Remodeling discussions and local services.
spirituality_margaret
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: What would you do if your kid wandered into a half-demo’d kitchen?
Keeping kids out of demo zones is basically a fantasy, honestly. I’ve tried baby gates, barricades, even stacking chairs - nothing works for long. The “danger bucket” is genius, though. I’d add: sweep up every single tim...
RE: Swapping out old faucets and toilets - what brands actually last?
Honestly, I’ve swapped out more faucets and toilets than I can count, and I’m with you - weight doesn’t mean squat if the internals are junk. Moen’s been solid for me, but I’ll give Kohler a nod too, especially for toile...
RE: Subway tiles vs. hexagon tiles in the bathroom - what’s your pick?
Honestly, I think you’re spot on about hex tiles bringing that extra bit of character. I’ve flipped a few houses where the original hex tile wasn’t perfect - some edges a little off, grout lines not totally straight - bu...
RE: Hidden costs that sneak up during home renovations
Yeah, I’m with you - if a house is older than my parents, I expect the walls to be hiding something. Thing is, even when you think you’ve accounted for all the “usual suspects,” there’s always that one weird thing nobody...
RE: how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the “add 30%” rule can be overkill if you’re methodical up front. I’ve done a few where I spent more time (and money) on inspections before demo, and it paid off - ca...
RE: Don’t get stuck with a leaky faucet: my trick for picking fixtures
Oil-rubbed bronze is a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. It hides fingerprints better than matte black, but water spots still show up - especially if you’ve got hard water. I’ve put it in a few flips and it looks great at fi...
RE: Turning attics and garages into bedrooms: is it worth the hassle?
Not gonna lie, I’ve seen people go way overboard on insulation and then end up with a space that’s basically a hotbox in summer, even with “proper” ventilation. Sometimes you just can’t fight the original design of the h...
RE: my house is getting smarter than me, and it's kinda weird
I get the charm of old quirks, but honestly, I’ve seen too many houses where “character” just means drafty windows and doors that barely close. There’s a line between personality and stuff that just needs fixing. Sometim...
RE: Getting smooth drywall joints without losing your mind
I've given wet sanding a shot a couple times - mostly on smaller bathroom remodels where dust control was crucial. Honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. It does significantly cut down on airborne dust, which is fantastic,...
RE: EARTHQUAKE-PROOFED MY FIRST BUILDING AND IT ACTUALLY WORKED
Shear walls are definitely easier to work into residential builds, but moment frames can be worth the extra hassle in certain layouts - especially open-concept designs. Have you tried combining both methods in one projec...
RE: my battle with moldy closets and frizzy hair
Totally agree about cedar blocks - they're basically decorative at this point. A timer-controlled fan is smart, but honestly, if mold's persistent, you might wanna check insulation or ventilation issues. I've flipped hou...
RE: finally got our storm shelter checked out and passed with flying colors
Used polymeric sand on a walkway once, and it looked great at first, but after a couple seasons of heavy rain and freeze-thaw cycles, it cracked and started washing out. Switched to crushed limestone fines on my last pro...
RE: how much did your bathroom remodel run you (roughly)?
You're spot on about sanity and free time being valuable, but honestly, it really depends on the scope of the project and your own skill set. For my last bathroom remodel, I spent around $6k total - did most of the demo,...
RE: Little-Known Hacks for Keeping Your Patio Looking Fresh
Lemongrass does grow pretty easily, but honestly, I've never noticed a difference with mosquitoes - might just be my area though. Mint seems to help more in my experience, plus it's great for cocktails... have you tried ...