- Bathroom Remodeling
- DrywallsThere are, of course, many ways to patch holes in drywall, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. The “California Patch” or “Butterfly Patch” is a nice technique if you don’t have any drywall tape or if you are trying to minimize the thickness of the finished repair. Adding layers of seam-tape and compound can be undesirable in certain applications, especially well-lit ceilings…This is where the California patch can be a very handy solution.
- Tile InstallationFinishing the exposed edges of a tile installation can be a subtle process. To clean this up, we used an “edge profile” from Schluter Systems. The specific profile used was 1/4″ RONDEC in a brushed brass finish (Model #:RO60AMGB). A few extra pieces from Schluter for the outside corners and baseboard terminations were also used (Model #:IV/RO60AMGB and Model #:EV/RO60AMGB).
- FireplacesThis homeowner had done the work of installing a tile hearth for their antique fireplace but needed help with the finished edge. Wood transitions, thresholds and other low-profile, “rabbited” trim came to mind, but the homeowner wanted something brass and flush to the tile. The product we used is more often seen in commercial tile applications, but it made a nice, low-profile edge for this hearth.
- New Construction
- DemolitionWith the drain installed, I was free to complete demolition. The rest of the floor crumbled away with a few well placed strikes from my hammer. I was in for a surprise when I reached the radius tiles on the walls and curb… The tiles in these areas were laid on top of a drywall product! As water accumulated in the mortar bed, it merely wicked into the drywall. Over time the bond between drywall and tile was broken, which let water enter the lower portion of the wall. My guess as to why these lower sections were drywalled instead of using treated plywood or backer board is because of the thick folds in the Chloroloy liner. Because typical Chloroloy liners can be 30-40 mil in thickness they are difficult to work into corners. Folding the liners into inside corners created a buildup of material which can throw things out of alignment. To avoid this, the original installer used drywall because it can be easily shaped to compensate for “proud” areas in the corners. To retrofit the new membrane system, I replaced the drywall patches at the bottom of the shower wall with treated plywood, which I built up to the proper thickness. Once I had built the area out to the correct height and thickness, the boards were removed and wrapped in Shcluter Kerdi membrane. I chose to use the wrapped plywood instead of cement backer board in this case, because it was easier to work into shape with my table saw. A continuous sheet of Kerdi membrane was then installed over the wrapped plywood, shower pan and drain. After troweling out the sheet of membrane and installing the pre-formed corner pieces, I cut the hole for the drain. It is easy to see that any water which manages to get beneath the tile will flow across the surface of the membrane and into the drain assembly.
- DrivewaysThis home is in a zero-lot-line neighborhood. The East wall of the house abuts the neighbors’ driveway and is roughly two feet below grade. Because the driveway was extended, a larger volume of water was directed toward this wall and quickly became a recipe for disaster.
- DecksFrom traditional to contemporary, we can design your deck to any specification. Extend your home's living area with an attached deck, or add seating to a remote corner of the yard with a low-level satellite deck.
- Painting
- MasonryConnect two points in your landscape with a pathway of stone, masonry, or mulch. Get above soggy ground or even out steep terrain with a boardwalk.
- Residential Pressure WashingAs a final step to retard water entry into the masonry, the east wall was cleaned and re-coated with liquid rubber. The wall was cleaned with an angle grinder with a wire wheel so that all loose material was removed. Pressure washing removed any remaining material and soil and the wall was allowed to dry. Two coats of Ames Liquid Rubber were applied with a sheet of 6 mil plastic between coats for reinforcement. The filter fabric was also embedded into the final coat to prevent the angular stone from puncturing the membrane over time.