TOOL RECOMMENDATION

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rbm328

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We're tearing out a bad tile flooring job in our newly purchased home. the stack up was sub floor, linoleum, backer board, linoleum, then tile!
We're removing down to sub. We noticed the floor was wet under the fridge. After removing down to the sub, it too is wet and you can rub the plywood (sub) and you can go thru the different plys.
Anyway, I must get up right next to the sheet rock wall and remove the wet sub. the spot is ~36" L x 8" W.
Whats the best tool for getting real close to the wall? I'm ALWAYS up for a new tool!!

Thanks
Rich
 
Be cognizant of the joist spacing, and split the repair over them, where applicable.

I'd use a sawzall.
 
Sawzall is my suggestion as well. That's a brand name and high quality and pricey tool. I bought a 19 buck one from harbor freight because I needed one in a hurry 6 years ago and the thing is a work horse. I have beat the snot out of it and it keeps going. Pack of 10 blades is 10 bucks and they hold up good as well. No reason not to own this style tool.
 
Oscillating attachment might work. When I had to remove flooring that went under a wall like that I ended up doing it by hand (chisel, hammer, and prybar). It took quite awhile though.
 
Sawzall will work, but hopefully you can look from below to see what else is down there.
Otherwise you can saw through romex, metal conduit, pvc drains, water pipes or pex, heating ducts, coax for tv or internet, phone lines, etc.

Oscillating multi tool will work, but pretty slow.
Very safe though.

You could use a sawzall with a very short blade, and adjust the saw to get very short penetration.

Still important to know what to avoid underneath.

And why is the floor wet under the fridge?
Leaking solenoid valve for icemaker or water in door?
Cracked or missing drain pan?
Leaking water supply line or leaking shutoff valve?
 
leak was caused by previous fridge leaking. we bought a new one.
as far as a tool, has anyone seen the HF toe kick saw? think I might get it and try it
 
If you buy a toe kick saw, you could always sell it afterwards on ebay or Craigslist or Facebook marketplace, or Nextdoor app.
 
Oscillating Multi tool would be my choice. Very versatile and good for numerous other jobs. Toe kick saws have limited use.
 
For my bathroom cut out where the wax seal failed, I started with a HF Toe kick saw, which cut the outline, but it wasn't precise at all. I bought a Makita Oscillating tool and it took care of my entire cutout without needing a new blade.
 

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Bud16414, I disagree about the cheap tool. 45 years ago I bought the cheapest circular saw (a Black & Decker) at a Price Club store (anybody remember those?). I would really like to have a better saw but the damn thing just keeps running and I am too cheap to replace one that works. My advice is to buy the best tool you can afford. A quality tool is a pleasure to use - and you just might use it for a very long time.
 
Bud16414, I disagree about the cheap tool. 45 years ago I bought the cheapest circular saw (a Black & Decker) at a Price Club store (anybody remember those?). I would really like to have a better saw but the damn thing just keeps running and I am too cheap to replace one that works. My advice is to buy the best tool you can afford. A quality tool is a pleasure to use - and you just might use it for a very long time.
I bought that same B&D mine is at least 35-40 old also and I have ran the snot out of it. I bought a high quality circular saw about 20 years ago and I still grab that B&D that’s plastic because it is so light. Like I said that HF sawzall for 19 bucks and if you have a coupon you can get it 20% off runs amazing.
 
Spicoli, it looks great! Glad the oscillating attachment worked. I wish I'd had one back when I needed one. I'm curious as to what the board means where it says "this side down".. Is that for when it is wall-mounted or something?
 
For my bathroom cut out where the wax seal failed, I started with a HF Toe kick saw, which cut the outline, but it wasn't precise at all. I bought a Makita Oscillating tool and it took care of my entire cutout without needing a new blade.
Has anyone tried the waxless toilet seals that are now available?
 
what brand is the waxless? another thread on hear said the Toto's are the best toilet. I have to replace all three in this house and was wondering
 
Spicoli, it looks great! Glad the oscillating attachment worked. I wish I'd had one back when I needed one. I'm curious as to what the board means where it says "this side down".. Is that for when it is wall-mounted or something?

Thanks. Here is the finished picture. "This side down" is so you match corresponding tongue and groove pieces. I wouldn't have bought T&G, it was free in the shed from the previous owner.

As far as the Oscillating tool, it was a definite headache eraser.
 

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Has anyone tried the waxless toilet seals that are now available?
Yes, both toilets. No leaks, while the destruction in my pic was from a visible leak of a failed wax ring. The other bathroom failed as well, but I caught it before it "pooled" below the linoleum.
 
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