Do It Together

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

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

Bungalows :: a Look at the Significance of the Bungalow in Northeast Baltimore

In the NeighborHood

And a little ways up and around the bend, packed in a short row of houses that look strangely similar, a breed of house different from the others you have just seen....

by jb bartkowiak

How to Replace a Pre-Hung Door: A Door Layout Fix

Remodeling

This procedure requires the installation of what is known as a Dutchman. (See the section Moxie Mouth in the right side bar for a definition.) A Dutchman can be patched in and...

by jb bartkowiak

How to Texture a Ceiling :: One Example, an Essay

Remodeling

We were not that familiar with textured surfaces. There was a heavy textured swirl on the some the ceilings of our last house; in our current house, we had a stipple in...

by jb bartkowiak

Flipping the Hinges and Lockset on a Pre-Hung Door: A Door Layout Fix

Make-Maintain-Fix

In a nutshell, Dave has a situation in the hallway leading from his foyer to his kitchen. The basement door and the door on the powder room, immediately opposing each other, both...

by jb bartkowiak

Tub/Shower Faucet Repair (Follow Up): Stop and Waste Valves

Make-Maintain-Fix

When shut off values are equipped with a waste outlet, you can open these little grooved nuts and drain uphill water at a safe location in the basement, usually into bucket ....

by jb bartkowiak

Dripping Tub Shower Faucet :: Tub/Shower Faucet Stem Repair Procedure (3-handle faucet)

Make-Maintain-Fix

Shower/tub faucets, those that service both a tub and a shower head, come in 1-, 2- or 3-handle configurations. Of all of them, the 3-handle configuration is probably the most common, and...

by jb bartkowiak

A Door Layout Fix :: The Situation and Options

Make-Maintain-Fix

Dave and his family live in what is called an "Executive Line" home. All major production builders (as opposed to "custom builders), it seems, build in this line. And like most in...

by jb bartkowiak