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Baker and Branscom Interview: Soundproofing, Cutting through Cement, and more.... From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-111

Baker and Branscom Interview: Soundproofing, cutting through cement, and more....

Janette Smith: As we tackle projects on your to-do lists, it's time to get some extra help and advice from two of DIY's home improvement pros, Scott Branscom and Jay Baker. They've spent the past week looking at some of the e-mail questions you've sent to us, and they're here to answer a few of them.

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Figure A

Question (from Alex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) : I'd like to do some soundproofing at my house. Do you have any suggestions?

Jay: First of all, I don't want Alex to do the wrong thing, and there are misconceptions about soundproofing. One thing you don't want to do is go to the home improvement store and buy paper insulation material like that used for blow-in insulation in attics (figure A) and use it to fill the spaces between your walls. The same holds true for expandable foams like those used for filling holes in brick or masonry. Both of these products are designed for specific purposes, and neither is made for soundproofing. A better idea is to add mass to your wall by installing an additional layer of drywall. If the seams of your existing drywall run vertically, add the new, overlapping layer so that the new seams run horizontally. In that way, the seams won't overlap. This should help deaden some of the sound.

Question (from Gwen in Topeka, Kansas) : I'm re-doing my master bath and can't afford to replace the old, ugly bathtub. Is there anything I can do to update the tub?

Scott: Gwen, since cost is an issue I'd suggest you consider having your tub refinished. It costs a whole lot less than replacing the tub or even putting in an enclosure. You can find a kit to do this project yourself, but for the best quality and most durable finish, your best bet is to have a professional do the job.

Jay: There are do-it-yourself kits available for refinishing your tub, but if you decide to go that route, here's my advice: The most important thing in the kit is the set of instructions. Read and follow them closely. But I agree with Scott; if I were faced with this job, I'd probably just call a pro.

Figure B

Question (from Nelson in Ann Arbor, Michigan): What's the best way to cut through my cement floor?

Jay: For cutting through cement, use a cement-saw blade. Also known as a diamond saw-blade (figure B), these are specially designed to cut straight lines through cement or masonry. You can rent cement saws and blades at rental centers and home stores. Professional builders us these to cut through concrete, asphalt and granite. There are also special blades designed to cut holes in cement.

Figure C

Jay and Scott's Insider Tip: Driving Nails or Screws Into Plaster

Anyone who has hammered or screwed into plaster knows how easily the plaster can crack. This can often result in the need for a time-consuming repair. Today we've got two ideas to help prevent that from happening. The first idea is to get the nail or screw hot before driving it into the wall. You can do that with a hairdryer (figure C). The hot nail will pass through the plaster easier then a cold one. You don't have to heat the entire nail -- just the portion near the tip. Be careful not to burn your hand. It's a good idea to wear gloves or hold the nail with a pot holder while heating it.

Our second idea involves something you probably have at home -- transparent tape. Just make an "X" with the tape at the spot where you want the nail or screw to go. It helps to hold the plaster intact as you drive the nail. For nailing, simply hold the nail tightly between your fingers as you carefully drive the nail right through the tape and into the plaster.

RESOURCES :

HGTV's Complete Fix-It
Author: HGTV