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I'm in the process of tearing out an old, leaking, tile shower on the second floor of my parent's two-story house (1930s plaster construction, cape style). Once out, I'm planning on redoing all the plumbing and running some new outlets as well (it shares a wall with the kitchen). I also plan on washing everything down inside with bleach and replacing any rotten wood. My question is, while I have this area open, is there anything else I should look at or consider doing? Since this is the first time the attic crawlspace will be open I'm considering poking my head up there and adding some more insulation. Anything else? |
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Photograph it. I photographed all the walls in our house as we built them, but before we put the sheetrock on. I now have a very good record of what is inside, in case we need to make a modification. I've used the photographs a couple of times, letting us design modifications without having to open it up first. link |
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Conduit for data cable will probably be useful one day (rather sooner, if you have it). If I have my walls open that's what I'd be putting in. linklike PVC pipe, for future upgrades, CAT5 cable, or whatever the future holds
1 year, 1 month ago
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Leave today's newspaper and a note in the wall! Maybe a photograph? We recently renovated and I was looking for notes and interesting "treasures" in all the walls. I found a note from the 1920s about the plumbing. I wish I found other cool things! linkIt is a little grim, but one of the best things you can do is anticipate a time when someone using that bathroom may have to recover from surgery or just get older...and need grab bars. The simple fix is to install plywood behind the drywall. You might want to add sound reducing insulation too.
1 year, 11 months ago
That's not grim, that's just sensible. Talk about planning ahead and avoiding future headaches.
1 year, 11 months ago
Both excellent ideas! And grab bars are just too easy and sensible - soap and hard tile? As a culture, we're asking for more self-inflicted TBIs - unless the bars are better accepted & utilized. Or just put 'em in after someone cracks their head open...
1 year ago
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Consider a ventilation system such as an in-wall fan and vent through the attic to roof. Sometimes, opening a window is not practical, as in the dead of winter. link |
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Why not add a window as well? linkBest money I spent in a reno was adding a skylight to a small bathroom. Totally changed that space. Or even one (or more) of those Solatubes.
1 year ago
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Take photo of walls just before covering for future reference about studs, pipes, wiring and etc. link |
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I was moving some antique furniture into a house a few years back and the gentleman wanted to show me that he had speakers in the wall. They were totally invisible, but sounded great. I don't know what separated the speaker and the paint. A totally unnecessary luxury, but cool nonetheless. link |

