Archive for the ‘Quick Tips’ Category

How to Fix a Stinky Sink

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Lets face it we pour everything down the kitchen sink and after a while it starts to smell pretty foul. You can disinfect your sink pipe and drain by mixing a gallon of hot water with a cup of chlorine bleach and pouring the solution down the drain. If your sink is made from delicate material such as natural stone you’ll want to carefully pour it down the drain so it does not come into contact with the sink. You can also keep a sink smelling clean just by pouring several buckets of boiling water down the sink each week. After you use boiling water to cook food such as pasta or making tea, pour the boiling water down the drain and it will kill germs and flush them away.

How to Fix a Stiff Paint Brush

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

If you did not clean your paint brush properly the last time you used latex paint it may still have paint in it and it will be stiff. To fix a stiff paint brush pour vinegar into a glass container and put it into the microwave until it is hot but not boiling. Pour the vinegar into your cleaning bucket and throughly soak just the bristles for about an hour. Wash the paint brush throughly with soap and water and your brush should be in much better shape.

Interior House Painting Tips

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Cleaning walls of spots and dirt the day before you start painting is a smart idea. When you spot clean a wall it is best to let it dry for one day before you paint. For a guide on cleaning dirty walls visit http://www.resourcefulremodeler.com/how-to-clean-dirty-walls.html

Then when painting an entire room you’ll want to take logical steps. First remove all the furniture or pile it into the center of the room and protect it with a plastic tarp or sheet. Second you’ll want to use blue painters masking tape to protect any trim from spatters or stray brush strokes. Next you’ll want to protect the floor by taping down a tarp, sheet of plastic or trash bags taped together.

Start painting the ceiling first, then paint the trim, windows and doors, then the walls. Make sure you let the paint dry in between each step so you don’t mess up the work you just did. Check the cure time on the can of paint to allow plenty of time for the paint to dry before removing painters tape and starting the next step.

Sandpaper Grades

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Choosing the proper type of sandpaper is very important when finishing a home remodeling project. Sandpaper is measured by grit from 24 up to 1000. The grit number refers to how many grains are found per inch of paper. Each piece of sandpaper is stamped with a number on the back for easy identification. The higher the grit number the smoother the sandpaper. You’ll want to start sanding with a lower number to remove larger pieces of unwanted material and then gradually reduce to higer numbered smoother grades to produce a smooth sanded finish. Sandpaper packages are available in sets which include various grit sizes in course, medium, fine and extra fine grits.

Free Do It Yourself Air Leak test

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

If you are considering a energy saving project without going through the blower door test you can perform a free DIY air leak test to help you determine where the biggest leaks in your home are coming from.

Close all your doors and windows, the turn on all the exhaust fans (furnace, bathroom, kitchen, etc.). Hold a candle or incense stick near different areas in your home where hidden drafts may occur. Before you start make sure that the flame or the tip of the incense does not get near curtains or furnishings. 

You’ll want to check around doors, window frames and near electrical outlets. By using this inexpensive method of testing for air infiltration you can start with the project that will have the most impact.