Do it yourself

We have installed concrete in a 20x20 garage. Any ideas on how to stop the dust?

Hello, my name is Marcy and I just joined. I have a VERY old house. The living room wallpaper (3 layers thick) is attached to the plaster and refuses to come off. The plaster is crumbly underneath so I'm afraid to take it off completely. Any ideas on how to get it off? Steam? I'd like just to clean up the tears and paint over it. Any suggestions on how to prepare it? Thanks, Marcy

Hi! My husband and I have no construction experience, but would like to learn. We have an unfinished basement that we would like to finish to include a large rec room, a bathroom, and a utility room. We would like to have the whole project complete by next spring. I have several questions: 1) Are we crazy to tackle this on our own given that we have no experience? Would we be better off hiring contractors? 2) What software is good to use for designing the floor plan? 3) What resources (books, internet sites, etc) are out there that might help us get started? Thanks! Gwen gwendyl@...

Greetings! I am new to the list! My DH and I just bought a 4-level split on 5 acres.....we LOVE it and there is a lot of work to do. I look forward to chatting with all of you! Michelle msarazin@...

In my opinion; This junk is spam. Unsolicited advertising is spam. I think it's garbage to have to unsubscribe from a list that has potentially useful subject matter because it's cluttering the mailbox with spam. But, here I go anyway.... Edie

I own a newly built home, and they left a whole lot of rock, pushed to the back edges of my lot by a bulldozer. These pieces are mostly flat, ranging from small chunks to 1'x1'x3" pieces. Since I can't cart this off easily, and since I also need a storage shed/workshop, I was toying with the idea of using the rock as building material for the shed. My only experience with masonry is my combination mailbox/flowerbox I built from old brick. It didn't turn out too bad, and I learned a lot from the experience. So, what is the best way to build shed walls using rock? Must I lay the rock flat? Or can I stand the rocks on end and make it two rocks thick? Seems like I've seen it done both ways in professionally built buildings. Can I use the same premixed mortar I used for the brick mailbox? Thanks in advance for any help y'all can give. Robert Sewell

Hilde, It's always good to have what you WANT laid out for any architect or drafter, so doing it yourself gives you and them a better idea of what it is than any verbal explanation or pictures. Sierra has a bunch of programs like 3D Deck that can start you on your way to where you want to go. You do really need to take that info to an architect because they are going to be able to calculate a materials list much more accurately and also keep it 'safe'. The costs of building depends on exactly what you want to do-- having an unfinished basement certainly will be cheaper than the finished family room. Everything is dependant upon man-hours involved, what you are willing to do yourself, and the materials involved. My husband and I do nearly everything ourselves. The workmanship is the utmost importance and I find that it's nearly impossible to pay someone to do it as good as you would do in the first place. It disgusts me to pay good money to not like something I could've done better in the first place. I guess I'm particular and perhaps eccentric? Look for books or websites on the specific job you are dealing with. Sometimes you can get too specific in trying to search the web and other times too general. Plan a good half hour a subject. Use home centers if you are close. Sometimes they have very knowledgeable people on premises who can help you out with questions... but sometimes not. You need to make sure the person doesn't just 'sound' like they know what they're talking about. Know county/city codes and ordinances when you do things yourself so you are prepared for inspection. Call different subcontractors/businesses for estimates on specific jobs. Find out the cost of materials yourself and you can calculate the labor involved and if it's really worth paying someone to do that specific job. I would say that it's far better to have someone come in and install your septic system than to have to 'plant' one yourself--- but, that's just my opinion. But, say that you are going to put vinyl siding up. You would be far better off spending more on materials for quality and hang it yourself--- than you would in paying someone to come in and do it. I have done this for less than half of what a national sales 'chain' estimated. My materials were much higher in quality and the job was no comparison. My neighbor's siding waved and puckered while mine was straight and true. Had I paid twice the bucks for this company to do the job, I would've looked at it every day in disgust. Cost is all 'local'. You will most likely have to call around as opposed to finding that info on the web. While I can say that you could expect x number of dollars a sq. ft. here in rural NC, it would probably by y number of dollars where you are. Good Luck on your information collecting; Edie

I have a few mozaic projects and I need tiles. Do you have some coloured ones, even broken, let me know !

Hi: Well the first thing I want to tackle is my bathroom. So, it's off to the book store with me I guess. I need to replace the floor and the wall around the bathtub. Brad It helps to learn about your home by studying how it was built and how to repair or build on it. You can do this cheaply by purchasing

Hi! I was wondering if any of you could help me. I've been spending a lot of time designing alternative floorplans for an old farmhouse that my husband and I are restoring...and have been having lots of fun doing it. However, I've come to a stumbling block. I have been using Total 3D Home, and it has been great - when I enter in a floorplan, I can switch views and actually see what the plan would look like in 3D - from inside the rooms (any location in the rooms that I choose) and also from the outside of the home. The stumbling blocks I have with this program are 1) I can't design in the attic (putting in an attic room with sloped walls) - big problem because we plan to "finish" the attic and possibly add a loft, which at this point, I cannot plan because of this limitation; 2) I can't add a deck or porch - minor irritant...it would be nice to see the outside view with the wrap-around deck that I've always wanted; and 3) I can't show 'land' in the 3D aerial view, which would be very helpful to see how things look from the outside with the slope of the land (especially when adding a basement - how much would peek out of the ground, how much wouldn't, etc.). Any suggestions you could give on software that is relatively easy to do, and would incorporate these needs would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! I realize that at some point, we would probably need to hire an architect to draw up accurate plans, but for now, wed like to do as much as we can on our own. Also, planning long-term budgets for this process is difficult at best! I have never done a project like this, and have no clue how much some of the things we want to get done will cost - not even a ballpark figure (which is all we are trying to get a feel for at this point). Costs like adding on a room(s), adding a wrap-around deck, installing a septic system/well, plumbing, architect, finishing off a room (like an attic), etc. Is there an online source that could give me ideas on costs? Friends, Hilde

Hi everyone: I'm a new homeowner with a fairly limited budget. The house I bought is in fairly decent shape but needs some fixing up. Since I don't know a whole lot about home repairs and do it yourself stuff I was hoping to be able to learn as I go and hopefully get some help from this group. I live in Southwestern Ontario Canada and am excited about being in this group. Brad

k, I think it is cheaper and safer to put store bought glass on your light fixtures. I don't think I'd trust a system that old with any other kind of light-emitting material, especially if you are using incandescent lighting. If you have a home center in your area, you should be able to pick up some sort of cover, glass for incandescent or a plastic cover for flourescent.... starting at around $1.99 to $3.99. Check for clearance items walking around the lighting area and ceiling fans. Good luck! Edie

Hi! Hope someone can help me! My husband and I are about to move into a 50 year-old rental house. It has seen better days. We want to feel good about living there, but don't have the resources or energy to invest a whole lot of time & money into it. Anyway, main problem we are facing is that there is no cover over the bathroom light fixtures. They are on either side of the medicine cabinet, on a square pedestal-like wall fixture. Any ideas as to the sort of material from which i could make a makeshift shade or similar ? thanks! k

ok Liz, will do.... Laurean

Liz- I don't know that I *found* everyone...just some of 'em. You guys will certainly liven up the other list!! Welcome aboard!! Sure wish you could drag the other 250 some-odd, old memebers with you! aloha, Karl and the Girls .............. o< ............ THANKS FOR FINDING EVERYONE FOR US! I have a suggestion - why don't the seven of us just join the Build it Yourself list and I'll delete this list entirely . . . there's really no sense in two groups of the same people (assuming that they join this list) Liz/Texas/Moderator of the new improved tiny (elite group) DoItYourself list

Unfortunately Karl, it wasn't my list, nor my decision to delete it and start the board. If it were, I would have gotten everyones opinion first! Thanks for the advice on the walls. The concrete has that fiberglass in it, and its a real bugger! Laurean

Hi Liz, Thanks for your help. I went over to the board, and am actually moderator, but its DEAD. Which I thought would happen. I tried to access the onelist site to download the list names, but it was deleted already.... sigh..... Laurean to see this list grow to the point that it was as the old list (did that make sense?) Anyway, the point is - get the word out! and find Dale!!

sounds like raccoons..... get a good coon dog. Blue Tick's are good. and easygoing. fireplace chimney, there was MAJOR POOP - up there! I mean poop the size of my dog's! I don't know what was (is?) living in our attic, but I began to feel like I was in one of those horror movies, there I am sneaking around

Welcome to the few, the proud, the diehard do-it-yourselfers! I've been away from my computer for about a month and a half. Imagine my surprise when in one of my quick once a week mailchecks I found out that the doityourself list was GONE! We now have a grand total of 7 members on this list! I don't know how many were on the other list, but I hope they find us! If anyone has addresses of any of the old members, write and tell them about the new list. I'd like to see this list grow to the point that it was as the old list (did that make sense?) Anyway, the point is - get the word out! and find Dale!! LOL Liz/Texas

Don't know if it's an option to you but instead of smoothing it out - how about making it rougher? I textured a concrete wall in the house that I used to have in VA. I just plastered a very rough finish over the existing block wall using sheetrock compound - and then painted it - it looked GREAT! I have a few pictures, but it doesn't show up well - If you want to try it, I'd suggest getting a masonary trowel (one of the triangular ones) to apply it, I used a taping knife and it doesn't look as good - learning as I go, of course. I have the pictures posted at photopoint.com under the name otter922@.... The site is down, so I can't give you a direct link. Liz/Texas big ol' house

Wow, no messages? Karl how come you haven't posted? Anyone hear from Dale? Hope this list picks up. Now a question: When we poured our basement floor, our block walls were up. Subsequently some of the concrete got on the walls, and we are having a heck of a time getting them smoothed off. We want to seal the walls. How perfectly smooth do they need to be? thanks, Laurean

I have a computer at both houses now! I am online in Corsicana, finally. although I don't think it's a good thing, I've wasted a lot of the day on it today. But it will be nice to have a source for information when I need to ask a question! I have all ready looked up how to hang a ceiling fan, I had lots of parts left over when i was finished hanging this one! I went into the attic to wire up a new ceiling fan (what a project!) This should take only 5 minutes to wire a fan, but with this old wiring, I thought I'd redo the wires to it, but the original wires are the "post & wire" type that are two different wires for each line, run on ceramic insulators across the attic. I couldn't figure out which ones went where (well, I could have figured it out, but it was hot and sticky up there :O) Anyway, when I got over to the corner of the attic, over our bedroom, behind the fireplace chimney, there was MAJOR POOP - up there! I mean poop the size of my dog's! I don't know what was (is?) living in our attic, but I began to feel like I was in one of those horror movies, there I am sneaking around with a light on an extension cord, the shadows swaying around me, and creeping around the back side of a chimney - I felt like there should be scary music - "don't go there!" don't bend down, it's right behind you! LOL Anyway, a small adventure for the day. I drilled a hole through the joist to run the wire - these are very thick joists! it went forever, then the hole was apparently in the wrong place, at least, we couldn't find the wire that I stuck through it. Suffice to say, the fan is installed, using the old existing wiring. . My sister has been running new wiring, which means that the whole house is more torn up than ever - all the baseboards are off the upstairs - I have to get the wiring stapled down and nailer plates installed, etc etc. Found out that we have major sewer problems. The only bush in the whole front yard is growing over (and into) the sewer line. Plus, under the house there is a place that they used to have a toilet and just broke the pipe off and never capped it. It is unfortunately lower than the cleanout in the yard, so when the sewer backed up (3 times, so far) the overflow went under the house and we didn't know it! So tomorrow, I must crawl under there and cap off the pipe, yuck. Also, we think that they didn't put a vent pipe in the bathroom they added downstairs, someone please come up with some other reason that the toilet "bloops" when you flush it - a large bubble comes up. I don't think that there is a low point in the line that is trapping water, although I guess that might be one other explanation. I just plastered and painted that wall so that I could get insurance! now I have to tear out the only finished wall in the house to get to the plumbing! LOL . . .of course Well, tomorrow, I replace the bricks in the front porch and hopefully head to Arlington to get that house ready to list for sale - we must get on the ball and SELL that house, funny how time slips away! We bought an above-ground pool for the corsicana house - someday, we'll actually get around to installing it. I guess we'll have more initiative when the weather gets hot. what's up with you guys? Liz