Door Hinges

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: The door hinges in my existing home are starting to rust. The hinges in the house I grew up in never rusted and seemed better than my current door hinges. Can I switch out door hinges? The current hinges on my doors have large rounded corners, but the hinges I want have square corners. How do I successfully install the new hinges? Do I need expensive tools? Regina M., Johnstown, PA

DEAR REGINA: Your current door hinges are probably inexpensive steel hinges that have a thin brass coating. I have seen this type of hinge rust as well as the screws used to attach the hinges to the door and door jamb. These steel door hinges are very common ones used by production-door builders. If they can save a dollar or less per pair of hinges over high-quality ones, and they are using hundreds of pairs of hinges a day, one can see why they might want to substitute a low-cost product. The savings adds up to a big number over a period of weeks or months.

This door hinge is solid brass and is a traditional square-butt hinge. They are readily available, affordable and add a touch of class to any home. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

This door hinge is solid brass and is a traditional square-butt hinge. They are readily available, affordable and add a touch of class to any home. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

The hinges in your old home were probably solid brass. What's more they were probably thicker metal and had decorative tips on the hinge pins. You can still buy high-quality solid brass hinges, and some of the hinges have decorative hinge-pin kits that are still available. I am very partial to the Victorian style solid brass finials that adorn the top and bottom of my door hinge pins. The traditional ball tips are also still widely available if you prefer that style.

You can switch out your door hinges with relative ease. For the job to be as easy as possible, you need to find new hinges that are the same overall size as your existing ones. My guess is you will discover your existing hinges are 3.5 inches high. The thickness of the door hinge metal is also important, so try to take one of your existing hinges off the door and jamb so you can hold them up to the new hinges you are thinking about buying.

Assuming that you find new 3.5 inch square-butt hinges that are the same thickness or just slightly thicker, the only challenge will be to remove the wood on the door and the door jamb to create the 90-degree corner where the rounded corners are currently located. The only tools you will need to accomplish this are a simple razor knife with a new blade and a one-half-inch-wide wood chisel. These are fairly inexpensive tools and they will come in handy for other projects if you do not currently own them. You will also need a screwdriver or two.

The most accurate way to create the straight lines that will square up the existing hinge mortises is to temporarily screw one of the new hinges right on top of the existing mortised area for your current door hinges. The new hinge will lay up on top of the wood at each of the rounded-corner locations, but that is not a problem.

You will do just one hinge at a time, and there is no reason to remove the door from the door jamb. The entire process can be done with the door in the full open position.

Start the job by opening the door a minimum of 90 degrees. If you can open it even further, the job will go faster. Take some wood shims or a small block of wood and shove it under the lower corner that is below the door handle. This will prevent the door from dropping when you work on the top hinge. If you do not block the door and support the it's weight, it can create enormous stress on the other hinges once the top hinge is removed.

Remove the top hinge from the door and the door jamb. Temporarily install the new hinge in its place. Use the razor knife to slowly and carefully cut the lines where the wood must be removed at each rounded-corner location. Glide the edge of the razor along the metal side of the hinge to create the perfect lines at the corner. Push hard enough so the tip of the razor cuts into the wood the thickness of the hinge metal.

Once the lines have been created, remove the hinge and use the wood chisel to carefully carve away the wood. It will take minimal effort, if the wood chisel is sharp and held at a low angle. Once the wood has been removed, install the hinge and tighten all screws. Do the same process for each hinge.

Use extreme caution when working with the razor knife and wood chisel. Both tools are very sharp, and can cause serious injuries if you use too much uncontrolled force. Always use multiple gentle cutting strokes. Do not try to cut full depth with one stroke of the razor knife. Cutting across the grain of wood is always harder than cutting parallel to the grain.

If the old screw holes are too large to securely hold the new hinge, fill them with small pieces of wood and yellow carpenter's glue. Wooden matchsticks are great to use. Coat each matchstick with some glue, and force several at once into the screw hole. Let the glue set up for at least an hour before installing the new screw. If you need to work faster, purchase rapid-set carpenter's glue.

Column 633

Small House Plans

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Small house plans are the topic of discussion between my husband and I. As we approach retirement, we are going to move from a larger home into a new smaller house for a number of lifestyle and financial reasons. What advice can you offer so we do not make a mistake building a house that is too small? Are there distinct do's and don'ts when it comes to scaling down from a large home to a small one? What can we do to make our small home feel like a large one? Meredith M., Bryan, TX

DEAR MEREDITH: I can certainly see the attraction of moving from a large home to a smaller one. There is less space to clean, heat, cool and redecorate. All of these things can save money when you think about living in a home for a period of years. As I grow older, I do not want my own home to become a black hole that consumes my time and money. Golf courses, ski slopes and other activities will do a fantastic job of consuming both, and yield pleasure in return.

The small house plans you and your husband will settle on are the most important documents in the entire construction process. They will communicate your dreams and desires to the builder, and to all of his subcontractors and suppliers. The plans must be complete and well thought out in every respect. To proceed with half-baked ideas and concepts you hope will work is foolhardy.

Some of the biggest planning mistakes I have seen happened when homeowners looked at blueprints and three-dimensional renderings of a new home that dazzled them. The contracts were then signed and work begun before the people even realized how the new home would relate to their living and entertaining habits.

This house is perhaps too small. The narrow rooms might not handle furniture very well. There is no room for mistakes when working with small spaces. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

This house is perhaps too small. The narrow rooms might not handle furniture very well. There is no room for mistakes when working with small spaces. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

The best analogy I can give you is building a deck. People think that a 10-foot by 14-foot deck is large when it is first built and the carpenter is loading up his tools. But the deck shrinks dramatically in size when you try to fit a standard table and chair set as well as a few other items on the deck platform.

As for your list of do's, I would make a list of all furniture you intend to move from your existing home into your new home. Be sure the rooms in the new home are large enough to handle the furniture. Make scale cutouts of the furniture and position them in the scale conceptual drawings you can get from the builder or architect. Don't forget about the space you need to navigate around furniture.

Think long and hard about your entertainment plans for the future. If you plan to have large parties, where will everyone sit? If you invite family over for holiday occasions, think about how the house will handle this brief influx of people. Will your new kitchen be large enough to handle guests chatting while you stir the simmering sauces at the stove?

Do not assume everything will work out. Do not overlook storage. If you are going to bring lots of things with you from the old house, where will they fit in the new home? Storage solutions are many, but keep in mind that off-site storage costs can eat into your future retirement budget. Talk to your builder about using storage trusses over the garage and attic trusses over the main part of the house. These affordable structural elements create vast amounts of storage space for a small initial investment.

Don't forget about future mobility issues. As you and your husband age, stairs, bathtubs and even door knobs can become trouble spots. Plan now for a house that will be easy to use if you or your husband lose both dexterity and mobility. Consider a larger bathroom that allows you to enter a shower in a wheelchair. Hallways need to be a minimum of 42-inches wide and 48 inches is even better. Lever-type door handles are far easier to operate than a knob you must grab.

Column 632

Golf Training Aid

Posted on by Tim Carter

I happen to know a little bit about home improvement, and slightly less about golf. The reason for the disparity is I have thousands of hours more of hands-on experience in home improvement than I have swinging a golf club or gently sweeping a putter on a dew-covered green.

Over the past six years, I have become very interested in golf. I enjoy the solitude of golf courses, the challenge of hitting the golf ball with an assortment of clubs on different types of grass, and the comradery of playing with friends. You might think the same thoughts about home-improvement projects. For example, I'll bet you might be very excited about trying to install plumbing or tackling a roof, even though you have never tried doing either project.

At first I struggled with golf, because I did not understand the mechanics of the golf swing. I listened to some friends who tried to help me, but they were not expert golfers by any stroke of the imagination. Each one offered different advice, none of which improved my golf score.

Two years ago, I decided to take several golf lessons. I paid money to learn from a card-carrying Professional Golf Association member. The golf lessons were the best money I ever spent on a golf-training aid. The few simple adjustments the pro made to my swing and stance took 15 strokes off my game. Now that is improvement!

You can often do the same thing with home-improvement projects. You may be able to find a pro who will come and teach you certain specific tasks, or you might see one working at a jobsite who will be kind enough to answer a question or two.

Let's say you just want to learn how to properly hold a drywall knife. You might get a free lesson if you stop by a construction site and wander inside while the finisher is working. Ask if you can watch while the finisher works. Pay close attention to the hand movements, and the manner in which the job is performed. You might think about offering some money, since you are interrupting the person's work flow.

The message here is to think about contacting a professional before you waste lots of time and money. The money spent learning from a pro may save you lots of frustration over time.

If you are a weekend golfer like me, you might find a new website pretty cool. There are some great tips at www.GolfTrainingAidandTeachingTool.com that may help you improve your golf game.

I have found that some websites like this really help you learn about aspects of the game, and the mechanics of golf. A professional golfer may not be interested in a website like this, but are you a real golf professional who earns her/his living playing the game? If you are like me, you might only get out twice a month or so. I don't know about you, but I will take all of the good golf advice I can find.

Column EM0043

Ace Hardware

Posted on by Tim Carter

Ace Hardware is a name you might find very familiar, even if you are located in a large city that has numerous newer big-box home centers. The Ace Hardware store near you might be the friendly and convenient smaller hardware specialty store you have visited for years, or it might be a store you have passed by on your way to the larger plain-vanilla home improvement big-box stores.

There is a world of difference between an Ace Hardware store and a giant big-box home improvement center. I can think of all sorts of ways to compare the two different stores based upon my years of personal buying experiences at both businesses.

Convenience

An Ace Hardware store is ideal for a person with limited mobility or a walking disability. Ace Hardware stores are often much smaller than a giant big-box improvement store, so you can get to the products you need with fewer steps. Exercise is a good thing, but once you visit a smaller Ace Hardware store, you will appreciate the coziness of the shopping experience.

Variety

Ace Hardware stores often have every hardware item you could ever want. They frequently stock items not available in other stores. You usually do not have to buy a bag of screws if you just need one. Yes, if you need just one screw or one nail, you can often buy just that at an Ace Hardware store. Visit a smaller hardware store and you will be amazed at the variety and quality of the products.

Advice

The employees who work at many Ace Hardware stores often have real hands-on home-repair experience. Many have years of both repair and sales experience, and know the problem areas with each repair job. You can't always count on that from the employees at many of the big-box home improvement centers. Occasionally, you will run into an employee at a big-box store who knows what she or he is talking about, but your odds of getting good advice each shopping trip might be better at a smaller hardware store.

Pricing

Don't believe for a moment all of the hyped advertising you see from the big-box stores about how they are the low-cost leaders. Always remember, you get what you pay for. If a product is cheap, there may be a reason. Secondly, the large big-box stores operate like grocery stores have for years. They have loss-leader products. This means they sell one product at a low price, but make up the profit on a related product that is often needed to complete the job. Ace Hardware stores offer competitive pricing, and you can prove it with ease.

Speed of Transaction

After you have walked up and down the long aisles of the big-box stores, you often have to wait and wait at the checkout lines. Yes, some stores have self-service checkout registers, but I have found these to be clogged with people or worse yet, bogged down with a consumer who does not know how to work the machine.

Visit a smaller Ace Hardware, and there are rarely any traffic jams at the checkout. You pay for your items, and are out the door in moments. That has always been my experience. My time is valuable, and I am willing to pay a small amount more so I do not have to wait for five or 10 minutes while someone ahead of me fumbles for a checkbook or ID.

Ace Hardware stores are not the only small hardware stores. Another national chain called True Value Company has a network of over 6,000 independent small hardware stores across the world. I visit a local True Value hardware store just a few miles from my own home on a weekly basis. It is a delight to be able to find exactly what I want at a competitive price, and be back out to my car in just minutes. I have never had to wait in a long line to complete a purchase there.

Column EM0042

Replacement Windows

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Replacement windows are the next job I plan to tackle at my home. My list of questions is as long as a hot summer day. Can you buy new windows that match the architecture of an older home? What do I look for so I can buy high-quality windows? Is it hard to install replacement windows? Do you think I can handle installing my own replacement windows if I just do a few each weekend? Rebecca H., Meredith, NH

DEAR REBECCA: Your questions are all good, and I can think of many others that have yet to bubble to the surface of your brain. But that aside, you are on the right track. The replacement window game can be very complex and complicated. It is best to know what you are doing before you spend lots of money on windows that will not perform well over time.

Replacement windows come in every imaginable style, shape, size and configuration. Vinyl replacement windows are perhaps the most common, but you can find wood, fiberglass, aluminum and combinations of these different materials used to make a single replacement window. For example, you can buy replacement windows that are custom-painted aluminum on the exterior and wood-grained vinyl on the interior.

These windows may look original, but they are indeed replacement windows. Match the right windows with a great installer who is a craftsman, and you can fool anyone. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

These windows may look original, but they are indeed replacement windows. Match the right windows with a great installer who is a craftsman, and you can fool anyone. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

You can buy new replacement windows made today that will match existing windows in almost all cases. The best part is the fact that the new windows will be very energy efficient, and probably made from materials that will be virtually maintenance-free.

For example, I have windows on my own home that are just six-years old, but the house was built 20 years ago. I needed replacement windows because of a factory recall. The slight age difference between my new and original windows may not impress you, but if I told you my house was a classic Queen Anne Victorian home you might change your mind. You can readily purchase replacement windows that can match houses 100 or more years old.

If I were you, I would want windows that have passed a battery of tests created by one or more independent certification organizations. The materials used to make the window must be of high quality, and the method in which the windows are assembled should also be superior. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has developed stringent standards that ensure certain windows last for generations instead of several seasons. Replacement window manufacturers that make windows that meet these standards get to apply very special labels to their windows.

Energy efficiency is also very important, and a second organization, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), ensures that certain windows pass minimum energy standards. Look for windows that carry the Energy Star label issued to window companies that make windows to meet these important energy guidelines.

Some replacement windows are easy to install, and others can be a challenge even for a professional. I would say from experience that wood-frame houses are the ones that are best suited for a rookie like yourself. A solid-masonry home has unique challenges that you may not have the tools nor skills for this early in the game.

The best way to test yourself is to order one or two windows to start the job. Do smaller windows on the back or side of your home that are not in view from the street. The last thing you want is your neighbors to see you flailing about trying to install these windows. Read all of the written instructions before you start the job to ensure you know exactly what to do, and that you have all tools and materials onsite. You do not want to have to leave the job and run to the hardware store with a window partially in place.

If you have great success, and the new windows fit like a glove and operate smoothly, then go ahead with the rest of the order. Double and triple check your measurements, since you take responsibility for the custom-sized windows. Remember, custom-sized windows can't be used easily by other customers. Window dealers will almost never give you a new window for free if the window you order does not fit once you get it home.

The key to a successful installation is to make sure the windows are square within the window frame. High-quality windows will often square themselves if you close the window and lock the sash(es) within the frame. This procedure closes the window tightly making the window sash(es) parallel to the window frame. Always look at the gap between the window sash(es) and the window frame to ensure the gap is uniform.

When installing fasteners that hold the widow in place, try to not fully install them in case you discover the window is in a bind or does not operate smoothly. If the window works and seals well, drive or screw in the fasteners completely. Be sure the weatherstripping seals out wind and water.

It is very important to leave a gap between the window frame and the rough opening the window unit fits into. Windows are not structural building components, and the weight of the building should never press down on a window. Be sure to insulate any and all gaps before exterior and interior window trim is applied. Caulk all exterior trim to block water from leaking past the window into your home.

Column 631

Winterize a Home

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: I own two homes, and live about six months per year in each one.  One house is up north where the winter winds howl, and the other house is in the sunny south.  What is the best way to close up these houses when I leave? With rising utility costs, is it possible to completely shut off all heat in my northern home?  Can I close up my southern home and turn the air conditioning off?  Dyke S., Peoria, IL

DEAR DYKE: Any number of people own two or more homes and do exactly what you do.  Many more people like me don't own two houses, but may leave their own home for an extended amount of time.  Leaving a home alone can become an expensive proposition if things go wrong in your absence. And more often than not, things do go wrong.

You can turn off your furnace and air conditioner to save money, but certain things need to be done to protect your home and the interior furnishings. Your home down south requires the least amount of attention.

Water, both in the liquid and vapor state, is your biggest enemy. The water in regular household plumbing supply lines is under significant pressure.  If a pipe or washing machine supply hose bursts, thousands of gallons of water can begin to flood the home.  Imagine the nightmare if you happen to live in a condominium and the water lines above your unit burst?  It has happened, and the damage loss is unbelievable.  You must turn off your main water shutoff valve whenever you leave either home. 

The water that is in your northern home's water lines needs to be drained.  Water that freezes in supply lines or traps in drainage lines can cause them to crack.  Go to the lowest fixture in the house that has hot and cold water.  Open those valves.  Go to every plumbing fixture in the home and open all valves and flush all toilets.  This will allow gravity to pull the water down through the system.  Closed valves create vacuums that prevent water from draining.

Open all outdoor hose bibs as well.  Lift up any flexible spray hoses in sinks and showers and allow the trapped water in these hoses to drain. Keep all valves at all fixtures partially open. Drain the hot water tank and water softener.  Pour non-toxic antifreeze into all toilet bowls, sink, tub, shower, washing machine drain, and floor drains.  This antifreeze can often be purchased at recreational vehicle or marine supply houses.

A plumber should be called in to shut off the water outside you home.  It is entirely possible for the plumbing line on the street side of your main shut off to freeze and burst if it gets cold enough inside the home during your absence. The water does not need to be drained from anything in your southern home.

If your northern home is a modern one that is fairly air tight, the water vapor in the air inside your home may cause all sorts of problems.  Once you leave, the temperature of interior surfaces begins to drop and the water vapor in the air can and will condense on many surfaces.  Because millions of mold and mildew spores are on all of the surfaces and furniture, the condensed water provides them with the necessary water they need to begin to grow.

Open windows slightly to allow air to readily circulate through your home. Have a trusted friend or neighbor enter the house to check for signs of condensation. Within several weeks the indoor and outdoor humidity should have equalized.  At that point, the windows can be closed and locked for the remainder of the winter.

It is a wise idea to turn off all non-essential electrical circuit breakers.  Only leave on those circuits that control security lighting.  Electrical fires can and do happen even though an appliance or fixture is in the off position.  Empty all perishable food from your refrigerator. Turn off your natural gas or propane supply valve outside your home if at all possible.  Contact your local utility company or fuel supplier for help with this job.

Notify your local police and fire department before you leave. There is a very good chance they will provide you with a list of helpful tips that will prevent your home from becoming a statistic in your absence. Be sure they know how to get in touch with you. Consider storing valuable or sentimental items in a separate secure storage facility or take them with you.

Column 386

Ceramic Tile Saw

Posted on by Tim Carter
ceramic tile saw

Ceramic tile saw | This is my own ceramic tile saw. I've used it to make perfect cuts on hundreds of tiles and pieces of natural stone like this granite. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

"Virtually every cut on granite and marble must be made with a diamond wet saw. These saws cut tile, granite, and marble exactly like a table saw cuts wood."

Ceramic Tile Saw Checklist

  • Dry and wet saws
  • Dry saws create clouds of dust
  • Wet saws make precision cuts
  • Wet saws cut every tile and natural stone

Related Links

Ceramic Tile Quick Start Guide - SECRET TIPS HERE - Do NOT Share

Drill a Hole in Ceramic Tile - More SECRETS

Ceramic Tile Saw - The Best DIY Tool for Pro Results

DEAR TIM: I'm going to try to install ceramic tile in several bathrooms. I have to do wall tile and floor tile. Since I have never installed tile before, I was wondering how in the world to make the circular cuts for the pipes and toilet flange.

I'm confused about making cuts where the resulting tile will look like the letter L. I know how to score tile and snap it using a simple tile-cutter tool. Someone told me I need a ceramic-tile saw. How do these work, and is there an alternative method? What happens if I decide to use some marble and granite on my jobs? Cindy H., Key West, FL

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local ceramic tile contractors.

What Should be the First Job I Do with a Tile Saw?

DEAR CINDY: The first piece of advice I can offer is to start in the smallest and least-complicated bathroom first. You are a rookie tile setter, and in the trade, you might even be called a grasshopper. You need to get up to speed quickly because tile work requires significant skill and precision.

What are Tile-Cutting Tolerances?

Often you deal in tolerances as small as one-sixteenth inch. When it comes to professional tile setting, the margin for error decreases as the contrast between the color of the tile and the grout increases. Mistakes made in measuring and cutting tile stick out like a sore thumb if grout lines vary in size.

AsktheBuilder Podcast

CLICK this image and listen to the second call on the podcast. I talked to Greg about what can be done with porcelain tile, including borders to offset certain spaces. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

How Do You Make Curved Tile Cuts?

There are any number of ways to make circular cuts in ceramic tile. But the method of cutting is dependent upon the type of tile you are using. Not all ceramic tiles have the same hardness.

Common ceramic tile is made from a very pure clay, and it has a thin glaze that is transformed into glass when the tile is fired in the kiln. These are the easiest tiles to cut and shape, as the clay is fairly easy to chip, saw and grind.

Are All Tiles the Same Hardness?

No, tiles and natural stone come in varying hardness. But some ceramic tiles, like the popular glass tile and porcelain tile, are extremely hard.

The molecular structure of these tiles is very different from standard clay tile. You will need a ceramic-tile saw that has a wet blade to make all of your cuts. Granite and marble fall into this category as well. Virtually every cut on granite and marble must be made with a diamond wet saw.

How Does a Ceramic Tile Saw Work?

These saws cut tile, granite, and marble exactly like a table saw cuts wood. The difference is the ceramic-tile saw blade has diamonds in it, and water is used to cool the blade so the diamonds last longer.

I will assume for the moment that your job will require standard ceramic tile made from clay. You can make every cut, no matter what the shape, using hand tools. This will save you money, but you may invest lots of time and muscle power.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local ceramic tile contractors.

Is Renting a Tile Saw the Way to Go?

I would consider renting a ceramic-tile saw at a tool-rental store if you have lots of cuts. Also, most snap-type tile cutters have a limit to the smallest piece they can cut without shattering the tile. I've found that the smallest piece I can cut with consistency is only five-eighths inch wide. Pieces that are narrower than this must be cut with a ceramic-tile saw.

wet saw ceramic tile

The diamond blade of the wet saw is about to slice into solid granite. The water you see keeps the metal blade cool. Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

What Hand Tools Cut Ceramic Tile?

The hand tools you need are:

  • 1/4-inch carbide-tipped masonry drill bit
  • carbide-rod saw
  • carbide hacksaw blade
  • tile nippers

The rod-saw blade fits into a hacksaw frame and looks like a long pipe cleaner. This blade can follow any curved line you draw. The stiffer carbide hacksaw blade has carbide particles, instead of teeth, at the edge of the blade instead of teeth. Only one leg of the L must be cut with the carbide saw blade. You can use this blade to make only the long straight cut in an L-shaped piece of tile. After this, you can use your snap cutter to make the shorter straight cut.

Can a Ceramic Tile Wet Saw Make Circular Cuts?

A ceramic-tile saw with a diamond blade can also be used to make some circular cuts in tile, marble or granite. In certain situations, you may discover the resulting circle cuts across three or maybe four different tiles. This means that a piece of tile shaped like a slice of pizza must be removed from each separate tile.

How Do You Make the Curved Cuts?

In these instances, you make parallel cuts with the diamond wet saw into the tile. The blade should approach the curved line as close as possible at a 90-degree angle. Space the cut lines at three-eighths inch apart.

Once all cuts are made, you can use a ceramic-tile nipping tool to bite off these small slivers of tile that are to be removed. As you approach the final cut line, take smaller bites of tile with the nipping tool. You will discover the nipper does a great job of biting off small pieces of the tile.

Can You Use Diamond Hole Saws for Tile?

Smaller holes that are 2-inches or less in diameter can be cut with diamond hole saws. These are very expensive tools, and it might make more sense to have the holes cut by a local marble or granite company that fabricates granite and marble countertops each day. They have all of the necessary tools and experience to make perfect holes.

Can a 4-Inch Grinder Make Hole Cuts?

Larger holes for single-lever faucets may have to be created with a 4-inch grinder outfitted with a special diamond blade. If the tool is set at an angle, it can sometimes be used to make a roughly circular cut. I highly recommend that you leave this task to a professional, as it is easy to ruin a piece of tile or granite while trying to control the aggressive grinder.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local ceramic tile contractors.

Column 630

Electrical Wiring

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Electrical wiring is in my near future as part of a bathroom remodeling job. I have to relocate an existing box that has three switches in it. In addition, I want to install new recessed lighting in the ceiling. There is attic space above the ceiling, so that should be easy. I have replaced outlets and switches before, but I wonder if I am getting past my skill level with this job. What would you do if you were me? What are the dangerous aspects of this job? Bob R., Erie, PA

DEAR BOB: Every aspect of this electrical wiring job is highly dangerous. Don't confuse the danger of working with electrical cables, wires and boxes that have yet to be connected to the circuit panel board with the hidden dangers of energized electrical wiring that can arc and overheat, causing a fire.

People die everyday from house fires caused by defective or improperly installed electrical wiring. If you are not 100-percent confident in exactly what needs to be done and how to do it to satisfy all applicable parts of the National Electrical Code, then hire a professional to do the job.

If you now have a sufficient respect for electrical wiring, that is a great thing. But if you decide to forge ahead and tackle the job, then I beg you to become well-educated in all parts of the job, so the wiring and fixtures are installed to code. There are many written and visual teaching aids available that can help with this vital training. You might even find a local vocational school that offers evening classes in residential electrical wiring.

The different cables entering this electrical box can confuse a rookie electrician. There are strict guidelines that govern how electrical wiring must be installed. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

The different cables entering this electrical box can confuse a rookie electrician. There are strict guidelines that govern how electrical wiring must be installed. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

The list of things you need to know about this small job is almost endless. To give you a small taste of how intricate and complex the knowledge base is about residential wiring, let's go over a few things:

First, you can't just put in any type of light fixture for your recessed lights. The metal housings come in different models, depending upon heat conditions. There may be no insulation in the attic now, but what happens if someone blows in insulation at a later date and covers a recessed lighting fixture not rated for direct contact with insulation? I'll tell you what happens - a fire. Insulation can trap heat in a fixture, and cause the fixture to get so hot, it melts the plastic insulation on the electrical cable and individual conductors. You can buy recessed light housings that can be covered with insulation, so find those and install them.

The size and type of the cables and wires you install is extremely critical. You may be tempted to work with 14-gauge wiring material, because it is easier to handle. Maybe a store clerk said it meets code. But what happens if the circuit you are working on is controlled by a 20-ampere circuit breaker? I'll tell you what might happen - a fire.

Circuit breakers are meant to protect wires, not people. A 14-gauge wire can overheat and catch fire before a 20-ampere circuit breaker will trip, cutting off the power. All of the wiring in a particular circuit must be matched to the size of the circuit breaker controlling the circuit.

Something as harmless as a cable staple is important. Hammer one too hard, and it can pierce the insulation on the cable and the individual conductors within the cable. Arcing can happen at a later date, which then starts a fire.

Installing wire nuts and twisting conductors the right way may seem intuitive, but if done improperly, these critical connections can be the source of electrical fires months or years from now. Every single aspect of the job is important, and you must be focused the entire time you work with all of the electrical components.

If you want to gain a new perspective for the potential fire hazards of simple residential electrical wiring, I urge you to stop by a local firehouse. Talk with a seasoned roughneck firefighter, district commander or perhaps the assistant fire chief. These individuals have seen what a simple electrical wiring mistake can do. In the worst cases, they may have had to zip up one of those dreadful plastic body bags and carry it to a waiting county vehicle.

I have seen the aftermath of several electrical fires, and the damage to property, life and spirit is horrific. Be sure the work you do, or that is done by a professional, is inspected. Do not assume everything is fine, as tiny mistakes can cause large fires.

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Solar Energy

Posted on by Tim Carter

DEAR TIM: Soaring energy costs have me thinking about solar energy for my new home. Have there been significant advancements in technology with respect to solar energy and residential applications? What kind of systems can be installed and are they really cost-effective? Would you consider solar energy if you were building a new home? If so, what kind of system? Are there any negative issues with respect to solar energy? Pamela D., Montgomery, AL

DEAR PAMELA: The time for solar energy has arrived. In my opinion, solar energy is absolutely the belle of the ball when it comes to long-term solutions that solve many of the energy needs of the typical residential home. There is not a doubt in my mind that solar energy systems in a vast majority of future homes will be as common as balloons at a child's birthday party.

This large solar panel produces enough electric power on sunny days to supply nearly all of the electrical needs inside this large home in Colorado. PHOTO CREDIT: Kit Cassingham

This large solar panel produces enough electric power on sunny days to supply nearly all of the electrical needs inside this large home in Colorado. PHOTO CREDIT: Kit Cassingham

Solar energy makes sense for a number of reasons. First of all, the sun' output of energy is constant or nearly so each and every day. Clouds can block sunlight, and the change of seasons creates a varying amount of available sunlight on any given day. But you and I can count on the sun. Natural resources like oil, coal, and natural gas are being used faster than they can be created by natural geologic processes. When you start to factor in the consumption rate of these finite resources with respect to a growing world population, you see why solar energy starts to make sense.

But these issues aside, when the sun is shining on south-facing lots in the northern hemisphere, massive amounts of energy can be captured and harnessed for use by you and your family. In fact, you might capture excess energy that can be sent backwards through the power lines to neighboring houses. I have friends in Colorado who do this with their solar energy system on a routine basis.

On sunny days, their electric meter actually spins backwards indicating they are selling electricity to the local utility company. This appears as a credit on their monthly bill against electric they purchase from the grid when the sun can't create enough electricity for their needs. Because they live in an area where there is abundant sunshine, their electric bill is sometimes zero or a very small amount of money.

There have been significant advancements in solar energy technology. In my opinion, the biggest effect has been the consistent lower-cost of the equipment. The cost of photovoltaic cells and panels continues to drop like a rock falling from the sky. These lower costs translate to faster payback periods which increase the likelihood of a positive return on investment while you still own the house. Photovoltaic panels and cells transform sunlight into electricity by a natural process common to certain crystals.

There are two primary residential active-solar energy systems. The photovoltaic systems create electricity that you use in real time. If extra electricity is produced, it is stored in batteries. If the batteries get fully charged, you can then send the electricity back downstream into the electric company power grid with their permission.

The second solar energy system is one that captures the radiant heat from the sun. You can use this heat to raise the temperature of air or water in your home. The solar energy water heating systems can be open or closed looped. An open loop system takes the actual water that will be used, and sends it to the solar heating device. This system works best in areas where freezing temperatures are not experienced. An open loop system could easily freeze up in the dead of winter on a bitter cold night.

The closed-loop systems contain a liquid in the piping system that will not freeze. This liquid is heated by the sun, and the heat is transferred to the domestic water supply lines via a simplistic heat exchanger. I intend to use one of these closed loop systems in a new home I am planning to build in New Hampshire. I also intend to install a photovoltaic system to help lower my dependence on the existing electrical grid.

Smart architecture can also help capture solar energy. Passive solar energy practices allow you to capture the strong solar rays that can heat up interior surfaces in your home during daylight hours. Dark natural stone flooring or other dense materials that can absorb the solar heat work very well. As the sun sets, these heat sinks then slowly release the stored energy back into your home. Mother Nature gives freely her solar energy, so be sure not to waste that which comes your way.

In my opinion, the biggest negative issues with solar energy are the financial ones. You need to take the time and do the math to see when you will get paid back in full the extra money the solar energy systems cost. They are more expensive than conventional heating systems, that is a fact.

But the good news is that the federal and state governments are helping reduce the initial financial pain via healthy tax credits. These tax credits vary, and they expire at different times. Be very careful about trusting the advice of a solar-energy salesperson when it comes to these tax credits. Get information directly from the Internal Revenue Service and your local state government. Obtain the facts in writing, and keep the circulars along with all receipts in a file. If you ever get audited, these documents will help you if the auditor happens to question your deduction.

Some solar energy systems need periodic maintenance. The solar panels may have to be cleaned regularly to ensure peak performance. The tilt of certain panels may have to be adjusted several times a year to get the maximum benefit from the sun's rays since the sun tracks across the sky at different angles from summer to winter and then back again. You may also have to check batteries and perform maintenance on these to ensure you have power when the sun is not shining.

Column 628

Moen Faucets

Posted on by Tim Carter

Moen faucets are fantastic plumbing products. In fact, I just made the decision to install Moen faucets in all of my second-floor bathrooms. The new ShowHouse collection of Moen faucets offered the exact finish, style, durability and functionality my family desired.

Moen was an easy choice, since our basement recreation room bathroom sports a unique Moen ShowHouse faucet that looks like it was made with pieces of bamboo. This faucet gets compliments from every person who uses it. They especially like how the water gently cascades from the bamboo faucet shaft. If this faucet had been available when the Gilligan's Island TV series was filmed, I am quite sure the show producer would have had one installed in Gilligan's grass hut!

I have installed Moen faucets for years for many customers. Plumbing faucets are like cars. People seem to like different makes, models and styles. I found as a builder and remodeler that certain customers just loved the look and functionality of Moen faucets over other major brands. The best part about their choice was I never had a malfunction or service call traced to a defective Moen faucet. Ask any builder, remodeler or plumber, and they will tell you that is music to their ears.

What sets one faucet apart from another? In my opinion, it depends entirely on what you are looking at. If you are shopping by price alone, you will discover that Moen is not the most expensive faucet. It is also not the least expensive. Talk to people who own Moen faucets, and you will quickly discover they are spectacular value for the money spent.

If you can install faucets yourself, this may not be an issue. Since your labor is free so to speak, you can install a cheap faucet every year or two as they fail. But many people do not possess plumbing skills, or the skills they have are not refined. Plumbing leaks can turn into plumbing nightmares, and this fear drives many homeowners to call plumbers for faucet installations.

Plumbers have traditionally garnered a high wage for their work. If you have a new faucet installed, you will discover the labor charge alone may run into the hundreds of dollars. For this reason and others, you want to be sure the faucet installed will perform flawlessly for many years.

Another distinctive comparison point to consider is ease of repair. The internal parts in faucets do wear out. How hard or easy is it to perform repairs? I can tell you that it is simple to install a new Moen faucet cartridge. Remove a wishbone-shaped retaining clip and the cartridge pulls out instantly. Not all faucets offer this ease of repair.

If you choose a faucet based on styling, then Moen faucets will absolutely captivate your attention. The sleek designs and finishing details set them apart from other faucets in their class. If you were able to see all of the faucets displayed at once like I see each year at the International Builders Show, you would instantly discover why many people buy Moen faucets.

Keep in mind that faucets are not the only fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens. Often there are accessories such as towel bars, soap dishes and toilet-paper holders. Moen offers a complimentary series of accessories with many of their faucets. Be sure to consider this before you make your final faucet decision.

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