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.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 26, 2010 in
Energy, Handyman, House, How to Fix
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
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 21, 2010 in
Drywall, Handyman, How to Fix, Walls
Red House covered in Snow
When it comes to winter-time activities around the house, many homeowners think of one thing: snow, snow, snow. Clearing snow out of the driveway and making sure it doesn't weigh too heavily on the roof are definitely the right activities, but what about making sure your home is prepared for the cold? Here are some quick tips and strategies that will help you run a home with an eye on maintaining it through the winter and saving money.
Keep an eye on your pipes. Pipes can freeze during the winter, so you'll want to stay on top of your plumbing system as soon as you can. When you find a relatively warm day, go out and check the pipes for any freezing, and make sure you know where to locate all of yours. It will help to read up on solid pipe safety as well as how pipes generally work.
Make sure to winter-proof your home. Winter-proof? Yes; be able to keep snow and cold outside, where it belongs. You can do this by making sure your insulation is working properly, both on a larger level (are you preserving as much heat as possible?) and on a specific level (are there any areas you need to better insulate?). Make sure that your doors are weather-proof and that your windows stay tightly locked and closed.
Prepare your mud room for maximum moisture. The mud room often gets the worst treatment during winter, especially if you have children who love playing in the snow and love bringing that snow back indoors with them. Make sure you keep your mudroom as the focus of where you'll be bringing in all of the moisture from outside, and that your mudroom is able to handle it. The better organized and clean you keep it, the better the rest of your house will handle the winter. It's generally a good idea to focus as much of the ucky winter stuff in one room, as this will allow you to control it in one place.
If you're a new homeowner who isn't too experienced with winter, you may find yourself a bit overwhelmed at first. But if you work on tackling one problem at a time, and actually take action to prevent many problems winter can cause, you'll be well on top of it. Use failures as a learning experience, and you should be just fine.
Photo Credits: Allen McGregor
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 19, 2010 in
Handyman, House, How to Fix
Deadbolt with Key.
Having a quality deadbolt lock on your door can be vital to your home security, so it's best not to put off on any repairs or replacements that are needed. Don't let a thief take advantage of your broken deadbolt before you get a chance to take a crack at repairing it. If you need to replace your deadbolt lock, this article will make a handy guide for getting started.
First, it helps to understand that there are generally two types of deadbolts - internal and external. An interior deadbolt will generally be more secure, but can be a little more difficult to remove or install, while an exterior deadbolt will be the opposite - not quite as secure, but easier to remove. If you're a solid do-it-yourselfer, you should have no problem installing a quality interior deadbolt.
When it's time to replace your deadbolt, you'll want to make sure you prepare adequately. This means you'll want to test the quality of your door's wood - if it's so old that nothing will come out, it's generally a good idea to simply buy a new door. You'll also want to look and see how your current deadbolt is installed for any clues you can get about installing a new one. Also, make sure you do proper research and preparation in terms of your new deadbolt - it should be able to fit properly once you place it in the door.
To begin, simply remove the screws from the old deadbolt and remove it as best you see fit - generally, you'll want to remove the smaller pieces before the bigger ones, though this rule isn't always set in stone. Remember to make a mental note of what you're doing in case you need to work the opposite way when you install the new deadbolt.
When you put in the new deadbolt, do your best to follow any instructions you have. Your new deadbolt should be able to fit if you've done your homework. Make sure you install the right side up - a good way to check this is to make sure any writing isn't upside down - and make sure that the new deadbolt is properly installed and secure in the door. Give it some tests, having someone help you by locking it from the inside and having you try to open it from the outside. After a few tests, you should be good to go. Congratulations! You've installed a new deadbolt.
Photo Credits: The Suss-Man (Mike)
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 14, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Locks, doors
Staircase balusters
A baluster can be a crucial element to your staircase handrail, both in terms of design and function. So when one needs replacing, it can look like quite a heavy task. Luckily, it's not as bad as you think, and once you tackle the tough work of finding a replacement baluster that fits in with the rest, many do-it-yourselfers should generally have a fair time getting the new baluster installed.
First, you'll obviously want to find a new baluster that is well-suited to match with your other ones. Make sure to find one from the same company, if possible, or failing that at least find something similar. It will also help to get a new baluster that is slightly longer - say an inch or two - than your other ones so that you can modify it down to the proper size and fit.
Finding a replacement baluster can be a major part of the pain involved, but once you have that in hand, you're ready to move to the next step. (Note: It will help to check out the other balusters as you do this, as there may be further damaging than you thought.)
Take out the old baluster and prepare the area for a new one, generally through a process of cleaning and sanding. Clear out any old debris that may be present so that your new baluster can have a smooth fit. Sanding the area down will generally help any painting you might need to do, so don't skip out on this part if you really want an accurate matching with the new baluster.
Next, do your best to measure the size the baluster will need to be, and subsequently cut it down to that size. Insert the baluster to the proper location and note any changes that might be needed - for example, do you need to whittle it down further? Make sure you use wood glue in order for the baluster to stay in place. Nail in the baluster so that it's secure, and paint the area you need to paint, letting it dry overnight.
Now that you look at your staircase handrail, you should notice a relatively consistent color and look. Congratulations! You've successfully fixed your baluster by replacing it. Keep in mind some of the repairs you've made in case you need to replace another baluster in the future. Now, if only the deck was this easy...
Photo Credits: Ctd 2005
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 12, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Staircase
Gopher pokes head out.
Many of us are familiar with the work of Bill Murray in the film "Caddyshack" - the slow-witted groundskeeper waging a personal war against a gopher who's decided to make the golf course his home. But if you really have a gopher and/or mole problem around your lawn and garden, you don't want to go the Caddyshack route and plant plastic explosives in the ground. So what's a do-it-yourselfer like you to do? For starters, all you need to do is keep reading.
Your first option to consider is fencing. If you have an easy garden and lawn to fence in from the outside world, you should be able to fence it off relatively easily. You might even simply want to isolate your garden so that you have to do as little work and fence purchasing as possible - this isn't a bad idea. If your gophers start to realize that the work involved with getting in your garden isn't worth the food present, they'll probably stop trying to get in. Keep in mind that gophers can burrow quite deeply into the ground, so a surface fence probably isn't enough; and having a fence might not solve all of your problems.
Another option to consider will remind you of "Caddyshack": flooding. If you know where the gopher or mole has been gaining access to your garden, you can "flood" it out by spraying water in there through a hose. Some people don't like to do this to gophers or moles, so it will be a personal decision for you to make. If you choose not to flood the gopher out, remember that you have to be thorough in the other methods you use in order to solve the gopher problem.
You can also find "sonic spikes" that can be installed in the ground, though some people have found these devices bothersome; if you live very close to your neighbors, for instance, there's a good chance they might complain about them.
Keep in mind that you can ask around about gopher traps if you want to make sure that you've actually gotten a gopher from the ground and under your control.
A gopher problem isn't a fun thing, especially if you recently put in a lot of work into your lawn or garden. But if you're diligent, you should be able to get the gophers out of your turf.
Photo Credits: ingridtaylar
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 7, 2010 in
Backyard, How to Fix, Landscaper, Lawn, pests
Mulch. Mulch. Mulch.
Mulch. It doesn't sound like much, but there's a reason it's such a popular item to use around the home and garden. Mulch can help lock in temperature and moisture in soil, prevent weeds from going, keep unwanted critters out, decorate an area, and even improve the quality of the soil by enhancing nutrients (in the case of "organic" mulch). So if there's been something missing from your lawn or garden, there's a good chance that the answer to your problems is as simple as laying down some mulch. Here's how to do it.
First, mulching will depend on the kind of climate you live in. If you live in a cold-weather climate and your winters will see a thick layer of snow for months at a time, you'll want to apply cold-weather mulch before winter and make sure you replace it every year. If you live in a warm-weather area where temperatures are pretty stable year-round, you'll also want to annually replace mulch, but you probably won't need to apply it for the sake of the seasons.
Mulch can work in both temperatures, however, to keep the soil at a better temperature. In warm-weather areas, mulch can block out a lot of sunlight and keep the ground cooler - after all, you know how warm blacktop can get when it simply sits out in the sun all day. For cold-weather areas, mulch will have an insulating effect. For this reason, you'll want to apply mulch different: just a 1-2 inch layer in the warm weather areas, and more insulating mulch for colder areas, which means an even thicker layer.
You'll also want to plot out where you use your mulch. Mulch can make a great border between grass and garden; just remember that you probably won't be walking on it much. Take a look at your landscaping and ask yourself where the borders should go. Don't go overboard with them; simply realize that borders can really augment and improve the look of a great landscape design.
In general, the best idea for using mulch is to KISS, or "Keep It Simple, Stupid." Use mulch to help keep the soil protected and also provide a landscape border. Don't overdo it with the mulch; simply lay it, inspect it, and then leave it. You'll find that this approach will work just fine, and it will only take on Saturday afternoon of work.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 5, 2010 in
Backyard, How to Fix, Landscaper, Lawn
Storm windows.
When it comes to windows, people generally have one of three things in mind. Decor, energy savings, and protection from the elements. What if you could install windows that served up a dose of all three, saving you money on energy, protecting you from storms, and adding to the design of your home? Then you need to look no further: storm windows can handle each of those jobs.
But what about your current window situation? If you've never installed windows before, let alone storm windows, here are some quick tips that should help you find your bearings.
First, be clear about what you need. What do you need in order to install storm windows and replace your old windows? You'll need to take clear measurements and know exactly how many windows you're going to replace before you even think about acquiring the storm windows that work for you. If you're working with a contractor, then you need to make it clear to them that you have special needs, so communicate any of the special desires you might have.
Second, find the right storm windows. If you want this installation to be a one-and-done type deal, you're going to need to make sure that the storm windows you're installing will fit in with the decor around your home. It will help to get an outside opinion on this one, and this can be a great time to include your spouse in on the storm windows decisions. Some people are intimidated by the phrase "storm windows," but you'd be surprised to learn the variety of storm windows that are available.
Third, make sure the windows have a tight seal. If you've done your homework and know what kind of windows you're purchasing, there's a good chance your windows should fit nice and snug into your home. You want a snug fit, because a tight seal for your storm windows will help keep the elements (and temperature) outside. If you have a little extra space, you can caulk the small gaps, but make sure that the bottom edge of your storm window stays sealed and totally uncaulked so that no water gets through.
If you follow those three principles, you should have success with installing storm windows, even if it's your first time undertaking any kind of serious home improvement project. Now, enjoy the comfort that comes with energy-conserving, storm-resistant windows!
Photo Credits: Nieve44/La Luz
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 31, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, windows
Needs staining.
The wood deck is one of the hallmarks of the do-it-yourself home improvement buff, but what happens if you come across a home that has a wood deck that needs to be repaired? You may know a lot about building decks, but in order to fix one up and bring it up to your standards of quality, you'll have to think about things in a different way. Here are just a few tips for fixing and sealing a wood deck.
Test out the old deck. If the old deck is rotted and unfit, you'll simply want to replace it. Only leave a deck mostly in tact if you know that it's strong enough to function fully after being repaired.
It gets worse before it gets better: If you've ever cleaned out your garage before, you know that sometimes, home improvement means that things will get worse before they get better. If you really want to do a number on your wood deck and bring it up to snuff, then start out with a "it gets worse before it gets better" mindset. Take out anything resembling a loose nail. Destroy wood that has rotted and throw it out. If there's a part of the deck that doesn't look like it will mesh with a repaired one, get rid of it.
Sure, it might feel like you're building a new deck from scratch after this. But the end result will look more uniform and new if you really do a number on the old deck.
Replace what you've taken out. If you did a number on your deck, then you have more than a few holes to plug. If this is the case, you'll want to simply replace the old parts that came out with new ones. Make sure that every piece of wood in the structure is strong so that the entire deck will function like a new deck. When in doubt, take out an entire board and simply replace it with a new one.
Seal the deck. Seal the deck at the same point in which you would seal a new one.
Make the deck look uniform. After you've sealed the deck, it's time to make the deck look as uniform as possible. You can do this by staining all of the wood a similar color. Be sure to ask someone in the know about wood staining before you try it out - you don't want to end up with a mismatched deck. You can think about painting a deck if the staining won't work.
Photo Credits: tuchodi
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 29, 2009 in
Deck, Handyman, How to Fix
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