How To Advice Restore or Replace? The Options for Old Windows. Choosing between repairing and replacing a window isn't just a matter of architecture vs. energy.
From cracks and bulging to dreaded artex, ceilings can be subject to a whole host of problems. Step in chartered surveyor Ian Rock to provide the answers.
Special Offers Be the first to know about This Old House contests, sweepstakes, and events and receive special offers and promotions from your favorite home improvement brands. We'll even send you regular reminders to enter our sweepstakes. Step 1: Repairing the Crack Several masonry patching products, such as hydraulic cement, do an adequate job of filling cracks in concrete walls. However, these products can fail after a few years if your foundation or retaining wall continues to move slightly, leaving you with little choice but to chip them out and start all over again. We repaired a foundation wall, which had an 8-ft.-long crack that leaked water into the basement during periods of heavy rainfall. To permanently patch the crack we used an epoxy-injection system from Polygem, called the Liquid Concrete Repair Kit (about $60). Each kit contains a two-part epoxy crack sealer, two 10-oz. tubes of Liquid Concrete Repair (LCR), a viscous epoxy that comes in a caulk-type cartridge, and seven plastic injection ports that deliver the LCR deep into the crack. There's enough material in each kit to repair a 1/16-in.-wide x 8-in.-deep x 8-ft.-long crack. Before you start, check to make sure the crack is dry. If the crack is slightly damp, dry it with a blow-dryer, then wait 15 minutes. If it remains dry, proceed with the repair. However, if the dampness returns, water is still seeping into the crack and you'll have to wait for it to dry out on its own. First, scrub the crack clean of any loose concrete, paint or old filler using a wire brush. Remove all dust and debris with a shop vacuum.','url':'http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,20355507,00.html','og_descr':'A simple, permanent repair for cracked concrete walls
NOTES (1) On traditional bases (wood metal and rock lath) the thickness of base coat plaster is one of the most important elements of a good plaster job.
Renewing Your Driveway: Repairing Concrete Even if your driveway is an expanse of puddles and potholes, it pays to explore renewing it first. It's a simple matter of.
One of the easiest mistakes to make when renovating a historic home is to tear down the old plaster walls and replace them with modern drywall and joint compound.