Category Archives: House Remodel

Been Busy After a Dumb Mistake — Time to Plan our Next Adventure

House Remodel, Senior Moments,

Senior Moments

The original solar installation on our low slope patio roof.

Where has Nick been? I haven’t posted in a while. Been busy installing a new patio roof. And now it is time to plan our next camping adventure. Here’s an update of what I’ve been doing. What I have been doing is the consequence of a dumb decision I made four years ago.

Yeah, I had a Senior Moment four years ago when we had our home solar system installed. My “moment” was my poor decision to install the panels on our patio roof. It was a mistake. In this story I’ll relate several steps that can be applied to many decision making situations; even for backpacking or camping. It has to do with researching products.

Continue reading Been Busy After a Dumb Mistake — Time to Plan our Next Adventure →

House Remodel: Wall & Floor Tile

House Remodel,

Few things in a home remodel can make as dramatic and durable transformation like tile can.

For the first time DIYer, tile work may seem rather daunting. With planning and understanding, the first time DIYer can lay tile, resulting in a professional look and long lasting surface.

I had never laid tile before we did our house remodel, so I am a first time DIYer. Continue reading House Remodel: Wall & Floor Tile →

House Remodel: Drywall Tips

House Remodel

Many years ago, before the age of Internet, I did some drywall work, using a couple home improvement books as a tutor. Normally, I prefer reading than watching a video to learn how to do something. Things like hanging drywall, which require a learned skill, are much different. Watching someone show you how to tape and finished drywall joints is much better than reading about it. Continue reading House Remodel: Drywall Tips →

House Solar Install

House Remodel, Solar, The Environment,

I have been an advocate of solar power for almost 20 years, ever since we installed our first solar system on our camper in 2003 and then on our next two campers. Solar isn’t for everyone and it isn’t applicable for every situation.

Back at the end 2016, after we completed extensive energy efficiency upgrades to our house, I asked posed the question is a post here (click for link), “Is home solar lipstick on a pig?” What this means, is solar just a Band-Aid for an energy inefficient home. I was advocating that homeowners should address the inefficiencies in their house before installing a solar system. I also mentioned that after a full year of data, after our energy upgrades, I would re-evaluate solar for us.

Given the accelerating costs of electricity rates, we decided to install a solar system. Continue reading House Solar Install →