So I need to change my showerhead but I don't have a ton of strength (no where near as much as a male). Considering I am woman (definitey not a physically strong woman), can anyone tell me the best way to get the current showerhead off and then screw another one on tightly? I tried using a wrench, but still couldn't make it work. Any tricks or ideas?

Be careful when dealing with the Lowes flooring department and in particular, Shaw Carpeting. I contracted for carpeting to be installed in my basement game room, nothing fancy, jus the middle of the line carpet. The installation went smoothly except for a visible seam and some rough edge areas. The installation folks returned and repaired rough edge areas and the attempted to correct the seam (with no success).

Shortly after the installation, I noticed ‘sprouts’ of carpeting (loose threads) sticking out. I figured these were simply by products of new carpeting and would subside. Unfortunately, this was not the case and the ‘sprouts’ continued to appear throughout the basement.

I contacted the Lowes service center and was redirected to the installation department. They came and inspected the ‘sprout’ situation and told me that they thought the carpet was defective and would report it accordingly. After a few weeks I was told that the carpet manufacture (Shaw Carpet) denied any responsibility and the claim was closed. Meantime my basement carpet was becoming a jungle. I was considering mowing the carpet.

I contacted Lowes and explained my dilemma and was told that there was nothing they could do. I got the same response from the out-sourced installation group as well. There was no need calling Shaw Carpet, they didn’t care.  

I wasn’t sure where to turn to so I filed a complaint with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and that seemed to get a response from both Lowes and Shaw. This interest was superficial only. They both sent out techs to physically examine the carpet and both technicians told me that, in their opinion, the carpet was defective and should be replaced. They both also claimed that the protruding seam across the middle of the game room was due to both faulty product (carpet) and installation.

This whole process went on for close to nine months and required multiple phone calls, emails and meetings at my house. At one point, the folks from Shaw placed blame on my vacuum cleaner and eleven-year-old dog. If that was the case why wasn’t the carpeting throughout the house damaged?

Bottom line, Lowes does NOT stand behind the products they sell and Shaw Carpets is just as bad (and probably worse). Ive hire an attorney and plan on filing a formal complaint. It’s not the money anymore…

NC, USA https://imgur.com/a/z4DihC6

Hello all -- is this likely ACM? I've recently been renovating our 1983 townhouse basement. There is a drop-in 2x2 tile drop ceiling in a metal T grid that I thought was installed in 2022. Turns it out may actually be original but hard to tell. There is a box of modern Armstrong tiles in the basement but it doesn't seem to actually match any of what's in the ceiling. Some tiles have this blue (Armstrong?) Fire Out print, while others have no print but some indiscernible indented numbering on them (I think 1030D1 or something similar?). Many tiles look old and somewhat discolored but I thought they just kind of always looked dingy like that.

I ripped a bunch out, breaking some to remove them because they were really stuck in the grid, and am now panicking that I poisoned myself and my family. I'm having them tested but the wait is really stressing me out.

Thanks in advance.

I’m considering mounting a Caesarstone slab (5141 Frosty Carrina) on a wall that’s 7’6” tall. The wall is framed with metal studs.

Slab Specifications: - Dimensions: 130” x 64.6” (approximately 10’10” x 5’5”) - Weight: - 2 cm thickness: 520–575 lbs - 3 cm thickness: 798–842 lbs

Questions: 1. Feasibility: Given the weight, is it structurally safe to mount this slab on a metal stud wall? 2. Mounting Methods: What are the recommended techniques or hardware for securely mounting such a heavy slab to metal studs?

I appreciate any guidance or experiences you can share regarding this type of installation.

The slab I have in mind: https://www.caesarstoneus.com/countertops/5141-frosty-carrina/

My bathroom has tile floors, and I've been using a mat, but I hate mats in general. So I'm considering not putting anything, which means when I step out of the tub/shower, water will drip on to the tile floors.

Anyone here not use a mat? And if so, do you dry the tile floors with something or just let it air dry?

What are the cheapest items you have purchased for your home that have had the most significant impact in your daily living experience?

There’s no waterproofing down there, just a sump pump (not sealed, just a hole in the floor).

I sent them this picture and they said it was probably excess humidity if they had to guess. This stuff looks borderline toxic, not too sure if they’re being straight with me… kinda seems like the foundation leaks over there, idk

https://imgur.com/a/AHpQUq3

I’m looking to add some lighting to closets. One is under my stairs. The other is a nursery closet. I’m 7 months pregnant so I need it to be easy to assemble but not flimsy (I’m not opposed to screwing it into the wall or ceiling but I’m not an electrician). Right now all the stuff I’m finding are for under cabinet lighting and I want something with more luminescence.

I’m not sure if i want motion activated because I’m not sure if it will disturb the newborn. It might be a nice feature if I can turn it off.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!!

Hi,

Not sure how to handle this situation but I got a contractor to remove some asbestos vinyl flooring. Initially they said they would tape up the closet, door and lamp but after they completed the job I noticed they did none of this.

The room itself was zipped up with a tarp but inside there is dust left everywhere. The closet shelf, lampshade.

It's an older wooden floor with planks and gaps in between not sure how you would ever get all the dust out of there.

I'm at a loss here. Hire another company to complete the job? I don't really trust these guys and not sure if I want them in my house again.

We're moving into a 1960s ranch with an attached garage, but the only access from the garage to the house is a creepy stairwell to the basement. The only interior house walls that border the garage are two bedrooms.

We'd like to add an access from the garage to the main floor of the house but the only way to do that is through a bedroom. We were thinking maybe we'd convert one bedroom into a mudroom/laundry with garage access and then turn the dining room into a bedroom.

Turning the cold water shutoff valve has no effect.

(Kitchen sink)

Hello, what is the easiest way to level a hardscaped garden wall on both the left front and right front side of my house without a laser rotary level and receiver? I will be building the wall and need to make sure the footer is level

The house is set up where I cannot run a level string line between both the left and sides due to a porch being in way of the straight line.

Last time I had a wall here I eyeballed it and it was slightly higher on one side than the other.

I thought about using a regular laser level with markings on a stick so I could figure out the heights that way but didn’t know if there was a better approach

What helps get rid of roaches ?? It’s getting hot out and I see more and more each day. I recently moved into my apartment and I saw a roach day 1 of me living here and it’s got progressively worse. What products will actually get rid of them for a while. I’ve used raid, deep cleaned everywhere and nothing helps.

Does this install look right?

https://imgur.com/a/OpXWfpY

So I guess most immediate concern is that I’m trying to figure out how to get black spray paint off my vinyl siding and trim of my windows. It’s not a lot but it’s noticeable….i don’t want to damage the siding or the trim but I also really want that paint off. How should I go about doing that?

I’m also trying to replace my towel bars entirely, wall attachment included, and I’m struggling because I can’t get the wall part out of the wall. I tried to unscrew it but it only made it loose. Does anyone know what to do? Or what’s wrong and how can I fix it 😭

I'm getting quotes this week. Is now the time to do this? I was planning to pay for it with a HELOC. Is waiting a year more prudent?

I assume the pricing I get this week will not be effected by the uncertain economic conditions. Am I correct?

We have a built-in desk in our kitchen that has never been used. The space below it is completely wasted and becomes a spot for empty boxes, slippers/shoes, etc. Real estate in kitchens is far too valuable to have this much of it wasted.

We recently bought a small-ish chest freezer for overflow. it occurred to me that if I could find something to fit this space it would be an ideal use case to save us from going to the garage or basement to get something out. The space is about 24.5" tall and I don't have exact width measurements (yet) but it's the wider variety that is probably ~3.5ft or so wide and standard desk/counter depth. I'll be able to get exact measurements soon if someone has something int he ballpark.

I started searching but so far my searches have been unsuccessful. It seems most are about 33" and meat to be full counter height rather than something a little bit shorter that fits under this desk space. I've seen some dorm-type that were around 1-1.5cu ft but I was hoping for something with more capacity to maximize the space a little bit better probably north of the 2cu ft range. If I can get even more picky, I'd prefer it to be convertible (fridge/freezer) and maybe a drawer or two that slides out rather than a door and stainless to match the other appliances if possible.

Depending on the door style I can maybe fashion up a wood panel that matches our cabinets but prefer to not go to that effort. If I'm going to start doing carpentry & finish work I'd probably just invest more time to yank the entire thing and start over with a more useful cabinet/pantry array for that space. We've been here a long time already and have been considering moving up in house anyway so this is likely not something we'd get the benefit from the investment of resources at this point and may only recover so much in resale depending on what the next owner values. Either way, not really worth it.

If I can't find anything I'll keep the new chest freezer we got and fashion up some sort of pull out drawer(s) for trash & recycling so we at least get some benefit from that space. I'd prefer the fridge/freezer overflow though if I can find a device that doesn't break the bank too much though.

Has anyone found something like this by chance?

So my house was built in 1916 and I’m not sure if that’s why the floor is the way it is. But it does have cracks a bit of everywhere.

https://imgur.com/a/bkHmzuo

Anyone in NJ recently have frameless shower glass panels/door installed? Looking for approximate cost. 2 panels

How do you get colored caulk?

We recently opted to have new carpet installed in two bedrooms to match the carpet we installed in our nursery about 2 years ago. At the time we installed nursery carpet, we did not know much about home improvement projects. We got carpet installed from the Home Depot and all was well. No issues.

When the guy was out to measure last week, he asked if we want to update the baseboards before they install new carpet due to the fact the old base has base and quarter round to the hardwood “subfloor”. We decided to do so, and I updated all baseboards in the two bedrooms, leaving a gap at bottom for carpet to tuck.

Now, I want to update them in the nursery. The profile of the baseboard is the same, it’s just taller. It’s a basic flat then rounded top board style. The issue is the carpet was installed up to the quarter round, so simply changing the baseboard would leave a gap. What are my options? Thank you

Hello, I’m interested in the Bedrosian Arrowhead 10"x60" Wood Look Matte Porcelain Tile in Natural. The product page says it’s a rectified tile.

My understanding was that rectified tiles can be installed with minimal grout lines. But the product page also says it needs a minimum of a 3/16 grout line. Is this accurate? Does anyone have any experience installing this tile with a thinner grout line?

And if you have used it, what grout color do you recommend for the most seamless look possible?

Thank you!

Hello! My house came with a top mount kitchen sink installed in one of the bathrooms. It's flat at the bottom instead of rounded like most bathroom sink bowls, and the drain is positioned toward the back. As a result, it's hard to keep clean, and my wife has to stand on her tippy toes to spit into the drain. What would a good solution to this be? I haven't found many bathroom sinks that are that large. Will I simply have to suck it up and install a new countertop, with an opening that works for a bathroom sink?

Interested to hear any ideas! I will try to link an example of the sink in the comments, having trouble adding the link to the post on mobile.

I rent and recently my stairs to my porch started to rapidly crumble and now my porch is doing the same thing and has a line going across it all the way down the front of the house. There is also cracks going up the stairs and across the rock at the bottom of the stairs. This happened in less than a week