Archive for June, 2009

How To Replace A Kitchen Faucet

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Sometimes, fixing a leaky faucet is as easy as tightening a couple of screws. However, there may come a time when you have to replace the entire faucet, and possibly some of the pipes. Though it might sound like a lot of work, in reality it’s pretty simple. The biggest trick is making sure you’ve got all the right tools and replacement parts before starting your project.

First of all, make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job. You’re going to need a pipe wrench, pliers, a Phillips screwdriver, and a roll of plumber’s tape, and maybe even some new replacement washers. Another thing to remember is to measure the size of your existing faucet, to ensure your replacement fits properly. You might also need a tube of caulking on hand in case you need to remove the entire sink to reach some of the hardware.

Before you do anything else, make sure to shut the water off to the sink. Most homes have a shut-off valve right under the sink in question, but not all. If not, this would be the perfect time to add one for future use. Once you’ve turned off the water, you’re ready to get started. Begin by loosening and removing the water lines. Mark the hot water line for future reference.

Next, loosen and remove the nuts from underneath the existing faucet. This is where you might need to remove the entire sink. If the nuts and bolts are too tight, or haven’t been moved in quite awhile, it might be easier to get to them after taking out the sink. Either way, once the hardware is removed you can take out the old faucet.

Before adding the new faucet, make sure to thoroughly clean the area of hard water deposits or any other debris that has collected over time. Insert the new faucet, making sure to install all pieces that come with your kit. As you reattach your water lines, gently clean the threads to insure they fit snuggly. Once all is back in place, turn the water back on and check for leaks.

Replacing a new kitchen faucet is a project you can tackle in less than a day. You’ll add a whole new spark to your kitchen decor, and it’s a lot easier than you might think. You’re guests will love the new look, and with the right faucet, you might save money on your future water bills.

Tags:, ,
Posted in The Home Inspection Blog | No Comments »

Easy DIY Energy Savers

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Everyone knows how important it is to save both time and money. The same is true when it comes to improving things around the house. Plus, in this economy, it’s even more important to find ways of saving money anywhere you can. So, with all this in mind, here are a few simple tips you can do around the house that will save you money on your energy bills, as well as making your home a better place to live.

Probably the easiest Do-It-Yourself idea is in changing your current light bulbs to more energy efficient ones. Ordinary incandescent bulbs use quite a bit of wattage, but by switching to a more energy efficient bulb, you’ll get the same amount of light and use less wattage. A typical incandescent bulb uses 40 to 60 watts, where the energy savers only use 10 to 15 watts.

Doors and windows are another area where people tend to lose money. Leaks around windows and drafts around doors cause people to lose hundreds of dollars every year. Replacing the caulking around your windows will help in all seasons. And with your doors, add a door sweep to the bottom to keep out drafts. Also, check the hinged side of the doors to make sure they’re well sealed. This is one of the biggest areas for draft problems.

Another area of the home that can cause drafts is through your electrical sockets. You can buy a package of socket insulators for next to nothing. These insulators are made from a flexible foam material, and will keep drafts out of your home. They look exactly like the socket cover and fit snuggly behind them. They only take a couple minutes to install, and will save you a lot of money in the long run.

A leaky faucet can cause your energy bills to skyrocket. Most can be easily fixed simply by tightening a few loose nuts. However, you might have to replace the rubber seals, as they can become hard and crack. You’ll also want to check the pipes under your sinks to make sure that you’re not losing water there. A few turns of the wrench can save you a ton of money.

Not all home improvement projects require your entire weekend to finish. A few simple tweaks around your home will improve your home’s worth, and will save you a lot of money on your energy bills. And, when you’re done, you can tell the world that you’ve done your part to save the planet.

Tags:, , ,
Posted in The Home Inspection Blog | No Comments »

Replacing The Screens Or Glass To A Storm Door

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

With the changes in the weather, there is going to come a time when you’ll want to replace the existing glass and/or screens in your screen door. Though most people have storm and screen windows that can be switched with little effort, eventually you’re going to have to Replace Screen Door Windows. The design of the door will determine the difficulty of replacement.

Over time, screens can become hardened and may separate, creating holes big enough for bugs to get through. Replacing these screens is relatively easy and you only need a few tools for the job. First of all, make sure the replacement screening you purchase is is sturdy enough to withstand fluctuating outside temperatures. Next, check to see if the rubber molding needs to be replaced, as this can become hard and will easily break.

Next, you’ll need to cut the screening material slightly larger than the size of the window. A good rule of thumb is to leave an inch overhang on all sides. Lay your screen molding around the edge of the window and use a screen and spline installation tool to press the molding and screening material into the window. Once you’ve finished this step, cut away any excess material, and you’re screen window is ready to go.

Replacing glass into a storm door is a little more difficult, as you’ll have to remove the metal encasement from around the existing window. If the window is cracked or broken, you should wear gloves and protective glasses. Remove the entire panel from your screen door and lie on a flat surface. Remove the metal frame from around the glass. You may have to gently pry the from the glass if any rust has formed.

To replace the glass, you can either purchase a larger piece from your local home improvement store, or you can have a custom piece cut at your local glass company. Another material you might find a little more stable is a piece of plexi-glass. Again, you can pick up a piece at any home improvement center. From there, you simply cut the window to the specified size, replace the metal frame, and put the entire thing back into your storm door.

It doesn’t take much to fix your screen or storm door and have it ready for the coming seasons. This is an easy do-it-yourself project and can be finished up in about an hour’s time. Then, it’s only a matter of opening your door and enjoying the great outdoors.

Tags:, , , ,
Posted in The Home Inspection Blog | No Comments »

How To Add Texture To You Interior Walls

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

With all the home design shows on television these days, many people are wondering about how to add texture to their interior walls. It is fashionable to not only add bright, vibrant colors to your walls, but to add texture for added visual effect. Most people think that they either can’t do this themselves, or that they’ll need to hire a professional to come in and do it for them. This simply isn’t true. With all the new products you can pick up at your local home improvement store, you can create a beautiful design for any decor.

On the easier end, you might already have a few things around the house that will aid you in your texturing quest. For adding texture to a ceiling, most people use a wedged trowel. This is how you achieve that lined effect. This can also be applied to your interior walls with the same effect. Long even strokes will give you a more symmetrical appearance, or add a few twists and turns for a more festive look.

Another household item you can use is a basic sponge. Sponges can soak up a lot of paint and will leave bumps and ridges on your walls. The nice thing about sponges is that you can buy them in several different sizes and they can even be cut down into various shapes for an even bolder look. Some people prefer a typical synthetic sponge that can be purchased in any store, while others prefer natural sponges.

An old terry cloth towel is another way to add some dimension to your room. After painting your walls, gently dab your towel in a side to side motion. This will give your walls depth and can create a sort of stucco effect. Remember not to press too hard as you may take off more paint than needed. The courser the cloth, the more intense design can be created.

For someone wanting a more detailed design, you can now purchase pre-made paint rollers that come with a wide range of designs. This is a great way to add specific types of textured designs to your walls. You can find these rollers in your local hardware store, or at just about any home improvement store. They come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, and will cover almost any wall.

You don’t have to hire a professional to come in and create a stunning textured look to your interior rooms. With a few simple tools, you can create a great look for very little cost. And the next time you think about how to add texture to your interior walls, take a few moments to look around you house to see if you have something on hand that will create a beautiful look.

Tags:, ,
Posted in The Home Inspection Blog | No Comments »