do it yourself

17 years ago

How much of a DYI person are you?

Ever since I moved in to this house, the door to the bathroom irked me.

Just think, you stand in the kitchen, and can look through the living room in to the bathroom, cause someone that shall remain nameless left the door open again! ARGH.

Same thing, you come in the front door, to the right is the kitchen, which is on an open floor plan, straight you are in one end of the living room, but looking or going to the left, there it is again, the open bathroom.

I went to the hardware store yesterday, and bought three hinge pin door closers. Why three? I don't know. There are really only two doors, that nameless seems to be unable to close.

I installed all three. One at the bathroom door, and two at the door to the garage. Just one didn't manage to close that door, thus I put two on the garage door. :)

Now, it should be fun, when nameless comes home this evening. :)

Moni... wondering what you do yourself.

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Comments (6)

chisue
17 years ago
My DH flunked 'shop' in HS. Ditto a Selective Service mechanical exam. He has little ability in the realm of spacial concepts. It's a good thing he is a slow and careful driver because he just doesn't take in what's going on around him. (When I drive I'm constantly monitoring traffic ahead, behind, beside me.)

So...I do the small things around the house. Not any big stuff, just adjustments, etc.

We've been getting a run-around from our HVAC company. After three weeks and their replacing two valves on a boiler...the last tech claimed the problem is the thermostat! I refused his 'offer' to replace ours with a $104 non-programable one and bought one at Menards for $25. If I can't get it on, our DS will. (Now what to do about the $700 the HVAC company has charged for valves that didn't fix the problem!!!)
azzalea
17 years ago
Oh, we're definitely do-it-yourselfers.

With the new house (bought 6 months ago)--

DH has already--rewired the garage and installed several new lights and switches there. Fixed the hanging junction boxes in the basement ceiling, repaired/replaced most of the outlets on the first floor, and plans to get to the rest (they're not grounded, he's installing the proper type for today's heavier appliances). He's replaced the kitchen and bathroom lights, installed under-the-counter lighting in the kitchen.

I've: painted 2 bedrooms and put up borders in them. Launtry room--stripped the old wallpaper, hung new, added a border, painted all the stoops, stripped the contact paper out of every kitchen and bathroom drawer and cabinet, painted them. Made curtains (including shower curtains) for all rooms but the living room. Made quilts for 2 beds.

We did hire help for a few things: railings for the outside steps (we don't do custom wrought iron--LOL); heater repair, an electrical problem DH encountered that he couldn't solve himself, chimney sweep. Oh, and I had the carpets professionally cleaned. But generally, we'll give stuff a try, and only hire if the job is beyond us.

You're absolutely right, that doing the work yourself really gives you a sense of pride and ownership in your home--that's even more important than the money savings
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trishaw
17 years ago
We don't own a house so we can really only do so much. I think my DH can do a lot more than he lets on. When he repaired the leaky toilet in the boys bathroom I about died. I continue to tell him what a handsome hunk he is when fixing something.

Now if only he could repair a car....

I like to learn new things, so I am slowly learning how to fix things. I am the one who can fix the fax machine, copier, postage machine, ect. So you would think I could learn a few more tricks!

Trish in SC
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
17 years ago
Recently I replaced the kitchen faucet all by myself. Whew!

I also removed the basement window frame, removed the broken pane, cleaned it all up, went to town and had a piece of glass cut and put back in it (thankfully I saved and took the gaskets with me), and than reinstalled the whole thing.

I clean my gutters and found the gas powered blower works great.

I can change the oil in my vehicles, replace door knobs, rewire a lamp, hang a light, repair a faucet, etc.

I hate to ask favors of anyone for things I can manage to do myself. Occasionally BF will help me with something, but I realize he has his own place and a rental to look after, so I seldom ask for his help. I'll try to do just about anything by myself.

I have a chain saw (electric with a lot of of cord), and know how to use it.

I have loading ramps and can load a riding lawn mower or a tiller into the truck by myself. I asked for a come-along for my birthday to assist in loading the mower if it is disabled, but haven't put it to the test yet.

There's not much I won't attempt by myself, though others did convince me to hire getting the blacktop drive sealed. It is quite long with a big parking area.

Sue...who has a collection of How to and Fix It books
glenda_al
17 years ago
Not me.
Have to hire someone!
sharon_fl
17 years ago
I am NOT mechanically inclined but I have replaced screening in my doors, cut & laid stained glass on my bahroom countertops, replaced floor tile in my bathroom, painted & wallpapered throughout the rooms in my home-refinished furniture, been on the roof of our home to sweep all of the oak tree limbs, acorns, etc off it and have used power tools to make wooden Xmas lawn decor items. That's about it.

do it yourself

Comments (6)

chisue

azzalea

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Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

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