the process?

There is very mild "sloping" in other areas, but the kitchen is the most dramatic. The wife says she hadn't noticed it so much until we placed a new round table in there, which makes it glaringly obvious. So,.. yet another wee little project in the ongoing saga of Extreme Home Makeover: Butch Edition.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Jess

Jess, you can do it yourself. I raised an old farmhouse and made all the repairs myself.

it takes time. it took time to get that way and it will take time to get it back level. if you rush it. you will be looking at your house on the ground.

I will explain this whole thing to you and show you how when i come down that way for a visit. which will be soon. but you need to also check the source of the sag. is it just old age? or is it termites?

if its termites, house needs to be treated first. if it old age, cool. As long as you have good clearance. it not a hard job. its the time it takes to right it that makes it look harder then it is. The house has to be raised slowly over the course of a week or two. a bit at a time. when i did the farm. i did it in 1/8th to 1/4th inch every 2 days. this gave everything time to slowly move back into position. it means making adjustments every 2 days to several bottle jacks and supports. not really a biggie. but time consuming. How big an area it is will guide how many jacks and supports you need.

the biggest thing is make a list of supplies, check it twice before you do anything. the last thing you need is to be missing something in the process of raising.

wolfwalker

[Jess]

Awesome... that will be yet another "one less thing".. ( Our new mantra!)

We're really looking forward to seeing you and I am always open to advice/ suggestions.. lord knows anything that helps me in knocking out the list is a godsend!

[cara]

i bought a torpedo level and tape measure this weekend. :D

[Gemme]

i bought a torpedo level and tape measure this weekend. :D

Someone's hanging curtains! :freak:

[cara]

Someone's hanging curtains! :freak:

They are UP! :D and none too soon 'cuz I have a date this Saturday! :)

At this point, I'm so proud of myself for getting them hung (and LEVEL even!) that I don't care that the curtains are too small for the window. Or that my bed totally doesn't match my current theme. And neither do my current bed linens.

YAY! :groucho:

:stillheart:

[Gemme]

They are UP! :D and none too soon 'cuz I have a date this Saturday! :)

At this point, I'm so proud of myself for getting them hung (and LEVEL even!) that I don't care that the curtains are too small for the window. Or that my bed totally doesn't match my current theme. And neither do my current bed linens.

YAY! :groucho:

:stillheart:

Yaaaaay for handiness and not being too matchy matchy! :happyjump:

BTW, hubba hubba on the youknowwhat. :tongue:

[Kimbo]

Who would of known my project would have all these twists. My house is plumbed along with a new hot water heater. Only a few twists...I popped out a few tiles in the bathroom wall turning the shower valve and I might of put the blade of the reciprocating saw thru my bathroom sheetrock once or twice. My friend ended up getting pretty sick so I did most of the project myself. I've got one issue with the hot water in the kitchen that she is going to come and help me with this week. Hopefully we will have the sheetrock up and mudded by the weekend--I've left it down until she inspects all my work and makes sure I did it correct.

As soon as the plumbing has the okay then I'm putting in a new tub, with new tile on the walls and floors. I'll be building in a cabinet and taking out the medicine cabinet, putting in new sink, buying a huge mirror for the wall and a new light track and I'll be replacing the fan and moving some electrical. I'm hoping to have it all done by the third week of Feb and then maybe I can get back to my bedroom.

I appreciate all your help Jack. I don't know how one could do this in 4-6 hours alone..maybe it could happen but I certainly couldn't do it.

[Kimbo]

Oh I forgot this lil tidbit...this plumber at Lowes, big, burley, bearded, dude, biker type...this dude helped me immensely. Anyways, my burly dude Lowes best friends name is Joy. He brought me a lot of joy.

I bet he got a lot of shit when he was in school.

:giggle:

[Kimbo]

I spent my friday evening disassembling and demolishing the bathroom. Then I cleaned it all up, washed the tub and took my last bath in it. It was a good tub :bath: Tomorrow it goes, new one comes in and the walls come up . Next weekend is tile!

Fortunately, no surprises so far but I now get to see what shape the subfloor is in. :praying:

[Kimbo]

Wall tile project this weekend. Fortunately, my sister and brother in law have a business that includes doing tile. It will be a fun project to do with my sister.


:weightlifter:

[Kimbo]

The tile project was a huge success---I did have to egde up and straighten a few that my sister put down a little crooked--GEZ. Good thing she finds humor in my anal alignment obsession.

This weekend--Tiling the bathroom floor, a little patch to the wall where I just might of punched thru with the reciprocating saw--OOOPS, and painting the bathroom and the other wall we had to open. I have to reopen the wall to move the shower valve back but that should be pretty easy! Repatch and viola the plumbing and bathroom will be done and checked off the list!!

[Admin]

We are going to do some painting in a few weeks :)

Jack just doesnt know it yet.

[Kimbo]

Thanks Jack. I also discovered the power of a self leveling cross laser....I would never have thought of that. It feels good to be almost be over the hump, I'm getting tired of spending weekends with the water off for one reason or another.

So do you know what you're painting yet?

[Jess]

Upcoming projects:

Install fence...
Plant privacy trees around said fence...
Build deck...
Build pool/ kitchen area outside...
Create raised bed garden and sew grass over old row garden...
Continue cleaning organizing shed for working on all of above projects and refinishing some furniture...
Figure out how the hell to lift our waterstove and repair floor that has sunk under it..

It's gonna be a hella busy spring/ summer...

Oh! and collect wood all during the warm months so I don't go through these periods of it not being available during winter.. grrrr..

Good luck to all the DIYers!

[Blade]

LOL sounds like you are going to be way to busy and not have near enough play time. Just wanted to tell you, cut your wood during the spring and late winter. It has plenty of time to dry before winter and you don't have to worry about poison ivy or snakes which I know Christie loves LOL

Upcoming projects:

Install fence...
Plant privacy trees around said fence...
Build deck...
Build pool/ kitchen area outside...
Create raised bed garden and sew grass over old row garden...
Continue cleaning organizing shed for working on all of above projects and refinishing some furniture...
Figure out how the hell to lift our waterstove and repair floor that has sunk under it..

It's gonna be a hella busy spring/ summer...

Oh! and collect wood all during the warm months so I don't go through these periods of it not being available during winter.. grrrr..

Good luck to all the DIYers!

[Jess]

LOL sounds like you are going to be way to busy and not have near enough play time. Just wanted to tell you, cut your wood during the spring and late winter. It has plenty of time to dry before winter and you don't have to worry about poison ivy or snakes which I know Christie loves LOL


LMAO.. We didn't see one snake here this year.. thank the powers that be! Her love of all things "creepy" is infamous!

I'll def be gathering wood up way ahead this year!

[christie]

LOL sounds like you are going to be way to busy and not have near enough play time. Just wanted to tell you, cut your wood during the spring and late winter. It has plenty of time to dry before winter and you don't have to worry about poison ivy or snakes which I know Christie loves LOL

LMAO.. We didn't see one snake here this year.. thank the powers that be! Her love of all things "creepy" is infamous!

I'll def be gathering wood up way ahead this year!


Ya'll stop talkin about me like I can't read LMAO!!

[Blade]

LOL Covers your eyes for you LOL Oh hope you are feeling much better these days

Ya'll stop talkin about me like I can't read LMAO!!

[Andrew, Jr.]

I am going to be working on building a raised garden this year. I have the wood and the corners (steel wedges). I just want to place it in the right spot for the sunlight. My biggest concern is my lil critters outback, esp. the owls. I have 2 owl families with small babies. I am not sure of how big the lil ones will be this spring. I know they are not eating rabbit, squirrels, or mice yet. They are just that small. But they grow.

I want to plant veggies this year. Maybe a brussel sprout bush, if room permits.

:deepthoughts:

[Kimbo]

I am going to be working on building a raised garden this year. I have the wood and the corners (steel wedges). I just want to place it in the right spot for the sunlight. My biggest concern is my lil critters outback, esp. the owls. I have 2 owl families with small babies. I am not sure of how big the lil ones will be this spring. I know they are not eating rabbit, squirrels, or mice yet. They are just that small. But they grow.

I want to plant veggies this year. Maybe a brussel sprout bush, if room permits.

:deepthoughts:

I am going to do the same, I marked off my garden last year. I don't think I'll be planting brussel sprouts though. I want to dig up and replant my whole yard. The thatch is so thick in it aerating doesn't help much anymore.

[Jet]

For the carpenters on hand, a makeover of a mountain shack:

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/Mountainshack2_zpsb0c7ab4a.png

For more information and slide show, please visit:
http://www.bobvila.com/articles/mountain-shack-makeover/

You can do anything with smarts and hands!

[Rockinonahigh]

My kitchen is my make over for this year,it's plenty big just not well planed out.At the moment it's sickly blue grey color ,yes all of it,not sure what color I want so I am going to pick up some samples to hopefully find one I like.Who ever painted it used this heavy,thick cheep paint so I may well tear everything off the walls and start over.The floor has the peel and stick flooring so you can gess that it's popping loose in places.My son bought 400 blocks of Italian marble that,where it's nice I doubt it is right for the kitchen floor being it's sort of rose color with a white pattern in it..nope, gonna work.

[fatallyblonde]

my fave kinda DIY stuff is spray painting things pink then sticking rhinestones all over them!

[Sweet Bliss]

My kitchen is my make over for this year,it's plenty big just not well planed out.At the moment it's sickly blue grey color ,yes all of it,not sure what color I want so I am going to pick up some samples to hopefully find one I like.Who ever painted it used this heavy,thick cheep paint so I may well tear everything off the walls and start over.The floor has the peel and stick flooring so you can gess that it's popping loose in places.My son bought 400 blocks of Italian marble that,where it's nice I doubt it is right for the kitchen floor being it's sort of rose color with a white pattern in it..nope, gonna work.

maybe going Italian style would work with that marble. crisp bright white on bottom cabinets rich warm counter top then more earthy colour on walls?

you could have a lot of fun with tile on the walls to cover up nasty paint. Besides if its got lead in it you don't want to create lead paint dust.

I enjoy using the paint with primer already in it, covers ugly colour much better.

Some of that marble would make a great pastry making area. Yummy.

The local Restore has lots of fancy tile and accent tile. Would look wonderful in ethnic decor.

ah well. I love projects.

I would like to see before and after photos.

Thanks for sharing Rockin!

[Sweet Bliss]

The laundry / bathroom I have been working on is almost finished. Just need plumber to install new sink/vanity and replace floor covering.

I need to take some almost done photos.

Its been fun seeing the transformation.

Replaced half of carpet in Den with friends help. So nice to get old nasty carpet out of here. Need more muscle help to get furniture in better places.

[Rockinonahigh]

maybe going Italian style would work with that marble. crisp bright white on bottom cabinets rich warm counter top then more earthy colour on walls?

you could have a lot of fun with tile on the walls to cover up nasty paint. Besides if its got lead in it you don't want to create lead paint dust.

I enjoy using the paint with primer already in it, covers ugly colour much better.

Some of that marble would make a great pastry making area. Yummy.

The local Restore has lots of fancy tile and accent tile. Would look wonderful in ethnic decor.

ah well. I love projects.

I would like to see before and after photos.

Thanks for sharing Rockin!


Not a bad idea,I will see what I can add to it,I also was thinking of useing some tile behind the sink for back splatter protection.I also have a small counter space with 4 doors that's is an eye sore.It's going to be ripped out and a large work station put in with stainless steel lining under it plus a trash drop in one corner.I have a garbage eating insinkorator for what needs going into it.

[Sweet Bliss]

Not a bad idea,I will see what I can add to it,I also was thinking of useing some tile behind the sink for back splatter protection.I also have a small counter space with 4 doors that's is an eye sore.It's going to be ripped out and a large work station put in with stainless steel lining under it plus a trash drop in one corner.I have a garbage eating insinkorator for what needs going into it.

Good idea! If you use paper towels, I saw a kitchen that removed a false drawer front and put a paper towel holder in the space. Brilliant because now they are off the counter and not an eyesore under top cabinets. You could mount one under your newly streamlined cabinet top.

I could talk all day about remodeling and decorating.

Thanks for reading my post Rockin!

[Jet]

Building Wild from National Geographic

Great series for builders. If you havent seen it, it's worth the watch. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/building-wild/

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/ScreenShot2014-01-22at90352PM_zps47f748d4.png

____________________

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/ScreenShot2014-01-22at90602PM_zps4c9f0614.png

___________________

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/ScreenShot2014-01-22at90610PM_zpseb5025e1.png

[Sweet Bliss]

Wow!!! Thanks!!!

Fabulous find Jet.


Building Wild from National Geographic

Great series for builders. If you havent seen it, it's worth the watch. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/building-wild/

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/ScreenShot2014-01-22at90352PM_zps47f748d4.png

____________________

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/ScreenShot2014-01-22at90602PM_zps4c9f0614.png

___________________

http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag127/GlouriousBastard44/ScreenShot2014-01-22at90610PM_zpseb5025e1.png