Removing a chimney creosote

Instructions

  1. Buy a brush that fits the chimney flue. You can find them at most hardware stores and home improvement. Consult the manufacturer’s manual to determine fireplace the size of the barrel. You also need to weigh 15 to 20 pounds (6.08 to 9 kg) and rope. The weight should fit down the chimney without cracking the tiles.
  2. Closes the gate to catch creosote and soot falling. Close all doors and windows to reduce airflow while cleaning. Use protective gloves and a mask when cleaning air to avoid injury.
  3. Get on the roof. Brush and attaches weight to the end of the rope. The weight helps move the brush to clean the chimney. Move it up and down on either side of the fireplace. Lower the rope a little while eliminating creosote. Use a flashlight to make sure the chimney is clean. Returns home to clean the remains of fallen creosote and soot.
  4. Remove the fabric and place it under the door. Opening or removing the gate slowly. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove creosote and soot from home and the surrounding area. Use gloves and a mask when cleaning air.
  5. Use a chemical cleaner such as chimney sweeping log or liquid, to reduce creosote buildup after cleaning. Chemical cover the walls of the fireplace with an acid that breaks creosote particles. Chemical cleaners remove small amounts of creosote and not replace chimney sweeps. You can find these cleaners in most stores and home improvement warehouses.

Tips & Warnings

  • The cleaning rollers fiberglass or metal used by professional cleaning of chimneys, are available to consumers as an alternative to the rope. Clean your chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote buildup. Runs weekly checkups to determine the speed of the formation of creosote on the chimney walls. Clean it more often, depending on the use you give it.
  • Hire a professional chimney cleaner if you cannot do it properly. The creosote buildup can cause a fire in your home and pollute the air, which can cause illness.

Home improvement DIY flooring

It may sound complicated with the large amount of equipment needed. But if you really think about it, the equipment is pretty easy to get. You will need the basics such as the hammer tape and drill tape. A few dozen galvanized bolts and screws to hold the structure together, with props, beams and posts. You will also need to use cement bags and gravel, thinner and stains to paint your cover with.

Home Design Software – First, take advantage of the latest technology, and use one of the home design software packages that are available. You have options that can help with the materials and equipment needed, in the calculation of costs and designs and building codes, even local.

Material – Once the design of your cover is found, you will need to consider the materials. Good options are cedar or pine pressure treated in sizes like 2 x 4, 2 x 6 and 4 x 4. There are also several new options. There are many composite materials on the market today that resemble wood in appearance and feel. Such materials seem more costly at first, but that can give years of shelf life and is worth the initial outlay. Also, do not twist out of shape unlike wood and you do not need stains.

Foundation – The fundamentals for durable cover. If you are unsure about how to go about preparing the soil and pouring concrete, or making vertical anchors, you can seek professional help for this stage. Apart from this, you should be able to tackle all other aspects of building the deck with minimal help.

Pier space – Check the building codes in your area to find out the distance between the support springs is recommended. Make your support distances equal to or less than the 8-foot or 12-foot length that most wood is available in. It will be simpler for you as it reduces the number of cuts needed.

Sealing – There are usually ledger boards that lay against the house to support the beams (beams) on the walking surface. Sometimes they have a flashing Z-shaped light that is set on the top board of the ledger and the side surfaces, against the house.

Metal flashing can twist out of shape in due time, as the temperature fluctuates, even when it is set up correctly. Is it plugging screw holes to reduce the odds of moisture causing the damage?

The wall book ledger space with metal washers. Therefore, you may not have to remove the coating and can reduce moisture that can lead to corrosion and mold.

Use the screws – Instead of the nails, use the screws and bolts where you can. Almost all nails eventually oxidize, and the stain tends not to stick to them. Although it also oxidizes over time, the screws will not loosen like most nails.

With the screws, however, it requires more time than simply tapping on the nails. You can do your job faster by using an electric screwdriver attached to the hand drill.

No matter what methods you use to build your platform, careful design and attention to detail will always give you the best results. This will help you save hundreds of dollars on repair bills later.

How to steam clean the carpets with homemade solutions

Carpet cleaning solutions that is available in the shops, in often very expensive. Many are made ​​with chemicals that you would like to avoid. Here are some solutions home you can use the next time you want to clean your carpets.

Instructions

  1. Before steam cleaning by vacuuming your carpet, completely in two directions. Lift small particles such as dust mites and their waste using a bagels vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.
  2. Fill your carpet cleaning machine with hot water. Mites are killed at temperatures above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 ° C). If your water heater is in a lower setting for security, heats water in the kitchen.
  3. To make a foam solution to clean the carpet, add 1/2 cup of dish soap or laundry detergent, like Seventh Generation in the tank. Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda or borax in solution.
  4. To make non-foaming solution Place 1 cup vinegar, 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, 15 drops of lemon essential oil and 1/2 cup of baking soda or borax in the tank.
  5. Wash the carpet in two opposite directions for maximum cleaning. Lava stained areas more than once with the machine. The carpets pretreated, often leave the area with a lighter than the rest of the carpet color.
  6. Use a ceiling fan or other cooling method to increase air circulation in the room. This will speed up the drying of the carpet.

Tips & Warnings

  • When using the non-foaming solution, you can use different essential oils based on your personal preferences.
  • Always wash the carpets when the humidity is low. Molds and mites thrive in moist environments, so make sure you have adequate air circulation and low humidity to accelerate the amount of time required to completely dry the carpet.

List of materials needed for roofing your house

Roofing is not difficult to do well, provided you have the right tools and materials as well as the time to put the foundations properly. The first and most important when making this work is to verify the standards of security you need to take when you go up a ladder or you are in a high ceiling.

Safety

Work with another person when you decide roofing your house. This makes the work go faster and increases your level of security and provides a second revision to prevent potential hazards. On a steep roof, you’ll need a harness and a lanyard that locks into the roof top, you can tie around the base of a chimney or a ceiling bracket that you check are fixed. Use nonskid shoes, heavy gloves to prevent possible abrasion on your hands. Wear a hat and sunglasses to prevent overheating and sunburn.

The tools

You can remove the old shingles using a shovel, but it’s faster and easier to do it with tiles remover made for this purpose. This tool looks like a shovel, but in the end has notches up the nail heads and shingles shows more easily than a shovel. You will need a hammer to drive new and a tile cutter. This will also you can do with an exact or a pair of tin snips. A tape measure will be very useful for the proper positioning of the new shingles and in this way, you make sure everything is in place.

The materials

Depending on the condition of the old shingles, you can install new about them. This saves the problem of preventing it and the cost to get rid of them. If you see that the old shingles are worn and rise from the ceiling, you have to remove them. If the tar paper under the old shingles is damaged or worn, you have to replace too. For this work, all you need is a roll of tar paper and shingles some packages. If the headliner has rotted or damaged, you must buy plywood to replace wood.

Access

The surest way to access the edge of a roof is via a scaffold built to the edge of the roof, providing a solid base where you can walk. If you have scaffolding and do not want to rent one, you can do the job using a sturdy ladder, but you must make sure that the ladder is fully seated and firmly put. Once teaches the first three or four feet (91.44 cm or 1.21 m) ceiling, can no longer reach the rest and you have to get on the roof. But if this was too steep to provide secure support, you need to install poles on the roof to get on and stay safe.

List of materials needed for roofing your house

Roofing is not difficult to do well, provided you have the right tools and materials as well as the time to put the foundations properly. The first and most important when making this work is to verify the standards of security you need to take when you go up a ladder or you are in a high ceiling.

Safety

Work with another person when you decide roofing your house. This makes the work go faster and increases your level of security and provides a second revision to prevent potential hazards. On a steep roof, you’ll need a harness and a lanyard that locks into the roof top, you can tie around the base of a chimney or a ceiling bracket that you check are fixed. Use nonskid shoes, heavy gloves to prevent possible abrasion on your hands. Wear a hat and sunglasses to prevent overheating and sunburn.

The tools

You can remove the old shingles using a shovel, but it’s faster and easier to do it with tiles remover made for this purpose. This tool looks like a shovel, but in the end has notches up the nail heads and shingles shows more easily than a shovel. You will need a hammer to drive new and a tile cutter. This will also you can do with an exact or a pair of tin snips. A tape measure will be very useful for the proper positioning of the new shingles and in this way, you make sure everything is in place.

The materials

Depending on the condition of the old shingles, you can install new about them. This saves the problem of preventing it and the cost to get rid of them. If you see that the old shingles are worn and rise from the ceiling, you have to remove them. If the tar paper under the old shingles is damaged or worn, you have to replace too. For this work, all you need is a roll of tar paper and shingles some packages. If the headliner has rotted or damaged, you must buy plywood to replace wood.

Access

The surest way to access the edge of a roof is via a scaffold built to the edge of the roof, providing a solid base where you can walk. If you have scaffolding and do not want to rent one, you can do the job using a sturdy ladder, but you must make sure that the ladder is fully seated and firmly put. Once teaches the first three or four feet (91.44 cm or 1.21 m) ceiling, can no longer reach the rest and you have to get on the roof. But if this was too steep to provide secure support, you need to install poles on the roof to get on and stay safe.

Making a cordon of concrete

The concrete is often used in different applications of home, like steps, patios, basement slabs, tickets and shower floors. The cords are commonly used in bathrooms, where they form a barrier between the floor shower and the rest of the environment and are designed to be coated with a finishing material. There are different ways to construct a cord, one of which is poured concrete. To do this, you must first build a mold to hold the concrete in place until it dries.

Instructions

  1. Measure the width of the opening of the shower or the place where you want to install the cord. Determine whether you will use a string of 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and used appropriately sized timber. Brand two pieces of 2 x 4 inches (5 x 10 cm) or 2 x 6 inch (5 x 10 cm), which will shape the front and back of the cord structure.
  2. Cut the pieces of wood with a miter saw. Place a piece of wood inside the miter saw and hold it flush against the fence (the back of the tray) and firmly against the tray. Hold it with one hand and using the other hand to manipulate the saw and take the handle of the blade down along the cut mark wood. Repeat with the second piece.
  3. Determines the width of the cord and place the two pieces of wood at a distance corresponding to the width, lifting the edge so that the walls (parts of the front and back) reach a height of 4 to 6 inches ( 10 or 15 cm).
  4. Connects the two parts to certain width with two or three crosspieces nailed on top, with a miter saw, cut strips of wood to fit the width of the top, Screw them on the back of the frame to prop the ends and in the central part. Use a carpenter’s square and a level of two feet (60 cm) to make sure your walls are plumb and level with each other.
  5. Place the cord in place will pour concrete. Screws inserted along the bottom edge, orienting and directing from the outer side through the bottom of the timber to the outside of the structure. Thus, you will hold the structure in place while the concrete pour. Then pour concrete into the mold and wait 24 to 72 hours. Remove the structure.

Tips & Warnings

  • Few cords exceeding 4 inches (10 cm) tall, Unless you are a person who is inclined to the upper echelons, the most common way to build a string it is with tables 2 x 4 inches (5 x 10 cm) on the sides. If you prefer a higher cord, use pieces of 2 x 6 inches (5 x 15 cm), or use an additional depth to the height of the cord is 4.5 inches (11.25 cm).
  • The ends of the cord will be blocked by the walls of the shower or the entry in which you install it. No need to cut wood to form the ends of the cord, since the walls and structures of the opening of the shower will serve as building blocks while waiting for the concrete to dry.
  • Use safety equipment when working with power tools.

Match floor color and walls

How to choose the color of the floor for each room? In order to   choose the color of the soil, you must take into account from the beginning the final result that you want to obtain and what are the influences of space, light and objects that will have the environment in question.

In this article we will refer to the appropriate choice of color floors floating in different environments, however the tips on how to choose properly the colors of these floors are equally valid for other types of soils whether or not wood.

Floating floors

They are placed “floating” (without nailing, screwing or gluing to the floor) on any existing smooth, firm and dry surface (folder, mosaics, ceramics, wood, short pile carpets, vinyl, etc.). Simply glue together the boards. There are two types of floating floors: lacquered natural wood and melamine whose surface is a pattern that imitates the wood, covered by a layer of extreme hardness of melamine; the latter are more economical. They can also be placed on the underfloor. They are floors with long useful life, highly resistant and offer multiple possibilities of use. They are made in different colors and tones within the same color, so they are one more resource to create effects in different environments.

Clear floors

If you have a space that you want to light up a bit, you should choose a clear floor. The clear floors reflect the light and with this you will illuminate the room and give an optical sensation of amplitude. The light colors reflect purity and tranquility and give a timeless air to the room. By combining them with cool colors on the walls, you can create a sober effect. But do not exaggerate: the clearer the soil, the colder the environment. Dark furniture and light wooden floors combine well and create amazing effects. In addition, light soils can be combined very well with a wide variety of colors.

Dark floors

Dark soils are the ideal starting point for creating contrasts. They can be combined perfectly with walls in light colors or in other dark colors that use enhancements and accessories. Avoid hard targets and choose tones like pastel white or white with a different tint. You can lighten the result a little by adding accessories full of color to your interior. Too many dark tones could produce a gloomy effect with less light.

Match floor color and walls

Here are a few basic guidelines to consider when combining floor, wall, and ceiling colors:

  • A dark floor with walls and ceiling in light tones widens the room to the width.
  • A dark floor with a dark ceiling also extends the room to the width and gives a feeling of less height.
  • Dark walls in a room with floor and ceiling in light tones enhance the horizontal lines.
  • Floor, ceiling and wall of the background in light tones: the space becomes narrower, deeper and the height is accentuated.
  • A dark background wall and side walls and light-colored flooring reduce the depth of space.
  • A clear ceiling with dark floors and walls results in a basement effect (light only at the top).
  • A clear floor with also clear bottom wall, dark side walls and a dark ceiling create a tunnel effect.
  • If all the spaces are of the same dark color, their forms are blurred.
  • A room with a clear floor and light walls creates a sense of spaciousness.
  • Too many light colors, give an impersonal and cool air to the environment.

Colors that give light and breadth

White color

Without doubt, the white color is one of the most used in decoration. It is synonymous with purity and neatness. But not only that, but we are facing one of the most luminous colors , as it reflects the light and will even give more beauty to each of your decorative pieces. So, for all this we know that it will be perfect for all kinds of spaces.

Although no doubt, the small spaces will be reinforced with it. In addition to the light, the white color in the decoration allows us to enjoy a wider environment. At least, that is what will make us understand.

How do I integrate the white color? If you like minimalist decoration, then you can choose the white color, not only in the furniture or decorative details. Also the walls, ceilings and even the floor could go together. You will have a perfect luminosity in every room!

Light blue

As we know, we have several shades of blue. But in this case, we want to give us lighter, so we will always choose the clearest. It will give you a feeling of well-being and freshness that at the same time that extend the space, also give a touch of depth. How can you combine it? For both wood furniture in brown, smoky or white tones will be your best allies.

Sand color

It is perfect when it comes to being combined. The sand color also has a light and a special shine. Although for many people it can be sober, it must be said that it is very elegant. Each and every one of the rooms of your house will be benefited thanks to the harmony that leaves us. In addition, it also reflects the light very well, so the space will look wider.

Green water

If we speak of a fresh and natural color, the green water could not escape. In addition to adding a perfect amplitude in our home, you can combine it with other shades of green or even with the white color and you will notice the difference.

Pastel colors

They have a very romantic air, but at the same time they can also make our room more spacious and bright. Above all, if you finish the decoration adding white brush strokes.

Bright and intense colors

In this case we refer to the very vibrant colors as it is usually orange or yellow. No doubt, they are perfect options when we think of the rooms of the smallest of the house. They will give you much more brightness than light. But be aware that they are always recommended if the room has plenty of natural light. On the contrary, if the room is quite dark, they will be much recharged.

Placing furniture in a bedroom

Knowing where to put the furniture in a room can be confusing, especially in small rooms. Follow these steps to accommodate your room with comfort and style.

Instructions

  1. Draw a floor plan of the room on paper, including measures and locations of all the dead, windows, radiators and other permanent features. If you’re handy with a computer and you are furnishing more than one room, invest in a service design program available for home decorators.
  2. Measure your furniture. Decorators recommend cutting small scale molds and label with the name of the cabinet and measure. This way you can just move around the map to get an idea of ​​what is good in every place.
  3. Arrange and rearrange the furniture until everything between and create a nice flow through the room. Check if you crash with some walking through this arrangement, if the space between2 furniture is too small or if the provision is rare. Follow rearranging the furniture until you’re happy with the design.
  4. Be creative with your solutions. All furniture does not have to go lined up against the walls. Try placing the bed from a corner diagonally. If you have a large wall with nothing and have no head in bed, try hanging a curtain behind the bed to create a focal point.
  5. Apply the basic principles of Fang Shun. Things do not accumulate in the corners for better energy flow. Keep electrical equipment and cables hidden in a unit with doors. Electrical equipment emits electromagnetic waves that can prevent a peaceful sleep. Hide also adds elegance to the room.
  6. Place the actual furniture according to the layout on paper.

Tips & Warnings

  • If your floor lamps do not enter your new plan, take them out of the floor and replace them with lamps on bedside tables. Or, if you like reading in bed, reading lamps installed on the wall on either side of the bed. Other options include light rail, recessed lighting, a spider in the center of the ceiling or a ceiling fan with built-in light.

Soaking tubs for small bathrooms

A quarter of bathroom small does not mean you have to give up the luxury of installing a soaking tub, which is much deeper than standard tubs. The soaking tubs allow you to immerse the body in the water, leaning comfortably back in the bathtub without having to slide down in a difficult and uncomfortable situation.

Corner tubs

Use the corner of your bathroom for a corner bath, which may seem extravagant and luxurious, while occupying less space. Corner bathtubs can actually make the room appear larger and standing in the corner and take up less visual space. The tubs may also provide up to 1 foot (30 cm) of space due to additional corner bath tub position. Whirlpools, armrest, corner seats and various decorative finishes are available.

Claw foot tubs

Claw foot tubs come in a variety of styles and can add an antique look to your small bathroom while taking less space due to visual design separate bathtub. Supplements will allow you to convert your claw foot tub in a shower, which can eliminate the need for a separate shower and save more space. The tub may include extreme to rest on both sides with a drain in the center to create a comfortable bath for two or a drain at one end with a design to rest at the other end.

Deep tubs

Readily available in stores and home improvement warehouse stores, regular acrylic bathtubs come in smaller sizes and varying depths, allowing you to choose a bathtub that fits your small bathroom and meets your needs. Some baths have additional options such as water jets, to create the bathing experience you want.

Bathtubs with door

Bathtubs with door take up much less space than traditional bathtubs because they are about the same size as a standard shower cubicle. The bathtub has a door on the side that lets you literally get in the tub. Most models include a seat. The drawback of the tubs with door is that you get into the tub before opening the water and wait until it is fully drained before you can out of the bath.

What type of plywood used for bathroom floors?

The floor of the bathroom gets wet. This usually means that the basis and the subfloor will also be wet. The flat also has to bear the weight of the tub, shower, tiles and other accessories. The tiles are particularly heavy panels with layers of cement, mortar, tile or stone and grout. Use the correct type of plywood ensures a durable floor.

Tongue and groove

Plywood tongue and groove is made specifically for subfloors. The underlayment rests directly on the floor joists and is the lowest layer of soil material. Plywood of 3/4 inch (1.90 cm) thick is the most common and stronger. The 5/8 inch (1.58 cm) thick is also available, but space restricts the use of joists and floor termination rates. The material plywood subfloor tongue and groove interval is classified for use on floors, and provides the necessary support for heavy soils bathrooms and bathtubs full of water.

Plywood paneling

The second layer of soil is the basis. Plywood paneling adds strength to a ground, raised or provides a gripping surface for a finished floor. The plywood used for coating is from 1/8 inch (0.31 cm) to 1/2 inch (1.27 cm), depending upon the requirement or necessity. Most manufacturers require flat ceramic tiles of at least one inch (2.54 cm) thick or not guarantee installation. The deviation in an apartment of less than one inch (2.54 cm) thick makes the tile cracks or loose mortar. The bathrooms require some type of coating in most installations.

Luan plywood

Luan plywood is a special type of hard plywood made outdoor or moisture resistant glue. It is made from the wood of the tree Lain of the Philippines. The floor covering installers Luan added to increase height and provide a smooth surface for different types of vinyl flooring. The installer staple Luan plywood 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick at the base or subfloor, Mortars and glues adhere to plywood, which is suitable for facilities and vinyl tiles.

Oriented strand board

A product similar to wood plywood called oriented strand board provides the same resistance when used as underlayment material tongue and groove. It has the same rating plywood extension a tongue and groove. The product is manufactured from thin strands or wood chips that are glued and pressed together to form a table. Oriented strand boards are becoming more common, as recycled wood residues and are cheaper than regular plywood tongue and groove.