Basement Floor Crack Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Before installing flooring on your concrete floor, you have to make sure it is smooth and crack free. You will need a floor leveling or crack filling compound. There are several that are just mixed with water and cement based so they are very sticky. Read the instructions on the package for preparation. Most will require that the floor be clean and free of loose concrete. Take a scraper and remove any high spots. Clean the area with a sponge and water. Let the floor slightly wet, this will help the floor crack compound stick.

Mix a small amount of filler. They have a fast setting time, often 3 - 4 minutes. If you mix too much, it will set up before you can use it. Apply the material with a large broad knife. Try to get it as smooth as possible. A second coat might be required.

Get up any excess so when it dries, it will not stick up through the floor covering. Also, clean your tools as soon as possible. If the crack filler dries on the tools, you might have to throw them away.

Battery Recycle Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

What do a camcorder, laptop, cell phone and cordless drill have in common? A rechargeable Ni-Cd battery. There are thousands of these batteries out there that go bad. Don't throw them in the garbage. They contain toxic materials that can harm the environment. Many of these rechargeable batteries can be recycled.

Most recycling programs are free. If you battery has nickel cadmium on it, stores like Sears, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Radio Shack or Target could be an authorized recycling center. When that battery dies, do the right thing, help the environment and recycle that battery.

How To Fix A Leaky Gutter Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Aluminum gutters rarely leak along the length of the gutter. The leaks occur at corners and the downspout. The solve the leak you need the right sealer or glue. Many of the gutter manufacturers have a sealer that is compatible with their gutters. Check the end caps for the manufacturer's name. If their name is there, get the gutter seal for that type of gutter.

Clean the inside of the gutter around the leak. Remove any standing water and using a small scrub brush and some soap, clean the inside of the gutter. Rinse it and dry it. Then following the directions on the gutter sealer, apply it to the leaky joint. Apply a liberal amount because it will shrink as it dries.

The gutter seal material is easy to work with. It can be spread with a twig or stick and it sticks tight to the gutter. Your leak at that joint will be solved.

Drive A NASCAR Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Ever wanted to get behind the wheel of a 600 horsepower racing car? Tim got the chance to do eight laps at Kentucky Speedway. To drive the car yourself, you have to take a short class. Then you ride around the track as a professional driver tells you where the groove is for that track. If every thing goes right, Tim should do about 160 mph on his final lap.

These NASCAR stock cars are designed to stick to the track in the corners. The post-race printout indicated that Tim only achieved 139 mph. Next time, he vows to go faster!

Basement Remodeling Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Basement remodeling is a great project to add space to your home. When first starting, be sure to check for cracks in the floor or foundation. Some areas have problems with Radon gas. Patch these cracks before processing.

Second, allow about an inch between the basement walls and your wall studs. This will allow for the uneven foundation walls and any concrete lumps at the corner of the wall and floor. This will allow you to make nice square walls.

Finally, try to align your vertical studs with the overhead studs or floor joists. This will make it easier on the HVAC installation people, plumbers and the electricians. They can run their ducts, pipes and wiring easier.

These are just a few tips to get you started on your basement remodeling project. Remember safety first and keep it plumb, level and square.

Checking For Square Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Checking For Square

What is square? Are they talking about a framing square? No, they are indicating the all the corners in a project are 90 degrees. There is a way to check your object for square without doing a lot of fancy math.

To check a wall for example, make sure that the top plate and the bottom plate of any of the walls are the same length. In addition, check that all the wall studs are the same length. If so, you will have a rectangular with you assembly the components.

Now, using a tape measure, measure the length from one corner to the opposite diagonal corner. Then measure the opposite set of corners. Adjust your wall or deck frame until these measurements are the same distance. Then you will have a nice square wall or frame.

Why is this important? When you go to install plywood or drywall or deck flooring, it will be so much easier if things are square.

Electrical Safety Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

When painting around electrical fixtures, it is always best to remove them first. But, is it safe to put that old light fixture back up? Here are some things to look for. First, check the wiring. Feel it, twist it. Check for cracks in the insulation. If the wire looks good, that is fine.

Next, look inside the fixture at the actual bulb socket. Inspect it for corrosion. If there is signs of corrosion, that is a bad sign.

There is a little tab at the bottom of the light socket. Pry that tab up a little using either needle nose pliers or your hand. That will ensure a good contact between the light bulb and the socket.

If the fixture is good, reconnect the wires to the correct electrical wires. Be sure to connect the ground wire to the bare metal in the electrical box.

Some light fixtures have a label indicating the maximum wattage for the light bulb. Be sure to follow this warning. These steps will ensure that the light fixture is safe and reconnected properly.

Wood Stain Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

On some projects, you may have to stain a piece of wood to match an existing board. It can be a challenge to match the colors. If you take the existing piece to the paint store, they should be able to give you a close match to the paint or stain color. Back at the jobsite, read the directions on the paint can to get it ready for use. Apply the stain, let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe it off. You can get into trouble if you wipe too much off. Apply more stain then you think is necessary. This may help in getting that prefect match.

If you get the right color stain and apply it properly, your new piece of wood will match color-wise and allow the grain of the wood to show through.

Wood Door Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Some of the advantages of the common six panel interior wood door are they are light weight and very affordable. One disadvantage of these hollow core doors is they let a lot of noise through them. They are made of a hard board panel with strips of cardboard inside.

The alternative is a solid wood door. These are the types of exterior wood doors found in many of the older homes. Today's solid wood doors are different from the older ones. In the past, the panels were made from solid wood. With the seasonal changes, these panels would expand and contract. This would leave lines showing in the door. The modern doors have panels made of medium density fiberboard. These are more stable in changing humidity levels and temperatures.

The modern doors come is various styles, six panel or four panel, and some have raised molding around the panels to extra depth and add character. The solid wood doors are heavy, but they make a great addition to your home.

Wiring Light Fixture Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Wiring Light Fixture Video

To wire a light fixture safely, start by turning off the circuit breaker feeding that circuit. Use a tester to be sure there is no power in the wires. Trim about an half an inch of insulation off both the white and black wires. Put up the mounting bracket for the light fixture and then start wiring in the fixture. Use wire nuts to connect the black wire to the black wire and the white to the white. Connect the bare copper ground wire to the green grounding screw in the electrical box.

As a precaution, don't touch any bare copper wire except for the ground wire.

Most new light fixtures come with insulation to keep the heat from the bulb from cooking the wires. Be sure to install this insulation. Mount the fixture to the mounting bracket. Add the decorative shade and you are ready to go. Turn the power back on and your light fixture installation is complete.