Mary Schmidt (u/mary_schmidt76)

Posts

My attempt at a 'quick' backsplash tile job turned into a full kitchen demo

I started with a simple plan to replace the 4x4 tiles behind my sink in my Chicago apartment, thinking it would take a weekend. After prying off the first tile, a huge chunk of the drywall came with it, revealing old water damage and mold. Has anyone else had a small project explode like this, and what did you do next?

3 comments

c/dredge-operators•

mary_schmidt76•2mo ago

Just read that the first steam-powered dredge in the US was built in 1844 for the Erie Canal... that's way older than I thought.

Found it in an old engineering journal at the library and it made me wonder, what's the oldest piece of gear you've ever had to run or seen still working?

3 comments

c/auto-body-repairers•

mary_schmidt76•2mo ago

That week we had three hail damage jobs in a row from the same storm

It was a crazy five days after that big storm hit Springfield. We had three separate cars come in, all with roofs and hoods just covered in dents. The thing is, one owner wanted a full PDR job, another wanted filler and repaint, and the third just wanted it 'good enough'. It really made me think about how we decide the right fix for the same damage. How do you guys usually talk a customer through those choices?

3 comments

c/diy-gone-wrong•

mary_schmidt76•3mo ago

Tried to 'freehand' a tile backsplash vs. using a laser level

My 'straight' line looked like a toddler drew it after two beers, but the laser level got it perfect in 10 minutes. Anyone got tips for cleaning up thinset from grout lines before it fully sets?

3 comments