Jay Gaulard

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Home Improvement

The home improvement category should be an entire blog unto itself. It covers a lot, but many of my posts here are full of excellent information on entertaining topics. I've done my fair share of fixing up and repairing houses in my day, so it should be no surprise that a good portion of this entire website is dedicated to the subject. I've installed multiple types of flooring, remodeled kitchens, completely revamped bathrooms, have torn down and rebuilt new decks and porches, and have painted far too many walls than I'd like to admit. In the posts contained in this category, you'll read about my adventures topping off gravel driveways, building sidewalks and stairs, installing wood and pellet burning stoves and chimneys, and insulating basements. It's a good time all around.

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Encapsulating a Crawl Space is the Only Way to Go

I just went downstairs to visit my freshly encapsulated crawl space and was shocked. I was shocked by the absence of smell. Have you ever smelled a crawl space that hasn’t been encapsulated? If you have or if you’re living above one, you surely know what I’m talking about. It’s like smelling dirt. Ugly, wet […]

I Finally Filled the Basement Crawlspace with Sand

Did you know that basement crawlspaces were a “thing”? They are. There are people around this world who deal exclusively with them and there are websites dedicated completely to them. I should know. I just ordered some specialized tape from one of these websites. Crawlspaces are a hot topic on Youtube as well because they […]

Cutting Some Concrete

I believe the job of filling the basement crawlspace in with dirt has officially begun. The hot and humid air has left the building and in its place is much cooler air that’s conducive to hard labor. My body reacts well to cool air. I can think better, fight better and actually get things done. […]

Staining the Wooden Wood Stove Hearth Edging

I’ve been doing a lot of stain and polyurethane work on wood lately. I think I may be getting the hang of it. I never used to stain anything and would only apply polyurethane as a protective coating, but now, I’m a staining madman and apply multiple coats of poly. I apply one thin coat […]

Our First Area Carpet & Building Some Iron Pipe Shelves

For some strange reason, I’ve recently become infatuated with area carpets. I always had a fondness for them, but just a few weeks ago, things have gone to a new level. At the wee hours of the night, I find myself watching random “Turkish Carpet” sales videos on Youtube. You know the ones; tourists get […]

How to Fix a Symmons Shower Valve That Leaks

What I’m about to share is for the greater good. I’ve done all the work and I’m willing to tell you all about it. If you have a shower valve that looks like the one below, and it leaks, you’re in good hands. I’m about to help your life immensely. Here’s the scenario – every […]

Making Closet Shelves with Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

I’ve had a home improvement project that I’ve been avoiding for quite some time now. The project has to do with making shelves for the insides of the kitchen cabinets, the laundry room, three bedroom closets and a hallway closet. In all, I’d say we need about 15-20 shelves. All different shapes and sizes, mind […]

Taping the Drywall Joints

Just last night, I finished taping the good majority of the drywall joints in the log cabin room. I say majority because I still have to tackle the seams around where the cross beams meet the drywall. There are 30 seams there, so that will take a little while. This first step in adding joint […]

Installing Drywall Over Rigid Foam Insulation

It’s been an exciting past two days. A few weeks ago, the heat of summer broke and I got up off my duff to begin working on the house once again. The first project was to finish the drywalling in the log cabin room. This is something that has taken me almost two and a […]