Hardibacker™ is a great product to use on a tile countertop, or a for a tile floor application. Many people are familiar with cement backer board. Hardibacker has most of the same qualities and it is much lighter weight and easier to work with. The price was comparable as well.

Hardibacker installation instructions. From James Hardie North America (1-888-jhardie) - Pro’s and do-it-yourselfers trust Hardibacker® cement board as their total wet area solution. Hardibacker board with MOLDBLOCK™ Protection provides superior moisture and mold resistance, is easy to install, and unlike glass mesh boards, it won’t scratch porcelain or enamel surfaces. Whether you’re tiling, painting, texturing or wallpapering, Hardibacker board’s dimensional stability and exceptional bonding surface deliver the ultimate in durability. That’s what you can expect from America’s #1 backerboard.

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In the 50’s plastic wall tile was used in a lot of homes. If you want to get rid of it, you might be considering removing the tile. That probably isn’t the best idea. The adhesive that was used in a lot of these installations is very tough, and you might even find that it is still not completely cured behind the tile.

A good option to address the old plastic wall tile is to cover it with decorative panels. Not necessarily panelling, but panels that are current and attractive.

In our case, we used beadboard panels from Georgia Pacific (the brand name is PlyBead. The panels are 3/8″ thick and installed easily by using a construction adhesive along with some finish nails to hold in place until the adhesive set. We didn’t do anything to prepare the plastic tile other than cleaning the surface. Since the panels were only 3/8″ thick, we did not have to replace the window or door trim near the panels. In many cases, you can find decorative wall panels that are from 1/8″ to 3/8″.

Another nice product option is called “Styleline” (again from GP). There are many decorative options for this product such as a leather look, or a linen look. I know that Lowe’s carries the product but I am not sure about Home Depot. The cost can add up if you hare a large area to cover, but the time to complete the project will be short.

Your only other feasible option is probably going to be to tear out the existing plaster or drywall behind the tile. The adhesive isn’t going to want to come off cleanly, so a complete demo is probably called for. If you choose this option take the opportunity to update wiring, plumbing and to insulate the walls that you demolish.

Good luck.

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This post is a bit off topic, but if the people behind these ‘inventions’ can accomplish these goals, the world’s poor could have clean drinking water and electricity. The Segway creator’s next entrepreneurial spin - Feb. 16, 2006

The idea of a water filtration system is interesting. You have got to think that clean water would be a must for the third world countries. Much of the disease that they experience is borne from the water that they drink. Imagine if 25% of the illnesses that are experienced are wiped out because water filtration is possible.

Water and electricity to the third world could mean:

Positive

• Well being of global population.
• Reduced spread of disease and death.
• Productivity in parts of the world where it hasn’t been possible.
• Low cost labor force for the industrial nations (much like China and Taiwan today.)

Drawbacks

• Population explosion.
• Exploitation of workers, including child labor.
• The dreaded “unanticipated consequences’.

Keep in mind, there are always unintended consequences with dramatic change. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

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craigslist: buffalo classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

If you haven’t ever been to Craigslist, you should give it a visit. If you like Ebay, you will probably like Craigslist. In fact, Ebay took a stake in the company in 2005. Craigslist is a free site that is sort of like your local classified section of the newspaper.

There is just about anything under the sun located at the site. In fact, there is a nice real estate section to help you get some exposure for a property that you are trying to sell.

You can keep your personal information private and post anonymously.

Poke around the site, it is a fun place to browse.

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Speak up WNY is a site that does a real nice job in covering the political and community development news in the Western New York Area.

There are a number of topics that are covered by the writers here that you won’t hear discussed in the local media. There is nice coverage of most towns including Lancaster and Amherst. They also have a message board with some frequent posters who seem to have the inside scoop on local real estate development and politics.

I decided to write about the site after reading some nice coverage about the proposed Lancaster Wal-Mart. A couple of users there seem to have the inside scoop.

Give them a try. Buffalo NY and Buffalo New York News Speakupwny.com

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If you need a uniquely sized shim, or spacer, that is rather thin, you should consider some items that you might have laying around and will give you the uniform thickness that you need.

Consider the following to use as a uniform thickness shim. They are inexpensvie items and things that you might have around your garage, workshop, basement or attic.

• Formica
• Laminate Flooring
• Pegboard or Hardboard
• Paneling
• Vinyl Tile

One of my favorites is Linoleum or vinyl tile (the 12″ x 12″ stick on variety). If you have a couple of peel and sticks around, you can cut them to size and layer as needed. The best part here is that you can use the peel and stick backing to hold it in place.

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