Storm Door - Most people buy doors with jambs assembled together, called pre-hung doors. Installing a pre-hung door is usually easier than trying to fit a new door into an existing frame.

Brick homes are especially prone to having jambs that cannot be removed. For some reason, there are builders that will install the doors, then apply brick right over the outer part of the door frame. In this case, removal would require the jambs be broken apart in small sections for removal, and the new frame would have to be modified in order to fit.

Hanging a door can be a frustrating experience. The problem is usually due to not keeping the new frame square and plumb. Sometimes, it can be quite difficult to get a good fit due to the opening being out of alignment. Houses settle with time and door openings can move around a lot.

Removing an Existing Door

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Ceiling Tiles - Before starting your ceramic tile project, do some research into the different types and styles that are available. Visit your local home supply store and ask questions. Get brochures and see what types of adhesive and substrate are needed. Do you have the necessary tools? If not, weigh purchase vs renting what you need.

Measure the floor and wall areas to be tiled. If the tiles are normal sized then you should add no more than 10% for waste. Some tiles will have to be cut, while others may be damaged or blemished. Always order an extra 10%. Even if you don't use them, they often come in handy for repairs at a later date.

If you are using a floor or wall border, measure the distance to be tiled and divide it by the length of each border to arrive at the number of tiles required. Again add a few extra pieces for waste.

Sweat Copper Pipe - You need a few basic tools to successfully sweat solder copper pipe. These include pipe cutter, cleaning tools, propane torch, safety goggles, gloves, fire extinguisher, and flame blocking material if working in enclosed places.

You will also need lead free solder and a soldering paste called flux. Do not use lead based solder on water pipes because the lead can get into your water supply. Even a small amount can be detrimental to your health.

Copper must be cleaned to remove surface contamination prior to soldering. There are a number of ways to do this. You can use fine grit sandpaper, emory cloth, or a tool designed for the purpose. Whatever method you choose, the mating surfaces of the parts to be connected must be bright and shiny. Otherwise, solder will not bond and you will end up with a leaking connection.

Here are the steps to a successful sweat solder job:

• Measure, cut, and dry-fit all parts. Be sure you have cut pipes to the correct length. When fitted together, about 3/8 additional inch will be needed on each side of an assembled joint to account for the connector.

• Clean the mating surfaces of parts to be joined - outside surface of pipe, inside surface of connector. Use one of the cleaning methods mentioned earlier, and don’t touch the parts with your fingers after cleaning. This step must be done properly. Any contamination on the surfaces to be joined will prevent the solder from bonding.

• Apply a light coating of flux to the outside mating surfaces of pipes and inside of connectors. Be sure to get an even film all the way around. Use a small flux brush for this task. The purpose of the flux is to remove any unseen surface oxidation, etch the copper, and guard against oxidation when the parts are heated.

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Grout Cleaners - Tile grout can be difficult to remove stains from, especially if it has never been sealed. Mold, mildew, food and beverage stains, and a host of other problems can make your grout look old and dirty way before it's time.

Start with a household solution of vinegar or baking soda before moving to more harsh commercial cleaners. Dilute vinegar with an equal amount of water. To use baking soda, mix with enough water to make a paste. Apply the homemade cleaner in small circular motions with a nylon brush. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry.

If your grout is still stained, the next thing to try would be commercial tile and grout cleaners. These are available where home cleaning products are sold. Start with a mild cleaner instead of jumping right to a harsh one. To get the best result from a commercial cleaner, spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Follow the directions on the label to clean effectively and prevent discoloration.

Tips for Grout Cleaning

• Clean the grout first with water and allow to dry. This will remove any loose surface debris and small stains that have not set.

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Wood Stain - When staining wood, it is very important to remove all surface defects prior to applying the stain. Even small imperfections will be magnified after stain is applied. That's because stains are designed to penetrate the wood surface. Paint, on the other hand, builds a color coat on the surface that hides whatever is beneath.

The initial application of paint or wood stain is absorbed into the substrate. Since stains contain low amounts of binder, the pigment remains near the surface, while the binder penetrates to a deeper level. On the other hand, paint has a high amount of binder, so the pigment forms a layer on the surface.

Wood stains range from very low viscosity to extremely thick. The thicker stains are designed primarily for exterior use. They penetrate better than paint, but usually do not hide surface defects as well. Exterior stains tend to be more flexible than paint and last longer. If you decide to use stain, be aware that most cannot be painted over. So once a surface has been stained, that’s most likely how it will have to stay for life.

Grout Cleaners - Cleaning ceramic tile floors is not very difficult. For most jobs a simple damp mop will do the trick. However, the grout is another matter. It can be very difficult to remove stains from grout that has not been sealed properly. It's also difficult to clean the grout using regular sponge and cloth mops because the tiles are usually higher that the grout.

If your grout is fairly dirty, you’ll need a stronger solution than you use on the tiles. Lysol and similar cleaners can be used almost full strength for thorough cleaning of the grout. Remember that when you use such strong solutions, you will need to go over it again with plain water. And don't let the solution sit on the grout too long. It could be absorbed and cause permanent discoloration.

The best long term solution to keeping grout clean is to seal it. This will help prevent spills from being absorbed into the grout, and cleanup is much easier.

You can purchase grout sealer online or at your local home center. There are quite a few types available, so be sure to read the labels before purchase. Silicone based sealer is applied to the grout only. It provides a long life and is fairly easy to clean. There are also finisher/sealer types that are applied to the entire floor. There are different types that will enhance and highlight both the tiles and the grout, or you can get a clear finish.

Generator Repair - A portable generator will run anything from a small lamp to a number of large appliances. But you must select the correct output size in order to handle the anticipated load. To determine the size generator you will need, add the wattage of the maximum number of items you will be running simultaneously. For items with start up ratings higher than their run ratings, use the higher rating to determine your power requirements.

Inductive load appliances and tools such as refrigerators, washers, and power tools require additional wattage for starting. The initial load only lasts for a few seconds, but is very important when calculating your total wattage. For example - Running a 100 watt light bulb, a 1,200 watt refrigerator with a start-up wattage of 3,000 watts, and a 400 watt TV, would require 3,500 watts.

Electric Generator Safety Tips