DIY
Supporting the Do it Yourself Homeowner - We also Support & Respect the Homeowner that can Realize their Limitations and know when to call a "Pro"
Gain Insight from Our Research into, Appliances, Cabinetry, Countertops, Electrical, Flooring, HVAC, Plumbing, Solar and more. Visit our Website YPRemodel.com
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Articles we are working on:
- Master Bedroom Closet Upgrade
- How much Fluoride is in your Water?
- Update to Banning Natural Gas Cooking in New Homes
Published Articles
All Articles are Published on Our Website YPRemodel.com you will find Detailed Articles and Images on Our Website.
New Article
Teflon Tape or Pipe Dope
plus Plumbers Putty
Thread Tape or Pipe Dope/Joint Compound?
Which is Best
"Maybe Both"
New Article
Kitchen Island Outlets
Are Dangerous
Outlets Located on the Side of the Kitchen Island will be no More
New Electrical Code states
"Only 3 Options Available"
Solar
NEW ARTICLE
20 Solar Panels will not Start your AC
It's The Surge at Start-Up
Locked Rotor needs 2 to 5 times more Current at Start-Up
Solar
NEW ARTICLE
Solar Inverters
You need a High Quality Inverter
If you Plan on using the AC when the Power goes out
Water Treatment
Water Softeners
Water Softeners Soften Hard water by way of ion Exchange
Salt ions trade places with Calcium & Magnesium ions
Salt ions are placed on the Resin Beads during the Regeneration Cycle
Flooring
Waterproof Flooring
Waterproof Flooring is known as WPC, LVT, LVP & SPC
The Waterproof claim applies to the Material itself
- Is it DIY or Pro ?
- What about the Wear Layer is it thick enough ?
Water Treatment
Sizing Water Softeners
Proper Size of the Bead Bed is Important for Efficiency
The Beads can only hold so much Hardness before Recharging
You use more Salt if your Recharging more often
Appliance
Types of Water Heaters
Most Common are
Gas - Electric - Solar
- Water Heater & Storage Tank
- Tankless Water Heaters
- Solar Water Heaters
Calculate Water Usage for Dish Washer, Faucets (Kitchen & Bath), Showers & Laundry
Plumbing
Gravity Flush Toilets
9 Things to know when buying a New Toilet
- Price
- The Look
- One or Two Piece
- The Trapway
- Water Used
- Seat Height
- Shape
- What's Included
- Rough In
Plumbing
Pressure Assisted Toilets
The Pressurized Tank is inside the White Tank and what about the Noise they make.
We found that not everyone in concerned about the noise, Home Pressure Toilets are much less noisy than the Commercial ones in Hospitals, Offices and others.
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Research & Reviews for
- Kohler®
- American Standard®
Plumbing
TOTO™ Toilets
TOTO™ is considered 1 of the Top Luxury Brands of Toilets Available.
Toto has the Tornado Flushing Technology that uses only 1 gallon of water.
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Research & Reviews for
- Entrada
- Drake II
- ECO Ultramax
HVAC
AC Check Up
Most Homeowners Don't think about their Air Conditioning until it quits Working.
Is the Annual Check-up or Tune-up a Needed Expense
We list (in no particular order) 11 of the Most Common Failures and will they be Discovered during a Check-up.
Plumbing
Kohler® Toilets
Kohler® has Manufacturing Facilities in several Countries including China.
One Plant is in Kohler Wisconsin, One in Brownsville Texas and One in Spartanburg, S.C., Kohler® also has a Large Production Facility in Monterrey Mexico.
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Research & Reviews for
- Kelston™ Comfort Height™
- Memoirs® Classic
- Highline 2-Piece Elongated
- Santa Rosa One-Piece
Plumbing
American® Standard Toilets
American® Standard offers 4 Gravity Flushing Systems - The Champion® 54, Cadet® 3 Flush Valve, VorMax Flushing System & Selectronic Dual Flush System
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Research & Reviews for
- American® Cadet Ovation
- Standard Champion 4 Elongated
- Esteem VorMax Elongated
- Standard Compact Cadet® 3
- Standard Colony® 1 Piece Elongated
Projects
Laundry Room Makeover
Three of the Walls in this Laundry Room got a Modified Version of the Board and Batten Design that goes from Floor to Ceiling.
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What's New
- 3 Walls are Tiled with 8 by 8 Floral Pattern Tile
- 24" Wall Cabinets left & Right
- Floating Shelves between Cabinets
- Hand Crafted Wood Countertop
- Pull Out between Washer & Dryer
- Barn Door at the Entance
HVAC
AC Leaks on the Ceiling
Can your Air Conditioning Leak Water in the Attic and then into the House?
Two Examples of AC Leaks that caused Ceiling Damage.
Most if not all Insurance will not cover the AC Problem.
We put a 1 Gallon Container under the line from the Air Conditioning unit Condensation drip outside the Home. Results are Surprising.
Countertops
Granite
Is Granite losing its Appeal
Granite is not the Most Popular Choice for Today's Remodel, but it will Always be a Good Choice Especially the Black Colors.
Some say Granite Countertops are Dated, Some will Disagree.
Understanding Granite Material and its Grade Levels, Fabricatrion and Care.
Cabinetry
Harwoods
Hardwoods most commonly used for Cabinet Construction are Maple, Cherry, Alder, Walnut or Oak. The Janka Scale is a Test Procedure used to Rate the Hardness of Wood.
Hardwood in Cabinet Construction is usually limited to Face Frames, and Parts of Door and Drawer Construction.
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Popular Woods & Janka Value
- Maple - 1450
- Cherry - 995
- Alder - 590
- Walnut - 1010
- Oak - 1360
Cabinetry
Manufactured wood
Manufactured wood is available in many forms, Plywood, Particle Board, (MDF) Medium Density Fiber Board, Furniture Board and Melamine.
Manufactured Wood for Cabinetry is used for the Boxes, Base, Toe Kick Area, Drawer Sides and Bottom plus most of the Door Center Panels.
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5 Most Popular
- Plywood
- Particle Board
- MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
- Furniture Board
- Melamine
Cabinetry
Cabinet Drawers
The Drawers get more Use and Abuse than any other Part of the Kitchen Cabinet.
See the 3 Most Common Joints used to Attach the Front & Back to the Sides of a Drawer. Learn how the Soft Close Works.
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Drawer Front Styles
- Slab
- Raised Panel
- Decorative
- Edge Formed Slab
- Shaker Style
Cabinetry
Cabinet Doors
The 5 most common woods used for Doors are Maple, Cherry, Alder, Walnut and Oak. Oak is available in Straight Sawn and Quarter Sawn.
See the 3 Most Common Joints used to Attach the Styles (Sides) and Rails (Top & Bottom), Tenon & Groove, Cope & Stick and Miter.
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Door Styles
- Shaker
- Traditional Raised Panel
- Reversed Raised Panel
- Contemporary
- Inset
- Mullion
Cabinetry
The Cabinet Box
The Style of your Kitchen or Bath Cabinets can be 1 of 2, Face Frame and Frameless. They both are the same size outside but the Inside of One is Bigger. It's not much but it is Noticeable.
Face Framed (Traditional) and Frameless (European Style) compare the two.
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Descriptions and Notes for:
- Wall Cabinets
- Base Cabinets
- Tall Cabinets
- Utility Cabinets
- Farm Sink Cabinets
Countertops
Butcher Block
Are Butcher Block Countertops Returning?
Yes, BUT, Today's Butcher Block Countertops are not the Same Ones from the 70's.
Butcher Block examples of Materials and lay out.
This could be a DIY Project for the Seasoned Wood Worker. We have Estimates and the Process.
Projects
Bath Renovation
No Tub and Sometimes problems create Opportunities. Moving the Toilet allowed for a Deeper Shower.
At some point the Wax Seal between the Toilet Base and the Floor quit sealing off the Flushed Water. The leak was not bad enough to see but did damage the Floor Substrate.
Follow along with DIY Bath Renovation Floor to Ceiling.
Solar
Home Solar Updates
Is Solar worth the Investment? Most everyone is Happy with the Results of their Solar Purchase. Some I spoke with are not Getting the Results they were Promised.
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Updates
- The Investment
- Lease or Pay Up Front
- Added Value
- Negative When Selling
- Credit for Excess
- Tax Credits
- Off the Grid
- Maintenance
- Warranty
Solar
Home Solar Warranty & Maintenance
The Solar System typically has Separate Warranties for each Component that make up the System and the Installation. Each Solar Panel has 2 different Warranties, Product and Performance Warranty.
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Questions you Should Ask
- Product Warranty
- Performance Warranty
- Installation Warranty
- Transferable
- Maintenance
Maintenance may or may not affect the Warranty. Lack of Maintenance can and will affect Solar Panel Generation Efficiency and Production.
Projects
Guest Bath Makeover
Shaker Style Cabinets Quartz Countertops, Matching Mirrors and 2 Electrical Outlets to Do away with too many Cords.
The Finished Shower is 6 foot 4 inches Wide with a Water Fall Section seen as soon as you enter the Bathroom.
Follow along in a separate Article the Step by Step Shower Construction.
Electrical
Smart Light Bulbs & Plugs
Smart Bulbs and Plugs can be Controlled Remotely by Voice Commands or Cell Phone through your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
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Questions Answered
- Electrical Power is Required
- The Choice or Decision
- Connectivity
- Be Aware
- Power Outage
- Impede the Wi-Fi
- Smart Plugs
HVAC
Do You need an AC Filter
The Central AC can help Trap the Dust, Cooling the Inside Air requires Circulation through the Filter First on way to the Evaporator where the Cooling takes Place.
What do the MERV & MPR Numbers on Filters mean?
In some parts of the US and the World you need a Filter Rated above a 5, Why is that?
Plumbing
Kitchen Sinks
See what's' Trending, We Sampled 263 Sinks from 1 of the Largest Manufacture of Kitchen Sinks, to get an Idea of what is Commonly Popular.
The most common material for Kitchen Sinks is Stainless Steel, Cast Iron is 2nd and Fireclay is 3rd. We found 1 Custom Sink Manufacturer that is Made in the USA.
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Sink Facts for:
- Top Mount Sinks
- Undermount Sinks
- Apron Front or Farmhouse Sinks
- Custom Sinks
Special Articles
Shower Glass
Shower Glass Requires Maintenance to Keep it Shinny and Looking New for Years to come.
Preserving the Beauty of the Shower is no Different than Keeping that New Car Looking New, Washing & Drying on a Regular Basis.
ShowerGuard® Glass is protected permanently, Read how.
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Information about Shower Glass
- Hard Water & Soap Scum
- Staining & Etching
- Cleaning
- Prevention Suggestions
Projects
Custom Shower
Follow Step by Step Construction of this 7' 4" Shower.
This Custom Shower can be a DIY Project for an Experience and Talented Do It Yourselfer.
If you are hiring a Professional you may gain a Little Experience from this Post. You could see a Step you are not sure about, ask your Contractor.
Water Treatment
Sodium Chloride vs. Potassium Chloride
Should we be concerned about the Salt Discharge from the Water Softener getting into the Rivers and Streams?
Potassium Chloride is a More Friendly Salt than Sodium.
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Some Questions Answered
- Can Salt Destroy Copper Pipes
- Can Dirty Water affect the Process
- Could Salt Water be Unhealthy
- Does Salt Cause Scaling
Appliances
Tankless Water Heater Introduction
Tankless Hot Water Heaters Respond Quickly to your Demand for Water for Showers and other Water Uses and Do Not Quit until you Turn off the Flow.
Are Tankless Water Heaters a DIY Project? DIY is not Suggested by the Manufactures but, I have read more than 150 Reviews that were DIY installs, I would say most had Good Outcomes.
Appliances
Takagi® Tankless Water Heaters
Takagi® Tankless Water Heaters, Manufactured by Takagi® in Japan.
Tankless Water Heaters should be Fueled by Gas.
See our Chart Comparing all Takagi® Tankless Heaters Sized based upon Peak Flow Rate Requirements and Increase of Cold Weather Temperature in all Applications.
Projects
Custom Wall Unit
An unusual Design for a Built-in Wall Unit. 15' Wide, 10' High and 30" Deep.
The Goal, very little Symmetrical it must be original, Custom, not resembling a Factory Manufactured Product.
The Main Focus will be the Electric Fireplace that looks just like a Wood Burning Fireplace. Just above the Fireplace is the TV, a Sound System with 2 Klipsch® Floor Speakers laying on their Side and 1 Klipsch® Center Channel Speaker Mounted above the TV.
Appliances
Rinnai® Tankless Water Heaters
Rinnai® Tankless Water Heaters are made in Griffin, GA,
Tankless Water Heaters should be Fueled by Gas.
If you need a New Hot Water Tank you should consider Upgrading to a Tankless Hot Water Heater.
The Condensing Unit's Exhaust is Passed through the Secondary Heat Exchanger for more Efficient Heat.
Appliances
Rheem® Tankless Water Heaters
Rheem® Tankless Water Heaters are Manufactured in 4 US States, Montgomery, Alabama - Fort Smith, Arkansas - Eagan, Minnesota - Oxnard, California.
Tankless Water Heaters should be Fueled by Gas.
Rheem® Tankless Water Heaters are Designed with the Air Intake within the Vent Tube. Heater location could make the Vent Tub Expensive.
Special Articles
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel is Not all the Same. Stainless is used for many Products and in the Home you see it mostly in the Appliances, Sinks and Cookware.
Stainless Steel has a Reputation of High Quality, Durability and Longevity that could be Negatively affected by improper use of Certain Grades not Suitable for their Purpose.
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Information for 3 Applications
- Cookware
- Sinks
- Appliances
Water Treatment
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
In a 5 Stage RO, Water Passes through 5 Separate Canisters Each Filtering Unwanted Containments and Wanted Minerals changing the Taste and Smell of Your Drinking Water.
Learn what's removed
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RO 5 Stage System
- 1st The Sediment Pre-Filter
- 2nd The Carbon Pre-Filters
- 3rd The Carbon Pre-Filters
- 4th Semi-Permeable Membrane
- 5th The Post Carbon Filter
Electrical
Re-Setting Circuit Breakers
Re-Set a Circuit Breaker is not something we do very often, And you might not do it properly.
If you do it wrong the only thing that can happen is, it doesn't Work. We will explain.
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Breaker Information
- About
- Design
- Type
- Circuit Sizes
Countertops
Quartzite
Quartzite is Strong, Beautiful and Durable an Excellent Choice for Kitchen Countertops. Quartzite Countertops are Cut from a Natural Stone, Big Rocks or Mountains like Granite.
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Quartzite Facts
- Quartzite is a Real Rock
- Calcite is Not Quartzite
- Characteristics of Quartzite
- Sealing Requirements
- Stains and Etching
- Reversing Damage
- Can all Quartzite be Backlit
Countertops
Quartz
Quartz is NOT a Naturally Formed Rock then cut into Slabs like Granite or Quartzite. Quartz Countertops are Made from Quartz Crystals plus Other Minerals, Fused with Resin then Mechanically Formed with Heat and Pressure.
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Quartz Facts
- Stain Resistant ?
- Heat Resistant ?
- Quartz Slab Sizes & Grades
- Fabrication
- Edge Profiles
Special Articles
Post Tension Slabs
Homes built on PT Slab Floors are far less likely to have Settlement Cracks caused by Expansive Soil or the Ground under the Concrete not being properly Prepared and Compacted.
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The Good & Bad of PT Slabs
- Expansive Soil
- Do You have a PT Slab
- Purpose of PT Slab
- The Cables
- Cable Failure
- Are PT Slabs New
- Are PT Slabs Worry Free
- Remodeling with a PT Slab
Projects
Harry Potter Storage
Some Builders closed in the Space under the Stairway that could be used for Storage. In this Case they turned it into a very useable Pantry Annex.
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Steps used to Create
- Locate the Studs
- Cut the Drywall
- Cut out Studs
- Install New Studs
- Dry Wall the Interior
- Tape & Texture
- Install a Door
- Moldings & Paint
Electrical
Holes in Your Plugs
Why are there Holes in the Electrical Plugs? For many years I asked myself the same question. I would occasionally ask a Experienced Electrician, I got many answers mostly, Nonsense.
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Interesting Facts
- Internet Research
- Inside the Outlet
- Who did it First
- Todays Standard Plug
Electrical
Holes in Your Plugs
Why are there Holes in the Electrical Plugs? For many years I asked myself the same question. I would occasionally ask a Experienced Electrician, I got many answers mostly, Nonsense.
-
Interesting Facts
- Internet Research
- Inside the Outlet
- Who did it First
- Todays Standard Plug
Electrical
Hot Tub GFCI Trips
The most common reason for Tripping the GFCI is a Failing Heating Element.
Is this or any Electrical Repair a DIY Project?
Electrical Shocks are not to be taken as a joking matter especially with the High Current required for a Hot Tub.
Call a Pro but this Article will give you Information that you can use when talking to the Repairman.
Special Article
Hot Tub Water Chemistry
Are all those Spa Chemicals Needed?
Advise from the Expert, are the Chemicals your using for Sanitation causing the Problem with a Leaking Pump Seal and Pre-mature Heating Element Failure?
Why use Bromine in any Hot Tub if it causes other Problems?
There is a Simple Solution to this Problem.
Appliances
Hot Water Circulation System
Hot Water Waiting for you. The Main Components are the Circulation Pump and the Water Bypass Valve Assembly.
The Water Valve is a Simple Plumbing Devise that allows the Hot Water From the Tank to pass to its Location and Return to the Tank.
Some complain the Cold Water is always Warm. Be aware of the Heat Traps.
Appliances
Induction Cooktops
Compared to Radiant & Gas
The Cooking Surface remains Cool to the Touch During and After Use.
The Pro's and Con's of Induction Cooktops, Gas Cooktops and Electric Radiant Cooktops.
What about the talk of the Government Banning Gas Cooking Appliances.
Projects
Kid's Bathroom Renovation
Designed by Mom, Custom Shower including Creative use of Tiles on the Shower Walls & Floor.
Shaker Style in a Pale Bluish Green Color. The Right & Left Vanities are 29" width, 21" Depth and 31" High.
Quartz Countertop, Back Lit Mirrors, LVP Floors, see 9 Images.
Flooring
Large Format Tile
The Finished Look of Large Format Tiles, like the 24"x24", 18"x36" and the 24"x48", is Striking.
The Larger Tiles are more Difficult to Install, some Installers don't want t do the Job.
This Project called for 24" by 48" Tile. there were some Problems with Breakage when cutting because of the Arch that was in the Tile.
Electrical
LED Bulbs
LED Standard Shapes, Bases and Purpose
The Bulb Shape is in the Bulb Description and the Shape of a Bulb determines how the Light is Cast from the Bulb, all around or Focused.
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What about the
- Shapes
- Base Sizes
- Purpose
Electrical
LED Comparison
LEDs are Compared to Incandescent Bulbs.
That comparison is no longer the best way to buy LED Bulbs. We show how 5 Bulbs that claim to be an exact 60 Watt Incandescent replacement but all give off a different light.
The best way is to know about Kelvins & Lumens.
Water Treatment
No Salt Treatment
Two Different Systems that Condition Our Water without using Salt.
System 1 Electromagnetic Field or EMF
System 2 Template Assisted Crystallization or TAC
No Salt Conditioning is not the Same as Softening Water using Salt. We have a 15 year Experience.
Appliances
Garbage Disposals
We compare 3 Disposals from Different Manufactures.
Is Replacement a DIY Project? it should be !
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What about the
- Noise
- Re-Set Button
- Replacement
- Warranty
- Methane Gas
Appliances
Cleaning the Disposal
What should you use as a Cleaning Solution.
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Points to Consider
- Cleaning Solution
- The Splash Guard
- Vinegar & Baking Soda Alternative
- Food Waste in the Trash ?
Flooring
Tile Floor
Difference between Ceramic and Porcelain
Is Tile Still Popular? Yes
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Tile Pro's
- It's Waterproof
- Moisture Absorption
- Slipperiness
- Easy Clean Up
- Wear Ability