December 2nd, 2008 — Clean, Foundation, Gutters, Handy Man, House Damage, Outside
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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December 1st, 2008 — Handy Man, Install, Kitchen, Sink, filtration unit
No matter where you live, there is a chance that you may be dealing with some contaminants in your water. Many of us have trace amounts of lead in our drinking water and this can be harmful to your health over time. It is a good idea to have your drinking water checked for any contaminants, especially if you live in a rural area and use your own well.
One of the easiest solutions to getting clean water is to install a filter at the tap level. However, this can get pretty old since you can’t run hot water through it and the filters can be expensive over time. If you want an easier solution, there is a type of permanent water filter that can be installed under your sink or even at the source of your water, to filter everything that goes through the faucet.
Whole house filters are an excellent investment and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are bathing and drinking in clean water. However, if this is out of your price range, a simple filter that is installed under your sink can be a great alternative. Your number one priority is making sure that your drinking water is clean, so let’s look at how to install one of these filters under your sink.
Most of today’s newer filters may include a special faucet, but these can be pretty complicated to install. It is easier to pick a filter that will just use your existing fixtures. First, you’re going to need to turn off the water supply to your sink. If you don’t have a shut off valve there, you may need to turn off the water supply to your home instead. This can usually be found near your water pump.
Once the water supply is turned off, get under your sink (removing anything that may be under there) and locate the saddle valve. This is a small valve that should be located under the shut off valve. Open this up and get your filtration unit ready. It is a good idea to follow the unique instructions that come with your filter, but this is a general guideline for most filter installation procedures.
Attach the filter in between the saddle valve and the main valve. Make sure that it is located on the cold water valve since you don’t want to run hot water through the unit. Once the unit is in place, close off the valve again and install the carbon filter. These units typically have a much longer lifespan than the smaller faucet based filters, so even though you are using a carbon filter, you won’t have to change it as often.
Make sure that all of your connections are tight and turn the water supply back on. Depending on the unit, you’ll want to run at least two gallons of cold water through your tap before it is safe to drink. This is due to the little bits of carbon that can come through when it is brand new.
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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 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 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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