Tips
Retaining Wall Drainage
Use stone instead of dirt against a retaining wall to aid in drainage.
Screwdriver Size
When using a screwdriver, the most common mistake people make is to use the wrong size driver. You should always try to match the size of the screwdriver blade to the size of the screw as closely as possible. Mismatches will frequently result in the screw stripping, excessive wear on the screwdriver blade and a more difficult and time consuming job for you. Fortunately, finding the correct match is easy because screwdrivers are available in a complete variety of sizes and types.
Team Work
Always try to work with someone if you can. If not, have a phone nearby in case of emergency.
Wallpaper Removal
Remove wallpaper quickly with equal parts vinegar and water. For tougher jobs, increase vinegar.
Home Inspector
An inspector checks the safety of your potential new home. Home inspectors focus especially on the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the house and will make you aware of any repairs that are needed. The inspector does not evaluate whether or not you’re getting good value for your money. Generally, an inspector checks (and gives prices for repairs on): the electrical system, plumbing and waste disposal, the water heater, insulation and ventilation, the HVAC system, water source and quality, the potential presence of pests, the foundation, doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, and roof. Be sure to hire a home inspector that is qualified and experienced. It’s a good idea to have an inspection before you sign a written offer since, once the deal is closed, you’ve bought the house “as is.” Or, you may want to include an inspection clause in the offer when negotiating for a home. An inspection clause gives you an “out” on buying the house if serious problems are found, or gives you the ability to renegotiate the purchase price if repairs are needed. An inspection clause can also specify that the seller must fix the problem(s) before you purchase the house.
Credit History
There are three major credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Obtaining your credit report is as easy as calling and requesting one. Once you receive the report, it’s important to verify its accuracy. Double-check the “high credit limit”, “total loan,” and “past due” columns. It’s a good idea to get copies from all three companies to assure there are no mistakes since any of the three could be providing a report to your lender. Fees, ranging from $5-$20, are usually charged to issue credit reports but some states permit citizens to acquire a free one. Contact the reporting companies at the numbers listed for more information. Experian 1-800-682-7654, Equifax 1-800-685-1111, Trans Union 1-800-916-8800
Thermostat Location
Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
Outdoor Lighting
Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a timer so they will turn off during the day.
Paint from the Top
The general ‘rule of thumb’ for painting a house is start at the top and work your way down. I suggest painting gables first, then siding, moving horizontally with the boards. Windows, trim, doors should be done last.
Lint Removal
Clean the lint filter in the clothes dryer after every load to improve air circulation. Remember to regularly clean the lint from vent hoods, too.
Watering New Shrubs
Water new shrubs once a week the first summer with 5 to l0 gallons of water for each depending on the size of the bush. Take care to get the water under any mulch, which absorbs a great deal of moisture and robs the soil below. Pour water right down the stems so it goes into the root ball, and does not run off on the ground. During very hot sunny days, spray the tops and water lightly in addition to the weekly deep watering. Do not fertilize the first year, except possibly for half strength liquid fertilizer at planting time, or plant rooting hormone additives one can use. Fertilize normally the second year in the spring.
Don’t Sand
To preserve that glowing quality wood gets with age, many pros suggest you not sand refinished wood (Refinishing floors is one exception). Of course, you may have to sand a piece that has been stripped with materials that have raised the grain or to remove imbedded wax or stearates.
Dirty Insulation
Look for dirty spots in your insulation, which often indicate holes where air leaks into and out of your house. You can seal the holes by stapling sheets of plastic over the holes and caulking the edges of the plastic.
AC Insulation
If you have a room air conditioner, remove it for the winter or seal it up and insulate it. Water heater insulation jackets can work well for covering and insulating the air conditioner.
Spring Patches
If you have bare patches in your lawn, prepare these areas for seed or sod. To care for your new and existing grass, be sure to water properly.
Trimmed Pools
Keep the trees and shrubs around your pool trimmed back to minimize the amount of leaves and debris that end up in the pool.
Lead in Soil
Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. The following two federal standards have been set for lead hazards in residential soil: 400 parts per million (ppm) and higher in play areas of bare soil; 1,200 ppm (average) and higher in bare soil in the remainder of the yard. The only way to find out if soil lead hazards exist is to test.
Treat Gasoline
For those gasoline powered tools that don’t get a lot of regular use – generators, trimmers, blowers – add a bit of fuel stabilizer to keep them running smooth. A $5 bottle of stabilizer can treat more than 20 gallons and extend the gasoline’s life expectancy for a full year.
Mixing Paste
Stir wallpaper paste for longer than suggested by the manufacturer to ensure that there are no lumps. A wooden dowel makes and ideal stirrer. Also stir the paste from time to time during wallpapering.
Radon Testing Time
Whether you test for radon yourself or hire a state-certified tester or a privately certified tester, all radon tests should be taken for a minimum of 48 hours. A longer period of testing is required for some devices.
Refinance Timing
The traditional answer to the question “When is the best time to refinance?” is when interest rates fall 2 percent below your current mortgage interest rate. However, in recent years some experts have argued that refinancing may be appropriate with a smaller point spread. Some weight is often given to the length of time the owner anticipates holding on to the property. If the owner expects to keep the property for at least three or four years, then refinancing may be worthwhile. While refinancing can involve upfront costs, in many cases it is possible to roll the costs of the refinancing into the new note and still reduce the amount of the monthly payment
Waterbed Savings
Keep waterbeds covered with quilts or blankets to help retain their heat. You might also want to insulate the bottom with a sheet of rigid foam insulation.
Flood Prep – Fuel Tanks
Keep these points in mind when you anchor a fuel tank:
a) If you prefer not to do this work yourself, you can have a handyman or contractor anchor your tank.
b) Extend all filling and ventilation tubes above the 100-year flood level so that flood waters cannot enter the tank.
c) Close all connections when flood warnings are issued.
Vulnerable Garage Door
Garage doors are the most vulnerable to hurricane force winds for two reasons, first the relatively long span of opening that they cover, and second, the weak materials they are built with.
Many garage doors are constructed of lightweight materials to conserve weight and expense. Although their lighter weight makes them easier to raise and lower, it also makes them less resistant to the wind and impact forces of a hurricane.
Blade Height
Before turning on your table saw, make sure that the height of the saw blade is no more than 1/2-in. and no less than 1/8-in. above the surface of the workpiece. When setting the height of your table saw, you want to balance the need for safety with effectiveness. The goal is to leave as little exposed blade as possible while still being able to cleanly saw through the wood. When too much of the blade is exposed above the workpiece, friction is increased and the chance of chipping is greater. Also, the higher the blade height, the greater the severity of injury.
Clamp Pads
Professional woodworkers often don’t use pads on their clamps because they know how to set them up without marring the wood. But if you prefer to use them for pipe or bar clamps, you can buy some or make up your own. Scrap rubber, shoe soles, even old mud flaps, can do the trick. For pipe clamps, cut out a slightly undersize circle to fit over the pipe using a sabersaw. Next, cut out the perimeter about 1/8 in. oversize. Then make a slit in the pad bottom so it can stretch over the pipe without taking off the jaw end.
Drip Cap Flashing
Make sure to always install a drip cap flashing over the head casing of all doors and windows. A flashing will prevent water from penetrating the door or window frame.
Subfloor Glue
When installing subfloor plywood it is a good idea to glue it down with a construction adhesive to prevent floor squeaks.
Kitchen Budget
Keep on budget by using luxury material sparingly. Reserve the island for an expensive granite countertop, for example, while using more affordable materials elsewhere. Don’t overlook butcher block and stainless steel.
Concrete Mixing Ring
The problem: you don’t have a mortar box or wheel-barrow to mix up those small batches of concrete. Instead, use the ring method on a slab or sheet of plywood. Put down coarse aggregate on the bottom, followed by layers of sand and cement. Reserve the center for a mixing well. Then add water to the center and pull the ingredients into it with a garden hoe.
