What are /r/homeimprovementideas' favorite Products & Services?

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There is a spray can frosting you can do too. Wipes right off whenever you want. Think I got mine on amazon.

Rust-Oleum 1903830 Frosted Glass Spray Paint, 11 oz, Frosted Glass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009XCKBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_ARp3FbP2CMVM7

I got a couple of these shower heads the other day - they show the water temperature & measure the gallons used. Pretty cool.

https://www.amazon.com/WaterHawk-Smart-Shower-Temperature-Display/dp/B01C47Q2S0

If there are no pipes inside the wall, there are pretty old-fashioned looking showers that are external. Like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Mounted-Exposed-Rainfall-Handheld-Bathroom/dp/B08SQG2GJB/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=Wall+Shower+system&qid=1625117742&sr=8-13

If you want to try it temporarily with an extension cord before you start digging in walls and such they do make GFCI pigtails for safety.

3 Foot Lighted Outdoor GFCI Extension Cord with 3 Electrical Power Outlets - 12/3 SJTW Heavy Duty Yellow Pigtail Extension Cable with 3 Prong Grounded Plug for Safety https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073ZMLZGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RP1H7DHA4K64NJ5CKAP5

Your sink and shower have water-saving flow limits (usually under 3gpm). It can take a long time for them to pass enough water to clear the the pipes of the room temperature water (that cooled standing in the pipes between uses) so you start getting hot water from the heater.

There are a three solutions.

The easiest thing is to turn on the tub hot and let it run until hot. That will bring the hot water from the tank, and your sink and shower will be warm within a few seconds.

You can install a shunt that lets cold water in the hot water pipe go into the cold line, and put a pump at the hotwater heater. The drawback is these make your cold water side run tepid (from the warm water you've dumped into the cold pipe) for a few minutes. When the tepid water flushes out your pipes and the cold arrives, your shower is going to go COLD until you readjust the temperature. (My wife hated ours so much I had to take it out.) (LINK)

You can install a separate return hot line and install a recirculating pump. This is what hotels with large industrial water heaters have. You continually circulate hot water through the main pipe so when someone turns on a faucet anywhere along the line they get hot water fast. These consume more energy, because the water in the pipes is continually cooling, so you have to reheat it. Also, running the pipe can be a major expense and hassle because the pipes are are in the walls.

You can probably rent one of these at home depot and cut a channel into thr brick and then replace the drywall.

https://www.amazon.com/Grooving-Machine-Channels-Concrete-Slotting/dp/B08763LHSS/ref=asc_df_B08763LHSS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459730407112&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1065253601061020865&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt...

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Brightech-Dimmable-Reading-Standing-Torchiere/dp/B07YBB8RFQ/ref=sr_1_24?crid=32ZNFQBJKDE52&keywords=bright%2Bfloor%2Blamp&qid=1666120605&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI3LjIzIiwicXNhIjoiNi44MyIsInFzcCI6IjYuMzIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=brightfloor%2Blamp%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-24&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&th=1

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and then if it still isn't bright enough, you can replace the 2 lamps that are 60w equivs to 100w equivalents.

Rugs. Absorbent mats. Don't use the ones with the rubber backs because it deteriorates immediately and sticks to the floor and is hell to remove. Just be sure to regularly air them out.

Also consider getting a shower curtain that is long enough to touch the floor. I would personally sew some weights (lead if the curtain is plastic because the lead won't transfer through the material) into the bottom hem to keep is down and in place. You'd just have to keep the curtain flipped over the rod so the bottom hem dries between uses. This would reduce the water on the main floor. Also dry yourself off while in the shower to minimise tracking water.

Alternative: since the blue doesn't work with the rest of the place, use your preferred colour as the main colour component of your bathroom, and have touches in it of the blue of the floor. You are aiming to reverse the impact of the floor and make it secondary to your preferred colour. You reduce its impact by pulling the eye to a different point of focus/impact.

For example this blue tile combined with this shower curtain means the floor tile becomes a minor accent of the natural tones instead of being what dominates the eye and the room. You can then use accents in your preferred colour/tone in the vanity accessories like soap pumps/dishes/towels etc to further impress your preferred colour on the eye.

These days there are a huge range of gorgeous shower curtains available for reasonable prices :)

I used this window film in my garage. Works great, you can't see into the windows, but they still let in good light. It's easy to apply: clean the glass, spray some water, smooth out the bubbles. If you can take off the mullion trim and reapply them with the film underneath, it looks just like frosted glass. Otherwise, you'll need to cut carefully or trim the film with a razor well.

There’s a few varieties of these light switch extenders like this on Amazon - looks extremely easy to install. Light Switch Extender for Kids - 2 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HHQRH96/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_29033BP2X3NE90FBZAJQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Your thinking is perfectly sound. Light radiation passes through air and heats surfaces. Blocking the light with a surface positioned outside the home prevents the light from heating indoor surfaces. With that in mind, if you study how home are built in various places, you'll begin to see how sometimes that effect is taken into consideration when designing a home or the features outside the home. Window awnings are one example. Overhanging porch roofs are another. In summer I have a set of weather proof, UV resistant roll shades that we install outside some specific windows to reduce the heating load. They look like this:

https://www.amazon.com/TALENSWEET-Cordless-Roller-Shade-Wheat/dp/B09F3FGLBW/

If its a garden tap it is the same diameter as a hose end right?

BrassCraft Mfg SF0204X Faucet Aerator AERATOR-3/4 FEM Garden Hose THD, Chrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VKL1XG/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_33R23RTRH6EFF66WNG66

balcony area would be perfect based on your taste indicated, how is this?

https://www.amazon.com/Sauder-422427-HomePlus-Storage-Cabinet/dp/B076CPZ1L3/ref=sr_1_5?crid=22GUEFBQ6UE18&keywords=white%2Bstorage%2Bcabinet&qid=1644995621&sprefix=white%2Bstorage%2Bcabine%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-5&th=1

I use rabbitgoo too and it works so great I recommended it to my sister and it’s been great for her so far too.

This is the one I use:

rabbitgoo Window Privacy Film, Decorative Window Clings, UV Blocking Window Covering, Static Cling Non Adhesive Door Window Stickers, Stained Glass Rainbow Window Vinyl, 3D Pebble, 17.5 x 78.7 inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT7OJOD/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_4CFAVCXMFV2ZYZARK880

I can only speak for my issues with Ring, but this might help:

My original transformer did meet the specs but did not work with the chime and the door bell. I found one on amazon for $25 and everything started working properly. It was a little larger and tricky to fit where the old one was, but it did. You may search for one for the Nest. Good luck.

Ring door bell transformer

PiHole is a DNS-level, network-wide ad blocker. It is typically a combination of the PiHole software running on some hardware like a Raspberry Pi (because running it in Docker or virtually can have issues with Layer 2 compatibility and visibility).

Once it’s clean and smooth- you may have to sand it if it’s rusty- most hardware stores sell “tub re-finishing kits” (here’s an example)

It shouldn’t be, since it’s a hard material that the command strip would be pulling off of. (For reference, I’m talking about these: Command Large and Medium Picture Hanging Strips Mega-Pack, 28-Pairs: 12-Medium, 16-Large, Decorate Damage-Free https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07P32RHQ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_N8X8RH4G9K6CKD4V9SQ0)

My mistake. I had no idea what an OBI200 is until I looked up the manual for it. Now I understand what you're looking for.

Plug in an RJ11 splitter to the OBI200.

One of these would work: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PW0WKV0/

Then, as you suggested, cut the end off of a standard phone cord and punch down the wires into a keystone jack for the two rooms you need. Then just plug the other ends of the cords into the splitter.

For even more security check out hinge pins: https://www.amazon.com/Door-Hinge-Security-Screws-3-Pack/dp/B01DG0TZ1A

This way people can't tap the hinge bolts out of your door from the outside using a slim tool.

I can’t do much if it’s leaking inside the wall, though there are moisture meters that only make pinholes.

But if water is seeping out from, say, behind your dishwasher, you may not notice for days til your floor and cabinets are ruined, unless you put one of these back there in advance. In which case the first drip to hit the sensor will make it shriek til you come dry it off.

I also like an oscillating tool like this one, not this one in particular. But something like this to cut under the door jambs so you can slide the planks underneath it.

First row is the hardest, use spacers as walls are not always straight! First rows must be absolutely straight to lock in.

I wouldnt remove hardwood floors. Lay on top, better soundproofing. If you are over another floor or you are using a basement below it, consider getting some sound boards that apartments use between their floors.

Biggest headache is getting things really flat, not necessarily level, especially in older homes. There is some stuff you can pour on, or you can put shingles under your underlayment.

You may not want to do the bedrooms if the carpet is nice there.

Get a chopper, flooring cutter like this one. Make sure the width is wide enough. Saws create too much dust. And get good knee pads!!

Thank you!!!! I actually just picked up this caulk at Lowe’s yesterday, I don’t see mold resistant but it says waterproof, I wonder if it will work. I also just ordered this multitool per someone else’s advice online this morning too! It comes with a “wood/plastic plunge blade”, but in the picture I don’t see a serrated edge unfortunately. I can still cancel that order and try another one if it won’t work. Thanks again so much! I’m learning a lot

We had drain fly issues and one of these really helped: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6RZP4H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_57DQKZK6629YSG624GQ5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It'll attract and trap any of the small flying insects like drain flies, fruit flies, no see ums, and gnats. It won't fix where they're coming from, but it'll help get rid of them in your room.

I got these a few months ago (they’re currently unavailable though). They were only a hundred bucks and I’m pretty pleased with them as beside tables. They’re a little rustic but go well with my modern bedroom.

Heather Ann Creations Wallace Collection Living Room Bamboo Style 2 Drawer End Table, Rustic Farmhouse, Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WGS4VFY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7PFNWRYMEJ91MY84ZH3E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I had an outside door that hit an inside door frame if opened too far. I attached one of these half-dome door stops directly to the floor, in a spot where it wasn't likely to stub any toes: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00LQL6QLO/

I agree. Over the years we did pulls, but changing the hinges was game changing.

The Kreg concealed door jig- made it very easy.

Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig and 35mm Concealed Hinge Jig Bit Bundle (2 Items) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXXCEZV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_Skw9FbRDA4AKD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This book has been one of my go-to’s since before I owned my first home: The Complete Photo Guide to Home Improvement: Over 1700 Photos, 250 Step-by-Step Projects (Complete Photo Guides) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0865735808/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_9DR7FbNFGKSSC

In my master bedroom I have a floor lamp controlled by a remote switch:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FK5SP9H

And the switch is stuck on to the wall near the door using those 3M double sticky tape things for wall hooks. It's not glamorous but it's cheap and does the job.

Premade.

Origami Adjustable 2 in 1 Organizing Storage Rack Multi Tier Utility Shelving Unit for Bedroom, Laundry Room, and Kitchen, Espresso https://amazon.com/dp/B07P99ZMB3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EM9sFbWFHQ7W0 This is a similar item

I would personally grab one of these

Sometimes the KISS route's the best route.

My husband has severe asthma, triggered by animal dander. We have found that a combination of keeping Blue Air 411 air purifiers running and this allergy spray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010W5OSO6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share keeps him healthy, even when his family (all pet owners) is around.

I got them from amazon.

12 Pack Hexagon (Hexagonal) Acoustic Foam Studio Soundproofing Foam Tiles 6" X 6" X 1" Charcoal Art Decor Noise Reduction https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L2ZKR7W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_R55bFbF28GEYR