DIY Home Improvement Thread..

[Forehead]

Forehead,

I'm not as handy as most of the guys in this thread.

You think you aren't handy? Here, I'll go ahead and open myself up for scorn from the rest of the guys in this thread and detail my home improvement past. Keeping in mind that my first step is almost always to call someone.

1. I attempted to fix the toilet tank apparatus in my downstairs bathroom when it was constantly running. I replaced it with two small issues. First, when I wasn't looking, my dog ate the dye tablet that you use for testing. That was a quick trip to the 24 hour vet. Secondly, the seal on the underside of the tank started leaking, despite my best attempts to make it as tight as possible. Call Plumber.

2. I built a patio in our backyard with my brother in law. Now, by built a patio, I mean that we leveled a space in the backyard, laid down sand, and then laid stones on top, with sand in between. It actually looks really nice, the sand packed in well. Of course, he did all the leveling because he was outside working before I woke up, I mostly laid stones. We keep it swept and pick the weeds, but the patio is a little lopsided here and there from shifting sand, and I haven't bothered to fix it.

3. I attempted to grow grass in the back yard. When we bought the place, it was nothing but overgrown clover. I used one of those TV tools to rip it all out, then spread grass seed. It grew in patches, and the dogs killed them instantly with copious amounts of urine. On the plus side, what little grass does grow, I can mow with a weedwacker.

4. When I lived with friends, I got locked out of the house in the middle of winter while they were out of town, with my friend/roommates arthritic dog. I punched through one of the windows and unlocked the door. I covered the broken window with a beer box. When it was time to replace the window, I used a glass cutter and cut an exact pane of glass, ignoring the fact that there would need to be extra glass to fit into the window frame. I got around this by putting a ton of putty around the base and sides. We didn't get our security deposit back, though it was because of more things than just that.

5. I have painted a room, under the direction of my wife. She painted for a summer or two. I was not allowed to do edges or trim.

I think that's enough embarassment for now. On the other hand, I'm really good at putting together desks from IKEA or baby furniture, and I can change lightbulbs.

[MassSkinsFan]

2. I built a patio in our backyard with my brother in law. Now, by built a patio, I mean that we leveled a space in the backyard, laid down sand, and then laid stones on top, with sand in between. It actually looks really nice, the sand packed in well. Of course, he did all the leveling because he was outside working before I woke up, I mostly laid stones. We keep it swept and pick the weeds, but the patio is a little lopsided here and there from shifting sand, and I haven't bothered to fix it.

At least you put sand in between everything and kept it swept and weed-free. I did the same thing (though I did it on my own - talk about aches and pains afterwards!), with crappier results. After our kitchen reno destroyed our backyard we just got pros to re-do it.

I think that's enough embarassment for now. On the other hand, I'm really good at putting together desks from IKEA or baby furniture, and I can change lightbulbs.

You can read directions then, which is a huge deal. I have found that when I have friends who screw up projects, it's generally because they dove in without reading directions. That's fine if you've done something a bunch of times, but not if you've never done it. That's why those books kick ass - they lay it all out in steps.

[Forehead]

Bump...need someone to confirm everything I need for the small bookcase job.

[zoony]

We are upgrading our countertops to Granite- while we're at it decided to purchase all new appliances.

Home Depot had an incredible price on granite if anyone is considering doing it. $39/square foot installed- never seen it anywhere near that cheap. Saving about half of what I had budgeted. It also has a 15 year warranty on the sealer.

Ended up going with Whirlpool Gold appliances. Very excited about getting delivery... the new range will be a slide-in for a custom look and the new dishwasher is only 50 decibals

[Park City Skins]

Bump...need someone to confirm everything I need for the small bookcase job.

Could be just that straight forward. Wouldn't mind seeing a pic just to make sure. Move it around at the top a little to make sure it's still pretty stable. There's a few cheap,fairly easy tricks to make sure it is. I use them with the Closetmaid,more glue than wood closet organizers and some of the cheaper furniture type things from Ikea and such.


That's a great price zoony. Almost makes me go And good choice in the appliances I've got the basic Whirlpool line in my place and they've worked just fine over the last 6 years. Though at only 50 decibels,you'll spend the first two weeks going back to make sure it's on.

[DButz65]

#2, i need to hang a mirror that weighs about 75lbs, and i have metal studs. Ive never hung anything using metal studs before. Wtf do i do?

http://www.drywallhooks.com/servlet/StoreFront

I use them for heavy stuff, have a mirror in our house about 75lbs as well..still up after 3 years...

[hockeysc23]

hey guys,

I have a large rectangular living room about 17ft long and wanted to put in some recessed lights since the room is usually too dark.

How hard would this kind of install be for a DIY-er. I don't mind the drywalling after the fact but would I need an electrician to run wire for me? Is it something I can tie into an existing light switch/outlet on the same wall?

If I did get an electrician to do it for me what should I approximate for costs? I am thinking 4 rows of 2 lights. The halogen small ones that they sell at home depot.

Thanks.

[zoony]

Do you currently have an overhead light? Do you have easy attic access? How old is your home?

[DeanCollins]

If you don't mind me asking ... how much was the unit and how much was install? Did you need several? I heard of some people doing 1 for the kitchen/dish washer, and then one for washing machine / showers etc.

What brand would you recommend? My water heater is very old and if I can lower the utility bill while I am at it ... I am thinking of doing this.

I just installed one, it's a "Noritz" and is rated for a 3 bathroom house (plus laundry, dishwasher ect...). The unit was probably around $1400 installed (if I had gas service already which I did not) plus I paid $700 for the gas lines installed with a drop for the dryer. The thing is bad@$$, automatically adjusts flame to match demand water pressure. I'm saving about $30 a month, but I'm saving another $20 on the gas dryer which dries a huge load of clothes in 15 minutes every time.

[hockeysc23]

Do you currently have an overhead light? Do you have easy attic access? How old is your home?

No I don't currently have overhead lighting. It would be a 2nd floor or mid-level floor thus making it more difficult I assume.

Home was built in 1984.

My initial thoughts were just to dig trenches in the dry wall to run electrical wire and new cable for surround sound etc. but I am hoping there is a better solution if any for the DIYer.

[Park City Skins]

I'd stay way from "trenches" myself. Decided specifically where you want the lighting and then try to do the old "shortest distance between two points" thing. Find the rafters that go there and then cut the drywall on the center of each one. Preferably one bay both ceiling and wall. You can put a light or even two on an existing switch,just depends on how many other things are dedicated to the same circuit. I have the same problem myself in my condo,and have been searching for creative ways to add some lighting without having to cut a bunch of drywall. I despise doing drywall.



I've been debating what to do with the flooring in my condo. At its size,just about everywhere is high traffic. It's a second floor place so there's 1 1/2" of mud underneath the carpet,(which is cheaper kind that is clearly in need of replacing). Hardwood is a problem because I'm not big on floating it,though "liquid nail" could hold things down nicely. It does mean raising the floor a bit and in a place with barely 8 foot ceilings,that could be interesting. Care and feeding of any floor,hardwood or tile or both,could be a bit more than your average one because like I said,everywhere is high traffic. Of course that's what throw rugs a for but man,hiding all that work isn't always fun either. In going through images yesterday,I found a file that had pics of some of the homes I helped build and finish. That's when I found an idea,(or remembered it). This could be a nice compromise and it looks cool. A "matrix" floor. Hardwood and tile. Now of course,making this look good in this small place and with colors and such,could be a bit difficult.

[hockeysc23]

wow that looks beautiful .... job well done.

[Park City Skins]

Thanks. It can be a bit difficult,(layout is the most important),but if done on a smaller scale,it could look good and be cost effective. I'm pondering using either one 16 or 18 inch tile in the middle of a run of lighter hardwood.

[Park City Skins]

Well. Kitchen remodel part 2 nearly done. This was the refinish cabinets phase. Used a combination of, Miniwax furniture refinisher,steel wool,disc sander,good old block of alder with some 60 to 120 grit paper,and plenty of "elbow grease". It's the usual cheap oak that apparently had lacquer re-applied time and again over the years. Took off probably close to a 32nd of the wood in the process on a lot of this and still was leaving the old finish behind. Worked in my favor though. Went with a rustic look so along with about half way between a level 1 and level 2 distress,the stain,(two colors,a couple of coats),went on a bit unevenly. Perfect. Now it's a liberal application of some clear finish and it's done. Next up,laundry room,(and yes. The 1983 flooring is going along with new fixture on sink). Oh and for comparison,the cabinets over the fridge,)more than likely being removed),are what they used to look like).

[Fergasun]

.... showoff!

Good job.