Archive for May, 2009

How To Fix A Squeaky Door

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

One of the biggest questions that DIYer’s ask is how to fix a squeaky door. A person could go down and buy a new door and/or hinges, but this could end up costing a lot of money. There are several methods to getting rid of those squeaks and it can be done with products that you’ve probably got around the house already.

A squeaky door is due to the hinges becoming stiff and maybe even rusted. Usually, simply lubricating the squeaky hinges will take care of the problem. The thing is that there are a lot of different products that can be used, and many of these products can be found in your own home. Not just things you might find in your garage, but in your bathroom or kitchen as well.

Most people will tell you the best thing to use is WD-40. This is a fix-all product and will do the job within minutes. This can probably be found in just about any garage or tool shed. Something else you might use is graphite. Graphite comes in small tubes and is a gritty material that helps metal objects move against other materials in smoother motion.

However, you don’t even have to leave your house in order to find something to fix that squeak. A little vegetable oil or cooking spray can do the exact same thing. You can either place a few drops of cooking oil on either side of the door hinge, or spray it directly onto the hinge. If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, you can remove the pins from the hinges and coat them in the cooking oil.

Tired of hearing that bathroom door squeak each time you go in? Fix the problem by spraying a bit of hair spray onto the door hinges. Another bathroom door fix is by using a little Vaseline onto the pins. This makes hinges move easier and will get rid of those squeaks for months to come. No hair spray or Vaseline? No problem. A few drops of liquid soap will do the same thing.

If you’re plagued with squeaky doors, you don’t have spend hundreds of dollars to fix a squeaky door. Look around the house and you’re sure to find a ton of products lying around that will help you rid yourself of those nasty squeaks. You’ll save time and money, and you’re doors will remain quiet for a long time to come.

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How To Fix A Crack In The Ceiling

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

When you live in a house for awhile, you may begin to notice cracks forming in your ceilings. These can happen for a number of reasons, from the fact that the house is settling and the frame has moved, to the types of materials used in the construction of your ceiling when the house was built. Before taking steps to fix the crack, you’ve got to determine what materials your ceiling is made from. Is your ceiling made from sheet rock or plaster?

If your ceiling happens to be made from sheet rock, or drywall, fixing the crack my be as simple as re-taping and re-pasting the crack. Simply fill the crack with drywall paste, cover with drywall tape, and repaint. It’s a good idea to completely repaint the entire ceiling to ensure everything matches. If you find that your fixes are beginning to show signs of cracking again, it could be due to the braces in the ceiling. If this is the case, it may be more beneficial to have a professional come in and conduct proper repairs.

If your ceiling happens to be plaster, you can fix minor cracks with plaster spackling compound. Fill the crack, allow it to completely dry, then sand down and paint. If the cracks are due to water damage, be sure to deal with that problem as quickly as possible as it could cause your ceiling to collapse. Again, if the problem is extensive, it might be best to call in a professional.

One thing all homeowners should think about is when your house was built. Older homes, built before the 1970′s, may have asbestos in the ceilings. This is not something you’ll want to come into contact with and it’s important to have a professional check into this before you start any type of repair work. If asbestos is found in your ceilings, you need to allow professionals to remove it for the safety of you and your family.

Minor cracks in your ceilings can be a relatively easy fix. Once you’ve determined the type of materials used in construction, it’s basically a matter of using the right compounds to make repairs. Within a day, you can have a great looking ceiling without much hassle.

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How To Fix A Leak In The Ceiling

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

One of the biggest health problems found in the home comes from mold found inside of walls and ceilings. If you have a leak coming from you ceiling, you’ll want to get it taken care of as quickly as possible. The first thing you need to do is figure out where the leak is coming from, and what’s causing the leak. In a single-family residential home, it could be from loose or missing roof tiles, or from broken overhead pipes.

Once you’ve determined where the leak is coming from, you’ve got to get it fixed. Loose or missing roofing tiles can be replaced relatively easy with fresh tar paper and a few new tiles. For a broken water pipe, you’ll probably have to call in a professional to replace the piping. From there, you have to allow the leak area to dry out. Once dry, check the wood and drywall surrounding the area to see if they’ll need to be replaced.

If you’re noticing leaks in your basement ceilings, chances are that they’re coming from leaking pipes to your sinks or bathtub. Check to make sure all the pipe fittings to your sinks and bathtub are properly tightened. Again, you may end up having call in a professional to ensure that all your pipes are secure and in good shape. Not only will you need to check any damp ceiling tiles in your basement, you’ll also need to check the floorboards around your tub and sinks. Allow them to fully dry before making any assessments. Once dry, you may only need to replace a few ceiling tiles to make things good as new.

The best way to keep your ceilings from leaking is through preventative measures. Periodically check any roofing tiles. Tar paper will deteriorate over time and will need replaced. Make sure your plumbing pipes are in good shape and up to date. Fix any drips or minor leaks before they become a problem. A small repair now will keep you from having to spend thousands of dollars on repairs later.

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