Tuesday 17 May 2011

How to Remove and Replace a Window

Updating broken or out of date modeled windows are more challenging than adding new ones. You should remove the actual out of date window, thoroughly clean and get ready the body, place as well as level the brand new window correctly as well as fasten this securely. If changing a window isn't your cup of tea perhaps you may employ experienced window installers for this job. Nevertheless, if perhaps you do intend to substitute a window yourself, this article will show you step by step the best way to replace a window.

To change a window you'll require the following devices:

• Tape-measure

• Hammer

• Flat pry bar

• Putty knife

• Caulking gun

• Paint scraper

• Utility knife

You will additionally need to have the next few components:

• Substitute window

• Silicone caulk

• Coarse as well as good grained sandpaper

• Foam-rubber backer rod

• Exterior-grade wood putty

• Low expansion foam

• Wood shims

• Paint brush, primer and colour

Techniques to replace a Window:

• Measure the size of the present window properly using the tape measure as well as acquire a replacement window that's a little smaller sized, in order that it may match perfectly within the framework.

• The starting point of eliminating the existing window is removing the sashes. Unscrew or even pry off the sashes. With a flat pry bar pry off the jamb liner. Then you'll need to get ready the actual framework.

• With a color scrape off lose or blistered paint and then patch up holes or splits within the framework with wooden putty. Sand the frame using sand papers.

• The next step is to close up the window frame with silicone caulk. Utilize two continuous beads of silicone caulk to across the entire sill.

• Place the actual alternative window. Set the lower edge of the window into place first, and after that tip the frame upright as well as into place.

• Make use of wooden shims as necessary at the end of the window as well as besides the side jambs to ensure the window is centered as well as that there's adequate room to open as well as close the shims freely.

• Fasten the window safely along with screws as well as trim off shim flush with a utility knife.

• The next step is to fill the gaps between the window frame and the jamb using low expansion foam.

• To make a water tight seal around the outside, stuff foam backer rod into the leftover gap with a putty knife as well as then seal the tiny gaps with silicone caulk.

• Last but not least prime as well as paint the window sash and frame.

Farley McDonald is a retired business consultant and expert in home improvement specializing in window installation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Farley_McDonald

Friday 13 May 2011

7 Ways to Learn How to Tile a Bathroom

Learning how to tile a bathroom might not seem important, but it is. If you can do your own tile work, you'll save hundreds of dollars on the cost of a professional tile setter. Laying your own bathroom tile requires some tools and skill, but it's not too hard for the average person to learn. All you need is dedication and a little practice. If you'd like to learn how to tile a bathroom, here are a few tips to help.

1. First, figure out how many tiles you'll need for the area you'll be tiling. This is a relatively simple process - measure a tile, then figure out how many will fit in the space along the top. Then, figure out how many fit along one side, and multiply the two. Add a few more tiles than this number, however. You may break some, or have miscounted, and having extra tiles is better than running out. Plus, some additional tiles can be kept on hand if one is ever damaged. Just replace the tile with a spare, and your bathroom will look as good as new.

2. Use a tile gauge to determine where your tiles should go. You can make one on your own - it's just a piece of wood marked with the positions of the tiles. When making the gauge, lay out tiles on a flat surface with spacers between them, and line up the tile gauge with them. Mark where the tiles lie, and you'll have your very own gauge.

3. Line up the center. Draw a vertical line down the wall in the location where your middle tile will be located. This allows you to tile outward from this point, and to have a well lined up design.

4. Start at the bottom, not the top. Lay the tiles from the bottom up, and remember to use spacers, so that each tile is evenly laid.

5. For straight cuts, a tile cutting jig is invaluable. It'll help you cut individual tiles to the right size to fit in your bathroom. Curved tiles will require the use of a tile cutting saw.

6. Use grout to fill all gaps. Once your tiles have set, you can remove the spacers and fill in the areas between the tiles with grout. Use a waterproof bathroom grout to keep water from being trapped between tiles.

7. Seal everything well. Use silicone caulk or acrylic caulk to seal any gaps or seams between your tile and the tub, sink, or other fixtures. Run a damp finger along a bead of caulk to seal it.

If you learn how to tile a bathroom, you'll be able to have better control over your remodeling job, plus you'll save a lot of money. So, if you'd like to develop the skills for the job, research tile in depth and talk to an experienced tile setter for more information. You could be laying your own tile soon.

Tile House King was created to help regular people find out How To Tile A Bathroom amongst other tile laying activities and information. Check out our site by viewing the link within the resource box.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Edwards

Thursday 12 May 2011

How to Remove Wallpaper in Ten Easy Steps

The steps on how to remove wallpaper are simple. The actual task however can be frustrating and time consuming but the results are worth it.

How to remove wallpaper without making a mess of the walls underneath? Any damage to the wall depends in large part to the way the paper was installed to begin with. If the walls were not prepped properly with a primer, you may have a headache on your hands because the process of removing the paper could cause some damage to the walls.

Wallpaper Removal Tools

One or two 3 -6" broad putty knives, or spatula. (if you can use a plastic spatula it will leave less marks on the wall)

a ladder

a scoring or perforation tool

paint roller

drop cloth

bucket

sponge

wallpaper solution remover

white vinegar

Getting Started on How to Remove Wallpaper

1. Move as much of the furniture away from the walls into the center of the room or out of the room completely if possible.
2. Lay down a drop cloth so that the floors are protected.

3. Take all of the switch plate covers off of the outlets.

Shut off the circuit breakers to the room and if you are working at night on this project after work, invest in a halogen lamp from the home improvement store and a long extension cord.

4. Test a small area of the wall first by lifting an edge of the wall paper. Many times if you try to strip the wallpaper before applying any solution, the paper will come off leaving just the adhesive to take worry about. If that is the case, then you are lucky.

5. How to remove wallpaper with a solution that will dissolve the adhesive backing on the paper is to use a wallpaper removal concentrate and mix according to the instructions on the bottle in a bucket of hot water.

Safe and Simple 603 is a contractor-grade remover that when diluted with water effectively removes all kinds of paper and adhesives, or you can mix equal parts vinegar with warm water in a spray bottle.

6. Using a paint roller or the spray bottle with vinegar, apply to the wallpaper in small sections starting from the bottom and working your way up to the ceiling. Wait a few minutes to allow the solution to do most of the work, then start stripping the wallpaper by hand. This will leave the adhesive which you can then scrape off with your spatula or putty knife.

7. If the paper does not come off easily, you may need to reapply the wallpaper removal solution and let it soak through a little longer or if your solution isn't penetrating through the paper use your scoring tool with a light hand in circular motions to make tiny perforations into the material.

Some people don't care to use a scoring tool, because you need to use the right amount of pressure to prevent damage and it leaves tiny holes in the drywall. If your walls are plaster, it is not as much of an issue.

Okay, you are almost done.

8. Now that you have the wallpaper off, use a sponge in a solution of one cup of white vinegar mixed in 1 gallon of water to remove any adhesive residue. Rinse with clear water for a smooth clean surface and allow it to dry.

9. If you used a scoring tool, repair any holes it may have left in the drywall with spackling compound and let them dry overnight, then sand the repair.

10. If you plan to hang new wallpaper be sure to prep the walls with a primer specifically designed for wallpaper application. This will be helpful in the future when the new paper has to come down!

The same is true if you are planning to paint but with a painting primer to assure a smooth application.

Please visit http://www.interior-home-decorating-ideas.com/interior-design-tips.html for interior design tips and friendly advice for interior home decorating and shopping home furnishings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Mabey

Tuesday 10 May 2011

5 Easy Ways to Install a New Kitchen Sink

First Step - You have to place the sink upside down in the desired location on the countertop. The sink should be parallel to the counter's edge and far enough back to clear the overhang and the face of the underlying cabinet. Make sure that, once installed, the sink will not interfere with the existing cabinet or counter support structure. You need to do this to know the measurements on it.

Second Step - Now the tracing begins, using a pencil, accurately mark the location of the sink on the countertop. Then, remove the sink and draw another set of lines 3/8" inside the first set. Measure to ensure that your lines are parallel with the front of the counter. Next, the inside lines you've drawn are the cut lines for the hole into which the sink will be placed. The edges of the sink will overlap the edges of the hole to the outside set of lines. Carefully draw and check these lines to make sure the edges of the sink will completely cover the hole all the way around before proceeding.

Third Step - Now the drilling is next, drill a 1/4" hole approximately 1" inside the cut line. Enlarge the hole with a 1/2" bit. Place masking tape on the heel of the jigsaw to prevent scratching the countertop. Insert the jigsaw blade into the hole and carefully cut out the sink hole while remaining just inside the lines. Be careful to cut the corners exactly as marked, and don't allow the blade to wander outside of the cut line. Insert the sink into the hole in the countertop to test the fit. The thing with it is you need to know if its fits, sometimes some kitchen sink are heavy so you to know if you are on the right path.

Fourth Step - Now, to prevent injuries to yourself or damage to the sink or counter, be sure to have someone help you lift the sink. After testing the fit, remove the sink. Make adjustments to the hole if necessary. Now, insert the sink into the hole. To prevent smearing the sealant, you can grasp by the drain holes or the center structure. Align the sink carefully and press down to seat the sink in the sealant. In that way the kitchen sink will be safe in way.
Fifth Step - This is the last step so be easy, from under the counter, fasten the sink in place by tightening the clips. Be sure to bend the ends of the clips away from the rim. The clips will pull the sink tight against the countertop. Use a damp cloth to remove any excess sealant from the countertop around the sink. Allow the sealant to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Connect the water supply and drain lines. And alas you have successfully installed a brand new kitchen sink, without any trouble whatsoever.
Jron Magcale http://sinkdepot.net/

Jron c. Magcale from Jump2Top - SEO Company

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jron_C._Magcale

Monday 9 May 2011

Steps on How to Wire a House

Sometimes we encounter unnecessary events in our house such as electrical faulty wiring. It damages our bulbs, appliances and even the wiring itself that usually causes a fire.
Even if we are not specialized in electrical wiring anybody of us can be an electrician. We can do such basic installation into our house just to follow a simple yet very cautious instruction for our safety.

Here are some basic steps on how to wire a house:

Step 1

Be sure to have the necessary electrical tools. Bring the following to be used:

A. Pliers

B. Side Cutters

C. Circuit Tester

D. Electrical Tape and tape measures

E. Wire stripper

F. Screwdrivers- both Flat bladed and Phillip head

G. Wire, Cables, and Tape measures

H. Safety goggles

Note: There are many list of equipments used in electrical wiring. Never use low class tools, it can lead you to an electrical accident.

Step 2

Sketch your electrical plan. Analyze and design efficiently what you have drawn and organize it step by step. This will make your work faster.

Step 3

Set up your wiring lane within the house. Decide the area to place your switches, fixtures, and outlets. Put switches close to the door for easy used. Make sure it does not block the other materials in your home. Keep it simple.

Step 4

Set up wires, cables, switches, and outlet. Connect and place them accurately on you wall or ceilings. Use the necessary tools to do it.
Note: Be sure that your electrical power supply is off upon wiring to avoid electrical dangers.

Step 5

Connect the wires properly. Same color must connect to each other. Tape the wires properly. Avoid the exposure of open wires.

Step 6

Evaluate voltage requirement of your appliances and equipments so that you can choose the right range of your circuit breakers.

Step 7

Test existing connections. Check wires if still working. You can use this to save your money, time, and energy. If not, replace or establish a new wiring system.

Step 8

Study the existing ordinances and laws in your respective state before installation of wires. These keep everything to be safe and avoid hazards in your home. Know the basic Electrical Code.

Step 9

Protect yourself properly. Wear gloves and goggles when you work on your electrical wiring. This will guard you from possible incident such as electric shocks.

Step 10

Set up your circuit breakers. Please take note that every wiring system you connected has its own fuse and circuit breakers. It has important roles to protect your home from possible incidents.

If you have already done the steps and connections ensure that it passed the safety standards. This is very important to avoid fire or explosion upon testing your electrical wiring. Make sure you tested all the electrical connection, switches, fuse, and outlet. After checking the possibilities of improper work you might have done, test your wiring if it is actually working.

Please click these links if you want to know more about how to wire a house or how to wire a house in general.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenny_Leones

Saturday 7 May 2011

Repainting Your Kitchen Cabinets

Hiring a contractor to help you conduct home improvement project can be costly. The professional in home improvement usually has a price standard for certain home improvements like kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling. Well, it is worthy to hire a contractor when you need to conduct major home improvement. However, what if you only need to repaint your kitchen cabinets? Do you also need to hire a contractor to do such work?

For minor home improvement like repainting kitchen cabinets, most people like to conduct the DIY project. This DIY project has some benefits; especially on the budget that you have to spend. When conducting DIY home improvement project, you only need to spend money for the materials needed. There is no need to pay for the worker, since you handle the project by yourself.

So, here are the steps on how you can repaint your kitchen cabinet by yourself:

1. Determine the colors that you want to use for your cabinets. It is a good idea to visualize your expected cabinet color using Corel or similar programs. Make sure that you only choose colors that you really want; thus, you can get the maximum satisfaction when the project is completed.

2. The second thing to do is cleaning the cabinets. Usually, food residue sticks on the cabinet surface and you should clean it first before painting. If you want to make the cleaning process much easier, just remove the cabinet doors. You can put them on the floor and start the cleaning process more easily. This way allows you to reach the most hidden parts of your cabinets.

3. Once you have cleaned your cabinets thoroughly, now you come to the most important parts of this project. Sand the cabinets are the next thing that you have to do. Make sure that you sand every part of the cabinets carefully to get the best result. It may spend much time to sand the cabinet but if you handle this part well, you will find that the pain durability will be increasing.

4. The fourth step is applying primer to the cabinets that you have been sanded. This step is particularly important if you want to repaint your cabinets with different color. Since there are some primer types available in the market, you had better find one that totally fits your need. The type of primer that you will use depends on the paint type. If you would like to use an oil-based paint, then it will be great to use an interior oil-based primer and use the shellac based primer if you want to use latex paint. Both primers carry strong odor; therefore, make sure that you cover your nose with the mask when applying it.

5. Now, this is the core of this project - painting the cabinets! To make this step generates great result; don't forget to use the quality paint brush. Apply thin layers when painting and you will find out that your cabinets will present the new look again.

Enjoy your DIY home improvement project and get the fresh atmosphere in your kitchen.

My Name is Noor Sugeng, I'm from Indonesia. My writing mostly about Home Improvements and Health.
For DIY Home Improvement and Health resources, just visit the link!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Noor_Sugeng

Monday 11 October 2010

Kitchen Cabinets - How To Choose The Right Design

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices that face you when you try to decide which style of kitchen cabinets to install in your new kitchen. You have choices of cabinet maker, type of wood, stains or paint, full or partial overlay doors, hidden or exposed hinges, and other design items. The combinations available can easily reach into the thousands. Which one is the perfect choice for your new kitchen?




Your new kitchen will be dominated by the look of your cabinets. The exposed faces of the cabinets in any kitchen cover the majority of the wall space, and as such will do more to define the character of the kitchen than any other design item. When making the critical decision of which cabinets to use in your kitchen remodeling, there are several factors that you should consider to help you make the best decision for your kitchen.



Your Personal Style



What do you like in the look of a kitchen? Do you like the look of traditional, rich wood finishes, or do you like the look of fresh white cabinets? Are deeply recessed wooden doors what you consider the ultimate statement in kitchen design, or do you feel that the clean, sleek lines of a European style cabinet is the ultimate in kitchen chic?



The Style of Your Home



Your new kitchen's style should match the rest of your house. If you have a traditional style house your new kitchen should have a more traditional look and feel to it.



A modern house should have sleeker, modern looking kitchen cabinets. Some people like the eclectic look, and have the know how to pull it off, but in most instances its best to keep a consistent look and feel throughout the house.



Price Range



Kitchen cabinets quality and price cover a wide range. Inexpensive cabinets are often cheaply made, and though they will look good when new, the doors may sag over time, and pressboard sides may warp. Good quality cabinets will be made out of thicker plywood or solid wood boards, and will last a lifetime. You can buy custom made cabinets to match your kitchen layout or to meet special requirements in your kitchen. Your new kitchen should look good for your life time, so buy the highest quality cabinets that you can afford.



To help you sort through the myriad of kitchen cabinet choices, it pays to consult with an expert in kitchen design. They will be familiar with all the different cabinet manufacturers, styles and finish choices, and are a real help with coordinating your new kitchen design.



Working with a kitchen designer will help you maximize the cabinet storage space in your kitchen, help with the visual symmetry of the design, and assure you that you get the best value out of your kitchen cabinets.



A kitchen designer will have the ability to enter your kitchen design into a computer, then alter all of the aspects of the cabinet appearance to help you make the right decision for your kitchen cabinets. You can change the style, color, type of wood, and any other aspect of the kitchen cabinets and see exactly what they will look like in your design. Sometimes you will see design flaws through this process and correct them before you order your cabinets. Take the time to explore all your options available in kitchen cabinet design and style. Picking the right kitchen cabinets will make your kitchen remodeling project a successful endeavor.



As a kitchen cabinet/kitchen renovation expert, Trevor Phillips has years of experience helping clients realize their dream kitchen. Additional information on kitchen cabinets and renovations, including a downloadable Planning Guide is available at: => http://www.kitchencabinetsbrampton.com



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Phillips