Grit & Home

Silicone vs. Acrylic Caulk for Bathrooms

Caulk is one of those “small” bathroom repairs that can quietly turn into a big one. Pick the wrong type, and it cracks or peels. Skip the prep, and mold moves in like it pays rent. I have re-caulked my own tub more times than I care to admit, mostly because early on I treated caulk like...

15 Essential Power Tools for DIY Beginners

I still remember my first “real” tool purchase. I walked into the store convinced I needed the biggest, baddest saw on the shelf. Ten minutes later I was staring at price tags and realizing I did not even know what half the features meant. If you are building your first workshop, the goal is...

Install LVP Over Tile

I have a soft spot for “install over what you’ve got” projects because they can save a pile of money and a whole lot of mess. Tile demolition is loud, heavy, and dusty. If your existing tile is well bonded and reasonably flat, click-lock luxury vinyl plank (LVP) can be a great overlay floor....

Patch Large Drywall Holes Like a Pro

If you have ever stared at a fist-sized (or bigger) drywall hole and thought, “This is going to look like a lumpy bandaid forever,” you are not alone. I have patched more holes than I care to admit in our 1970s ranch, and the method that consistently gives me the cleanest results on a budget is...

Chalk Paint vs. Latex Paint for Cabinets

If you have ever stood in the paint aisle staring at “chalk paint” on one side and “cabinet enamel” on the other, you are not alone. Cabinets are one of the highest touch surfaces in your home. They get grabbed with greasy hands, wiped down with cleaners, and bumped with plates and vacuum...

Fix a Leaky Bathroom Faucet in 30 Minutes

A dripping bathroom faucet is one of those tiny annoyances that somehow gets louder at night. The good news is leaks often come down to one worn part (or one worn part plus a little grit on the sealing surfaces), and you can usually fix it with basic tools and a small repair kit. I have replaced...

Budget Faux Shiplap Accent Wall

Real shiplap is great. Real shiplap is also pricey, heavy, and surprisingly unforgiving if your walls are even a little wavy. The workaround I keep coming back to in my own 1970s ranch is faux shiplap made from thin plywood strips . You get the same clean horizontal lines, you control the reveal,...

About Marcus Vance

Hey, I’m Marcus Vance, and I’m glad you’re here. If you’ve ever stood in the tool aisle holding two different boxes of screws and wondering if either one will wreck your weekend, you’re in the right place. Grit & Home exists for regular homeowners who want to fix things, build things,...