notamused We are nearing completion of a new house and recently noticed the wood flooring on the entire first floor is noticeably cupped. The lower level flooring, applied over cement with an appropriate moisture barrier seems to be ok so far. We are scheduled to move in in two weeks but I certainly don't want to do so if the ultimate solution is to replace the floor. I suspect (don't know) that there were several moisture issues. About 5-6 weeks prior to the floor being laid (it was done in mid-February) we had a couple of inches of standing water in the lower level. The Advantech used on the main level had been heavily wetted since its installation and, again, at 5-6 weeks before the wood floors were installed there were still areas of significant moisture - particularly near doors (no doors installed at that time but they were in my the time the flooring was installed) and where the roof leaked in the room. I am not a pro but my guess would be that the AdvanTech was not properly dried before the flooring went in. It probably didn't help that on some of the days the flooring was installed it rained. Also, the HVAC system still isn't up and running so that is of no help. Right now the builder is using a dehumidifier in the basement. Don't know if it will help. I have asked for an AdvanTech rep to come out to meaure the moisture content in the floor. I don't think it was a failure of the Advantech, I suspect it was improper drying and maybe a lack of MC measuremts of both flooring and substrate. I really don't want to rip out all the flooring - it's the entire main floor! But I also don't want to move into a house with a floor that we consider unacceptable. The builder has a certificate of occupancy and though he sounds willing to work with us, it's pretty clear that what he wants is for the basement humifier to help "calm the floor down" so that he can then have the cupped edges sanded down and call it good. Will the humidifier help? Should we go ahead and move in? Who is responsible for this mess?

I too am the same story, I believe many of us fall in this category. Most of us can walk small bits, so even if you can not do everything wheel chair capable, remember that many of us can not bend down far. I keep seeing people keeping the bottom cabinets. I can look at that rum in the back of the cabinet that I need for a lovely peach rum pie. But no way am i able to reach that far back. Even if I could, I could not lift it out. I am severely oxygen deprived and now psorr. arthritis has set in. Anything above my shoulders or below my hips is hard. Reaching the back of the fridge, the vege drawers, above the fridge, all hard. Our steps are steep, so only use with hubby there. Lower level, not at all. And yes that toilet was getting lower and lower, and the tub is too small for the shower stool, so the whole thing is in the tub, not the safest way. And I have the same story was working till 66, not any problems in my life except allergies. Got an exceedingly rare form of cancer 4 years ago. I am still cancer free, but when you are continuously on oxygen, your life is totally different. I am still a couple years before 60, total disability no questions asked - that clear. All the things that were waiting for later, well they aint happening. Trust in the fact that all those changes you need to make, well they all cost, when you become disabled it is too late. Work like you will work forever, live like it will all end tomorrow!

I have an old house with one of the old fashioned metal hampers built in to the wall behind the bathroom door. At first I hated living in an old, unrenovated place but lo and behold it makes a lot of sense. It never tips over and never gets dirty or smelly. The hinged top opens so you can drop clothes in. And then you open the door when you are ready to do laundry.

I try not to be but then I say 'hmm.. just in case' lol It is logic though NOT to go under any ladder during work going on anyway. What is so weird anyway, is that when we went on holiday a few years back, weird stuff happen in the house we stayed in and a next door holiday maker left their house for the same reason but we stuck it out,, what was eerie though was when we finally left, and locked the main door, the number ( which we never even knew it had lol) fell off one screw, and hung swinging side to side on the one screw left, it was number 13! :o sent shivers down my spine when that happen! Soooo.. just in case like I said! Then we have lived in other places which had number 13, and we have seen building with no 13th floor or 13th room .. so depends I think where you go.