House in Progress Diary

Do it Yourself Archive

Do it Yourself

We've decided to start a new journal category: Do it Yourself! For certain projects we're going to post photos and steps for how we did certain projects. Because if we can do these, anyone could. ;-)

Once we started thinking seriously about buying this specific house, we knew we were going to have to learn a lot. Luckily we've got great dads and some wonderful friends and neighbors who've gone through this themselves. But since we're both career educators, we also started thinking about how we could share what we learn...and in a real way where problems come up that we have to solve. (They never show those parts in those home improvement TV shows!!) So, later on we started this site and realized we had a great way to actually do that...thus a new category for our website!

Projects will probably run the full range of complexity (although we're starting simple) and should eventually cover lots of topics (since this whole house basically needs to be fixed). We're thinking that most entries will focus on:
- How we approached a project.
- Problems we ran in to and how we got around them.
- Tools and materials we needed.
- Books and websites that helped us figure it out.
- Money we saved by doing it ourselves. (Sweat equity!!)

Hopefully you'll have as much fun reading about our projects as we have doing them! Plus, we'll be looking for you all to share your knowledge too. Don't be afraid to suggest even better ways to do things...especially if you see us doing something wrong! We're sure we'll all be learning something along the way!

(2)

Installing Coaxial Cable

Last weekend we installed our own cable. Here's how it went...

The Problem
The previous owners had never had cable (although they did have an antennae, which we removed from the chimney last week) so we were starting from scratch. A couple of weeks ago we actually had the cable company come out twice to do an installation. Long story short, we didn't want cable slapped on the exterior of the house and the bid for custom installation was $300! So, we decided we could do it ourselves...

Continue for more of "Installing Coaxial Cable"

(1)

Fixing a Smelly Basement

We hadn't really left the house in a couple of days. Came back from a long day trip running around and...phew!

The Problem

Walked straight to the basement...odor was worse. Smelled kind of like wet, moldy laundry. We have these drains sunk into the floor connected in a straight line and headed for the main sewer system under the street in front of the house. The drains! The smell was coming from the drains. One drain, specifically.

Continue for more of "Fixing a Smelly Basement"

(6)

Installling a Thermostat

Last night we upgraded our thermostat. It was really easy--here's how it went.

The Problem
Our old version was probably twenty years old and didn't have any of the modern timer features designed to reduce energy costs. With cooler nights starting already, we were nervous about high heating costs.

Our Solution
Most modern thermostats claim they can reduce your heating expenses by up to 35%, when used in accordance with their gudelines.

Read on for how it went...

Continue for more of "Installling a Thermostat"

(2)

Cheating Around a Temporary Fix

We keep telling ourselves that this is a TEMPORARY fix. Because we don't have time to investigate or develop a long term fix for the smell in the basement right now.

An ALERT READER gave us this idea. Actually, his idea was more elegant and involved buying things at Home Depot. This fix is, um, less elegant and involved digging some things out of the Boy Scout Room.

Step 1: Proceed to smelly drain

Continue for more of "Cheating Around a Temporary Fix"

(3)

Quieting a Noisy Steam Radiator

So we have this steam heating furnance.

The Problem
Each time the radiator was going on, it sounded like pistol shots in the radiators. Very loud, very SUDDEN noises. You could hear water sloshing in the bottom of the radiators. And then the steam valve on the side of the radiators began to spit rusty water on the wall, floor and anything nearby.

Our Solution
Head to the internet, to find out more information about Steam Heat. Use a combination of boiler maintenance and home remedies to adjust each radiator so that it drained properly.

(Image courtesy of: Old House Web)

Read on for how it went...

Continue for more of "Quieting a Noisy Steam Radiator"

(16)

VENTILATE your workspace!

Lesson learned today.

When the home improvement books and magazines CASUALLY mention ventilating an area under construction....

TAKE THEM EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY! Or you and your things will look like everything has been splattered with flour. And it will be around for months and months.

Continue for more of "VENTILATE your workspace!"

Boiling Paint from Window Hardware

Yesterday, I did many things (it was my "day off"...bwah ha!) but one of the most interesting was trying out a suggestion that I read long ago to boil old paint off of some window hardware.

You see, we need some curtains. We took the greasy miniblinds off of the windows so we could work on OPENING the windows and didn't have the heart to put them back up. They are so hard to clean. So I've been picturing period curtains, hung halfway down the window to provide privacy and let in the sunlight. My timetable sped up when the dog began barking at our neighbor...a lot. She was in our dining room and he was in his. He is a excellent neighbor and she's not the brightest bulb, but...these houses are CLOSE.

I dug around in the basement and came up with some old curtain rod hardware...not nearly as old as the house, but old enough to be interesting.

The most interesting type, to me, is on the end in the above photo. A barrel shape with some deep groves cut into it. And under the paint, the patina is a bronze-ish color. (My dad tells me that these are still available at some hardware stores...I'll check that out when I have used up what we've found.)

Continue for more of "Boiling Paint from Window Hardware"

(2)

making "do" until...

Well, we are sketching out lots of big plans, doing research and...in the meantime...patching things to see us through until the work is done.

The hardest part is putting off the REAL decorating until AFTER the construction is finished. That is the most fun for the both of us to think about and it is what will come last. After the bones of the house have been reset. But it is hard not to sigh over pictures of curtains or wallpaper or shelves. We just know that whatever is being used now will probably be cleaned and recleaned and possibly covered in inches of dust and dirt for awhile.

Sigh.

So, these curtains don't fit my master plan AT ALL. They were left in the house and we needed something to preserve our dignity and keep the dog from barking. But we don't care if they get yucky either. They are polyester and they were...well...here.

Continue for more of "making "do" until..."

(2)

Removing a Load Bearing Wall

This weekend we finished opening up a "nook" corner of the master bedroom.

The Problem
Our aspirations for the second floor include a master bedroom that's a warm and cozy retreat. (A necessary luxury as we go the slow "live-in-it--as-you-restore" route.) To get more space, we wanted to convert an ajoining closet into a reading nook by removing this wall:

Unfortunately, this is a load-bearing wall. Assuming we don't want the roof to cave in on us as we sleep, removing it would take some extra effort.

Continue for more of "Removing a Load Bearing Wall"

(7)

Installing an Exterior Vent in Stucco

Wes, the electrician, installed a bathroom fan for us a while back. Here's how we installed the exterior vent for the fan.

The Problem
The electrician did a great job installing our special fan and light switch to operate it. And we were going to handle the exterior work to install the air vent.

Luckily, my dad had a few specialty drill bits to get the job done...

Continue for more of "Installing an Exterior Vent in Stucco"

(1)

Removing a Plaster Wall

The Problem
As a next step in the first floor bathroom, we needed to prepare to lay new tile. First, that required removing the plaster so new backer board can be installed as a new even surface.

Our Solution
We've already removed plaster and lathe while working on the master bedroom. This project just took more care because we wanted to leave the plaster in place that wouldn't be covered with new tile.

So, we took a slightly different approach...

Continue for more of "Removing a Plaster Wall"

FINALLY! No smelly basement

I have been fighting with the drains in our basement all season.

The drains need water in the pipes at all times so that sewer gases do not travel back up into the house creating smelly problems. For some reason, two of our drains have problems holding water now that the furnace is on. I suspect evaporation. Within 48 hours, I am to be found lugging buckets from the sink to the drains to refill them. Even trying to cap them only hides the problem for a little while. (Our cap is the poor man's version of products on the market.)

And then I found this...baby oil

Continue for more of "FINALLY! No smelly basement"

(1)

Protecting a Wooden Shower Window...Nautical Solution

With the bathroom starting to come together, this weekend we tackled finding a suitable way to protect the bathroom window above the shower...

The Problem
When we first bought the house, our first floor bathroom had a glass block window. Unfortunately, several of the glass blocks were cracked and were very dangerous. After a lot of thought, we eventually decided on a "two light" frosted window of safety glass. We had the window made and installed by Just Sashes to fit the existing sill (which was a non-standard size).

While the window is a safer and attractive solution as a window, its frame introduces another long-term possibility: wood rot.

Continue for more of "Protecting a Wooden Shower Window...Nautical Solution"

ReMOOving Milk Paint

Milk paint...we love it and hate it.

We love it because it is this lovely, non-toxic incredibly hardy paint made from milk protein, lime and other things. It is especially good for children's things and for people who are allergic to chemicals. On antique furniture, it can be the coolest thing...especially since you can move furniture from room to room.

("Udderly Sunflowers" by by Jodi Mendlinger via Art Select)

Continue for more of "ReMOOving Milk Paint"

(2)

Creating a House Wiring Plan

So, as we wrap up the first floor bathroom, we're starting to think about the second floor again. Not that this is new...we started work on the second floor back around Thanksgiving of last year. Wow... Thanksgiving of last year...

Anyway! I just got an email from Smarthome with this week's "Solution of the Week"...home wiring. Pretty good timing...this is something I've known we should do as we prepare to tear out the second floor. I just haven't done it. So here's the progress we've made so far...

Continue for more of "Creating a House Wiring Plan"

(2)

Removing the Attic Insulation

This was the most trying weekend ever at the house.

The Problem

Our big project was to tear out the "Raccoon Family Nests" and attic insulation, disinfect the crawl space, open up the front bedroom ceiling and put in new insulation. The raccoons left a lot of, um, "unpleasantness" from years of attic living. Plus the insulation was in four layers and had gotten wet from roof leaks.

We begin by...acting silly for the camera.

Continue for more of "Removing the Attic Insulation"

(4)

Living in it while working on it

I've been dragging around for a few days, my bottom lip quivering and hanging all the way down to the floor (pushing around dust balls...WAY yucky). I finally decided, "Stop! Enough!" That's when I turned to the experts.

Image via SatireWire (but it LOOKS like it could have been taken in our basement. Unfortunately.)

ToolBeltBabe and the Kilted One are on their THIRD...(yes, that's right people, THIRD! 3! Trois! ) house renovation and I find their story downright inspirational.

Continue for more of "Living in it while working on it"

(2)

What not to do...

Since we want to tell as much as we can here on the site, you might as well know now. jm has put her back out!

Was she manuevering a big ceiling beam into place? Well, no.

Or scaling the chimney? Or hoisting buckets of plaster up the steps? Um, no.

She mowed the front and back lawn, the neighbor's front lawn as a surprise, and then carried 5 loads of laundry up and down the stairs. On the fifth one, BANG! Lower back was in tremendous pain that she has never experienced before.

Continue for more of "What not to do..."

(7)

Transforming Your Apartment

Ever since I discovered ApartmentTherapy this week, I've been daydreaming about my old apartment.

I loved it very much.

It was at the top of a 4 story walk-up, which was actually 4.5 stories because of the front steps. It was tiny. The bathroom wasn't a shared one but it WAS in the hallway. Meaning, yes...I had to LEAVE my apartment to take a shower.

(I was at the very, very top. If you were to keep following the blue arrow, you'd be there.)

Continue for more of "Transforming Your Apartment"

(8)

Preparing the Structured Wiring Home Run

OK, so after a lot of research and planning I've finally started the structured wiring installation. Actually, by 'getting started' I really just mean the prep work. I've found even that takes quite a bit of work...

The Challenge
My goal for the weekend was to get everything in place for pulling the bundled cable throughout the house. This meant creating a path for the major cable runs--combination of cable trays in the basement and a PVC raceway from the basement to the attic. I also had to install the media center panel where all the networking hardware will reside:

The good news was that this ended up being a reasonable weekend project...

Continue for more of "Preparing the Structured Wiring Home Run"

(6)

Creating a Cable Schedule

For those who've been following our site for awhile, you may recall the evolution of our planning to wire the house. We started modestly, installling coaxial cable ourselves the first summer. Then we started to think more holistically and developed a whole-house wiring plan that included electrical and low voltage services like telephone and computer networking. It was at that point that I stumbled upon the concept of "structured wiring." Since then I've been researching and planning for our own structured wiring installation. Last weekend, I installed the distribution panel and prepared raceways for running cable to the attic.

The Task
The priority is to make final decisions on the location and number of access points throughout the house. This is important in planning the cable runs (our next task) and in purchasing the various materials that will be needed later.

Continue for more of "Creating a Cable Schedule"

Pulling Cable

With detailed plans in place, AJ came over the other evening and helped pull the structured wiring thoughout the house.

Our Approach
We focused on the runs to the second floor, and started by setting up the cable spool on a makeshift cable reel.

Continue for more of "Pulling Cable"

Choosing Structured Media Distribution Panel Modules

The latest episode in the structured wiring project...

The Dilemma
With the cable schedule planned and the wire pulled throughout the house, it's now time to select and install modules in the distribution panel in the basement.

Over the past few weeks I've researched the various modules that Leviton offers and selected the best fit for our needs. I'll outline the thought process I went through in selecting the telephone, Internet and video modules among the various modules available.

Continue for more of "Choosing Structured Media Distribution Panel Modules"

(3)

Prime Time

Time to prime some exterior wood that we had to replace before the rain and snow of Chicago does it in.

Even though the wood is Cypress and quite hardy, we want to protect it. Water does bad, bad things to wood. Everything from detention after school to reform school to "lock it up for LIFE!" bad.

We're not ready to paint the whole house yet (mechanicals and infrastructure before beauty...sigh.) So, primer it is!

Continue for more of "Prime Time"

(1)

ohmigosh...I fixed the dryer!

The Dilemma

The dryer broke. Pretty clear cut. One moment, I'm doing the laundry so critical to my sanity in this house. And the next moment...nope.

I had immediately run for the internet...for repairclinic.com. I needed the sketch of how a dryer works and how to get one open without making things worse.

From the information about gas dryers, I was able to comfirm my guess that it was a belt or a roller...the heat was still working, the blower was still working, but the "drum" wasn't turning.

Continue for more of "ohmigosh...I fixed the dryer!"

(9)

Venting the Attic

Time for another mechanical "guts" project--ventilating the attic. You may recall that we've written on this topic before, and now we've come back to apply what we learned.

The Problem
While our house did have a ventilation system when we bought it, it was poorly designed. It also wasn't operating properly, for that matter--our friends the raccoons had snuck in through the vent and chewed on the cables to the vent fan and cut the power. At that time we solved the immediate problem (keeping furry creatures out) but waited until now to repair the fan.

With the ceilings removed we've taken the opportunity to fix the fan but also to enhance the overall circulation by adding vents in new locations.

Continue for more of "Venting the Attic"

(7)

Insulating the Attic

Normally, we wait until the end of a project to summarize "do it yourself" stuff, but recently we've been getting good advice from readers and there's no sense in waiting until after the fact to get more ideas.

The Challenge
We've finally gotten to the insulation phase (horray! < This is a combination of "horrors!" and "hurray!") for the second floor. I've insulated the walls over several weekends and have now started to insulate the attic and ceilings.

The challenge around insulating the attic is twofold: first, the higher ceiling in the master bedroom leaves relatively less room for insulation. Second, the main attic space criss-crossed by the air conditioning ductwork from our Unico air conditioning system.

Continue for more of "Insulating the Attic"

(4)

More Reasons to Need a Slow Hand

The dog and I decided to rally and pull the ladder out of the basement to do more "weatherizing" on the house. So, we worked on what we could reach...storm windows.

The Problem

Honestly? The problem is that we're using more gas to heat the house than we'd like. It's expensive and it feels wasteful. The boiler is now very efficient, so it's time to fill in the little cracks and spaces that let Old Man Winter IN.

Continue for more of "More Reasons to Need a Slow Hand"

Installing Foamboard and the Vapor Barrier

The Thanksgiving holiday was good for many reasons, including time spent with J's parents. It was also a good chance to make more progress upstairs...

The Challenge
I'd recently insulated the walls and the primary attic space. However, I hadn't yet insulated the peak of the vaulted ceiling in our master bedroom. It had its own unique challenges--a space filled with duct work from our SpacePak air conditioning system.

Because of all the duct work taking up space, there wasn't enough room to use traditional fiberglass insulation at the peak of the ceiling...

...we needed something else...

Continue for more of "Installing Foamboard and the Vapor Barrier"

Building a Laundry Chute, Part One

A good while back we asked for advice about laundry chute dimensions. That question wasn't just theoretical...the time has finally come!

The Challenge
One of the conveniences we've wanted to add as we renovate our craftsman bungalow. (Jeannie already pulled out her back once hauling laundry to the basement.) And while it's nearly impossible to find a perfect place for a chute in an old home, we found a pretty good compromise.

First Floor	Second Floor

This location will allow us to access the chute near each bathroom and most of the bedrooms. It did mean losing half of a small hall closet, but this seemed to be a reasonable trade-off compared to other options.

Read on for an overview of how we started the project.

Continue for more of "Building a Laundry Chute, Part One"

(8)

Building a Laundry Chute, Part Two

Tonight I built the second half of the laundry chute box.

This will rest on top of the first. The next challenge will be cutting holes in the floor and ceiling, then installing the two halves of the box in place.

More to come...!

(2)

Correcting Poorly Framed Walls

Believe it or not, progress is being made on our second floor. Beyond moving the clawfoot tub from the garage to the upstairs, we've also been squaring up the walls in preparation to hang the wall board.

When J's dad was here for Thanksgiving, he helped us identify some areas that needed correction.

The Challenge
The problem is that many of the wall studs aren't square.

It turns out there are three problems to fix before the walls can be installed:

• Wood that isn't straight. Some of the old boards are warped with age. However, it turns out that the new boards can be just as bad! The higher moisture content of new boards means that they can bend and twist after installation. We kept them in the space to dry them, but humidity levels in the house rise and fall with the weather.
  
• Mismatched board dimensions. As I mentioned two days ago, modern 2x4s are actually smaller than vintage ones. By framing with both, we've ended up with some slightly uneven surfaces.
  
• Missing framing members. Each wall needs special framing members at the edges so the wallboard can be screwed down properly.

So, this was the weekend I tried to set things straight (literally)...

Continue for more of "Correcting Poorly Framed Walls"

(17)

Building a Laundry Chute: Part Three

Hmmm, it seems like a long time since we've actually written about work on the house...oh yeah, that's because its been a while since we've actually worked on the house. To prove it, I'll point out that 'part two' of this laundry chute series was posted way back on December 12th. Wow, that's depressing...

Anyway, today I took the day off from work (everyone else seems to be taking it off too) so J and I could work on a few projects.

In the morning we continued refinishing the clawfoot tub (more on that later) and this afternoon we worked together on the laundry chute...

Continue for more of "Building a Laundry Chute: Part Three"

(3)

Bathroom Wainscoat Pt. 1 - Beadboard Prep

After deciding to go with high quality panel sheets for the wainscoat in our master bathroom, we picked up the sheets from Lee Lumber.

For starters, J and I spent a few evenings priming everything.

Continue for more of "Bathroom Wainscoat Pt. 1 - Beadboard Prep"

(7)

Bathroom Wainscoat Pt. 2 - Hanging Beadboard & Cabinet Backing

After priming and cutting our beadboard sheets, we started the installation in the upstairs bathroom.

The beadboard will be forming a 36" wainscoat around the whole bathroom, trimmed with a fairly simple craftsman-style pattern, mounted on the face of the beadboard sheets (more on that later). We started by mounting the sheets with a combination of finishing nails and liquid nails.

This work also gave us a chance to work on another piece that will tie the new room back to its original look...

Continue for more of "Bathroom Wainscoat Pt. 2 - Hanging Beadboard & Cabinet Backing"

(2)

Building a Laundry Chute: Part Four

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...today we got a fully finished laundry chute on our first floor!

I'd previously built the chute and roughed in the opening, so today was the big payoff.

Continue for more of "Building a Laundry Chute: Part Four"

(7)

Heigh Ho Sawhorse! Away!

Since Aaron and I were both working upstairs this weekend, we both required a set of sawhorses. However! We only have one set that was left in the basement when we purchased the house. So we needed another set.

Well! What is a wife supposed to do when her dear husband requires a set of sawhorses? She plunders the wood cast-off's pile, fires up her miter saw and makes him some.

Continue for more of "Heigh Ho Sawhorse! Away!"

(13)

Bathroom Wainscoat, Part 3 - Wainscoat Trimmed Out

More progress on the master bathroom, we've now got much of the wainscoat trimmed out with a first finish coat of paint.

Continue for more of "Bathroom Wainscoat, Part 3 - Wainscoat Trimmed Out"

(10)

Repairing & Glazing Wood Windows, Part 1

Of course, during the restoration of windows, you're going to have to reglaze a few panes. I feel pretty lucky. Most of the glazing on our windows is in good shape and only a few panes became cracked during stripping.

There was at least one window with some wood integrity issues due to unaddressed unaddressed condensation issues. This window was right next to a steam radiator and poor radiator maintenance also stained the wood trim closest to it.

Continue for more of "Repairing & Glazing Wood Windows, Part 1"

(9)

Repairing & Glazing Wood Windows, Part 2

Augh. Conquering the wood rot. I knew that this day was coming, I just didn’t expect it so soon. However, surprises are par for the course when you own an old house.

Let me just say right now that this is the first time I’ve attempted this with such a large repair. So, your mileage may vary. Consult with knowledgeable professionals before trying this yourself. Remember, we are just regular homeowners in here.

I winced all the way through digging out the rotted wood. With each scrape and dig, I was praying under my breath that the rot would end. But ended up with a larger hole than I was hoping for. Well, of course. I’m just thankful that it didn’t go all the way through to the other side!

Continue for more of "Repairing & Glazing Wood Windows, Part 2"

(2)

Repairing & Glazing Wood Windows, Part 3

Okay...windows and windows and windows.

I've finished two and I'm working on four others. There are 27 windows that need work in here. And four more which need to be replaced where they were taken out of the walls. Ack! So, we last left off with the rot...

Wow. I'm tired.

Continue for more of "Repairing & Glazing Wood Windows, Part 3"

(8)

Installing the Attic Access Panel

Sometimes the smallest projects can still give plenty of satisfaction. With temperatures jumping to the high 80s today, we used our central air for the first time this season.

The problem was that there are still a few unfinished areas upstairs that let too much of that cool air out the roof (or the hot attic air inside...take your pick). The largest culprit? The unfinished attic access in the upstairs hallway.

So, we decided today was the day to start sealing things up...

Continue for more of "Installing the Attic Access Panel"

(4)

Stripping Painted Trim

So, after asking if other housebloggers would write up 'how-tos' about their own stripping techniques (and seeing some already do it) I am of course obligated to share my own approach.

Here's how I've been stripping painted trim...

Continue for more of "Stripping Painted Trim"

(6)

Keeping Jack Frost Out

I've flip-flopped. There. I admitted it. I'm a flip-flopper when it comes to choosing weatherstripping.

I started out with spring bronze on the bathroom windows and (honestly) was slightly disappointed. The stuff sold nowadays is not as tough or sturdy as the roll of the old spring bronze I found in the basement. It was a bit flimsy and tended to tear if you didn't crease it "just so". It worked, it was just odd to be comparing the old to the new and finding the newer material more difficult to work with.

Continue for more of "Keeping Jack Frost Out"

(10)

Keeping Jack Frost Out: Part 2

How to begin to do something I've never done before? Take apart what is already done and working, and then copy it. This only gets me into trouble if I forget how to put it back together. Ahem.

I took a wood frame that had already been weatherstripped out of the window and measured it to death, making cryptic notes on a napkin as I went. How wide was the groove for the weatherstripping? How far was the groove from either edge of the side of the wood frame? You get the picture. Overanalyzing? Me? Well, yes. Few can exploit that obsessive compulsiveness like I can. Ask Aaron. Or my mom. My dad would just ask, "What obsessive compulsiveness?"

Here is the edge of an already completed window frame (the window is laying on its side):

Continue for more of "Keeping Jack Frost Out: Part 2"

(1)

Insulating Steam Heat Pipes

Although our gas usage has decreased from this time last year, our energy bill has not.  Rising gas prices have cancelled out any savings I was hoping for, but at least we're not paying MORE this year (yet) which is a relief.

Part of that is due to the insulation on the second floor, some credit goes to the weatherstripping and insulation around the windows, but I am still not satisfied.  Our basement was far, FAR too warm last year from the steam heat pipes running hither and yon.  Since we don't live in the basement, I selfishly wanted that heat for upstairs.  So, I decided to insulate the pipes.

Continue for more of "Insulating Steam Heat Pipes"

(17)

Installing a Door Jamb Extension, Pt. 1

Yesterday we finally broke through the 'baby barrier' and--believe it or not--did some work on the house.  With power tools.  And wood.  And a tape measure.  No, seriously.

It wasn't a full blown project, just part of one.  We're definitely pacing ourselves here.  It was a rather complicated one, though, so bonus points for that.  I decided to tackle the jamb extension for the master bathroom door upstairs.

The reason we're doing this project at all goes way back to how we framed out the second floor.  One of the original walls upstairs was very thin because it was built with 2x4s turned flat.  Why would they have done that?  Who knows.  Anyway, when going in this time we decided to strengthen it by, well, sistering the entire wall.  The good news is that we've ended up with a wall with normal thickness.  The bad news is that when we reinstalled the door jamb it was too narrow.

Saturday I started the process of installing a jamb extension to match the new wall thickness.

Continue for more of "Installing a Door Jamb Extension, Pt. 1"

(6)

One of my favorite tools

Lest you think I do absolutely nothing to earn my keep.  Today, I reconnected the dishwasher.  And I am not fond of working with water OR electricity.  Especially so close together.

This is where the hot water connects to the unit. 

Continue for more of "One of my favorite tools"

(5)

A girl's gotta have leverage

Now that the appliances are back in the kitchen, I re-attached the back porch screen door last night.  Thought I'd use the opportunity to demostrate a little trick I learned from the pages of Fine Homebuilding awhile back.

All my power is in my legs.  My arms are just these weak, wimpy things.  All long and skinny.  No "omph" there.  So I have to compensate in other ways when lifting things is required.  Therefore it is all about leverage.

(Three things:  Ignore how yucky that door and porch are. They are not long for this world and, here at HiP, you have to prioritize what to save.  Also, don't attempt home improvement tasks in open-toed shoes, as I am doing here.  I couldn't find my work clogs but I could easily have lost a toe.  And then this would be a completely different blog entry.  Also, do not make fun of my hippie sandals.  They are super comfy.)

Continue for more of "A girl's gotta have leverage"

(6)

Hilarious Wood Window Sash Removal

I'm not a genius with a video camera, but I do want to provide some solid information for those readers who are interested in learning about how to repair and/or restore their wood windows. So, I've been combing back through the bookmarks and links of the resources that I used to learn these skills. Skills that, without the internet, I probably would not have learned.

I was searching for a YouTube video I saw long ago and happened to stumble across one that I had never seen. It's a series actually. Days of renovation compressed into video snippets. By the fourth day and video, I was laughing out loud. So creative, so funny, and so much more true to life than any home improvement television show. I loved these videos.

I don't normally embed the content of other folks. But I couldn't find an email address for the brilliant videographer, dbwharto. And his work is too good not to share.

I would like to present to you dbwharto's interpretation of removing a wood window sash from a frame. I hope that you find it as inspirational as I did.

Continue for more of "Hilarious Wood Window Sash Removal"

(2)

Replacing a Radiator Air Vent

I didn't want our bathroom floor to be under water anymore. So I have to take action.

I could try boiling the old radiator air vent in water and vinegar to see if I could scare out any debris that is preventing it from venting properly. But I have to turn the furnace off in order to fix this thing and it is COLD OUTSIDE. So, I'm just going to replace it. It's probably been decades since it has been replaced anyway.

Continue for more of "Replacing a Radiator Air Vent"

(3)

Beating Poplar Blotch

Okay, so I am going to loose myself in the pleasure of filling all of the nail holes in the living room trim and striving to achieve that Zen-like state of bliss known as Renovator's Flow. In the meantime, I'll recap the project that got me to this point in the living room project (while holding my hands over my ears and yelling, "La la la!" if anyone tries to talk about the sunroom.)

I stained the new trim before it was installed. Because it was poplar (which has a history of being blotchy when stained), there were these moments of tension where we wondered how it would turn out. Would it be a disaster?

Continue for more of "Beating Poplar Blotch"

(2)

How To Polish Shoes with a Bah-nawh-nawh

I love a British accent.

I love being told how to polish my shoes with a banana by a guy with a British accent.

I could listen to these videos all day. I don't even care if they are correct or incorrect. I also don't care if they are something I don't need to know how to do. Like throw a card through a window. Give a man to man hug. Fight a duel. Or polish a shoe with a banana. I hear the accent and want to hurl my panties my congrats (to the VideoJug for making such a wonderful short film) at the screen.

Ahem.

How To Polish Shoes With A Banana

Yes, the accent gives me goosebumps. And, if I ever need to, I know how to play the ukelele. So, you know. Bonus.

(3)