Drywall Guide 101


Drywall Guide 101 


Drywall is used as a modern building material that is available in large panels such as 4 feet by 8 feet. The standard drywall panel has a gypsum core which has been sandwiched between two faces of heavy paper. These heavy paper faces are commonly constructed from recycled paper products. One of the faces is very smooth and the other is rougher like Kraft paper. The smooth face is the surfacing face. The purpose of drywall was to replace older types of processes for interior finishing that required lath and plaster and were significantly more labor intensive.

Drywall is aptly named as it goes on dry rather than wet like some materials such as plaster. There are a number of different proprietary names that are used to describe Drywall, including Sheetrock, Gyp Board, Plaster Board, Gypsum Board and Wallboard though many of these names refer to specific brands and types of Drywall and not to Drywall in general.

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There are numerous benefits associated with Drywall, including that it is generally inexpensive, can be used in a wide variety of different applications, is easy to work with and is also capable of being used in place of plaster walls. Drywall is capable of readily accepting a wide range of different finishes and paints and it is also easily cut into the right shape using a sharp knife. Once it has been taped in and sanded down, Drywall allows for near immediate painting and finishing. Another important benefit of Drywall is that it is a non combustible material.

Drywall has a unique shape and unique construction. It has recycled face paper around its edges, protecting and reinforcing the core. The short edges are smooth and square cut. The long panel edges have special shaping that involves tapering, allowing for joints to be properly reinforced with the use of special tape and then properly concealed using special finishing compounds. Once the joints have been properly taped and then finished, an installation that is well done will be nearly invisible.

For most typical residential applications, drywall is capable of being used on ceilings and walls. Drywall also comes in many other different types, different thicknesses and also different sheet sizes depending on what type of application you have in mind for it. The most common panel size for residential dry wall is 4 feet by 8 feet and ½ inch thick although there are other thicknesses and other panel sizes as well for residential construction, to repair severely cracked plaster ceilings, for door frames and window frames, for one-hour fire rated walls, and for purposes where walls need to be water resistant. There are special types of water resistant as well as mold resistant drywall boards that can be used for wet applications such as bathrooms and kitchens, and these boards and panels have green paper faces.

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Creating a Pastoral Feel in Your Back Forty

Creating a Pastoral Feel in Your Back Forty

Creating a Pastoral Feel in Your Back Forty 


When you have a large plot of land, keeping a perfectly manicured lawn can turning into a full time job. Instead of having acres of turf to mow, consider creating a pastoral wildflower patch. It is one of lowest maintenance landscapes to install, and after two years it becomes self sustaining. The keys to creating a beautiful wildflower patch on your property begin with choosing the right wild flower seed mixes. There are mixes designed for specific regions, specific soil types and for specific looks. And, even though most wildflowers require 6 or more hours of sunlight a day, there are shade mixtures that need only 3 to 4 hours. No matter which seed mix you choose, the planting and maintenance are the same.

Preparing for Wildflowers:
Setting up for a wildflower garden doesn't require a lot of prep work. The area will need to be ploughed and any existing vegetation tilled under. Then you have one of two choices – you can either apply a herbicide to the freshly tilled area to prevent weed growth or wait two weeks for weeds to germinate and then till them under a second time.

Once the area is ready to be seeded there are a few tricks that can help. Cultivating wildflower seeds requires just three things, contact with the soil, the right temperature and adequate moisture. To achieve these things you must:

  • Seed after the last frost of the season
  • Spread the seed evenly
  • Lightly compress the soil to assure seed to soil contact

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Spreading the Seed:
The last frost date of the year is usually published on your local government website in the agriculture section. It can also be found on local television station sites under the weather tab or at Dave's Garden's frost date by zipcode site.

Getting an even seed spread on your wildflower seed can be done by mixing one part seed mix with 10 parts sand and then either hand spreading or using a seed spreader. The addition of and allows a more diverse spread of seed while also creating a track of where you've already spread seed and where you haven't. If you are looking for an intense flower garden, use a 2 to 1 mix instead of the ten to one.

After you have spread the seed, use either a lawn roller to roll the area or walk gently cover every inch of the seeded ground. This will assure that the seeds are pressed into the soil, but not covered so deeply that they will not germinate.

You will have to be patient when waiting for your seeds to germinate. Some flower will do it in 8 to 10 days, while others may take up to two months. This can leave a significant bare spot in raised beds that will be the wildflower home.

Yearly Maintenance:
Don't expect many flowers the first year of planting. Most wildflowers take at least one full year to reach maturity and establish enough roots to flower. At the end of the first growing season, mow the wildflower field. Remove the thatch from the area to prevent over-seeding the next year. It will also help prevent an incubation area for any weeds that have taken root. The strength of wildflowers is that they grow well in low nutrient soil and out compete weeds. After the first year, you'll only have to mow back the area in the fall. You don't have to remove the thatch. The area will then become self sustaining.

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Keeping your Closet Clean



Keeping your Closet Clean 


The closet is a part of your home that is easily capable of becoming overwhelmingly cluttered and dirty without a lot of work. Keeping your closet completely organized is truly essential to making sure that it stays clean and healthy. Here are some tips that are going to help you keep your closet clean and neat all the time.

Eliminate clothing every single year.
At least once every year you should go through your entire closet and weed out any clothing that has not been worn during that year. If you have not work it in a year, now is the time to get rid of it. Most of us are unaware of the fact that we have closets that are absolutely packed with unnecessary items that simply need to be repurposed, donated or thrown away. Try taking out a piece of clothing every time you add something new if you want to avoid having to completely clean out your closet once every year. This is going to keep your closet free of clothing clutter.

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Use Ample Storage Components
There are all kinds of really unique storage units out there that you can take advantage of like hangers that handle multiple items at once and shoe bags that hang from the door or from a regular hanger. These are all relatively cheap and can really work hard to help you keep your closet in good shape.

The Closet Floor 
We all tend to love throwing things into our closet without paying a lot of attention. This is unfortunately going to result in a closet floor that we very rarely see. This is easy to overcome, however: Buy shoe racks and other unique organizational items that you can place on the floor. This way, everything will have a place and this will deter you from feeling tempted to throw things on top of the organizers. There are a lot of really fun organizers out there that take some of the monotony out of organizing your closet. With so many unique options out there, why would you allow your closet to remain a mess?

Seasonal Clothing Removal
One of the easiest ways that you can help to keep your closet clean and neat is to keep the seasonal types of items stored someplace else completely. You can purchase storage boxes that are specifically meant to go under your bed for example, and keep these items tucked away until you need them. Your closet should be reserved for the things that you need to be able to find at a moment's notice like the clothing that you wear all year long rather than just your winter overcoat, mittens and scarf. Then a few weeks before the new season begins you can rotate your seasonal items, tucking your shorts away under the bed and pulling out your winter clothes instead.

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Bathroom Redo: Painting Ceramic Tile


Bathroom Redo: Painting Ceramic Tile 


Painting ceramic tile is an excellent way to update a bathroom. Older bathrooms especially may have outdated colors and patterns on the walls, but on ceramic tile that's still in good shape. The idea of removing all that tile and starting with a clean slate can quickly make you decide that the ugly tile's not so bad after all! You don't have to compromise anymore. You can change the room by painting ceramic tile a color that you want.

Bear in mind that painting ceramic tile that's on the walls will work fine. But tile in the tub or shower enclosure will have to be replaced if you want to change it. Any area where the tile will be constantly wet won't work for painting. Professionals have special chemicals and supplies that will allow them to essentially refinish tile in those areas. But for the home DIYer, painting ceramic tiles should be limited to those on the regular bathroom walls.

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Preparation
No paint will stick to a shiny ceramic tile for very long, so the surface must be roughed. Using a tile cleaner with a tiny bit of abrasive in it, get the tile as sparkling as you possibly can. Make sure all the grout is secure and remove any mildew stains. If a cracked tile is present, now's the time to replace it. With a 200-220 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander (or any sander of your choice), remove the shine from the tile. Be sure to get the corners. If you miss any spots on the tile, the paint won't adhere in those areas. So be thorough with the sanding, and then remove all the dust from the tile.

You'll want paint thinners and rags handy to clean up after yourself, both to fix quick mistakes and to clean your supplies, because you'll be using oil-based paint. Latex is cheaper, easier to work with and less messy, but the finish won't be as durable as it would be with oil-based paint. Unless you're looking forward to painting ceramic tile again in a short amount of time, oil-based paint is well worth the extra cost and hassle.

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Priming and Painting Ceramic Tile
Get the best adhesion primer you can afford, and go with oil based. First use a brush for the corners and then a short-nap roller. Take your time and get the smoothest coat you can. Let the coat dry and then prime with a second coat.

After this has dried overnight, use 220 grit sandpaper to lightly go over the surface. The object is to catch anything you created while priming. Don't sand the primer away, just flatten any bumps or lines. Use oil-based semi-gloss or high-gloss paint as your top coat, to get an amazingly durable finish. Several thinner coats are better than one or two thick ones. Be sure to let each coat dry thoroughly before you start the next one. Painting ceramic tile isn't difficult but you do need to follow some basic steps to ensure great results and fantastic new look for your bathroom.


How to Be Your Own Plumber The Easy Way


How to Be Your Own Plumber The Easy Way 

Plumbing problems can be costly, but most of the time, they are relatively easy to fix, especially if you know what you’re doing. You can save thousands of dollars every year by learning how to be your own plumber and you’ll be gaining knowledge that can help you, especially in an emergency. Here are some tips on how to tackle the most common plumbing problems that homeowners experience.

First, you will need to get some solid plumbing books or DVDs that will walk you through the most common jobs. You can refer to these if you get stuck during a project. Having these books on hand can really make a difference, especially when you are under the wire. If you already know how to do basic plumbing, you’re just one step ahead. Try to get a variety of different books that cover not only basic pipe and drain issues, but also how to fix toilets and fixtures to make sure you have a well rounded library.

Next, you will need to make sure that you have the right tools on hand for the job. Here’s what we recommend: a variety of different pipe wrenches, appropriately sized for your house’s plumbing. It sounds simple, but many people find out too late that they don’t have the right wrench on hand during an emergency. It is also a good idea to purchase what is called a plumber’s snake. These are tools that can be used to quickly unclog a drain and they are very helpful.

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It is also a good idea to have a variety of caulks, sealants and silicone on hand. These are very helpful when it comes to fixing a leak, or putting in new tile. Make sure that they are all properly closed so that you don’t end up with a bunch of dried out tubes when you really need them. Next, you should have a good supply of pipe fittings for your different pipes throughout the house. The hardware store will have a variety of elbow joints, end caps and other things that you will need. Measure your pipes and get everything that you need.

You should also keep a supply of drain cleaner, empty buckets, gloves and other small items that are usually required during a repair session. Make sure your tool box contains a propane blow torch, a variety of pliers and wrenches and anything else that your house may require. Keep all of your tools in a safe, dry place where they can be easily accessed. That way, when something does happen, you’ll be able to grab your stuff and get right to work.

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Finally, it is a good idea to practice your skills from time to time, so that they don’t get rusty. If you have an extra bathroom, you can use this to try fixing a leak, cleaning out a drain or replacing the workings of your toilet. You’ll stay fresh and you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way.


Review of Ty’s Tricks by Ty Pennington


Review of Ty’s Tricks by Ty Pennington 


If you're into do it yourself television, you've undoubtedly heard of Ty Pennington. He's been on Trading Spaces as well as Extreme Makeover Home Edition and has become a national phenomenon, thanks to his quirky style and ease with tools. If you're looking to improve your home the easy way, this book offers some great advice and, much like Ty, it's a little quiry and a lot of fun.

First off, if you're looking for blueprints, exact specs and technical information, this is the not the book for you. The book covers the renovations that Ty made to his own home and while it does get into how to do things, it is more of a reflection of his techniques and tricks for working on a limited budget to get the best results. However, even if you are a seasoned pro, it's still well worth the read.

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As we mentioned earlier, the book covers the projects that Ty completed in his own home, from remodeling the kitchen to adding a koi pond in the back yard. He goes into great details on the kinds of materials that he used as well as the ways he was able to cut corners. He managed to remodel his entire kitchen for less than $3,000 and the whole house for less than $15,000.

In this vein, the book is packed with incredible money saving tips that will help anyone find ways to make their house look great for less money. Best case in point: for his kitchen, Ty chose flooring to redo the ceiling and used tile for the flooring. The finished result was surprisingly well put together and gave the room a lot of warmth.

If you're looking for tips on how to work inside the space you already have and get it done on a budget, this is a terrific book. It's got plenty of pictures (many of them including Ty) and it is a very quick and fun read. While it's not the most technical of tomes, it does cover basic design principles and can help the reader come up with their own ideas to make their home their own unique extension of their personality.

While the average person may not need a koi pond in their backyard, this book serves as a great jumping off point that is very inspirational. When you're done with this book, you'll feel able to take on the world, or at the very least, your own home with plenty of confidence. It's great for beginners, but like we said before, even professionals can get some tips that are useful.

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Overall, we recommend this book, but with a caveat. Read it with the right mindset and you'll walk away with a feeling that you can tackle your home. Read it with the wrong mindset and you'll most likely be disappointed that it didn't include more exact specs and technical information. At face value however, this is a book that has a place in most DIY bookshelves.



How To Selecting the Right Glue


How To Selecting the Right Glue 

Here are some of the glues that work best for certain tasks and their drying times and setting times and any important application procedures as well. Still, you should prepare to look at the label for the glue product that you choose to make sure that you are choosing the proper glue for the intended application process and purpose.

Tasks Requiring Strong Bonding
For the strongest bonding needs, you are going to want to make use of epoxy glue. There are a number of indoor as well as outdoor products that work well with this particular type of glue including metal, wood, glass and also plastic. Depending on what surface area you are working with, the glue is capable if setting in as little as five minutes or as many as ten hours. It is capable of curing completely in between 3 and 48 hours from when it was initially applied.
This is a type of glue that is somewhat trickier than the others. You are going to need to be wearing protective gloves, and you are going to need to work quickly using a disposable applicator. You are going to want to mix the two different ingredients together and it will need to be applied to the surfaces immediately. If you end up spilling, you need to clean it up as soon as humanly possible using an acetone product. This is a glue that is extremely strong, rigid and waterproof.


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Tasks Requiring Instant Bonding
On occasion you may find yourself dealing with an immediate fixing need. If your item is a nonpourous material such as metal, rubber or plastic, then you can use super glue in order to achieve a quick level of bonding. This glue is capable of setting in between 10 seconds and 30 seconds, meaning that it is essential that you move quickly when you are using it. It is capable of curing in half an hour up to about 12 hours depending on what surface area you are working with. You can apply a single drop or two and you should be wearing gloves when you are using this type of glue. Press the two surfaces together for a period of approximately 30 seconds. If clean up is necessary, then you are going to require acetone to get the glue out. Super glue is not only really strong, but it also happens to be water resistant.

Gluing Wood
Plastic laminate products and wood veneers both require a special type of product for binding, which is contact cement. This product sets nearly instantly and it is capable of curing in a matter of mere minutes. You should apply the contact cement to both of the surfaces and then allow it to dry completely. Now place both of the surfaces together and press them together completely and thoroughly for the contact cement to bond.


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