DIY Network

Remodeling and Home Safety From "Talk2DIY Home Improvement" episode TTD-415F

Hosts Brad Staggs and Lynda Lyday get right into the questions --

Centering Light Fixture in Ceiling

Problem: What is the best way to center a light fixture on a ceiling?

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Solution

• If you have an attic above the ceiling, it is easier to work from the attic.

• Turn the light on, and cut the breaker off so you know that the power is off at the light.

• Determine where you want the light to go and install the box.

• Seal the original hole with a patch and joint compound.

• You could also install a hook to offset the lamp by the chain and center it that way instead of reinstalling the fixture.

Boiler Upgrade for House Addition

Problem: What is the best way to get a boiler upgrade for a house addition?

Solution:

• Unless you have lived in the house through a winter, and found the heating inadequate, you may not need to expand the size of the boiler. Many older houses were built with oversized units, and when the house was renovated the energy efficiency of the house was increased with new insulation and energy efficient windows -- so the present boiler might be a good fit. Also, the basement space is already inside the house and was probably partially heated.

• If you find the house cold and the heating inadequate your best recourse is to find a local heating contractor who will inspect your house and its two systems. The heating contractor can provide you with suggested changes or improvements.

• You can get a ballpark idea of the size of the heating plant you need by going to a furnace manufacturer's Website and using their calculator. They are easy to use -- you just type in the square footage of your house and your zip code. The calculator uses the climate as a basis for the calculation.

Where to Start When Remodeling

Problem: We are going to remodel the front of our house and need tips on beginning the process.

Solution:

• It takes a lot of preliminary footwork to create an addition that improves the living space and enhances the value of your home. The first thing you need to do is call your banker to find out how much money you can budget for an addition. Ask about the best way to use a line of credit, a home equity loan, or a second mortgage to finance the addition.

• Develop a plan for the design. Since it is going to be on the front of the house, it is important that the design enhances the property. Since you are adding to the footprint or size of the home, you will be required to get a building permit -- but may also require a variance from the Zoning Department. Talk to your local Building Department about the lot coverage and setback requirements.

• The look of the front of your house is important, so we think consulting an architect is money well spent -- or talk to a contractor who has experience with expansions for your type of house. In order to get full value from your investment, the addition shouldn't look like something just tacked onto the house -- it should look like an integral part of the design. The interior should have a floor plan that makes sense. The architect will listen to the features you want and include them in the design, and create a plan so that issues about the rooflines and windows are designed to enhance the living space and its value. These are issues you need to deal with on the drawing board -- not once construction has begun.

• Talk to a landscape architect too and come up with a plan that completes the exterior renovation.

• Finally, talk to a realtor to find out if the cost of the addition added to what you paid for the house is in line with other houses in the neighborhood. If you plan to live there for a while, you can let inflation bring up its value, but if you don't plan to live there too long it would not be money well spent to improve property that won't pay back on your investment.

  DIY Tip: Living in the midst of a remodeling project is stressful. A great way to relieve the stress is to plan some meals at your favorite restaurant. Also, spend a weekend at a romantic bed and breakfast inn.

Joining Seams in Granite Countertops

Problem: How do you go about joining seams in granite countertops?

Solution:

• Several products are available including a two-part resin and hardener or a caulk. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

• Tape off the joint on either side and insert the material into the seams with a syringe.

Figure A

Kitchen Flooring Choices

Problem: What is the best type of plank flooring to put down on a kitchen floor?

Solution:

• Sugar pine makes a pretty floor, but it is not hard enough. A better choice would be oak or maple. Yellow pine is also a good choice (figure A).

• Laying a new floor is a major event in any house because you have to remove everything in the room, including the existing floor and baseboard molding on the walls.

• After everything is removed, inspect the subfloor and use a shop vacuum to clean the floor. If the subfloor is level and sound, you can install the new pine boards on top of it; if not, you need to lay down a new plywood underlayment. Check the room for squareness so the new boards will lie straight on the floor.

• Solid wood boards expand and contract depending on the climate. You should have the pine boards delivered a few days before installing them so that the wood can get acclimated to the temperature in the house.

• Lay the first boards along a wall and leave a small gap so the wood can expand and contract depending on the season.

• Work your way into the room laying out the pine boards in random lengths and stagger the seams so they look natural. Rent a floor nailer to fasten the edges of the boards as you lay them.

• Definitely plan to wear kneepads because you will spend a lot of time on the floor.

• When the boards are all laid, install a base shoe molding around the room to finish off the job and cover up that gap.

• To complete the job, rent a floor sander and with a fine grit paper sand the surface to remove any dirt and make them smooth and level. Then give the floor a couple coats of polyurethane.

Lead Paint Safety

Problem: What can you do about lead in paint?

Solution:

• Any home built before 1978 has the potential to have lead paint.

• To remove, hire an abatement contractor.

• Other options include painting over it or sealing it with a second layer of 1/4" drywall.

Fire Extinguisher for Kitchen

Problem: What is the best fire extinguisher for the kitchen?

Solution:

• Extinguishers have different classes for what they're meant to be used for.

• Class A fires are ordinary materials like burning paper, lumber, cardboard, plastics, etc.

• Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, and common organic solvents used in the laboratory.

• Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes, power tools, hot plates and stirrers. Water is usually a dangerous extinguishing medium for Class C fires because of the risk of electrical shock unless a specialized water mist extinguisher is used.

• Class D fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium as well as pyrophoric organometallic reagents such as alkyllithiums, Grignards and diethylzinc. These materials burn at high temperatures and will react violently with water, air, and/or other chemicals. Handle with care!

• Class K fires are kitchen fires. This class was added to the NFPA portable extinguishers Standard 10 in 1998. Kitchen extinguishers installed before June 30, 1998 are "grandfathered" into the standard.

• You should have an extinguisher in your kitchen, near the fireplace and on each floor.

• Extinguishers have combination classes -- A, B and C combination extinguishers are available.

Asbestos Safety

Problem: How do you remove asbestos?

• Place plastic drop cloths around the house to avoid soil contamination.

• Keep others away from the area. Make sure you do not track the material into the house.

• Use a respirator that will filter out asbestos fibers to protect you. Follow manufacturer's instructions for proper usage.

• Wear protective clothing (Tyvek suit) or old clothing that can be disposed of at the completion of the work.

• Wet the materials down with a mixture of detergent and water to increase the water's ability to soak into the material. Keep wetting while you are working and keep it wet until you place it in disposal containers.

• Avoid breaking up the roofing or siding to keep disturbance to a minimum. Lower materials to the ground, don't let them drop.

• Place all waste and contaminated items in leak-tight bags, drums or wrap in 6-mil polyethylene sheeting.

• Wash off the tools you used.

• Any skin exposed should be thoroughly washed to remove potential contamination.

• Protective clothing should also be disposed of.

• To dispose of the waste, check with your local waste hauler to see if they will dispose of the material. If they do not accept the asbestos waste, you will have to transport it to an approved landfill yourself.

Vent-Free Logs

Problem: Can you tell me if the vent-free logs (figure B) are safe to use?

Solution:

• Yes, they are safe. A vent-free fireplace actually uses your room as a vent, so make sure your room is well ventilated.

• The firebox is easy to frame out (figure C).

• Remote controlled gas logs are available.

Figure B

Figure C

	Figure D
	Figure E

Workshop Safety Tips

Problem: Can you give me some safety tips for my workshop?

Solution:

• Always wear safety equipment like eye and ear protection (figure D), and a respirator. Safety for the eyes, ears, nose and throat are important.

• Keep an organized shop so that you don't rip or hit something.

• Leave the guards in place on your saws, and make sure your equipment is in good working order.

• Have a first aid kit that's construction specific on hand (figure E).

• Keep a telephone in your shop.

• Stay focused. Don't work if you are tired and don't work while you are on the phone.

  DIY Tip: To keep little hands from operating your power tools when you are not around, place a small luggage padlock on the plugs of the tools so they can't be plugged in.

DIY Pest Control

Problem: Instead of calling an exterminator, can consumers get rid of termites?

Solution:

• As far as termites are concerned, there are commercial-like items available that consumers can use themselves. The chemicals may not be exactly like what a professional would use, but they are comparable. The benefit of having a professionally treated area is that they will return for yearly checks.

• Consumer-grade products for wasps and hornets are readily available and work well.

Extra Tips:

• Small hardware can be a challenge to get in place. A quick solution is to coat them with a sticky substance -- rubber cement works well. Just add a touch of the cement to the head of the hardware and place on your tool. When the project is complete, wipe away the excess glue with a rag.

• To remove vinyl floor tile, place aluminum foil over the old tile. Rub a hot iron on the foil and it will loosen the adhesive on the back of the tile. It will lift right off, making it ready for a brand new floor.

• Vacation ideas: (1) If you have a garage door that doesn't lock, put a C-clamp above the roller on one of the tracks of the door. A C-clamp will prevent the door from being forced open. (2) Have your mail and newspapers picked up by a neighbor.

• Installing carbon monoxide detectors is as easy as putting one screw in the wall. Be sure they're installed near all sleeping areas and test them often to make sure they're working correctly, especially in the winter months.

RESOURCES :

Hitachi Drill
Website: www.hitachipowertools.com

Big Book of Home How-To
Better Homes & Gardens
0696217287
(October, 2003)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Meredith Publishing

Cool House Plans
Website: www.coolhouseplans.com

Diygranite.com
2785 Teagarden St.
San Leandro, CA 94577
Toll-free: 877-349-4726
E-mail: sales@doityourselfgranite.com

Fix It and Flip It: How to Make Money Rehabbing Real Estate for Profit
Katie Hamilton and Gene Hamilton
0071421483
December 2003
McGraw Hill

GUESTS :

Gene and Katie Hamilton
Authors of Fix It and Flip It
PO Box 520
St. Michaels, MD 21663
Website: www.diyornot.com