Entries Tagged 'Sink' ↓
August 19th, 2008 — Bathroom, Bathtub, Fix, Handy Man, Sink, pipes, plumbing
Plumbing problems can be costly, but most of the time, they are relatively easy to fix, especially if you know what you’re doing. You can save thousands of dollars every year by learning how to be your own plumber and you’ll be gaining knowledge that can help you, especially in an emergency. Here are some tips on how to tackle the most common plumbing problems that homeowners experience.
First, you will need to get some solid plumbing books or DVDs that will walk you through the most common jobs. You can refer to these if you get stuck during a project. Having these books on hand can really make a difference, especially when you are under the wire. If you already know how to do basic plumbing, you’re just one step ahead. Try to get a variety of different books that cover not only basic pipe and drain issues, but also how to fix toilets and fixtures to make sure you have a well rounded library.
Next, you will need to make sure that you have the right tools on hand for the job. Here’s what we recommend: a variety of different pipe wrenches, appropriately sized for your house’s plumbing. It sounds simple, but many people find out too late that they don’t have the right wrench on hand during an emergency. It is also a good idea to purchase what is called a plumber’s snake. These are tools that can be used to quickly unclog a drain and they are very helpful.
It is also a good idea to have a variety of caulks, sealants and silicone on hand. These are very helpful when it comes to fixing a leak, or putting in new tile. Make sure that they are all properly closed so that you don’t end up with a bunch of dried out tubes when you really need them. Next, you should have a good supply of pipe fittings for your different pipes throughout the house. The hardware store will have a variety of elbow joints, end caps and other things that you will need. Measure your pipes and get everything that you need.
You should also keep a supply of drain cleaner, empty buckets, gloves and other small items that are usually required during a repair session. Make sure your tool box contains a propane blow torch, a variety of pliers and wrenches and anything else that your house may require. Keep all of your tools in a safe, dry place where they can be easily accessed. That way, when something does happen, you’ll be able to grab your stuff and get right to work.
Finally, it is a good idea to practice your skills from time to time, so that they don’t get rusty. If you have an extra bathroom, you can use this to try fixing a leak, cleaning out a drain or replacing the workings of your toilet. You’ll stay fresh and you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way.
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August 7th, 2008 — Flooring, Handy Man, Hardware, Low Budget, Renovate, Sink, Tile
If your kitchen is looking a little worse for the wear, but a huge renovation isn’t in your budget, it’s time to do a makeover. You can set whatever budget you’d like, but most of these tips can be achieved for less than a total of $1000, even if you use them all. Feel free to add anything your own kitchen may need, but these are some general makeover tips that will leave your kitchen looking and feeling like new.
1. Replace all your hardware.
Most of us are dealing with the stock knobs and drawer pulls that came with our homes. Depending on how old your house is, this probably means they are pretty dated. A simple change of some hardware can make your whole kitchen feel like it’s brand new and it will look much more current. Look for brushed nickel finishes for an edgy look, or go with black iron for a more traditional and country approach.
The sky is really the limit with today’s hardware and you’ll have a lot of options. If you can’t decide which one works for you, get one of each of the styles you like (keep the receipt) and try them out live in your own kitchen. Return the ones you don’t like and get the rest of the hardware to complete your kitchen.
2. Replace aging fixtures and/or sinks.
Again, we’re dealing with something that came stock with your home and since our faucets get so much wear, it’s probably past time to get it replaced. There are so many new options out there that it may be a little overwhelming.
Try to stick with a finish that matches your new hardware, or have some fun with some copper fixtures. Just remember to buy the fixtures that will fit your existing sink, unless you are planning on replacing that too. A new sink is cheaper than you might think and this can really change up the whole kitchen. Look for one that solves your existing problems (not enough room, too shallow, etc…) while still fitting in your existing cabinet.
3. Put in a new floor.
With today’s new laminate flooring or peel and stick tiles, it is a lot easier and more economical to get an entirely new kitchen floor. Stay away from dated floral and marble prints and feel free to get a little edgier with your design. A dark floor gives a kitchen a very dramatic look, but if your kitchen is on the small side, look for a light colored material.
Since the goal is a cheap makeover, we really recommend going with a flooring that is easy to install on your own. For example, laminate flooring can just click together over your existing floor and doesn’t require a lot of labor or know-how to get the job done. If you’ve got the skills and the budget, we really recommend ceramic tiles for a modern and fresh look.
These are just three simple ideas that can dramatically change your kitchen in just a few hours. See what you can come up with and then get that makeover started!
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July 22nd, 2008 — Ceramic, Clean, Handy Man, Sink, stainless steel
Our sinks are subjected to constant abuse and even with the most careful cleaning, stains can occur over time. The most common stains are due to hard water and they can be difficult to remove. However, there are a few easy tips that you can use to get rid of these stains for good.
Ceramic
One of the easiest ways to remove a bad water stain from a ceramic sink doesn’t involve any cleaner. All you need for this project is a few sheets of drywall sandpaper. That’s right - some sandpaper. Most products like this are black in color and have small holes. It’s not as rough as sandpaper, you don’t want to scrape the finish off your sink.
We recommend this fix for when all the cleaners you’ve tried have failed and you really want to get rid of that stain. Put on some gloves so you don’t rip up your hands with the paper and you’re ready to get started.
Make sure the sink is completely dry. Rub the paper in circles over the stain. You may really need to put some effort into it if the stain is very bad. Keep rubbing and you’ll notice that black residue is being left on your sink. Don’t worry, this is normal. If you need to rinse off the area to see your progress, remove the sandpaper from the sink, rinse it and completely dry the area off once again.
This technique works best completely dry, but if you do get your sandpaper a little wet, don’t worry. This should completely remove your stain and is very useful if you’re trying to take care of stains that collect around your drains that are very hard to remove.
Stainless Steel
It’s a bit easier to clean off a stainless steel sink. We recommend using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to power off any nasty stains or white marks. It is best to use a soft cloth to avoid scratching the surface. If you prefer, you can also use half of a citrus fruit to get a very quick cleaning tool that works well.
You can take any citrus fruit, but we recommend a grapefruit since it is very acidic and quite a bit bigger so the job goes faster. Cut the fruit in half (watch your eyes!) and then place the half cut side down on the sink. Gently rub the fruit in a circle over the surface of the sink. You may want to wear gloves if you have sensitive hands since the juice can be pretty hard on your skin.
Once you’ve done this for a few minutes, you should notice the stains disappearing thanks to the citric acid. Now, rinse the sink thoroughly with cold water and then dry it. Once it is dry, you can take a small amount of olive oil on a soft cloth and rub it into the sink in spots where it still looks a little white.
We recommend oiling your stainless steel sink once a week to keep it looking shiny and to help it stay protected.
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July 21st, 2008 — Handy Man, Install, Kitchen, Sink, filtration unit
No matter where you live, there is a chance that you may be dealing with some contaminants in your water. Many of us have trace amounts of lead in our drinking water and this can be harmful to your health over time. It is a good idea to have your drinking water checked for any contaminants, especially if you live in a rural area and use your own well.
One of the easiest solutions to getting clean water is to install a filter at the tap level. However, this can get pretty old since you can’t run hot water through it and the filters can be expensive over time. If you want an easier solution, there is a type of permanent water filter that can be installed under your sink or even at the source of your water, to filter everything that goes through the faucet.
Whole house filters are an excellent investment and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are bathing and drinking in clean water. However, if this is out of your price range, a simple filter that is installed under your sink can be a great alternative. Your number one priority is making sure that your drinking water is clean, so let’s look at how to install one of these filters under your sink.
Most of today’s newer filters may include a special faucet, but these can be pretty complicated to install. It is easier to pick a filter that will just use your existing fixtures. First, you’re going to need to turn off the water supply to your sink. If you don’t have a shut off valve there, you may need to turn off the water supply to your home instead. This can usually be found near your water pump.
Once the water supply is turned off, get under your sink (removing anything that may be under there) and locate the saddle valve. This is a small valve that should be located under the shut off valve. Open this up and get your filtration unit ready. It is a good idea to follow the unique instructions that come with your filter, but this is a general guideline for most filter installation procedures.
Attach the filter in between the saddle valve and the main valve. Make sure that it is located on the cold water valve since you don’t want to run hot water through the unit. Once the unit is in place, close off the valve again and install the carbon filter. These units typically have a much longer lifespan than the smaller faucet based filters, so even though you are using a carbon filter, you won’t have to change it as often.
Make sure that all of your connections are tight and turn the water supply back on. Depending on the unit, you’ll want to run at least two gallons of cold water through your tap before it is safe to drink. This is due to the little bits of carbon that can come through when it is brand new.
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July 8th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Cabinets, Countertops, Flooring, Handy Man, Kitchen, Low Budget, Project, Renovate, Sink
Remodeling your kitchen can dramatically increase the value of your home. Whether you are trying to sell your home or you just want it to look nicer, there are a lot of options you can use when remodeling your kitchen. Before you get started, you’re going to want to come up with a budget and then determine how you want to spend it. For the purpose of this article, we’re going to discuss some basic options such as replacing countertops, sinks, cabinetry and flooring. The amount of work your kitchen needs is completely up to you and your budget.
First, let’s discuss new countertops.
There are numerous different surfaces out there that range from really cheap (formica) to very expensive (poured slabs). You’ll need to think about how you normally use your countertops before picking the new surface. Formica is pretty durable, but it is easy to stain. Marble looks terrific, but does have some maintenance issues. Poured surfaces are costly, but last the longest and need the least amount of care. Try to get some samples of various surfaces before you decide which one is right for you. For a compromise, try marble tiles. They’re cheaper than marble slabs and easier to install.
For your new sink you’ll also have quite a few options.
Most are easy enough to install, and come in sizes that will fit most existing installations. If you’re completely replacing your countertops, you’ll have more options when it comes to the kind of sink you can use. When picking a surface, remember that stainless steel looks nice but can be hard to keep shiny. Ceramic is a good solution, but make sure that it is properly sealed to reduce the amount of scrapes that can come with normal daily use.
New cabinets can be pretty exciting, and again, you’re going to have a lot of new options here.
Glass doors add a touch of class to any new cabinets, and you can add some variety by having a few with solid doors and a few with glass. If you can’t find the stain or color you like, get some unfinished cabinets and stain or paint them yourself. If your budget won’t allow new cabinetry, you can still overhaul existing cabinets by replacing doors, adding new hardware or simply giving them a fresh coat of paint or a stain.
When it comes to floors, the sky is the limit.
There are so many options right now it can be hard to decide which one is best. Many new kitchens feature poured concrete floors that are then stained to match the décor. However, this is expensive and labor intensive. If you’re remodeling on the cheap, you can find peel and stick tiles that can go on above your existing floor. This is a very easy and economical way to jazz up your kitchen with very little effort.
When remodeling your kitchen, try to figure out how much work you can do on your own. If you’re handy, you can save a lot of money that can be used for better fixtures or options, if you do the work yourself.
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June 11th, 2008 — Handy Man, Install, Kitchen, Sink
If you’re sick and tired of your old kitchen sink, replacing it with a new one is not all that difficult. If you’re working with an entirely new surface, the steps for installation will be the same as provided below, but you will need to add the steps of measuring the sink and cutting in a new hole in your countertop. Most sinks now come with a template to make this easier. For the purpose of this review however, we’re going to stick with working on a replacement sink that is the exact size and shape of the old sink. If you do find that there is a size difference, you can use a saw to cut the countertop to fit.
Before we get started, you’re going to need some basic tools:
- saw (as mentioned above)
- pipe wrenches (appropriately sized for your pipes)
- screwdriver
- crowbar
- power sander or sandpaper
- pliers
- empty bucket
- silicone caulk
- plumber’s putty
- caulk
- clamps
- gloves
Turn off the water supply to the sink before proceeding any further.
Once you’ve got all of your tools organized, you’re ready to get started. Before you begin however, re-measure everything to make sure that the new sink will fit. If you still need to remove the old sink, first you will need to use your wrench to loosen the p-trap. That’s the U shaped pipe under the sink that connects the plumbing to the drain. It’s a good idea to completely remove everything under the sink to ensure that you have enough space to work and that nothing gets ruined. Place your empty bucket under the p-trap to catch any excess water.
Your old sink was most likely installed with putty or adhesive of some sort. Use your crowbar to carefully remove the sink from the counter. Lift it out and place it aside. You may need to get some help since sinks are a bit heavy. Sand any rough areas that are around the hole where the sink used to be. If you are keeping your old faucet and it’s not attached directly to the sink, re-silicone it to make sure you won’t have any leaks. If you’re replacing it, remove the old one by loosening the fittings under the counter with your pipe wrench.
You’re now ready to move to the next step. Unpack your new sink. Place plumber’s putty around the edges of the hole where the sink will go. Lift up the new sink and carefully place it into the hole. Make sure it is completely lined up and fits well before proceeding. Now, clamp it down and give it enough time to dry. If any putty squeezes out, use a damp cloth to wipe it away. Attach your new faucet, or re-attach the old one and caulk around the area. It is also a good idea to caulk around the outside edges of the sink. When it’s dry, you can sand it down to make it look better. Reconnect the p-trap and you’re all done!
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May 19th, 2008 — Garbage Disposal, Handy Man, Kitchen, Replace, Sink
If your old garbage disposal is getting worn down, or simply making too much noise, it’s actually quite easy to replace it. We’ll show you how, step by step, to put in a brand new and more energy efficient disposal. Before we get started, make sure that you have all the tools you’ll need for the project.
We recommend:
- A pipe wrench (if you have metal pipes)
- A regular wrench (sized appropriately for your pipes)
- Screwdrivers (both Phillips and Flathead)
- An empty bucket
First, you’re going to need to disconnect the electricity to the disposal. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking it’s safe if it’s turned off, but this is incredibly dangerous. Locate the appropriate circuit and flip the switch to turn off the power to this fixture. If you cannot find that, you can always trip the main breaker to be safe, but you’ll need to have a battery operated light.
Now, you’ll need to clean out the area under your sink to make sure you have plenty of room to work. After this is done, start loosening the drain pipe. If it’s a metal pipe, you may need to crank on it a bit to get it loose, especially if it is corroded. If it is a PVC pipe, you should be able to loosen it by hand. If not gently use a wrench to loosen it. Please make sure that you do not warp the PVC pipe. If you do, you will not be able to reconnect it. Grab that empty bucket to catch any water that may be left in the p-trap. That’s the U shaped pipe if you’re not familiar with it.
It’s now time to remove the old disposal. There are several different kinds and each one may require a different technique. We’ll provide general instructions, but if you happen to have your old manual around, it’s a good idea to consult it before going further. There should be three loops of metal located at the top of the old disposal. Take your flathead screwdriver and place it through the first loop. Turn it slowly in a counterclockwise direction.
IMPORTANT: disposals can be very heavy and it only takes about a three quarter turn to loosen it. Be cautious and slowly loosen that loop so that the unit does not suddenly drop on top of you.
Now, remove the old strainer that is located between where the unit used to be and the sink. There should be a “snap rink” on that strainer. You can use your flathead screwdriver once again to pry that off. Now, you should be able to remove any gaskets or secondary strainers. Remember, if it won’t come free easily, it’s most likely corroded. Wiggle it back and forth to free it. You may need to use WD40 if this doesn’t work.
Once the old unit has been removed, place it aside and unpack your new unit. The process for installation is the exact reverse of what you just did. Make sure you follow the instructions provided with the new unit, just in case.
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