Handy Man Fix Home Repair

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!

Photo Credits: 1

• How to Freshen Up Your Bathroom

• Complete Guide to Bathrooms by Black and Decker

• How to Install a Permanent Water Filter

• How to Install New Locks in Your Doors

• Install Interior Window Shutters to Cool Your House

• Toilets, Toilet Seats Bidets Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures Home Improvement

• Match Holders Tobacciana Collectibles

• Pretty as a Picture Enesco Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

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!

Photo Credit: 1

• How to Replace a Window

• How to Install a Window Air the Right Way

• How to Install Window Boxes

• Install Interior Window Shutters to Cool Your House

• How to Pick the Right Air Conditioning System for Your Home

• Windows, Screens Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Window Cards Theater Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Window Air Conditioners Heating, Cooling Air Home Improvement

• Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Metal Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

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.

Photo Credits: 1

• Selecting the Best Garage Door

• Install Interior Window Shutters to Cool Your House

• How to Install a Garage Door Opener

• How to Install New Locks in Your Doors

• How to Get a Higher Appraisal For Your Home

• Doors Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Deadbolts Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Hinges Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Knobs Doors Door Hardware Building Hardware Home Improvement

Mosaic countertops are incredibly beautiful and they are a lot of fun to make. If you’d like to make your kitchen stand out from the crowd, it’s actually quite easy to design your own mosaic masterpiece. We’ll show you how to do it in just a few hours and get some great results. Before you get started, you’ll need a few tools and some materials. First, you’ll need:

• a screwdriver
• a crowbar (to remove the old countertop if necessary)
• your tiles
• your design idea
• a lathe
• tile caulk
• some tile cement

We also recommend gloves if you don’t want to get messy. A soft, wet rag is also necessary near the end of the project.

Before you progress any further, you’re going to need to have your design planned out. Some places offer idea templates for stock designs, or you can make your own. It’s completely up to you. We recommend the following technique to make it really easy. Go to a countertop that you will not be using and lay out all of the tiles in the design you want. You can play around with it here, before they are set in stone so to speak, to work out any design flaws or make any changes. Once you’re done, leave this design intact with all of the tiles in place.

Now, go to the surface where you will be adding your tiles. The great thing about mosaic countertop tiles is that you can simply put them over your old counter if you prefer. If not, you’ll need to rip out that counter and make sure that the surface below is ready to be tiled. This means sanding it out until it is completely smooth, washing it to remove any debris and letting it thoroughly dry.

Once your surface is ready, you’re ready to start adding your tile cement. You may need to mix it depending on the type of cement you’re using, so make sure that you follow the instructions on the container. We recommend doing only one row of cement at a time just in case you need to make changes. You won’t run the risk of having the whole thing dry out if you’re doing only one row at a time.

Grab your lathe and apply a thin coat of the cement for the first row. Here’s the fun part (and it’s incredibly easy!) Go over to the counter where you laid out your design and take the first tile out. Put it in the cement, pressing it down firmly but gently. Go back to the design and grab the next tiles, repeating until your first row is done. This makes it super easy to put together your new design.

Once all of your tiles are in place, you’ll need to fill in the gaps with special tile caulk. Spread the caulk all over the tiles. It will look messy, but you’re going to wipe that off of the tiles in a second. Don’t let it dry once you’ve spread the caulk, but go back and gently wipe off the caulk from the tiles, but not from the gaps. You’re done!

Photo Credits: 1

Related Articles

• Review of The Complete Guide to Ceramic and Stone Tile

• 3 Kitchen Countertop Surfaces Explained

• How to Repair a Ceramic Tile Roof

• How to Lay A Tile Floor

• How to Invigorate Your Grout

• Investments Opportunities to Make Money

• Stand Bags Carry Bags Golf Bags Golf

• Ceramic Tile Flooring Tile Flooring Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Granite Tile Flooring Tile Flooring Building Hardware Home Improvement

• Marble Tile Flooring Tile Flooring Building Hardware Home Improvement

Window boxes add charm to any home and they are so easy to install that anyone can do it. You’re going to need to get a few things together before you get started. Your tools will include:

• window box
• brackets
• a level that is longer than the window box you are installing
• a power drill
• a screwdriver
• a measuring
• some extra screws just in case

You’ll also need to have your window box and its brackets. Remember, never install a window box that has soil in it. It’s far too heavy and unwieldy. Add that soil AFTER you’re done.

Ok, let’s get going. First, you’re going to need to measure the window where you want to put the box. If you have double hung or normal windows, make a mark about an inch below the sill. If you have windows that open outwards, make a mark around six to eight inches below the sill. Please note that the height of your window box may vary. Allow enough space for your window to open. Measure out the width of your window box and make a second mark below your sill that is the appropriate amount of space under your window.

Now, take your first bracket and line it up evenly. Use that level to make sure that the bracket is plump. (turn the level so that it is facing up and down instead of sideways.) Put the bracket back down and drill the hole into your house first. Now, put the bracket back up and put in the screw. It will bite down into the material under the siding or facing, don’t worry. Check to make sure it’s plumb and add in the remaining screws for the bracket.

Now, grab your second bracket and place it over your second mark. Make sure it’s plumb first, and then turn the level on its side to make sure that both brackets are level. Repeat the above process to attach it to your house. Check one more time to make sure that everything is level before proceeding. It is important to make sure that you are using screws that are rated to carry the weight of your window box.

Once both brackets are in place, take your window box and place it on the brackets. Now, run in the house and open the window. You should not have any trouble opening it. If you do, lower the brackets before proceeding. This makes it a lot easier than testing after you’ve attached the box. Go back outside and make sure that the window box is level.

Attach the box to the brackets and you’re almost done. If you need to paint or stain the window box to fix any holes, do so now. It’s probably best to make sure that most of the staining or painting is done before you hang the box to avoid painting your house by mistake. Fill the box with soil, plant your flowers and you are done!

Photo Credits: 1

• How to Install a Window Air the Right Way

• Install Interior Window Shutters to Cool Your House

• How to Replace a Window

• How to Replace Window Screens

• How to Pick the Right Air Conditioning System for Your Home

• Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Metal Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Plastic Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Wooden Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Pottery, Ceramic Planters, Pots Window Boxes Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

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.

Photo Credits: 1

• The Credit Crunch and Your Home - Raise its Value

• Dealing with Mildew in Your Home

• How to Be Your Own Plumber The Easy Way

• How to Buy the Right Water Heater

• How to Clean Your Own Gutters

• Showers Toilets Camping Hiking

• Showers Steamers Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures Home Improvement

• Body Washes Shower Gels Bath Body Store

• Discount Hiking Camping

• Discount Hiking Camping