Rules Of Thumb

If you are sitting around waiting for the weather to change so you can get on with the home repair projects, here are a few rules of thumb to memorize. -Wall studs typically are one for every linear foot of wall. -Insulation by the square foot, perimeter of house times 8 (one story) times price per square foot. -Drywall, 4.5 times the square footage of finished house, divide by 48 for number of 12-foot boards.

- Stephen Corwin

Get Your Bearings

Moving, removing, or altering an existing wall is a common remodel request and the project itself can range from simple to complex.

Walls are either bearing or non-bearing. Bearing means that the wall is holding up something, that is, it bears weight. A non-bearing wall carries no weight. In the simplest case, a non-bearing wall can just be removed with no structural consequences. A bearing wall, on the other hand, can always be removed but the work involved might make the project unrealistic.

It is not always easy to determine a bearing from a non-bearing wall just by looking at it. Walls that run the length of the house parallel with the roof ridge are often bearing walls. Walls that run perpendicular to floor and ceiling joists may be bearing. Walls that run parallel to floor and ceiling joists are most likely non-bearing walls.

- Stephen Corwin

Consumer Alert

Folks of the home repair persuasion buy stuff for their homes like appliances and mechanical systems, then install and maintain them. When we do our own work, we take on the role of the professional, including taking on the responsibility of keeping up with changes in the industry and staying abreast of problems with products. One way to keep on top of things is to periodically visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site. You will find a wealth of information here!

Click here to link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site! www.cpsc.gov/

- Stephen Corwin

Fire-Rated Wall: Adding An Outlet

While most homeowners don't often consider fire ratings, building professionals are well acquainted with the topic! Many material uses and construction methods are dictated by fire ratings and fire safety.

For example, typical attached garage residences have a fire rated wall that separates the living space from the garage. Care should be taken if alterations are made to this wall. For example, if you plan to add electrical outlets, the best approach may be to install outlets on the wall (surface mounted).

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Answers

I am painting my living room. This is about as ambitious as I'm going to get. I even ignored the new cracks and just painted over the damn things. If they get a bit wider, well, I have some spare paint. Did another 6 x 8 section of wall today. One more bit and I'm done. BTW, I put wallpaper on one short wall. It took three separate attacks to put up one bloody roll of wallpaper--and Brits are born with expert wallpapering knowledge. I tell you, old age ain't for sissies.

Hint for the day: Masking tape is YOUR FRIEND. Latex paint is INCREDIBLE! Ha! You buggers don't remember the old kinds of paint, do ya? Man, the stink of turpentine!

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002