http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ Thumb and Hammer Forum Recent Posts en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:05:45 +0000 http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/insulating-the-floor-above-a-garage#post-28 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:30:12 +0000 ThumbandHammer 28@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>When you say "it is insulated and covered with drywall" are you referring to just the living space or are you referring to the garage as well? My first assumption is that the floor of your living space isn't insulated at all which is why you have the cold air coming up from the garage. Fortunately, the floor can be insulated from the garage below with either batt insulation or with spray foam insulation (check out this YouTube link for spray foam: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFjxWdPPY1Q" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFjxWdPPY1Q</a> ). I have no experience whatsoever with spray foam. You can read on another post on this forum that it is not a cheap solution, but it is probably the best one in your case. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/insulating-the-floor-above-a-garage#post-27 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:13:04 +0000 Moranus 27@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>We have living space above our unheated garage. It is insulated with fibreglass and covered with drywall but the floor is always cold in the winter. I am looking for suggestions on how to re-insulate to have a warm floor. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-25 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:48:45 +0000 angie budgell 25@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Indeed I did quote to Johnnie that I was afraid to work again with Brian P. Brian P was expelled and your right to just leave it alone at that. I enjoy watching the comments and all the guessing and to tell you the truth nor I or Eric know who was most improved as they did not tell us either. It truly was an experience I will never forget...am I glad I did it....you betcha! </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-21 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:48:55 +0000 ThumbandHammer 21@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>That's the million dollar question, so to speak. Johnnie did write about it in an article for the Red Deer Express but it seems to have disappeared from the website. In it, he mentioned that he thought there would have been cause to pursue criminal charges although that did not happen for reasons he wasn't privy to. He did say that had Brian P. not been expelled from the show, he and his wife would have left. And he quoted Angie saying that she felt unsafe working near Brian.</p> <p>Exactly what was said is probably protected by some sort of confidentiality clause (I'm guessing), since at this point it is one of Canada's best kept secrets. Now, if Eric (or Angie or Johnnie) are able to spill the beans, they are most welcome to do it on this forum. But honestly, I don't expect that to happen. Doing so would probably open up a huge can of worms (civil and criminal) that is best left alone. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-20 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:23:41 +0000 chipguy 20@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>hey mimimi, did you ever happen to hear from eric what Brian P said specifically that got him booted from the show? I'd really like to know! </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-19 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:47:47 +0000 ThumbandHammer 19@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>It's good to hear that Eric is asking for feedback or advice on his projects. As I said, he was the best of the lot. His temper was rather scary on the show, but then, the show deliberately placed the nominees in extremely stressful situations (witness Brian Pugh's alleged threats that got him kicked off the show). I'd be interested in following up on some of Eric's projects now....</p> <p>Side note: Apologies to SWMBO: I accidentally deleted your account when deleting spam registrations, which is why your posts show up as anonymous. You are most welcome to re-register. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-18 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:59:36 +0000 mimimi 18@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>well... as a matter of fact- I am Erics neighbour. And he is doing great. I am a general contractor and a few times he has come to question me about some of his "handyman jobs". Bang up of a job taboot! He even built his teepee....believe it or not!!! </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-16 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:02:46 +0000 ThumbandHammer 16@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Yeah, I liked the way they just dismissed Angie and Eric by saying "you're not the worst." It almost seemed to imply that they were given the green light to go ahead and do handyman stuff when, in reality, neither one is quite ready yet. All I know is that there are five houses out there across the country and the only one that hasn't been heavily damaged is Johnnie's. The other four will take a lot of repair work. And if any of them should go on the market, buyer beware! </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-15 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:55:58 +0000 Anonymous 15@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Brian M did seem pretty shocked not to be named the worst - and, as stated earlier, I think he truly earned that distinction. As you said last night, it really came down to the male expert caving to the whim of the host and the female expert and why? Probably because Johnnie is more likable in a minorly iconic way. The terrible singing. The "abomination." I would have liked to have seen the most improved named and it was a surprise that someone wasn't. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-14 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:33:07 +0000 ThumbandHammer 14@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Well, the results are in, and I was astonishingly accurate. Johnnie was voted worst with Brian M a very close second. I still stand by my assertion that Johnnie was not trying to be a handyman in the first place, which makes him far less dangerous than the other three. Not everyone is handy and some people should leave handiwork to those who know what they are doing. When in doubt, hire it out. To say that Johnnie is the worst handyman is the same as saying I am the worst mechanic. If you were to ask me to change the brake pads on my car, I would fail miserably which is why I don't try to be a mechanic in the first place. </p> <p>Johnnie knows he isn't a handyman. I think even Brian M realizes that he is not equipped to be a handyman either. I would like to know what Brian Pugh said to get kicked off the show because I still believe that he was the most legitimate candidate for the title of the worst.... </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-13 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:39:04 +0000 Anonymous 13@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Unless something fatally terrible happens in the final episode, there's no doubt that Brian M will be crowned Canada's Worst Handyman. Brian has the fatal flaw that a lot of people do in that he just can't seem to absorb what's said to him. Is it age? Maybe a bit? Too many drugs in the hayday of youth? Could be. Bottom line is that it doesn't matter. If you can't remember moment to moment what the instructions were, failing is inevitable.</p> <p>Johnnie can calm down - you can't make Brian listen.</p> <p>Eric, I think, had the shortest distance to go. All the boy needed to do was leave his house and read some directions and he was set.</p> <p>I'm with you - Angie gets most improved - doesn't mean I'm hiring her to do any work on my house but I'm fairly sure she won't injure anyone in hers anytime soon. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/canadas-worst-handyman#post-12 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:48:59 +0000 ThumbandHammer 12@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Monday night, the title of Canada's Worst Handyman will be awarded to one of the four remaining participants on the Discovery Channel show. For what it's worth, here is my assessment:</p> <p>Johnnie Bachusky: He has a real phobia when it comes to DIY, and his projects on the show have been, in his words, total abominations. </p> <p>Brian McDonald: He is a master of unfinished projects as evidenced by the lack of a working shower and non-working toilet in his own bathroom at home. He tends to find himself in over his head with most projects.</p> <p>Eric Thibeault: Here is someone who likes tools, but lacks the knowledge to use them properly. He is by far the most competent person on the program, but he does not like to follow instructions and, when things don't work out, he has a bit of a temper to boot.</p> <p>Angie Budgell: She is not afraid of DIY-- she just does things without thinking or planning. Plumbing with a sledgehammer is never a good idea. She is probably the most improved handyman on the show.</p> <p>Brian Pugh: Until he was asked to leave the show for unspecified reasons (something he said that could not be repeated on air), he had my vote for the worst of the worst. But he is now out of the running.</p> <p>My prediction: Johnnie seems to be a show favourite for worst handyman each week, and will likely take home the title. However, I don't believe this is fair since he never set out to be a handyman in the first place. If his wife is more comfortable taking on DIY projects at home, I say that he should let her. Not everyone needs to be a handyman.</p> <p>Eric has knowledge and ability. He just needs to read instructions (and control his temper). He is not the worst.</p> <p>Angie is, in my humble opinion, the most improved. She needs to work on planning, instead of just plowing ahead without thinking. She is no longer the worst but I would still hide any tools from her. Especially the sledgehammer.</p> <p>That leaves Brian M. I know the show's premise is that anyone can learn DIY. However, I still believe that there is no shame in calling in professionals when the going gets tough. No doubt Brian can learn to DIY, but he still has a long way to go.</p> <p>MOST IMPROVED: Angie<br /> WORST HANDYMAN: Should be Brian, but will likely be Johnnie.</p> <p>What is your opinion? </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/attic-knee-wall#post-11 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:41:40 +0000 kevmitsu 11@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Thank you very much for you insight, the vapor barrier paint sounds slick...might give that a try....I haven't seen any signs of problems in the attic but i will keep an eye out...thanks again </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/attic-knee-wall#post-10 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:30:43 +0000 ThumbandHammer 10@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>If you are doing R20, do NOT compress it so it doesn't stick out. Compressing the insulation will lessen its effectiveness and you will end up with much less R-value.<br /> Don't worry about putting any barrier on the attic side. The most important barrier will be on the warm side of the wall. The ONLY reason I used Tyvek was to help hold the insulation in place. Just using Tyvek on the cold side will do virtually nothing to increase the R value of the wall. </p> <p>What purpose of the vapour barrier is to prevent moisture from infiltrating the wall and causing damage to the insulation and the structure. Since you have side attic access, you could periodically check on the condition of the insulation. In the winter, look for signs of frost on the underside of the roof and the rafters. If a problem exists, then you will have to address the vapor barrier issue. And make sure that the bathroom is properly ventilated. Broan has a new bathroom fan that senses humidity and operates automatically. </p> <p>There is also vapour barrier primer (Benjamin Moore has such a product available in latex). Two coats of most oil based primers will also qualify as a vapour barrier.</p> <p>Your main complaint is the cold, however. Upgrading to the R-20 insulation may be your easiest and most cost effective option at this point. If fact, if you use Roxul or a similar mineral wool insulation, the R-value can actually be 21.5. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/attic-knee-wall#post-9 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:00:33 +0000 kevmitsu 9@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Thanks for your reply, the stud size is standard 2x4 so i was only able to get R-13. The spray foam is an excellent product which also acts as a vapor barrier, I installed it on my crawlspace walls and am very pleased, though it is rather expensive and cannot justify for my bathroom. Can I get a R20 that with fit in the 2x4 stud cavity without having any stick out? I think im going to at least tyvek the attic side. I understand that the vapor barrier should be on the warm side and sealed, however the previous owner did neither. I just thought that lining with plastic would help with air infiltration. But if I can insulate more and use the tyvek on the attic side i think it will help. Thanks for your input </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/attic-knee-wall#post-8 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 18:16:47 +0000 ThumbandHammer 8@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>Tyvek is designed to be used for exterior applications and is normally taped and sealed to prevent air and moisture from penetrating from the outside of the building. I used it on the attic side of my knee walls specifically to help hold the wall insulation in place. As I pointed out, other materials that have been used for this purpose include chicken wire and even 1x2 strapping, neither of which is air tight. </p> <p>Assuming that the building code in your area is similar the one in Ontario, you should have vapour barrier on the warm side of the knee wall and it should be air tight. I can tell you from experience that lining the stud cavities with a continuous piece of poly would be a royal pain, especially in a tightly enclosed space like a side attic. And any holes or gaps in the barrier would defeat its purpose. </p> <p>What size are the studs making up your knee wall? How much insulation have you installed in the wall? If you only have R12 or R13, you could upgrade to R20. I don't know that the vapour barrier will have much effect on the temperature in your attic.</p> <p>Another option, depending on your budget and if they could actually use the equipment in such an enclosed space, would be spray foam insulation. My understanding is that no vapour barrier is needed and it has a really high R value to boot. It might be worth looking into. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/attic-knee-wall#post-7 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:02:16 +0000 kevmitsu 7@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>So I have seen on the galleries, "attic renovation" that tyvec was used on the exterior of the kneewall, attic side. I have a similar set up where the bathroom was built in the attic. The previous owner never put insulation in the wall so in the winter it was quite cold. To remedy, i put insulation in the knee wall from the attic side since the bathroom was finished. While it did help quite a bit i feel it should still be a bit warmer. Question being should i put the tyvek on the out side and seal it? Im sure this is designed to breath. Or do i take out the insulation, line the stud cavities with a continuous piece of plastic sealing it to the studs as i go and then reinsulate, then install tyvek to hold it up. Any insight would be appreciated. </p> http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/topic/new-forum#post-6 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:31:00 +0000 ThumbandHammer 6@http://forum.thumbandhammer.com/ <p>The Thumb and Hammer Forums are powered by BBPress. The focus here is on the discussions, without a lot of bells and whistles, to keep things as fast and simple as possible.</p> <p>Registration: To keep the forums clear of spam, registration is required. Simply enter a username and an email address. You will receive your password by email. Once you log in to your account, you can change your password to something easier to remember if you choose. Gravatars are enabled, so if you have a Gravatar associated with your email address, it will be displayed with your posts</p> <p>Privacy: Your email will not be displayed. Only the admin has access to the email addresses of registered members, and those email addresses will never be sold. 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