Remodeling discussions and local services.
kevindiyer
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RE: Swapping out old faucets and toilets - what brands actually last?
I’m with you on Moen - just swapped out the kitchen faucet and it was way less stressful than I expected. Parts were easy to find, and I didn’t have to call my dad for backup (for once). For toilets, I went with American...
RE: IS IT JUST ME OR ARE THERE TOO MANY ECO LABELS NOW?
Yeah, I’ve totally fallen for the “eco” look before. Bought these “biodegradable” trash bags during my kitchen reno - turns out they only break down in some special facility I’d never even heard of. Meanwhile, they sat i...
RE: Dealing with city red tape for building approvals
I get what you’re saying about inspectors being inconsistent, but honestly, I’ve found that sometimes it’s less about who shows up and more about how you talk to them. My first inspection, I tried to argue my case with t...
RE: IS IT JUST ME OR ARE THERE TOO MANY ECO LABELS NOW?
NOT JUST YOU - LABELS ARE EVERYWHERE Totally get where you’re coming from. I bought a “natural” paint thinking it’d be less harsh, but the smell was so weird I had to open every window. Honestly, half the time I can’t t...
RE: Finding reliable help for home renos - what do you look for?
Totally get what you mean about shortcuts - my first reno project was a bathroom, and the guy I hired didn’t even check if the subfloor was solid before tiling. Ended up with cracked grout lines in less than a year. Now ...
RE: Green board in the news - worth the hype for bathrooms?
I hear you on the cement board - it’s definitely the “safe” pick, but man, I just finished hauling a few sheets up to my second floor and my back is still mad at me. I get why people swear by it, but I’m not convinced it...
RE: plumbing check-up dilemma: DIY or hire a pro?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’m not sure ripping out all the pipes is always the way to go - at least not right off the bat. I mean, you said: I get that peace of mind is great, but for some of us ...
RE: Green board in the news - worth the hype for bathrooms?
Tried green board for the first time when I redid my small half-bath last year. I get what you mean about picking your battles - at first, I was all set on cement board everywhere, but the cost and hassle made me rethink...
RE: Dealing with city red tape for building approvals
That’s exactly how it feels. I’m in the middle of my first reno and every time I think I’ve got all the paperwork sorted, something random pops up - last week it was a “tree impact” form for a shed nowhere near any trees...
RE: plumbing check-up dilemma: DIY or hire a pro?
Totally get that. I tried to swap out an old shutoff valve once - thought it’d be a quick fix. Ended up with water spraying everywhere and a frantic call to a plumber. Some jobs just aren’t worth the headache, especially...
RE: Just hit 20 years with the same HVAC - am I just lucky?
I tried the whole “let’s just live with it” approach when I moved into my place last year. The old boiler clanked like someone was dropping wrenches down a metal staircase. Threw down a bunch of rugs, even stacked books ...
RE: EARTHQUAKE-PROOFED MY FIRST BUILDING AND IT ACTUALLY WORKED
EARTHQUAKE-PROOFED MY FIRST BUILDING AND IT ACTUALLY WORKED Man, I totally get what you mean about those old studs. First time I tried to hang cabinets in my 1950s kitchen, I thought I was golden - stud finder beeped, w...
RE: how much did your bathroom remodel run you (roughly)?
Yeah, that buffer saved me too. Thought I was just doing tile and a new toilet, but once I pulled up the old floor, turns out there was water damage under the subfloor. Had to replace more than planned - cost me around $...
RE: Keeping mold away from your shower - my favorite lazy hack
I totally get the paranoia about mildew - my last place had a tile shower that looked fine on the surface, but when I started demoing, there was this nasty black stuff hiding under the grout. Honestly, I probably reseal ...
RE: Sneaky ways to brighten your space without flipping the switch
Tried those window films when I moved into my first place - honestly, didn’t expect much, but they surprised me. They kept the room from feeling like a cave, and I didn’t have to worry about nosy neighbors. Still miss ha...