one thing leads to another...

[woj product]

So it started with my wife, wanting the screw down type strainers in the kitchen sink.

No problem, I sez.

In trying to unscrew the existing drains from below, it became clear that they were "welded" to the sink itself, and my pipe wrench cranking had done nothing except cause one to leak.

Oh, well. I was thinking of getting a stainless sink anyway.

So in taking out the old sink, (an ancient, stained, cast iron montrosity) which was held in with rusted out clips, a chrome rim, 80 yards of caulk...I accidentally chipped a huge chunk out of the backsplash formica countertop.

Oh, well. I was thinking of getting a different countertop anyway.

Luckily I didn't destroy the cabinet, and after trimming the countertop, cutting the hole in the top, setting the sink and finishing the endcap, the new sink and counter look pretty kick ass.

[I-zheet M'drurz]

TESTIFY!!!

Every woman in the world should be made to read this story. Then they might have a clue as to why there is really no such thing as a "15 minute job".

"Luckily" is right! Half of us poor schnooks out here would've ended up seeking professional help somewhere in that progression. Give yourself a pat on the back, have a(nother) beer, take the rest of the weekend off!

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Damn, you got away easy. Most times you start by replacing the light switch cover and then end up painting the wall that leads to the next room that now looks shabby. Then the new paint makes the carpet look dull so you tear it up and put down hardwood floors. The dust from finishing the floors gets on the drapes that now must be replaced, then . . . . . you get the idea.

I'm glad you like the results of your work, but I'm even happier you did not get into a $90,000 remodel. Ed [e-mail]

[Mary Shafer]

Hey, it could be worse. I was unhappy with my tile counters about two and a half years ago and we ended up building a new house with Corian counters, retiring, and building another new house with Corian counters and I'm still not happy with my tile counters, but I only spend part of the year in the house that has them.

However, I'm about to replace the vertical blinds in that house, which will lead to repainting, which will probably make me rip out and replace the vinyl, which will set the scene for a new kitchen sink. Then I'll take out the tile counters and get Corian. I'll probably also replace my harvest gold bathroom fixtures with white ones. Or I'll just wait a few years and then sell the house.

Mary

[Harry K]

Of course you can, if she is gullible, try to convince her that the chips, gouges, etc are accent marks ;)

Harry K

[NorMinn]

If my experience applied to your situation, you would have found an old leak that rotted the studs. When you tore out the bad stud, you would have found the whole supporting wall infested with termites. Starting "small" invariable includes expansion of a plan beyond those steps that look good on paper :o) Heck, I burned out a lightswitch just trimming wallpaper, and almost burned down the house because I forgot to turn off the range pilot light before I sprayed shellac based primer all over my kitchen ceiling. :o) I don't want to talk about having my car towed out of a water filled hole in the parking lot :o)

[twiedeman]

It seems like it always starts with the wife.. Hmmm........