July 23, 2009
Check What's on Top... Or Look Out Below!
So here's one from the "While-You're-Here-Could-You-Just..." Department.
I get hired to build things, but I'm often asked to do other stuff. In this case, it was move something. And by "something" I mean "the most massive piece of furniture ever."
Seriously, it's a media center, and I think it was made from lead. Anyway, I would have given my eye-teeth for a set of Forearm Forklifts but didn't have any. I did have a hand truck (and I encourage you to buy one of immediately if you don't already have one), which is ideal for loading tools on jobsites.
Anyway, my tip of the day is this: When moving tall furniture, look on top. And by "look on top," I mean "get on a ladder and look on top."
When we tipped the top of this beast to roll on the hand truck, a virtual treasure trove of dust-covered stuff was there waiting for me. And by "waiting for me," I mean "fell on me."
Next time I hear "could you just..." I'm going to be a little more careful.
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:56 AM
July 6, 2009
Claw-Foot Tub for a Bathroom Remodel
Vita in Florida writes (My replies are in italics. I can also speak in italics, but only at parties:)
Mark, Just the man I want to see...
Flattery will get you everywhere! I pray you, continue.
We are in the beginning stages of remodeling our hall bath that's about 29 years old. I want to replace existing standard tub with a Claw Foot Cast Iron Tub. Niiiiice.
It has to be less than 52" long. I know that they make them I'm just not sure about a few things. Should I purchase one from over the internet?
Unless you can find them in local distribution (try pro plumbing supply houses/showrooms) or in a salvage shop that rescues such things, the internet might be the only place you can get them (Note: the internet isn't really "a place" per se; I hope you know I know that.
Also there are so many styles to choose from and to consider as far as where the plumbing is located on the wall and/or mounted to the tub itself ?
I can't recommend the type of plumbing fixture you should get because so much of it is subjective. In other words, your starting point needs to be a style you like. Then to follow up and see if that works with your tub, wall, drain situation, etc.
That said, you can make just about anything work. What I can say is what I'd do on my jobs if this applications faced me. Generally speaking I would make sure that if the supply lines were stubbed up from the floor I'd be sure the plumber chromed them. Raw copper just doesn't look good—especially with a chrome or nickel finish on your fixtures .If you choose to route the plumbing in the wall be ready for drywall repair. Finally, make sure you install a trap in the drain; if you don't you risk the smell of sewer gas and/or the aroma of dirty pipe mung escaping back up the drain pipe. Uh... diiiisgusting.
This should get you started. Good luck Vital Vita from Florida!
Carpenter Mark
Posted by Mark Clement at 10:23 AM | Comments (1)
