What are your recommendations for resources (online or in print) that specialize in repair and maintenance of older homes?
[more inside]
posted by backseatpilot
on May 6, 2013 -
11 answers
My neighbor has expressed a desire to rebuild the wooden fence between our houses. We share one side of the fence with her, and it's definitely in need of repair--warped boards, aging, etc. Should she be fully responsible for paying for the fence, since it was her idea to fix it? Or should we contribute some money since we share one side of the fence?
[more inside]
posted by starkraven
on Apr 2, 2013 -
36 answers
I am planning to convert my basement into a bedroom for one of my brothers to use. I was thinking all that was needed was carpeting and paint, but one of my friends recently told me that I may need to have some kind of modification to the basement windows or walls so that there's a fire escape route apart from the stairs. Is this the case? I've had a hard time finding a definitive legal reference as to what I need to do to have someone legally sleep in my basement.
[more inside]
posted by Vorteks
on Feb 21, 2013 -
13 answers
We're redoing a bathroom in a house we plan to sell. It's a very old house, so nothing is quite standard. Between the new sink cabinet and the stacked washer / dryer there is a
space that's about 10 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 80 inches high. We'd like to make it functional in some way. It also should look nice.
[more inside]
posted by heigh-hothederryo
on Feb 10, 2013 -
14 answers
I live in a one-floor condo unit that was, to put it mildly, poorly built. I, and all my neighbors, have dealt with too many issues to count regarding insulation, wiring, and even window and door frames. I'm no longer satisfied fixing things one at a time...
[more inside]
posted by trivia genius
on Feb 1, 2013 -
24 answers
Is there some kind of class, part-time apprenticeship, or in-home tutor I can use to get hands-on handyman training near Livonia, MI?
[more inside]
posted by Vorteks
on Jan 31, 2013 -
3 answers
My sump pump currently has different ideas of when and how it should work than I do. I have a couple of questions about plumbing for the sump, and a question about whether there is something I can fix that will allow me to not replace it.
[more inside]
posted by OmieWise
on Jan 28, 2013 -
6 answers
My very dark strand woven bamboo hardwood floors have a semi-glossy finish. Even after they've been freshly mopped, every speck of dust is visible and they'll look dirty the minute someone – wearing socks fresh out of the laundry, even – walks across the room. Is there any way I can change their finish to matte?
[more inside]
posted by halogen
on Jan 15, 2013 -
6 answers
What is the best way to outfit an office in an apartment with quality lighting for studying?
[more inside]
posted by jModug
on Nov 25, 2012 -
7 answers
I'm planning to have an in-ground pool installed in my backyard. Which would be better: a chlorine system or a salt water system?
[more inside]
posted by starkraven
on Oct 3, 2012 -
16 answers
What's a reasonable price range for a basic in-ground swimming pool (rectangularly shaped, 3-5ft deep, chlorine or salt water)?
posted by starkraven
on Sep 14, 2012 -
5 answers
We had a new heating system installed that created two new pipes sticking out of the back of our house that belch steam. I thought it might be cool to build a huge beast head to hang over it so it looks like a smoke belching beast on the back of our otherwise sensible looking home.
Aesthetically, I will just lay all my cards on the table and say that I was envisioning the beast head being built up mostly from flat scaley pieces like an
AJ Fosik sculpture or a
parade dragon.
I have an artistic background and some experience with wood and clay sculpture, but I don't know how to weld or do anything exotic with plastics or anything, so I am in search of a medium that is hopefully cheap, preferably beginner friendly, and can stand up to steam and the outdoors in general (in upstate NY where we get all the seasons). Any suggestions?
posted by SharkParty
on Aug 14, 2012 -
9 answers
Tell me what I need to know about replacing a roof myself, versus the cost of having someone else do it for me.
[more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown
on Aug 6, 2012 -
22 answers
Would it be weird if I painted three out of five upstairs rooms the same soft green color, if they were given different treatments?
[more inside]
posted by A Terrible Llama
on Jul 25, 2012 -
32 answers
We live in a 160 year old stone house in Scotland that is really cold in winter. Please help me make it warmer? I've been told it's easy to take down the drywall/plasterboard, install insulation, and put more drywall/plasterboard up again. But is it?
[more inside]
posted by hazyjane
on Jul 14, 2012 -
23 answers
Looking for a lead on Removall 220 available for retail in the Twin Cities area, or recommendations of equivalent (brushable, eco-friendly) paint strippers.
[more inside]
posted by longtime_lurker
on Jul 10, 2012 -
2 answers
Wifey and I are looking for bathroom and kitchen tile, and we're frustrated by the amount of 'earth tone' colors -- yellows and browns and tans, which are generally the color of the things you want to flush away in the bathroom, if you get my drift. Where do we find bright, clean color tile these days?
[more inside]
posted by AzraelBrown
on Jun 18, 2012 -
17 answers
The tacky old indoor/outdoor carpet glued to my back steps is ragged and coming off. Can you help me brainstorm an improvement?
[more inside]
posted by werkzeuger
on Apr 16, 2012 -
12 answers
So much of my headspace is wrapped up in how my house looks (which is not so awesome) and it drags me down whenever I’m at home. This isn’t how I want to feel about my home. Can you help me change my attitude?
[more inside]
posted by anderjen
on Apr 12, 2012 -
32 answers
Recently moved apartment, and found that two of the rooms are filled with negative energy. Guests concur: when you're in these rooms, you'd rather be elsewhere. Therefore I'm looking for tried-and-tested home improvement tips to clear rooms of negative energy and fill it with positive. (I've looked into feng shui, but interested to know what specifically has worked for the community.) Thanks!
posted by scrm
on Feb 23, 2012 -
32 answers
Help a homeowner spend $500 to expand his basic tool collection. What will give me the most value and use for my money?
[more inside]
posted by MoonOrb
on Feb 10, 2012 -
30 answers
I am installing 2 remodel canister lights. Everything is wired up and ready to go except I can't get the clips to snap down.
[more inside]
posted by rdurbin
on Dec 7, 2011 -
2 answers
I'm home over Thanksgiving break and my mom wants some house work done. Fun! But, I don't know how to do it. So, dearest MetaFilter, how do I install molding on the corner of a wall? (Picture on the inside.)
[more inside]
posted by 47triple2
on Nov 25, 2011 -
13 answers
What are the major benefits of a programmable thermostat, how big a deal is the new Nest thermostat, and how much might I expect to save with either one over a non-programmable digital thermostat?
[more inside]
posted by brentajones
on Oct 26, 2011 -
21 answers
I have a 7' x 10' concrete slab patio. It currently has wooden deck tiles on top, but they are falling apart and need replacing. What is the best, inexpensive replacement option?
[more inside]
posted by roaring beast
on Oct 25, 2011 -
8 answers
What is the best way to lower the ambient noise in my bedroom given the following constraints? (Snowflakes inside)
[more inside]
posted by carolinaherrera
on Oct 15, 2011 -
5 answers
What's the Ask This Old House of podcasts? Looking for good DIY focused podcasts: carpentry, woodworking, electrical, plumbing, gardening - I'd be interested in anything along these lines.
[more inside]
posted by pilibeen
on Oct 12, 2011 -
3 answers
How to quickly retile over a busted old floor? Bonus: potential asbestos hazard.
[more inside]
posted by zvs
on Sep 29, 2011 -
9 answers
My house has an unfinished basement. It's a terrible mess and causing enough problems for my husband's allergies (we think) that it's not even usable right now. What can we do to get it straightened out?
[more inside]
posted by ashirys
on Sep 5, 2011 -
14 answers
Previous owners of our house began the process of finishing the basement. I'm thinking about completing the job. What should I know?
[more inside]
posted by Vectorcon Systems
on Aug 25, 2011 -
8 answers
I have a former light switch that I want to convert to a
combination plate where the switch toggles power to the accompanying outlet. However, there are some details that leave me uncertain whether or not this can be accomplished without a certified electrician.
[more inside]
posted by CancerMan
on Aug 24, 2011 -
8 answers
Where can I buy 4' x 10' sheets of red oak plywood around Minneapolis, MN?
[more inside]
posted by VTX
on Jul 26, 2011 -
14 answers
What kind of sander should I get to sand a variety of household projects? This weekend, I’ll be sanding the untreated pine interior of some fixed cupboards and shelves, with lots of tight, awkward corners. I'll also be sanding back spakfilla on masonry walls where I’ve filled in nail holes. I’m sanding so I can paint. Later on (in a few months) I might sand down some wood furniture. I don’t think I’ll use the sander for any exterior work. What kind of sander should I get AskMe – and why?
[more inside]
posted by t0astie
on May 19, 2011 -
8 answers
I want to make an existing wall taller so I don't have to look at my awful neighbors anymore. Help!
[more inside]
posted by BlahLaLa
on Apr 24, 2011 -
17 answers
DIY: is it easier to go a good DIY job painting walls (interior) or installing laminate floors?
[more inside]
posted by lollusc
on Apr 22, 2011 -
32 answers
