What people keep running into with renovation
Complaints tagged renovation, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
174 recurring problems · 2187 people · 31 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 14Are new brake pads with a chipped corner safe to use?A small chip on a newly delivered brake pad often causes uncertainty about whether it is safe to install or needs to be returned. Deciding whether minor damage compromises performance prevents unnecessary installation risks while avoiding the hassle of a return if the part is still usable.
- 14How to get chemical smells out of carpetChemical spills like nail polish remover leave behind a stubborn, lingering odor that survives professional carpet cleaning and home remedies like baking soda and vinegar. This leaves the room reeking for days despite the carpet looking completely clean, preventing people from getting rid of the persistent fumes.
- 13How to get sticky residue off ceramic without ruining itStandard soap and hot water fail to dissolve aged adhesive left on ceramic surfaces, leading people to rely on harsh scrubbing and abrasive chemical cleaners like bleach that darken or stain the material instead of removing the glue. This leaves delicate handmade items and tile looking ruined while the original residue remains completely stuck.
- 13How to tell if uneven flooring panels are defectiveSubtle texture variations visible only from specific angles often indicate a manufacturing defect or improper subfloor preparation beneath old framing. Trying to fix or replace individual panels without knowing what lies underneath risks exposing hidden subfloor damage, which stops many homeowners from tackling the repair.
- 13Why is there a weird drop in my ceiling?Unexplained drops or uneven sections in a ceiling usually conceal structural framing, HVAC ductwork, or plumbing chases. Homeowners cannot safely identify what is hidden inside without inspecting the cavity, which leaves them unable to determine if the drop serves a mechanical purpose or indicates a hidden flaw.
- 13Is my house support beam strong enough for the load?Conflicting builder opinions and hidden framing details make it impossible to tell if a beam can safely handle a second story and roof. When mysterious wall gaps leave you unable to figure out what is actually supporting the structure, you are left stranded between contradicting professional advice and uncertain safety.
- 12Why won't contractors take credit cards for large deposits?Contractors often require checks for large upfront deposits before ordering materials, forcing property owners to drain thousands from their checking accounts all at once. This inflexibility strips away cash buffer right when other major bills like property taxes and insurance hit, making it impossible to smooth out major expenses using available credit lines.
- 12How to fix squeaky flooring joints along the wallSqueaky flooring joints along walls often happen when plank edges sit slightly proud of adjoining planks. This movement creates annoying noises whenever you step on them, making it necessary to secure or adjust the affected joints.
- 12How to get sticky grease off kitchen cabinets without ruining the finishStandard cleaners like Dawn and multipurpose sprays often fail to cut through heavy, caked-on kitchen grease without requiring harsh scrubbing. This leaves homeowners stuck trying to remove stubborn grime while risking permanent damage to their cabinet finish.
- 12Old bedroom paint keeps peeling off in tiny flakes while sandingAn old layer of paint often flakes off in tiny pieces during sanding or prep work, preventing the wall from ever getting smooth enough for a new coat. This constant peeling ruins the surface and traps people in an endless loop of scraping and frustration before they can even start painting.
- 12Should I test old flooring for asbestos if I'm just covering it up?Testing may not be strictly necessary if you plan to completely avoid sanding or major disturbances and simply cover the material. However, if a water leak or future repairs force you to eventually pull up the flooring, the disturbance becomes unavoidable. Deciding whether to test depends on whether you can safely encapsulate it long-term or if you will eventually have to tear it out.
- 12How do you know if a contractor's work is actually bad?Spotting bad construction or restoration work leaves homeowners struggling to figure out if visible flaws like uneven tiles, poor waterproofing, or missed deadlines are normal or require tearing things out and starting over. Without clear standards, people are left second-guessing what they see and stressing over whether to confront the contractor.
- 11How to know if a roof replacement quote is fairRoof pricing is opaque to anyone who knows nothing about construction, making it impossible to tell if a multi-thousand-dollar bid is inflated or reasonable. Homeowners are left guessing based on random comparisons or begging strangers online to evaluate their project costs from a single photograph.
- 11How to install flooring around intricate door trim and moldingInstalling patterned flooring around detailed door jambs, casings, and original plinth blocks requires tedious custom notching and alignment for every single board. This intricate fitting leaves no room for shortcuts and makes maintaining continuous patterns like herringbone a struggle.
- 11Which direction should rectangular floor tiles go?Laying rectangular floor tiles requires choosing an anchor point and a primary direction, which determines how cuts and fill-in pieces will fit across the room. Starting incorrectly can trap you in a corner where filling in remaining gaps becomes impossible without awkward, mismatched cuts.
- 11Gap around furnace b-vent after roofingRoofers often leave an open gap between the double-wall B-vent and the surrounding roof jack, which lets light and potentially water through. Standard caulk should not be used here because furnace vents get too hot; instead, you need a high-temperature rated storm collar and silicone flashing designed for gas vents to properly seal the opening without creating a fire hazard.
- 11Can I fix a damaged baseboard or do I have to replace it?You can usually repair minor dents, cracks, and water stains on baseboards using wood filler, caulk, and paint without having to replace the whole board. Attempting a DIY fix prevents losing a security deposit or spending time on a full teardown, provided the wood hasn't completely rotted through.
- 11How to fix a 3/8 inch gap in tongue and groove flooringWhen tongue and groove flooring installed from different directions ends up misaligned, you are left with an awkward gap and no clear way to connect the remaining boards. This leaves you stuck trying to figure out whether to force a custom-cut piece into place with glue or abandon the installation altogether.
- 11How to fix gaps under door jambs after new flooringRemoving old flooring or changing plank thickness often leaves exposed gaps and subfloors under door frames that are difficult to make look right without experience. Depending on the size of the gap, homeowners can either fill them using wood filler or Bondo, or glue in custom-carved wood inserts before painting or staining.
- 10How to get stubborn black mold off exterior brickStandard scrubbing and degreasers fail on deep-set exterior black marks because the growth embeds into the material rather than sitting on the surface. Trying to force it with hard-bristled brushes often strips the surrounding mortar instead of removing the stain, leaving homeowners stuck between ruining the masonry or resorting to painting over it.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.