November 20th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Curb Appeal, Handy Man, Outside, Refresh, Stucco, Walls
When it comes to exteriors for your home, stucco is one of the best to have. It’s insulating, easy to take care of and compared to other materials, very cost effective. However, after a few months in some areas or years, it can tend to look a bit dingy. Here are some tips to help keep your stucco looking fresh for many years to come.
1. Keep it clean.
Stucco’s bumpy nature means that it’s going to collect dirt and not uniformly. If you live in an area where there is a lot of wind, it can be even worse. It’s a good idea to powerwash your stucco at least once a year, and more often if necessary. A good wash can make your stucco look brand new, especially if it’s white.
2. Whitewash if necessary.
This is an old technique that dates back hundreds of years. In fact, there are entire villages in Europe that grind to a halt for a week out of the year so that everyone can whitewash their homes. If you’ve got a white stucco house you can give it a quick and cheap facelift with a whitewash. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s basically watered down white paint that is used to refresh a surface every year. You may not need to whitewash your stucco every year, but it does give it a nice look if you do.
3. Pick a color that will wear well.
While you may like a dark color for your home, this may not be a good choice when you’re dealing with stucco. There’s a reason that so many stucco homes are white or light colored. This material is subject to a lot of abuse and it will show up pretty easily if you’re using a dark color. If you live where there is a lot of sand or blowing dirt the problem can be even worse. It’s best to pick a light color that will not fade as quickly and can be easily refreshed whenever necessary.
4. Watch out for holes.
As stucco ages, it can be apt to crack. You’ll need to keep an eye on your home, especially if it is already quite old. Luckily, cracked stucco is easy enough to fix and it won’t be very serious. However, you’ll need to make sure that the damage is only exterior and not structural before you get to patching the area.
5. Don’t put off repainting.
Stucco will need to be repainted every so often, and it’s best not to let it get out of hand. Check for spots of wear and address the issue right away so that your home doesn’t start to look rundown.
With proper care, stucco can last for several years and even though it does have some downsides, it’s still pretty easy to take care of. The key is stopping problems before they get out of hand. A simple preventative whitewash every year can help you cut down on a lot of issues.
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September 29th, 2008 — Clean, Doors, Handy Man, Refresh, Repair, Replace
Interior doors are usually not made of the best materials, and even the nicest homes may have simple hollow core doors. Since these doors are in high use areas, they can frequently have issues, such as hinge wear, and even in many cases, holes where something fell against it. If your interior doors have seen better days, it’s time to get cracking and get them fixed.
First, let’s tackle the issue of hinges. It is a good idea to inspect all interior door hinges every year. Try picking a holiday like Memorial or Labor Day to make it easy to remember. They should be properly oiled during this time and you should check to make sure that all of the screws are present, tightened and that the hinges are not coming apart.
If you notice a few hinges that are loose, you’ll need to get an appropriate screwdriver and tighten them in. It may be necessary to get some help to make sure that this is done properly. Have a friend or family member push the door up and in until the hinge is flush with the wall. Tighten the screw and then ask them to release the door. This is the easiest way to make sure that a hinge is properly tightened.
For high traffic areas, wood stress is very common, especially in older homes. This occurs when a door is opened to swiftly or too hard, and over time, the wood starts to give way. After awhile, the hinge no longer has a strong anchor and it may come loose. You may need to rehang a door, especially if the wood is severely damaged. For a quick fix, insert a shim that is thicker than the screws for the hinge. You’ll need to attach this to the area where the wood is rotting, and then attach the hinge to the shim. It may be necessary to cut into the door jam to get the shim and the hinge to sit flush.
For interior doors that are starting to show signs of wear and tear, a good cleaning is essential. Start with Murphy’s Oil or a similar wood cleaning product and carefully scrub away any dirt and grime that is present. If the wood is not too old, the soap and oil should restore the former shine. You can also take some olive oil on a rag to restore wooden doors.
However, if this does not help, you will need to take the door down, sand it down completely and either paint it or re-stain it. This doesn’t take too long, and can really bring a lot of life back to an old door.
For interior doors with holes or cracking, the best solution is a replacement. The integrity of the door has been compromised, and there is no point in patching it up. When you purchase a new interior door, consider getting one that has a solid core. Although they are more expensive, they will usually last much longer, especially in high traffic areas.
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September 27th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Create, Handy Man, Project, Yard, concrete
If you need a safe way to keep Fido contained in your yard, or you are sick of having them dig up everything in sight, installing a dog kennel is a great solution. While you can buy one at a store, these are often either too short for large dogs, or simply too small in size for the average dog. Building your own dog kennel is not difficult and you’ll be able to install it where you want it in your yard, so that it becomes a fixture, not an eye sore. A nice dog kennel can even add to the value of your home, especially if you take the time to do it right. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Level an area.
Find an area where you will be putting the dog kennel and mark off the distance. Once you have an idea of how large it will be, you can start leveling this area off. This is important to ensure good drainage and to keep the concrete you will be pouring later from cracking. If necessary, rent some tools that will help you completely flatten out the site to be on the safe side.
2. Pour your concrete.
Once the site is level, you can pour concrete to give you a solid base for your dog kennel. While you can use just regular ground, there is the chance that the dog will be able to dig out from the kennel, and it can be harder to keep clean. A concrete surface can simply be sprayed with a hose to clean it regularly and your dog won’t have as many opportunities for escape.
3. Plant your posts.
You should have metal posts that are at least three feet longer than you want your kennel to be tall. These will need to be buried deep in the ground, and you may want to consider adding concrete to the holes for greater stability. This will provide you with a very sturdy kennel that will not be at risk for blowing over or falling down. Space your posts about six feet a part, or four if necessary.
4. Purchase and install fencing material.
Red Brand fencing works very well for dog kennels, since it is durable enough to withstand even the roughest dogs, but light weight enough to make it easy to install. Look for either chain link fence, or a small square wire fencing material. This will usually come in a roll that you can unwind, and attach to your posts.
5. Attach the fencing material.
This should be done with high quality ties that will be able to hold up to the elements and your dog. The ties should be placed around each post, and you’ll need at least three for each post. Err on the side of caution and use more if you are dealing with a dog that is a known escape artist. You can use this same material to create your gate and you’re all set with a new dog kennel.
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July 28th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Clean, Flooring, Grout, Handy Man, Low Budget, Refresh
Tile floors can be gorgeous and they are great in climates where it gets a little hot. However, the one main downside of tile floors is that the grout can get pretty yucky after a few years. No amount of scrubbing can return it to its previously pristine state and after awhile, it can make the whole floor look badly. There are a few tricks that you can use to make that grout look a lot better, and thankfully, they are all pretty easy.
One of the best ways to get rid of yucky colored grout is to stain it.
If you go to your hardware store, you should find several different types of grout stain available. The colors range from different shades of white to colors that will blend in with your tile. If you have a tile flour in a high traffic area, it is best to try to match the grout to the color of the tile. This will give you several more years of wear and it will not look so run down.
Once you pick your stain, you’ll need to prep the grout before you get started. We recommend inspecting each tile square and looking for any holes or divots that may be present in the grout. If you find any, patch them up and let them dry before proceeding. This will help extend the life of your grout and the stain will look a lot better.
Different grout stains will have different directions, and it is important to make sure that you follow them to the letter. However, there are some general guidelines that can help make the application process a lot easier. After you’ve fixed any grout that needed repairs, completely clean the floor. Little bits of dust and grit will make the stain appear uneven and it is vital to really polish that floor until it shines. We recommend getting a soft cloth and buffing each tile area before you apply the stain for the best results.
Once the floor is completely clean, you’ll be ready to get started. Since you’ll be kneeling for this process, it’s a good idea to have a mat or some kneepads to take the stress off your knees. You’ll need to find a paint brush that is sized correctly for your grout. If in doubt, go a bit smaller to avoid getting the stain on the tile. Empty out a little of the stain into another container to make it easier to get to.
Start brushing the stain on using even strokes. If you overlap a little, use that soft cloth to wipe away any excess before continuing. Make sure that you don’t smear the stain as you move to the next few squares. This is a time consuming process, but it is well worth it. To speed up the drying time, you can put a large fan on the floor. If necessary, you can use more than one coat until the stain reaches your desired color.
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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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