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How to Fix a Plumbing Issue with Teflon Tape

Fix Handyman — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:09:15 +0000

Teflon tape is very handy.

When most people think about helpful tape, they think about duct tape. Sure, duct tape is a great tool and should be considered a must-have in your tool shed or garage, but what about teflon tape?

Teflon tape can be very handy around the house - but you want to make sure that you know how to use it before you start trying to fix your plumbing problems with it. In this article, you'll find some tips and suggestions for using teflon tape in the most efficient and practical way possible. Doing so is simple: use it when it will help and keep it up on the shelf in the garage when you don't need it.

When is it a good idea to use teflon tape? It applies best to the "threaded" ends of pipes in order to make sure that the pipe is fully watertight. Consider it an extra layer that is designed to keep all of the moisture where it belongs - inside the pipe. For this reason, teflon works best when you're sealing off the ends the threaded ends of pipes. For more information on better using teflon tape, see this article at AcmeHowTo.com. Follow their instructions for properly applying teflon tape.

You'll also find some detailed instructions at Howsed.com's teflon tape suggestions. Note that Howsed's article also deals with pipe dope and channel locks, which are other ways of doing similar things to plumbing that teflon tape does.

When applying the teflon tape, you'll want to make sure to apply it clockwise, as Howsed.com describes, and also make sure that it is properly applied to the pipe - you don't want to apply it in the wrong direction or the wrong place.

Be thorough when you're working with teflon tape - and make sure that you're equipped to diagnose what problem needs teflon tape to begin with. When you're working on your plumbing yourself, you should have a basic knowledge of how all of these things work in order to make sure that you apply it properly - if you're unsure, be sure to ask a professional for some help. If you ever call in a plumber and want to eventually work on do-it-yourself projects, be sure to ask them specific questions - even if you bother them a little, you'll end up with some (hopefully) helpful tips you can use in the future.

Photo Credits: Aeturnum

Originally posted 2009-11-10 03:08:20.

How to Fix a Torn Shower Curtain with Duct Tape

Fix Handyman — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:43:43 +0000

Do you feel a draft?

One of the tools with the most uses around the house is simple: duct tape. A few rolls of duct tape in your tool shed will help you construct a temporary fix around most things, and will help to make sure that more brittle objects like glass can be rounded off so that they pose less of a safety threat. When it comes to the minor inconveniences, duct tape can deliver there, too. That's why you can repair a torn shower curtain with duct tape. Still curious as to how it's done? Let's explore.

If you tear a shower curtain down, it can puncture each hole that is meant for each of the shower rings - this leads to a "torn piece of paper from a notebook effect" that most people think means they have to go showerless. But in the time between a trip to the local home improvement store, you'll have to get by with a shower or two, especially if you have family in your home. Won't taping each individual hole require too much time and effort?

As it turns out, not if you're creative with your rolls of duct tape. Instead of taping up each hole, simply create a side of duct tape where all of the shower ring holes used to be - this double-sided duct tape edge should have as little adhesive showing as possible. This isn't totally necessary, of course, but it helps make things easier and more comfortable.

Now that you have a side of your shower curtain taped over with duct tape - the side with all of the ring holes - you'll need a way to put that side back up on the shower rings. You can do this by punching your own holes in the curtain and duct tape, essentially creating a new side of the shower curtain for temporary use. Hole punches can work if your rings are small, but you might need some larger holes if your rings are large and plastic. To do this, simply punch a hole and then poke it through with a wooden dowel or a similar object that will expand the hole.

Once you've done this a few times, you should be ready to put your repaired shower curtain up. It won't look like the best shower curtain you've ever used, but it will help ensure that you can close off your shower before buying a new curtain. If you're worried about splashing water out of the shower tub, you won't have to worry anymore; you'll be all set. Just another day in the life of a roll of duct tape.

Photo Credits: massdistraction

Originally posted 2009-08-14 03:48:27.

How to Fix Chipped, Broken Plaster in 5 Steps

Fix Handyman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:29:24 +0000

How to Fix Chipped, Broken Plaster

Plaster can be a great material to use in construction because of its flexibility, but it also has some downsides. One downside? It can easily become chipped or cracked, which is why the do-it-yourselfer in your home will want to make sure to understand some quick, easy ways to fix and smoothen out that plaster. If that's what you want to learn today, you've come to the right place: let's explore some quick steps to restoring a plaster finish.

First, get your tools ready.
What will you need when you're fixing up some plaster? A good utility knife, a plaster compound (such as plaster of paris), brushes, a scraper, a wood block, sandpaper, primer, and paint are some general items you'll either find in your tool shed or at the local hardware store. Once you have these items ready, you're ready to take a better look at the chip in your plaster.
Treat the chip first.
This usually includes cutting away loose chunks of plaster with your knife while making sure that you don't do anything to cause further damage to the surrounding plaster. Once you've cleared the debris, shake off smaller particles with a towel and use your vacuum cleaner to get the hard-to-reach dust and plaster bits.
Next, get out your plaster compound.
Mix it up into a hearty paste - try to make it less flexible rather than erring on the side of making it too thin. Before you apply the plaster, moisten the area by using your brush - this will help when applying the plaster of paris. Next, apply your plaster compound, making sure that it is well-set into the chip. Smoothen out the surface with your scraper and then take 24 hours off while your plaster compound hardens.
Sand down the area after 24 hours.
Once your 24 hours have passed, it's time to take another look at your chip repair. Chances are that it doesn't look that good yet - but that's why you're going to want to sand down the area and smoothen it out. You can also re-plaster any areas that haven't been fixed yet, but remember that you'll want to give it 24 hours to dry.
After sanding, apply primer and then your paint.
After you've sanded out the area smooth, it's time to apply your primer. Your primer is crucial for creating a smooth, durable coat of paint. Once your primer has dried (this might take a considerable amount of time), you can then apply your paint and let it try. Voila!

Photo Credits: amarette.

Originally posted 2009-07-23 08:00:37.