October 20th, 2008 — Bathtub, Clean, Handy Man, Refresh, Sink
Whether you have a fiberglass tub or sink or vitreous china, it doesn’t take long before stains start to appear. This is particularly true if you have hard water. While these unsightly stains can be frustrating, there are actually a few ways that you can easily get rid of them, without resorting to harmful chemicals. Thoroughly cleaning a tub or sink is the first step in restoration, so let’s start there.
One of the easiest ways to remove old stains from a tub or sink is by using drywall sandpaper. This is typically black in color and will look like a fine mesh. While its normal use is to smooth out rough patches in drywall, it is also incredibly useful for tubs and sinks. Because the mesh is fine, you won’t be scratching your tub’s finish and it is incredibly effective at getting out those stains.
This will require a fair amount of elbow grease. Take a small square of drywall sandpaper and start scrubbing it in a circular motion on the stain. Take care not to involve water in this process. Keep scrubbing until you start to see some results. You may end up with some black residue on the stain but don’t panic. This is normal and is simply residue from the sandpaper. Once you think the stain has been completely removed, rinse the area. If it is still there, dry it thoroughly and start again.
For shampoo and soap stains that are stubborn, or just simple grime, there is a very easy solution. Take a grapefruit and cut it in half. Put some salt in a bowl that is large enough to fit the grapefruit in. Dip the fruit into the bowl, cut side down and then begin scrubbing the stain with it. It is best to wear gloves for this procedure.
The acid in the grapefruit interacts with the salt to create a very powerful compound that can blast through nearly any stain. This is a little known trick, but it is incredibly effective. Other citrus fruits, such as lemons, will also work, but none are as effective as a grapefruit.
Once all the stains are gone, it’s time to take a look at your handiwork and see if anything additional needs to be done. If the finish is dull, or no longer feels slick, you may need to repaint the tub. Go to the hardware store and look for tub and sink paint – making certain whether or not you are dealing with vitreous china or fiberglass. There are quite a few options available and you may even be able to get tinted paint that will allow you to change the color of your tub and sink.
Since your tub or sink will already be cleaned, simply make sure that it is completely dry and begin painting. Follow the instructions on the paint closely and make sure that you give the area plenty of time to dry. If necessary, make the bathroom off limits until the paint is done drying. Once it is, you should have a beautifully restored tub or sink.
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October 1st, 2008 — Bathroom, Drain, Handy Man, Sink, Toilet
If your home’s water is excessively hard, it may be time to think about purchasing a water softener. If you are not sure if you have hard water, there are a few easy tests that will help you determine this. First and foremost, you can send a sample to a lab, and this is probably the definitive answer to water hardness questions, but there are other signs that you can watch for.
Hard water is very common in rural homes where the water supply is not treated. However, some cities are notorious for their hard water. Look for calcium deposits in your toilet tank, stains around drains, as well as faucets and other telltale signs. You may also notice that it is impossible to get soap or shampoo to lather, which is another sign that your home has hard water.
Since hard water can do a lot of damage, many homeowners look to a water softener for relief. The first person to introduce the concept of “soft” water was Emmett Culligan, who found that it was beneficial not only for humans, but also for cattle. His early studies found that cattle given soft water were healthier and brought more money at auction.
Typically, salt is used to soften water. The water supply for your house is run through the softener, and the grains of salt help block the minerals that make the water “hard.” This does mean that some sodium does enter the water supply. For those on a sodium restricted diet, this can be troublesome.
There is one alternative to using salt in a water softener that relies on the use of potassium chloride, which is a salt substitute. While this may work for those that are on a sodium restriction, it should be noted that this type of salt substitute is not recommended for those suffering from Addison’s Disease or those that may have elevated levels of potassium in their blood.
Despite these issues, removing minerals from your water can lead to better health and you will begin to see benefits such as clothes getting cleaner, a lack of mineral build up in plumbing fixtures and you will of course have cleaner hair since your shampoo can now lather. If you don’t have any health issues with sodium or potassium chloride, a water softener can be incredibly beneficial.
When you are shopping for your new water softener, you will first need to see just how hard your water is. This is where your lab sample comes in. You can check with your county’s extension office for a free test, or your water treatment company may offer it free. Once you know how hard the water is, you can determine what size of softener you will need. In some extreme situations, a dual tank water softener may be necessary. This is common for large families or for those in rural areas where the water can be especially hard and will need extra treatment before it can be used.
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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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May 21st, 2008 — Handy Man, House Damage, Repair, Wood Floors, Woodwork
Few people know that proper care of woodwork requires much more than an occasional dusting. Your woodwork was once made up of a living thing, and without the proper care, it’s going to look quite dead. However, it is possible to revitalize your wood and keep it strong and healthy without much effort. If you’ve got an older home with a lot of woodwork, you may need to spend some extra time on it, but generally, these techniques should only take a few minutes.
Let’s start with revitalizing wood floors.
If you’re floor is already dried, cracked and the shine is completely gone, you’re going to need to do a major overhaul to bring it back. This means stripping the floor of any remaining varnish and re-staining it. This may take several coats depending on the color you would like. Once you’re done staining, you’ll need to revarnish the floor. In most cases, and especially with high traffic areas, this requires several coats and plenty of drying time in between. You need to keep the area as dust free as possible during this process so that the varnish stays smooth.
If you’re floor has seen better days but it’s not quite down for the count, you’ll need to add some oil to it to get it back. We recommend Murphy’s Wood Soap followed by Olde English Wood Oil. This comes in a few scents, but the lemon oil is probably the best for your floors. Completely wash the floor with Murphy’s and then add the oil to it once it is completely dry. You’ll really need to work that it and then give it plenty of time to dry since it will be a little slippery. Wood floors should have this done at least once a year to keep them looking fresh.
Moving on, let’s talk about the woodwork in your home, such as door frames, window sills and any built-ins you may have.
If the varnish is still in pretty good shape, but they’re looking a bit dull, you can try Murphy’s and Olde English to bring them back to life. Another great trick involves some olive oil on a soft rag. Gently work the oil into the wood until it has been completely absorbed. If the area is near curtains, take them down before you start to avoid staining them with oil.
If the woodwork is already dry and or damaged, you’ll need to strip it completely down and start over. For doors, it’s best to take them down to this so you don’t end up with drips in your stain or varnish. Otherwise, you’ll need to be careful and avoid overloading your brush with stain or varnish. This will help decrease the amount of drips. If you catch some while you’re still working, quickly brush them into the finish to disguise them.
The key to keeping your woodwork looking great is constant care and the right kind of cleaning products. Never use any cleaner on your wood that was not specifically made for wood. This will only strip the wood even further and make it harder to maintain.
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