Custom homes discussions and local services.
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Choosing between energy efficiency or water savings for green building points?
ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS? - Had a similar experience with water-saving stuff. Put in low-flow everything and a rain barrel setup. Water bill barely budged, honestly. Maybe if you’ve g...
RE: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?
Honestly, I’d skip the expanding foam for anything rodents are targeting. Mice and squirrels will chew right through it if they’re determined. Here’s what’s worked better for me: - Sheet metal patches for bigger holes -...
RE: Sink fixtures driving me nuts lately
SINK FIXTURES DRIVING ME NUTS LATELY - 100% agree about hard water - nobody tells you how much of a pain it is until you’re scrubbing off spots every other day. - Mixed finishes do hide a lot, but I’ve found matte black...
RE: No more dead zones: how I got wifi in my backyard shed
- Been there, done that with regular Cat6 in conduit. Lasted a while, but when I had to dig it up after a squirrel chewed through, I was kicking myself for not just going direct-burial the first time. - Direct-burial cab...
RE: Building greener: simple swaps that make a difference
- Used thermal curtains in my current place - old windows, lots of drafts. - They cut down on cold spots, but honestly, they’re not a miracle fix. - Bulky, yeah, but worth it if you hate feeling that chill by the gla...
RE: HOW DO YOU REALLY SAVE WATER AT HOME? QUICK POLL
HOW DO YOU REALLY SAVE WATER AT HOME? QUICK POLL - Swapping out the lawn for native plants was the best move I made - my water bill dropped and I don’t have to mow. Win-win. - Looked into those recirculating showers too...
RE: Color combos that oddly please the brain
- Totally get the hesitation. I tried navy and terracotta in a guest room once - looked sharp for about three weeks, then started to feel heavy and kind of dated. - North-facing rooms are brutal for color. Even “safe” co...
RE: Casting vs injection molding - which method works better?
That’s exactly it. I’ve learned the hard way - cheap hardware always comes back to bite you. Here’s what I’ve noticed over the years: - Injection molded stuff holds up better, especially for things like cabinet handles ...
RE: Building base structures - what if you had to start over?
- Totally agree about the learning curve with new materials - magnesium oxide boards are solid, but man, the dust is brutal. - Had a similar issue with fasteners. Ended up using self-tapping screws meant for cement boa...
RE: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF - Underlayment’s one of those things where the “cheap out and hope for the best” route can backfire. I tried going with a bargain roll once and ended up with leaks after three ...
RE: Just put in a new kitchen sink and wondering if anyone else struggled this much
- Copper soldered to PVC? Sounds like someone got creative with plumbing hacks... - Honestly, every kitchen project I've tackled had at least one "what were they thinking?" moment. - Coffee's good, but sometimes these su...
RE: Casting vs injection molding - which method works better?
- Good points, but casting can be a real hassle if you're after precision or repeatability. - Tried casting some reclaimed bronze handles once... looked great, but fitting them was a nightmare. - Injection molding's cons...
RE: My Adventure With DIY Concrete Foundations
Been there myself - retrofitting drainage after the fact is a royal pain. Clay soil is brutal, it just doesn't let water through easily. Gravel and fabric definitely help, but honestly, sometimes you just can't predict e...
RE: Sink fixtures driving me nuts lately
I've had Moen matte black fixtures in our guest bath for about two years now, and honestly, they've held up better than I expected. No chipping or fading yet, but to be fair, that bathroom doesn't get heavy daily use. Mi...