November 15th, 2008 — Ceramic, Handy Man, Repair, Replace, Roof, Safety, Tile
Out of all the roofing materials you can use, ceramic tile is by far the nicest looking. Unfortunately, it’s also very easily damaged and requires quite a bit of upkeep. For many homeowners however, this is a price they’re willing to pay, given that the final product is so beautiful. If you’ve got a ceramic roof that needs a little attention, we’ll show you how to save money by fixing it yourself.
Before you get started, you’re going to need some tools. You’ll need:
- a ladder that is tall (and safe) enough to reach your roof
- replacement
- tiles
- silicone
- caulk
- gloves
- measuring tape
It’s actually quite easy to fix these tiles, but you’re going to need to remember that your safety comes first before getting up on your own roof. If you have never gotten up there before, you may want to consider hiring a professional. However, if heights don’t bother you and your roof doesn’t have a funny pitch, you should be safe. Many people prefer to use a tethering system that will catch them if they slip. This is available at most hardware stores and is well worth the money.
Now, you’re ready to get started. You’re going to need your replacement tiles and they may be quite heavy. If you’ve got quite a few that need to be replaced, it’s best to take them up in small batches rather than risk breaking some on the way up. Sure, it takes a bit longer and making 100 trips can be frustrating, but it’s better than having to run out and find more tile. Whenever you get a new ceramic tile roof, we always recommend keeping a few replacement tiles around the house. You’ll have the exact brand and color if you need to get more and it’s a lot easier when you have them all ready to go.
Once you have your replacement tiles up on the roof, you’re ready to get started. First, remove the old and broken tiles. You’ll notice that on the back of each tile, there should be a copper wire hanger. By far, ceramic tiles are the easiest to replace, which is a good thing considering how easily they are damaged. Most roofers prefer to work with a wire that is bent into either a “Z” or an “L” to ensure that it will hang properly.
Remove that old tile and place it aside. Get your new tile and make sure that the wire is properly shaped. If your tile doesn’t have copper wire hangers, you can buy some new wires to attach to the back. Take your silicone and place one bead between the hanger and the tile to make sure it will stick. You can also add caulk if you need a little more rigidity.
Slide the tile into place on the roof, catching the hanger so that it will remain attached to the other tiles. Repeat the same process with any other broken tiles and you’re done!
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November 6th, 2008 — Replace, Screen, Windows
Windows screens may look tough, but many times they are all too fragile. One small tear can mean a house filled with bugs, but thankfully, it’s easy enough to fix them if you have the right tools. Here’s a quick guide to replacing and repairing window screens that anyone can use. Before you get started, you’ll need to get a roll of screening material, or several, depending on the size of the project, as well as stripping, and a screening material tool. These materials can be purchased at most local hardware stores.
It is a good idea to measure your windows before you purchase the screening material to ensure that you are getting the right size. Most rolls of material are pretty standard in size, but if you have very large windows, you may need to custom order screens. The vast majority of windows can be fixed with this material however, and the rolls are usually inexpensive.
You’ll have a choice between fabric material as well as metal. If you have a problem with cats or other small animals hanging off of your screens, you may want to think about metal screening material. Be advised however that it can rust, and it is more difficult to work with. A good durable fabric can usually withstand most animals and will be much easier to install.
Now that you have all of your materials on hand, you’re ready to get started.
Step One –
Remove the screen from the window. Your screen will be in a small frame that can be lifted out of the whole window. Do this gently to avoid warping the frame. Most can be easily taken out, but if you have an older home, you may need to use a small screwdriver to pry the screen out.
Step Two –
Remove the old screening material. If you look closely at the screen frame, you should see some stripping that is holding the material in place. Find the end and gently pull the stripping out of the frame. If you don’t have new stripping, you’ll need to make sure that you keep the original intact. Once the stripping has been removed, simply pull the screen out and throw it away.
Step Three –
Cut the new material to fit. Take your roll of new screening material and roll it out over the screen frame. Leave a few inches on each side of the frame to ensure that you have enough material to work with and then cut off the material.
Step Four –
Center the material and install the stripping. Center your screening material over the frame, pick a corner and begin the process of putting the stripping back in. Tamp it down in one corner, and then use your screening tool to gently push the stripping back into the frame. Keep pulling the material tight as you do this to ensure a good fit. Once you go around all four corners, cut off any existing stripping and tuck the end in well.
Your screen is now ready to reinstall!
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June 5th, 2008 — Bathroom, Drain, Fix, Handy Man, Shower
If your showers are starting to feel more like a bath, thanks to the amount of standing water you have in your tub, it’s definitely time to address some clogs. Bathtubs and showers have to deal with a lot of hair on a daily basis and it doesn’t take much for a clog to appear. Even with the best maintenance, chances are you’ll have to fight one or two every year.
There are a lot of different methods for cleaning a clogged drain, and we’ll cover the ones that are most effective. However, since using drain cleaners is not only bad for the environment, but also for your health, we won’t be covering that method. It is possible to end up with drain cleaner coming back up into your shower and the health risks from breathing the fumes are injurious to the health of your whole family. There are plenty of other easy ways to clean a clog that don’t involve harmful chemicals.
Now, before we get started, you’re going to need a few tools. We recommend:
- a screwdriver
- a pair of pliers
- a coat hanger
- a plumber’s snake (for serious leaks - they’re available at most hardware stores)
- some gloves (if you don’t want to get slimy)
First, you’re going to have to remove the top part of your shower drain. Most are screwed in, so gently loosen that screw with the appropriate type of screwdriver. You’re not going to want to crank on this since you can damage your tub. If it won’t budge, try a little WD40 if necessary.
Once this top part is off you should be able to get a better idea of the kind of clog you’re dealing with. Most clogs will be in this part of the drain, so you can simply pick the hair out until the area is cleaned up. If you don’t see much hair or anything else clogging this area, you’re going to have to go a little bit further. Most modern drains have a pattern inside that is made of hard plastic, so you can’t exactly go sticking your hand down there. We don’t recommend prying this part out since you can permanently damage your tub.
Unwrap that coat hanger and try feeding it gently down the drain. Probe around until you feel like you’ve hit the clog. You can try to pull it back up towards you or push it down further until it reaches a larger area of the pipe where it can be flushed away. For serious clogs we really recommend a plumber’s snake since they are easier to use than a coat hanger. Get rid of the clog and then put the drain back together again and you’re set.
If you have frequent clogs there’s an easy little recipe that you can use to make safe drain cleaner. Get some baking soda and put it down the drain. Then, grab some white vinegar and pour it in. The chemical reaction will clean out the pipe and keep it clean for you. You can do this once a month as a preventative. After you use the mixture, run some hot water down the drain to flush away any excess power.
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