Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [remodeling]

267 questions
21
votes
3 answers

Do new wire runs in an existing ceiling need to be stapled down?

I've heard some people say that code requires wiring in the wall to be stapled to framing every so often (how often?), but when you are doing a remodel, is that necessary? I have a two story house, and would like to remove one standard dome light on…
JPhi1618
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What is an affordable 2D drafting software for amateurs?

Background: We have about 1500 feet of unfinished basement that I am contemplating finishing off into a "grandma suite". Before getting serious about the project, however, I would like to play around with some layouts. My first thought was to…
Portman
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5 answers

Precision in Home Improvement, or: How to Trust a Laser Level?

Even though I enjoy DIY, I also suffer from a certain amount of anxiety about it, especially when tolerances have to be tight. If the Internet's advice is that a certain thing needs to be square, or level, or plumb, I am never confident that I have…
GogTheGuilder
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10 answers

How do I drywall when the studs are not flush?

I have a problem with my bathroom. I recently had someone come and switch the door from the kitchen side to the other side while redoing my kitchen. He did a great job and the kitchen looks great. That being said he used new studs to re-frame the…
Ryan Brokaw
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5 answers

What is the purpose of this joint in my wall stud?

I am getting ready to install a new bathtub and shower. After ripping everything out I noticed all the studs behind the original bathtub wall have cuts. See photo. If anyone can explain why the studs are pieced together this way I would appreciate…
homegrown
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2 answers

How can I seal a gap between floor joist boxes and foundation?

I have an unfinished basement that always has tons of beetles, spiders and cold air (yes I know most basements have this, but it is more than normal). I finally decided to take a piece of insulation out that sits on top of the foundation between the…
Josh
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How do I install a new, non load bearing wall in my basement?

I'm looking to finish my basement and simply want to wall off the concrete blocks that make up the wall. I want to insulate it as well so that it becomes a usable family room when I'm done. How do I go about installing a wall given wooden beams in…
JoshReedSchramm
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10 answers

How common are wet rooms in the US?

I have a half bath to which I'd like to add a shower. It is quite small; currently, the smallest shower pan I've found (32"x32") is too large to fit. I've considered turning the entire room into a 'wet room' like I've seen done in Europe, in which…
morganpdx
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3 answers

Is it code-legal to have a circuit breaker box within a storage room?

I am currently in the process of planning a room remodel to convert an existing bedroom into a home office and storage room. One thing that makes this conversion a little bit tricky, is the existence of a breaker box at the rear corner of the…
MarkD
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What's the recommended order for completing these bathroom remodel tasks?

I realize that this question is similar to What is the order of tasks when refitting a bathroom? but since I have some different projects, I thought it would be appropriate to ask in a separate question. I'm getting ready to remodel a bathroom and…
Mike B
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Asbestos contamination

Recently we did some remodeling in the house, which is built around 50's. Never crossed our mind to get the house tested for asbestos. So we decided to do so in the middle of renovation. If the result come back positive, what should we do with items…
Ally
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Which is least likely to crack due to high traffic, large or small tile?

Consider a kitchen on pier-beam flooring with two doors allowing traffic to flow through it. The floor is 10x10 feet. I plan to tile and would like to minimize risk of cracking. Which size tile would be least likely to crack tile or grout, small…
zundarz
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Do I NEED to remove the wood trim to sand and re-stain it?

I have 108 year old original wood trim throughout my house. Due to a roof leak last February, three rooms on my first floor need to have most of the (also 108 year old) plaster walls removed and replaced because it is moldy (inside the wall). I am…
Jax
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6 answers

Previous owner didn't get permits for remodel, am I now liable?

Location is Hillsboro, OR (suburb W of Portland). I'm considering purchasing a house that had significant remodeling done a few years ago (kitchen and bathrooms incl. plumbing). If the previous owner (the one who haid the remodel done) didn't get…
Jim Garrison
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How should I tile under kitchen cabinets?

I currently have tile on the floor of the kitchen that just butts up to my cabinets. I plan to change the floors and also change the cabinets. Is is best to rip out all the cabinets and tile, and then tile the entire floor? Afterwards, install the…
Web
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