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I HAVE POSTED THESE HINTS AND TIPS, THAT I HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS SINCE I STARTED IN MY TRADES OR FOUND IN BOOKS OR ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE TAKING NINE DIFFERENT TRADES AND WORKED WITH WOOD SINCE I WAS A YOUNG BOY. I STARTED MY BUSINESS IN 1978 AND HAVE BEEN BUSY SINCE.
AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS
Cleaning:You schould clean your window air conditioner every year befor you install it.Remove the front grille take the spounge filter and vacuum it now if you wish you can wash it with soap and water let it dry before using it.If it has a fibreglass filter replace it.Remove the outside case.Gently vaccuum all you see if you have stubborn lint on the fins(they look like a car radiator) use a vacuum brush but be gentle.If any fins are bent you can fix them with a butter knife or buy a fin comb from an appliance dealer.But be carefull they have different sizes.
Damp Basements:The only real way to solve this problem is to get a de-humidifier(You usually only need it in the summer months.
White Powder:This white powder is efflorescence,caused by moisture seeping up in the concrete.The water is drying up before you see it.You can paint the wall with water plug,but the problem is just covered up.the real solution is install a sump pump or dig and lay new weeping tile.
Water comming in:If you have a crack in the foundation and water comes in from time to time.Check out side make sure rain drains away from the house,check the eavestrough if there is a drip repair it.Now you can chip a channel along the crack about 3/4" square or undercut,and fill with a quick dry cement ask your building center.
Cleaning:You can clean dirt splashed on or from overflowing eaves with dishsoap in warm water and a scrubbing brush than hose down with a strong spray,wash down well so you leave no soap flim.
Removing Paint:Use a paint remover brush it on let it sit a while,than wash it off with a strong spray.If your water pressure is not strong enough rent a power sprayer from a tools rental shop.DO NOT SANDBLAST this weakens your brick and it will fall apart as time goes bye.
Rippling Carpet:This is caused by the carpet stretching you need to lift the carpet and wood trim if any on one end, and use a kicker (you can rent them from a tools rental) re-stretch the carpet cut of excess and hammer down on tacker or staple.You usually have to do two sides but you may need to do all four.
Waiving or Damp Ceilings:THis is caused by the drywall being to thin or condensation replace with 1/2" or 5/8" check your roof vents you need 1sq.ft for every 300sq.ft. of ceiling.
Loose Tiles:This is caused by water getting behind the tile and ruining the drywall and glue if it is not bad now re-chaulk around tub and down corners.
Waterproofing Groute:You can do this with silicone,sometimes you can get it from a shoe store in a bottle with a small applicator if not use a spray it will wash off the tile but sink into the groute if you do this every couple of months you will add years to you tile job.
Close Old Chimneys:If you have an unused chimney you can make a cap out of metal or go to a roofing supply or tin shop and they will make you one like a box upside down to put over top you can paint it if you like if it comes down about 6" that would be good.THis will keep out rain,racoons,birds,etc.
Resurfacing:If you want to resurface concrete you schould make it at least 2" thick you schould but an bonding agent in the mixture(acryli bond)also brush on the old cement.If the cement is in pretty good shape you can put on Top n Bond or a similar product this need only be 1/4" thick still use the bonding agent,any time you cover or repair concrete make the old stuff clean and damp.
Metal vs Wood:A wood do looks much nicer than metal,but a metal door 1 3/4" thick has an R value of 11 a wood door the same thickness is only 3.5,metal will not warp.If you want a storm door and your door gets lots of sun stay with the wood,the metal door gets to hot with the glass in the storm your paint will bubble or crack.
Do-It Yourself:IT is ok to do your own electrical.But make sure you do it right,if you are doing a lot do it and get it inspected.Now you know it is safe and insurable.
Cleaning:You can clean smoke stains of with oven cleaner or TSP.
Gas Fireplace:A gas fireplace is much cleaner,and it heats much better,with the new ones they just need abs exhaust and they can go just about anywhere,it is best to get it installed in your exsisting one.
Bouncy Floor:You have to double up the joist underneath remove the bracing double them up with the same size replace bracing with wood blocks cut from your material or 2x4" at bottom edge the nails in the top schould keep it from warping.
Removing Old Tiles/Sheet vinyl:The easy way is to cover it with 1/4" plywood or underlayment,but if you need to take it up rip up what you can,now get a heat gun (paint stripper)heat the floor and lift with a trowel.
Marks On Fabric:This even took off tar on a velvet sofa for me methyl hydrate.In the States I think they call it methyl alcohol.
Old RadsIf you have old rads in your house keep them,it will cost you more to have central air or humidifie,but rads retain heat.I have seen a boiler go down the rads stayed hot for hours.
To Much Salt:If you put to much salt in your soup or stew, drop in a potato boil for about five minutes when you remove the potato the salty taste will fade.
Splatter:Put a little salt in the frying pan before cooking to cut down splattering. Gravy:Thicken gravy by adding instant mashed potato mix.
Lemon Juice:If you heat the lemon first you will get more juice.p.s. when you by lemons pick the ones with less bumps and ho points on the ends.
Basement Drain:If the drain is not used much the water in the trap will evaporate,this lets the sewer gas in .Pour about a quart of water in the drain slowly to fill the trap repeat about once a month or as needed.
Kitchen And Bath:Odors in kitchen,baths or basements can usually be removed with an exhaust fan,make sure you use the right size for the job,ask at you building supply you will need the cubic feet.IF you have a fan now maybe it is not strong enought or is worn out.
Musty Closets:You can replace the door with a louvered.You can cut the door shorter at the top and bottom,or install vents in the door.
Freshen:Sprinkle cinnamon on a piece of aluminum foil and heat in oven with door open the smell will go through the house.
Hands:Remove garlic, onion or fish smells off you hands by dampening and sprinkle on baking soda rub together and rince off.
Oil Or Latex:You can tell by putting some nail polish remover on latex will soften and rub off oil base will just dull.
Removal:THE best way is with a heat gun,chemicals are good for hard to get spots.
Paint of skin:If thinners irritate your skin try cooking oil.
What Kind:They have a different paint for every job now ask at your paint store.You do not have to use oil paint now ,latex has come a long way.
Reuse:If you let your paint thinners sit a few days,the old paint will settle to the bottom.You can pour out the clear stuff on top and re-use it.
ladder marks:If you put old socks on the top of the ladder it will not mark your wall.
LaddersYour ladder schould be 1 foot out from the wall, for every 4 feet up.
Nice Brushes:Keep a comb with your paint supplies.Comb brushes before using.This will free the bristles and remove loose ones so they will not go in your paint.
Soldering:Always remamber solder moves toward the heat hold the tip of the flame back about 3/4" and let solder go in,make sure you clean and flux the pipe.
Gurgling:If your sink,tub or toilet gurgle your vent pipe is cloged or not hooked up right.The gurgling is your trap being sucked dry.
Slow Drain:Put 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar,let it fizz,than flush with lots of hot water.
Counter Tops:Make a paste of water and baking soda rub it on the spot with your finger,if it still didn't come of put more on let it sit till it drys wipe it off with a wet rag.
Oil Or tar:This even took off tar on a velvet sofa for me methyl hydrate.In the States I think they call it methyl alcohol.
Carpet Fabric:If you get stuck and can't find anything use shaving cream.Rub it in with an old cloth.
Rust from fabric:Try lemon juice with some salt in it.Just rub it on.
Removal:Strip off what you can, wet whats left with warm soapy water,remove with a putty knife keep the water handy and re-wet as you go along.
Loose Paper:If it is hard wet with warm water use white paper glue or carpenters glue.
Safe Keeping:You should photo copy your credit cards, Bank cards, Licence, Insurance etc. and keep in a safe place.
Refinishing Countertop:They have a melamine paint now for this purpose.
Batteries:Keep them in the fridge they last longer
Pest:Keep racoons,skunks and squirrels away with mothballs.I put some down a chimney to get racoons out it works.
Paper from wood:Cooking oil removes paper from wood.Sometimes warm soapy water wors also.
Soap Slivers:Keep an old wool or cotton sock hanging in the bath room put the slivers in it, this can be use as a sodsy wash cloth.
Tight bolts:Keep your nuts,bolts and screws tight,apply a few drops of nail polish before the final turn.
Nylon rope:When you cut nylon rope the size you want melt the end so it will not fray.
Measuring:When measuring put a piece of masking tape on you measuring tape to jot down tjhe numbers.
Cleaning:Baking soda and water paste will clean aluminium(doors).This can also remove water stains from wood.
Drill Bits:Drill bits will work better and last longer if you lubricate them while using.
Hammer Slip:If your hammer slips of the nails a lot.You can sand or file the head to roughen it.
Wall Studs: You can locate wall studs with a compass just watch for the needle to jump.
Nailing:When nailing into plaster to hang a picture etc. place some tape and nail into it to help keep it from chipping.
Sticky drawers:Rub the edges with wax or soap.
Scuff Marks:Remove scuff marks from linoleum with a pencil eraser.
Stickers:To remove stickers from glass or appliances,rub on nail polish remover than scrap it of.
Corners:You can clean in window frames and tight places with a paint brush.
Windows:You washed your windows , but have streaks. Use news papers to dry them this will remove streaks on mirrows also.
Static:A few drops of vinegar in the rince water is said to stop static cling in synthetics.
Fading:You can bring back you black cloths by adding coffee or strong tea to the water.
Bleeding:You can stop your colours from running by adding 2 or 3 teaspoons of salt to the wash and rince cycle.