I have a few sections of ceiling panels that were water damaged and droop. I don't have the money to replace them. I was wondering if misting them until they are flexible and then propping them up with a piece of plywood and a brace would straighten then out enough (after they dry out) to be reattac...

For reasons unknown, in the past, the exterior of my DW was repainted and given a popcorn/pebble texture. It is impossible to keep clean - it gets black mold quickly and since there is a texture, it takes a lot of time to power wash all the dirt from around each popcorn. You have to turn the spray t...

I took out the original/cheap/lightweight/ugly/filthy cabinets when the kitchen was gutted. The subfloor needed repair/replacement and there was no way to save the lower cabinets. I discovered while doing plumbing that the wall studs between the kitchen and bathroom are 1x4. I have serious doubts ab...

I have an older dishwasher (that I purchased with the other appliances) and was wondering about installing it. I don't know if it works or not, or if it leaks. - If I wire it up and plug it in outside with a bucket of water (or a hose connection from the outside) I was thinking this would test it fo...

You might want to consider that they meet certain goals along the way. I tried doing this with an apartment when I bought a duplex some years back. It was always "we'll do it next month, next month." Finally had to raise the rent to its market value as they did nothing, they refused to pay...

Pex is opaque. Maybe a clearer definition of the plumbing involved is needed. Are they referring to the fittings - there are push-fit and crimp rings that can be used. I'm not too fond of the push-fit as they haven't worked in my 1970s DW - haven't been able to make them stay on the copper tubing. B...

After watching some of the home improvement shows, I have been wondering about using self-leveling concrete on the floor. I have investigated several of the systems on the 'net and was wondering if anyone on the forum has tried it. The system uses an underlayment that separates the wood sub-floor fr...

Have you ever used a hammer drill for the glue removal? Saw it on one of the DIY shows where it was used for power chiseling up old tile. Was figuring maybe it could do the same for the glue on the joists. I just don't have the upper arm strength that I used to - chiseling by hand will take me a ver...

Thanks for the info. You are a lifesaver! I can see there are some things I can do on my own before I hire a few guys to help with laying the new plywood. You just saved me a bundle of money and a ton of aggravation!

OK, I guess I have to go for the gusto and replace the sub-floor. Having only worked on new construction and repairs on a Victorian house, I don't have experience in this area. What is the proper order of doing things to remove/replace the OSB? Do you work one sheet at a time - that is, remove a she...

I was wondering if anybody had used wood laminate planks to build kitchen cabinets? I am thinking of making built-in-place cabinets and using the prefinished solid wood/wood laminate planks for the doors and outside surfaces. Plywood and lumber would be used for the structure. I was wondering how th...

Has anybody on the list ever used Ditra in their bathroom or kitchen? It's a product to help prevent tiles from cracking. It's a sheet/separation barrier that looks like a waffle. I've seen it used a bunch on "Holmes on Homes" - one of the TV DIY shows. I'd like to use some tile on the bat...

I recently bought a 1970s double wide in Florida. The subfloor is OSB and has soft spots. The carpet is old and nasty. I know the place is water-tight now - no leaks from walls or ceilings. I want to put in good quality vinyl floor - the roll type- in the kitchen and bathrooms. I am also going to pu...

I think it may also have had something to do with the placement of exits (kitchens placed between door and bedroom) and the small size of bedroom windows in the older models - too small to escape from.

If you are living in Florida (since you mentioned hurricane rating), you can only obtain insurance from one company and the most you can insure for is the purchase price.