November 18th, 2008 — Doors, Handy Man, Install, Replace, Safety, locks
If you need to install new locks on your doors, there’s no need to call in a locksmith if you’ve got some basic DIY experience and you’re pretty handy. Today’s locks make it very easy to change them out and you won’t need many tools to get the job done. You will need:
- a screwdriver
- hammer
- chisel
- sandpaper
- drill
- in some cases, some adhesive.
Let’s get started! First, you’ll need to remove the old lock system. If it’s corroded, this can be pretty tough. If you can’t get it to come out of the door, try some WD40 to loosen it up. You may have to crank on those screws, but make sure that you don’t strip the heads or you’ll have a terrible time trying to get the lock out. Completely remove the lock mechanism and the plate that goes over the jamb.
Now, you’re going to need to measure the receptacle for the lock in your door jamb. If you’re using a similar lock, there shouldn’t be a problem in getting the tongue of the lock to fit into your door jamb. However, in some cases, you may need to widen the area. If the size difference is minimal, sandpaper will usually work to help create a better fit. If there is a big difference, slowly and carefully use your hammer and chisel to widen the area gradually. Don’t get too carried away or you’ll damage your door.
Once you’re sure that the tongue of your new lock will fit into the door jamb, you’re ready to get started. Separate the new lock into two pieces and insert the locking side first. Your door should already be sized to accept it. If not, you’ll need to change the shape of the hole with either sandpaper or a special saw. If you’re not comfortable with wood work, you’ll need to get someone else to widen this hole for you.
Attach the locking side to the door, making sure that it will line up perfectly with the second half before finishing. Now, get the second half of the lock and put it on the outside of the door. Place the two sides together and finish attaching them. Most new locks will come with instructions on how to accomplish this, so make sure you save them.
After this is done, you can install the new jamb plate and test the lock. It’s best to do this from the inside so you don’t get locked out if something goes wrong. We recommend fully testing the lock and the keys before you install it to cut down on any problems. It’s well worth the extra effort and you’ll keep from getting locked out. Although most prepackaged lock sets should be perfectly calibrated, there is always a chance that something might be a little off. Test it beforehand and you’ll have smooth sailing all the way. Make a copy of the key to put in a safe place and go relax - you just installed a new lock successfully!
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November 10th, 2008 — Handy Man, Light Fixtures, Outside, electrical system
Exterior lighting can add immediate value to your home, but there is often a lot of confusion as to how it should be added and whether or not you’ll need the help of a professional to get the job done. Whether you have questions about placement of your exterior lights or the actual installation process, these tips will help you get started.
1. Selecting the Lights.
This process should involve not only considering your actual budget for the lights themselves, but also the cost of installation. If you are working on a low budget, solar lights are an ideal solution. They can simply be driven into the ground, and will not require the help of an electrician. These are also quite suitable for those that need a fast exterior lighting solution or for those that do not have a lot of experience in DIY.
On the other hand, if you are interested in a complex lighting system and don’t mind having to pay an electrician, electric lights may be the better choice. We don’t recommend installing these on your own, unless you have experience with wiring. Deadly accidents are common when you mix a lack of knowledge with live electricity.
2. Planning Your Exterior Lighting Placement.
If you need to highlight certain areas of your yard, then most of your work has already been done for you here. You can simply place your lights where they are needed and call it good. However, if you have a larger design scheme in mind, or you are trying to improve the way that your house looks at night, you may want to think a little more carefully about their placement.
We recommend putting the lights into position, but not actually installing them before you make up your mind. You can get a better idea of how they will look, and you won’t have to go to the expense of moving and/or rewiring them if you don’t like the finished results. Take your time when figuring out your exterior lighting placement. It will help you save time over the long run.
3. Installation.
Once you have your lights picked out and you’ve decided where they will go, it’s time to start the actual installation process. As we mentioned earlier, if you are dealing with solar powered lights, this should be quite easy. Most will come equipped with stakes that will allow you to put the lights anywhere in your yard. Make sure that they are driven deep enough and that the solar charger will have access to enough light during the day to provide illumination at night.
For electrical lights, you will need to run wiring from a connect point to each individual light. This is one of the main reasons that hiring a professional is just easier. You won’t have to worry about digging and they will be able to get the job done safely and quickly. If you have experience, you can try it on your own, but don’t forget to shut off the main power before you begin.
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October 24th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man
When it comes to home repair, one of the most trusted names has to be the Stanley Company. They make what many consider to be the best tools, and when you see that yellow and black label, you immediately know you can count on it. This branding has served them well for years, and when I came across the book, with the usual yellow and black color scheme, I knew it had to be pretty good.
While the book is not exactly reader friendly in spots, you can tell just by looking at the table of contents that it’s meant to serve a purpose. Much like their tools, this book from Stanley will get the job done. The first two chapters cover basic tools and power tools, offering even the newest newbie a complete look at everything they need to get started. You can take the book with you when you’re shopping for tools, to make it easier to figure out exactly what you need.
Part two delves into hardware, finishing and materials, covering everything from plywood to hinges. Part three however is where it gets good. This is literally the bible of home repair and covers every kind of project imaginable. No matter what you have planned to do to your home, chances are you’ll be able to find the information you need right here.
From staining your floors, to repairing foundations to figuring out how to free a stuck window sash cord, it’s all right there. This interior section is worth the cost of the book itself, but section four gets even better and takes you outside your home with even more great projects. In fact, after reading through the book, you may just find yourself completely inspired to redo your home.
Parts five and six are worth their weight in gold and cover home systems and safety tips that every DIY’er should know. The last section in the book is your homeowner’s inspection sheet that takes you through everything in your house, helping you spot errors and learning what needs to be fixed. Even mold, radon and lead are covered, as well as many other hidden things that lurk within homes undetected for years.
Whether you are intrepid do-it-yourselfer, just getting started, or simply trying to find a way to save money by fixing things on your own, buy this book. It’s the easiest way to get everything you need to know about home repair, all in one place. There are few books this exhaustive or this thorough and even though it may not be light reading, it’s material that you know will work.
This is a great housewarming gift and it’s perfect for anyone that’s considering becoming a weekend warrior. Before you pick up a drill, take the time to get the book and start flipping through. You’ll come away with everything you need to know about home repair, and then some.
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October 6th, 2008 — Handy Man, Walls
Whether you’re hanging a picture or thinking about adding a door, finding hidden wall studs is no easy task. There is of course the method of thumping on the wall, but this is not very accurate and there is a lot of room for error. If you’re dealing with a big improvement project, you’ve got to know how to easily find hidden wall studs with a great percentage of accuracy. So, let’s get started on two easy ways to get this done.
1. Purchase a stud finder.
Even if you only use it occasionally, a stud finder will pay for itself with just one use. These can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store and are usually priced at less than $100. Today’s models use a variety of different electronic techniques to help locate hidden studs and will provide you with an exact position for any stud in any wall.
When you can’t afford to be wrong by a few inches, this is probably the best solution. They are a little expensive, but you’ll be saving money by using the proper position for hanging pictures, cutting in a door way or avoiding electrical wires. For those that are interested in DIY but don’t have a lot of experience, this is a vital piece of equipment that is well worth the money.
2. This next method is one used by a lot of people, but it does require a little bit of effort.
If you have plaster walls, you can locate studs simply by putting a nail in the wall every few inches by the baseboard. When you run into the stud, you won’t be able to just push the nail in. While this is a pretty accurate method for locating studs, not many people want to put a dozen holes in the walls while they try.
If you simply do not want to purchase a stud finder, this is an easy but destructive alternative. We do not recommend trying this technique in walls where this is electrical wiring, simply because it is all to easy to stick your nail in the wrong spot.
3. Here’s an old fashioned method that gets the job done when you’re in a pinch.
Grab a flashlight and dim the lights in the room. Now, hold the flashlight sideways on the wall, so that the beam is illuminating the entire section of wall. Look carefully in the wall for any signs that framing nails may have been used. You should be able to see some dents or depressions where this occurred.
This method is incredibly time consuming and may not be accurate. For example, the dent you think is from a framing nail may just be an old dent in the wall. When you need accuracy, the single best solution is a stud finder. You can always look for them during special sales if you’re trying to save money. However, it is money well spent, at least in this situation.
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