Tips
A tool left off many lists that every household should have is a 6-foot stepladder. That height is useful for most interior jobs and working on the lower portion of the exterior of the home such as the roof line.
Don't skimp on quality. A good ladder should last a long time. Metal, wood, or fiberglass are all great choices but a quality ladder will have the following features:
+ Wider spread between the legs
+ Rustproof hardware
+ Heavy side rails
+ Sturdy rungs and steps
+ Firm stance when open
Old homes are not the only ones likely to be contaminated with lead paint. Any home built before 1980 should have it's interior and exterior paint tested for lead. The older the home the more likely a significant amount of lead was used in the paint.
In the mid-19th-century lead was used extensively by the more wealthy homeowners. So if your old home is of better construction and condition it could be more likely toxic. Children are much more susceptible to lead absorption and the consequence is irreversible brain damage.
Lead can be absorbed via fumes but also from paint chipping off and going into the soil or floors. This lead can be picked up in dirt and toys and ingested by children unknowingly.
Lead is most dangerous when sanding and scraping are going on. This ambient lead hazard is caused by lead particles hanging in the air and can be inhaled or settle on skin and clothes.
Over time a door placed in a wood frame will begin to sag causing air leaks around the door and space between the weatherstripping and door frame. Checking the hinge attachments is the first thing you should look at but if everything looks tight give these two tips a try to locate the draft.
1. During the day stand inside with the door closed and the interior lights off. Look for light passing through the spaces around the door. If you see light check the weather stripping in that area and apply more if needed.
2. Again close the door and stand on the inside facing the door. Hold a lit candle about 2-3 inches from the edges of the door and move it along the edge of the door from the bottom, across the top, and down the other side. If you see the flame flicker (not from your movement but a draft), then examine the weather stripping around that part of the door.
With so many online outlets to share our "status" we are often tempted to overshare especially when it comes to travel or vacation. Your "trusted" network on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are not as secure as you may think. Web savvy crooks don't have to work very hard to match up locations with those who announce their intentions of leaving their home for the holidays.
We've outlined these additional tips to our Holiday Home Security article that are great to keep in mind before leaving on vacation.
1. Do not announce on your answering machine or voicemail that you will be on vacation. Tell important family members and friends that you'll be gone and then you won't need to announce to anyone that calls that the house is empty.
2. Do not setup any email auto-reply with an out-of-office notification. Again this announces to the world that you are gone and the convenience of leaving a return date makes it even easier for crooks to figure things out.
3. Re-think your status updates. If you must make a status update to your social media profile (i.e. Facebook, Twitter) about your holiday plans, leave the dates and locations out.
Childproofing your home may seem like a no-brainer, but it can be the most important step you take to keep your child safe during the important early formative years.
The basic concept of childproofing is to make sure that your child can't leave the home and can't get into any rooms that haven't been childproofed. To effectively childproof, here are some common tips:
The kitchen is a notoriously dangerous place for tots to hang around in. Sharp instruments, hot surfaces and slippery floors abound. To keep tiny fingers out of places they shouldn't go, childproof cabinets and drawers using safety locks. Safety locks can also be purchased for ovens, which you may find especially convenient if you have a lower oven, just the right height for a toddler.
In the bathroom, childproofing the door handle to make sure that a child can't enter without supervision is one option, but you may also want to childproof the toilet with a Safety Toilet Lid Lock. Keep cabinets with dangerous toxins locked and you can also invest in a special showerhead, known as an anti-scalding device to make sure water temperatures don't get too hot for delicate skin.
Pulling carpet yourself can save a few bucks and here are 7 tips to make the process go smoothly.
1. Pulling up carpet is a labor-intensive activity, so while you can do it by yourself, it's a lot easier, and a lot less heavy, if you bring in at least one other person to help out.
2. Watch for exposed nails, wear thick-soled shoes and tread carefully. Underneath the carpet, there could be old flooring, or there could just be a collection of junk, dust mites, bugs and other creepy crawly dirt covered items, so you may also want to wear a mask to prevent inhalation of dust. For the same reason, people who have asthma or breathing problems should leave the area to prevent complications.
3. Start in a corner. Using pliers, begin to lift the carpet in a corner; this will start the removal in two directions.
We typically leave the beauty tips to Dahlight but she shared one that the frugal DIY crowd may find interesting.
Loew-Cornell Paint Brushes are an excellent alternative to standard makeup brushes. We haven't tried it but maybe the ladies can chime in here. Is it worth it?
A reader wrote in this question:
What is best to use to melt snow on different kinds of surfaces? We did some damage on our slate steps last year by using rock salt.
We polled some experts including Deren S. Monday and the consensus is that slate is definitely not the ideal choice to use in areas that need to be clear of snow. When designing for snowy climates the exterior selections should be salt-resistant to meet performance criteria.
If you've already got the slate installed here are the options as we see it.
1. Remove the slate and install a salt-resistant paver such as high-quality concrete that is also textured to be more slip-resistant.
2. Remove the slate and install thermal heat elements underneath and re-install the slate or install weather resistant material. Salt shouldn't be needed if you go with this option.
Not all dead bolt locks are equal, therefore not all dead bolts will protect you and your property to the same degree.
Here are some tips to make sure your dead bolt lock is securely fastened.
1. Stick to Grade 2 or 1 Strength - Dead bolt locks are graded by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association based on the following characteristics:
Operation i.e.: key torque; cycles
Security i.e.: pull strength, impact resistance
Finish
You can purchase dead bolts in order of strength from weakest (grade 3) to mid-level (grade 2) to high security (grade 1). Grade 3 dead bolts are too weak. Stick to grade 2 or 1 only. Also make sure the bolt extends at least 1" into the doorjamb.
2. Install locks correctly - For maximum security most locksmiths recommend installing locks an in an inch and a half above the knob, at roughly the door's center point. At higher heights the door loses leverage and can be compromised.
3. Swing bar locks - Avoid the door chains and opt for swing bar locks for extra security which can't be forced open.
4. Strike plate strength - The strike plate which is the metal piece that attaches to the door frame should be five inches long and installed with screws at least 3 inches long. There should be no gaps between the strike plate and the door frame.
We see and read a lot of home improvement books. It's helpful to get off the web sometimes and read paper (gives the eyes a rest).
We just had a chance to go over a new home improvement book that's geared towards women called Marie's Home Improvement Guide. It's written by Marie L. Leonard who runs her own home improvement business which gives her a solid foundation from which to write this book.
Out initial impression of books targeted to women is poor. Many times the focus is too much on what women can and supposedly can't do instead of going through a real project with less focus on gender but more on how to use the correct tools the right way to finish a project. One example is her recommendation to ditch the 16oz. claw-hammer for a 7oz. which is more than enough weight for household chores and you'll be less fatigued during and after your job. There are more great tips like these as well as common project HowTo's and easy to decipher illustrations.
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