Measure the hole before starting repair.
When you own your own home, seeing a hole in your drywall can be really frustrating. You've went through all the work to attain a mortgage loan, work forty hours a week to make the payments, and still everything seems to take time and money! But what if you had another option that didn't take nearly as much of your time and money? That solution is known as skillful home improvement. Even if you've never fancied yourself a do-it-yourselfer, with this article, you may just find yourself inspired.
First, repairing a small hole in your drywall will mean finding some necessary tools. In addition to primer and properly-colored paint, you'll want to find a wallboard taping knife at least half a foot wide, a drywall sanding block, wallboard joint compound, and a metal drywall patch with adhesive mesh. Note: you're going to want to measure the drywall hole size before buying the metal drywall patch.
Measure the hole in your drywall - since we describe it as a "small" hole, there's a good chance it's somewhere up to 8 inches. Once you've got it measured, go to your hardware store and buy the drywall patch mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Once you have this patch, you can simply peel it and apply it to the part of the wall with the hole in it.
Take your wallboard taping knife and apply the wallboard joint compound to the patch, being sure to fill all of the holes in the area. Give it a good two or three coats to make sure the entire area is well-covered and relatively smooth (if it's not perfect, don't worry; you'll be sanding it down once it dries).
After waiting for it to dry, take your sanding block and sand off the area so that it's smooth and consistent with the rest of the drywall. Don't worry about making mistakes, because you can simply fill those in and begin the process of filling in and sanding over again. It's frustrating, sure, but that doesn't mean you can't get past it.
With the area properly sanded and dried, you should be ready to apply the primer. Now you can put the primer on the area and wait for it to dry. Once it's dried, roll the paint on (much like how you would apply the paint on the rest of the wall) and voila! You have a fixed drywall hole.
Photo Credits: soxophone player
Originally posted 2009-09-30 03:55:55.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on January 26, 2010 in
Drywall, Handyman, How to Fix
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.
Photo Credits: knitsteel
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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
Stuck door lock?
Nothing's more frustrating than coming home from a tough day at work only to find that the key you use every day to get into your home isn't working like it should. If it's sticking in the door lock and you know your door knob is the culprit, this article will teach you how to lubricate your door lock to running more smoothly. If you've ever seen the Tin Man's appearance in "The Wizard of Oz," you're already halfway there!
First, understand how to diagnose a sticky lock that simply needs lubrication. A good way to conduct this test is simple: try turning the key in your door's lock even as the door is open. If there's still stickiness, then there's a good chance that you'll need to use the lubrication.
So what kind of lubrication do you use? First, remember that the lubrication you apply into the door lock will likely be staying there. For that reason, you'll want to use something that won't cause problems down the road. Graphite powder will work for you. Why not use a petroleum-based oil? You can, but remember that it could stay in there and collect dust, and even get on your key. If you've used a lubrication of a certain type in your doorknob before, try to use the same one, as you don't want to mix lubricants.
To use the graphite powder, insert the squeeze-tube pointing upwards into the door lock, squeezing the tube a few times to shoot the powder into the lock. Make sure that you apply the powder to the door bolt, as well, just to make sure you have your bases covered.
After applying the powder, use your key to insert into the lock and turn it over and over, moving the graphite powder around to as many areas as possible.
Once you've done this, you shouldn't have any more problems with your door lock, unless the problem isn't with the lubrication. There might be something wrong with the door knob itself, in which case you'll need to make more extensive repairs or even replace it. If you find yourself pushing or pulling the door in order to get the lock to work, then your door's alignment is the problem.
If the graphite powder did the trick, you should be ready to use your door lock easily again! Enjoy, and make sure to stay on top of your home improvement so that you never need to get frustrated after those tough days at work. Fixing your job is another story!
Photo Credits: René Ehrhardt
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 19, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Locks, Locksmith, doors
Home entertainment center.
If you ask anyone if they want to have what is essentially a home theater, what do you think the answer will be? Probably "yes." But many people are content to simply purchase an entertainment center, put in a television, and let that be that. How can you enhance this entertainment center so that it essentially becomes a home theater? Take an afternoon one Saturday and decide that you're going to fix your lackluster living room and bring it to life. Here's how.
There are two important things to building a home theater: the quality of the picture on your television (also, in many cases, the larger the better) and the quality of the sound in the room. Many people are content to let their television sets provide the sound, but if you really want a movie theater-like experience, you'll have to get surround sound with a little more bass and kick to it. Even if your television is equipped with speakers you can use, there's a good chance you'll want to invest in your own sound system.
Do a search for the kind of sound system that fits with your living room or basement: what kind of speakers are easy to set up and can be placed in hard-to-see places while still providing a great balance of sound? It might take you a while to find a great combination of both price and quality, but once you do, you'll be able to enjoy the home theater experience after one afternoon of setup.
From here, all you need is a DVD or Blue-Ray player and you'll be set. But if you really want to continue to tweak your entertainment center experience, you can even adjust the room itself, tweaking some of the aspects of design to make the experience as unique as possible.
For example, what is the seating like around your television? Did you plop the furniture down one day, telling yourself that you would change it for the better, only to never get around to it? Today's the day to get around to it. After you have your surround sound installed, do your best to make the seating in the room balanced with the space, the viewing of the television, and the sound coming out of your speakers. It doesn't have to be perfect; it should just strike a solid balance that gives everyone seated in the room access to the home theater experience.
Photo Credits: libraryman
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Posted by Fix Handyman on December 8, 2009 in
Home Entertainment Center, How to Fix
House Problems?
Huh? Fix a problem you can't fix? Actually, it can be done, and people do it all the time. It's called outsourcing, and it's the same thing you do when you build a home and buy food. You don't have the time to take care of every single thing in your life, so you trade money for it instead. When you have something you need fixed but don't know how to fix, you call in a contractor.
Working with a contractor can be a unique experience, and the more experience you have, the better you'll be at it. But you could also use a few tips that can help you along the way. Here are some great strategies for dealing with contractors.
First, consider a contractor's reputation among the most valuable referrals you can get. You should make sure that a contractor is accredited, sure, but you also want to make sure that the contractor takes each individual job seriously and is willing to go the extra mile for his or her clients. You find out a contractor's reputation by researching them online, but even more powerful is the word-of-mouth reputation that you can find by asking around - in person. Does the contractor have a history of making people happy? Then there's a good chance you'll end up happy with the work they do, as well.
Next, be sure to watch out for potential scams. Make sure that they have general liability insurance so that you're not responsible financially for any damage they might do to your home. Will your home be damaged? Probably not, but there are bad contractors out there who can make life miserable for you. You'll screen out most of these bad contractors by following the "reputation" rule, but you want to make sure you're covered financially in either case.
Once you've got a contractor confirmed and hired, be willing to be on top of them to get your problem fixed, especially if you need the repairs to happen quickly. You're hiring the contractor, after all, and many times a contractor will try to get away with being as lazy as you allow them to be. Stay on top of them, and remember that since it's your money on the line, you get to call the shots.
Photo Credits: pnwra
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Posted by Fix Handyman on October 19, 2009 in
Handyman, House, How to Fix
Got a dry lawn?
Sure, you can read plenty of do-it-yourself articles that focus on home improvement and fixing different appliances and fixtures in your house, but what if your lawn is the thing that needs repair? If you've just gone through a dry month and need your lawn to go from brown to green in a hurry, this post is for you. We'll take a look at some tips and techniques for getting your lawn looking, well, alive again.
- First, be sure what the source of the problem is. If you're not sure that it's the dry weather that's making your lawn brown, you'll want to figure out if it's a shortage of water or an abundance of hungry insects that's making your lawn go brown. If your lawn is brown in patches, there's a good chance that it's something other than the dryness - or at least not the dryness totally - that's effecting your lawn. If your entire front and backyard are both brown, you're probably looking at simple dryness. Hint: a good way to test this is to take out a clump of your lawn and look for the roots. If the roots are eaten up, you have bugs to blame. If not, the weather is probably the factor.
- Next, you'll want to make sure you apply the appropriate amount of water to your lawn. Look up your individual grass type or at least climate and try to find out the typical amount of water your grass needs to look green. You don't want to under-water your grass, but you don't want to over-water it either. Note: making sure you water your grass the proper amount doesn't necessarily mean that you'll want to conserve water. It seemly means that you'll want to find the right amount of water for your grass type - it might be high or low.
- Finally, you'll want to make sure you have strong blades of grass with strong roots. This is achieved by mowing your lawn with a high setting, meaning that you'll leave tall blades of grass. Why? The shorter the blades, the less need they have for strong roots to provide them with strength and nutrients. If you have longer blades of grass on a regular basis, the roots will grow strong and give your grass blades a healthy, attractive look. Remember that the more roots there are, the more water they'll need.
Photo Credits: Bill Hails
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 28, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Landscaper, Lawn
Fix both plug burners and direct-wired burners.
"Oh, great." Your electric stove burner is out. You were going to pan-fry a delicious dinner for yourself, but your lack of mechanical prowess has thrown a wrench in your evening plans. What should you do? Call the landlord? Call a repairman? Do anything except try to fix it yourself? If you're cautious and have a little knowledge of mechanical safety, you can actually try to fix your own electric stove. Here's how.
First, there are two types of burners on electric stoves: plug burners and direct-wired burners. Let's look at each specific type.
Plug Burners
Your first goal in fixing your stove will be to determine where the problem is. The power cord that comes with a plug burner can actually help with this diagnosis, since you can try to change your power source. Try plugging in your electrical cord to a different outlet to see if you're able to get power from there. If not, there's a good chance that your problem comes with your cord or burner itself.
With the power off, make sure to examine the stove and see where anything might be going wrong. If you can see run-down pieces of equipment or other breakage, make a note of which part you'll need to replace.
Direct-Wired Burners
With problem diagnosis as your first priority, you're going to want to find out where the error is. With direct-wired burners, you'll probably want to open the two insulator clips. Again, make sure the power is off and disconnected from an electrical source when you do anything serious with electricity. If you're in doubt about your abilities, simply contact a professional, or at least someone who knows more about electric stoves than you do.
When you open these clips, you gain access to the wires feeding your burner - you might want to test this with another stove to see if it's working properly. If the other stove won't work with these wires, then you have an idea of where the problem is.
Remember to be extremely careful when working with electrical wiring, and that you have no contact with electrical parts that are connected and powered on. If necessary, simply turn power back on when you need to see if another stove will turn on, and do so only when you're safely distant.
Although you could learn something from exploring the inner workings of your stove, don't go digging in your electric stove burner when it's broken if you have no experience with it. If you're in an apartment, you'll want to contact a landlord. You can also try contacting a repairman if you live in a private home.
Photo Credits: Travelin' Librarian
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 25, 2009 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Stove, kitchen
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