Remodeling discussions and local services.
dobby_wanderer
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: How to spot if your home is actually quake-ready
Yeah, if the foundation’s compromised, all the fancy upgrades in the world won’t matter much. I had a similar surprise with some old joists - looked fine until I poked around and my screwdriver went right through. Ended ...
RE: Finding reliable help for home renos - what do you look for?
Finding Reliable Help For Home Renos - What Do You Look For? Totally agree that old houses are full of surprises - sometimes the “treasure” is a mouse skeleton in the wall, sometimes it’s a 60-year-old fuse box that loo...
RE: How Long Does It Really Take To Insulate A House?
I totally get what you mean about the tape and labels - I've had them peel off in the middle of a project, which is just annoying. The phone pics idea is smart, especially if you're crawling around and can't keep track o...
RE: Kitchen Redesign Adventure: Worth the Hype or Not?
Tried the lazy Susan route in our last kitchen - looked cool, but honestly, stuff kept falling over or getting stuck in the back. Ended up switching to deep drawers for pots and pans. Way easier to keep track of things, ...
RE: Home plumbing checkups: DIY checklist or pro inspection?
HOME PLUMBING CHECKUPS: DIY CHECKLIST OR PRO INSPECTION? You nailed it with the “my wallet is always nervous” bit - same here. I’m all for catching the little stuff early, especially if it means avoiding a big repair bi...
RE: Kitchen Redesign Adventure: Worth the Hype or Not?
Totally get what you mean about open shelves - mine looked cute for about a week, then turned into a clutter magnet. If you’re on a budget, I found that just swapping out a couple of upper cabinets for shelves (instead o...
RE: how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?
Totally agree there - stainless is worth every penny near the ocean. I’d also factor in higher paint costs for marine-grade stuff. Regular exterior paint just flakes off in salty air, which I found out the annoying way. ...
RE: Keeping mold away from your shower - my favorite lazy hack
Honestly, I think you nailed it with the timer switch. I tried one of those fancy humidity-sensing fans once and it just...didn’t get the job done. Ended up back with a basic dial timer, and it’s been smooth sailing sinc...
RE: Smart lights vs smart switches for yard setup?
I've been using outdoor smart LED strips for about a year now, and honestly, they're pretty solid if you set them up right. Here's what worked for me: First off, make sure you get strips specifically labeled as weatherp...
RE: Keeping hardwood shiny without losing my mind
Had the exact same issue with my older floors - thought I was being clever with the DIY olive oil trick, but ended up with that annoying haze too. Eventually, I switched to just diluted vinegar and a microfiber mop. It's...
RE: Keeping hardwood shiny without losing my mind
I get what you're saying about vinegar...I tried it a few times, but my floors ended up smelling like salad dressing, lol. If you're looking for shine without breaking the bank, here's what worked for me: first, sweep or...
RE: my house is getting smarter than me, and it's kinda weird
Haha, seriously, firmware updates have given me more gray hairs than my kids. I've been slowly switching to smart switches room-by-room - definitely easier on the wallet and fewer midnight surprises so far. Fingers cross...
RE: Getting smooth drywall joints without losing your mind
Haha, truer words have never been spoken... sanding patience should be listed as a DIY superpower. One thing I found helpful (after my own bumpy drywall debut) was using a bright handheld lamp or flashlight held at an an...
RE: how often do you actually check your deck for safety?
I totally get the dread of crawling under there more than necessary... but honestly, waiting a whole year between checks feels a bit risky to me. I found a middle ground that works pretty well: every spring, I do a full-...