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You are here: Home / Archives for Home Improvement

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.

The Kitchen is Coming

January 2, 2008

Yeah…in like three weeks. As I was leaning over into the bathtub yesterday washing some dishes, I started to wonder when the kitchen was going to arrive. Yes, as the time passes, I wonder that more and more. Well, today I decided to give the kitchen place a call to ask what kind of time […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Kitchen Tile Installation Complete

December 21, 2007

Installed Kitchen Tile Floor

Well, the floor is done. Yesterday, the tile guy came back and did the grout. That went fairly quickly. He took about a half hour to finish up. The grout is ivory color, but went on kind of dark. My sister and I were talking about grout the other day. She did her kitchen tile […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Installing Kitchen Threshold Moulding

December 21, 2007

Unstained Threshold Molding

I have a certain affinity for threshold moulding. I am not sure why. I think because maybe the first time I put some in, it looked good. Maybe it’s because I got lucky and matched the color stain I picked out to the floor…the first time. Who knows, but I do. Anyway, today was the […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

The Kitchen Tile is Installed

December 19, 2007

Bare Plywood Kitchen Floor

In an unexpected surprise, the tile guy was able to come over a few weeks early to install the kitchen floor. I greeted him with open arms. Anything we can get done early, the better. He came over around 9:30 this morning. He called beforehand to see if I minded using 1/2 inch cement board […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Bubbles in Drywall Tape

December 17, 2007

When I was applying the drywall tape for the kitchen, I noticed some bubbles forming under the tape in some spots. I was getting all mad because I thought this was going to make the entire project look bad. After the tape dried, I forgot all about the bubbles. When I was painting the kitchen […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Kitchen Floor Sanded

December 16, 2007

Belt Sander on Floor

Well, that was fun. Not really. I sanded for the better part of yesterday and now I am a little sore. I do have to say that I am very happy that I bought that respirator mask. It has come in quite handy and it’s nice to know that I am not breathing in the […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Preparing the Kitchen Subfloor For Tile

December 15, 2007

Seam in Sub Floor

Well, it’s time to prepare the kitchen subfloor for the tile that’s going to be going on top of it. Some people have told me, “Hey, just lay the tile on top of the plywood…it’ll be fine.” I was always a little uneasy about that, so I read up on it. Apparently, it’s not a […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Painting the Kitchen

December 13, 2007

Painting Drywall Sheetrock in Kitchen

I finished up the sanding of the joint compound last night. Two nights ago, I used the power sander…the little palm one. That was great to do the first major sand with. Then, I reapplied the joint compound and sanded by hand. Overall, everything came out pretty nicely. I was excited to get some paint […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Kitchen Cabinets for the Basement

December 13, 2007

Using Old Kitchen Cabinets to Hang in Basement

When I mention anything about redoing the kitchen to any man, almost instantly, the response is, “You are going to put the cabinets in the basement, right?” I’m like, “Yeah, I already have a few down there, but I am going to put a few more.” I can hear it in their voices…they want to […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Another Day of Drywalling

December 8, 2007

Fiberglass Insulation Installed in Kitchen Walls

I set a goal for myself today…to finish the kitchen. That didn’t happen. It almost did. All I have to do now is to sand the joint compound, reapply and then sand again. Then, I paint…and all done for me. Well, I still have to do some prep work for the floor, but that’s fun. […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Down to Lowe’s and More Work on the Kitchen

December 7, 2007

Lowe's Storefront

Today, after I brought the cat to the vet, I ran down to Lowe’s for a few things. I had to get some outlets, switches and face plates. I also had to get some joint compound. When I was leaving, it started to snow. For a while, it was coming down pretty good. I thought […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

The Sheetrock Was Delivered

December 6, 2007

New Sheetrock For the Kitchen

I got a call pretty early this morning from the lumber place. They told me they were about to leave for my sheetrock delivery. Man, I still had my coffee in my hand. I got ready and waited for the guy to come. A few minutes later, he was backing into the driveway with my […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

One Wall Done – Drywall, Joint Compound and Tape

December 6, 2007

Exposed Wall Studs in Kitchen Remodel

I didn’t know sheetrocking was so easy. Is it sheetrocking or drywalling? I am not down with the lingo. Anyway, I got one wall finished. I used the Dremel to make the cuts around the outlets and the doorway. It has this pretty cool rotating cutting tool. It goes through the drywall like a wicked […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Kitchen Cabinet Counter Tops and Handles

December 6, 2007

Counter Top Samples

I just got back from the kitchen place. I have to go in to pick out the counter top color and the handles and knobs. I didn’t pick out the counter top colors…I did something better. I brought home four samples. We placed a bunch on the actual color of the cabinets and kept the […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Sheetrocking the Kitchen

December 5, 2007

Sanded Paint on Sheetrock

Well, this has just turned into a happy little project. I was all excited about my new belt sander and how I was going to show everyone in the world how I can make gold out of coal. Well, I ran into a little unexpected snag. This morning’s task was to sand one part of […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Kitchen Design – The Showroom Visit

December 3, 2007

Today was a pretty busy day for us. I think one of the most fun things about me is that I have no plan. This morning, while I was sitting at my computer, I decided to call Lowe’s to make an appointment for Laura and I to head down and meet with someone. I had […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Our Kitchen Layout

December 2, 2007

Kitchen Layout

I got thinking today. Perhaps I should measure the kitchen up and bring the measurements down to Lowe’s. I read, on their website, that if you bring your measurements to them and pick out what you want, they will give you a price right there. Then, they will send someone to your house to measure […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Kitchen Demolition

December 1, 2007

Ripping Apart Kitchen For Remodeling

I have to do a few things today. One of them was to take a few cabinets in the kitchen down. One of them held the fan that goes above the stove. I took quick action and they came down fairly easily. Poor Simon was eating while I started removing one of them and got […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Using a Belt Sander to Sand Walls

December 1, 2007

Dewalt Belt Sander

Ok, I am sure you all think I am rather crazy at this point. If someone told me they wanted to use a belt sander to sand their walls, I would think they were nuts too. That’s why I am writing this post. To show that actually, you are the crazy ones. Just kidding. I […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

The Bathroom Remodel Continues

December 1, 2007

Bathroom Crown Molding

I have gotten quite a bit done. Laura and I decided last night that we are not going to buy a new vanity. We will keep the white one we have. We don’t love it, but we keep thinking that the next people who move in this house won’t appreciate all the time and money […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

A New Kitchen Ceiling Fan

November 30, 2007

Kitchen Ceiling Fan

I really hated the kitchen ceiling fan/light that came with the house. Not that it is a bad unit, it’s that it hung about an inch too low and was a nice target for the top of my head. Oh, how many times can a man that is six foot, two and three quarter inches […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

How To Remove Painted Wallpaper

November 30, 2007

As you may be aware, we are starting to remodel the kitchen. Yesterday, I removed most of the floor and moulding around the doorways. As I was removing one piece of moulding, I noticed some 60s looking wallpaper underneath. I immediately put my hand up to my forehead and slid it down my face. I […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Remodeling the Kitchen – Oh No, It’s Begun

November 29, 2007

Ugly Kitchen Before Remodel

I had to run down to the tile place today to pick up the extra tile that wasn’t used on the bathroom floor. It was a whole box. I got it and put it in the basement for safe keeping. While I was there, I struck up a conversation with the fine lady about remodeling […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

The Bathroom is Almost Done

November 25, 2007

Shower Caddy Rack

Well, that wasn’t so bad. A few weeks of a bit of work here and there and I have gotten myself to the point of (almost) completion. All I have to do now is caulk and paint the moulding that goes around the inside of the bathroom door. I did a few odds and ends […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

The Bathroom Tile is Done

November 22, 2007

NewBathroom Tile

The tile guy came over at 8AM this morning to finish up the tiling. All he had to do was the grout. I must’ve gotten up about eight times last night for various reasons. I do this all the time when I am expecting someone to come over early in the morning. I heard a […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Bathroom Tile Installation

November 21, 2007

Stripping Floor for Tile

Well, that was pretty quick. The tile guy came at about 9AM and left around 11:30AM. I am pretty happy that there were no hiccups. When he first showed up, I went outside to greet him. I told him that I was going to be the best little helper he ever had. Then, I came […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Tempering Valve to Stop Toilet From Sweating

November 15, 2007

Tempering Valve

If you starting seeing my hand in magazines, don’t be surprised. As you can see, my hand is model quality and I hope you appreciate it. Back when I was taking up the tile in the bathroom, I noticed that the sub-floor to the side of the toilet was a little wet. I thought this […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Putting Up the Deer Fencing

November 10, 2007

Stanley Staple Gun

I have to say, my days have been pretty full and this blog has been helping. I really enjoy doing things in life and writing about them. Perhaps I should’ve been an author. Nah…the minute someone expects something from me, I don’t want to do it anymore. Half of the fun of writing here is […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

How To Fix a Loose Sliding Glass Door Handle

November 9, 2007

This just goes to show that I will actually post anything on this blog when I have the time. Now, to the fun stuff. Ok, since we have moved into this house, we have had this loose handle on the sliding glass door that goes out to the porch. I always said that I was […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Super Ring for Closet Flange – New Toilet Bolts

November 5, 2007

I just got back from Home Depot. I bought a “Super Ring” to place over the exisiting closet flange (part of the toilet drain pipe). I am not sure I needed this part, but I wanted to have it on hand, just in case I notice a problem when I remove/replace the toilet after the […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Under the Bathroom Sink

November 4, 2007

Copper Water Pipes Under Bathroom Sink

I thought I should take a few pictures to show you what I was talking about in the last post when I mentioned that I was having difficulties with moving the vanity, due to the water feed pipes. From my previous post… Well, then I hit a snag. I opened the doors to get under […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Removing the Bathroom Floor

November 3, 2007

Removing Tile From Bathroom Floor

Well that sucked. I thought this was going to be an easy job…just unscrew some stuff under the sink, pull it out and take off the toilet. That’s all there is, right? Wrong. I got half the floor up and was cruising along beautifully. I was doing well under the baseboard heating (not viewable in […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

New Medicine Chest and Shower Rod

November 2, 2007

Bathroom Medicine Chest and Mirror

Here is an exciting post. It’s about the new medicine chest and shower rod we bought last night. We had to go down to Sam’s Club anyway, so we decided to hit Lowes first. We needed a few things, with the medicine chest being the most important. The shower rod and the little chrome thing […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Remodeling the Bathroom – A New Project

October 27, 2007

Ugly Bathroom Ceiling

The only two things we have to do with this house is to remodel the bathroom and kitchen. Hmmm…that’s not too bad. Yeah right. Those two rooms are the two most expensive ones. There isn’t all that much to do in the bathroom. I went out yesterday and picked up the ceiling and wall paint. […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Our Nice New Area Rug For the Dining Room

July 12, 2007

Beautiful New Area Rug For Dining Room

Laura and I went out to Sam’s Club and Lowe’s last night to get some stuff. By the way, I think it was “Obesity Wednesday” at Sam’s Club. We really have to get out of that place. I can’t stand looking at those people any more. I try…I really try to be a nice guy, […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

We Finally Hung the Curtains

May 13, 2007

New Curtains For Front Windows

I am not completely sure if you call them curtains or drapes. I am not sure I care either. On Friday night, Laura and I decided to venture out to Lowes to look at some curtain stuff. Since the heat is back for the year, our living room and home office are taking a hit. […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Installing Laminate Flooring

April 27, 2007

Installing Laminate Flooring

This is an old post that I have been meaning to put up for about a year. Since it is raining outside and kind of slow here at work, what the heck. Back when we first purchased this house, we noticed that the master bedroom was the place the the previous occupants kept their dogs. […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

How to Fix a Sagging Joist

April 15, 2007

Girder Beam - Temporary Lally Columns

I don’t think I mentioned this before…I know I took some pictures though. A few weekends ago, I added a bunch of lights in the basement. I rewired the whole thing for a total of 8 high efficiency 100w (equivalent) fluorescent light bulbs. They only use 23 watts each. Now, the whole basement glows like […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

The Leaky Oil Burner Air Vent

April 6, 2007

Oil Burner Air Vent

For about a year, I have been looking at the concrete part of our basement floor. I just sit there and look at it. No really, I have been looking at it because at times, there has been a little puddle of water and a wet area near the oil burner, or boiler, as some […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Keeping the Basement Dry

February 18, 2007

Dry Basement with Plastic on Dirt Floor

If you remember, a few weeks ago, I finished digging out the basement (of course I wrote about it). Well, since then, I have done a lot of work. I am not sure you can see it in the picture above, but I repaired all the foundation walls (not that there was too much wrong […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Digging Out the Basement – Done

January 24, 2007

Basement Full of Dirt

Well, I finally finished digging out the basement. I found some time under a rock on Saturday and went down to the pit with my shovel and rototiller. This was the last section of dirt…and boy was this tough stuff. I swear it was like rock, not to mention all the real rocks! Take a […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Tree Removal in My Front Yard

September 6, 2006

This is a funny story and hopefully one I can keep short. I seem to have developed a knack for writing too much. See, there I go again. The Red Oak tree is now gone. A flourishing garden is beginning to grow. There is only one more slight problem. A Red Maple with a rotten […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Water That Smells Like Rotten Eggs

September 6, 2006

I happen live live in a very beautiful area of New York. The Shawangunk Ridge is absolutely spectacular and visiting the Mohonk Preserve has become a favorite activity. Unfortunately, it seems that the western side of the Hudson River has water that smells like rotten eggs. I know there are towns on the eastern side […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

Installing Lally Columns and Footings for Girder Beam

September 5, 2006

One of the first things I noticed while looking at this house when we were “In the market” was the lousy shape of the basement. I heard that there was a little moisture on the floor (the remedy of which I will discuss later), was informed by the home inspector that the insulation fitted in […]

Filed Under: Home Improvement

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