The flooring with screws is great to prevent most squeaking but you have to keep the floors dry to prevent excessive wood expansion and contraction, to prevent splitting. Mostly an issue with external siding. As for stripping, square head or torx are better than Phillips. More difficult to find in Japan though, so order it online. The wood garbage we just burn during rainy days, built a concrete block burnbox with a old steel sink sheet for a roof. Useful for burning during rain where zero risk of causing a big fire. It's good you didn't use glue on the floorboards. Will make it easier to maintain later on. Less toxins in the house is also good.
Yeah, I don't like using glues. Anything that requires a gas mask for application is usually a no no for me if I can avoid it. Unfortunately my town has a no burning policy... so it's difficult to do so. I would love to burn all my wood scraps... it would save me the hassle of bagging them and bringing them to the recycle center.
You say you don’t know what you’re doing. But if you don’t know what you’re doing. I would love to see you do something that you do know what you doing. What you have been doing has been awesome work. A very talented man. I have been enjoying what you do, or don’t know what you’re doing😎
I dont even know how to not be serious about working on the knees with something hard in the hands. On a different note, the snow in the little fisher city looks absolutely lovely especially with the most important worker Frosty finally getting the screen time he deserves after carrying all of the renovations in the house, he definitely deserved a smoking break after all the hard work! :D
It's funny that I even said that and didn't realize it until editing the video. Couldn't keep a straight face and edit that video in lol Frosty looks to be having a better time in the cold than me though lol maybe that cigarette is keeping him warm lol
That (heat) shield is to prevent flames, hot air, and exhaust fumes from reaching the cabinets. I had something similar in my bathroom - '80s-era heater. From time to time the burning gas flares up and out. I'm uncertain why this would happen, but the water pressure was poor and I suspect it caused the water heater to auto adjust the gas used . I noticed the amount of gas being used decreased when the pressure fell. When the pressure improved and more water was flowing through the unit the gas output would increase; it would make a small explosion sound with flames shooting from it. Kind of scary when that happens the first time one is showering. Once a water cistern was mounted on the roof the water pressure problem disappeared and the single faucet water heater was replaced by larger one for the entire house - the floor had radiant heating so a lot of hot water was required during the winter. I think Japan's old homes would benefit greatly by using radiant floor heating, but I'm uncertain whether the tatami mats are too thick to allow the heat to egress. No problem with wood floors.
That’s such a funny story lol 😂 I can’t imagine seeing a fireball come out of that heater! Yeah, I’ve had this type heater in almost every apartment I live in Japan. But this particular unit in my kitchen was just exceptionally ugly. I’m sure it’s “safe” but it’s still the reason I removed all gas from my house. No thanks lol 😂 As for the radiant heated floors, some houses do have it and there are thin type tatami mats that run that system but they are made of a plastic material and not the traditional straw. I heard that type of system was expensive to run, I have no idea though 🤷
5:10 I’m sold. I’m going to remodel my kitchen around that water heater. Might get a few for the bathrooms too. Shit, wait till my girl sees the ones I’m installing next to the bed!
Hey, what's above the metal kitchen ceiling panels? I'd wanna know before I tried hanging another layer from it. Then I'd use a few hanger screws per row of boards just to give it a little more fight, if an earthquake comes along. Nails can vibrate loose, given enough force or time, but combining nails with a few screws at critical points might hang in there a lot longer. But the kitchen is really shaping into a beautiful space overall. Very impressed with your work ethic and perseverance in the face of so many new challenges.
Above the metal panels is just the wood floor support beams for the second floor. I did use metal screws every once and a while to screw the wood siding to the metal roof. This should be enough to hold it in place. The screw were long flooring screws and are very effective.
Great stuff. I actually love that hot water heater for just being a triumph of functionality over form! But, gotta get something nicer of course. With the screw problem, I find [or I imagine!] that if the wood is really cold and dense the drilling/screwing requires more torque. As well as predrilling, I use a lube like WD40 [eg '601 k48' in Japan] on the screw and it seems to help things along. Too much can cause discoloration.... As well, I use an impact driver rather than a standard drill and drive the screw in stages, checking tip engagement. A bit slower, but it seems to work for me here in Hokkaido....
Everything was pre-drilled but I reckon just a bad brand. I didn't have the issue with other brand flooring screws. But the WD40 idea is a good one for future reference!
Nice flooring! 🎊 I was surprised to hear about the Phillips screws head breaking, I used the same ones and didn’t get the same issue, you can buy an adapted size Phillips drill, not really sure how to say that but with a big head on small screws, one of them is going to break.
The one good thing about the floor is that it's 19mm thick. Maybe that will help with insulation? lol😓 As for those dang screws... I think that it could be the brand too. I bought these at Juntendo... I find that they sometimes carry inferior products compared to Konan Pro or other hardware stores. It could be that I just didn't use the correct size... I tried various sizes and no luck.
@@DIYJapan 19mm is also probably way more expensive especially lately for wood. Some people use OSB, I use 12mm normal plywood. Just try to buy the drill piece for tiny screws, not sure how to call that. I broke a few things using the wrong size at first but with matching screws and drill thingy, it went smooth 👍🏻
Nice to see the progress you are making! If you ever feel that you just want to get it done without regard for doing it "right", step away for a bit. Your future self will thank you.
Part of it is doing it "right" I suppose lol I find it very hard to get a tradesman to do it the way I want... they always stubbornly ignore my requests lol But to be honest, it's part hobby, part challenge to myself as well. But the bathroom... I've thought long and hard about paying someone... but then I'd feel bad not doing it myself and to experience the process myself, if that makes sense 😅
@@DIYJapan I have seen carpenters here in Japan cover old drywall ceilings throughout the house with wood and often it looks very nice. You can get creative by using different kinds of wood, different stains if you like, and even alternate the wood grain in different directions if a unique design is desired. Really depends on the look you want. In my house, since I rebuilt 7 ceilings already in wood, I decided to just paint the kitchen ceiling. I’ve cleaned and applied the same ACDOMELL sealer that you used so far. I’ll likely paint tomorrow.
@@DIYJapan Really? My challenge is I can’t read all the kanji and information on the various sellers, but when I take the time to ask the Home Center staff for assistance, usually they are very helpful. I’ve used several types of sealers including a silicone sealer for outdoor use. They all have worked fine for me. I’ve used it on drywall, wood, mortar and an outdoor fiber board so far and it’s worked fine for me so far. Probably will paint today.
Well, you have better staff at your disposal than me lol I ask the ones around my house and they give me that doe eyed look of freight and despair lol I've learned to do my research online first and get a better idea of what products I need and just order them online.
I did put it on the first half but ran out for the second half... I couldn't wait to order more and had to finish the project... therefore only the half where the sink is has it. But you're right, all of it would have benefited. But I did lay down plastic on the ground under the house which will keep moisture away.
"With a corncob pipe and a button nose, and a smoke made out of coal..." Looking forward to seeing the countertops -- and the physical damage 😂. Does that water heater still work? Is it gas? I had a really old, ugly one in my house, too (I know you're surprised). It was all metal and really rusted. How do you plan to keep the house warm overall when your family is there? Just focus on certain rooms?
I never tried to use the water heater. From the start I decided not to use gas in the house so it was never turned on. There is a high chance it works though… asking because you it? Lol I’m pretty sure I haven’t tossed it yet lol As for heating in winter, downstairs has one wall unit. Upstairs has two wall units as well. In the event that two won’t be enough, there are a few propane heaters as well for those extra cold nights.
@@DIYJapan What's the shipping? It may be worth giving it a try so I don't have to buy one. If it works, then I can rig it up to go under the sink, I think. I can't stand the sight of those things above the counter by the sink -- even the new ones!
The lines come out from the bottom and the top part is a vent system because it’s gas so it has to vent, so maybe not a good idea putting it too low lol but let me check the dimensions and weight and get back to you on that.
They are definitely using softer metals on screws here. America didn't have that problem either. Not only the screws too, I have a problem with the drill bits and screw bits. They break and strip at the slightest amount of friction other than soft wood.
If possible use torx screws. When you have the correct bit damaging the head screw head is about 97% less likely. Other screws should be banned in my opinion or taxed heavily.
Right? Lol Philips head is just stupid, why make screws with different pitch angles to the head. It’s so annoying. I’ve been using a square bit type of screw these days. But torx screws are nice too.
@@DIYJapan Torx are the best because there inherently designed so you can have the drill bit in an 15° angle with power tools and it won't damage the head. That's why I have banned them from my house. PS. If you do your electric work please use Wago connectors and knipex wire strippers and may be for metal work also the knipex pliers wrench and the knipex cobra they are game changers. Good tools make you smile anytime you use them instead of cursing. Best wishes from southwest Germany. I first thought you may be german because of the osmo stain 😉.
Good tools do indeed make me smile lol Nah, I'm American but don't hold it against me lol But I love Osmo! It's not easy to come by in Japan. Very expensive! .75 liter can is well over $50 usd.
I'm curious what water heater you'll install. The rant was valid for utility destroying aesthetics. Are the heaters placed in close proximity per fixture or made centrally fed given the modern updates?
Initially the plan was for independent water heaters placed at the spot of each area that we wanted hot water at. The only problem area was the bathroom which wouldn’t be able to push enough hot water for a family. It involved a heater with a 20L tank to keep up with demand… in the end all those units would have cost too much to buy, wire, and install. We ended up using an outside unit called “eco cute”. That runs water lines into the house. Really stupid name, I know, but that has a huge reserve and it’s electric. You can search that type. It’s supposed to be very economical since it can program to heat at night (when electricity is cheaper) and keep the water hot all day. Omg long response lol 😂
I see what you mean for hot water supply demands. I appreciate your in depth experiences in renovations as I hope to apply them into future projects. Electric heating at night via programmable schedule sounds like efficient design indeed. Having extra insulation around the reserve would make it perfect through the cold months. Have you decided on central heating, room specific A/C, or under floor heating?
It’s room specific. Most Japanese homes have a wall unit with compressor in the more important rooms like the bedrooms and kitchen/living room. Maybe for this style of old house, central heat and under floor heating might almost be impossible or very expensive to convert the house to.
"It doesn't matter what it looks like as long as it's functional" is the Japan's unofficial motto. Thank you for ranting my rant.
You’re welcome! I’m pretty sure it’s the official motto now lol 😂
The flooring with screws is great to prevent most squeaking but you have to keep the floors dry to prevent excessive wood expansion and contraction, to prevent splitting. Mostly an issue with external siding. As for stripping, square head or torx are better than Phillips. More difficult to find in Japan though, so order it online. The wood garbage we just burn during rainy days, built a concrete block burnbox with a old steel sink sheet for a roof. Useful for burning during rain where zero risk of causing a big fire. It's good you didn't use glue on the floorboards. Will make it easier to maintain later on. Less toxins in the house is also good.
Yeah, I don't like using glues. Anything that requires a gas mask for application is usually a no no for me if I can avoid it.
Unfortunately my town has a no burning policy... so it's difficult to do so. I would love to burn all my wood scraps... it would save me the hassle of bagging them and bringing them to the recycle center.
You say you don’t know what you’re doing. But if you don’t know what you’re doing. I would love to see you do something that you do know what you doing. What you have been doing has been awesome work. A very talented man. I have been enjoying what you do, or don’t know what you’re doing😎
I dont even know how to not be serious about working on the knees with something hard in the hands.
On a different note, the snow in the little fisher city looks absolutely lovely especially with the most important worker Frosty finally getting the screen time he deserves after carrying all of the renovations in the house, he definitely deserved a smoking break after all the hard work! :D
It's funny that I even said that and didn't realize it until editing the video. Couldn't keep a straight face and edit that video in lol Frosty looks to be having a better time in the cold than me though lol maybe that cigarette is keeping him warm lol
Floor looks good. Its easier to use tongue and groove flooring and glue the boards on to the plywood floor.
I think gluing definitely has it's perks but I don't like the mess lol
That (heat) shield is to prevent flames, hot air, and exhaust fumes from reaching the cabinets. I had something similar in my bathroom - '80s-era heater. From time to time the burning gas flares up and out. I'm uncertain why this would happen, but the water pressure was poor and I suspect it caused the water heater to auto adjust the gas used . I noticed the amount of gas being used decreased when the pressure fell. When the pressure improved and more water was flowing through the unit the gas output would increase; it would make a small explosion sound with flames shooting from it. Kind of scary when that happens the first time one is showering.
Once a water cistern was mounted on the roof the water pressure problem disappeared and the single faucet water heater was replaced by larger one for the entire house - the floor had radiant heating so a lot of hot water was required during the winter.
I think Japan's old homes would benefit greatly by using radiant floor heating, but I'm uncertain whether the tatami mats are too thick to allow the heat to egress. No problem with wood floors.
That’s such a funny story lol 😂 I can’t imagine seeing a fireball come out of that heater! Yeah, I’ve had this type heater in almost every apartment I live in Japan. But this particular unit in my kitchen was just exceptionally ugly.
I’m sure it’s “safe” but it’s still the reason I removed all gas from my house. No thanks lol 😂
As for the radiant heated floors, some houses do have it and there are thin type tatami mats that run that system but they are made of a plastic material and not the traditional straw.
I heard that type of system was expensive to run, I have no idea though 🤷
5:10 I’m sold. I’m going to remodel my kitchen around that water heater. Might get a few for the bathrooms too. Shit, wait till my girl sees the ones I’m installing next to the bed!
lol Well I have an extra unit for your collection if you like lol It'll look great on your nightstand!
Yeah. The Philips bit is the worst standard I can think of. Torx, triangle are the way to go with screw heads.
Those types of screws are hard to find in Japan in mass quantities. You pay an arm and a leg here.
Hey, what's above the metal kitchen ceiling panels? I'd wanna know before I tried hanging another layer from it. Then I'd use a few hanger screws per row of boards just to give it a little more fight, if an earthquake comes along. Nails can vibrate loose, given enough force or time, but combining nails with a few screws at critical points might hang in there a lot longer.
But the kitchen is really shaping into a beautiful space overall. Very impressed with your work ethic and perseverance in the face of so many new challenges.
Above the metal panels is just the wood floor support beams for the second floor. I did use metal screws every once and a while to screw the wood siding to the metal roof. This should be enough to hold it in place. The screw were long flooring screws and are very effective.
Well done! That location is mint.
Thanks! The location is really calm and peaceful!
Great stuff. I actually love that hot water heater for just being a triumph of functionality over form! But, gotta get something nicer of course.
With the screw problem, I find [or I imagine!] that if the wood is really cold and dense the drilling/screwing requires more torque. As well as predrilling, I use a lube like WD40 [eg '601 k48' in Japan] on the screw and it seems to help things along. Too much can cause discoloration....
As well, I use an impact driver rather than a standard drill and drive the screw in stages, checking tip engagement. A bit slower, but it seems to work for me here in Hokkaido....
Everything was pre-drilled but I reckon just a bad brand. I didn't have the issue with other brand flooring screws. But the WD40 idea is a good one for future reference!
Nice flooring! 🎊
I was surprised to hear about the Phillips screws head breaking, I used the same ones and didn’t get the same issue, you can buy an adapted size Phillips drill, not really sure how to say that but with a big head on small screws, one of them is going to break.
The one good thing about the floor is that it's 19mm thick. Maybe that will help with insulation? lol😓 As for those dang screws... I think that it could be the brand too. I bought these at Juntendo... I find that they sometimes carry inferior products compared to Konan Pro or other hardware stores. It could be that I just didn't use the correct size... I tried various sizes and no luck.
@@DIYJapan 19mm is also probably way more expensive especially lately for wood. Some people use OSB, I use 12mm normal plywood.
Just try to buy the drill piece for tiny screws, not sure how to call that. I broke a few things using the wrong size at first but with matching screws and drill thingy, it went smooth 👍🏻
Nice to see the progress you are making! If you ever feel that you just want to get it done without regard for doing it "right", step away for a bit. Your future self will thank you.
Part of it is doing it "right" I suppose lol I find it very hard to get a tradesman to do it the way I want... they always stubbornly ignore my requests lol But to be honest, it's part hobby, part challenge to myself as well. But the bathroom... I've thought long and hard about paying someone... but then I'd feel bad not doing it myself and to experience the process myself, if that makes sense 😅
Hello from Kochi, Shikoku. You did a great job on your kitchen ceiling! I decided to just paint mine which I am in the process of doing now.
I probably could have done the same thing. Much cheaper and faster. I just had a crazy idea to cover it in wood last minute and did it lol
@@DIYJapan I have seen carpenters here in Japan cover old drywall ceilings throughout the house with wood and often it looks very nice. You can get creative by using different kinds of wood, different stains if you like, and even alternate the wood grain in different directions if a unique design is desired. Really depends on the look you want. In my house, since I rebuilt 7 ceilings already in wood, I decided to just paint the kitchen ceiling. I’ve cleaned and applied the same ACDOMELL sealer that you used so far. I’ll likely paint tomorrow.
Hope it turns out well! I've had problems with primers these days lol
@@DIYJapan Really? My challenge is I can’t read all the kanji and information on the various sellers, but when I take the time to ask the Home Center staff for assistance, usually they are very helpful. I’ve used several types of sealers including a silicone sealer for outdoor use. They all have worked fine for me. I’ve used it on drywall, wood, mortar and an outdoor fiber board so far and it’s worked fine for me so far. Probably will paint today.
Well, you have better staff at your disposal than me lol I ask the ones around my house and they give me that doe eyed look of freight and despair lol I've learned to do my research online first and get a better idea of what products I need and just order them online.
Love the new ceiling.
Much better right?
I didn’t see vapor barrier under the kitchen.
Wouldn’t it be better to have it under all?
I did put it on the first half but ran out for the second half... I couldn't wait to order more and had to finish the project... therefore only the half where the sink is has it. But you're right, all of it would have benefited. But I did lay down plastic on the ground under the house which will keep moisture away.
Great experience and fun, all part of the renovation process. Keep at it.
We enjoy it, others might see it differently lol 😂
Ahhh, Pre-hole your drills. Did you get a call from Kris? I didn't catch that one.
It’s funny because it’s part of the script I wrote so I literally read it wrong, edited it in and posted it lol where was Kris lol 😂
"With a corncob pipe and a button nose, and a smoke made out of coal..."
Looking forward to seeing the countertops -- and the physical damage 😂. Does that water heater still work? Is it gas? I had a really old, ugly one in my house, too (I know you're surprised). It was all metal and really rusted.
How do you plan to keep the house warm overall when your family is there? Just focus on certain rooms?
I never tried to use the water heater. From the start I decided not to use gas in the house so it was never turned on. There is a high chance it works though… asking because you it? Lol I’m pretty sure I haven’t tossed it yet lol
As for heating in winter, downstairs has one wall unit. Upstairs has two wall units as well. In the event that two won’t be enough, there are a few propane heaters as well for those extra cold nights.
@@DIYJapan What's the shipping? It may be worth giving it a try so I don't have to buy one. If it works, then I can rig it up to go under the sink, I think. I can't stand the sight of those things above the counter by the sink -- even the new ones!
The lines come out from the bottom and the top part is a vent system because it’s gas so it has to vent, so maybe not a good idea putting it too low lol but let me check the dimensions and weight and get back to you on that.
Nice content keep it up 🤗🤗
Thanks for the support!
I have noticed that about stripping screw heads here as well. Never really had a problem in Australia. Constantly strip the heads in Japan. Why?
They are definitely using softer metals on screws here. America didn't have that problem either. Not only the screws too, I have a problem with the drill bits and screw bits. They break and strip at the slightest amount of friction other than soft wood.
If possible use torx screws. When you have the correct bit damaging the head screw head is about 97% less likely. Other screws should be banned in my opinion or taxed heavily.
Right? Lol Philips head is just stupid, why make screws with different pitch angles to the head. It’s so annoying.
I’ve been using a square bit type of screw these days. But torx screws are nice too.
@@DIYJapan Torx are the best because there inherently designed so you can have the drill bit in an 15° angle with power tools and it won't damage the head.
That's why I have banned them from my house.
PS. If you do your electric work please use Wago connectors and knipex wire strippers and may be for metal work also the knipex pliers wrench and the knipex cobra they are game changers.
Good tools make you smile anytime you use them instead of cursing. Best wishes from southwest Germany. I first thought you may be german because of the osmo stain 😉.
Good tools do indeed make me smile lol
Nah, I'm American but don't hold it against me lol But I love Osmo! It's not easy to come by in Japan. Very expensive! .75 liter can is well over $50 usd.
Hi bro... Nice to meet u 🥰🥰🥰
Hey hey! Nice to meet you too lol
I'm curious what water heater you'll install. The rant was valid for utility destroying aesthetics. Are the heaters placed in close proximity per fixture or made centrally fed given the modern updates?
Initially the plan was for independent water heaters placed at the spot of each area that we wanted hot water at. The only problem area was the bathroom which wouldn’t be able to push enough hot water for a family. It involved a heater with a 20L tank to keep up with demand… in the end all those units would have cost too much to buy, wire, and install.
We ended up using an outside unit called “eco cute”. That runs water lines into the house. Really stupid name, I know, but that has a huge reserve and it’s electric.
You can search that type. It’s supposed to be very economical since it can program to heat at night (when electricity is cheaper) and keep the water hot all day. Omg long response lol 😂
I see what you mean for hot water supply demands. I appreciate your in depth experiences in renovations as I hope to apply them into future projects.
Electric heating at night via programmable schedule sounds like efficient design indeed. Having extra insulation around the reserve would make it perfect through the cold months.
Have you decided on central heating, room specific A/C, or under floor heating?
It’s room specific. Most Japanese homes have a wall unit with compressor in the more important rooms like the bedrooms and kitchen/living room. Maybe for this style of old house, central heat and under floor heating might almost be impossible or very expensive to convert the house to.
This is why I love your channel! Your content deserves a service like 'promosm'!