Posts Tagged ‘repair’

Tips On Fixing Broken Wood Screws

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Electric drills and screws are generally in a love-hate relationship when it comes to screw-drilling into softwood without preparing it beforehand. However, let’s get real here. Things happen and just the slightest wrong angel with your drill and you are looking at a screw with a stripped head. Drilling a screw into decking or even drywall can mean a broken screw. The best way to cope when dealing with such difficult wood material, is to drill a pilot hole first. Then you can drill your screw home safe and sound.

Removing broken screws:

Some times screws break above the wood. In such cases you can use pliers to get them out. If you have a broken screw that is buried in the wood then the easiest fix may be to just leave it in place and putty the hole over. Of course, there are a few solutions in case you absolutely have to extract the broken screw, and can’t go on with your work without doing so.

The screw extractor would be a good solution to your problem. This tool was designed for just such a situation. You can find it in any woodworking tool shop. It is a metal flute-shaped tool with toothed edges. You can use it to extract a plug out of the wood and replace it with a wood dowel coated in glue so it won’t break free. Then a new screw can be drilled in the same place with no problem.

If you would rather not use the special tool you can dig around the broken screw until you can grasp the end with pliers and use them to back the screw out of the wood. Then it is a matter of cleaning out the hole so you can insert a dowel or wood scrap and glue it in place. When this is set you can put in a new screw.

Use some scrap wood that matches your project and cut a plug so you can use it to repair the hole that was left from the broken screw. This way the grains will match. When your screw breaks in the middle of attaching hinges you may be able to affix the head of the screw in to the hole by using an epoxy resin. When it comes to hinges, using the screw repair method will probably just result in the screw splitting the wood and usually one screw is sufficient to hold the hinge. And just imagine what would happen if the screw were to bend in the hole. More problems? You can bet on it.

How you can avoid breaking screws:

Any time there is hard wood involved a pilot hole is necessary. If the hinge you are installing requires brass screws, the best procedure is to screw in steel screws first and then take them out and put in the brass screws. If by chance you come across a screw that you just can’t drill into the wood, you can use either wax or soap on it to ease the process.

Learn the secrets of healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace

How To Manage Issues With Stucco And Best Way To Resolve The Problems

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Not everyone can afford to buy a new home and for those of us that can not, renovations are the next best thing. The outer looks can be especially important to some. Any home will especially stand out if it is in need of repair. Specifically, how to manage issues with stucco and best way to resolve the problems that may arise.

Stucco can be applied to either the ceiling or the walls and it can be found either inside or outside the home. Stucco has become very popular to apply to the surfaces of homes that require some type of road-side appeal. It is also very popular to use on ceiling surfaces.

Stucco comes in two different forms, the first is cement and the second being a synthetic material. The second, the synthetic stucco, or EIFS, has plastic properties. It is applied along with a foam insulation, but can be less breathable than the first type. The problem that can arise with the synthetic stucco is that water may not be able to evaporate and escape from any areas that it can get trapped. This could be around the wood frame of your home and then problems such as rotting and mould can occur.

Stucco is basically just a mixer that is made of an aggregate, which is a mixer of sand, gravel or crushed cement. It also contains an ingredient called a binder, which is used to bind the stucco mixture together with water. Once this mixer has been applied, it hardens to a hard, durable

Stucco itself can have issues too if it is not applied correctly. One of the issues that can arise and that is most common to people that live in hot climates is something called efflorescence. That is simply where the stucco soaks up water that contains salts that have been dissolved. The water is then evaporated and leaves a dusty film that can fall off from the ceilings and the bottoms of the outside of the home, which is salt.

The easiest way to resolve this issue is to seal the stucco that is below ground level, so that water is unable to penetrate into the stucco. As long as the water can not get in, the efflorescence will not occur.

Another problem that can occur with stucco is cracking and chipping away of the stucco. If this is happening with a newer home, it may be because of the lumber shrinkage. If it happens on an older home, it can be caused from soil movement and poor workmanship.

To permanently fix this issue, you need to be sure that the home is firmly in place and not going to continue to shift. That can be the tricky part, especially if you live in a region where the earth is soft or earthquakes and shifting ground happen to be common place. Take off the excess chips and stucco, a cooler and overcast day will work the best. Then buy a bag cement and mix it 1 part cement and 2 parts sand. Add some moisture to the cracks using a sponge or old brush. Fill the crack with this mixture, wait for it to set somewhat and then try to recreate the texture from the previous application.

Whatever your project, stucco can add a durable and hard finish, to improve the looks of your home. It is a cheap way to improve any house.

Specialized in ceiling repair Toronto and drywall repair Toronto for residential and commercial clients, get your drywall in Toronto fixed with this Toronto business firm of more than 25 years of experience.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace

Ways To Avoid Accidents On Your Home’s Garage Floor

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Your garage floor is not commonly seen as a very hazardous place, but accidents usually happen when you least expect them. Unforeseen issues like fluids leaked from a car, poor lighting, clumsily stored home improvement products and potentially sharp tools are all factors to consider when treading in your garage.

Your Automobile Can Sabotage Your Garage Floor

During the night, when your automobile is shut away, finding a trickle of car fluid would be difficult to do before another day of work. The seeped car solution will remain on the garage floor until most of it evaporates or dries. In the period of time that it takes to desiccate, someone you know may find themselves in the garage and inadvertently step in the puddle and fall.

Stop Problems Before They Begin

Poor lighting, like a dim light bulb or a single light that is ill placed, could leave much of the garage in darkness. This could make a slip in the garage even more probable. Clumsily stored home improvement products, like cans of paint or tubs of plaster, could be placed in the garage as storage. This could cause someone to trip over it or stumble over it and into something potentially deadly. One of these deadly items could be sharp tools that are on a work bench and seemingly out of harms way. However, if you trip over something on the garage floor you could run into one of these objects.

Be Prepared For The Worst

By putting up a First Aid Kit in the garage is definitely a great way to make sure you are prepared for anything that could happen. The best thing to do is to keep the kit stocked with band-aids, sterilizing liquid and a few boxes of gauze and cloths. The use of gauze and cloths is key to wiping up a mess on the garage floor that could harm someone. Remember that you should not reuse either of these items once they are used.

Take Action Before The Accident

The best solution for the paint cans, tubs of plaster and the tools with jagged edges is to either construct or go to your local hardware store and buy a cabinet and placing all those items within it. Assess your lighting situation and take action by either correcting the problem and installing new lighting.

Need more garage floor information before you make your move? Harry would like to point out this other excellent garage floor resource.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace

Tips On Replacing Bathroom Faucets

Monday, June 7th, 2010

There is nothing more frustrating than a leaky bathroom faucet or leaky water pipes. In many cases, it may be just a washer that needs replacement. However, sometimes you may need to replace the entire bathroom faucet. The good news is that when you know the steps, it is not that difficult to replace a bathroom faucet. Bathroom faucets are available in an assortment of styles and finishes, and prices. Many bathroom faucet kits come with all of the components needed to properly replace the faucet.

The following are a number of tips to replacing a bathroom faucet:

1. To prevent water from flowing all over the floor, you have to switch the water supply off. You can turn it off by either using the stop valves which you will find under the sink or you can turn off the central water supply. Remove everything from under the sink.

2. Behind the bathroom faucet, you will find the water lines. Remove them.

3. You will need a basin wrench to properly take the faucet out of the sink. First, you must remove the washers and nuts from the faucet. Then, lift the old faucet and the pipes directly out of the sink. Examine the pipes to see if they are damaged. If they are damaged, you will need to replace them with new pipes. They will come with the appropriate nuts and end fittings.

4. Before installing the new faucet, it is important to give the sink a thorough cleaning where the old faucet was positioned. You want to make sure you get rid of all of the gunked-up foreign matter so that the new faucet will fit properly.

5. Where the original faucet was removed, do what a qualified plumber would by putting in the new faucet by placing and positioning it in the hole. Depending on the faucet you purchased, it may have come with the appropriate nuts and washers. Use a wrench to tighten and secure the washers and nuts. As well, you will likely have to seal areas with caulk.

6. Install the water pipe, hose, and drain to the faucet. Test the faucet and water pipes by running the water for a few minutes. Make sure that you check for leaks. If everything is fine, then the job is complete. If there are leaks, tighten the fittings a little more and check for leaks again.

You can buy a basin wrench at any home building or plumbing supply store. When working under the sink, it is important to have enough lighting so you can see what you are doing. If your drain pipes are cracked or worn, you should consider replacing them. As well, if the extensions are copper, do not twist the copper because it will ruin the faucet. If the extensions are chrome, do not bend them.

Whether your old faucets are leaking or archaic, it is easy to replace them when you have the right tools and knowledge. If you care concerned you may not install them properly, you can enlist the services of a plumber who can correctly install the faucet.

Searching for plumbers in Newmarket? Then call the plumbing & drains Vancouver experts at Mr.Rooter, the leader in providing the highest quality and professional Markham plumbing services in all of Canada.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace

Tips On Safely Performing Drain Cleaning

Monday, June 7th, 2010

At some point, most homeowners will have to deal with a clogged drain. In most instances, the clogged drain is the result of not properly cleaning the drain. When you do not regularly clean a drain, over time, foreign matter can accumulate and clog the drain. Not only is it a frustrating experience trying to unclog the drain, but there is often an unpleasant odour caused by the build up foreign debris and bacteria. Cleaning the drain will help prevent an annoying drain clog.

The following are a few basic tips to safely performing drain cleaning:

1. One tip to safely cleaning a drain is to pour about a tablespoon of baking soda down the drain. Then, pour a half a cup of lemon juice or vinegar down the drain. Let the mixture sit in the drain for about 30 to 60 minutes. There will be a bubbling chemical reaction which breaks up the debris. Then, run really hot water through the drain to get rid of all the debris. Not only will this method clean the drain, but it will keep the drain free of odours. To ensure the drain stays free of debris, run hot water through the drain every few days.

2. To keep the drain clean and odour free, every week add the baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice mixture into the drain and run the hot water through it. This will prevent the accumulation of foreign mater and odours.

3. An effective method of cleaning the plumbing drain is to add brine, a mixture of salt and water, down the drain. This is an effective method of preventing the accumulation of grease, soap, and oil such as cooking oil.

4. If your drain and pipes are quite dirty and requires a stronger cleaner, there are a number of different chemical cleaners on the market. It is important to note that some cleaners are quite corrosive so make sure if you use the cleaner, you will not be damaging your pipes. These cleaners also can give off toxic fumes, so it is important not to inhale the fumes. You can wear a mask or you can open a window and then leave the room after you have added the cleaner. As well, chemical cleaners are not usually safe to use on plastic pipes.

5. There are a number of natural drain cleaners available. They are better for the environment and will not damage your pipes. You can purchase these natural cleaners at a plumbing supply store and hardware stores.

6. Drain strainer inserts are useful for stopping substances from falling into the drains. To ensure that your drains are free of mould, mildew, bacteria, and foreign matter, after each cleaning, it is important to run hot water through the pipes.

The best solution to preventing a clogged drain is to maintain a proper drain cleaning schedule which includes the sink. Cleaning a sink and the drain after each use is the best prevention. If you develop a problem with your drains that you cannot repair, it is important to call a professional plumber.

Searching online for a local plumber to fix your drains Newmarket and plumbing? Then be sure to contact the professionals at Mr.Rooter, offering full services 24 hours a day! From drains Markham to plumbing, Mr.Rooter has you covered coast to coast!

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
  • MySpace