November 10th, 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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October 21st, 2008 — Handy Man, Maintain, pipes, plumbing
If your home, apartment or some other building is suddenly experiencing a water leak, then repairing the fixtures, the faucets and the pipes can become extremely urgent in no time at all. You may be able to do some of the repair work yourself, but in most cases it is much more wise a decision simply to bring in Joe the Plumber. Joe the Plumber is your average home plumber, willing to come right to your home or business to tackle a plumbing problem that is deemed to be beyond your capabilities as a home handyman or woman.
If you discover that there is a leak, the first thing that you should do is to shut your water off while you wait for Joe the plumber to arrive. This will prevent any further water damage from occurring just in case hiring a plumber takes a little bit longer than you initially anticipated. The quickest way that you can stop water from leaking from your pipes is to go to the main valve and shut the water supply off there. Then you can go to one of the lowest points in the home or office building and open up a faucet, allowing the remaining water to drain out of the faucet based on gravity, which will significantly minimize the water escaping through the leak until Joe the plumber can arrive.
When Joe the Plumber does arrive, ask him or her how recurring problems can be prevented or avoided in the future. Most plumbers will charge an hourly rate for their service, along with any and all necessary parts costs. You can expect to pay somewhat more money for calls at night or during the weekend. Even at these rates, it is smart to consult with your plumber about repairs and parts options, as well as how future problems can be kept from reoccurring. The more you can learn about the intricacies of your home or office plumbing, the more likely you will be able to solve the problem your own self the next time.
When you decide that you need to hire a plumber, it is definitely going to be most reasonable to hire someone who is reputable and licensed. You should also try to appraise hourly rates beforehand, choosing a plumber that has an hourly rate that agrees with your budget. For example, some plumbers have lower rates on an hourly basis but charge for things like driving time, and others have a higher rate for hourly work, but the clock only starts when they arrive at the scene of the crime. Make your decision based on the rate you feel most comfortable paying, and do not be afraid to have a Joe the plumber on hand so that you can get the help that you need when you need it. Make sure that your plumber is validly licensed in your state if it is required, and keep their phone number of hand so that if a plumbing emergency occurs, you can do something about it.
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August 22nd, 2008 — Book Review
If you’ve always wanted to be able to handle the various plumbing projects that pop up around your house, this is a book that is a definite must have. Plumbers can be expensive, and in an emergency, they may not be easy to reach. Once you’ve read this book, you can feel confident that you’ll be able to handle anything your plumbing tries to throw at you.
We really appreciated the fact that the book only covers techniques that are code compliant. If you are fixing up your own house to sell, it is vital that you can pass a home inspection. When you’re using this book as your guide, you won’t have to worry that you are using techniques or materials that may not be acceptable. If you follow the advice to the letter and use the recommended products, you won’t have any problem facing any inspection. Even if you’re not going to sell your home, you still need to use code as your guide to doing things the right way and this book will help you get there.
Anything that has anything to do with plumbing is covered in these 288 pages. There are numerous illustrations that will show you how to do everything from changing out a simple washer to complex and emergency repairs. The advice is concise, easy to follow and we really appreciated how detailed the illustrations were. They are very high quality and easy to read, something that many publishers fail to produce in books of this type.
The first chapter covers the absolute basics of plumbing and it’s a great place to start. Next, you’ll be moving up to handling plumbing for renovations or new builds, and from there, you’ll be going on to working with drains, vents and pipes. We have never seen such as exhaustive and complete guide to plumbing outside of a real plumbing school. You’ll go from being an apprentice to a master as you follow the instructions contained in this book. Even septic systems and lawn sprinklers are covered, which was surprising.
For anyone that wants to save money on home repairs, or just wants the satisfaction of being able to do these things on their own, this is the perfect book.
Overall, while it might be a bit odd to enjoy a book on plumbing, we couldn’t help ourselves. It is a rare thing to find a resource that is this complete and informative. If you are ready to start tackling the plumbing issues in your home, or if you just don’t want to go to the expense of hiring a plumber, this book is a virtual bible of quality information. It’s also a great gift for that handy person in your life, and they’ll appreciate the new project plans and information contained herein. This is definitely a good buy and one that will pay you back for many years to come. We highly and wholeheartedly recommend it!
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August 21st, 2008 — Air Conditioning, House Damage, Inspection, pipes, plumbing
If you are considering buying an older property to renovate or repair, it is very important to make sure that you get an inspection done on the home before you complete the deal. Every year, homeowners end up with homes that are beyond repair, simply because they did not take the time to get an inspection. Whenever you buy any property, you will need to get this done. Here is a quick guide to understanding home inspections and what you can expect from the process.
1. Physical Structure –
The inspector will go through the foundations and all the exterior features of the home to see if there are any potential problems. They will also check for drainage and any other issues that may affect the home’s safety. By checking to make sure that everything is up to code, they can save you a significant amount of money on repairs.
2. Heating and Cooling System –
Many older homes will have heating or cooling systems that are incredibly out of date, or even possibly dangerous. It is very important to make sure that the inspector completely goes over the duct work, the furnace and the air conditioning unit, if any, before completing the inspection. If the home has a very out of date system, it may be subject to leaking and this can be very dangerous.
3. Plumbing System –
Once again, older homes may not have the best plumbing in the world. If the owners did not keep up on regular repairs, you can be stuck with pipes that leak into the walls, or even lead pipes that can cause a health risk. The inspector will check the materials of the pipes as well as their integrity.
4. Electrical System –
This can definitely be a major problem with many older homes, especially the ones that were built at the turn of the century. It is no easy task to rewire an older home and it is very costly. Your inspector will make sure that all of the wiring is up to code and that it is not dangerous to operate. For example, if the lights dip when something is plugged in, this is a very bad sign and could be the cause of a dangerous fire if the wiring gets too hot.
5. Interior Construction –
The inspector will also go over the interior of the house to check for water damage, or out of code features that might endanger the new inhabitants of the house. They will be looking for mildew and mold as well as other potential health hazards during their inspection.
You can save tens of thousands of dollars by spending the money on an inspector before purchasing a house. We always recommend that the buyer hire the inspector instead of letting the home owners do it, to make sure that there are no problems with the results. Before you close on any property, have it completely inspected and wait for the report.
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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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July 15th, 2008 — Air Conditioning, Cheap Alternative, Handy Man, Low Budget
Thankfully, today we have many options when it comes to cooling our homes. If you are wondering if it is time to upgrade to a new kind of cooling system, you’re going to have a lot of options. However, they may not all be as effective for your particular needs. Let’s take a look at a few tips that will make it a lot easier to keep cool this summer.
Central Air Conditioning –
If you already have central heating, or your house has ducts, this is a great choice, especially if you live in a very hot area. Window air conditioners are typically overwhelmed by these conditions and you have to run multiple units instead of just one to keep your whole house cool. A unit may cost a lot at the beginning, but you will be saving more money over time in energy costs and your house will be a lot cooler.
Window Air Conditioning –
If you have a very small space to cool, or you live in an area that is not terribly hot, this is a great solution. In this case, central air may be a bit of overkill, while a simple window unit that you can turn on and off as needed may work a lot better. Just make sure that the unit is properly fitted to your windows for the best energy efficiency.
Swamp Coolers –
These units have been around for awhile, but there were not always as popular in some parts of the country as others. They are a bit more eco-friendly, since they function by sucking in the warm humid air and condensing it into vapor which then cools the house or room. They do not work very well in dry climates, and when compared to central air, they certainly don’t match up. However, if you live in a very humid area, or you only occasionally need cooling, this can be a great choice.
Unico System –
This is a fairly new type of air conditioning system that is commonly used in older homes or homes that do not have any duct work. They are pretty expensive, but they are also very effective. Typically, you have the main unit installed in an attic and properly vented. Then, pipes are run through the home and placed in strategic spots around the room. The cold air is filtered through the pipes and cools the house. If you are really wanting to get central air, but you don’t want to have to install duct work throughout, this is a great solution.
Fans –
The old tried and true still works pretty well, especially if you can put a bowl of ice in front of it. If you are trying to save on money, or your area doesn’t get very hot a simple fan may be all that you need. When coupled with the right kind of exhaust system, they can also be placed in windows to suck in cool night air to cool your house down.
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