# DIY you DI-Not-Again after doing it once **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386 "2018-08-27T22:56:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/41 "2018-08-30T05:33:45Z")
Yet another food item a Doper won’t attempt again: Kombucha. The one time I finally got a nice-looking SCOBY, within a few hours, it was covered with black, fuzzy mold. So, I just buy it. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/42 "2018-08-30T06:45:42Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > I have a simple rule for plumbing. If the shut-off valve is more than 10 years old, or the slightest bit hard to turn, I call a plumber. I gave up on DIY as this house was built in 1905. Bringing it up to code is daunting. I tend to hire a pro claiming back and hip problems. Money well spent. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/43 "2018-08-30T06:53:22Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > I gave up on DIY as this house was built in 1905. Bringing it up to code is daunting. I tend to hire a pro claiming back and hip problems. Money well spent. I am the one claiming back and hip problems, not the contractor. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Map\_Ylow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/map_ylow/32/85_2.png) [@Map\_Ylow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Map_Ylow)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/44 "2018-08-30T08:39:43Z")
I never again wish to rip up a rotted bathroom floor straight to the joists, put in cement board subfloor, new underlayment, and then proceed to lay laminate hardwood over-top of all that. … Unfortunately I may well have to. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/45 "2018-08-30T10:50:50Z")
> [@Map\_Ylow](#): > > I never again wish to rip up a rotted bathroom floor straight to the joists, put in cement board subfloor, new underlayment, and then proceed to lay laminate hardwood over-top of all that. > > … > > Unfortunately I may well have to. ☹ If it is the same bathroom, that is exactly why some people do not DIA. If it is a different one, I truly feel for you. ---
**Author:** ![Map\_Ylow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/map_ylow/32/85_2.png) [@Map\_Ylow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Map_Ylow)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/46 "2018-08-30T11:07:07Z")
> [@j666](#): > > If it is the same bathroom, that is exactly why some people do not DIA. > > If it is a different one, I truly feel for you. Different one - they’re such small bathrooms (distance from edge of bathtub to threshold of door is about five feet) we can’t find anyone willing to actually do them. One was enough for me. It may not look professional, but by god it’s a functional floor and it was far more difficult than it had any right to be. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/47 "2018-08-30T11:50:25Z")
I redesigned and replaced all the ductwork in my house once. Never again! It is the most exhausting exercise in patience with enough scratches, slivers and cuts for a lifetime. I will leave it to the tin-bangers every time now. > [@Chronos](#): > > I built my own computer from parts, once. Once. It built character, and I’m glad I did it. And I will never do it again. I have built all my computers (maybe a dozen or so) but will never do it again as it’s just not worth the effort and time anymore when you can buy a pre-assembled box with OS already set-up for a lot cheaper. > [@j666](#): > > Rock a wall. I’d still mud it my self, though. > > I’m thinking about getting a professional to remove the sad remnants of my lawn. > [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > Drywall, sheet rock, gypsum board, call it what you want. Don’t even ask me to help. > DIY - as I have been there too many times in the past. > > I will just stand there eating my slice of pizza and offer my advice of “Hire a professional”. Even as a contractor, I don’t mind drywalling but I leave the taping and mudding to the professionals who do it every day… perfectly and way, WAY faster. > [@Map\_Ylow](#): > > I never again wish to rip up a rotted bathroom floor straight to the joists, put in cement board subfloor, new underlayment, and then proceed to lay laminate hardwood over-top of all that. > > … > > Unfortunately I may well have to. ☹ Yes, if you put laminate hardwood in your bathroom, I can %100 guarantee that you will be replacing the floor again at some point. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/48 "2018-08-30T14:49:12Z")
A word or two about gutters: 1. If you can spare the money, get yourself one of those systems that keeps the leaves out. We got one of those probably 7-8 years ago now, and I’ve never regretted it for a second. Worth every penny. 2. If you _can’t_ spare the money, get one of these [gutter cleaning accessory kits](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2-1-2-in-Gutter-Cleaning-Accessory-Kit-for-RIDGID-Wet-Dry-Vacs-VT2515/203235222) for [this wet-dry vac](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-16-gal-6-5-Peak-HP-Wet-Dry-Vac-with-Detachable-Blower-and-2-Bonus-Filter-Bags-WD1681/206867227?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-304110586-_-206867227-_-N)’s detachable blower. Unless your gutters are a few stories up from the ground, you can do all your gutter cleaning while standing on your lawn. (One stretch of our gutter was 3 stories off the ground, hence the decision to go with solution #1 above.) ETA: I’m sure other brands of blowers and wet-dry vacs have similar systems to the one in #2 above. That’s the one I’ve got experience with, though. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/49 "2018-08-30T23:01:54Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Even as a contractor, I don’t mind drywalling but I leave the taping and mudding to the professionals who do it every day… perfectly and way, WAY faster. I’m better. But way, WAY slower. Still, I’ve never textured a wall or ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![Map\_Ylow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/map_ylow/32/85_2.png) [@Map\_Ylow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Map_Ylow)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/50 "2018-08-30T23:36:32Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Yes, if you put laminate hardwood in your bathroom, I can %100 guarantee that you will be replacing the floor again at some point. Fair point. It may not be actual laminate. The box quite clearly said “suitable for use in wet areas”. I do expect to have to redo it at _some_ point in the future, but I also may either be able to get someone else to do it, or it won’t be my problem any longer as I may not even be living here when it inevitably gives up the ghost. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/51 "2018-08-31T13:04:21Z")
Drywall. Yeah, I did the basement years ago but I’m never going to lift another piece again. Note that the lifting is basically the only issue. I don’t have a problem with taping and filling. I do a _lot_ better job than the idiots who did our house. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/52 "2018-08-31T14:24:01Z")
Tiling floors or walls. Days of messy grouting, weird corners, cutting tiles to shape, micro-shard slivers and cuts all over my hands and arms. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/53 "2018-08-31T20:04:57Z")
Drywalling a ceiling is something I never care to do again. Even with the help of a couple of homemade [deadmen](http://ehowdiy.com/ceiling-building_and_using_a_deadman_brace.htm), it was a pain in the ass to align the drywall sheets and get them screwed in. The joists weren’t flush with each other (after almost 60 years, imagine that!) so the joints didn’t exactly line up, making a smooth skim coat beyond my capability. Ended up doing bead board over the drywall, which works because it’s a beach themed room anyway. There’s more than one way to whip a project, but I really don’t want to have to deal with that one again. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/54 "2018-08-31T20:51:22Z")
After recently excavating and lifting/replacing heavy stone blocks to repair my back stoop (after it partially collapsed thanks to a groundhog that decided it wanted to tunnel in) and incurring an upper extremity muscle strain that was painful for several weeks, I think I’ll leave similar projects to someone else in future. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/55 "2018-09-01T01:46:30Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > After recently excavating and lifting/replacing heavy stone blocks to repair my back stoop (after it partially collapsed thanks to a groundhog that decided it wanted to tunnel in) and incurring an upper extremity muscle strain that was painful for several weeks, I think I’ll leave similar projects to someone else in future. Ask the groundhog if he takes side jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/56 "2018-09-01T02:34:24Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > I redesigned and replaced all the ductwork in my house once. Never again! It is the most exhausting exercise in patience with enough scratches, slivers and cuts for a lifetime. I will leave it to the tin-bangers every time now. > > **I used to be required to crawl into attics on the Gulf Coast to install certain wiring and to pull cable, fiberglass insulation is a mess to crawl through.** > > Even as a contractor, I don’t mind drywalling but I leave the taping and mudding to the professionals who do it every day… perfectly and way, WAY faster. > \*\* > Exactly. I could not agree more. It is an art worth watching. > \*\* > > Yes, if you put laminate hardwood in your bathroom, I can %100 guarantee that you will be replacing the floor again at some point. ETA: my quoting is especially bad today…sorry about that ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/57 "2018-09-01T14:51:54Z")
Texture a ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/58 "2018-09-01T23:54:39Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > Many years ago, when I was single, I decided to teach myself how to cook. For some unfathomable reason I decided to begin by making gnocchi. Many, many hours later I produced flavorless, inedible dough lumps. > > It was easier just to find and marry a good cook. It’s enough to make you agnocchtic! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Map\_Ylow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/map_ylow/32/85_2.png) [@Map\_Ylow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Map_Ylow)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/59 "2018-09-02T01:31:08Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > It’s enough to make you agnocchtic! :smack: Hey, hey, isn’t that a bit pasta line there? Use your noodle, man. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2018, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386/60 "2018-09-02T03:21:11Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > It’s enough to make you agnocchtic! :smack: Just imagine if I had tried to make torturellini!😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-you-di-not-again-after-doing-it-once/820386.md?page=4)