Latest Discussions

Plaster and Lathe, remove or cover?

I have a home with plaster and lathe walls and I want to replace the electric (knob and tube) and have new, smooth, crack-free walls. Do I go through the mess of...

Any suggestions how to remove stain on furniture before refinishing?

pricing an addition

I have a 18 year old 2 story frame home with vinyl siding. It has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, LR, DR, and deck. The home dimensions are 24x28 giving me 1344 sq feet. ...

Removing Paint from Marble

In a house that was just aquired there is a fireplace that is Italian Marble, at sometime, in its life someone decided to put several coats of paint on it, I am n...

Greystone Project Supplier

Architectural Salvage Business - Does anyone know the name and location of the business from which Bob purchased the outdoor iron fence in the Greystone Project (...

wood floor vs pergo

we are going to be putting in new flooring in our living room, dining room, kitchen and hallway. i want a very light wood floor. we have four dogs that can be p...

Leather Faux Finish

I would like to do a Leather Faux Finish in the Library - and perhaps the Dining Room - one Red-ish - the other Hunter Green. Does anyone have any tips or any We...

Textured Ceilings

Looking for information on how to texture a ceiling with the take down look?

Floor Jacks / steel support columns

My 70 year old house has some slanting floors on the second story. The two original wooden basement support columns were replaced by a previous owner with steel ...

Furnace

I have weatherking rurnace and the blower continually runs I am forcedto manuaully switch on and off. Can any one tell me what the probelm is the fuernace is 13 y...

Removing "popcorn" paint

I need to find out the best way to remove old "popcorn" paint from a ceiling. It is already starting to peel away from the light fixture in the center of the ceil...

Removing Interior brick wall

The interior wall where the fireplace is located has is bricked. I want to replace the fireplace mantel along with this ugly wall. Considering that a new mantel i...

boiler

Hi - went to go turn on the boiler (it's getting chilly in the mornings!) - lit the pilot, switched the valve to "on", turned on the pumps and...nothing. No whoos...

bathroom fixtures

I am going to have my bathroom remodeled and was wondering if someone could tell me if contractors can get a better price on tubs, sinks and toilets than regular ...

TV Show # 320--Fire Sprinkler

I'm interested in maybe adding the feature to homes beginning construction in Hawaii. Please provide list of sources. Anybody who has installed one, please shar...

dumb-waiter for firewood

I am looking for a dumb-waiter for getting firewood from basement to 1st floor. Saw it on Bob Vila's show and need a place to contact.

Textured Wall Coverings

Hi! I'm living in a 50 year old, war-time house that has cracks in the walls and does not fit evenly in the corners. I am seriously considering re-doing the wal...

Books on Post-War bungalows?

We just bought a house that I call ranch style but my husband, the historical preservationist calls post-war bungalow. It was built around 1946. The kitchen has...

Straw Bale Foundation

I'm working a straw bale project 16'X 12'X10'what would be a good foundation for the bale.

Heat / Energy recovery systems

Anyone use any type of heat recovery systems?I wanted ways to save energy and had seen an idea for an AC h2O water heater. Or a heat pump water heater.