Many times sinks are clogged in the P trap that hangs beneath the sink. This means the P trap must be removed. Watch as a professional home repairman unclogs a kitchen sink in this free video on home improvement.Expert: James Drew Contact: www.jnchomerepair.com Bio: James Drew is the owner and president of JNC Home Repair in Austin, TX. Drew is also an HVAC certified tech with more than two decades experience in plumbing, masonry, and carpentry. Filmmaker: Todd Green
Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
How to Check & Refill Engine Coolant : How to Drain Engine Coolant
Start draining engine coolant before flushing the system. Learn tips on how to flush your engine cooling system in this free auto repair video. Expert: Jon Olson Bio: Jon holds a Bachelors of Science in Education and Human Sciences degree, with an endorsement in Industrial Technology Education, and he has worked in Residential Construction for several years. Filmmaker: Jon Olson
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Backyard Problem Solver - Inexpensive Hints & Tips
Whether you are a renter or a home owner on a limited budget, there are many inexpensive ways for you to become your own backyard problem solver. The best potential backyard problem solving approach is preventative maintenance. Another backyard problem solving approach is simple maintenance and minor adjustments. One such approach was addressed in depth in my article "Backyard Problem Solver...Revitalize a Flat Boring Landscape by Berming".
From personal experience, we know that it is often hard to come up with the money needed to do major landscaping overhauls. I'd like to share some simple backyard problem solving techniques, hints, suggestions that work for us that may help you. So grab a cup of Java and consider these ideas:
Backyard problem solving preventative suggestions: Slope your soil beds away from your foundation to keep water from draining toward your house. Keep your vent boxes clean of leaves, debris, and soil. In winter wrap your sprinkler junction with insulation or a heavy blanket to avoid frozen lines. Drain your hoses for the same reason. These are all simple basics we sometimes forget.
Backyard problem solving for weeds: Laying down a black landscape cloth rather than black plastic is better for your soil and achieves the same result of controlling weeds. Black cloth is inexpensive, easier to use and lay, and doesn't poison your soil. The soil breathes through the cloth; it is smothered by black plastic. You just cut the cloth where you want to plant.
A heavy layer of compost or bark mulch keeps your plants roots cool, conserves water, and also controls weeds. Mulching adds beauty in color and texture to your flower beds and gardens. Mulching also has the added advantage of providing rich nutrients and soil building essentials to your soil as it breaks down.
Mulching enriches the soil which feeds your trees, shrubs, and flowers. Through this process your plants are stronger, hardier, and disease resistant. They thrive, grow, and multiply, thus adding beauty to your yard. You save money, time, and frustration in caring for and replacing weak plants. You conserve water which is good for our ecosystem, you save money on your water bill.
Another good back backyard problem solving maintenance technique is to repair or replace leaky hoses and leaky washers in spigots. Water conservation and the cost of watering is a major concern for each of us. Rainwater barrels are especially good too, decorative and providing nutrient rich fresh rainwater for free to your plants. If you don't have rain gutters, you can get those wonderful long chains that direct the water down from your roof into your flower or garden beds.
Another backyard problem solver: If you have a brick or flagstone walk, they move and sink occasionally. You can easily with a little labor, a pry bar or a long screwdriver lift and reset these stones or bricks to level again by prying them up, resetting the level with a leveling tool or even a two by four length. Lift the stone, place additional sand underneath, check the level.
Add more sand as needed to create a sound level and reset stone. Take a rubber mallet of decent size and pound the stone back in place. Rain if available will do the rest or sprinkle with water when you are watering to reset. Go to the next low stone and repeat the process. The result, even pretty patio or walkway restored.
Take the time to power wash or clean your sidewalks and foundations. Touch up or repaint those dreary patio furnishings and accents. The cost is little, the effort not too much to quickly revitalize old or worn patio yard décor. Linseed on wood is an excellent choice for revitalizing wood. We will address it in depth in another backyard problem solving article.
These are a few of the backyard problem solving techniques we recommend. We'll address adding some features and other backyard problem solving techniques in other articles and you can visit us at LandscapeCentral.net.
© Randeen Cummings Nelson
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Saturday, December 10, 2011
Save With Thermal Window Treatments
With the rising cost of energy, now would be a great time to invest in some thermal window treatments. Thermal window treatments help to prevent cold air from getting inside your home in the winter and help keep the sun out of your home during the summer months. This will help cut energy cost year round. It is important to know the makeup of these treatments before you make a purchase. We will discuss a few important factors that should help you make your decision.
Thermal drapes, sometimes called insulated curtains, stand out considerably from a regular panel. While thermal panels can be made of any fabric, one of the main differences is the heavier weight of the thermal panel. Thermals should be lined with a thick rubbery lining. This lining should be waterproof which will protect the panels from the condensation that will occur from the cold air on the windows. It will also prevent the sun from coming through in the summer months. It should also have a thick "bump" interlining in between the lining and the fabric. The results will be thick weather repellent draperies.
Another option with thermal window treatments are insulated roman shades. These are a great option if you want to keep the look of sleek draperies and still get the benefits of thermal window treatments. Thermal roman shades are constructed in a similar manner. They will also contain the rubber backed lining. Some may also be available with a flannel interlining. For a perfect snug fit, consider custom roman shades. By getting the roman shades custom made to your window size, you will ensure no cold air leaking through the sides of the shades.
Now more than ever, there are more options available. Although thermal window treatments can be somewhat heavy, they are becoming available in many stylish fabrics such as silk, colorful cottons, heavy weight linen, contemporary jacquards, and classic chenille prints. The great savings on energy is just one of the great benefits from investing in these treatments.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Dual Pane Window Glass Repair
For the past few weeks, I have been explaining how to repair a broken window pane in your home. But, what if you have dual pane windows? Is the process the same? Well, pretty much, except for a couple of variations. So, let's review the single pane repair process, and I will point out the differences regarding dual pane windows.
When we start talking about dual pane windows, one of the first things that comes to mind is vinyl window frames instead of aluminum. When dealing with dual pane windows, you can have either aluminum or vinyl frames, depending on the year the house was built. Dual pane glass got popular in the 1980's, but vinyl frames didn't really catch on until the 1990's. So, if your house is less than 10 years old, chances are you have vinyl framed windows. In either case, I will discuss the differences. Let's say you have a sliding aluminum frame window with dual pane glass. The procedure for removing the frame from the opening and the glass from the sash is the same as with the single pane windows.
The differences are, first, the glass goes into the frame about twice as far as the single pane window. The single pane window glass went 1/4" into the surrounding rubber. The dual pane usually goes 1/2" into the rubber. So, if both pieces of glass have been broken, you are going to have to order a new IGU (Insulated Glass Unit) from the local glass shop. They are going to want to know the width, height, overall thickness, and possibly the individual glass thickness. The best way to get the dimensions is to measure the width and height from rubber to rubber, write those numbers down. Then, remove the panel from the opening and place it on a table like we did with the single pane window. Remove the screws from opposite corners and pull of the frame. You will be able to see how far the glass goes into the surrounding rubber. If it's 1/2", then you want to add 1" to the width and height that you measured previously (1/2" times two sides= 1"). Then, measure the overall thickness of the unit by removing the rubber from the glass edge.
Typically, this dimension is 1/2", but not always. There is a metal spacer that divides the two panes of glass. Make a note of the color so you can request the same color in the new IGU. It's either going to be silver or bronze. If you want to get the same size spacer you need to give the glass shop the thickness of each piece of glass in the IGU. If the old unit has 1/8" glass on both sides, and the overall thickness of the unit is 1/2", then they will use a 1/4" spacer. If the glass is 3/32" on both sides, they will use a 5/16" spacer. If you don't care about matching the spacer thickness, you can request the thicker 1/8" glass, and they will automatically use a 1/4" spacer.
When you get the new IGU home, the installation is the same as the single pane window. Now, what if only one side of the IGU has been broken? Many times the outer pane will break, but the inside pane is fine. You can order a whole new IGU Like we just did, or, if you're the adventurous type, you can order only the single pane of glass that was broken and replace it. I'm going to explain how to do it, then i'm going to tell you the things that can go wrong. After you have the window pane on the table with the surrounding frame removed, you will see a black rubber type substance around the edge where the spacer is applied. This is a butyl sealant, and you have to separate the broken glass from this butyl. The best way to do it is to take a utility knife with a new blade and break through the butyl where it meets the broken glass. Then, take a new hacksaw blade, and push it into the area where you sparated the butyl from the glass. You don't want the hacksaw blade to be attached to a hacksaw. Using your hand, saw back and forth as you work your way around the edge of the glass. This should allow you to remove the glass.
Once that's done, lay rags on top of the good piece of glass to catch any debris, and scrape the surface of the spacer that will be contacting the new glass. Use a putty knife. Then, remove the rags and debris. When you are ready to put the new glass on, clean the inside of the good piece of glass that you didn't remove. Remember, once you install the new glass, any debris or finger marks on the inside will be permanently sealed. So, clean it real good and check it from all angles. Do the same to the side of the new glass that will be going to the inside of the IGU. Then, run a thin bead of clear silicone around the entire perimeter of the spacer. Set your new glass on the spacer and use finger pressure to adhere the glass to the silicone all the way around.Then, come in from the side, and run silicone around the side where the glass and spacer meet. Cover the window opening with something for 24 hours. You do not want to touch the IGU for 24 hours. The silicone needs to cure. After 24 hours, you can assemble the unit and install it back into the opening.
There are a couple of things that can go wrong. The first one is leaving marks on the inside portion of the glass. Once you seal the glass, you cannot clean what's between the panes. The other thing involves condensation between the panes. If you have even the slightest break in the silicone seal around the glass, chances are you will beging to see moisture form as soon as the nights get cold and the days get warm. You are going to have to decide if you are confident enough in your ability to do the job right, or if it's better to pay the extra money to have it done for you. Just because you pay someone to do it, doesn't mean you still won't encounter the same problems. The difference is, they have to guarantee their IGU for a minimum of 1 year. I have received many units over the years that had marks in between the glass. The beauty of it is the manufacturer can't dispute it, because there's no way anyone else could have done it except them.
OK, what if the window frames are vinyl instead of aluminum? Well, the main difference is the glass in a vinyl window no longer has the rubber gasket around the edge. You dont remove the opposite corner screws and separate the frame from the glass. What they do is put either silicone or a two sided tape on the lip of the frame where the glass rests. That's what holds the glass in the frame, then they apply a snap in stop on all four sides of the glass. So, you have to remove the stops first, then turn over the panel and break the seal holding the glass to the frame using a utility knife. Wear gloves during this procedure. If only one side of the IGU is broken, don't even think about repairing just the one side. You will never get that IGU out of the frame without breaking the other piece of glass in the process. But, on the positive side, you can remove the stops without taking the panel out if it's a slider. You can then measure the dimensions of the glass, and order the new IGU. That way you eliminate any need to temporarily cover up your window. The same is true for the stationary portion of a slider, or a picture window. Before you install the new IGU, be sure and clean the lip that had the tape or silicone, and apply either silicone or tape. Either will work.
You will discover that replacing an IGU in an aluminum frame window is a whole lot easier than a vinyl window. But, in either case, you can do it yourself and save a few bucks.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Rittenhouse Dramm Hose
www.rittenhouse.ca Bruce talks about these high quality yet colorful hoses from Dramm. Rittenhouse carries six different colors! We also learn how to repair a damaged hose and how to reuse rather than throw away your old garden hose. The Dramm Colorstorm Hose and Touch N Flow Watering Wand is an excellent gift for the garden lover, for pricing and info http To find out more about Dramm products go to our website at www.rittenhouse.ca
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