top

Exterior Restoration and Preservation :: Siding, Paint and Windows

Remodeling

We decided almost immediately that we were not going to remove or cover the near original german clapboard siding. (Did replacing it cross our minds? At that time, honestly, no.) We had...

by jb bartkowiak

6 Liters aka 1.6 gallons per flush stamped on the inside of toilet tank

The Curious Case of the Exploding Toilet :: Better Pre-Vacation House Planning and Prep

Homeownership

Ok, it didn't explode -- the toilet, its tank had developed a rather large crack that ran from its base all the way up to the flush handle. My immediate feeling is...

by jb bartkowiak

Yellow shipping bolts on Frigidaire Affinity

Front Load Washer Vibration :: One Way to Fix the Walk and Dance

Make-Maintain-Fix

My wife ran another load. This time, the machine, at approximately 20 minutes in, shook and shaked and vibrated the floor making its way back toward the wall and then out again....

by jb bartkowiak

Our DIY Laundry Room, Powder Room & Office Remodel :: Before & After

Remodeling

I'll admit -- I still have a little punch out on the electric, some touch up painting, and I do intend to add shelving above the "picture rail" in the powder room....

by jb bartkowiak

Side Venting a Gas Dryer :: Installing a Close Connect Fitting

Remodeling

Any time I make a major purchase, I try to get my hands on the installation instructions long before the fixture goes in. But still I was surprised and taken aback to...

by jb bartkowiak

Washer and Dryer Shopping :: Sizing Considerations

Remodeling

When converting a galley kitchen to a laundry room, there was a depth requirement with the washer and dryer we would purchase. These things couldn't stick out in front of my window...

by jb bartkowiak

Making a Bi-Fold Door :: Salvaged from a Solid Wood Door

Make-Maintain-Fix

To make the bi-fold, I started by cutting my 30" (less a few fractions of inch from previous work) door in half. I did this by placing it on my temporarily work...

by jb bartkowiak

How to Remodel a Bungalow :: Start Where the Water Is and Then Move to the Air

They always say put the money where the water is. In other words, you as a homeowner often get the most from your remodeling dollar with work on the kitchen and on...

by jb bartkowiak

Attic Remodel Before and After :: RowHouse or TownHouse

Remodeling

John had this great space in his attic that he wanted to convert into a home office. The space was already pretty well complete i.e. subfloor down, drywall finished, etc., but ....

by jb bartkowiak

Happy Mother’s Day, Jen. Let’s Refinish the Mahogany Porch!

Make-Maintain-Fix

We made arrangements to send the girls over to my mom's house this past weekend. For her, my mother, that's the best Mother's Day gift ever (who knew). This was good for...

by jb bartkowiak

Bungalows :: Remodeling a Bungalow in Northeast Baltimore

You have probably heard it said, The house has good bones. Good bones, typically refers to the structure of a house; it means -- the framing is solid, the house is standing...

by jb bartkowiak

Installing a Self-Rimming Sink in a Postform Laminate Countertop

Remodeling

We are still working on converting the original kitchen in our house to a laundry room. We (my wife and I) had decided early on that we were going to keep the...

by jb bartkowiak