Water in the Basement?
One of the first things new homeowners realize about their home is that nothing happens automatically. That is to say, nothing will get cleaned unless you clean it up, and nothing will get maintained or repaired unless you take actions toward those ends. One of the frequent problem that pops up? A wet or exceedingly moist basement that smells stuffy. If you want a clean, dry basement that any guest would love to visit, here are a few tips.
First, if you don't have a dehumidifier, you'll need to get one. You'd be amazed at how much water a dehumidifier can remove from the air in your basement - you might find yourself emptying gallons and gallons of water that essentially came from "thin air." When you have a dehumidifier, you realize how things like air quality can really effect the rest of your home, not to mention the general mustiness of a moist basement. Make sure you have a dehumidifer up and running before you try some other solutions for a musty basement.
A dehumidifier can also solve other problems with a wet basement. For example, condensation appearing on your basement walls or on windows can mean that there's a lot of moisture in the air in your basement. A dehumidifier will also work to help solve this problem. If that's not enough, try using a vapor barrier. Remember that temperature differences also can make for humidity and condensation, so make sure that your basement walls are insulated.
For water seepage, there can be more problems with your basement that a simple dehumidifier can't fix. For example, rain water might be able to seap through the ground and enter your basement. If you have water seepage like this, you'll want to identify the source and then do further research to find out how you can remedy this kind of problem. If you're in doubt, try asking a professional for their advice.
Water damage can be among the most serious threats to your property, especially if you've got a basement full of sentimental items and useful trinkets and supplies. Make sure to guard your basement effectively by understanding insulation, air humidity, and how you can seal your basement off from potential water harm. The more you know about a wet basement, the better you'll be able to fix it.
Photo Credits: Loozrboy
Originally posted 2009-10-16 03:37:48.
This post involves:
... and focuses on:
Posted by Fix Handyman on September 6, 2010 in
Basement, Handyman, How to Fix
We can help fix that beloved wicker chair.
Wicker furniture can be great for use around the home or even outdoors - there's nothing that really lends that "at home" feeling than a wicker chair. After all, you don't exactly see a lot of wicker chairs around the office. If your wicker chair is broken, however, you don't want to lose what might be one in a set. That's why it will be important to understand how to fix a wicker chair when the need arises.
First, be aware of what can cause wicker chair damage in the first place. Having your wicker chairs outside is fine, but remember that rain and wind damage might not always be very generous to the chair. Some amount of humidity is actually good for wicker, helping prevent the wicker from drying out. But if there's a storm, you might want to take your wicker indoors. Don't be too concerned about leaving wicker furniture out when there's a high-pressure system moving through.
As with many things, the first stage to understanding wicker chair maintenance isn't repair, it's prevention. It will be good to occasionally dust your wicker chair, and even wiping it down with a damp cloth from time to time can help. Just make sure not to sit in your wicker chair when it's wet, such as after a rain: the moisture and the weight can cause the wicker to dry out in a new mold. Needless to say, that's not exactly what you want.
Being able to repair your wicker chair will probably depend on the amount (and type) of damage that's been done to it. For example, if it is too moist because of a rain and someone sat on it, leaving it looking warped, you might actually want to see if you can re-moisten the wicker and re-set it, allowing it to dry in a condition close to its original setting. The problems that can come as a result of wet wicker give you an extra reason to avoid letting it sit out in the rain, so try to keep your wicker furniture set where water can't get to it. Remember: moderate amounts of humidity should be fine, but spraying water on your wicker isn't a good idea.
If your wicker chair is still warped after your attempts in fixing it, you might simply have to replace it. If you have a lot of wicker furniture in your set, you can either live with the loss or try to find the manufacturer and see if you can order its replacement.
Photo Credits: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
Originally posted 2009-08-28 03:50:11.
This post involves:
... and focuses on:
Posted by Fix Handyman on August 20, 2010 in
Chair, Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
It's getting cool in here.
Whether you're just hitting those summer months or warm temperatures are a year-round constant for you, saving money on air conditioning is a must, especially given a tough economy. It feels great to come in from the heat with a cool blast of air just behind your door, but that doesn't mean you should break the bank in order to stay comfortable. In this article, you'll receive some tips on using air conditioning while saving money so that you don't have to sacrifice money or comfort to have more of the other.
The first thing you'll want to realize is that air conditioners don't only cool the air, but they prevent humidity from building up because cooler air can't hold as much moisture. Hot summer days can be incredibly humid, and taking away this humidity in your home is one of the first steps to feel cooler without pumping up the AC.
In order to prevent humidity from gathering in your home, you'll first want to make sure that the water presence is as low as possible. Boiling a pot of water for spaghetti will force steam and moisture into your home - if you must boil a pot of water, be sure that you ventilate that air right away by turning on your oven fan. Other potential issues with water around the home can include leaks and plumbing problems.
Another way to remove humidity from the air is to buy a - what else? - dehumidifier. Many homes have these as a great supplement to their air conditioner. They'll typically cost you a few hundred dollars, but you'll be amazed at how much water they remove from the air - often gallons of it per day. Other ways of removing humidity might include ventilating with exhaust fans that remove humid air. A kitchen fan can help accomplish this.
By reducing the humidity in the air, you're reducing the amount of stress placed on your air conditioner to maintain a certain amount of temperature. If the weather outside is humid, don't open windows to keep things cool; instead, keep them closed and work on getting that air inside your house dry and cool.
If you plan on having a party, make sure to keep people outside most of the time, as body heat can really force your air conditioner to work overtime. You don't want your air conditioner to work more than it has to simply to maintain a comfortable temperature, so stay mindful of what's going on in your house. Think about the work your air conditioner is doing and ask yourself how you can potentially make that work easier.
Photo Credits: skeddy in NYC
Originally posted 2009-08-10 05:09:06.
This post involves:
... and focuses on:
Posted by Fix Handyman on May 4, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix
Stumble
Reddit
Digg
Del.icio.us
