Poorly-Finished Wood Deck
Re-finishing your wood deck isn't the most difficult operation around the house, but you'll find that it can be a very rewarding project, especially when summer rolls around. But exactly how easy is it? In this article, you'll find some basic steps and strategies for re-finishing your wood deck to restore its original luster.
- "Check your deck" and make sure the structure is ready for finishing. It may sound a little simple, but if you want to make sure you'll have a great restored deck, you'll want to make sure there aren't any major repairs needed first. Check the structure of the deck, because if you are finishing a deck that's flawed, you're simply dressing up something that's fundamentally poor. Make the necessary repairs before you re-finish your deck.
- Clean your deck with a power washer. It's possible to rent a power washer from a local hardware store or retail outlet, so be sure that you make full use of it and give your deck a thorough cleaning. Before you power wash your deck, make sure it's clear of any major items that you don't want to get wet, and be sure that nearby objects won't be harmed if they're touched by the water. Then it's a matter of blasting away the dirt - enjoy it!
- Start sanding. Once your deck is freshly clean, it's time to make the final preparations for the sealing itself, and that means smoothing out the wood itself. The best way to do this is by sanding, usually with a power sander. Keep the power sander in mind when you head to the hardware store looking for a power washer to rent. Don't go overboard with sanding; simply smoothen out the deck's surface so that the sealant will stick properly to the wood underneath.
- Seal the deck. Once the deck is clean and smoothed out by the power sander, you're ready to seal it. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to seal the deck after using the power sander, as you don't want to leave your deck to the elements overnight. Once you've sealed it, give your deck the proper amount of time to dry off and settle properly. You can then move furniture back onto it and enjoy!
Re-finishing your deck is not the most complicated way to get started with your own home improvement endeavors, but it is rewarding!
Photo Credits: Creativity103
Originally posted 2009-10-01 03:42:32.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 30, 2010 in
Deck, Handyman, How to Fix, Patio
Clean out that debris!
If there's one thing that separates the do-it-yourself professionals from the amateurs, it's the ability to conserve. Using old things in new ways is the hallmark of the savvy home improvement fanatic, and nothing is when it comes to gutters. If you have an old gutter and want to install a modern rain removal system, there's no reason you can't teach the old dog new tricks and make it work it better ways. It will save you money and time, so why not?
The first thing you'll want to do with an old gutter is to clean it off - cracked-on dirt, debris, and dust can hide some leaks and holes that you need to know about. Be generous with the house and scrub the thing so that it looks as new as it can. After you've let it dry a little, try running some water through it as a test. If there are any leaks or holes, it's time to make sure that those leaks are no more.
In order to repair a leak or a hole in your old gutter, you're going to need to re-seal it. Gutter sealer from your hardware store (if you have caulk-like substances around the house, you might be able to use those) will fill the cracks and trap the water like the gutter was originally meant to. Be sure to check the overlapping on these old gutters, as they are sometimes less efficient than modern ones and may need to be sealed themselves.
Small holes and leaks aren't the only ways you can salvage an old gutter - even the big gaping cracks can be fixed if you have the right materials. If you have two old gutters, for example, you can use the metal of one of them to replace the metal of the other; if you use some roof cement you should be able to press one piece of metal to the other, sealing it off and making the old gutter like new. It might not be the prettiest gutter in the world, but you don't exactly have to put it out front for everyone to see.
Remember that gutters are rarely used for decoration: their primary function is simply to move water in a way that keeps the house dry and interacts with the natural environment. When you come across an old gutter that you think might have some life in it, don't necessarily toss it away instantly. Instead, ask yourself more practical questions, like what you can do with the metal, whether you can salvage the gutter, and where it might belong if it can be salvaged. It's up to you to make the most of your possessions. Will you?
Photo Credits: Mitia dd
Originally posted 2009-08-13 03:38:59.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 13, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, gutters
Iffy dehumidifier? We can take care of that!
When you walk into your basement, you'll know if your dehumidifier is working properly or not. If it is, you should feel the air that is dry and feels relatively cool. If it's not, you'll probably pick up the must and maybe even an unpleasant smell. But does this mean your dehumidifier is broken? Not necessarily; it might just be in need of a tune-up. Here is how to fix a dehumidifier that isn't performing up to snuff.
First, you'll want to consider whether or not your dehumidifer is simply too small for the space you have. You can usually tell by a simple test: is this the first time you've used a dehumidifier of that size in your home? If so, then this is a possibility. However, if the dehumidifier has worked well in the past, it's time to check it out and make some repairs.
Note: Make sure that you take out the power cord before attempting any of these repairs. Needless to say, it's a very necessary precaution.
Remove the cover of your dehumidifier and identify the condenser and evaporator coils. These will probably look like they're in need of a good cleaning, which is exactly what you'll want to do. Check your condenser especially to make sure that it hasn't been clogged with dust or dirt. Also, the fan motor bearings might be in need of lubrication - now is the time to drop in a metal lubricant to make sure that it is running smoothly.
Your next option to tune up the dehumidifier is to check the "humidistat" with what's known as a Volt-Ohm meter. You might have to pick one up at your local hardware store. Setting your meter to the RX1 scale, attach the leads on the meter to the humidistat (to what's known as the "terminals"). If you need help with this step, be sure to consult with your hardware store or outsource your dehumidifier repairs to a professional.
The humidistat should register 0 Ohms through a limited range - if it registers through the entire range, there's something wrong with the humidistat and it will need to be replaced.
Once you've made these repairs and the dehumidifier still isn't working, you'll have to consider replacing it or finding a professional to work on it for you. Remember that a dehuimdifier is important to maintain the quality of air in your home; don't procrastinate fixing it.
Photo Credits: JND90745
Originally posted 2009-08-20 03:18:49.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on June 1, 2010 in
Electronics, Handyman, How to Fix
If your keys are stuck...
Having a grand piano in one of the rooms of your house is great - not only can you practice on it, but you can use it to entertain guests. But if a few of the keys on your piano are stuck, it takes away from the whole "piano-as-decor" theory. It can also be frustrating every time you try to hit that natural G. But every time you try to fix it, you don't seem to get anywhere.
Causes of Stuck Keys
There are a number of reasons a key might get stuck. The first - and most obvious - is dirt and debris getting into the cracks between each ivory key, essentially sticking two keys together. In order to clean between the keys, you'll need something that can get in between them. Because something sharp can scratch your piano, you might want to use a liquid. Water and a few drops of dish soap can often handle the job; just make sure that you don't go overboard with the liquids.
You'll also want to watch for swelling in the piano. Since most pianos are made of wood, one cause of a stuck key might actually be that wood underneath has swollen. Even if you're not sure how this came about, you might want to get inside to see if this really is the case.
Fixing Stuck Keys
To begin fixing a stuck key, look around the area of the key in order to ensure a proper diagnosis. Is there debris in the way? Might there be wood swelling? Does the problem go deeper than that? The problem will drive the kind of repairs you need to make.
Sometimes, the fix is as easy as cleaning out the cracks in the method already described. But if there seems to be something deeper in the piano, you'll probably have to remove the keys. For some people, looking under the keys can be an awakening of sorts, similar to the mess you might find under your couch after a few months.
The best way to make sure keys aren't stuck is prevention. Keep your house dry and regularly dust your piano. You won't have to clean it much if you don't bring drinks or food nearby, but if you absolutely must, then be sure to be careful not to spill.
Remember the essential rule of fixing anything: to fix something, you need to get down to the level of the problem, possibly doing some destroying in the process. If you need to take somthing apart in order to build it back up, that can often be better than simply replacing the unit as a whole.
Photo Credits: melinnis
Originally posted 2009-08-20 03:34:45.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 20, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Musical Instruments
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