Roots In Sewer Line Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

This column was SO GOOD that I shared with the 31,000 subscribers as my Weekly Mystery Link in the April 1, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter. Also as the "I Didn't Know That!" in the August 21, 2013 Newsletter.

In the spring, trees start to bloom and grow leaves. But they also have aggressive root growth. These roots can cause problems if they work their way into your sewer line. Try this method to stop the roots from getting in the sewer line.

Use a hand operated auger to dig a 2-1/2 inch diameter hole into the ground. Then using 1-1/2 inch diameter PVC pipe with a pipe cap to drive into the ground. This pipe will be used to insert the root killing copper sulfate crystals into the ground.

Stop the drill about two feet above the sewer line. Extensions for the auger may be required to reach the desired depth. This will allow the crystals to poison the soil above and around the sewer pipe. Once the auger hole is done, drop the PVC pipe down in the hole and place the cap on it. The cap should be flush with the surrounding ground.

Pour the copper sulfate crystals down the tube and pour in some hot water. The water will help dissolve the crystals and spread them into the soil.

Some cautions before starting this job! Contact the local sewer district to help locate you sewer line. Or get a plumber who has equipment to locate sewer lines. Before you drill, be sure to locate all underground utilities, including power, telephone, cable, water lines and natural gas pipes. You don't want to hit any of these utilities. They are costly to repair if you hit one.

Custom Woodwork Profiles

Posted on by Tim Carter

Sample Custom Woodwork Profiles

If you can put a pencil to paper and draw curved lines, you can create a profile for woodwork. This is difficult for many people as they have a tough time visualizing what a two-dimensional drawing looks like in three dimensions as a finished piece of trim lumber.

One suggestion is to visit older homes that are for sale in your town or city. Often Realtors hold open houses. Go to these events and drool over the woodwork. Ask if you can take some photos. Who knows, you may find a home you like. Why buy just trim when you can get the finished product already installed. Can you tell I am a licensed real estate broker? Well, I am - I have been licensed in Ohio as a broker since 1986 or so.

The 3D profiles immediately below this paragraph were drawn by my daughter Meghan. They are scaled down versions of the interior window and door casing in my house, my baseboard, a miniature crown molding that goes on top of a flat head molding that fits on top of the side casings, a window sill apron, and a fancy inside corner piece that eliminates the need to miter corners. A similar outside piece goes at all of the outside corners as well, but it wraps around the corner.

All of the other profiles shown are courtesy of:

Koetter Woodworking, Inc.
Borden, Indiana 47106

www.koetterwoodworking.com
812-923-8875

 

 

 

 

 

Column B305

Cobblestone Edging Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

People recycle cans, paper and plastic bottles, but how about recycling building materials. Cobblestones that were used on streets 100 years ago can be recycled and used in your yard. Tim shows some granite cobblestones that are extremely durable. These recycled pavers will hold up to any weather conditions.

One great home improvement project for cobblestones is making a border around your garden or flower bed. Simply lay the blocks on the ground outlining your selected area. This way you can see more of the cobblestones' beauty.

Dig a trench along the driveway and place the cobblestones to created a driveway edging. Recycling Mother's Natures building materials is a great use of natural resources.

Hole Saws Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

There will be times when your project will require a hole larger than a standard drill bit can do, but too small to use a jig saw. What do you do? Use a hole saw! These special saws will allow you to make those holes in wood, metal or plastic.

The newer hole saws come with an interchangeable drill chuck. You just put the proper size hole saw on the hole saw chuck, with it's pilot drill, and you are ready to drill. This quick change chuck allows you to change hole saw sizes quick and easy. Hole saws make those immediate sized holes easy to make.

Epoxy Deck Stain Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

EB015 Cleaning & Sealing Deck eBoo Cover

After cleaning your deck or wood porch with oxygen bleach and let it completely dry, it is time to seal the deck. This new synthetic resin epoxy fortified sealer works great. The epoxy is the key to this sealer. A lot of sealers contain natural oils that are food for algae and mildew. That's way your deck turns either black or green. This sealer does not have the natural oils to feed the algae.

The epoxy grabs onto the wood fibers and holds tight allowing it to last a lot longer than normal sealers. In the can, it appears to have a milky chalky appearance, but once dry it is semi-transparent. This gives an almost furniture like appearance to the wood.

For best results, two coats are required about an hour apart. Use a nice wide brush for applying and don't leave any extra sealer. Follow the label instructions and you will have a nice, long-lasting sealed deck.

Message from Tim:

Years ago while researching a column about cleaning decks, I discovered the wonders of Oxygen Bleach. It is perhaps the 'greenest' cleaner I know of as it uses oxygen ions to break apart stains, dirt and odor molecules. There are no harsh chemicals, and it works on just about anything that is water washable.

I decided to create my own special blend using ingredients made in the USA. In fact, the raw materials in the active ingredient are food-grade quality registered with the FDA. I call my product Stain Solver. I urge you to use it to help with cleaning your wood deck. You will be amazed at the results!

Electric Tool Belt Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

The following tools are a must for your home electrical repair jobs. Be sure your kit includes a set of linesman pliers, designed with a heavy wire cutter for that electrical cable and wire. Next, a wire stripper to remove insulation from the wire and crimp connectors.

A needle nose pliers allow you to bend the stripped wire in a loop to fit around the screws on the electrical outlet or light switches.

A flat blade screw drive and a Phillips screwdriver are necessities in your tool kit. A razor knife will allow you to cut the sheathing of heavy electrical cable.

To hold all these tools, get a handy little pouch that clips over your belt. It also has small pockets for pencils and a hook for storing rolls of electrical tape. The tool pouch with all the tools in it would make a great gift for that handyman. They'll get a charge out of it!!

Nail Gun – Finish Nails Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Many household projects involve hammer and nails. If you are not careful in driving in the finishing nails in wood trim, you can created a defect in the wood that will be hard to repair. There are two ways to drive these finishing nails.

The old fashion way is with a hammer and nail set. You drive the nail in until the head is about 1/8" from the wood. Then, you use a nail set, properly sized, and drive the nail about 1/8" into the wood.

Second method is the use of powered nail guns. This model has an internal combustion engine. It uses gas, a battery and a spark plug to drive the nail. There are different style gas powered nail guns. One for the longer finish nails and another that drives smaller finishing nails to use in cabinet work, for example.

Try a powered nail gun on your next project. They do a great job and are easy to use.

Glass Replacement Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

If the insulated sidelight glass panel on your front door goes bad, it can be replaced without replacing the entire front door. Using a flexible putty knife and a light weight hammer, start by removing the stop molding holding the window in place. Because this molding is very thin, use care when driving the putty knife down the length of the molding. This is cut through the putty and sealant behind the molding strip.

Once the wood molding is out of the way, the other thing holding the window is place is usually some small nails or staples. Use a needle nose pliers to carefully remove the staples. With all the wood molding out of the way, measure the window and order the replacement glass. Leave the old sidelight in place until the new window arrives.

With the new window in hand, replace the old sidelight and reverse all the above steps for installing the new sidelight window.

Interior Painting Tips Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

To get professional painting results, before you get out the paint roller, there are some interior painting ideas you need to know. First, make sure you put enough paint on the wall. The paint goes from a liquid (in the can) to a solid (on the wall). That means a lot of water evaporates out of the paint. If you do not have enough paint on the wall, you will end up with bare spots. The paint can will indicate how many square feet it will cover. That takes into account the evaporation. Spreading paint too thin will not give you the proper results.

Now that you know how much paint to put on, you have to know how to paint with a roller. The best method is to start rolling paint on sideways, covering a small area. Then, make your finish strokes vertical. When you are finishing, lift the roller gently off the wall.

Roller marks are caused by holding the paint roller tilted on the wall. Be sure that the roller is flat against the wall and the pressure is even across the roller. Take you time and use nice easy strokes and your painting project will look great.

Fireplace Mantel Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

This column was SO GOOD that I shared with the 31,000 subscribers who read my May 30, 2014 and my January 8, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

The challenge is to mount a fireplace mantel to the wall without putting screws or nails through the fireplace mantel wood. The solution is a French cleat. French cleats will allow you to remove the mantel, if needed. The French cleat is made using a piece of wood, cut so each section interlocks with the other. One section is mounted to the wall and the other on the back of the mantel.

To make the French cleat, take one piece of lumber and using a table saw rip the board lengthwise. Before cutting, set the table saw blade at 45 degrees. These two pieces will interlock when mounted.

Attach the piece to the wall so that the angle slopes back towards the wall. The chisel point will face up and out. The piece on the mantel and the chisel point facing down and out. When one section is placed on top of the other, they can not pull forward. The mantel will be mounted to the wall with no mounting screws or nails being seen.