November 14th, 2008 — Bathroom, Handy Man, Install, Replace, Toilet
Installing a toilet is a lot easier than you might think and just about anyone can do it. Whether your old toilet is past its usefulness or you want to add a new one to match your décor, the process is pretty easy and should only take a few hours. Before you get started, you’re going to need a few basic tools. They include:
- plumber’s putty
- pipe wrenches to fit your pipes
- screwdrivers
- regular wrenches
- putty knife
- silicone
- an old rag
Let’s get started!
IMPORTANT: Not all new toilets come with the necessary parts. BEFORE you get started make sure that your new toilet has everything you need for installation. You can ask the store clerks where you got the toilet for more information.
First, you’re going to need to remove your old toilet. Turn the shutoff valve (it’s located right near the toilet) to the off position. Flush the toilet a few times and then mop up any excess water. Now, disconnect the water supply tube from the toilet. You may have some additional water here, but it shouldn’t be much. If necessary, place a sponge underneath it before you loosen the bolts. You may need to use your wrench if the area is corroded.
Once this is complete, you will then need to loosen the bolts on the toilet. Remove the little caps on either side of the base and undo these bolts. Again, you may need to use that wrench or a pair of pliers to get it going. In severe cases, you may need to hacksaw them off or use WD40 to loosen the bolts.
Now, you’re going to have to separate the old tank from the old bowl. Get your screwdriver and use it to hold the end of the bolt on the inside of the tank. Use your wrench to move the nut on the other side. Slowly remove the bolt and then rock the bowl from side to side. You’re going to want to do this pretty gently so you don’t damage the bowl. Once it’s loose, lift it out and place it in a safe place. Move the tank as well.
You’ll most likely notice a big hole in the floor and there may be a nasty smell coming out of it. This is the line to the sewer. Grab that old rag and stuff it into the hole (not too far or you’ll end up losing the rag and you’ll have to call a plumber to get it back.) You need to block this hole immediately or you will have dangerous sewer gases floating around your home and trust us, no one wants that.
Use that putty knife around this hole to scrape off any excess wax from the old gasket. Upend the new toilet and take your new gasket. Place it around the hole on the toilet and caulk it. Remove the rag from the sewer line and place the new toilet over it. Gently rock the new bowl into place until the seal is firm. Add on the new tank, attach the fittings inside and then bolt the new toilet down to the floor. Don’t overtighten those bolts or you will crack the bowl. Use your plumbers putty to attach the caps over the bolts. Reattach the water line and give her a flush!
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November 11th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Curb Appeal, Handy Man, Replace, Windows
Replacing your windows can bring numerous benefits to your home. Not only will they look nicer and add value to your property, but you can also gain significant energy savings. Most new windows are now heat and cold efficient and will greatly reduce the amount of drafts coming in as well as UV rays. If you’re ready to get started, you’ll need to get some tools together first. You’ll need the following: crowbar (to remove old window), power sander or rough grade sandpaper, screwdrivers of varying sizes, pliers (just in case), gloves, insulation (either blow in or standard), clamps, wood shims, paint, plastic sheeting and either screws or wood glue depending on how your new windows will be installed.
IMPORTANT: Always measure your windows and casings before you attempt to replace one. It is a lot easier to take care of size issues before you’re left with a big hole in the wall. Take the time to make sure that everything lines up BEFORE you do any replacements. Also - it is a good idea to make sure that the area where you will be working has the electricity turned off. This is very important - you could accidentally cut a wire while you are removing the old window. No one enjoys being electrocuted! Take the time to be safe and take the right precautions.
Before you can install the new windows, you’re going to have to remove the old ones. First, you’ll need to remove the window itself, taking special care not to break the glass. Remove it and place it aside in a safe place. Now, you’re most likely going to need to remove the window casing so that your new window will fit properly. Either unscrew or use that crowbar to pry it apart. You should be left with an empty hole. Sand the edges down to make sure the new casing will fit.
Now that you’ve prepped the wall, you can insert the new casing. You will most likely need to refer to the installation instructions that came with your new window, since most are different. Generally however, you’ll need to attach the new casing with either screws or wood glue. If using glue, make sure that you also clamp the casing and give it time to dry before installing the window. If necessary, use the plastic sheeting to block the hole until the glue is dry.
It is a good idea to fill any gaps with insulation. If the gaps are large, you can use regular insulation, but most people prefer the spray type that comes in a can. It will expand after you blow it into the holes, so don’t use too much. Cut off any excess after it is dry and sand the area down. You may need to further cover this with wood if the gap is large. If not, you can paint over the area to match your walls or your home’s exterior.
Once your casing is ready, you can begin installing the new window. Most will slip into the grooves that are on the casing, but it may take a little time to line everything up. Remember, be gentle and never force the window into the casing. You risk breaking the glass and having to start all over again. After the new window is installed, make sure it works properly and you’re all set.
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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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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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