How to fill cracks in concrete

If you’ve found some cracks in your concrete you can fill cracks that are larger than 1/4 inch easily with concrete patching compound. First you need to clean out any dirt out of the crack (Use a vacuum if needed) The next step is to brush on some acrylic bonding liquid which will give extra strength. You then press the compound into the crack using a trowel, clear away any excess that maybe left behind before the mortar dries.

Small Cracks

If the crack is smaller then 1/4-inch use caulk to seal. You can use Silicone- or acrylic-based products, which can easily tolerate small movement without failing.

Large Cracks

If you bore some hole into the edges of the damaged concrete, somewhere in the region of 1/2-inch diameter x 2-inch deep holes. you then need to use anchor cement to secure 1/4×4-inch bolts in to these holes. The exposed part of these bolts will help secure the patch in place.

The next step is to mist this area with water and put a plastic cover over it for a least a week, this will help extend the curing time and strengthens the patch.

January 6, 2009  | Stone and Concrete | Leave a Comment

Milwaukee 49-17-3300 Heavy Duty Folding Ear Muffs, NRR 28 db

If you’re looking for ear muffs one of the key thing to remember is you want a high degree of noise reduction. The Milwaukee 49-17-3300 Heavy Duty Folding Ear Muffs, NRR 28 db
.

These are also lightweight and fold to a compact size for storage, they also offer low pressure headband and soft foam ear cushions provide excellent comfort and protection.

Features of Milwaukee Ear Muffs

You can read more reviews over at Amazon

WHERE CAN I GET THE BEST PRICE?

We found the best price at Amazon

January 6, 2009  | Tools | Leave a Comment

Cordless Screw Guns video review

This is one of the most useful items I have in my toolbox the cordless screw gun. I’ve used one of these for all sorts of jobs like decking, drywall I even have a friend that works in IT and has one in he toolbox for cabling, so even for electrical work.

Having a screw gun is something you must having it your looking to save time as it’s one of the most versatile bit of equipment anybody could have.

It’s great not having to worry about a cord, you can even buy spare batteries (or some models come with two) so you can have one charging while using the other one.

Before I got this I had over the years overdriven the odd screw into a drywall, now with an adjustable collar and clutch this helps stop the screw gun from overdriving screws.

Another thing I like is the range of bit heads that are available such as flat heads, square heads for decking or some electrical work, Philips heads (this one I use a lot). And not forgetting drill bit for wood, metal, concrete you name it you’ll find it.

One really good use I find is the power that you have for those screws that not matter what you try it will not move.

I’ve found the range over at Amazon and the pricing is also good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejZ5UXB_jWc

WHERE CAN I GET THE BEST PRICE?

We found the best price at Amazon

January 6, 2009  | DIY Tips | Leave a Comment

How to Fix Nail Pops in Drywall

You may have noticed that some of the nails are popping out of your drywalls, this can happen over time and can easily be fixed with some basic tools and a little joint compound.

Your first step is to use the hammer to hit the nail

You now need to hammer in another nail just next to this nail

You now need to use all-purpose joint compound and a putty knife simple fill in any dimples that may have been caused by the hammering.

You need to let the compound dry.

Once the compound is dry use a little sand paper to lightly sand the area.

Finally touch up the area with a little paint and you if should be all looking new.

January 6, 2009  | DIY Tips | Leave a Comment

Invisible garage doors

If you do lots of projects at some stage you’ll come across planning regulations and guidelines that just may not fit your plans. Here’s an idea from Silvelox, manufacturers of premium quality wooden garage doors, which might just help.

The garage door’s are almost invisible as you can see from the picture. They come primed ready for plastering which makes it easy to get them to blending into area where you wouldn’t expect to find a garage door.

January 6, 2009  | Outdoor | Leave a Comment

Rockwell RK9000 Jawhorse Review


Here we have the Rockwell RK9000 Jawhorse this is something that every hobby person should have, it allows you to do certain jobs that would otherwise not have been possible by yourself and safely. The Jawhorse’s uses clamping that lets you accomplish tasks that normally require two people on your own.

This is a well thought out and solidly built device, it comes with a lock-release switch allows you to lock the material in place and another flick of the switch and it released. Rockwell have really done well here with this product and all the review I’ve been reading are just so positive.

It comes with a tripod base that gives exceptional stability in all different types of terrain, it can quickly folds down for storage.

Overall the Jawhorse is well designed and especially sturdy you’ll be using it the minuet that it arrives.

Available from Amazon

January 2, 2009  | DIY News | Leave a Comment

Black & Decker Auto Adjusting Wrench

Noting new here really but every toolbox needs a wrench, but here we have the Black & Decker’s battery-powered Auto Wrench. It’s would be used in tight spots where mobility is obscured, such as under sinks.

The wrench opens and closes with the push of a button and boasts 220 foot-pounds of torque. The electric adjustment on the wrench is quick, the Auto Wrench takes AA batteries. Black & Decker say you can get 650 cycles out of two AA batteries so this should be find for most people but keep some spare batteries just encase.

Available from Amazon

January 2, 2009  | DIY News | Leave a Comment

Single-Handle Pre-Rinse Faucet

Here’s a really nice single handle pre rinse faucet from Danze. The spray head is adjustable and will go from a steady flow to a powerful spray with the simple touch of a finger.

Its stainless steel as you’ll notice from the picture, plumbing and installing is easy but if your not sure consult an expert.

Danze give a limited lifetime warranty with this product. Reading reviews there seems to be lots of positive feedback, which is always a good sign.

Some feedback.

Available from Amazon

January 1, 2009  | Plumbing | Leave a Comment

The Free Flo Force Cup Plunger

Nothing worse then having a clogged sink drain. But, one thing that is always handy to have in your tool shed is a plunger.

This one pictured is available from The Ace Hardware Outlet, it comes with an 18″ handle and 6″ black rubber cup.

When buying a plunger you always need to make sure that the cup covers the drain you’re looking to unblock.

This one is available from Amazon

January 1, 2009  | Plumbing | Leave a Comment

Low Water Pressure in Faucets

Question: Several weeks ago, our whirlpool faucet water pressure and volume dropped to half while I was filling the whirlpool with water. The pressure and volume slowly returned to normal. At the same time, our kitchen faucet pressure and volume dropped even more than 50 percent. It has not returned back to normal and it is getting even worse after every passing day. All other faucets seem to work fine and the toilets fill up quickly. Can you tell me what exactly has happened? What is wrong and is it expensive to get it fixed?

Answer: The problem of low water pressure in the household faucets is one of the main reasons why you see many frowning faces of the house owners today. Good looking faucets cheat them for their quality with undesirable parts used to make these faucets. Sometimes, the supply of water is purposefully reduced in order to balance the tremendous loss of the precious resources. The reasons are countless for the hissing and pissing of the faucets.

Traditional faucets had a specially designed structure that brought in gallons of water in to the sink at a stretch. Those actually had rubber and plastic washers that contacted a circular valve seat located inside the faucet; moreover, the mechanism was also quite simple. As soon as the washer was pulled from the seat, water could flow out of it in plenty. The washer size and the size of the valve contributed to the free flow of water to a larger extent.

The faucets used today simply lack this washer and the structure inside have become more and more complex. Do not get confused after reading this section. The modern cartridges used act as flow controllers. There is an aerator, which in turn, contains a plastic disc having uncountable small holes. The water has to pass through these holes. Now you can easily imagine the narrow path through which the water travels in today’s faucets.

New plumbing codes have been formulated and these have resulted in the use of flow restrictors that contains these micro holes. These flow restrictors limit the flow of water that can pass through a faucet at a given time.

If the lines are not flushed before the faucet is installed, the rapid flow of water will carry a mixture of water and debris into the shower head. As a result, the extremely small holes in the flow restrictor can become clogged or partially clogged instantly. Moreover, pieces of sediment or debris from the city water system or your well can then clog the restrictor. This is a very common case, especially if you live in an area with older city water mains. If a city water main is serviced, pieces of sediment are often dislodged in the main water main as the water flows through the giant mains toward your house. As water supply lines are installed, small pieces of solder, copper shavings, wood dust, wood chips, globs of soldering flux, pieces of plastic, etc. can get into the water lines. It is the responsibility of the plumber to flush out the water supply lines before any fixtures are installed. Flushing the water lines can happen at most fixtures, just after the water shut-off valves have been installed but it should be installed before the flexible supply lines have been connected from these valves to the faucets or fixtures.

Look inside the end of the faucet head where the water line is connected to. You should be able to see a small plastic disk. Use a very thin pointed piece of metal to get a purchase under one edge of the disk. Try to pry the disk out of the shower head. Work slowly and pay attention to which side of the small disk faces out towards the water supply pipe. When you go to reinstall the disk, it must be installed the same way it was at the factory.

Once the small disk is out of the faucet, use a small straight pin or other object to clean out the small holes. Use plenty of fresh water to help rinse away any debris. Place the disk near a bright light so you can ensure that each hole has been perfectly cleaned. Make sure that you rinse the shower head at the same time to ensure that no debris can pass the flow restrictor. If it is caked with hard water deposits, let the disk soak in some warm white vinegar for several hours. The vinegar will often remove or soften the hard water deposits. After soaking, use a toothbrush to remove any residual deposits and rinse with clear water. Install the small plastic flow restrictor disk and reattach the faucet to the water pipe
After all repair works, it would be a good idea if you turn on any hose faucet of your garden. In this way, you can divert the dirty water before the faucet is put into normal use. These are often the traditional types with rubber washers that flush out the dirty water from the whole system. Also remove aerators and use the faucet at least once before its normal usage.

Our next move would be to completely remove the water; full of dirt out of the drain lines after the repair work. For this purpose, the main water supply should be slowly turned on and all the water should be transported to the garden without disturbing the other lines.

If the water main breaks near your home and you notice that there is no water in your home, repeat the same procedure. While the water is off, turn on one or two outside hose faucets after removing all faucet aerators. Since the water work employees will often turn the water on without notifying each homeowner; you might not get a warning.

December 30, 2008  | Plumbing | Leave a Comment

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