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illustrator42
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RE: KEEPING THE COLD OUT: MY STEP-BY-STEP FOR DRAFT-PROOFING DOORS
KEEPING THE COLD OUT: MY STEP-BY-STEP FOR DRAFT-PROOFING DOORS Silicone sweeps have been my go-to for years - totally agree, they just hold up better. As for those adhesive-backed weatherstrips, I’ve used them on a few ...
RE: Sink fixtures driving me nuts lately
SINK FIXTURES DRIVING ME NUTS LATELY Had a client insist on matte black in their kitchen last year - looked killer at the reveal, but after a week? Fingerprints everywhere, and they started calling it “the crime scene s...
RE: Weekend crafts: do you prefer building from scratch or upcycling old stuff?
I get what you mean about the prep work - sometimes it feels like you spend more time pulling nails than actually building anything. I’ve had projects where half the boards ended up in the scrap pile because they were ju...
RE: Building On Level Ground: Step-By-Step Tips For Making The Most Of A Flat Lot
I get where you’re coming from, but after a few projects where clients swore they’d keep up with the sanding and oiling, reality set in. Life gets busy, and suddenly that “authentic feel” turns into splinters and warped ...
RE: ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF?
ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF? I’ve seen reference lists that look like a greatest hits album - only the smoothest tracks, never the deep cuts. Once had a client who actually drove by a few ol...
RE: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF You nailed it about the “while we’re at it” trap. I’ve watched more than one project spiral from a simple roof replacement into a full-blown attic renovation, just because some...
RE: When Progress Hits a Wall: Surprising Facts About Failed Experiments
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS That sweet spot you mentioned is real. I’ve seen folks try to save a few bucks on waterproofing by using leftover plastic sheeting from packaging - mo...
RE: Struggling with ventilation inspection requirements lately
STRUGGLING WITH VENTILATION INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS LATELY I get where you’re coming from with this, but I’d push back a bit. There’s a middle ground we don’t always talk about. I’ve had more than a few projects where...
RE: Finally upgraded my living room lights - anyone else tried smart bulbs?
I had a similar experience - switched out most of my bulbs to smart ones expecting some decent savings, but honestly, the difference was minimal at best. Eventually, I realized the real savings came from just being mindf...
RE: Lighting tweaks made my workspace way better
Mesh screens can help, sure, but in my experience they're not always the silver bullet. I remember working on a home office redesign for a client who had severe allergies. We tried fine mesh screens first, and while they...
RE: Putting money aside "just in case" or relying on credit cards?
I learned this the hard way a couple years back. Was picking up lumber and some specialty hardware for a project, and of course, the card reader decided to glitch right at checkout. Line behind me was growing, cashier wa...
RE: My Adventure With DIY Concrete Foundations
Good call on the heavier stakes. I've had my share of battles with flimsy wooden stakes - one good bump from a wheelbarrow and you're back to square one. I remember one project where the wind was relentless; ended up usi...
RE: MY NEW FIRE PIT SEEMS GREAT, BUT IS IT REALLY SAFE?
That's a good observation. I've had a similar fire pit installed at my own place for about four years now, and honestly, it's been pretty solid overall. But you're right - the airflow channels can get a bit finicky, espe...
RE: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof
Went through something similar a few years back - tried to patch things up cheaply at first, but the leaks always found their way back. Eventually bit the bullet and invested in quality materials. Haven't worried about s...
RE: Digging into property easements - anyone else find online tools confusing?
I've found the online records to be hit-or-miss too. Last year, I was working on a renovation project and the county's site showed a utility easement running right through where we planned an addition. Nearly gave me a h...