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Venting Dos and Don'ts
When venting a roof remember that vent areas at the eaves and the ridges should be roughly equal. Consult manufacturers specs for vent areas they are less then the physical size of the vent. Be careful about painting vents as this reduces the vent area and eventually closes them up. Vents should let air in and out and not insects and varmints. Turbine vents appear to be doing a lot but they are really not very effective. Power vents create a negative pressure in the attic and air will be pulled from somewhere be sure it is being pulled from other vents and not from your living space.

Roof Vents
While roof venting is still a much debated issue but in almost all situations it makes sense for several reasons. In an unfinished attic situation venting does generally provide relief from heat build up which in turn can make cooling easier and lengthen the life of shingles. In winter a well vented roof should help prevent ice damming on the roof and moisture build up in the attic both which can cause ceiling, wall and roof damage. The methods of venting are many and while some are more effective than others the only bad type of roof vent is one that leaks.

Rising Damp
Moisture is the biggest enemy of any building. While we usually think of water intrusion from a leaking roof or flooding basement there are many more avenues for water entry. Water enters and exits a building all the time in the form of water vapor. Proper ventilation and building practices keep this form of intrusion under control. A less common and little understood form of water entry is rising damp. This phenomenon presents itself in masonry walls as dampness or moisture on a wall surface. The wall is actually acting as a wick and drawing moisture up from the ground. A line of mineral deposits a few feet above grade is a common indication of rising damp. The solution is not always simple and surface coatings are not the answer. If you think you have rising damp consult a professional with a thorough understanding of the problem.

Summer Vacation
What's the connection between summer vacation and home repair? With a few precautions there shouldn't be any. For a short vacation we usually stop the paper and have a neighbor pick up the mail. Unplugging things and shutting off the water to the hot water tank and the washing machine probably make sense too. Many a traveler has come home to near disaster in the house because nobody was around to catch it. Consider giving someone access to the house just to check on things.

Can We Do It?
Can we do it has different meanings to different people. When home repair or remodeling is the topic it might mean can we do the work or can we afford the work or can we afford to have someone else do the work. There is one more "can we do it?" that must be asked. Can it legally be done? Don't forget to check on local zoning and building regulations. What changes you can make and how you are going to use the property is typically spelled out in a regulation somewhere. The best approval is a permit but legal research before anything gets underway may well pay for itself.

Deck Over
Decking over an existing concrete slab makes for a more user-friendly area. Construction is straightforward with joists and decking arranged in the traditional manor. Often the slab has been sloped for drainage but we want the deck level. Two options exist for this situation. The deck can be shimmed to a level position or the joists can be scribed to conform to the slab underneath and remain level on top. Scribing is the most labor intensive but usually provides the best support.

Easy Divide
Sharing space can be tough especially for kids. If your kids share a room there is cheap way to keep the peace. Consider building a room divider or temporary partition out of Homasote. This composition material is made of compressed cellulose and is commonly used for soundproofing. It can be painted and also makes a great bulletin board.

Enough Juice?
If you live in an older home the question of adequate electrical service often comes up. There are two issues here, adequate service (capacity) and adequate circuits (number of circuits). If everything is working and you are not tripping circuit breakers, or tripping over extension cords, things are probably good enough. Older homes had fewer circuits because there were fewer things to plug in so often an up grade might mean running a new circuit to the kitchen or home office. If you add air-conditioning or replace gas appliances with electric you may need greater capacity (new service). Whatever your situation consult with a qualified electrician before taking any action.

Electrical Terms
It would be hard to get through the day without flipping a light switch but if you asked folks about the type of switch flipped they probably don't know. Here is the skinny on switch types. A switch that turns a device on or off and is the only one in the circuit is called a "single-pole" switch. When there are two switches controlling a device they are known as "three-way" switches. An example would be the switch at the top and the bottom of the basement steps. When there is more than two switches controlling a device they are called "four-way" switches. If there were five switches controlling a device two of them would be "three-way" and the rest would be "four-way" switches.

Which Type?
Making the decision to replace windows is just the first step. Deciding the type of replacement window comes next. Wood has been the material of choice for windows but it requires the most maintenance and is losing ground to newer options. Wood clad offers the qualities of wood with an exterior cladding that requires little maintenance. Vinyl, once thought of as an inferior product, has improved to the point that it now competing head to head with wood. Vinyl is essentially maintenance free. The choice you make depends on personal preferences and job requirements.

Patch It Up
Folks who have trouble getting their drywall cutouts right have some options for redemption. Nobody wants to see an electrical box cutout that is bigger than the cover plate so there must some way to fix an outsized cutout. If you are paying attention, these mistakes can be taken care of while finishing the joints and corners. Fill the space between the box and drywall with mud and apply tape to strengthen the repair. Mesh tape works well in this situation. Apply a second coat of mud as the rest of the job proceeds and the mistake is no more. Occasionally an oversize cutout sneaks by and is not discovered until the cover plates are being installed. Look for oversized cover plates at the hardware store to avoid patching and painting again.

Cut It Out
Hanging drywall is relatively easy but it still bedevils most of us. While measuring and cutting is straightforward, things don't always want to fit. Cutting out for electrical boxes becomes an advanced skill that some never master. The pros use a power cut-out tool while the board is in place but this practice is not practical for the casual installer. If measuring just doesn't work out for you, try marking the locations with the boxes themselves. Apply crayon or lipstick to the face edge of the electrical box then carefully position the piece of drywall and the location will be transferred to the back of the board. Take the board down and cut out from the back. The opening should line up perfectly with the box.

Sump Run
Spring rains bring a lot of sump pump activity to some folks so it might be a good time to check yours out if you have one. Pour water in the pit until the float switch activates the pump and watch the operation of the pump. When the switch kicks off watch for water running back into the sump pit. If there is an excessive amount of water running back from the discharge line, a check valve might be a good idea. This valve is installed in the discharge line just above the pump and prevents water from coming back when the pump quits running.
If a sump pump is critical to your happiness there are a couple of things that might make life easier when the water level is rising. Folks with finished basements in low-lying areas often depend on a sump pump to keep the family room from becoming a swimming pool. At a minimum the pump should be on a circuit by itself. Electrical problems in other parts of the house will not affect the sump's operation. Consider the fact that large rainfalls and power outages often go hand in hand. Sump pumps can be equipped with a back-up power supply. While temporary power might not be cheap in comparison to new carpet, it is not a bad bargain.

Caulk Tip
Most folks who do their own painting have the got the caulk gun thing down. Filling cracks not only seals but makes things look better as well. Inside corners and cracks around moldings are not too tough but what about those outside corners? When you have more than a couple of outside corners to caulk, cut a "V" notch on the end of the tube and use this tube for caulking all the outside corners. The notch allows you to stay centered on the crack for great results.

Disposable Leak
A fact of life: Your garbage disposal may eventually leak. Fortunately, this is an easy enough fix and can probably be accomplished with less than the average three trips to the hardware store! Just like its simpler cousin, the strainer basket, the disposal relies on plumber's putty to create a seal between it and the sink. If you suspect the leak is coming from the top of the disposal, then the putty has probably failed. Turn off the power to the unit and then disconnect the drain. Now turn the collar at the top of the disposal counterclockwise and get ready to catch the unit! Next, loosen the three screws that hold the drain assembly in place, slide the split ring off, and things should come apart. Remove the old putty from the sink and the disposal flange. Roll out a small snake of new putty and press it around the bottom of the flange and put things back together.

Dry Tile Remover
Remodeling occasionally requires the removal of old floor tiles. There are a number of ways to remove the tiles and most of them require grunt work. Scrapping is tedious and often not very effective. Here is a method that is great when it works: Place a chunk of dry ice onto a cookie sheet and set it directly onto the tile. The rapid temperature change will cause the tile to break away from the adhesive. The pan allows for easy handling of the ice. Old tile may contain asbestos, so dispose of the tiles properly and avoid sanding, grinding, or dry scraping of the floor.

Fogged Safety Glasses
Safety glasses or any glasses for that matter, typically fog up when one puts on a dust mask or respirator. This annoying distraction often leads to the removal of the mask or glasses altogether. The most common cause is that the mask in not sealed tightly to the face and breath escapes and condenses onto the glasses. The solution is to purchase a better quality mask that fits snugly. Sometimes glasses fog up in spite of our best efforts. Look for anti-fog solution that can be applied to the glasses. This solution sidesteps the condensation problem but will need to be reapplied occasionally.

Against The Grain
Sanding is one task that is almost universally disliked. With this in mind, it makes sense to do this job as efficiently as possible. Wood is almost always sanded with the grain or in the direction of the length of the board. Sanding across the grain tears the wood fibers and makes a smooth surface more difficult to achieve. There are situations that require sanding across the grain. If a cupped board is to be sanded flat, it must be sanded across the grain. A good example is floor sanding. Old floors are often less than flat and may need to be sanded diagonally to flatten before sanding to a smooth finish.

How Much Material?
Many projects around the house require a little bit of math before the work actually begins. How much (in terms of materials) will be needed is part of the homework. The majority of projects require figuring area. Floor and wall coverings, paint and tile work all involve figuring coverage by area.
Area is calculated by multiplying length by width of the surface. A floor is one surface. Painting walls requires adding up the areas of several surfaces (all the walls). Once the total area is determined, the next step is to calculate how many boxes, cans or rolls of material are needed. Paint typically covers 400 square feet per gallon, so divide the total area by 400 to arrive at the number of gallons of paint to buy. Check package labels for coverage information

Brick Exteriors
The exterior of choice in many parts of the country is brick. Brick is long lasting and low maintenance. While there is little to worry about with a brick exterior, there comes a time when the mortar may need some attention (tuck-pointing). Routinely inspect areas where brick and other materials come together. The joint between brick and window/door should be checked for weather tightness and caulked if necessary. Make note of any cracks in bricks or joints as they may indicate structural problems.

Smoke Detector Maintenance
Routine maintenance of your smoke detector(s) (dusting or vacuuming removes dust and insures proper air movement) and battery replacement may be the most important jobs you do during the year.
Here are some ideas related to smoke detectors:
-Choose new long-life batteries (always check the expiration date).
-Change the batteries once a year on the same day every year; for example, change the batteries at the same time you set back your clocks in the spring or forward in the fall.
-Test your units at least once a month. Mark the testing day on your calendar and check it off after you have tested the detectors.
-The batteries in kitchen detectors are often removed due to the "burnt toast syndrome." Remember to replace the batteries or better yet, install a new detector with a "hush button" that will silence the alarm but not render the unit ineffective like removing the batteries.
-If you have a "nuisance alarm," that is, one that goes off frequently for no apparent reason, either replace the batteries or install a new unit.
-If remodeling is in your future, then it's a good time to add AC-DC units that are interconnected -- most building codes require them in new construction.
-Make sure that you have an adequate number of smoke detectors installed. A smoke detector should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside all bedrooms.
-Smoke detectors don't last forever. Replace yours every few years.
Smoke detectors are available for the hearing impaired. Click here for products from Harris Communications Inc. (click on 'Equipment,' then 'Warning Devices/Detectors.')

Paint Popping
If the paint on your house is popping off, it is a sign that things aren't right. Paint should slowly wear off a building. Popping paint is usually a sign that the surface wasn't properly prepared or there is moisture pushing the paint off the house. If a surface is dirty, dusty or oily, then the paint won't go on the house itself, but on the dirt, dust and oil that will soon come off. Moisture behind a surface migrates or is pulled through and it pushes the paint off the house. Typical problem areas are around leaking downspouts and clogged and overflowing gutters. The water ends up behind the siding and eventually off comes the paint. Repainting is futile if the moisture problem is not fixed first.

Tune Up That Threshold
Right about this time of year, it is pretty easy for you to tell if the thresholds on your exterior doors are doing their jobs. Get right down there and check for cold air. If you can feel a breeze blowing or see light under the door, then it's time for a threshold tune-up. Most thresholds have a rubber strip that "snugs up" under the door as it closes and over time this strip wears out. If you need to replace your threshold, then remove the strip by giving it a pull and head to the home center for a replacement. Reinstalling the strip usually involves trimming to length and pushing it back into grooves in the threshold.

Outlet Complication
When swapping out an electrical outlet, you may find that the wires are not attached to the screws but pushed into the back of the outlet. Be sure the power is off and look closely at the back of the outlet. There should be a small slot next to the hole the wire is in. Insert a very thin blade screwdriver into the slot and it should release the wire from the hole. When the replacing the outlet, use the screws on the side as they provide a better connection. Remember white wire to the silver screw and black wire to the brass screw. The ground always goes to the green screw.

Time To Service The Fireplace!
The middle of the heating season isn't the best time to think about cleaning the chimney -- or is it? Make a note to have yours checked first thing this spring. And don't forget to check the chimney that services the furnace and water heater even if you don't have a fireplace. If you do burn a fire, make sure that the damper is open when in use and closed when not. An open damper lets a lot of heated air out of the house. And if you don't have a carbon monoxide detector, install one where there is a flame in the house (living room, kitchen, utility room).

Range Hood Maintenance
Here's a fun task that seldom gets done in most households: a thorough cleaning of the range hood. Not just wiping it off but taking things apart for a proper cleaning. This is important to do because grease accumulates in the fan and ducts and is a fire hazard if not periodically cleaned. While most fans have a mesh grease filter, cleaning it is just a start. Get up inside and remove the fan motor if possible and wipe down everything you can get at. A stove fire could easily and quickly spread to a greasy exhaust hood. Not a good thing! (As always, make sure the power is off before you start taking the range hood apart or cleaning it.)

Winter Cracks
Wintertime is when a lot of painting gets done, at least the interior type! While many folks don't think there is ever a good time for this task, the heating season affords us one opportunity we don't get in the summer. As your skin and nose dry out, so does your woodwork and cracks show up when the house is at its lowest humidity levels. This is a great time to caulk cracks so they won't come back. Use a good interior latex caulk to fill all those cracks around the woodwork before you paint and you probably won't see them again.

Phone Check
Most homes have a small box located on the side of the house where phone wires come into the building. This box (network interface) is where the phone company wires end and your wires begin. If your phone is not working, first find out if it is your responsibility to fix or theirs. Locate the network interface box, open the cover and find the phone test jack. Plug in a phone that you know works. If the phone works at the interface, then the problem is your responsibility. If the phone doesn't work, then the problem should be resolved by the telephone company.

Making A Too Long Bolt Just The Right Size
There might be times when you have the right bolt but it is too long for the job. The solution might be in your toolbox instead. The bolt can easily be cut to length with a hacksaw -- the only problem is the cut end will be ragged and often the nut won't go back on. The trick is to put the nut on first then cut the bolt. File off the ragged edge and then back the nut off the bolt to restore the threads.

Plumbing Tip: Bread
There is an old plumbing trick that is used when trying to solder pipes that have a little water left in them. First the problem: the water absorbs the heat and the pipes will not get hot enough to melt the solder. The trick is to stuff some bread up into the pipe to hold back the water while soldering. Where does the bread go? It pretty much dissolves and runs out of the faucet. To avoid problems with clogged up aerators and the like, open both taps at the bathtub to clear out the pipes. Oh, and white bread works best and please cut off the crust.

No Bake Oven
Electric ovens eventually have one sort of problem or another. The element that heats the oven has a long life but just like a light bulb, it can burn out. If your oven stopped baking, chances are good that it the problem is with the element. Before you run out and replace it, there is an easy test that might save you some time and money. Testing the element with an ohmmeter will tell you if it is good or bad. First unplug the range. Most elements plug into a socket at the back of the oven and a little wiggling and pulling usually gets them out. A good element should show about 30 ohms, a bad one will give you an infinite reading.

Vent To The Outside
There are a number of dryer vent attachments that allow the clothes dryer to be vented into the house or at least not to the outside. The reality is that venting a dryer into the house is almost always not a good idea. The large amount of humidity dumped into the house typically causes trouble over time and the lint dust build up is not only messy but can become a fire hazard.

Dryer Maintenance
Do what? What possible maintenance could the clothes dryer need? Most folks know to clean the lint filter between loads but there is much more that can and should be done. The filter gets some of the lint but not all by a long shot. Plenty of lint builds up under, behind, and inside the dryer cabinet. Technicians recommend a thorough cleaning once a year and it is not too tough if you have room to get behind the dryer and remove the back. First unplug it or turn off the gas and remove the vent. Remove the back and brush off and vacuum dust and lint from around the motor, drum, and vent pipe. Give the vent pipe itself a thorough cleaning. Rigid or flexible metal vent pipe is highly recommended and if you have flex plastic with a gas dryer, change it NOW as it presents a real fire hazard.

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Consumer Alert
Folks of the home repair persuasion buy stuff for their homes like appliances and mechanical systems, then install and maintain them. When we do our own work, we take on the role of the professional, including taking on the responsibility of keeping up with changes in the industry and staying abreast of problems with products. One way to keep on top of things is to periodically visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site. You will find a wealth of information here!
Click here to link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site! http://www.cpsc.gov/

Too Wired
Houses are getting pretty wired these days as more and more folks are hookin' up, loggin' on, and networking. Running phone and computer wires is not too tough, but be aware that they shouldn't run too close to existing house wiring. Coaxial and twisted pairs are great, but they can still be bothered by alternating current interference if they are run too close. Stay four to six inches away from house power and resist the temptation to pull phone and computer cables through existing holes and spaces with house power cables.

Ladder Helper
Working on top of a ladder presents a host of challenges as we try to accomplish a task and stay safe. Often tools, paintbrushes, and paint cans accompany us at the top and there is no way to hang on to everything and the ladder, not to mention work. Add this tip to your arsenal. Slide a piece of electrical conduit through a rung of the ladder for a place to hang that paint bucket or tool. As always, observe ladder load ratings and make sure everyone below stands clear.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Many building materials can be recycled and as dump fees increase, recycling becomes an even more attractive option for homeowners. Paint cans including aerosols can be recycled. Drywall can be recycled. Certain types of nylon carpet can be recycled. Wood (except for pressure treated) can be burned for fuel or shredded for mulch. As a matter-of-fact, very little we throw out needs to go into the landfill. Call your local recycling center for information on what can and cannot be recycled.

Cold Attic
An unfinished attic should be kept as close to the outside temperature as is possible, both summer and winter. It seems contrary to try and keep an attic cold in the winter but here is what can happen if you don't. When there is snow on the roof and the attic is warm, the snow will melt. The melted snow will run down the roof and freeze when it hits the cold overhang, creating an ice dam. This repeated thawing and freezing causes ice and water to back up under the shingles and leak into the house. If you are having ice dam problems, first aid is to get the roof surface cold. The underlying cause is heat leaking into the attic from the house.

Broken Tiles
If you have a bunch of leftover odds and ends of ceramic tiles, a broken tile table, or countertop, then here is a fun project when you are looking for something to do. Take the tiles and break them up by striking their backs with an old hammer. Be sure to wear safety glasses! Spread thinset or a tile mastic over the surface to be tiled and piece the broken tiles in at random. After the adhesive has set, grout with a sanded grout.

Paint Tricks
An otherwise average room can be transformed with a few painting tricks.
-Choose bold colors.
-Paint the ceiling something other than white.
-Choose a darker shade of the wall color and paint a band around the room where the walls meet the ceiling.
-Accent plain trim around windows with stenciling or use the same treatment given to the walls at the ceiling.

Garden CDs
My wife is in a constant battle with our squirrel community. They seem to think that she plants things for their personal salad bar. I suggested she hang old CD-ROMs in the flower/garden areas to act as “scarecrows”. The CDs are shiny, move with the breeze, and are not obtrusive to the landscape. To my surprise, and my wife’s joy, they worked very well.

Paneled Walls
Walls can be given a raised panel look without great expense. Look around the lumberyard for the "shorts bin". Short pieces of molding are often sold at reduced prices. These shorts can be mitered and assembled like a picture frame then fastened to the wall to give a paneled wall look. This is easily done below a chair rail. Use construction adhesive and small finish nails to hold the molding to the wall until the adhesive dries.

Painted Furniture
The next time your child's room needs painting (all of the time if they are boys!), then think about painting furniture. Not painting the furniture but painting furniture on the walls! You can have a great looking headboard painted on the wall. You could make faux bookshelves and a faux dresser or two! Kids grow fast and their tastes change so painting is a great way to furnish a room cheaply in the short run.

Get Your Bearings
Moving, removing, or altering an existing wall is a common remodel request and the project itself can range from simple to complex.
Walls are either bearing or non-bearing. Bearing means that the wall is holding up something, that is, it bears weight. A non-bearing wall carries no weight. In the simplest case, a non-bearing wall can just be removed with no structural consequences. A bearing wall, on the other hand, can always be removed but the work involved might make the project unrealistic.
It is not always easy to determine a bearing from a non-bearing wall just by looking at it. Walls that run the length of the house parallel with the roof ridge are often bearing walls. Walls that run perpendicular to floor and ceiling joists may be bearing. Walls that run parallel to floor and ceiling joists are most likely non-bearing walls.

Rules Of Thumb
If you are sitting around waiting for the weather to change so you can get on with the home repair projects, here are a few rules of thumb to memorize.
-Wall studs typically are one for every linear foot of wall.
-Insulation by the square foot calculation is the perimeter of house times 8 (one story) times price per square foot.
-Drywall calculation is 4.5 times the square footage of finished house, divide by 48 for number of 12-foot boards.

Fire-Rated Wall: Adding An Outlet
While most homeowners don't often consider fire ratings, building professionals are well acquainted with the topic! Many material uses and construction methods are dictated by fire ratings and fire safety.
For example, typical attached garage residences have a fire rated wall that separates the living space from the garage. Care should be taken if alterations are made to this wall. For example, if you plan to add electrical outlets, the best approach may be to install outlets on the wall (surface mounted).

Has Your Water Tank Sprung A Leak?
That unsung hero that provides hot water will eventually spring a leak and have to be replaced. While regular maintenance and periodic repairs of the water heater will keep it going, when the tank springs a leak, it has to be replaced. The first sign is usually a small puddle under or around the tank. But before you call the plumber or go shopping, take a minute to check out a few things. Is the drain valve leaking? If so, open and close it a couple of times for a possible fix. Is the TP valve dripping? This valve typically leaks a little if it has been activated. It could be condensation as well. When the tank has been heavily used and is reheating, condensation occasionally forms on the tank behind the jacket and drips down to the floor. If you have eliminated these as possibilities, start shopping.

Saw Tip
Circular saws cut wood, metal, and concrete, provided the right blade is used. Circular saws both cross cut and rip wood easily and accurately with just a little help.
--When cross cutting, hold a square firmly against the board and use it as guide for the edge of the saw base.
--When ripping (cutting lengthwise), use the ripping guide for your saw or a pair of framing square layout gauges can be clamped to the base for a long straight cut.

Clean That Brush
A good brush is essential to a good finish. But a good brush is expensive so it is important that the brush gets cleaned out properly after use. Having said that, I still seem to accumulate dried up brushes and I hate to throw them out. Here's how to clean:
There are chemical brush restorers on the market but they seem to be pretty hard on the bristles. Try this next time you are agonizing over throwing out a good bristle brush.
Bring some vinegar to a boil in an old pan that is no longer used for food preparation, reduce to a simmer and submerge the bristles for several minutes. Wash the brush with a little mild soap and water.

Cleaning Blades And Bits
Saw blades and router bits have a tendency to gum up before they get dull, especially if used on pine or other woods with lots of pitch. There are many blade cleaning products available but you may already have one around the house and not know it -- oven cleaner. Oven cleaner works great for cleaning up gummed up woodworking tools. Follow all safety precautions found on the oven cleaner label.

Broken Bars
Many older homes with tile bathrooms have built-in towel bars and soap dishes and it is not uncommon for the bars to be broken off at some point. While matching old fixtures is not impossible, it doesn't happen often, so typically these broken off parts just sit there looking ugly. Consider removing them entirely and replacing them with tiles that match (if possible) or contrast. Here's how:
First put on your safety glasses. A hammer and cold chisel should be used to chip out the old pieces, then vacuum up all of the dust and debris from the hole. Find tiles that match your existing in size, then mix up thin set adhesive and butter the hole and the tile and press the tile in place. If the adhesive squeezes out, remove the excess with a damp rag. Clean out the joint between the new and old tiles to allow for grout after the adhesive has set.