Recent content by jdougn

Hello Philphine, I'm from the Louisville KY area too. 84 lumber may not stock 8x8 but they can get them. I talked with the 84 on Dixie Hwy and they can get them so that means that any 84 in our area should be able to get one for you. Seeing a picture of your plans, or the project, would...

What type of exterior siding does your house have? Did you see any holes in the exterior wall when you opened up the interior for the new patio door? It is very likely that the original installer loosened up, or removed, a run of siding, drilled a hole through the exterior wall sheathing...

It doesn't take a huge amount of effort to clean dust from a wall. Commercial painters just fasten a rag around a broom and "sweep" the wall. Make sure to hit the edges and corners real well. The rag makes sure there are no streaks of dust left behind. Also, a damp (damp, not soaking wet) sponge...

Hey Jason, thanks for posting up your solution. You had a good idea based on your first hand knowledge of your situation and it should work well. Good Job! Doug

(Some of us only stop by occasionally so sorry about not answering sooner.) Thanks for the photo. It is hard to tell from the photo exactly how big the area needing repair is and if it extends to the outside. To really repair the wall, all loose and broken material should be removed entirely...

Have the walls been painted? If not, rent a power sander with dust collector and sand. If they have been painted, sanding through the paint will be difficult. Also, how heavy is the stucco? If its not too bad you may be able to apply a couple of "skim coat" layers of new drywall mud on top as...

In addition to the post above, I would suggest making sure all walls are dust free, particularly unpainted drywall. If there is much dust at all on the wall the primer will not adhere well and the paint can get erasers sized bubbles in it, usually when you apply the next coat. These bubbles...

I know that Lowes special ordering system uses a drop down window with picts. Go there (or probably any big box store) and get a quote for some special order doors. Watch them go through the process on their software and you may get some good ideas. hth, Doug

Any of our local big box stores will rekey but you have to buy a least one new lockset from them. Regardless, if you are inclined to operate a screwdriver you can change all your own locks. hth, Doug

Based upon your dimensions a standard storm door will probably work. The storm door actually installs to the exterior trim around the outside of the door so those are the most critical dimensions. You're probably ready to go look at some storm doors. Most brands list the tools needed on the...

Yeah, the portability of the tank is a nice design. Doug

Welcome Checkensaur, Installing a storm door is usually an easy enough project. Measure the distance between the brick molding (left to right) on the outside of the door. Then, measure from the brickmold at the top of the door down to the threshold, keep the tape measure nice & straight. Let...

If existing damage indicates that much of the exterior door frame needs replaced, it may be just about as cheap to totally replace the door with a new, pre-hung entry door. It almost always takes less time for an experience carpenter to install a new prehung exterior door rather than cut out...

Some HF tools are good others aren't so good. Their brad nailer uses a heavy cast nose cover on the gun and I've used it for 3-4 years regularly. However, the stapler/nailer that you bought may have just a stamped steel nose cover. On the one I bought, the first time a staple hit a hidden nail...

The vapor barrier is to protect the insulation and wall from from damage caused by moisture vapor moving from inside the house into the wall cavity. The vb should go all the way to the floor without being cut to do this properly. The cement board should extend just over the lip of the tub...