The Home Improvements Thread (2)

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stepper said:
Same here...I have a problem with keeping left over material like tiles and grout
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Spare tiles are good to keep, you never know when you might need a spare and you'll never be able to get replacements. Grout can go.

Like you and most guys, I have an issue with hoarding. It's always that thought of "what if I need it, it would save me a trip to the store".

But when you really think about it, the store will always have what you need. Let them pay rent and store it. You can make better use of your space.

Good things to keep would be stuff that you won't be able to get again in a few years - basically tiles and paint. And obviously your tools...
 
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I'm doing a bathroom reno but I'm on a tight budget, so I'd like to see what I can do myself.

I think I can remove the basin, toilet, mixers and taps myself. I have no idea now to remove the bath because it's built it. I also want to remove the tiles myself. It doesn't look too difficult to remove tiles, but is there anything specific to look out for?
 
Aeryn23 said:
I'm doing a bathroom reno but I'm on a tight budget, so I'd like to see what I can do myself.

I think I can remove the basin, toilet, mixers and taps myself. I have no idea now to remove the bath because it's built it. I also want to remove the tiles myself. It doesn't look too difficult to remove tiles, but is there anything specific to look out for?
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1649364727500.png

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1649364866700.png
 
Aeryn23 said:
I'm doing a bathroom reno but I'm on a tight budget, so I'd like to see what I can do myself.

I think I can remove the basin, toilet, mixers and taps myself. I have no idea now to remove the bath because it's built it. I also want to remove the tiles myself. It doesn't look too difficult to remove tiles, but is there anything specific to look out for?
Click to expand...

1649365451064.png

Can't remove bathroom basin!

Update please.
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Aeryn23 said:
I'm doing a bathroom reno but I'm on a tight budget, so I'd like to see what I can do myself.

I think I can remove the basin, toilet, mixers and taps myself. I have no idea now to remove the bath because it's built it. I also want to remove the tiles myself. It doesn't look too difficult to remove tiles, but is there anything specific to look out for?
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Do you have a drill with only hammer action?
 
capd said:
Could any of you experts please assist? Sorry @RonSwanson, I'm still not 100% sure after your and others' input.

Best Way To Fill Exterior Cracks Before Priming & Painting

I thought it was the other way round with vertical cracks caused by foundations sinking/settling, since different parts move at different times. Horizontal cracks are rather a sign of the wall itself having a problem like bowing or leaning.Nope horizontal cracks are generally foundation related.
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Bump.
 
RonSwanson said:
Yep, that one may be, but it looks like the concrete flooring that was in fashion about 7-8 years ago, and used in quite a couple of upmarket homes, albeit sealed off and with a higher sheen:
View attachment 1285638
View attachment 1285640

View attachment 1285642
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That looks cool. I was gonna put an epoxy floor paint on it and then thanks to budget overruns during that period just left it - thankfully our cars don't leak oil (just cursed myself now) so floor still looking good
 
capd said:
Bump.
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Following with interest as we (I) need to tackle the outside wall pretty soon as the PO left it to ruin.

I was thinking of attacking the entire wall with a wire brush on a drill to get the loose paint off, and then V out the deepest cracks with a grinder but I'm also unsure about the whole primer/texture thing.

I'd hazard a guess and say you would need to probably add a specific sort of media to the paint to get that texture, not sure if it is a specific type of paint or if people just add sandblasting media to it or something?
 
PhireSide said:
Following with interest as we (I) need to tackle the outside wall pretty soon as the PO left it to ruin.

I was thinking of attacking the entire wall with a wire brush on a drill to get the loose paint off, and then V out the deepest cracks with a grinder but I'm also unsure about the whole primer/texture thing.

I'd hazard a guess and say you would need to probably add a specific sort of media to the paint to get that texture, not sure if it is a specific type of paint or if people just add sandblasting media to it or something?
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Thanks for chipping in! A pressure washer did well for me and stripped loose paint easily. Using the Karcher 'Dirt Blaster' attachment was particularly effective.
 
RonSwanson said:
Gents, when you reach my age (which I refuse to reveal), a couple of questions occur to me. I share this freely, so that you may never have to answer them:
  • What exactly have I been packing in all of those moving trucks and boxes over the past two / three decades?;
  • How much of it have I actually used?;
  • What has this cost me to:
    • move it securely;
    • guard it securely;
    • store it securely; and
    • insure it against theft, fire, rot, mould and "acts of God";
  • over the past two / three decades?
    • How much real estate have I purchased over the past years purely for useless storage?
  • Could I have rid myself of this burden far sooner?
  • What would I have gained if I did not get rid of it:
    • 2 years ago;
    • 5 years ago;
    • 10 years ago;
    • 2 decades ago; and
  • if I did get rid of it, would I have been any poorer or richer today? And by what amount?
Many of us would not want to answer these questions, but sooner or later will have to.

Getting rid of unneccessary / unused / unwanted stuff is quite liberating.
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You know, this is super true.

I started about a year ago to clean up. And hell, does it take a lot of time to sort through stuff to really think it through. Currently what I got rid of first in the garage to help with space was the lawn mower and wheateater, because for the last 2 years I have been using garden services (to save time for other stuff) so these 2 big items were just in the way.

Some tools I had double off (dont ask) so decided which one I use and will keep and sold the other.

For materials, same thing, most of it I won't use soon again, so I hate storing cement and sand so those had to go. Paints are usually pre-mixed stuff so easy to get and we note down the mixes we chose ourselves.

My next problem is, well the big load of tiles and laminate floor spares. Really annoying. I would be happy to throw out the laminate, but for now I am not replacing the house floors with tiles yet so meh need to make a plan.

After this, I have to start going through all the containers and see how many I can empty out, so that I only keep the absolute minimum, before I start redoing the whole garage (sort off diy reno).

First place I actually started was the office room in the house, made it absolute minimal design. Me and wife only have the standing desks and the cables are even in slotted trunking to keep it as neat as possible.

Anyways this is still a long journey but it is doing well neatening up spaces everywhere and reducing unneeded items. As you say, liberating! :)
 
RonSwanson said:
You get special tile paint, and need to do some prep.
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Tile Painting

Painting tiles doesn’t have to be as tedious as it sounds. With Mica’s Easy Tips you’ll have a transformed room in no time at all! Before working on the
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How to paint bathroom tiles - Property24

With the right products, applications and correct preparation you can give your bathroom an instant...
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I have never done it myself, but have heard of it. I think that it could refresh a bathroom / kitchen, but have no idea on the longevity of it.
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Thanks Uncle.

I don't have R30K to do a whole bathroom makeover now. Everything is old. It's old small white tiles halfway up the wall and then paint. I just want to make it look a little better for now until the day money falls from the sky.
Maybe i'll leave the tiles and just paint the walls.
 
HunterNW said:
Thanks Uncle.

I don't have R30K to do a whole bathroom makeover now. Everything is old. It's old small white tiles halfway up the wall and then paint. I just want to make it look a little better for now until the day money falls from the sky.
Maybe i'll leave the tiles and just paint the walls.
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I would go with the second option, if the tile are white they should fit in with almost any other colour scheme you choose.
 
Aeryn23 said:
I'm doing a bathroom reno but I'm on a tight budget, so I'd like to see what I can do myself.

I think I can remove the basin, toilet, mixers and taps myself. I have no idea now to remove the bath because it's built it. I also want to remove the tiles myself. It doesn't look too difficult to remove tiles, but is there anything specific to look out for?
Click to expand...

once the tiles are out the bath should be easy to remove, disconnect the waste and remove any left over silicone if there is (though it should have been betwee the bath and the tile and pull it out. If it is an old cast iron bath prepare to invite some friends over.
 
HunterNW said:
Thanks Uncle.

I don't have R30K to do a whole bathroom makeover now. Everything is old. It's old small white tiles halfway up the wall and then paint. I just want to make it look a little better for now until the day money falls from the sky.
Maybe i'll leave the tiles and just paint the walls.
Click to expand...

I've seen painted tiles that didn't look too bad - it was a dark grey. But also, have you considered tiling yourself? It's kuk and takes quite a bit of skill to do it proper...but you can save a big chunk of money :p
 
prOd said:
I've seen painted tiles that didn't look too bad - it was a dark grey. But also, have you considered tiling yourself? It's kuk and takes quite a bit of skill to do it proper...but you can save a big chunk of money :p
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Nope and nope and nope. There's things i'd rather leave for people who's skilled at it.
 
stepper said:
I would like to add shelves to a garage with a depth of 600mm.
Like this...

View attachment 1285474

Which will be durable...20mm Pine or 18mm Plywood board?
Do you have a recommendation for brackets for such a build?
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plywood will be way stronger. If you want the shelves to be even stronger, cut a 40mm strip and lip the front of the shelves.
 
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