Remodeling discussions and local services.
sailor69
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: When gutters outlast the house: a rainwater mystery
Yeah, been there. Last summer I ended up pulling up about ten feet of pavers because water was pooling near the foundation and I couldn’t figure out why. Turned out, the old French drain under there had basically collaps...
RE: Turning attics and garages into bedrooms: is it worth the hassle?
I actually didn’t bother gutting all the old insulation - just patched the worst spots and added a layer of blown-in on top. Honestly, it worked out fine for me. Full gut seems overkill unless you’ve got major moisture o...
RE: Why is it so hard to find eco-friendly lumber that doesn’t cost a fortune?
I hear you on the sticker shock. “Sustainable” seems to add a zero to the price tag half the time. I’ve been doing renos for years, and honestly, I’ve just had to get creative. Like, I’ll hunt down reclaimed wood from de...
RE: Green board in the news - worth the hype for bathrooms?
Green board’s kind of a mixed bag in my experience. I’ve seen it hold up just fine behind a vanity, but around tubs or showers, even with “moisture-resistant” paint, it’s still pretty risky. Like you said, That’s exactl...
RE: How Long Does It Really Take To Insulate A House?
Yeah, I’ve definitely seen that happen. First time I redid my attic, I got a little obsessed with sealing every gap and crack - thought I was being thorough, but ended up with some gnarly condensation on the windows that...
RE: my battle with moldy closets and frizzy hair
Louvered doors are one of those things that sound great in theory, but I’ve never noticed a huge difference in closet airflow unless you’ve got a real cross-breeze going. As for those little rechargeable dehumidifiers, t...
RE: Finding reliable help for home renos - what do you look for?
This is spot on. I started doing the same after a plumber “forgot” to insulate a couple of pipes behind a bathroom wall. Didn’t notice until winter hit and the pipes froze. If I’d had photos, would’ve saved me a ton of h...
RE: Bumping out vs. building up: which way to expand?
Yeah, matching the exterior can be surprisingly annoying. I did a bump out on our last place - a little breakfast nook off the kitchen. The foundation was honestly more of a pain than I expected. We had to dig down a cou...
RE: Kitchen Redesign Adventure: Worth the Hype or Not?
I get the appeal of keeping things simple, but I’ve actually found some of the smart stuff genuinely useful - especially with hands full of groceries or when I’m halfway across the house and realize I left the lights on....
RE: my house is getting smarter than me, and it's kinda weird
I've been down this road myself. When I first started upgrading my place, I went straight for the Nest because, like you said, it's just so straightforward. But after a while, I wanted more control - especially since I s...
RE: locked out drama - what would you do?
Yeah, graphite's definitely not the best choice in humid areas. Learned that the hard way myself - ended up with keys that looked like I'd been fingerprinted at a crime scene, lol. PTFE spray's been solid for me too, jus...
RE: how strong do you like your shower?
Aerated heads can help, but honestly, sometimes they just mask the real issue. If your pipes are decent, bumping pressure slightly usually won't cause trouble. Most plumbing can handle more than people think - just don't...
RE: Best building materials for damp coastal climates?
I've worked with both materials on coastal projects, and honestly, fiber cement does hold up better long-term against salty air and humidity. Vinyl can get brittle over time, especially with constant sun exposure, and I'...