Talk about DIY house renovation

[Marcus Johnson]

Had a little bit of a NZ vernacular problem for a minute there.... I wasn't sure what "gib" was... so I looked it up in the online Webster's dictionary, and it told me that a gib is "a castrated male cat". Presumably, that isn't what you are screwing and gluing......

Anyway, those gib lifters are great if you are doing a big job. They make the job a whole lot safer, and save a lot of wear and tear on your neck and shoulders. The last time I hung a ceiling, we just muscled the panels up (two guys), it was not fun.

[Richard Prowse]

Young Rob, you weren't listening. Both gib screws and nails are fine and should be used in the same way. The glue is a good addition that also helps to keep the gib in place. In NZ you can borrow a gib lifter from most hardware stores so that even a small job can be made easier. Yes Marcus, I've tried muscling panels up too... certainly no fun!

[stan haskins]

Speaking of a job which is no fun, I tried to save money last year by buying the cheapest wall-to-wall carpet I could find and installing it myself with a knee kick.

I didn't think about wearing knee pads until after I was done.

Ouch!

Needless to say, the carpet is basically destroyed now. We won't get a new one until after all of the potty training's done, though.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by stan haskins

Needless to say, the carpet is basically destroyed now. We won't get a new one until after all of the potty training's done, though.

I hope it's just the kids who are doing the potty training Stan.
The worst job I've done lately was when I tried to put some fibreglass insulation (they're called Bats down here) just beneath the floorboards under the house. I had to wriggle along on my back. I got fibreglass dust from above and animal droppings etc. from below.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Robert Prowse

Just made that up!

That's okay 2nd. DIY is all about making things (up).

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Robert Prowse

The corner of my bathroom has sagged 3 inches;
I decided to jack it and raise it in pinches.
With creaks and with groans the old timber moans
But can ney resist the force on it's bones.

I can relate to that one! (though not nearly so eloquently). I am no stranger to the house jack experience.

Right now, I'm hand-nailing cedar shingles to the exterior of my new family room. Although the pace is relatively slow,I find it kind of relaxing.

[Marcus Johnson]

I does look nice, it's durable, and in my case, it matches the rest of the house , which was built in 1935. There are certainly easier sidings to apply, but I didn't feel like redoing the whole house, so I'm matching the new section to the old.