Ronnie SM

05/31/2026

05/31/2026

I’m interested in peoples opinion on this :

This is how i do my Gilpin Plank stamp jobs.
I don’t randomly stagger my planks. I split the adjoining plank in the center as to align the ends of the planks. I do this because I think it looks cleaner when I saw cut my control joints.
If you look in the top third of the picture you can see a saw cut control joint across the planks. Notice how the joint splits every other plank in half. If I randomly staggered the planks, it would look like you have 4” planks or 11” planks. Even 2” planks possibly, if the stamps were randomly placed, after I saw cut. I believe that this method actually hides the saw cut better. Obviously, the saw cuts going the other way are completely hidden.

Thank you for your opinions.

05/31/2026

Any idea what this is? Showing up 3 months after install. Suspicion the home owner sprayed or spilt something but is blaming the install. Tile over concrete slab. Only happening in one room.

05/31/2026

So, I’m removing the fireplace in my living room and once I’ve peeled back the outer layer of the ‘onion’ I find this. I’m no stone mason, but shouldn’t the bricks be arranged more like Legos?

05/31/2026

How do i go about repairing this door?

My ex-stepdad broke this in one of his violent temper tantrums. He’s been gone for years, but I never learned building or repairing or anything like that. How would I go about fixing this for my mom? It’s in her room and I feel bad she’s had to keep looking at it every day.

05/31/2026

Contractor cracked a bathroom tile while replacing the floor. Is this too big to patch..The house did not come with any replacement tiles and I'm not sure where I'd find some. I'm hoping a patch kit is doab

05/31/2026

5.30 on a Friday after a long week and I do this while packing up ! FML 🤦🏼‍♂️ 😢

05/31/2026

My brick front stairs are from 1962 I believe (original) and are in need of some repair. I have a friend who does this on the side but I wanted to see if I could swing this myself - watching some DIY videos makes it seem feasible but I’ve never really worked with mortar. I think I’m somewhat handy around the house but I don’t want to do anything to make it worse or mess it up.

Between some of the bricks, there is a lot of loose or missing mortar. The top step also has two groups of bricks (above 3-4) that we don’t step on because of how loose they are and not wanting them to come out if we step in the edge. To repair the mortar between the bricks (both bricks in the step and the steps to the flat top part), how difficult of a job would this be? We also have one of the stones on the top that is no longer connected (aka we can lift it off). Not a danger for stepping on but I don’t want it ruined or any extensive water damage.

Not pictured - we also had our front door redone a few years ago and they used concrete under it to close the hole between the door frame and the stairs. It’s cracking wildly and assume it should be redone too. This one is concerning because I don’t want water damage but I don’t have experience in fixing this either.

Any tips for both?

05/31/2026

Zero modern waterproofing for decades

05/31/2026

What product can I purchase to finish these Schluter Jolly outside corners? Top piece is already installed.

Inside leaning/ straight wall corner is probably just leave well enough alone :)