September 02, 2011 // Posted by: cooldude // Category:
Home Care
Replacing a roof can be really expensive and people always fright to face this situation. If you do not want to bear the heavy expense of replacing your damaged roof then learn how to take care of it properly in the first place. Regular maintenance service from professionals is the best way to stay away from the damages which may incur if you keep your roof unattended. Keep inspecting the room yourself from time to time. As the professionals as to what to lookout for while inspecting.
Vegetation growth is very common to be found on the roof. Keep an eye on the exterior as well as the interior of the roof. Make sure that your roof does not get damp which is the main cause of the damage which most of the household roofs suffer. You need to be aware of the reasons for the damage and how to prevent them if you want to take proper care of your roof.
January 30, 2011 // Posted by: cooldude // Category:
Home Care
Keeping hardwood floors in the house is very vital as they generate warmth and a homely feeling to the house. If you take proper care of the hardwood floor it looks beautiful for years. You will just have to do a little maintenance at regular intervals, keep the floor cleans and protect the sensitive areas to maintain the sheen of the hardwood floor. It is essential to vacuum and mop your floor at regular intervals. Tough dust and dirt particles stick to the floor and if you step onto it gets grind leaving scratches which wears away the shine of the floor.
Hence to keep the hardwood sparkling you will have to clean it very regularly. Also ensure that you clean the wood floor with products that are safe to be used on wood and need be get a cleaning solution to clean wood floors. You can also wax the floor with decent quality floor wax; avoid taking cheap wax as they leave the floor with a dull finish.
January 27, 2011 // Posted by: cooldude // Category:
Home Care
It is very unhealthy and dangerous to have mildew fungus in the house. Eliminating the growth of mildew is not at all costly and comes for very cheap if home remedies are used. The use of natural home remedies is not only cost effective but also less harmful and safe.
Tea Tree essential oils are one of the most effective ways to remove mildew. This can be easily purchased, mix 2 cups of it with 2 cups of water and then pours it into a clean spray system bottles. Spray the contents of the bottle well on the mildew and then wipe the area. Natural vinegar is another home remedy. Mix half a cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water and then scrub the area well with this mixture.
January 18, 2011 // Posted by: viewmybuild // Category:
Furniture,
Home Care
Lacquered furniture has always been in great demand, as they are considered to last much longer. They are also very easy to maintain, and do not cost additional maintenance expenditure for the owner.
Painting lacquered furniture is difficult, as repainting glossy furniture does not help a great deal. The paint fades away very fast, still there are few tried and tested ways to paint lacquered furniture.
Here are they.
• Use 220grit sandpaper to peel glossiness off the surface.
• Wash with soap and water to finish the cleaning process. Use towel and let the furniture dry.
• Use stain blocking primer before you paint the lacquered surface. A stain blocking primer is essential to protect wood against stains but you need to let it dry.
• Once you are done with primer, use oil based paint to paint the lacquered furniture. Use two coats of paint to finish the painting process.
January 17, 2011 // Posted by: viewmybuild // Category:
Home Care
Instructions
Removing Paint from Cast Iron
1. The iron item should be sandblasted with abrasive grit to remove thick layers of paint.
2. A chemical paint-remover such as methylene chloride or potassium hydroxide should be applied. They should be spread over the painted areas; a putty knife and a brush should be used to work them into cracks and crevices. The remover should be allowed to sit on the paint.
3. The paint and paint remover should be removed off the iron with a rag or a scouring pad.
4. The iron item should be painted with an anti-corrosive primer immediately after cleaning and drying.
Stripping Rust from Cast Iron
1. The rusted surface should be rubbed with mineral spirits with a rag.
2. Rusted areas should be scrubbed with steel wool or a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a wooden block and wiped with a clean rag.
3. The scrubbed areas should be dried completely before applying any paint or polish.
January 17, 2011 // Posted by: viewmybuild // Category:
Home Care
Acrylic epoxy is used as a covering as the material is generally durable and waterproof. Blisters and cracks can appear as it ages. You can repair it using a few basic tools.
Instructions
1. The blister should be cut out with a utility knife using a new blade as this cut should be precise. There is a fiberglass layer directly beneath the acrylic in most items; which should not get scratched. A small circular incision should be made around the blister and it should be peeled free.
2. The epoxy repair compound should be mixed using a kit which contains a resin and a hardener. Using a small plastic putty knife the epoxy should be applied to the damaged area .It should be allowed to dry overnight.
3. The repair job should be sanded using a sand paper. A smooth finish can be given to the acrylic epoxy using a steel wool.
January 16, 2011 // Posted by: viewmybuild // Category:
Flooring,
Home Care
Inspecting the Damage
Before removing old grout ensure that the underlying tile is not damaged by tapping carefully on the tiles in several places. All the tiles would have to be replaced if you hear a hollow thud.
Cleaning
A solution of 1-part vinegar to 1-part water should be used to clean the area where the damaged grout is located.
Removing Old or Damaged Grout
Grout saws should be used to loosen and remove old grout. A small lever-type can opener with a pointed end can also be used to decrease the chances of damage to the tile.
Removing Grout from Corners
A utility knife or screwdriver should be used in removing grout from corners around bathtubs and kitchen tubs.
Grout Getters
Grout getter is a special tool having a triangle-shaped carbide or diamond blade for removing grout. The point of the blade is placed on the grout and the tool is moved forwards.
January 16, 2011 // Posted by: viewmybuild // Category:
Flooring,
Home Care
Old grout should be removed and repaired sooner for preserving the tile.
Instructions
1. The old grout should be removed using a grout saw running the saw back and forth over the grout line to break up all of the old grout.
2. The tile joints should be vacuumed out to remove all of the dust and broken-up grout. The joint should be wiped with a dry towel to remove the remaining grout.
3. The grout should be mixed in a small bucket according to the instructions on the packet.
4. A plastic putty knife should be used to scoop out and push the grout down into the grout joint.
5. A rubber grout float should be run back and forth over the joint and pressure should be applied to make sure that the grout gets packed into the joints.
6. A damp sponge should be used to wipe out excess grout and the grout should be allowed to dry.
January 16, 2011 // Posted by: viewmybuild // Category:
Coloring / Painting,
Home Care
Old cabinets can be made to look new again by repainting.
Instructions
1. The cabinet doors should be removed with a screwdriver. The hinges should be unscrewed and the drawers should be removed from your cabinet.
2. The paint from the cabinet doors and cabinet face should be removed with a chemical stripper.
3. Using sandpaper the cabinets should be sanded so that the old finish is removed to prevent bonding problems with the new paint.
4. Any small holes or dents in the woodwork should be filled with non-shrinking wood filling putty. The putty should be filled with a putty knife and allowed to dry. The putty should be made smooth using sandpaper.
5. An underbody primer should be applied to the bare wood to fill minor imperfections in the wood and to make the surface smooth. It should be painted with the grain using a primer brush.
6. The paint should be applied to the dried primer using a paint brush.