Window insulation. Save energy by covering your windows

No matter how new your windows are, you can be losing heat through your windows during those long cold winters. Hanging heavy drapes in the winter, using two or more layers of curtains with your drapes will insulate your windows keeping the heat inside where it belongs!

A more drastic window insulation can be achieved by covering the inside of your window with clear polythene. If your window frame will allow it you need to fix the polythene to the window frame leaving approximately 2 cm gap between the glass and the polythene. Double-sided sticky tape is ideal for this job. This is not the most attractive of solutions but it does work.

In the past I have seen kits that do this. The kit contained special polythene that would shrink when heated with a hair dryer. Once fixed in place you would heat the plastic sheet with your hair dryer and it would smooth out and almost have the appearance of glass. Alas I have not seen these kits for years.

Brighten up your room with stylish and elegant window coverings blinds you can get online.

Cure for squeaky bed springs

If your bed springs are a bit squeaky - you can fix this fast by spraying cooking oil over the springs. All you have to do is flip over the springs and if there is a thin covering there you can rip it off or you can spray right through it. Great fix for that bed that is really not worn out just yet!

Repairing, filling reinforcing items

Repair plastic Reinforce items, fill holes, stong bond tips hints

Superglue or crazy glue as it is sometimes called will make an extra strong bond if mixed with baking soda (Bicarbonate of soda)

So if you have a hole or indentation in almost any material that needs filling have a go at the following.

Place a few drops of super/crazy glue (Fluid not Gel) in the hole/indentation and while wet, add Bicarbonate of Soda. Then add a few more drops of super/crazy glue. This will set and become extremely hard. You can file, drill etc.

Be careful a chemical reaction takes place immediately and creates a lot of heat in a very short time

Happy Thanksgiving

Remove old veneer

If you have a veneer top that want to remove and replace, you can use a wet wash cloth, and a hot iron. The moist heat is going to loosen the glue so you can peel up the veneer. You may need to work on some spots with a flat trowel to pick up most difficult pieces. After you have removed all the old veneer and you have a clean flat smooth surface you can apply a new finish color of veneer!

Remove a broken light bulb safely

When a light bulb has broken off inside it's fitting, make sure that the power is isolated and use something like a carrot or potato to push onto the broken glass so you can turn the bulb with safety

Also:

Before breaking the stubborn light bulb that needs replacement try using the old standby WD40 lightly on the socket. Hint : When installing the new light bulb spray a little WD40 the threaded area

Plywood splitting

If you are cutting plywood, often you will find that it will splinter off, leaving you with a 'bad' edge. To keep your plywood from splintering, play a piece of masking tape over the line where you are going to be cutting to prevent the plywood from splintering leaving you with a great cut.

Happy Halloween

Halloween Fright

There's something eerie lurking about.
Does it walk, does it crawl,
Does it slither around?
The wind rustles the leaves, or was something
Behind me? Is it far, is it near, is it
Sneaking up on me?
My heart pounds ever so fast, as fear trickles
Down my spine. The moon casts shadows on the
Corners and trees, could there be something
Hiding? Waiting to jump out at me?
Screeches and howls- giggles and screams.
Almost to the door,
Nothing is what it seems.
I feel a hand on my shoulder
And let out a scream.
I slowly turn just to see,
And in a sigh of relief...
It's only a group of Trick or Treaters!
Seems the trick was on me!!!!

 

Devil’s night

Don’t go out on Devil’s Night.
Stay in your bed and keep on the light.
Little demons and ghouls have their fun all right,
outside on the streets this Devil’s Night.
You don’t want to know what mischief they cause.
On Halloween Eve they run without pause,
flying and laughing, and breaking the laws,
you really don’t want to see the mischief they’ve caused.
Please heed my words, stay under the covers,
and tell your friends and your sisters, and of course your brothers.
Stay in bed, don’t even peek through the shutters,
’cause a goblin or ghost may spook you to stutters.
Just wait until daybreak on Halloween Day,
when you know all the ghouls and ghosts are away.
They hate the daylight, “it’s no fun,” they say.
So just please, please wait to Trick or Treat on Halloween Day.

Haunted House

There’s a house upon the hilltop
We will not go inside
For that is where the witches live,
Where ghosts and goblins hide.
Tonight they have their party,
All the lights are burning bright,
But oh we will not go inside
The haunted house tonight.
The demons there are whirling
And the spirits swirl about.
They sing their songs to Halloween.
“Come join the fun,” they shout.
But we do not want to go there
So we run with all our might
And oh we will not go inside
The haunted house tonight.

Rejuvinate old wicker furniture, cane furniture

Over a period of time wicker furniture and cane furniture can become out of shape. This is generally due to the cane or wicker stretching. Here are a few tips for rejuvenating your wicker or cane items:

If your cane or wicker chair is starting to sag then sponge the cane with a hot solution of half vinegar and half water. Place the chairs out in the hot sun to dry. You will find that the sag will tighten up.

You can also use hot soapy water that has a cup of salt added. Then leave the furniture to dry in the sun for a few hours.

Even the following will work. If your old wicker is looking and feeling a little saggy, all you have to do is wet down the furniture and let it dry in the sun.

With all of these tips the heat will shrink the wicker or cane which will put back the stiffness creating a better look and feel for those nice warn nights on the porch!

Oiling hinges

If your hinges are getting a bit squeaky, you should use vaseline over the hinge letting it work in as you open and close the door. Vaseline won't run like oil so there is very little mess at all!

Nailing plaster. Tips for banging a nail into plaster

When putting nails in the plaster in your home, often you will get cracks and big holes. You can put nails in plaster without cracks easily when you heat up the nails you are putting in the plaster walls. Boiling them, or using a flame, hot nails go into plaster like butter.

Maintain your drains to prevent blockages

Prevention is better than cure. Constant care of your home is always going to be needed, that is why you are the handy man! (or woman!) To keep your drains flowing freely for years, boil a pan of water and pour it down your drains. Doing this once a week is going to help prevent any clogs from forming in your drains.

Maintaining on a regular basis could save you money later down the line.

To maintain a clean and clear drain in the tub or in the sinks in your bathroom, put a piece of nylon over the drain (that you can easily change weekly or monthly) so that no hair or pieces of soap can get down your drain at all!

Leaky pipe

If you have a leaky pipe and the repair man is going to be coming, you need to minimize the damages. Wrapping the pipe with strip of cloth tightly and putting a bucket under the leak will prevent additional damages to your home.

Ladders

If your ladder is known to slide along the floor or the concrete, you can put socks over the bottom feet on the ladder to keep it from sliding as much. Be sure to try this before climbing too high so you know if your surface will grip the socks or not!

Silicone sealant Caulk make them last longer

When your done using silicone from a tube, put it in a zip tight baggy and it will stay fresh for months instead of days.

Hide a hole in linoleum flooring

Do you have a hole in your linoleum than seems to stick out? Fix this easy by melting a crayon in the microwave and filling the hole with a small amount of the crayon that is the exact same color!

To loosen stiff drawers

If you have a wood drawer that won't open easily, just rub a candle over the edges of the drawers and on the runners inside the cabinet. You will find the drawer will open much easier!

You can also sprinkle corn starch over the same areas of your drawers and this too will make them glide easier.

Remember not to pull too hard as with this added smoothness you may just have the contents of the drawers on the floor.

Give your brick wall a facelift

If your brick is looking a little rough, give it new color using this tip. Use a gallon of hot water and an ounce of glue. Add about half a cup of alum, half a cup of venetian red paint, and a cup of brown paint. Mixed into hot water, mix all the colors completly in the water and then use a paint brush and wash down the brick entirely.

Fixing fiberglass

If you have a hole or crack in your fiberglass tub, you don't have time to get it fixed right now or maybe you don't have the money to replace it at the moment. Use this tip for a temporary fix to your bathing problems. Clean the fiberglass area well. Wipe the fiberglass with fingernail polish remover so that all the soap scum is off. Apply duct tape to the area and press firmly so that you are sealing off the area where the crack or hole is. This will hold up to three or four weeks so you can buy a little time and get your fiberglass fixed by a professional.

Drilling holes in ceramic

If you need to drill a hole in ceramic tile, you will find that a piece of masking tape over the area where you are going to drill will prevent your drill bit from slipping and you will be able to drill a straight hole.

Remove rust from metal, bolts and screws

Here is a way to dissolve rust from bolts, nuts and other metals. Soak in full strength vinegar and the rust will dissolve away.
To remove rust on your car or on other metal pieces, rub a piece of aluminum foil over the area and the rust will be gone!
Take a potato, take the skin off of it and dip it in baking soda. Keep dipping it in baking soda and rubbing the rusted area to remove the rust fast.

Stop metal files clogging up

To prevent metal files from clogging up with filings rub some ordinary black board chalk on to the file. This will sort the problem out.

Store chisels safely

Cut a small slit into several tennis balls or other rubber balls and insert the chisel blades into the holes. Your chisels will be protected against chipping and will be safer for all concerned.

Baby proofing cabinets with VELCRO

If you have kitchen cabinets like mine that are not suitable for the commercial child-proofing locks--or you don't want to drill holes in the wood--try using self-adhesive INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH VELCRO.

I use Velcro for my dish, plastics, and food-storage cabinets that are accessible to my children (DO NOT USE VELCRO TO LOCK CABINETS WHERE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES ARE STORED). I cut strips of Velcro and stuck them to the door frames and doors of my cabinets so that the Velcro interlocked when I closed the cabinet door.

I put three or four three-inch strips per door or drawer, top, bottom, side. My two-year-old twin toddlers can't budge them. Even my hefty four-year-old son cannot open them. I, myself, have to use a little muscle to open the cabinets, but I find opening the Velcro less frustrating than fumbling with a plastic baby door lock.

My cabinet doors are not defaced with holes and such, and this is an economical solution. You can find INDUSTRIAL STRENTH VELCRO in hardware stores.

You can also get EXTREME LOCK VELCRO if you want a really tough lock, but for me that's going a bit too far.

Store putty with this cool tip

A good way to store putty, which is the stuff you use to fix panes of glass into a window frame, is as follows.
If you have left over putty, wrap it in silver foil and store it in the fridge, it will keep for up to a year. If you do not want it in your fridge a cool outhouse, garage or shed will have the same effect. It will make your partner happier as well.

"When my sink drains I hear gurgling sounds."

While your sink or tub is draining, you hear gurgling noise coming from your pipes. Rest assured, it is not gremlins. What you are hearing is air trapped in the pipes. The presence of air in the pipes signifies the need for a vent in the pipe. Also, if you have a garbage disposal it could be clogged with some sediment and air is trapped behind the clog. Do you notice the gurgling after using your kitchen sink? If you do not know how to install a vent, then it would be best to hire a plumber. A plumber would be able to determine the source of the problem and where a vent is needed.

Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

This is common for people on well water but does not exclude public water. The odor has nothing to do with eggs of course, but results from a bacteria known as Divibrio Sulfurcans. This happens when there is a break in the water pipe. The odor is actually gas that the a bacterium had created to live in. The bacteria changes sulfate into Hydrogen Sulfide which results in the stench and can make water have an unpleasant taste. Chlorinating your water would resolve the problem. Sometimes it could be in your drains, simply pour a cup of bleach down the drain to kill the bacteria and stop the odor.

Q - Can I put coffee grounds in my disposal?

This may be the most controversial issue. Ask five plumbers and you probably get five different answers. Some recommend coffee grounds, some say lemon wedges. This is safe, fill sink more then half way with warm soapy water, then pull sink plug and turn on disposal. This creates high powered suction effect that will clean the disposal. However, it is always best to check the manual.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Q - I turned on my hot water and it is rusty?

A - Many people today have concerns about the safety of the water they are drinking. Rust in water is a very common issue. In fact, when pipes become galvanized, they rust and that is what you sometimes see in your water. Then the best solution would be to replace the pipes. Sometimes the rust in the water can come from your water heater. In this case you can check your water heater manual on cleaning your water heater. It is a good idea to call a plumber to check where the rust is coming from so the correct course of action can be taken.

Efflorescence

Efforscence

Where does it come from?

Two conditions must be present to create efflorescence:

1. A source of water soluble salts.
2. Water moving through the material to carry the salts to the surface. The water evaporates and leaves the white powder behind.

Some surfacing products are more prone to have efflorescence because:

• They might be more permeable and promote water travel.
• They might tend to have higher water soluble salts in some batches.

Despite the best efforts of surfacing manufacturers to minimize water soluble salts in their products, they use materials from the earth that can vary from batch to batch.

The causes and treatments of efflorescence are the same, regardless of the material on which it appears. Flooring, roofing, walls and their component materials only vary in the product application technique, as described on product labeling.

Water sources can be:

• IN/OUT - Entering at the surface (rain or sprinklers), penetrating in a fraction of an inch, then returning to the surface carrying the salts.
• THROUGH - Entering from behind (bad flashing, caulking, leaks) or underneath (water from the earth migrating up) and traveling through.

There are two kinds of efflorescence.

1. Regular "powdery" efflorescence as described above and is still gone after "Efflorescence Treatment" dries.
2. "Crystalline" efflorescence. When powdery efflorescence goes through cycles of being deposited on the surface - re dissolved when new water occurs - drying out - new water - etc. it can form crystals. The crystals become tightly bonded to the surface. The crystals do not have to be thick. A light haze that is still there after using "Efflorescence Treatment" will be light crystal formation and is treated as described below.

These white stains and blooms are all efflorescence.

This is a worst case efflorescence condition. And - this is the interior wall! The extensive blooming was caused by long term, heavy water intrusion from bad flashing. The wall is the interior wall of "double wythe" construction. This is where two brick walls separated by an air gap serve as one structural wall. Within the air gap is a supply of water soluble salts that has lasted for years. Rainwater has been flowing into the wall gap and carrying salts out for a long time.

Is this efflorescence or mineral deposits?  It could be either or both. It appears to be a pattern from a sprinkler hitting the wall.  It could be minerals in the water that are left behind.  It could be the water soaking into the block wall and coming out again carrying internal salts.  Or, it could be both.

How can it be cleaned?
"Powdery" efflorescence only requires a simple application of Aldon "Efflorescence Treatment".

• "Efflorescence Treatment" is not a cleaner that must be rinsed or removed.
• "Efflorescence Treatment" carries the salts below the surface.
• "Efflorescence Treatment" enhances the surface color. 
   

"Crystalline" efflorescence can not be moved by "Efflorescence Treatment" because of the crystal's attachment to the surface. That is why you may treat a surface with "Efflorescence Treatment" and it looks great for a few hours. But then, when it dries you can see some efflorescence deposits remaining. They are not new deposits coming out. They were just temporarily disguised by the darkening effect of the initial treatment. The reappearing efflorescence is crystalline and is bonded to the surface. These deposits will "fizz" on contact with a strong acid (pool acid, muriatic acid), but do not use that acid for cleaning. A safer, but just as strong product to remove the deposits is:

1. First - remove crystal deposits with Aldon Grout Residue Remover.
2. Note: If there is no fizzing reaction and the crystals are not removed, this is not efflorescence. 
3. Then - treat with Aldon "Efflorescence Treatment" for any remaining powdery efflorescence and to enhance surface color.

 Tip about sealed surfaces: typically efflorescence would be below the sealer (not in it) because it comes up from inside. Mineral deposits would be on top of the sealer as residue of drying water. If on top, it will wipe off. If below the surface, the sealer needs to be removed to access the white stuff for treatment, unless Efflorescence Treatment is able to penetrate through the sealer.

How it can be stopped!

After treating the surface to restore its appearance, you can prevent future efflorescence by applying one of Aldon's penetrating sealers per directions. This is true even if the water is coming from behind or subsurface and cannot be stopped.

Laboratory Test Proving:
Efflorescence Can Be Stopped By Aldon Sealers!

Test Procedures:

• Using a red clay brick - designation: "Common". The dark color and high permeability show efflorescence easily.
• The brick is partially submerged in a pan of water with 5% sodium carbonate (water soluble salt).
• The Pan is covered with plastic wrap with a hole cut at the brick face only. This forces water to migrate through the brick.
• A fan is blowing air across the surface to accelerate the water migration.
• These conditions are worse than most real world situations.
• All brick are from the same pallet to minimize differences.
• The "control" brick shows what happens with no Aldon sealer. 

 

The Aldon penetrating sealers create a barrier below any absorbent surface that allows water vapor to "breathe" out, but stops the water soluble salt molecules from migrating out.
Note: You can have efflorescence after sealing with another companies sealer, so do not expect the results from an Aldon sealer to apply to all sealers.

If white stains appear after properly sealing an Aldon installation, they are not efflorescence. They are probably mineral deposits from rain water runoff or sprinklers that are on top of the sealer.

Painting the finish: 

You need the sealer penetrated down below the surface to stop efflorescence.  The problem with then painting the surface is that the sealer is a "bond breaker" and does not provide good adhesion for the paint. If you really must paint the surface also, take the gloss down to the surface and then use sandpaper to roughen up the surface to improve the "grabbing" ability of the paint.

 

Aqua Globes

Hello fans!!! I've hoped you've enjoyed our home gardening tips. This week we'll be finishing up with

Homemade Aqua Globes

(I was making these long before they we ever AS Seen On -cough- *TV*)

Supplies needed:

• A gallon jug

•  A needle

• 1 1/2 inch pvc pipe

•  Hand saw

• Drill with tiny drill bit

• Measuring tape

First take your gallon jug and remove the cap.  With your needle poke holes in the milk cap.  Fill milk jug with water and replace cap.

 Second take your pvc pipe and measure about 6 inches.  Using your saw cut the pipe to the 6 inch length.  Now this part is optional I had it work both way.  Drill small holes all the way around up and down the 6 inch pipe you just cut.

 Hammer the pipe into the ground about 75% of the way into the ground close to the plant.  Pull the pipe out of the ground and remove the dirt inside the pipe.  Place the pipe in the hole and hammer completely into the ground.  Make sure the ground level is just slightly above the end of the pipe.

The idea of this is to create a dirt plug at the end of the pipe, which will act like a sponge and the roots will slowly remove water when its needed.

Finally,  Take your jug and invert it and place it on top of the pipe.  The cap will fit inside the hole.  Make sure its standing straight up and down, because it will create a suction and hold right there. Refill jugs every couples of days or whenever empty.

images provided by:  Stephanie Shorter

My Lot

myLot User Profile

Stump Removal

How To Remove Tree Stumps

I spent 2 weeks in my yard removing tree stumps and I came across different ways to remove them. Removing tree stumps is hard work and can be tiresome depending how big it is. You can either try one of these methods.

• 1.  If you can a truck with a tow package on it, hook a thick chain around a tree that hasn't been cut short and yank it out.  Refill the hole with dirt.
• 2.  Dig around the tree, cutting the roots as you go along until you get deep enough.  Use a reciprocating saw to cut through the thick roots.  Once the other roots are removed and you can see the one real thick main root.  Use your body to start pulling and rocking the tree.  This works best if the tree is NOT cut all the way down to the ground and not taller than you.  As you rock it back and forth using yourself to push it as far as you can, you'll hear cracking noises.  Keep doing this and removing any dirt that stops you from pushing it farther until it finally breaks and is out.  Refill the hole with dirt.
• 3.  Okay say you have a stump that you can't dig out because maybe electric lines run by it or some other reason.  First cut the stump down as close to the ground as you can get.  Next get out your trusty drill and a drill bit for making holes (best the ones that make the hole for door knobs).  Now drill a hole in the top of the stump a few inches deep.  Fill the hole first with water, then with a fertilizer high in nitrogen. For instance, you could use cow manure. If you're using a commercial fertilizer instead, make sure the first of the 3 numbers of the fertilizer's NPK is the highest (for instance, a straight nitrogen fertilizer such as 45-0-0).  Soak the ground all around the stump. Cover the stump with a plastic tarp. The tarp will act as a barrier to help retain moisture in and around the stump. Moisture is a powerful ally to have on your side for tree stump removal.  Apply an organic mulch over the plastic tarp, and water it thoroughly. An organic mulch, such as tree bark or hay, will hold additional moisture, keeping the area even wetter. Wet mulch is also heavy, which will help weigh the tarp down, so that it doesn't blow away. For additional weight, roll some heavy stones onto the tarp.  The final thing you need to do for this tree stump removal project is -- to be patient! You're speeding up the natural process of rotting by employing the steps above, but this tree stump removal technique is still not for those who need the stump to disappear N-O-W.   You'll reduce the wait for completion of your tree stump removal project, however, by periodically removing the mulch and tarp for a moment and once again thoroughly soaking the stump and the ground around it. If you still have that nitrogen source at your disposal, add more of it. Then reapply the plastic tarp and mulch. Soak the mulch again, too, to keep the tarp wet and weighed down.

  * There is a tree stump removal product called, "Stump Remover" that breaks down the wood fiber of stumps, leaving them porous. The porous wood then absorbs kerosene readily. After the porous wood is soaked with kerosene and ignited, it will burn away. The flame is a low, smoldering flame. If the use of kerosene and flame is acceptable to you, this is another cheap and easy option for tree stump removal.

5.  This little tip is for the ladies: Get your husband to do it. LOL :)  Happy Stumping!!

Homemade Bee Traps.

Spring is here finally and the the bees are out buzzing around. However the case, those little pests can be annoying especially when having cook outs or maybe you're allergic to bee stings.

Why are bees important?  Bees are a very important part of our ecosystem. Remove one element and the system will need to make adjustments. The effect of that adjustment may often not be known until after it has happened. Now, with bees and honey bees, in particular we know that over one-third of our food supply relies upon them for pollination services and we know that pollination is essential for the reproduction of the plants the bees service. The honey bee is a major pollinator of many of our food crops, almonds, apples, avocados, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, sunflowers, watermelon and many other crops all rely on honey bees for pollination.

Now that I've said that here's a good solution to that problem. I myself (Handyman Gene's wife) have tried this & it does work.
I came across these on the internet on how to make these out of 3 liter bottles. Cut the bottle a third of the way down and invert the top into the bottom. It looks like a funnel inside the bottle. Then punch hoes in the sides in which you will put wire to hang from a branch or crook. I used old pineapple juice in mine. I hope you can get the idea from the photo. Hope this helps. I think you could use the small personal sized water bottles too. You can use almost any sweet juice with a few drops of dish detergent like Dawn.
Try using a little bright (red?) food coloring in the water and soap mixture as: the color looks better in the yard,helps hide the dead bodies, and serves as an attractant.

I did use this method through out the summer under my open car port to keep the bumble bees away which were quite a lot and it worked like a charm. In 5 days I caught well over 50 bees....over a dozen the first afternoon after I hung the first one. They will fly around in there for a day or two but they will eventually drown in the nectar.

 Step by Step Instructions:










1. Take a plastic bottle and cut the neck off. (The neck is the cone part of the bottle including the cap.)











2. Flip the neck upside-down, removing the cap first, and place the neck into the bottle.










3. Tape and/or staple the top together with the bottom of the bottle. (I didn't have to do this part.  I just simply set it on top) Keep in mind that you will need to take them apart often to switch out the bait and remove dead wasps.

4. Bait your trap. It should not reach the opening of the bottle (The bees should have to completely enter the trap in order to access the bait). You can also do this before you attach the two pieces together.
Some bait ideas:

• Meat - This is the best choice in the spring and late winter because wasps
• are making nests and laying eggs, so they're searching for high protein
• food; you may even catch a queen this way, in which case the bees will
• relocate their nest.
• 
  
• Dish washing liquid and water
• 
  
• Mashed grapes 
•  
• Sugar and lemon juice
• 
  
• Sugar and water
• 
  
• Sugar and vinegar

* 1 tsp liquid Dish soap, 1 tsp sugar (to attract them), and water - if they
do get out, they will still die from the dish soap.

* soda (lemonade etc) that has lost it's fizz. This way it can still be of
use. Add a few drops of washing up liquid.

5.  Hang where ever the bees are a problem at.  I found it best to hang it where there is a over hang that way it does not get filled with rain water.

Sweating Pipes

To eliminate sweating cold water pipes during the summer months, place foam pipe insulation over the pipes. The tubing keeps the warm humid air from condensing on the cold pipes.

Leaky Faucets

Fixing Benefits:
Besides being annoying, fixing a leaky faucet also saves you some money! Dripping water at one drip/second wastes 400 gallons of water in a year. If this is hot water, you are watching your money go down the drain!
~Fix With Washers~
Although a small drip may seem inconsequential , it will cost you money. Washers that will tighten your faucets and get rid of those leaks take only minutes to install.

Cleaning House

Vinyl and aluminum sidings are virtually maintenance free, with a simple wet- brushing or hosing off all that is necessary. Sometimes stubborn areas of dirt could use harder brushing with 1/3c. laundry detergent, and 6 gallons of water. Add some chlorine bleach if fighting mildew. Work from the bottom up to about 5 ft. vertical sections. Rinse with plain water, going over previously washed sections so the runoff doesn’t dry on an already cleaned area!

Special Note:

I would like to take this moment to wish Handyman Gene a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today.  He has not only been handy around the house for everything.  But has also been the fixer of my heart. I don't know what I would do without him in my life and I don't want even imagine that.

Deep in my heart, there's a fire - that's a burning heart
Deep in my heart, there's desire for a start
I'm dying in emotion
It's my world in fantasy
I'm living in my, living in my dreams

You're my heart, you're my soul
I keep it shining everywhere I go
You're my heart, you're my soul
I'll be holding you forever, stay with you together

You're my heart, you're my soul
Yeah, a feeling that our love will grow
You're my heart, you're my soul
That's the only thing I really know

Let's close the door and believe my burning heart
Feeling alright, come on, open up your heart
I'll keep the candles burning
Let your body melt in mine
I'm living in my, living in my dreams

Love,
Stef

Automatic Door Sweep

Many rooms have carpeting now-a-days resulting in doors to have some necessary clearance to open and close properly. This opening under the doors can cost some loss in house heat in the winter months. Try installing a door sweep, it works by lifting up whenever the door is closed, thereby keeping much warm air in and cool air out!

Carpet Repairs

Indentations can be removed from your carpet by laying a damp towel over the depression and pressing down with an iron. After the towel dries, the indentation should be gone!

Keep your tools clean

Keep a bucket of dry sand in the tool shed and before you hang up the shovel or hoe drive it into the sand several times and it will remove most of the loose soil from the blade.

a moment is the answer to all of lifes mysteries!

To protect erosion:

    * Plant ground cover and/or shrubbery on hills and banks. Keep lawns in good shape.
    * Direct water run-off to avoid washouts.
    * If you move your splash blocks, be certain to replace them.

To protect the foundation and prevent leaky basements:

    * Keep water ditches (swales) clear of leaves and debris. Don't change the grade.
    * Maintain slope of earth away from your home.
    * Refill areas that may settle around foundation walls.
    * Plant shrubbery two or three feet from the foundation to allow for root system.
    * Don't allow sprinklers to wet the house or cause puddles to form alongside the foundation.
    * Keep watering of foundation plantings at a minimum.

SPECIAL NOTE

To Handyman Gene:
Today's a very special day
Reserved for just the two of us
Here's wishing us rich happiness
Even though some of the years have been rough.
It started with a simple ring, 16 years ago,
And now I have a treasure chest that's begun to overflow.
At 25 years of married bliss, how much silver will I store?
And when we reach our 40th, will it be ruby stones galore?
And when we travel through life to reach 50 years of happy wedded bliss
May my treasure grow with golden gifts, to toast our happiness
And when we've reached that special day, that's only seen by few
60 years together, will it be diamonds?  I haven't got a clue.
But the treasure that I value most isn't jewels, silver or gold
But the love we have for each other, that WILL never grow old!
Happy Wedding Anniversary

Love,
Stef

Make that Flagstone Patio or Walkway Look Great

After trips to the "Home-Depot" experts of every store around (and hearing each of them say, "Gee, I never tried it for that"), I've found something that works for cement work.
Okay, several books have hints on making a flagstone patio or walk. They talk about the gravel and sand foundation, and dropping shovel fulls of concrete onto the sand, and leveling the mixture to about 2 inches thick, and finally laying the flagstone down. But few books talk about "clean up" -- without which, this patio or walk will look sick.
After smoothing all the edges, between the flagstone (with whatever tool you prefer), there are three tricks (they will tell you) to making the finished product look good.

   1. Use a GOOD paintbrush (never to be used to painting) to smooth out the edges -- cheap brushes leave parts of themselves in the concrete. This is not hard to do, and produces an impressive finish.
   2. Use a sponge to get left over bits of concrete off the flagstones themselves -- and keep cleaning the water dish, or with each dip, you'll bring more concrete back from the dish onto the stone. This is a pain to do, but has good results.
   3. Use Muriatic Acid and a special acid brush (like a scrub brush with a broom handle), and brush off the film. This is dangerous, since the acid is bad stuff. You also need gloves and other protective gear, and this stuff rinses off into the grass near the patio or walk -- which it then kills.

The trick they DON'T tell you, is simply wait until it's dried (but not totally cured -- about 2-4 days). Get a small rotary wire brush (the kind designed for removing rust from metal -- use coarse or fine), and use your simple hand drill. The film left on the stone blows away. The edges (made smooth with the paint brush) blend into the stones. And the surface of the flagstone is not marred or scratched in any way by the brush.
The difference is night and day. We built a 5' wide, 36' long flagstone on concrete walk, over 3 weeks (with about 24 man-hrs of build a row, let it dry, build the next, etc.) A few days later, I used the brush on my drill, and in under 3 hrs, the walk went from okay (nice but messy), to spectacular. I thought nothing of it, until two professionals visited, saw it, and asked the secret.
Hope this helps.

Itch Preventer

Try sprinkling baby powder on your exposed face, neck, hands and arm skin before working with fiberglass insulation. The powder keeps the insulation from sticking to your skin and causing any irritation!

CLOGGED SHOWER NOZZLE

If the spray nozzle in your bathroom shower has become clogged because of hard water, immerse it in vinegar and soak it overnight. Or, boil it in a half-cup vinegar and a quart of water for 15 minutes.

NAILING INTO INSIDE WALLS

Warm the nail in hot water for a few minutes or dip it in melted paraffin, to avoid cracking or crumbling the plaster.

STARTING A NAIL

Use a bobby pin to hold the nail so you don't hammer your fingers. A slight pull releases the pin after the nail has started. Or, if the nail needs to be started too high to reach with two hands, press the nail through a small square of aluminum foil and wrap the foil tightly around the hammer head. You can also cut a strip of lightweight cardboard about 1 inch by 4 inches. Cut a slot in one end with a razor blade. Then you can slip the nail into the slot and use the cardboard as a "handle" as you hammer.

How to rid your garden of slugs.

First get a shallow dish and pour some beer in it. You then take a soda bottle big enough to cover the dish, make sure it touches the ground. Cut the end off the soda bottle, but leave the cap on and at then where you cut then end off, cut some doorways all the way around it 4-6 will suffice. The purpose of the soda bottle is to keep the rain out.  Leave over night and will you soon start to see slugs down in it.  Slugs love starch and are attracted to it like magnets. Dump the container of beer ever now and then or when you see a lot of slugs in it.

HOUSEHOLD GLUE

Mix a little water with one cup of granulated laundry starch until it is of whipping cream consistency. Bring to a boil and allow to cool.

GLUE METAL TO WOOD

Soak the metal in acetone and when dry use household cement to attach it to the wood. Make sure you do not touch the cleaned area of the metal before cementing.

MEASURING

Forgot your tape or rule? Any dollar bill measures almost 6 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. Fold it in half for 3 inches and 1.5 inches.

HAMMERING PIPES

If you hear hammering in your water pipes whenever you turn off one of the faucets too quickly, you may have caused an air cushion. The hammering is caused by the abrupt halting of the water as it courses through the pipes. The banging sound is the water bouncing against the sides of the pipe as it stops. Install, as near as possible to the waer meter, a three foot length of pipe capped at the end, and screwed into the main pipe. When the water supply is arrested at the faucet, the water that is stopped will force itself up into the air pocket in the air cushion and will slow down gradually against the compressed air, without knocking the pipe. Hammering can also be caused by incorrect support of the pipe at some point along its length. Check the pipe wherever it is exposed in the basement to see that all mounting straps are tight. The pipe should be solidly anchored at frequent intervals along its length. Look for places where the pipe has given or sagged out of line. The vibrations are set up when water rushes rapidly through it. If the water you receive from the main supply is already pressurized, you may have an unnecessary air pocket in your pipes. Check with your plumber.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS

Don't run electrical cords where they can become worn or frayed. Keep cords away from heat, water and grease. Never handle cords with wet hands. Even rubber overshoes and gloves are not an absolute guarantee against electrocution. Never use a cord with current-carrying capacity too small for the job. It can overheat, melt the insulation and cause a fire. Never pull on the cord to get the plug out of the wall socket. It can cause fires. Never clean or inspect an electrical appliance without turning it off and unplugging it from the power supply.

Does your paint brush have dinkle berries?

Remember to wash you paintbrush after each time that you paint to avoid it from caking together. As humans, it's very easy to forget to do this, so what if it does cake up? Simply soak it in a jar of oil or boil it in vinegar. Remember where you will find some more helpful handyman hints that make work so much easier.

Make Sawing Easier

When you are trying to saw but the saw keeps getting stuck, placing candle wax on the both sides of the saw. Now watch as it easily slides in and out with ease.

Low Water Pressure in Faucets

ow water pressure in faucets is a very common problem. The source of a slow or clogged kitchen faucet can almost always be found inside the faucet. It usually takes a small amount of effort to get the water flow back to normal.
If you have noticed the water pressure coming out of the kitchen sink drop in pressure and get worse everyday but all the toilets fill quickly and all other sinks are fine. Then you need to change the cartridge in the sink faucet.
If you take the aerator apart, you will discover extremely small holes in round disks made of plastic or metal. The water flowing from the faucet must pass through these tiny orifices.
The drop in water volume and pressure at the two faucets was caused by small pieces of sediment or some other debris that clogged a passageway within the valve cartridge and/or the tiny orifices within the aerator and or a flow restrictor.
The sediment can form within a faucet or its parts depending upon the hardness of your water. Sediment also forms as a scale on the inside of municipal water supply pipes and the water lines inside your home. Pieces of this sediment can break off and be transported through the water lines as water moves towards a faucet. Small pieces of sand or rocks can enter a water system, especially those of people who use a private well. These can block the pathways within your faucets.
It is not expensive to correct the problem. The first thing I would look at are the aerators in any faucet that is giving you problems. Carefully remove the aerator and pay attention to how the different parts are assembled. Look at the parts, including the screening at the tip of the aerator, to ensure all parts are free of debris and all pathways are clear. Use tiny straight pins to open up any closed holes in these parts. You may have to soak the parts in warm, white vinegar overnight to removed caked, hard-water deposits that can build up within the aerator.
If, after reassembling the aerator, the water pressure and volume are still low, this means the problem is probably in the valve cartridge. The owner's manual that came with the faucet will show you how to remove and replace this common and inexpensive part. If you do not have the manual, try visiting the manufacturer's website for a technical bulletin showing you an exploded view of the faucet and its parts.

Interior Painting

Want to paint the walls of a room but not the ceiling? Here's a tip to help you get a nice clean break where the wall meets the ceiling without any tedious masking or clumsy paint sheilds.
Start with a good quality paint and a good quality brush. Is a $16.00 Purdy brush really all that better than a $9.00 Generic brush? Yes it is. And the same goes for your roller cover. Stay away from the bargain 3 packs and invest in a sheepskin roller cover. The main advantage with sheepskin is no splattering and no drips. Use a painter's 5-in-1 tool to clean your roller and one roller cover can last through years of use. To get a nice clean line where your wall meets the ceiling take your brush and dab it in the paint on the side that will be in contact with the wall. In this case that would be the left side of the brush. Place the brush on the wall and push it against the edge of the ceiling, bring it down, move it over slightly and push up again. Repeat this until you have covered the area you can easily reach from your ladder. Now take your brush and smooth out the brush marks.
Your end result is a nice clean transition between wall and ceiling. Keep a wet rag handy to wipe up any goofs and drips. You can use the same technique when painting around door and widow casings and above the baseboard.

Cleaning Tile Pool Coping and Grout: 4 Tips

Tile pool coping tends to become dirty easily, particularly if you have an outdoor tile pool. Swimming pool coping may prove difficult to clean. Follow these four tips for an easier cleaning process.
Clean Easier Areas First:
Examine your pool tile. Clean surface dirt and other debris from the coping and grout before you attempt any other cleaning. A tile wipe or detergent can help to address these issues.
Acid Wash in Severe Cases:
If the dirt is widespread or set into the tile, use a chemical acid wash to remove it from the tile. Be careful when selecting and applying the acid wash, as the chemicals may damage certain surfaces or your skin.
Use a Bleach Solution:
Mix a 20-percent bleach solution in a spray bottle. Clean particularly problematic spots with the bleach solution and a toothbrush or rag.
Use a Power Washer:
A water-based power washing system may help eliminate stains from tile pool coping, as well. Ensure that the tile isn't cracked or broken before you use a power washer. The pressure may break or exacerbate existing damage to the tile.

Nailing Tip

Do you have a hard time making a nail slide into something that you are trying to put together? Do you at this point feel like you will demolish it instead of put it together? Then try rubbing the teeth of the nail with a bar of soap, it will go into anything that you want it to. Gone are the frustrating days!