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Bringing the 2nd Chance House back to life, one step at a time!

DIY update: home renovation projects for the 2nd Chance House

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Every home renovation project seems straightforward at the beginning, however, as the transformation gets underway, challenges start to emerge. It is up to the renovation crew to come up with creative and effective solutions. This guide takes you through the progress made at the 2nd Chance House project, detailing the challenges encountered and how the crew is overcoming them.

An update from Chris & Yvonne

Renovations are in full swing at the 2nd Chance House project. Chris and Yvonne provide a quick update on the progress made so far.

This husband-and-wife design and renovation pros team is overseeing the transformation of the 2nd Chance House. The joint effort between Loctite and Habitat for Humanity aims to breathe new life into the condemned structure using simple and sustainable methods.

To complete the home renovation project and achieve impeccable results within the allotted time, Chris and Yvonne are joined by a selection of seasoned DIY home renovation experts.

The progress made on individual projects

Last time out, Chris and Yvonne introduced the 2nd Chance House renovation crew, took us through demo day, and gave us a peek into each team member’s project.

Since then, each DIYer has been diligently working on their assignments. Now, Chris and Yvonne review each project, covering what has been done and how it has been achieved.

1. Clayton Juarez’s attic space transformation: As a multi-generational builder, Clayton relishes the opportunity to use his epic home renovation skills to give old homes a new lease of life. His assignment in the 2nd Chance House project involves converting the attic space into a loft and primary bedroom.

Clayton has taken huge steps toward achieving his project goals. So far, he has been able to help:

  • Install the framing, electric, and plumbing rough-ins
  • Insulate the space below the roof to boost energy efficiency


According to Clayton, the hardest part of the assignment has been getting the drywall through the narrow staircase leading to the attic.

After getting the drywall to the workspace, Clayton uses a drywall rack to hang the ceiling. Since he couldn’t use the rack over the stairs, the experienced do-it-yourself home renovation expert was forced to get creative and take a few risks. When installing drywall over the area above the stairs, Clayton uses a scrap 2x4 to position it before screwing it in place. The risky part is balancing precariously on a ladder while installing the drywall.

Clayton’s favorite part of the project is hanging the walls. He says it’s his favorite because, at this point of the renovation, you can start to see the floor plan taking shape.

The DIY renovation expert uses Loctite TITE Foam Gaps & Cracks to seal any gaps over one inch wide. This, he says, will simplify the process of mudding and taping.

With the hardest part of the project already done, Clayton expects the entire project to be completed by the Habitat for Humanity Team over the next couple of months.

2. Jessie Ecker’s exciting fireplace project: A popular DIYer, Jessie made a name for herself in the home renovation scene by turning her old home into a modern masterpiece. Her assignment for the 2nd Chance House project involves turning the home’s fireplace into an eye-catching feature that brings the entire space together.

Jessie started her project by demolishing the existing fireplace. With a clean slate, she embarked on building a new DIY fireplace.

To build a new fireplace, Jessie follows a few simple steps:  

  • Measuring and cutting the 2x4 timber, which will be used to assemble the frame
  • Using Loctite PL Premium and  Loctite PL Premium Max to hold everything tightly together
  • Attaching the framing to the remnants of the old fireplace using 3-inch screws

Even though this is the first time she has used these products on any of her projects, Jessie was impressed by their durability and strength. As such, she also decided to use them to install all the Hardie boards to the frame.

These Loctite products provide instant adhesion and also cure quickly. For the experienced DIY home renovation specialist, these advantages made the project easier and moved things along faster.

With part one of the assignment done, Jessie plans to use stone and plaster to create a completely new-look fireplace!

3. Sydney Lorence’s children’s bedrooms renovation: A stay-at-home mom and skilled DIYer, Sydney just loves to save an old home. On demo day, she picked renovating the two children’s bedrooms as her project. Her main goal is to create homely spaces for the kids.

Sydney intends to transform one of these spaces by creating a cool-looking ceiling. For this task, she has repurposed waste slats from the demo job. After staining the slats, the DIY expert uses Loctite Power Grab Heavy Duty to attach each one to the ceiling.

  • She uses this product because it:
  • Ensures long-lasting bonds for all gluing needs
  • Has a zero-second grab
  • Is repositionable for 15 minutes
  • Cures to a white color
  • Can be painted over for a refined finish


In her words, using Loctite Power Grab Heavy Duty makes her projects “easier, faster, and stronger.”

Having completed her project in the first bedroom, Sydney can’t wait to move on to the next bedroom — the daughter’s room!

Products used

  • loctite pl premium 3oz tube
    Loctite PL Premium

    Bonds that are 3X stronger than traditional adhesives. Weather and water resistant.

  • loctite pl premium max 9oz cartridge
    Loctite PL Premium Max

    Strongest bond to most materials. Ideal for any project where long term strength and durability are a must.

  • loctite power grab heavy duty 9oz cartridge
    Loctite Power Grab Heavy Duty

    Weather resistant high strength bonding, reducing the need for nails and screws.

  • loctite tite foam gaps cracks 12oz can
    Loctite Tite Foam Gaps & Cracks

    Seal and insulate gaps & cracks up to 1” inside or out

Expert Tip

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