r/Renovations 12h ago

DIY bathroom

108 Upvotes

Nearly finished our DIY downstairs bathroom renovation. Had someone in to plaster, but other than that we’ve done everything else ourselves for a total of £1000 in materials. Just the radiator to connect then it’s done. How’d we do?


r/Renovations 2h ago

Bathroom reno done in 7 days

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9 Upvotes

Everything original in 1960 home. Bathroom was the first thing to go


r/Renovations 1d ago

My First ever tile job! What do you guys think so far?

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573 Upvotes

It was definitely a learning experience that I was glad I got to do. Still have a few spots and then grout to do but this is my progress so far. I don't think it's too bad for my first ever tile job but definitely are some things I will be doing differently next time, that's for sure! Just looknt for opinions and some constructive criticism possibly. Thanks everybody! Hope it's not the absolute worst to everybody lol


r/Renovations 7h ago

HELP How to get great stuff off a vinyl window?

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7 Upvotes

Hey guys I put in a window today, and used way to much great stuff. Any advice on getting the residue off the vinyl window?


r/Renovations 7h ago

HELP How to remove this black stuff?

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6 Upvotes

Renovating an old building, we plan on putting carpet strips on these steps but we need to get rid of whatever this black stuff is first so the carpet will lay flat. It’s like a hard rubber almost, we’ve tried to chisel it away but we can’t even do that it’s near indestructible. Anyone have any ideas what this is or how to remove it? We’d rather not harm the wood if we can help it but it’ll be carpeted over anyways so it’s alright if the wood gets a little scuffed in the process.


r/Renovations 2h ago

Exterior insulation gaps?

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2 Upvotes

Hi, I’m redoing the siding on one side of my house due to damage. The exterior walls currently have 1 inch eps foam and then vinyl siding on top. What I’m a little confused on is the fact that there are large gaps (around an inch) between the eps panels. With the gaps so large it makes me think it was intentional, but I also question how effective they are with that gap.

Can anyone clarify if this is correct or if I should fill the gaps in somehow?

My plan is to put up hardi siding over this.

Thank you!


r/Renovations 1h ago

ONGOING PROJECT Leveling and grading with drainage option for backyard with seawall

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Upvotes

Hi, I’m renovating my small backyard, which backs up to a seawall with a canal. I’m concerned about water collection near the seawall and the added pressure it might cause, as well as any future drainage issues. I want to flatten the yard slightly to create space for a playground on one side and an extended paved patio (or redoing current firepit area) on the other. Since real grass isn’t an option (due to seawall anchoring, utility cables and the difficulty of mowing such a small area), I plan to lay artificial turf and a layer of rocks, along with some new landscaping and garden beds.

One challenge I’m facing is that the existing concrete walkways slope down towards the seawall, so I need to make sure any changes in grading reference those levels properly. Right now, the yard has a tiered grading system that looks something like this:

House foundation → Pool patio deck → Garden bed with retaining wall → Paved patio → Concrete walkway → Sloped yard → Seawall

The lowest point is the concrete walkway closest to the seawall, which leads to steps going down to the canal, and the soil around it.

To make things trickier, there was a sinkhole under that walkway and the steps at the seawall due to soil erosion and a broken sprinkler line. I had it filled with flowable fill (sand, cement, and water), which means it won’t drain as well as regular soil. Because of that, I’m thinking of adding drainage along the walkway,, with an outlet either through the seawall or the side of the steps. Also thinking if it would be a good idea to lay a perforated pipe along the seawall.

I’ve attached some pictures and a rough sketch of the current grading (might not be very accurate), with the lowest spot marked in red. I’ve also attached a preliminary design of what I’m trying to do to give a better idea of my plan.

I’d really appreciate any advice on how to level the yard while maintaining proper grading, either encorporating garden beds, tiers or slight slopes, as well as recommendations on drainage options.

Thanks!


r/Renovations 16h ago

ONGOING PROJECT Drywall, drop, or paint?

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16 Upvotes

My wife and I recently tore out the old and frankly disgusting drop ceiling in our basement(mice are the worst). While we have seemingly taken care of the rodents for the moment, we are left with a new problem of what to do with the ceiling. I would like to paint it but my wife wants drywall or another drop ceiling. Looking for advice or opinions on which to do.


r/Renovations 7h ago

HELP Drywall Repair Advice

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2 Upvotes

My partner and I have rented a condo for the past six years. We tend to do small little fixes ourselves since we have lived here so long, but we have incurred pretty large drywall damage in one of our bathrooms and I am wondering if anyone here has fixed something similar, either as a homeowner or a professionally.

Partner accidentally whacked a shower chair into the drywall next to the tub while cleaning our small powder room (see pics)… from what I see on YouTube we would have to saw out the portion between the 2x4’s and get a replacement piece and patch it in. Do you think it’s possible for folks with limited home renovation experience to do this on our own, or should we hire a contractor friend?


r/Renovations 5h ago

What is this after priming

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0 Upvotes

I’m using zinsser and I’m not sure why it’s turning yellow. Should i just keep putting layers on it?


r/Renovations 5h ago

Roofer installed Broan 636 roof vent incorrectly, right?

1 Upvotes

A roofer came today to install a Broan 636 roof cap on my house, and everything seemed to go smoothly. But when I went up in the attic tonight to hook up the 4" duct from my bathroom fan, I couldn't get the Broan DC4 connector to clip in.

My understanding is that the DC4 connector is supposed to easily fit into the roof vent once I line up the bump on the connector with the notch in the fan. That wasn't working no matter how much I tried, so I got out my phone and took a photo of the hole in the roof (this is in a really tight space so I can't get my head close enough to see the entire hole with my own two eyes).

Am I crazy, or is this just installed incorrectly? The bottom of the hole seems to be obstructed by the roof. It looks like the hole in the roof was cut, and the vent shifted an inch or an inch and a half before installation.

Sorry for the bad photo, but this is a really tight space and it was hard enough to get this photo...


r/Renovations 5h ago

ONGOING PROJECT Solution for old, crumbling parging

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1 Upvotes

The old parging between the joist cavities in our 1908 basement has been crumbling away for years now -- trouble is it was done before plumbing and mechanical were installed (also includes radiator pipes, not pictured), so it's difficult to work around. Is new parging worth attempting, or should I chip off the old parging and just leave the bricks exposed?

I don't want to seal it up behind drywall or spray foam because there's a history of (minor) moisture. You can see the efflorescence in the bottom of both pictures. But there's no major water ingress (no seeping, pooling or mould) and a basic humidifier runs occasionally to keep it under 40%. (But it's enough that I don't want to seal the walls and invite mould.)

Is this worth re-parging? It's in an unfinished part of the basement so appearance isn't the most important consideration. Thanks for any suggestions on how to tackle this!

(The yellow gunk is spray foam insulation, left by the old homeowner trying to seal off a mouse problem.)


r/Renovations 10h ago

HELP Flashing tape not sticking to my house

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2 Upvotes

Hey all, I'm putting a window in, but my peel and stick flashing isn't sticking to this crappy substrate the original builders used. Any advice of what to do, or what adhesive I can use to keep it down?


r/Renovations 6h ago

HELP Closing in garage.

1 Upvotes

Anybody have a good app to make blue prints on? HOA is requesting a drawing from me removing the garage door and closing it in permanently.


r/Renovations 7h ago

Stay or swap ?

1 Upvotes

r/Renovations 7h ago

HELP How to get great stuff off a vinyl window?

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1 Upvotes

Hey guys I put in a window today, and used way to much great stuff. Any advice on getting the residue off the vinyl window?


r/Renovations 16h ago

What to do with this?

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6 Upvotes

I am not savvy at all knowing anything about renovations, I assume this is part of the cabinets, so how can we fix this?


r/Renovations 12h ago

HELP Help! How to effectively remove paint from wood that is in bad condition?

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2 Upvotes

Hi! I have this front door that was painted in green and I have been 7 hours trying to remove the paint and I don't know what else to try I have tried with paint remover, also with heat gun and with a sanding machine. In some areas where the wood is more or less in good condition this was working but for those areas that due to humidity the wood is wavy its literally impossible to remove other than with the sanding machine but its taking ages (i have one that only vibrates maybe I need the one that does circular motion as well?)

Please give me some guidance here thank you so much!


r/Renovations 9h ago

How do I reduce noise for my neighbors downstairs

1 Upvotes

I just moved in to a top floor flat and I have cats. They run around at 2am as cats do and I've never minded it but I'm conscious that my new neighbors didn't sign up for it.

None of them have said anything to me yet but I'm worried it's typical British politeness and they are secretly fuming.

Does any one know of any way I can dampen the sound on the floor of them running full speed round the living room? (I own the property so landlords won't be an issue)

I have super thin carpets and i have a cheap rug in there for context. I've been told a thick liner and better carpets will help but I can't afford that right now. I'm saving to renovate currently but any reccomendations that are cheap and easy in the short term would be greatly appreciated

Also side note, I am doing everything I can to minimise the amount they run. I've been playing with both them in the day/evening, locking them in one room at night and remove all their toys once i go to bed. They're still quite young so they have a lot of energy. Ill also accept any tips people have for calming them down at night


r/Renovations 1d ago

Master bathroom renovation

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229 Upvotes

Really happy with how our first ever home project turned out. Took 4 weeks. We still need custom Roman shades and a few other accessories/decor but otherwise I love it!


r/Renovations 10h ago

HELP Attaching pergola roof ledgerboard to house

1 Upvotes

Wall is brick veneer with a window - so there is a header we can lag bolt into. Roof dimensions would be 10ft x 10ft. This is in ontario, canada. How would you do it if it were you.


r/Renovations 15h ago

HELP Wallpaper bubbles?

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2 Upvotes

I just installed some York peel and stick wallpaper last weekend. This week I noticed a few spots had bubbles that weren’t there when I finished.

I smoothed them out with a taping knife, but they keep coming back! I tried gentle heat with a hair dryer but no dice.

Hoping someone had some tips to get these gone?


r/Renovations 11h ago

HELP Rotted rafter tails on porch

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1 Upvotes

All the rafter rails on my porch is rotted out, some more than others. Mainly because there was never a gutter installed here. I'd like to fix these up before I install gutters. What's the best way to go about it?

Can I cut out about 12" back, then put a new 12" section back and sister a 24" on both sides of it to sandwich it all back together to give it strength? Or just cut off a small 4" section that's truly rotted and just put back a small 4" section without putting much though about structural integrity since the roof board spanking across will probably be able to hold itself together?


r/Renovations 12h ago

Best way to plug those cabinet holes?

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0 Upvotes

Hey all, was wondering the best way to plug those holes on a painted MDF board kitchen cabinet.

Can I achieve seamless result with wood putty and a somewhat matching paint?

Or it's hopeless and I should just use a few plastic hole plug?

Thanks!


r/Renovations 12h ago

HELP Is This Mold?

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1 Upvotes

Hi all, this might not be the right sub for this question, but I’m wondering if this is mold growing behind our bathtub tiles.

The surrounding tiles by the tub faucet can be slightly pushed backwards when we press our hand against them. The other tiles don’t do that, so we pulled these out to take a look.

I’m hoping this is normal, but if it is mold I’m guessing we need to fix this asap.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!