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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 Older bathrooms especially may have outdated colors and patterns on the walls, but on ceramic tile that's still in good shape.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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Green Flooring For Your Home

Green Flooring For Your Home
Green Flooring For Your Home

Green Flooring For Your Home


If you are considering installing new flooring for your home, now is the time to consider reducing your carbon imprint. There are many new choices for flooring that are not only eco-friendly but also beautiful, economical and long lasting. Let’s go over some of the most popular choices for green flooring that are currently on the market.

Bamboo –
This is one of the most popular forms of flooring and it is incredibly green. Bamboo grows quickly and does not need to be replanted. It is not as hard as some woods, however, bamboo floors are usually quite durable. They add a unique look to your home’s flooring system and you can find this flooring in many finishes and colors.

Concrete –
A lot of new homes feature poured concrete floors, especially in the kitchen. While they are very hard and a little expensive, you can’t ask for a more durable and eco-friendly floor. You can have it cast in patterns, stamped with designs and even stained to the perfect color. Adding throw rugs is recommended, especially for rooms where you will be doing a lot of standing. When it comes to cleaning, concrete floors are probably the easiest to maintain and they should last for many years to come.

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Cork –
This is a nice soft flooring that will actually feel warm under you feet. It is quite popular and although cork comes from the bark of the tree, it is a renewable resource. Cork trees reproduce bark within a few years of having it removed and the removal process does not harm the tree. This is a great solution for areas that have a lot of foot traffic, since cork is pretty durable when it is installed correctly.

Cork flooring is highly recommended for those that are allergic to mold or other common allergens. The flooring is resistant to moisture and will actually repel insects. You can find this flooring in natural colors or you can have it dyed to match the color of your choice.

Linoleum –
You wouldn’t think of linoleum as being a green flooring, but it actually is. It is actually made up of several natural ingredients, and when removed, it does not take up a lot of space in a landfill, since it will easily degrade. This is probably the most cost effective eco-friendly flooring that you can find and it is incredibly easy to maintain. You can find linoleum in just about any color or pattern and installing it is also very easy.

Last but not least, if you already have wood floors, you may want to consider refinishing them before ripping them out. You can add rugs made of natural materials to hide trouble spots and you’ll be adding to the value of your home since natural wood floors are always preferable to many home buyers. It’s a great link to the past and if you already have them, you should try to get as much use out of them as possible.

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Fixing a Leaky Faucet

Fixing a Leaky Faucet 

At best, a leaking faucet is more than capable of being annoying. At worst, a leaking faucet is capable of being extremely wasteful. The sound of water as it continuously drips into a sink can be completely maddening over time. Luckily, the fix required for repairing a leaky faucet is relatively simple as a DIY home repair project. With a few simple tools and some basic DIY know how, there is no reason why you cannot learn what it takes to fix a leaky faucet all on your own.



First and foremost, before you attempt this fix you need to make sure that the water has been turned off. Look under the offending sink and you should find a shut off valve that will allow you to turn the water off. Older homes may not have this shut off valve beneath the sink, meaning that you would need to go into the basement to turn the water off. Once the water has been turned off, you should open up both faucets so that any water that is still in the pipes can be let out. You need to take care to make sure that a drain stopper is put down so that if you drop a loose part, you do not end up losing it down the drain while you are working on the repair process.


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If you happen to have an old lever handle faucet, then it is going to require that you use a screwdriver in order to remove the screw from the top of the faucet. Newer faucet handles are not going to have any visible hardware in the top but rather you will need to undo the set screw using a standard Allen wrench. Once the screw has been removed from the faucet handle, the handle can be removed.

If you have a knob handle, then you should remove the knob from the fixture so that you can gain access to your screw. Use an adjustable type of wrench to take apart the handle's inner workings. Make sure that the pieces are lined up as they are removed so that you can replace them in the right order. Keeping them in the right order will make reassembly easier when you are done.

Remove the washer and prepare to replace it. Bring it to the hardware store as a reference when you are buying a replacement. If you use the old washer as a guide, you will make sure to buy the proper new washer. Set the newly purchased washer in, and then replace the rest of the hardware to reassemble the faucet. If you have a double handled sink and it is still leaking, then you are going to have to repeat this same process for the other faucet in order to address the problem completely and fully.


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