Handy Man Fix Home Repair

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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If you are interested in do-it-yourself home repair, it’s easy to think that you can tackle any project. However, thousands of dollars and a few trips to the emergency room later can make you rethink that position. If you are considering renovating your home, remodeling a room or changing anything major, it is vital to make sure that you have the skills, techniques and knowledge to tackle the chore before you begin. It is much cheaper to have a professional do the job from start to finish than it is to have them fix whatever you may have messed up.

Here’s an easy guide to help you determine whether or not calling a pro is the best answer.

1. The project will entail electrical rewiring.

Unless you have experience dealing with rewiring, this a job that is absolutely best left to professionals. Home electrical systems are very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing and serious if not fatal injury can occur. This also applies if you are tackling a project that may entail removing wiring, knocking down a wall where wiring may be present or installing a pool or hot tub. Do what you can up to a point, but when it comes to handling the wiring, call a professional.

2. You need to fix your roof and your house is two or more stories.

While fixing a roof on a single story can be dangerous, the danger is multiplied the higher you go. If you have never been on a roof before, now is not the time to see if you are good at it. Roofing is another task that is best left to pros, especially if you have no experience with walking on a slanted roof, dealing with heights and carrying supplies up and down a ladder. While most amateurs can easily clean out their eaves or fix a small leak on a one-story house, any higher than that is not recommended.

3. The project requires concrete.

Too many homeowners end up with unusable driveways, dangerous pathways and repair bills that are through the roof. If you are planning a project that requires more than just Quikrete, it is best to have a professional handle it for you. While you can pour your own foundation or redo your driveway, if you have never done anything like that before, it is not recommended to try it on your own.

4. The project requires a special skill that you do not have.

It is important to be honest with yourself when it comes to skills. Yes, you can follow instructions out of a book, but there is a chance that something can go wrong. Don’t let pride or ego ruin your home. If you don’t think you can do it – don’t. If you only think you can because of an inflated ego – don’t. Take the time to learn the skill from a professional before you end up in way over your head.

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While crown molding doesn’t serve any real purpose, it still looks nice and can add value to your home. However, over time, crown molding can become cracked, pieces may fall away or it may just start to look a little old. Luckily, this is a pretty easy fix and it is also very easy to install brand new crown molding. Whether you want to change the look of a room or fix a problem, let’s get started with fixing and replacing crown molding.

If you will be replacing your molding, you’ll need to decide how large you want to go. If your ceilings are a bit low, thick crown molding can make the room seem smaller. However, the right kind of decorative crown molding that is narrow will draw the eye upwards and make the room seem larger. It’s best to get a few samples and see which one you like best when you get them up on your walls.

Crown molding will usually come in either white, wood stain or unfinished. You’ll have to decide which look will fit your home best. If you are only replacing one room’s molding, you’ll want to try to match the new molding to the rest of the house as closely as possible. If you can’t find a close match, get unfinished molding so that you can stain it to match.

You’ll need to start by ripping out the old molding, whether you are fixing or replacing. This will require a ladder, a hammer and some gloves. You may also need a chisel to help get behind the molding if the hammer won’t do it. Make sure you are safely on the ladder and start on one end of the room. If you’re completely replacing the molding, it won’t matter if you crack the pieces when you’re taking them off. Otherwise, you’ll want to be very careful on this step.

Most crown molding is installed using simple carpentry nails and it will not be hard to remove. Place your hammer or chisel behind the molding, pulling it away from the wall a little bit and use this to lever the molding off of the wall. Keep an eye out for any nails that come free so that no one will step on them later.

If you’re fixing one piece, you’ll need to take down the entire length of molding for that wall. While it is possible to cut away the broken part, this rarely looks nice once you’re done. Remove the whole strip of molding and measure it twice. Now, get your new strip of molding and make sure that it is sized properly. If necessary, cut it to fit. You’ll need to get some new nails to complete your replacement or your repair.

Get back up on the ladder and start with one end once again. You’ll need to make sure that it is completely level before you start nailing. If necessary, have a friend hold the molding for you so that your hands are free for hammering. After putting in the nails, you’ll be all done!

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Broken or loose stairs are not only unsightly, but they can also be incredibly dangerous. Repairing stairs doesn’t have to be difficult and unless they need a total replacement, you should be able to take care of it with just some basic tools.

To get started, you’ll need to have some nails, screws, a ladder, a hammer, screwdrivers, and a level. It is vital to make sure that your repairs are sound and a level is a very essential tool for this.

For a creaky stair or one that is a little lose, you’ll need to head into the well of the stairway. From there, you will be able to pinpoint the exact problem. Grab your ladder and locate the stair that is causing the problem. There should be a bracket with some screws under each step. Try tightening these screws to see if that doesn’t fix the problem. While you’re there, it’s also a good idea to go through all of the brackets to make sure that they are secure.

Nine times out of ten, this will fix your stair problem and it takes only a few minutes to complete. But what if there is a more serious problem at work? In this situation, the wood of the stair may actually be degraded. If you have carpeting, you’ll need to pull it up to take care of this issue. It’s best to start at the bottom and take up the carpet over each step. It’s a little labor intensive, but your only other option is to cut out the area of carpet over the problem step and this only leads to further repair issues.

Once you have the carpet removed and the backing, you’ll be able to see what you are working with. Remember that your safety needs to come first. Avoid walking on any steps that are structurally damaged. Locate the area of wood that needs to be replaced. Most modern steps will be made with a flat board that is secured on top of the sides. You may need to go back into the well to remove the bracket, of if the wood is just nailed on top of the side boards, you can simply remove it.

Now, you’ll need to replace that board. It’s best to do a complete replacement of a bad step, instead of just placing a shim in there. Once you have the wood completely out, measure it and cut a brand new step. You’ll need to make sure that your measurements are exact and that the wood you are using will hold up to daily traffic. Never skimp on quality when you are dealing with steps.

Go back and replace the new board, making sure that it is completely secure and attached. Now, you’ll need to replace the carpet again, but your reward will be a staircase that is no longer dangerous, noisy or falling down. If you have a serious issue with your stairs, it may be best to call a professional, especially if the entire structure is starting to show signs of wood rot or complete disintegration.

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When it’s time to add a new look to your home’s walls, you usually have two choices – paint or wallpaper. This can be pretty depressing, but the good news is there are a lot of new paints and textures you can try to make your home look much more interesting. There are a few guidelines to remember however, as well as some tips that will make the choice a lot easier. Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of both.

Wallpaper

With today’s new peel and remove wallpaper, the old days of standing with a steamer and a scraper for days are pretty much over. If you haven’t looked at wallpaper in the past few years, take the time to rediscover it. There are so many new textures and options that wallpaper has become fun again.

The main problem with wallpaper however is that it tends to look dated. It’s really easy to go with a trendy color or pattern and then end up hating it in just a few years. While it’s easier than ever to remove, it’s still a lot of work that can be avoided with the right selections. Pick colors that you know you’re going to like for a long time and avoid the trendy trap. Go with classical textures and patterns, or stick with a solid that will wear for a lot longer.

When it comes to borders, they are pretty much done, unless you’re working on a child’s room. If you plan to sell your home, borders can really throw a buyer off and they just aren’t current enough to warrant the time and money it takes to install them. If you must have a border, go with one in a very timeless pattern that won’t look dated or chintzy.

Paint

Painting your home’s interior has become a lot easier thanks to better paints, and a whole lot more tools. There are new rollers and sprayers that will get the job done in half the time and produce much more professional results. The newer paints also have a lot less odor and you won’t have to worry about passing out on a ladder thanks to the fumes. Low or No VOC paint (Volatile Organic Compound) has little or no volatile organic compounds. VOC’s are known carcinogens and cause most of the paint fume smells.

When it comes to picking paint, go with one that is rated for your type of room. That sounds pretty elementary, but many people make the mistake of choosing the wrong kind of paint. Go with a medium gloss finish for walls, and leave the ultra gloss for the trim. Matte tends to look dull and dirty after awhile, so it really is best to have a medium gloss for most walls.

Accent walls are pretty tired now when it comes to design, so if you’re going to have one, use a paint color that is timeless and avoid the bright and bold colors. Again, if you’re planning on selling your home, it’s best to stick with colors that will not turn off your buyers.

As for texture painting – it’s done, dated and completely over. Don’t waste your time.

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If your house is equipped with gutters and you can’t remember the last time they were cleaned, it’s best to get proactive and do it yourself. While there are services that can come do this for you, it’s actually quite easy and just about anyone can do it safely. Before you get started, you’ll need to have a couple of tools to get the job done.

They include:

• A ladder that can easily reach your roof gutters
• A hose hooked up to a water supply
• A long pole (a broom handle will work if you don’t have anything else to use.)

First, you’re going to need to determine how bad the clutter in your gutters is. If you don’t live near any trees, you’ll most likely be dealing with some built up grime and various bits of debris. If you do have trees in your yard, chances are that your gutters are packed with leaves as well as dirt. It’s a good idea to clean your gutters every year, once all of your trees have shed their leaves, but if you find that yours don’t get that dirty you may be able to get away with every two years.

Before you actually start cleaning your gutters, let’s talk about why it is so important to keep them clean. Over time, you’re going to get quite a lot of debris in there. Your gutters serve to catch rainwater and divert it away from your house. If your gutters are clogged, you’re going to have to deal with some leaks along the gutter system, or you may notice that water is collecting around the base of your home. This is very bad for your foundation and can lead to rot, cracking and other dangerous problems with your foundation. It’s a lot easier just to take the time once a year to keep them clean.

Ok, now, let’s get started. Get your ladder and put it up against the house so you can easily reach the gutter without stretching. If your ladder is too short, you’re increasing your chances of injuring yourself, so stick with one that is big enough to do the job. Now, you’ll be able to see what you’re dealing with in there. If there are a lot of leaves, you can use your long pole to loosen them, but you’ll probably have to resort to good old fashioned hand scooping at some point. If you have just a lot of dirt, you can use your hose to spray the inside of your gutter clean.

Once you’ve removed all the debris in the area you can reach, you’ll need to move your ladder down a few feet and keep repeating the process until all of your gutters are cleaned out. That wasn’t so hard, was it? Remember, try to clean your gutters out every year to avoid dealing with runoff problems. Since it’s so easy, it’s no big deal to keep them spic and span.

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