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
Window won't budge?
It's warm outside and you want to get to the window to allow a fresh breeze in the living room. The problem? You pull on the window and it seems jammed! You check the lock; sure enough, it's still locked. You unlock it and go to pull the window again. No luck. Now what do you do? If you're still wondering that, then you're reading the right article. Here we'll tackle those stubborn windows that won't open even though you know they can.
If your window is a new one, or if a fresh coat of paint has been applied after the window was installed, then you'll want to take a look at the coat of paint and how it's interacting with the window. Sometimes, windows can be painted shut by paint that has been allowed to dry where the window should normally be allowed to move. Check this paint; if it looks like the paint might be getting in the way, use a razor knife and carefully cut the paint between the "stop" and the "sash." The "stop" refers to a window's frame on the house side of your window. The "sash" is the moving section of your window.
If you've done this and still are having trouble with the window sash not moving, then you're going to want to move on to the next level.
Now it's time to check the other parts of the window that are key to allowing movement. Check out pieces like the parting strip or the jamb. Once you take a step back and look at the areas of the window that should be working but aren't, you should have a better idea of what might need fixing. If you can confirm that each individual part is working, knock it off your list - a process of elimination might help you diagnose the real problem.
It's not an uncommon problem to have windows that seem heavier than they are because of slow-moving parts or parts that aren't quite working properly. If you use this window as a learning experience, you should have a better idea of all of the elements that go into making a window move effortlessly; use this knowledge to not only fix the window that is having the difficulties, but any future windows in your home that might require struggling to get them open.
Photo credits: David 23
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 5, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, windows
Got a problem with your decking?
Building a deck for your house is no small feat - that's why many people choose to outsource the labor and time to contractors who have experience doing it. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to maintain your own deck with your own wits, tools, and supplies. So how exactly do you make minor repairs in your decking, and where should you start? Well, I can answer one question right away: you should start by reading the rest of this article.
First, understand that there are some common problems that come up when fixing your deck, and if you understand these problems, you already have a head start in your at-home repair. Here are the solutions to some of these common problems.
Repairing Broken Floor Boards
The floor boards in your deck are the most visible and probably the most common problem you'll encounter. It's hard to have guests over for a Sunday evening meal when your floorboards are loose and ready to pop out at any moment. That's why you'll want to know how to handle your floor board problems right away.
This can be very easy - usually, floor boards that aren't working well enough either need to be re-tightened or attached to the beams in your deck, or simply need to be replaced. It will be up to you to make the diagnosis, but err on the side of caution and safety. You might even have some old beams laying around from the initial deck construction that will allow you to seamlessly integrate some new beams.
How to Stop Peeling Paint
If you absolutely have to have your wood be a copper color but used paint, you might want to think again about your choice. Paint sits on top of the wood and doesn't soak in, meaning that it's both exposed to the elements and can be lifted up from the wood, allowing it to peel. If you use a wood stain, however, you can change the color of your deck without having to worry about the paint peeling off.
Remove your paint from the deck, wash it down, and once it's dry, have the deck stained. You won't have to worry about the elements "getting to" your deck's color because the color will be stained in to the wood itself.
There are a number of ways to remove paint from your deck. You can rent a vibrating sander or apply a chemical paint stripper (be careful and make sure to follow warning signs!). Try to consult someone who knows about decks to see what might be the most effective way for you.
Photo Credits: carljoseph
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 14, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Patio
Get those dents out!
Aluminum is one of the most valuable metals we have for use around the house: light, strong, cheap, and durable. It's useful enough that many people use aluminum siding as the exoskeleton of their house, using it to protect them from the elements and seal off as much of the environment as possible. But there is one disadvantage to aluminum: it can dent. When it does dent, especially in your home siding, what exactly can you do?
You're about to find out some of the best dent removal tricks out there. What will you need? Start with a drill, a sheet metal screw, a flat washer, a pair of pliers, metal filler, sand paper, and metal primer.
It's a tall order, but you should be able to retrieve many of these items at a relatively low price at a local hardware store. Once you have your tools and supplies ready, it's time to get down to business.
The process of removing a dent in aluminum siding is essentially to drill a hole, use that hole to pull back the dent, and then cover up the hole so that it looks like nothing was ever there. You can begin by drilling a couple of small holes (one-eight of an inch in diameter) and screwing in the sheet metal screw you have with a sheet metal washer partially into the hole. This will give you some leverage with which to pull the aluminum dent out. Pull on the screw with the pliers, protecting your hands. The washer will protect the rest of the aluminum on your siding from the pliers.
Once you've pulled out the dent, remove everything and take a look at the holes you drilled. It's time to fill them up with metal or body filler, also making sure to fill up any of the residual dent so that everything is relatively smooth. It will probably take a couple of coats of body filler in order to make sure that everything is smooth.
After those coats have dried, sand everything even. Clean out the scrapings so that the area is dry, and then apply a metal primer. After this primer has dried, apply some metal paint to the area - everything should look properly covered, as if the dent and the holes were never there.
Voila! You've fixed your own aluminum siding. Now you'll have a couple of extra supplies and tools around the house if you need to make similar repairs somewhere else.
Photo Credits: D. Bjorn
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 5, 2009 in
Handyman, House, How to Fix
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