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How to Make Dark Stained Wood Lighter

If you try to apply a light-colored stain on top of an existing dark finish, you will not notice much difference. To completely alter the color of the wood’s finish, remove the existing paint using an oil based solvent. Once you have removed the original finish from the wood, you can add a lighter color stain. Liquid coatings are well suited for softwoods, but tend to dry unevenly on most hardwoods. For a light finish that’s uniform, choose a specific type of paint that look beautiful on both soft and hard woods.

Instructions

  1. Wear a mask and protective gloves. Remove the polyurethane finish by sanding the with an electric sander equipped with grain 50 sandpaper. Be sure to move the sander along the grain of the wood otherwise the results could cause be damage to the wood. Go over the wood again with 100 grain sandpaper.
  2. Clean sawdust from wood using gauze.
  3. Lighten dark wood by wiping it with a solvent, using a nylon pad. Stop once the wood is clear. Wait an hour for the solvent to evaporate.
  4. Applying a clear gel paint using a brush made for wood. Immediately clean the wood gel using rags.
  5. Brush the gel paint using mineral spirits. Let the paint dry for four hours.
  6. Apply a layer of polyurethane sealant using a natural brush. Move the brush with the grain of the wood. Let the sealer dry for two hours.

Tips & Warnings

  • Always use a mask when working with solvents or gases as the fumes can be very overwhelming. Similarly, use rubber gloves so you don’t suffer rashes or burns.
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Avoiding Mold After Water Damage

Mold can be a health risk, especially to people with allergies or asthma. People with weak immune systems or chronic lung problems may be susceptible to mold infections. After a flood or leak mold can grow rapidly.

Instructions

Mold prevention

  1. Open windows and doors to help dry the wet areas. Set up fans to circulate the air to help dry the areas more quickly.
  2. Wash any wet items well with detergent and clean water. Items must be washed within 24 hours of getting wet. Any porous items that cannot be cleaned and dried completely, such as furniture, should be removed. Carpet, carpet padding and drywall that have become wet should also be removed
  3. Wipe down hard surfaces with a mixture of bleach and water. Use no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Be sure to wear protective goggles and non-porous gloves. Use a hard brush to scrub areas clean.

Tips & Warnings

  • Discoloring of walls and ceilings or a moldy odor are indications of possible water and mold damage.
  • Never mix bleach with other cleaning products as the result can produce toxic fumes.
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How to Paint Over Existing Tiles

When you’re ready to remodel your bathroom, if you need to save money, you do not have to remove the old tiles. With the right tools and a good foundation of knowledge, you can paint over them. Below are a few good tips that will help you paint over the existing tiles.

Instructions

Selecting paint and supplies

  1. Compare different types of paint suggested for tiles or ceramic tiles and the recommendation on how to apply them.
  2. If it’s needed, choose the correct primer; many types of latex paint require a primer base. An oil-based paint may not need a primer coat. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions. One of the best types of enamel paint for tiles is the epoxy-type; It is tough and durable and you can buy it in aerosol cans.
  3. Buy the paint and the tools needed; do not forget to get painter’s tape, rags, gloves and mask. Decide whether you will use spray cans or a spray gun or if you’re just going to use foam paint brushes and rollers.

Surface preparation

  1. Clean the bathroom tiles with a mixture of vinegar and ammonia to remove accumulated soap debris. Rinse thoroughly and allowe to dry. Repeat the cleaning and rinsing if the tiles have lots of soap scum. For difficult residues, you can buy disodium phosphate in a paint shop but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
  2. Sand the tiles slightly, just enough to make it slightly rough. This will help the primer and paint adhere to the tile. Vacuum and clean to remove excess dust from sanding.
  3. Fill the joints with caulk around the tub and clean if necessary.
  4. Remove any fixture that may be screwed into the tiles; Remove the shower head and faucet handles, if possible. If you cannot remove them, cover them well with a plastic bag.
  5. Protect the surrounding area with masking tape; be especially careful to protect the surrounding walls and any recessed areas.

Painting tiles

  1. Primer the borders along the edges where the tiles meet the wall and ceiling. Also do around appliances. Use at least two coats of primer for the borders.
  2. Spray the tile with the can of spray paint or spray gun. Practice spraying a piece of cardboard first. The secret is to start spraying paint an inch or 2 (2.5 to 5 cm) before it hits the tile, and finish spraying an inch or 2 (2.5 to 5 cm) beyond the tile. Paints with gentle movements, using several light coats; Do not use too much paint or it will run.
  3. Use a disposable foam roller if you’re going to paint by hand. The foam tends to leave very few marks and a roller is better than a brush. If you need to use a brush for small areas, you use a foam brush otherwise you’ll get streaks.
  4. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time between coats. When you have finished painting, do not use the shower or bath for at least 48 hours, depending on the humidity in your home.
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Designing a Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom

There are universal guidelines that must be followed when designing a bathroom with access for the disabled. These guidelines suggest the height of the toilets, sinks, showers, switches and the amount of space it takes to maneuver a wheelchair in the space. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 can be found at www.access-board.gov. Many products are available to create a handicapped bathroom that’s stylish and functional.

Instructions

  1. Make a list of your needs and desires. Check magazines and cut out pictures of products you want to include in the bathroom. Visit websites that offer wheelchair accessible products. Choose products you want to use in your bathroom and print their images and information.
  2. Create a folder to store your ideas and images. Use tabs to separate the types of products such as shower, vanity unit, floor, toilet and accessories. Put the pictures and product information print-outs in the folder.
  3. Draw a plan of the bathroom on graph paper. Draw the location of the bathtub or shower, toilet, sink and vanity. Keep a minimum open floor space of 30 by 48 inches to accommodate a wheelchair. A wheelchair will need a space of at least 60 inches in diameter to make a 360 degree turn. This allows sufficient space to maneuver the wheelchair with freedom in the bathroom.
  4. Plan a space for a door that is at least 32 inches wide, but preferably 36 inches. Choose a sliding or pocket door to allow more space in the bathroom.
  5. Design the sink so the bottom is open to allow the wheelchair to fit under it. Leave 30 to 34 inches of clearance under the sink. Put bars for towels to a “reachable distance” to someone sitting.
  6. Plan your bathtub or shower so you’d be able to enter on foot. Design a shower seat or leave room for you to use a wheelchair in the shower.
  7. Use mirrors designed to tilt, so that you can see while seated.

Tips & Warnings

  • Follow the guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
  • Plan to reinforce wooden walls to install handrails.
  • Make everything achievable while sitting.
  • Plan for a toilet about 18 inches tall.
  • Select lever-style door handles.
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Cleaning Your Dryer Duct

Sometimes the lint tube of your dryer can get stuck with your clothes and when this happens, the flow of air from your dryer is blocked and can cause long drying times, incomplete cycles, automatic sensor failures and even fires. Because of this, it is important to keep your dryer duct clean to avoid problems. You can hire a professional to clean it for you, but this can be expensive. If you want to save money, you can clean the ducts yourself using little time and energy.

Instructions

  1. Unhook your dryer duct from the wall and dryer. Sometimes, they are joined by a connector that can be squeezed to release.
  2. Remove the detachable part of the duct that is easier to clean. Using the wand of your vacuum, Insert the wand into the inside of your duct. You can also use a brush to fluff, if you prefer.
  3. Suck through the tube, which connects to the wall vent and the dryer
  4. Turn the hoses of the dryer, forcing the lint out of the duct and out through the vent.
  5. Reattach the tube to the dryer and the wall.
  6. Repeat this cleaning every one to three months

Tips & Warnings

  • Use your vacuum’s wand to vacuum any lint that has accumulated in the dryer or in other areas that you can easily access. This will also help prevent problems with the dryer.
  • For particularly dirty or clogged ducts, consider replacing the tube with a new one. These can be purchased at your local home improvement store and are quite cheap. Depending on the material you choose, the cost will vary.
  • Once every one to three years, hire a professional to clean your dryer and air ducts completely to make sure you’re safe.

Polishing a Concrete Floor

When concrete floors are unpolished they are rough and sandy and dust makes it is impossible to make them look clean. Polishing the rough concrete will give it a smooth finish. In addition, polished concrete is easier to maintain than rough.

Instructions

  1. Seal the cracks with epoxy putty. Use a small spatula to apply caulk all joints and cracks. Make the edges of the filled cracks the same level as the rest of the floor. Allow the putty to dry as indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions that are on the package of putty.
  2. Put dust mask over your mouth and nose before you start polishing the concrete.
  3. Place the diamond metal and grain number 40 pad on the polishing machine. Starting from the far corner of the room and slowly work your way in 6 feet by 6 feet (1.8 to 1.8 m) at a time to polish the floor. Repeat with a number 80 grain polishing pad and then the number 150 grain on the polishing machine. Use a hand sander to polish the edges with each type of grain.
  4. Fill a pump sprayer with a product to harden concrete. Begin on one side of the floor and apply a fine mist of the product over the entire surface. Let the floor dry as directed by the label on the hardener.
  5. Place a resin and diamond 200 grain polishing pad on the machine. Starting from the far corner of the room, work slowly in 6 feet by 6 feet (1.8 to 1.8 m) at a time to polish the floor. Repeat with the resin and diamond polishing pad number 400, then go to the polishing pad number 800 then finally, use the number 3,000 grain pad. Use a hand polishing machine to polish the edges with each type of grain.

Tips & Warnings

  • Practice with the polishing machine in an inconspicuous place before using it in larger areas.
  • Practice using the polishing machine in places away from walls and baseboards until you feel you can handle it well. The rotation of the machine makes it move forward and forces control so it requires practice.
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How To Build a DIY Wooden Fence

A picket fence not only prevents people and animals from entering your yard, it also gives your property a finished and attractive aspect. Hardware stores and home improvement stores sell fence panels that simplify the task of building your own wooden fence. Try planting roses or a vine to soften the look of the fence.

Instructions

  1. Dig the first hole for the pole with a hand shovel if you need less than a dozen holes and are excavating relatively soft soil. For harder soil or more than a dozen holes, consider renting an excavator gasoline. Start by digging a whole 10 ” (25.4 cm) in diameter with straight sides using a shovel. When you’ve gone as deep as the shovel allows, use an excavator for posts up to 32” (81 cm).
  2. Place a pole at the first hole and fill it in with 8 ” (20.3 cm) of soil. Make sure the post is plumb and then pack the soil with a tamping bar. Add 8 ” (20.3 cm) more of soil and repeat the process of leveling and tamping until the hole is full.
  3. Tie a 5” (12.7 cm) string from the floor to the side of the post. Bring the rope to the first corner of the fence and drive in a stake there. Wrap the rope around the stake to mark the first side of the fence. Measure the length from the first post of the fence panel and mark this point.
  4. Dig a second hole for the pole at the point marked. Place the second post in the same way as the first.
  5. Use wood shims to prop the fence panel 2”-5” (5-12 cm) above the ground, and uses two ½” (1.2 cm) screws to attach the panel to the studs. Continue to place poles and fixing the panels until you’ve completed your fence.
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Protecting Your Home With Burglar-Proof Windows

Windows give character and light to your home, but can also be your greatest safety risk. Burglars and intruders look through your windows to determine if you’ll be their next target, and often use those windows as a point of entry to your home. Making your windows burglar-proof can be achieved either by ensuring the current windows or replacing your existing windows with an updated product.

Securing existing windows

  1. Ensure the window’s sashes by inserting a wrench through the window or replacing your current one with a lockable handle.
  2. Install screws into the top rails of the sliding windows. The window should only pass the screw as it moves, so there is no space for the window to wobble and remove it from the rails. You can also install a key lock for added security.
  3. Remove the window’s operating handle casement. For added security, install a lock on the rail of the piece.
  4. If they don’t have latches already, install key slide latches into the basement windows.

Replace existing windows

  1. Replace the current windows with laminated glass windows. Intruders have difficulty breaking the laminated glass due to the layer of security or vinyl plastic that is sandwiched between the glass panes.
  2. Consider using tempered glass to replace your windows. Tempered glass is 5 times stronger than normal glass, making it difficult for thieves to break it.
  3. Use glass wiring in the basement or less visible windows. The cables are visible, so it is a less ideal choice for intruders.
  4. Install railings affixed with mortar to the foundation of your home for greater security in high-crime areas.

Tips & Warnings

  • Make sure to leave at least one window in each bedroom, on the first and second floor, accessible as an emergency exit.
Basement-Flooring-Ideas-With-Wall-Design

How Waterproof Interior Basement Walls

Keeping your basement dry can be especially challenging, particularly with heavy rainfall or with the arrival of spring. Applying a waterproof sealant to the inside of the basement walls can alleviate many problems related to moisture. Applying this sealant is as simple as using a paint roller, however, it takes a lot of work to prepare the walls for sealing. With the right tools, you can waterproof your basement walls in a weekend.

Instructions

  1. Remove all loose paint, concrete, dust and other similar elements from the walls with a metal bristle brush. Brush in deep areas surrounding any breakage to prepare for hydraulic cement.
  2. Clean the walls with a concrete degreaser cleaner. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the cleaner. Apply with a sprayer to accelerate the process. Brush the walls with the swab to remove fat deposits and other impurities. Rinse the wall and let it dry as directed by the cleaner.
  3. With a chisel, remove chunks of concrete that are broken or loosen holes that are in the walls. Use chisel to trim the edges to allow the hydraulic cement to adhere to the walls.
  4. Following the instructions, mix small amounts of hydraulic cement. Place the cement in the cracks and holes and be sure to seal completely. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a trowel until it is flush with the surface of the walls. Let the cement dry as instructed.
  5. Apply a paint primer with a thick bristled roller, if necessary, making sure you get to the corners of the walls and the area around the repair. Let it dry and if needed apply a second coat.
  6. Waterproof inner walls by applying the sealant with a roller. Make sure the repaired areas are properly sealed. The same should happen with the edges and corners. Let the sealer dry according to instructions. Apply a second coat if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

  • Before waterproofing the inside walls of your basement, make sure that humidity is an external problem. Tape a piece of plastic with a damp spot on the wall. The next day inspect it to see if moisture is on the side facing the wall, indicating a problem of external moisture, or the area exposed to air, indicating a problem of interior moisture.
  • Use protective goggles when brushing, cleaning and using the chisel on the wall for protection. Make sure the area is well ventilated before applying the sealant.
bathroom remodel

How to Remodel a Small Bathroom

A small bathroom remodel bathroom requires a lot of planning to make sure your budget is spent wisely. When it comes to small spaces, choosing the appropriate accessories can affect the appearance and the sense of space more than anything else.

Instructions

  1. Reduce the scale of the accessories and furniture in the bathroom. The bigger they are, the smaller the bathroom appears. This is especially true in crowded corners which could include the sink and counter containing too many objects or laundry baskets and other large containers. Only by replacing these elements with smaller ones will you get enough space to add other items or to expand the shower or tub space.
  2. Remove the tub and settle for a shower. This will significantly increase the space available and allow you to add additional furniture for storage. A shower curtain will make the space look even bigger because you can leave a little open to show the space behind it. If you prefer sliding doors, you can use glass ones.
  3. Consider changing your toilet and sink to smaller and flatter ones. The new models are generally designed for apartments, so they can fit in shallower areas and make the most of every available inch.
  4. Add a mirror. If you can’t change the mirror over the sink, add lights on top of it to give the impression of more reflection or place a second mirror on the opposite wall. If there is additional room to place candles to help intensify the light in your bathroom.
  5. Paint or replace the bathroom tiles with light colors. If the white or blue seem too simple, consider adding touches of contrasting color by adding a mosaic or paint a border to separate the wall from the ceiling. If you want to add other decorative touches, use plants (that add a touch of color and give a sense of open space) and candles (which multiply the light).

Tips & Warnings

  • If you have no idea how to transform your bathroom, you can hire a designer to help you during the planning. Many designers agree to draw up plans for a small fee if you cannot afford to pay for the whole process.