Recent content by Jeff Ivers

Got out this morning and spent way too much time cleaning and putting away the tile cutting equipment and cleaning and repackaging the tile remnants large enough to save. Purchased 148 sq ft of tile and have 28.76 sq ft left over. Then I moved inside and started on the toilet flange. First I...

This morning I managed to get all the remaining pieces cut to finish the floor! Other chores to take care of before I pull the pieces and stack them to the side for thin-setting.

Yesterday I had 2 sessions of thin-setting the tiles I had cut to fit the previous days. Finished all but 3 tiles due to reach problems. Since I finished late yesterday, I got a late start today due to the need to not walk on newly set tiles for at least 24 hours. Once I got out there, I...

I am not sure I am doing it the right way - certainly not following conventional wisdom of starting in the middle of the room. Sometimes the hardest part of a project is figuring out what the right way seems to be.

If you go with number 1, and you acquire a different vehicle such as a pickup that is over 20' long, you might have trouble getting the vehicle in and out with that arrangement. Consider your age, family size, and potential future vehicle needs.

Yesterday and this morning, I focused on cutting tiles to allow me to make it through each of the doorways. I don't think I can get myself and gear into either the closet or bathroom to allow me to work towards myself from the tiles that are already set. Therefore, I think I will have to work...

Yesterday's progress. Today's progress. 71 sq ft down. The hardest part so far has been trying to be consistent with the grout mix. 1st try - about right, 2nd try - little dry, third try - little wet. Upper right corner shows my first 2 cutting templates in place.

"Peanut butter" ready in blue bucket. After deciding the room was square based on diagonal measurements, I was still concerned about getting that first tile square in the corner. Decided to use 2 4' yard sticks as a spacer to the wall. Set my tiles right up against the stick and moved the stick...

That is a neat "air" sign (lamp?).

Today, I vacuumed the floor (again). Then I poured a bit of full strength Krud Kutter on the floor where the stick-down tiles used to be and scrubbed with a scrub brush. Then I mopped that up with clear water. Then, I used a bit of Dawn detergent in a bucket of water and mopped the entire floor...

Wednesday morning, they tied the street up in front of my place to deliver this trail bridge to the biking/hiking trail they are building along the one mile stretch of road in front of my house. At least I am starting to put some things back together after painting the bathroom - it is...

Good suggestion. Did it the old fashioned way - 1.5" angle brush for cutting in followed by a 9" roller on an extendable handle to deal with the 9' + ceiling. Threw the brush away rather then cleaning it (already had some unwanted buildup). The extendable handle was a pain in the rear in the...

Please, blow some of that cold air to the southeast!

That is good information. I see I erroneously referred to red pads earlier when in fact I meant the maroon. So the maroon is 360 to 400 grit and equivalent to triple ought steel wool. Seems that would be a much better choice than 220 grit sandpaper. I would also add that if you are using the...

Thursday, I checked the results of my primer and from about 3' away, I could see the difference in color. So, I bit the bullet and masked, applied a second coat of primer in a few spots and today painted the bathroom. Holy cow - $30 for a quart of paint. Tomorrow, I will re-assemble the bathroom...