This step is followed by a squeegee to wipe away the remaining dirt and solution. Wipe the squeegee after each wipe to clean the rubber blade. Use lint free wiping cloths.
Your windows will be easily cleaned if you follow these simple window cleaning tips.
This video was shared in my April 23, 2013 and July 25, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.
Ever notice that little round pipe on your roof? What's it connected to? Inside the house, this vent pipe is connected to the plumbing system. The vent pipe is connected to the sink drains. This pipe provides make-up air when you drain a sink or bathtub. Since the drain pipes are full of air before you pull the plug, this air has to be replaced as the water pushes the existing air down the drain.
If you notice a gurgle when flushing the toilet, it might be an indication that the vent pipe is clogged. Get up on the roof and put a garden hose down the pipe and turn on the water. Be sure to have someone inside checking for any leaks. The water from the hose hopefully will flush out the blockage and your gurgle will disappear.
Table saws are multi-purpose, powerful power tools. For example, you can rip a very long piece of lumber. Using the table saw fence guide, you will have a straight cut very time. With the use of the cross-cut guide, you can cut short pieces to the proper length. Angle cuts are also possible.
Be careful with table saws. They can be dangerous. As a precaution, don't wear any loose clothing when working with the saw. For example, a long sleeve shirt with a loose cuff could get caught in the blade and pull your arm into it.
Unplug the saw any time you are making adjustments. Finally, if you are making narrow cuts, use a small piece of wood as a pusher. Keep your fingers away from the table saw blade.
Eye protection, such as goggles or safety glasses and earplugs are required. Table saws are very loud and they can hurt your hearing. Keep these safety tips in mind when using your table saw.
A roof valley is a metal plate where to sections of the roof meet. Even if these roof flashings are painted, they are very noticeable. There is a way to disguise valley roof flashings so they blend into the roof. Get some rust inhibitive paint from your local paint store. Clean the flashing and start applying the paint. As soon as you have painted the metal flashing, sprinkle into the paint some of the colored roof granules.
Where do you get these color roof granules? Many stores that sell roof shingles can order the roof granules from shingle manufacturers. Get the granules that match your roof color. They very affordable. A 5 gallon bucket would have enough to cover the typical roof. Apply more granules then necessary. After a few days drying period, brush off any excess from the valleys. Your roof flashing valleys will no longer stand out from your roof.
Older homes had tar paper to prevent water from getting to the wood framing. Today, houses are built with air and water infiltration barriers. They won't let water in, but they will let water vapor out. These vapor barriers come on large rolls. Installation of the vapor barriers can be done with either special nails or staples.
The most important installation step is to tape over the seams. There is a special tape to seal the seams so water does not leak in behind the barrier.
Allow the barrier to extend about an inch down over the foundation. This will prevent any water from leaking in as it runs down off the siding. These new water infiltration barriers will protect your house.
Interior projects might call for the use of white pine or poplar. These woods are also used in the door trim, baseboard and window trim. Poplar is very common because of its ease in staining or painting.
Woods are great for many of your home remodeling projects. Be sure to get the proper wood for your build.
This video was mentioned in the February 25, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.
Getting ready to build a new home? What is the most important tool to have to start the project - a big bulldozer? No, a soil map. A soil map will tell you all the characteristics, good and bad, for the soil under your project.
These soil maps are put together by geologists and are printed for each county. And they are free. The information contained in these booklets will tell you what type of trees with grow in that soil. It will indicate if the soil is good for septic systems. How well the soil drains.
Locate the property you are considering from the aerial photographs in the map. Once you find your property, the map will have lines and symbols indicating the type of soil on that lot. Look up the symbols and read about your soil.
These soil maps can be found at the county soil and water conversation services office. Get yours before purchasing or building on a lot.
Author's Note:
Dan emailed the following comment regarding an updated source of information for soil maps. If your county doesn't have updated information, you might try Dan's suggestion. He wrote:
"Web soil survey on the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) website is the official repository of soil survey information. The books shown in this video are no longer printed and many have not been updated since the seventies. Instead, you should go on the website http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm and use that information. It is free. I am a soil scientist in PA."
The better tool is the screw gun. This power tool has a special collar and a clutch that stops the driving motion of the screw gun when the screw reaches are certain depth. Just set the stop on the screw gun collar. Once you have the depth set correctly, you can drive all the screws to the proper depth without worry.
Screws guns are fast and easy. If you don't have one, most tool rental stores have them available.
If you are still using an older hand saw, you might be doing it the hard way. Add power to that saw with a sawzall. A sawsall can be used to cut all types of materials - wood, steel, plastics. Plus you can use it to cut shapes or curves, that you can't with a traditional hand saw.
Sawzall blades are small and thin. They come in a variety of styles for the different materials you are cutting. The blades change quickly.
Need to cut a hole in the center of a piece of wood without first drilling a pilot hole? The sawzall will allow you to do this. Just place the blade at a very low angle to the wood and turn it on. Gently push the blade down into the wood. Once through, you can continue your cut.
Sawzalls are versatile and should be in your toolbox.
Wood shutters are nice, but they don't always hold up over time if not properly maintained. Vinyl window shutters are a great alternative. They are maintenance free and come in a variety of styles and colors for any style of house.
Vinyl shutters come with a special fastener for quick and easy installation. Drill a 1/4" hole into the shutter and in the house, then drive the fastener into the hole.
Vinyl window shutters are easy to hang, maintenance free and look great. Try them if you have to change your shutters.
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