The DIY Girl

PVC cots for dogs

Posted on April 23, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 13, 2013

Nikki and Ellie aren’t the first Labrador Retrievers I’ve had so I am aware of the ongoing genetic issue of hip dysplasia in their breed. I wanted my girls up off the floor with their hips cushioned. Both were crate trained for the first 2 years of their life — meaning if I wasn’t home they were in the crate. I loved it because I missed the whole having my home chewed phase. When they hit 2 years old the crate was removed and a cot put in its place. Since they are 2 years apart in age, that means … Read more…

Lawnmower maintenance

Posted on April 20, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 10, 2013

My history with mowers I have fears regarding lawnmowers. My dad, who had me work with him on almost everything, wouldn’t let me near a lawnmower after a little girl in our neighborhood ran up to her dad while he was mowing and lost the part of her foot. This left a deep impression and fear of lawnmowers in me. My mom and dad were out-of-town when I was 18 years old and dad’s beloved yard was looking really scruffy and I didn’t want him to come home to a mess so I pulled out his mower, figured out how … Read more…

Nikon D70 camera fix

Posted on April 8, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 10, 2013

This post isn’t really about my camera – it’s about working on something I’m afraid of. I bought a used Nikon D70 camera from a professional photographer friend in January 2009. Since then that poor camera has been bounced, vibrated, and jiggled over thousands of miles on my motorcycle. For two months it was in ocean coast conditions so humid the lens fogged and had to be sent back to Nikon for repair – but that was under warranty. All to say the camera has not led an easy life in the 3 years I’ve had it. A year and … Read more…

Sprite Industries Shower Filter – Product Recommendation

Posted on February 16, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 10, 2013

I’ve had one of these for a while and I think they’re great. Who wants to douse their hair and body with chlorine every time they shower? It’s very drying for your skin and your hair. The filter assembly is pictured left and the replacement cartridges are on the right. The assembly comes in white, chrome, or gold and the filter inside is supposed to last a year — you reverse it after 6 months. You simply install it before your current shower head. I suggest you use Teflon tape on the threads. After 6 months you screw it open … Read more…

Removing soap scum – great article!

Posted on February 11, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 13, 2013

As part of my shower repair project I wanted to do a really good cleaning to remove soap scum and hard water accumulation. A job I absolutely dread — partly because it’s such hard work and because I’m never sure what’s the least painful product to use. I’m always worried I’ve missed some great product that would make it really easy. Enter the Manly Housekeeper. He explains why soap scum and hard water become such a problem and then tests 6 well known products to see which works best. He taped off 6 sections of a glass shower wall and … Read more…

Shower Spray Recipe

Posted on February 10, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 13, 2013

After recently doing a refurb on my 28 year old shower stall and realizing I had no soap scum and hard water stains to remove I thought maybe I should share the shower spray recipe I use: Shower Spray Recipe 1/2 cup alcohol 1/2 cup peroxide 6 drop of Dawn dish soap 1 tsp Jet Dry Get a 32 oz. spray bottle, add the alcohol, peroxide, and Jet Dry. Fill to top with water. Add 6 drops of Dawn. (Adding the Dawn last prevents soap bubbles when you fill the bottle with water.) Spray shower after every shower. I don’t … Read more…

Shower stall re-grout and re-caulk project

Posted on February 7, 2012 by TheDIYGirlFebruary 18, 2015

Shower stall re-grout and re-caulk project - The DIY Girl

Defining the problems I have two showers stalls with ceramic tile walls and floors and glass doors and both are in need of repair. The master bathroom gets the most use and is in the worst shape so I’ll start with that one. The master bathroom shower had been “repaired” by the previous owners of the house and they had chosen to use white caulk along the seam where the walls and floor meet and about 12″ up 3 corners. This caulk is deteriorating and cracking. I want to completely remove the caulk and replace with white grout like the … Read more…

Introduction

Posted on February 6, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 10, 2013

The DIY Girl Background Some background on the DIY Girl and as explanation for how I approach projects. I don’t believe in spending one more penny on repair and maintenance than I have to. If I invite someone into my house to do it they are going to charge a lot for their time (and hopefully expertise). If I figure out how to do it properly and do the work myself I can save a ton of money. Money that can go to fun things instead of fixing things. We all have our limits and our priorities and there are … Read more…

Repair leaking bathroom faucet handle

Posted on February 5, 2012 by TheDIYGirlSeptember 10, 2013

Repair leaking bathroom faucet handle - The DIY Girl

I have Delta/Delex faucets with separate hot and cold water handles. The first time I had a leaky faucet I took out the old valve stem and went to a home improvement store and asked them to help me match it. I purchased a box of 5 valve stems, springs, and seats. I figured this wouldn’t be the only leak since I have 6 identical faucets in three bathrooms. Tool list Phillips head screwdriver channel locks needle-nose pliers small screw driver rags I turned the water off under the sink going to both faucets. The turn valves don’t seem to … Read more…

Refinishing rusty metal – Ospho

Posted on September 20, 2011 by TheDIYGirlFebruary 18, 2015

Refinishing rusty metal - Ospho - The DIY Girl

When I bought my house the 2 decks on the back were cantilevered (supported by floor joints extending outside the house), but they had never been cared for and were literally rotting off the back of the house. I decided to have those decks removed and replaced with decks supports by steel posts. The steel posts will probably be standing when everything else is gone, but they are a maintenance issue since every nick or crack in the paint is an opening for rust formation. After 10 years there were quite of few rusty places and the white paint on … Read more…