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RE: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?
- Totally get that. First time I heard scratching under the porch, I was out there in pajamas with a flashlight. - Tried expanding foam - looked good for a week, then chewed right through. - Copper mesh + caulk combo’s u...
RE: KEEPING THE COLD OUT: MY STEP-BY-STEP FOR DRAFT-PROOFING DOORS
- Just went through this with our new place - first winter here and I was shocked at how much cold air sneaks in around the doors. - Tried those double-sided stoppers too, but honestly, they slid around a lot on our ti...
RE: Making the switch to water-saving toilets: Worth it?
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT? - We just finished building and had to pick everything from scratch. Ended up going with a basic water-saving toilet, too. - Honestly, I was worried about the flush...
RE: WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE? - Totally agree that you need both - if it doesn’t *feel* right, you’re not going to care how efficient it is. - When we started our build, I got obsesse...
RE: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof
Totally get where you’re coming from. I just went through this with our new place - spent weeks researching materials, but in the end, the crew made all the difference. Here’s what I learned: - Even the best shingles wo...
RE: Making the switch to water-saving toilets: Worth it?
Had the same issue - measured twice, still ended up with a toilet that didn’t fit right. Ended up shimming it just to get through the weekend. Water savings are nice, but yeah, the install is always more work than you th...
RE: Appraisal came in lower than expected - now what?
- Had the same thing happen with our place. Put in a high-efficiency HVAC and solar, but the appraiser barely mentioned it. - From what I’ve seen, most appraisers just look for the obvious upgrades - kitchens, baths, f...
RE: Struggling to keep walls straight when building with lumber
Ratchet straps have worked fine for me even on taller walls - just takes a bit more patience and double-checking. Turnbuckles might be nice, but honestly, careful bracing and frequent checks can get you pretty close with...
RE: MY NEW FIRE PIT SEEMS GREAT, BUT IS IT REALLY SAFE?
Good call on checking HOA stuff first - easy to overlook. From what I've read, most recommend at least 10-15 feet clearance from decks or plants. But honestly, better safe than sorry... maybe shifting it a bit further ou...