Ask Mason tagged 'bathrooms'

Repair or Replace Shower?

Mason — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Mason :

My home is 12 years old, in beautiful Beaverdam. My heel went through the shower floor of the Lasco one-piece pre-fab 47"W x 34"D x 72"H fiberglass shell. The break is 4.5". While on my hands and knees, I noticed two small sets of spiderweb cracks in addition to the big break.

My wife says time for a tiled shower. I say let's get it repaired. How do we decide?

Steve S.

Steve,

I am sure you' [...]

On Cabinet Refacing, Square Pegs and Round Holes

Mason — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Mason, enjoy your articles. After 12 years in the refacing business, I finally started my own co. What do you think of the laminate and veneer process? Since I am now also doing sales, I could use any sales pitches you might have. Thanks!

Kirk B Reno, NV

Kirk,

Congratulations on taking the jump to ownership. Remember, you're not your own boss... now you have so many more bosses - your customers!

I confess that when I first read your inquiry [...]

Home Advice from a Realtor

Mason — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Everyone is familiar with those shows on cable television, following the processes wherein homes are bought and sold. Designed to Sell, House Hunters, Curb Appeal, and others have become Home & Garden TV phenomena.

While so much of home improvement television is deeply rooted in fantasy, these shows have some real-world applications. Richmond's own Nancy Frazier of Long & Foster Real Estate is likely one of the most experienced and successful agents in our area.& [...]

Is it a Leaky Shower or Centerpiece-Watering Opportunity?

Mason — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Mason:

It appears that we have a leak from an upstairs shower, right over our dining room table below. Is this a job for a plumber or a handyman service, or what?

Bob S., Glen Allen, VA

Bob,

Most know that the works of Frank Lloyd Wright were fraught with technical problems. I recall the story of an angry letter from Edgar Kaufmann (owner of the famous Fallingwater house) to Mr. Wright, complaining of a roof leak over his dining room table. Wright' [...]

(Sing Along:) Who's Afraid of a Load-Bearing Wall?

Mason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason,

I have a small (1400 sf) old Cape. There is a wall with a double-door opening that separates the living room from a small sunroom. Around the corner from that, there is a tiny bathroom and corridor that separates that sunroom from the kitchen. I'd really like to remove the wall and the bathroom and open the whole space up. My question is, what are the factors that need to be considered to do this and keep my house from falling down? I hear the term "load bearing wall&qu [...]

An Exhausting Topic

Mason — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -1800

Something everyone should know about new or old bathrooms - ventilate!

As I see it, there are two reasons to have proper ventilation in a bath or powder room. The first, to protect your home from excessive airborne moisture that will accumulate in the air during a tub bath or shower. Moisture creates mold and deterioration of finishes and underlying structure. Secondly, and even applicable to washrooms without showers, is the desire to exhaust (uhhh... how to pol [...]