Home Window Repair
October 23, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman
Filed under Do it Yourself Projects, Doors and windows
By Katie Appleby
One of the most usual repairs that people do around their houses is on their windows. The most common reasons for home window repair are also broken glass and deteriorating putty, which is not only unattractive to the eyes but also produces openings that lets the air escape. Although anyone can always approach a professional to do repairs around the house, there are also certain repairs that can be done by house members and a broken window is one of these. If a family needs to replace the broken glass of a window, then they would just need a number of things to be able to do this.
Anyone can do their own home window repair. Among the things that they just need to get if their window has a broken glass pane are glazier’s points, linseed, a glazing compound and of course, a new glass pane. These things can all be found in any hardware store in the neighborhood or just about anywhere. However, to be able to have more choices on window panes, then they should head on to a glass shop. Once, all the materials needed are at hand, anyone can already get started on fixing their broken window.
The first step that needs to be done in home window repair is removing the old broken pane as well as the putty. This is made easier of linseed oil is applied to putty and would be left to stand for some thirty minutes. Heating the putty would also make its removal easier. Once the putty is already malleable, the glazier’s points are the next to be removed. However, to get this out, the glass need to be broken completely. As soon as the glass has been taken away and that frame has been cleaned of all remnants of the old putty, boiled linseed oil should also be wiped onto the old wood. This keeps the wood from getting the oil that can be found in the glazing compound.
Laying glazing compound on the window sash on which the new glass pane will be set, is the next step to home window repair. As soon as the glass is set, glazier’s points should be placed using a putty knife or a glazing tool at every four inch to keep the glass in its place. The points should be inserted straight and firmly into the wood, against the glass. To seal the pane in, more glazing compound should be applied. It should be made sure that half of the glazing is set on the glass while the other half should be in the frame. After a few days, these new window can already be painted. However, you should also paint the edge of the glass right before the frame to seal in the glazing.
Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about [http://thehomecarpenter.info/home-window-repair/]home window repair, please visit [http://thehomecarpenter.info/]The Home Carpenter for current articles and discussions.
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DIY Your Own Solar Panel and Save 50%-80% on Your Electricity Bills
October 23, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman
Filed under Do it Yourself Projects
DIY Your Own Solar Panel and Save 50%-80% on Your Electricity Bills
By Danny Ma
The economy is not doing well now. Solar panel can help you save more money. Also it’s good for the environment because solar power doesn’t release any harmful gases or pollution when you use it. Certain natural resources are becoming scarce such as fossil fuels. The price for some natural resources is rising. Therefore solar power will be another great renewable energy since it is free to use and available in abundance and it’s not difficult to get. The only thing you need is making a solar panel yourself because an already-made solar panel is expensive.
Building a solar power is easy to do. The materials won’t cost you more than $200. Also, these materials are easy to obtain. Most of them can be purchased from local hardware store. Even, some of them can be obtained for free.
If you decide to make your first solar panel, the materials you may need are shear metals, table salt, copper, electric drill, sand paper and solar cells. You may also need a complete instruction. These are some things you must need in order to make a solar panel. As you can see above, these things are simple and making a solar panel is not as difficult as you think. Solar cells are the main part of the solar panel; it reacts to sunlight and converts it to the electricity for your home. You may need an inverter to convert it. With the free electricity generated by the solar panel, a homemade solar panel can save your 50%-80% on your electricity bills.
To read more about how to build your own solar panels. Visit http://solarpowerreviewed.info
Click here to read free reviews about the instructions on how to make solar panels at home.
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How to Hang Drywall - Some Helpful Advice
October 22, 2008 by Phoenix Handyman
Filed under Drywall, Hiring a Handyman
By Wendy Pan
How To Hang Drywall, Or Not?
Dry ceiling before you drywall. This is literally the top tip when talking about how to hang drywall. Using a long builders’ level, check your wall studs for any warped boards. Only straight flat studs will give you a level surface on which to hang drywall. People, especially the female of the species will quickly spot the bulges if you fail to put furring strips on to the frame around items that may stick out beyond your drywall studs. It’s all in the eye when learning how to hang drywall.
How to hang drywall sheets is horizontally and from the top, down to the bottom. Be sure to draw an outline grid of your studs on the floor. When you want to find them later for hanging pictures on you really don’t want to rely on hammer sonar.
A top tip on how to hang drywall when you are working alone is to hammer four nails in a row into four adjacent studs about 50″ inches from the ceiling. This enables you to lift the sheet (lift and manhandle with a straight back and use your legs only) and rest it on the nails. Hang all of the drywall upper sheets before going onto the lower sheets.
The well-dressed drywall hanger will of course have strong toe-protecting shoes. Line up the fixing screws with your floor grid marks and place screws in the dimpled area of the drywall about 2 inches apart. How not to hang drywall is with the dimpled surface facing inward! Later you will level off the dimples with joint compound.
Around the edge of the drywall sheet, place the screws 3/8″ in from all edges and space them 7″ inches apart. Across the face of each sheet, drive screws into the studs about 12 inches apart. If you miss a stud, and try a bit further over. You can fill the hole with joint compound the drywall hanger’s best friend.
The secret of how to hang drywall successfully is to have the right tools. Use a sharp rotary drill for cutting out shaped holes around light fixtures and windows etc. Loosely fasten the board over the light fixture or window, do the cutting then finish fastening the board. Over a window completely fix the drywall around the edge and then cut out the window.
Try to keep cutting of the drywall to a minimum but when you need to cut a sheet down to size be sure to mark the paper surface correctly. Then cut through the paper face with a clean sharp knife. ALWAYS KEEP FINGERS BEHIND THE CUTTING EDGE! Another top tip on how to hang drywall is to lift the panel up from your working surface and snap it downward along your cut line to break through the core.
When hanging the bottom sections of the drywalls, you do not line up the seams of each sheet. Therefore, start the second row with a half sheet. This will give sturdier and stronger drywall. The tapered edges should always butt together. Cut the panels about 1/2-inch short of the floor to allow for any unevenness in the floor or ceiling. The gaps at the bottom of the wall will be covered with your baseboard.
A final top tip on how to hang drywall when on your own is to raise each panel into place with a pair of foot levers. A sturdy piece of clean wood on top of a small wedge will enable you to lever the drywall sheet into position while you drive the first screws or nails.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about [http://drywallrepaironline.info/how-to-hang-drywall-some-helpful-advice/]how to hang dry wall, please visit [http://drywallrepaironline.info/]Dry Wall Repair Online for current articles and discussions.
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