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I can’t believe that I am wrapping up the Boise UpSkill Project I’ve been working on with Lowe’s for months now. It feels like it just started, seriously it went so fast. BUT I am excited for today’s blog post because I am sharing some really great DIY tips and tricks I learned at their workshop this past Saturday. Seriously I walked out after just the couple of hours that I was there feelin’ like I could DIY all the things and I learned some pretty valuable skills for our bathroom that we are currently reno-ing. They had workshops on drywall, tool demonstration, tiling, plumbing and painting! SO I figured it would be fun and best to share some of my top tips that I heard and learned.
TILING:
- The saw is so important; do your research on this and find what saw is going to work best for the project you’re doing or ask an expert.
- Your mix should be thick like peanut butter – which is commonly a misconception
- Watch for crystallization as you start to lay the tile, if you put down the mix and it has a crystal layer on top, you want to remix and start over or it won’t work as an adhesive.
- Make sure you’re using the right mortar
- Plan everything out and work from the center out, measure, level and prep before starting
PAINTING:
- Chalk paint goes a long way – no need for sanding and perfect for furniture renos. Don’t recommend use in a kitchen or close to water!, .
- You can add a rustic look with a light grit sandpaper on the edges, then antique painting over the top to give it a little more flare.
- Start with one coat, let it dry and go from there. People commonly will continue adding more coats before it dries and that’s what creates problems.
PLUMBING:
- Research your specific type of faucet you’re replacing before you start. Know your “canvas,” what you’re working with and what’s going to be underneath before you start.
- Make sure you have a sealant to fix, caulk and fill holes and gaps as you go – silicone is what was recommended.
- Turn water off before starting the project and have a bucket and towel nearby to catch extra water sitting in there.
- Ensure you have the right tools that includes wrenches that are the correct size correct sizes wrenches
Not going to lie, especially after that tile demonstration – I texted Marcus and said HE SHOWED ME AN $80 WET SAW WE CAN BUY! Haha! Seriously there are so many projects I want to do around the house and just feel so much more comfortable starting to tackle them now! Plus, the Red Vest employees at Lowe’s are just top notch!
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