Forum Topics at HomeRefurbers.com

vinyl siding starter strip

stud — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:48:24 GMT

How does one determine where to put the starter strip when applying vinyl siding? Is it a matter of dividing the height of a piece of siding into the overall height of the structure and putting the strip on that mark.

Firewall on the property line

ultralame — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:07:07 GMT

I live in San Francisco and I am trying to frame in a light-well. I have to patch a small portion (2’X3’) of wall on the property line, and this needs to be a 1hr wall. No problem.

However, the inspector has requested that I provide a drawing showing “how I am going to tie this in with the existing wall” (which is not a 1-hr wall).

I was previously under the impression that a layer of 5/8 TypeX drywall would do the trick. Is there some compound I need to use between the new and old framing, or a special mechanical tie-in?

Thanks!

Jed

wiring question

woodrooster — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:54:06 GMT

I’m running romex wire from my breaker box to my garage through the crawlspace. To get from the breaker box to the crawl space the wire will run in pvc conduit for six feet on the outside of the house. Can I simply run the romex through the conduit. Could I strip off the sheath and run the single wires in the conduit?

Or do I need to buy outdoor wire for conduit and then connect up to the romex in the crawl space? The conduit is new and sealed from the elements.

garage finishing project with questions

woodrooster — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:38:21 GMT

Hey, This is my first post.

I’m am finishing my garage with the intent to make it a clean well lighted and warm workshop. Yesterday I drywalled the ceiling.

Next I’m on to the walls which seems straight forward except I dont know what to do about the wall the garage door is on? Do I take the door off the wall and drywall over it and bolt the door back over the drywall? That seems like a challenge to do. How is this commonly done?

I have pics but have yet to learn how to attach them to this forum

Drywall on the Shop Ceiling

sikrap — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:50:26 GMT

Okay, I have power to the new shop (garage) and I’m insulating. I’m getting confused on how to install the sheetrock on the ceiling. I know that the sheetrock needs to go perpendicular to the joists, but I’m being told that I need to install furring strips. Is this true? If so, why? Why can’t I just screw the sheetrock to the bottom of the trusses? If I have to install furring strips, won’t that mean the electrical boxes for the lights will need to be lowered or even moved? I was just going to add some nailers at the gable ends so I would have something at the end to screw the rock to. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Concrete crack repair/driveway sealing

Mike — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:26:49 GMT

I think there is a good business in presurewashing driveways, sealing cracks and sealing the concrete. Please give me some input on the best products to use.

How do you clean and paint plastic door widow grills?

RockyRR — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:15:28 GMT

On my house I have some double pane glass on a couple doors and the side-lights at my front door. There is an unpainted yellow (ugly) plastic grill on each (to simulate separate panes). What do you use to clean that stuff and what type of paint do you use on them?

Need to run pipe thru cinder block

sikrap — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:21:36 GMT

Hi, I need to run a piece of 1 1/2 inch conduit thru my cinder block foundation. I have heard that the easiest way to do this is to simply whack the block with a hammer (on a core, of course). My original plan was to use a masonry bit on my drill and just drill small holes around a circle on the block. I’m all in favor of “easy”, but this method just sounds dangerous and I’d rather not crack the blocks. Does anyone out there have an idea for a simple way (that’s safe)? Thanks!!

Need advice on refurbishing/resurfacing a fireplace

WhoMe — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:52:15 GMT

After many years of the same old fireplace, the DW and I have decided to have me refurbish/reface the fireplace. As can be seen by the picture,

it is currently in the used brick style and needs an update to match the rest of the revamped livingroom. The house was built in 1954 and the brick is not just a facade but full thickness. We like the look of stacked stone and I have started to do some early research on what is needed to accomplish this. I did a quick look on this website but there were not many fireplace projects.
Does anyone have any suggestions or possible links showing where people have put a new stone type surface over an existing brick fireplace? I do have concerns with earthquake safely doing the new surface such that it will adhere well to the existing surface.

Thanks for any advice.

Textured wall repair

jasontyra — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:22:04 GMT

Due to a metal edge protruding out the top of a lazy boy and its proximity to the wall there is now a nice gouge in it about the diameter of a dinner plate. I seen a couple ways to repair it but here’s the problem. The wall isn’t smooth. It has what I can try to describe as a bumpy texture with irregular puzzle piece/peel strips laid on top. The wall color is egg shell white. I’ll put in a picture. How do I put that texture in the repaired hole? I hate it when you can see an obvious repair patch where a section is smooth, looks horrible. Any advise, and if it is in a step by step process I would not mind in the least either but will take any advise.

Here’s what the wall looks like: