Remodeling discussions and local services.
astronomy896
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RE: What would you do if your kid wandered into a half-demo’d kitchen?
Title: What would you do if your kid wandered into a half-demo’d kitchen? That’s pretty much the spirit right there - use what you’ve got and don’t sweat the looks. I’ve done the tension rod trick myself, though I’ll ...
RE: When gutters outlast the house: a rainwater mystery
Permeable pavers are definitely worth a look if you’re tired of the resin-bound headaches. I put some in a side path a few years back and, honestly, they’ve held up better than I expected. Drainage is solid - even after ...
RE: Navigating the do’s and don’ts of fixing up your place
Yeah, sanding between coats really does make a difference, especially if you’re picky about brush marks. I use 220 grit, just a quick pass, then wipe down. It’s a bit of a pain but worth it if you want that smooth finish...
RE: Finding reliable help for home renos - what do you look for?
Couldn’t agree more about the “mystery box” feeling. I always ask for mid-reno photos, and if a contractor’s not cool with that, I move on. Transparency is everything - if they’re proud of their work, they’ll show it.
RE: how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?
Yeah, I’ve tried grout pens too - total short-term fix. Ended up regrouting the whole bathroom after a year. For beach houses, I’d say budget extra for flooring and grout work. Sand just eats through everything faster th...
RE: If I wanted a backyard guest house, how deep would my pockets need to be?
Honestly, I’ve seen people tear into a project thinking they need to replace every last thing, and next thing you know, their “simple” guest house costs more than the main house did. Like, unless the wiring’s actually a ...
RE: WHEN DOES A "WEEKEND PLUMBING JOB" EVER ACTUALLY TAKE A WEEKEND?
I hear you - “weekend job” is almost always code for “clear your schedule.” Last time I swapped out a simple faucet, I ended up crawling under the house because the shutoff valve crumbled in my hand. Still, there’s somet...
RE: my house is getting smarter than me, and it's kinda weird
Can’t blame you for skipping the drilling. I ran ethernet through my attic once and swore I’d never do it again unless I had to. Moved my extender up on a bookshelf and suddenly the smart lights stopped dropping out. Som...
RE: Wood wax vs. oil finish for hardwood upkeep
Hardwax oil definitely feels less slippery to me, especially compared to traditional paste wax. I’ve done two rooms with oil and one with wax, and the waxed floor always seemed a bit slicker under socks - almost too much...
RE: Sneaky ways to brighten your space without flipping the switch
Funny, I’ve done the pale gray trick too - especially in rooms with weird old plaster or where the ceiling’s got that wavy look. White just made every flaw pop, and dark colors felt like a cave. The light gray is kind of...
RE: got denied for a permit - what would you do next?
Yeah, I’ve run into that kind of thing more times than I can count. Sometimes it feels like inspectors just want to flex a bit, but honestly, it’s usually about keeping the peace with the neighbors or the HOA. I’ve found...
RE: Keeping hardwood shiny without losing my mind
Yeah, I hear you on that. Oil-based does have that richer look, but honestly, with pets running around, I'd rather skip the hassle. I’ve used Bona Traffic HD - more expensive, but the finish holds up and cleans easy. Lit...