Tags » ‘water’
February 1st, 2010 by admin
Caulking around tubs and sinks is a simple task, but it is one of the most important home repair jobs you could handle. Water seeping into small cracks and crevices can quickly lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home.
Steps for a Successful Caulking Project
Protect your investment with a little time and a good amount of high-quality caulk. Here’s how:
- Remove all the old caulking using a razor scraper and a utility knife, if necessary. Clean the entire area to remove all the old residue. Let it dry thoroughly before applying the caulk.
- Inspect the area where you have removed the caulk. If you see rotting wood or mold, you have a more serious repair job on your hands. Stop your work and call a professional handyman to help. If you don’t see damage, carry on!
- Cut the tip of the caulking tube at an angle, and puncture the nozzle’s seal. Load the tube into the caulking gun and press the plunger forward until it touches the back of the tube.
- Using both hands to keep the line steady, press the tip of the nozzle where you want to begin caulking and gently squeeze the trigger.
- When the caulk begins to flow, guide it along the edge, filling the area with a thick bead of caulk. Use firm, steady pressure.
- When you have filled an area, let go of the trigger. It might take a few seconds for the caulk to stop flowing.
- Now it’s time to shape the caulk. Dip your fingertip into a bit of mineral oil (or baby oil, if that’s what you have on hand) and run your finger over the caulking, smoothing out the bead. Take your time in spreading the caulk, but don’t press too hard–you want a thick seal.
- Wipe off excess caulking with a paper towel and continue along the bead until you have smoothed out the whole section.
- Repeat the process until you’ve caulked along the entire edge. Inspect your work and perform touch-ups if necessary.
- Don’t use any water in the area until the caulking has dried thoroughly. Depending upon the type of caulk used, the drying time could take a few days.
Finally, a bonus tip: If you are caulking a bathtub, fill the tub halfway with water while you work. The weight of the water pulls the tub away from the wall just the slightest bit, and makes for a tighter caulking job.
About the author: Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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10 Steps to a Perfect Caulking Repair Job
December 21st, 2009 by admin
When cold weather hits, emergency calls to plumbers skyrocket. Why? Many homeowners neglect simple plumbing protection until it’s too late. Do all you can to prevent frozen or burst pipes by keeping these guidelines in mind:
- Plan ahead! Don’t wait until the last minute to protect your plumbing–by then, it might be too late. Take steps to protect your pipes as soon as colder weather is in the forecast, at least several days in advance.
- Protect pipes where they enter your home. Close your foundation vents, and use simple insulation to prevent cold air from coming in. Don’t forget to open the vents back up in the spring!
- Detach all hoses and outside lines. It might seem like a simple thing, but many homeowners forget this vital step. Drain your water hoses and put them away in winter storage. Turn off or disconnect pipes to outdoor water sources, such as that water garden in the backyard.
- Close off your outside faucets. Most homes have a separate valve for the outside faucets. Turn the valve off, then go outside and run all the water out of the faucets.
- Can’t drain outside faucets? Protect them! Molded foam covers are a great help, as well as fiberglass and plastic insulators. For a quick fix, even newspapers and old rags molded around the faucets and held in place with plastic and duct tape works.
- Drain your sprinklers. Many homeowners forget about the sprinkler system, and that can lead to a plumbing nightmare. Check with the manufacturer to learn how to turn the system off.
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Pipes in your basement, attic, crawlspace, and even exterior walls are vulnerable to the elements. Insulate them with molded pipe sleeves or insulating tape.
- Open lower cabinet doors. It might not be the most attractive look, but keeping your cabinet doors open during the coldest weather allows more warm air to circulate around the pipes.
- Run the water. When the temperature takes a serious dip, run a bit of cold water out of the tap. A steady drip or small stream of water helps keep the lines open and prevent freezing.
- Make vacation plans for pipes. When you are leaving your home for several days, turn your water system off. Turn off the main valve and run every faucet until the pipes are drained. Don’t forget to do this with your washer, too!
Early preparation is the key to avoiding a plumbing headache. Take these steps now, before Mother Nature gets to your plumbing system!
About the author: Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
Easy Basement Renovations & Other Home Renovation Ideas
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10 Steps to Protect Your Plumbing from the Deep Freeze
December 5th, 2009 by admin
Savvy kitchen designers often recommend five simple and inexpensive changes that can add new life to your old kitchen.
1. Apply Fresh Paint.
Give your kitchen a fresh new look with a coat of paint, and get an instant kitchen makeover. Choose a lighter color or leave your ceilings white if you want to make your kitchen appear larger. Purchase paint, a paint tray and liners, paint brush, roller with frame, masking tape and a drop cloth. Be sure to use latex-based paint, as it’s easy to clean. Tape off anything you don’t want to paint, lay down the drop cloth and begin. Consider using the services of a local painting professional if you’re short on time or are inexperienced with painting.
2. Update Kitchen Hardware.
Replace the hardware on your cabinets for a surprisingly impactful kitchen makeover. Choose from thousands of designs and colors and give your cabinets a new look. Select round ceramic, plastics, porcelain or brass knobs and pulls. Round knobs are around $0.80 at Home Depot or Lowes; pulls are about $0.90. When shopping for new hardware, take an old hardware piece with you to try and match the holes. After choosing your new hardware, remove all of the old hardware with a screwdriver and replace with the new hardware.
3. Replace Your Faucet.
With ever-changing styles, choose from sleek modern faucets to classic traditional. Purchase a faucet for as low as $20.00 for a quick update and an inexpensive kitchen makeover element. Prior to installation turn off the water underneath the sink. Remove the old faucet and replace with your new one, be sure to use sealant. Kitchen designers often recommend that you contact a local plumbing professional to assist you if you’re unsure of how to replace a faucet correctly.
4. Change Your Window D
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