Fixing the Garbage Disposal
When you've lived long enough in a kitchen that has a garbage disposal, it's easy to get used to the idea that you can simply let the old grime and muck off of your dishes wash down your sink drain. It's only when the garbage disposal fails to work that we realize how much easier it made our lives around the home. So what do you do when your garbage disposal won't turn on?
In this article, we'll address this question in a specific case: what do you do if your garbage disposal won't turn on and won't make any noise?
First, a note of safety: it's crucial that you don't put your hand down the garbage disposal "hopper" - where the food goes. If your garbage disposal suddenly starts up, you'll find yourself wishing you hadn't put your hand down there, so be smart and don't do it at all! That's a basic rule of safety when working with a garbage disposal.
If your garbage disposal fails to turn on and won't make any noise, the first thing to do is to check the power itself. This may seem like an obvious solution, but it's the first place you'll want to look, as lack of power can mean other "fixes" don't do the job.
Next, if the power is fine, you'll want to check the re-set button on the bottom of the disposal (it's usually red and easy to find). Give the disposal a try after this.
If this still fails to get the disposal running, you'll actually want to check the circuit breaker. This is usually a good point to ask a professional or ask your landlord to help you out with your garbage disposal, as it may put you in unfamiliar electrical territory. It's best to leave it to the experts if you're not sure as to how to proceed.
Once someone is able to take a look at your garbage disposal, make sure you ask them about how they fixed it in case you need to know for future reference. If it helps, even make sure to write it down so that you can look back at your notes if your garbage disposal fails in the future. A good professional should be willing to give you advice.
jsgphoto
Originally posted 2009-09-25 03:32:24.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 24, 2013 in
Handyman, How to Fix, kitchen, Sink
Shine Your Pine.
Furniture is often made from pine wood, which is a soft wood that can deteriorate over time. Even if the pine furniture you own was once shiny and new, it might not take very long for it to lose that luster. If you want that fresh pine look back, however, it may be as simple as following a few steps. Here's how you can fix the pine that won't shine in
your house.
As is often the first step when attempting a repair, you're going to want to clean your pine out first. It may seem unnecessary, but dust and debris can often get in the way of cosmetic home repairs. After all, you won't want to paint over a pebble, would you? That's why you'll want to make sure that your pine is clean and hopefully clear of debris before you get started.
The key to restoring the "shine" to pine is in the solution you'll be applying next. This will probably require a trip to the store, so make sure you have your list ahead of time:
- Soft soap (1/4 cup)
- Mineral oil (1 cup)
- Pine oil (1 tablespoon)
You're also going to want to make sure you have a cup of warm water handy. To mix up this solution, start with the mineral oil and pine oil first. Once they're mixed together, stir in the soft soap and the water. (By the way, if you're curious about what soft soap means, a liquid soap will do just fine).
Now that you have your solution ready, put some of it onto a cloth - you don't want to use it all up right away. Generously apply the mixture via the cloth onto the pine wood, but make sure that none of it drips or coalesces, as this is too much. In fact, once you're done, you can take a dry cloth and pick up extra solution that you applied.
It will be important to make sure that your solution doesn't only touch the surface of the wood, but seeps in as much as it can. You can't control this; you can only make sure to apply an even amount of the mixture onto your pine wood. Let it dry out and take a look at the pine later so that you can evaluate how well the solution worked.
It might be possible to fine pine solutions pre-made for you at a hardware store or other outlet. Before you go shopping, try to call around and see if a store has some stocked so that you can pick one up.
Photo Credits: Nature form furniture
Originally posted 2009-08-31 03:53:30.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 22, 2013 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Water damage.
Let's face it - with all of the economic and financial issues troubling us these days, the last thing most people need is another expense that will add more frown wrinkles to your face. So when you realize that you're paying way too much for your water usage, are you prepared to actually go ahead and fix it, or do you simply sigh and try to find the extra money for this month?
Sigh no more. Let's take a look at some ways you can fix those high water costs and bring them back down where they belong.
First, let's start with a simple trick. Your toilet fills with water during every flush, including in the toilet tank. But once your water gets up to a certain level, it stops. If you want to displace some of this water volume, fill up a water bottle and place it in the toilet tank. Since this displaces water, you'll start saving water after each and every flush. Just make sure that you know how a toilet works, or else you might end up doing more harm than you originally intended. (By the way, if you have a toilet flushing more than 1.6 gallons per flush, it's time for a new toilet).
Next, remember that a lot of the water you use in your house goes through your washing machine. You may think that you drink a lot of water, but it's nothing compared to the amount of water you might be using for clothes. You can cut down on this water by simply doing less loads of laundry. Don't be wasteful with this water, so only wash clothes that actually need to be washed - make sure that you wear some clean clothes more than once and that you don't end up washing too many clean clothes. This will cut down on the amount of loads of laundry you have to perform every week.
Also, be sure to monitor the water that you waste. If you keep a bucket of "greywater" around, you can dump the water you didn't drink from a glass in there and use it to water plants.
There's plenty more to learn about fixing your problem with high water costs. The most important thing is to look at your individual situation, find out where much of your water usage comes from, and work to optimize your own water expenses.
Photo Credits: thirteenthbat
Originally posted 2009-10-21 03:03:42.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 21, 2013 in
appliances, Handyman, How to Fix, toilet, water
Busted, broken, and beat up.
Beyond repair? Here are some things to consider when buying a computer monitor:
Resolution
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)? Confused yet? You’re not alone; buying a computer monitor can be a daunting task for someone who doesn’t understand what any of the above terms mean. Monitors are much more than meets the eye, and while the market may seem oversaturated with seemingly similar monitors, there are key differences that should be noted.
CRT or LCD
Whether a monitor is a CRT or an LCD is the easiest thing to notice when you’re purchasing your monitor, as CRTs often have backs and LCDs are flat. Being flat, LCDs weigh much less than CRT monitors, making them ideal for transportation or for those who need to fit a monitor into a small space. In terms of cost however, the CRT wins hands down as its older technology and less desirable design makes them less sought after. It’s important to note however that LCD monitors come down in price with every breathing moment. One advantage that CRT monitors hold against LCDs is their color rendering ability. Many graphic designers and artists feel that the colors presented with a CRT monitor are of higher quality, which is true in most cases. LCD color quality is quickly improving, however, and it’s hard to tell if the CRTs will hold this advantage much longer.
Response Time
Response time, or refresh rate, refers to the ability of the monitor to update the color that a pixel must represent as quickly as possible. It’s actually so quick that this quality is measured in milliseconds. So why does this concern you, the buyer? Response time is very important for people who’re playing video games, as they require a quick response time, as well as video editors. High response times can cause more than lagging your game though because bad response time is often seen as the cause for image ghosting and blurring.
Your Needs
The most important thing to consider when purchasing a new monitor is what it’s that you actually need. If you play video games then you may want to spend extra time looking for a monitor with a high response time and resolution. On the same note, people who just check their emails need not worry with things like a high response time. It’s also important to note what kind of connection your video card uses and what kind can fit into the back of the monitor. Messing with converters can be annoying!
Photo Credits: binarydreams
Buying a Monitor can seem like a challenge for the computer illiterate, but it’s actually quite easy with a little help. Make sure to talk to a store expert if you find yourself in a jam, and consider your needs so that you do not pay for pointless extra features.
Originally posted 2009-09-23 03:31:14.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 20, 2013 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Rock Wool Insulation
With winter here - as well as the heating bills - it's important to understand how a home uses its energy. In particular, it helps to understand how
your home uses its energy. Essentially, there are two different ways: efficiently and inefficiently. If your home isn't up to snuff in its energy efficiency, you'll want to keep reading this article. It won't only save you headaches, it will save you money.
One of the first principles in energy efficiency is keeping the energy you're producing, and this is often done through insulation. Much of the energy your home is using is for generating heat. If you're losing heat to the outside world all the time, then your energy bills are going to stay sky-high. You'll essentially be using more energy to keep the same amount of heat other people have. If your home is old, it will help to check the insulation you have in your walls, learn about crucial points in which you can save much of your heat, and learn ways to test for "heat leaks."
Consider installing more energy-efficient windows and doors to amp up your home's ability to insulate, as well. If you're buying a home, ask about having these installed right off the bat.
Another way to change how energy efficient you keep your home is to purchase equipment that will simply use less energy off the bat. New, modern heaters, air conditioners, and washers/dryers will be able to do much of the same job using less energy, helping you save on your monthly bills. Of course, these appliances can cost a heavy sum upfront, so it might take a keen eye for shopping and perhaps a bit of sacrifice in order to make your home energy-efficient. Key appliances like refrigerators, washers/dryers, water heaters, and dishwashers are some of the appliances to think about. If you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient appliance, you might consider selling the old one, as well, in order to offset the costs.
Optimizing your home's insulation and the equipment that use energy are great places to focus on reducing your energy uses. You can also use conservation as a way to stave off your energy usage, but if you want to maintain your lifestyle with less energy, you can do that, as well. For many people, simply utilizing both strategies reduces the most energy use possible.
Photo Credits: iLoveButter
Originally posted 2010-01-26 03:56:43.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 19, 2013 in
Energy, Handyman, House, How to Fix
Leaky toilet?
Toilet leaks can be quite expensive to fix if you get them repaired by a professional plumber. Seeing that we are currently faced with tough economical times, many have been trying to cut back on their expenses where ever possible. As a result, many have started to work on things themselves. Trying to fix a leaking toilet is not as complicated as it may look. As long as you have the right set of tools and know what to do, you are guaranteed to be able to solve your problem without having to spend more than a $20 bill.
You can find yourself with a leaking toilet in two cases. Both of which are quite common. Depending on which problem you have, the approach to fix the leak will vary quite significantly. We will take a look at both of these situations separately.
Fill Valve Leaks
Finding a leak at the fill valve location is one of the most common scenarios that one can find them self in. The fill valve is usually located at the bottom of the of the toilet tank. This is the place which leads to the main source of water supply which is usually fitted in the wall. If you are suffering from a leak from the fill valve region, make sure that everything is tightened properly. Start off by tightening all the little bolts so that they are firmly in place. Dry the area that is leaking then try looking to see if you can see or at least feel the leak. This will help make you realize as to whether or not the leak is coming from the valve or not.
After making sure that it is the fill valve that is leaking, we can move on to solving the issue. Start off by turning off the main source of water supply to the toilet tank. After having done so, flush the toilet to make sure that there is no water left in the tank. If necessary, use a towel or a sponge to soak up the remaining water. After having done that, using a wrench, disconnect the tube coupling nut. Slowly take out the gasket and washer. Look to see if it is damaged or needs repairing. If that is the case, simply replace it with a new washer and place it back into the toilet flush. Tighten the tube using a wrench once again and that should sort out your problem.
Flush Valve Leaks
Suffering from leaks at the flush valve is another common scenario that you can be faced with. Follow the same steps to dry the water tank as mentioned above. After having done so unscrew the tank and take it off from the connecting seat. Lay the tank on its side and carefully remove the flush valve. Try cleaning the old parts and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn’t fix the problem, only then should you replace any parts that need fixing.
Photo Credits: Titanas
Originally posted 2010-03-23 03:34:53.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 18, 2013 in
How to Fix, Plumber, toilet
Shower Drain
As drains age, they begin leaking. Often, the piles loosen, the putty dries up or the tape begins to lose its effectiveness, causing water to trickle down the drain. If you have a sink drain that leaks, you can mend it by following the steps outlined here. And by attending to it yourself, you’ll be saving by not calling in a plumber!
First, close the tap before starting work. Next, remove all the fittings of the drain by unscrewing them, using a screwdriver. Next, take off the tailpiece. Ask a friend or family member to hold the drain pipe from over the sink while you loosen it with pliers.
If your drain has a plastic retainer, unscrew it before the drain pipe comes loose. Now that you have disassembled everything, clean it thoroughly. Check that you have cleaned the previous plumber’s putty from the fittings of the drain. If something is left over, it will weaken the bond when you put it back altogether and begin to leak once more.
Now, coat the part under the rim of the drain pipe with 0.5” thickness of plumbers’ putty to prevent future leakages. Remove any excess putty from the pipe or you will find it very difficult to clean it once it dries. Now, replace the drain pipe into the drain and screw all the fittings to the pipe below the sink. This simple operation will repair your leaky drain.
However, if you have a leaky shower drain, water may collect around the edges and make its way to the ceiling below it. To repair this, cut a panel in your ceiling downstairs. However, if you live in a rented accommodation, speak to your landlord and have him repair it or get his approval before doing it yourself.
Now, place some cloth on the floor just where you want to get down to work. Wear a pair of goggles. Then, make a cut of about 1.5 feet square into your ceiling that’s just below your shower drain, using a saw. Remove the locking unit using pliers and then the gasket.
Now, in the bathroom, loosen and take off the packing nut from the leaky drain. Remove the drain collar and clean the area around it with a putty knife, and clean the shower drain entirely.
Next, take about an inch of plumber’s putty and coat the base of the drain collar with it. Replace the drain collar using a very firm hand or some of the putty you just applied will come off. This is normal, so don’t panic. Once this is done, screw the locking nut tightly again and then take off any extra putty from around here and replace the packaging nut where it belongs. Use silicone caulk to keep this packing nut firmly in place.
To test if the leak is plugged, open the tap and let a little cold water trickle out. Now, if there is no leakage, you will need to repair the drywall. If a leak persists, call a plumber.
Photo Credits: lavenderstreak
Originally posted 2010-04-20 17:59:08.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 17, 2013 in
Drains, Handyman, How to Fix, Plumber, Shower
Oven repairs.
When your oven's broken, you know it right away. A broken oven isn't something that can wait for the winter - when you need something cooked, you need it cooked for tonight's dinner! That means that your repairs can't wait, and neither should you: that's why this article will give you a quick summary on how to repair a broken oven and how to address some of the most frequent problems that arise.
The first thing to consider is the oven type itself. Most ovens will either be an oven run by gas or by electricity. If you've cooked before, you should probably have an idea of which one it is, but if you're new to the place and haven't had the time to investigate, now is the time to double-check. Do you have an electric oven or a gas oven?
Once you know the type of oven you have, it's important to understand the type of problems these different types frequently face. For example, a gas oven will usually have problems that effect the ignition of the gas or the supply of the gas. IMPORTANT NOTE: With gas stoves, make sure there are no leaks. If you're not sure, you'll want to call in a professional.
The other most frequent oven type, the electric oven, has its own typical problems. When it comes to these electric appliances, you'll usually encounter your problem with the heating devices located within the oven itself. If you really want to find out what's wrong with your electric oven, be sure to be careful that you don't touch anything that is charged. It's best to be extra cautious when working with either a gas or an electric oven.
Once you've made sure that the gas and electricity to your oven are turned off, you'll be able to finally make some repairs. The first thing to do to fix your broken oven is actually to take the oven apart. If you've never worked with an oven before, you'll want to keep detailed notes about how you took the oven apart so that you can put it back together again.
Huh? Take the oven apart? You heard me right. As you take the oven apart, you should be able to find the problem, if you haven't already. Taking the oven apart will help you to identify the problem, and either fix it or identify the need for a replacement. In doing so, you'll also learn about how your oven works for future reference.
Photo Credits: SuperFantastic
Originally posted 2009-10-12 03:08:07.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 16, 2013 in
appliances, home repair, kitchen
Box of Drywall Nails
Drywall can make a great surface for your home, but if you don't know how to work with it, it can be just as frustrating as most materials. This is particularly the case if you've got some annoying drywall nails on your hands. As drywall gets older and the wood changes, nails can sometimes change position, leading them to make bumps in the wall or even crack them open. If you want to fix those annoying drywall nails, this article will help you get started.
First, consult this article on "How Stuff Works" in order to check out the equipment you might be needing. A nail set will come in handy, as well as some basic tools like a hammer and sandpaper.
Next, you'll want to drive the popped nails back to where they were. If one is sticking out too far, simply remove it so that you can drive it back in again. You can use your nail set at this point. Remember that you're using your nail set, so the nail might go deeper than you originally thought it would be.
One of the reasons this nail might have popped out in the first place is that the change in the wood put pressure on it, squeezing it out of place. You can relieve some of this pressure by driving in a new nail about two inches above the old one onto the same stud in the drywall.
At this point, your drywall won't look very good - in fact, you will probably have two holes with nails in them. That's why it's important to be ready to cover up the drywall again. Clean out the area and then fill in the holes with a spackling compound. You can use your putty knife for this. Make sure the area is even with the rest of the drywall. After this spackle has dried, sand down the area and then apply primer and paint to match the rest of the drywall. Make sure that you touch up this area as needed, but allow it time to dry.
After these repairs, your drywall should look good as new, and hopefully with the repairs you've made, you won't have to worry about that drywall nail popping out again for a while. Doing these quick repairs should help you better understand how drywall works, as well.
Photo Credits: Bistrosavage
Originally posted 2010-01-21 03:53:36.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 15, 2013 in
Drywall, Handyman, How to Fix, Walls
Let's fix that cabinet door!
One of the primary rules of home improvement is simple: conservation. If something is broken, you'll want to fix it instead of replace it. This is true for most of your household items, whether you're talking about an old bed or a faulty cabinet door. Rather than go through the trouble to replace a broken down cabinet door, it's important to see if you can fix it first. You might be surprised how often you can.
When you're working with a cabinet door - or a door of any kind, for that matter - you'll be focusing on hinges. A door hinge essentially joins two structures of wood together to form the opening and closing we recognize as a door. If there is simply a problem with the wood itself, your woodworking skills will come in handy, but you won't have to worry about the hinges. If the problem in your cabinet door rests in how it actually swings, you'll be focusing on the hinges.
Take a look at the hinges first: what appears to be the problem? If there are loose screws, you can tighten them right away. Once you test-swing the door a couple of more times, you should be able to tell if this fixed the problem. Many broken hinges will continue to remain loose even after the screws are tightened. This implies a problem with the hinge itself. For example, if the screws are tightly locked into the wood, but the hinge is not tightly locked to the screws, you'll need to repair the hinge holes that the screws are attached to.
How can you do this? You can try to take out the screws and fill in the holes with glue, reinforcing them with small pieces of wood like toothpicks. This essentially helps re-build the loose area of the hinge so that you can re-insert the screws after the glue has dried. If there is still a problem, it might be with the quality of the wood itself. You might need to move the hinge up or down to a stronger area of the wood, though you may also want to consider the possibility of replacing the doors altogether.
Of course, since one of the primary rules of home improvement is to conserve, make sure you properly diagnose the real problem with your hinges by exploring the various possibilities first. If at first you don't succeed, try again.
Photo Credits: Greg_e
Originally posted 2009-08-18 03:08:24.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 14, 2013 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
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