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Archive for the ‘home improvement tools’ Category
Pre Paint Prep with BONDO
Thats right folks the same 2 part epoxy mix that autobody shops use on cars. In SOCal where some of the new rich reside is also 
where some of the best professional house painting occurs. Magazine model material, custom multi-million dollar homes with the same home improvement center paints the rest of us buy and use on our biggest investments in our IRA plans, the biggest d
ifference though is the prep work being done to create some of the finest home painting on the prestigious west coast.
I only emphasize this painting prep point, because I see the difference. Bondo or whatever brand you buy will change your homes detail of paint grade finish like night and day. Case and base nail holes, vacuum dents, mars and gouges, offset splices and even some miter joints go from nice job to vavoom. Interior spackling never really can give you that it truly is “all one piece look” but bondo does and does not shrink.
Fascia do’s and dont’s [how to prevent expensive repairs]
Can you believe my client actually paid for this for this fascia board/ termite repairs, removal and replacement, 2-1/2 years ago, in California during a drought period. We also will point out that 1×6 fascia board was not pre-primed before install and fastened by the drip edge metal roof flashing by the face nails through the bottom half of the drip edge flashing. Forcing it tight against and not letting it perform it’s designed task.
Extremely important is the fact that the moisture has to fall free from the roof and away from the face of the fascia board. This allows the costly repairs of real estate construction work, more time [6-10 years] between home improvement repairs.
Tools required: nail puller / small prybar / tin snips / electric reciprocating saw [sawzall] / straight claw hammer / primer / paint brush etc. DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME and REAP the REWARDS of HOME OWNERSHIP!
How To Update by Removing the Popcorn
Change is good and changing a rooms overall look is even better. Popcorn ceilings [acoustic] are old and out dated, in large part it was an inexpensive way to avoid the finish mud process of drywall work. By removing the popcorn acoustic ceiling mask in your real estate purchase, this will bring so much needed lift and clean appearance to the home, that you wished you would have made it the very first home improvement venture. Take a few pictures of before and after so all can see what it used to look like.
Step #1: remove contents of room Step#2: plastic tarp off entire room Step#3: Get a 6″ putty knife / vacuum / plastic trash bags / goggles and mask / fine spay bottle [optional] / step ladder Step#4: at the correct angle gently dig into the popcorn surface, as to not gouge at the drywall’s, try this in several different directions as well as strength of pressure, until complete Step #5: with a damp sponge wipe clean until noticeably you see the effects of a finish product Step #6: repair any maladies with drywall mud until suffice then sand Step #7: prime entire ceiling 2 coats, now paint with your favorite color!!
Don’t forget the after photos before you crack that cold one and sit back to enjoy the fruits of your labor, GOOD JOB!
Rebuilding Haiti
It’s been 24 hrs since i have reached out to Mr Scott Kraft, a Los Angeles times media reporter. My message was very clear and to the point, in that i wish to donate 100% of the commission proceeds for 1 month, starting yesterday. I expect for him to publish our story and return my phone call and e-message tonight, we want to put a little pressure on all of our E-store affiliates IE., Sears.com/ Amazon.com and Home Depot.com, when they meet our challenge of charitable contributions and building supplies as well as energy efficient lighting fixtures and plumbing supplies.
The building codes are questionable at best but that will not stop the masses from any further advancements. We will build a better tomorrow for the people of Haiti and their families, that have suffered long enough. Our vision here at My-DIY.net is for a brighter future in all the world, pull soldiers from the middle east and put soldiers to work on an island that right now is far worse off than any war zone Mr Obama, let us help each other in this world and end the chaos today.
Stand tall you masses and understand how critical a place these Haitians are in at this very moment, tell a friend/coworker/family member about this action that requires all of us to rise above and shout ” WE CAN DO THIS”. Climb on board with that donation and help make a difference today.
Haitian Relief [proposal]
Good evening world. As we can all sit back in the comfort of our homes tonight, there are many out there that have not been quite as fortunate. But my vision and beliefs are that we all can do something to aide those in need. I just left a message for Scott Kraft of the LosAngeles Times news paper, asking him to help circulate our story. Me here, on this world exposed blog, am offering 100% of the affiliate marketing proceeds as a charitable contribution. All of the purchases staring at 7:30 pm pst will be going towards a lump sum dollar amount to the people in dire straights of Haiti. The catastrophic events of the 7.0 earthquake that tore down this place nearly 2 weeks ago has many children and their families literally upside down.
Any of us that want to help, can and will by using anyone of many E-stores via here on this blog site or at MY-DIY.net. When enough of us pitch in we are able to give back a little bit to help make a difference. From Home Depot / Amazon / Bestbuy / Commission Junction or Ebay all of which are my affiliates. I am also asking that everyone of those mentioned here and now stand up and meet us with our purchase power. If Home Depot / Amazon.com / Bestbuy.com / Commission Junction or Ebay.com can hear us roar, they will hear loud and clear that this is a challenge. That’s right, we are calling them to the mat for a no holds barred bout of matching the funds and or materials to donate.
Not only will this be of great service, the 2009 tax benefits can be of credit for all of our next filings on april 15. Lets create a better avenue of building services and appliances. I expect that Mr Kraft will help us with the broader publishing efforts involved but email this to as many friends as possible and lets start today by making a grander difference in this life.
Sincerely,
Craig E. president
MY-DIY.net and MY-DIY-BLOG.com
WESTERN EAVE DEMO
When 1×6 ship-lap pine starter board has been used for the exposed end of your roofs overhang eave’s, often these get water damaged over time and require removing and replacing, along with the fascia board section. Termites are lazy by nature and will go after the moist, wet [weathered] areas first. In often cases the 2x fascia boards take the worst of this because of the bogus or lack of proper metal drip edge flashing, or applied incorrectly. If the drip edge roof metal flashing is tight against the fascia board, then the moisture from rain and damp nights cannot drip free to the ground or into the rain gutter. This causes the wooden eave to absorb the moisture and start the water damage process of ill effects and termite nesting.
Tools needed to begin the repairs include an electric reciprocating saw, prybar, hammer and a good exterior paint primer. Cut back to the next roof tail rafter on either end and remove fascia board. Raise any roofing materials for access to the exposed eave starter sheathing. The Sawzall with a 12″ blade can aide your reach here for the other required cuts needed. When and if the drip edge metal is in your way, take a pair of sheet metal snips and cut this flashing back. A thorough inspection of the 30lb felt roofing paper is very important and any nail holes need to be patched in the felt paper before this has been completed. Once you have matched the cuts for any replacement fascia board, starter board etc., back primer all new and old cuts and parts you will be installing. Give Amazon a few days on your orders or purchase and print your receipt for your quicker trip to any home improvements depots in your area. Don’t forget those safety goggle’s!
DIY for resale
Upscale Projects best ROI
- Siding Replacement (fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl). With the economic slump, home buyers aren’t being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87% ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80% of your cost.
- Window Replacement (vinyl or wood). Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80% (vinyl) or 77% (wood) return on your investment.
- Bathroom Remodel. Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay over $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71% of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50K bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project – adding a complete bathroom – fell in value.
- Major Kitchen Remodel. Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it’s also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71% ROI
- Win/WIN/WIN and DIY today. BTW how has the stock market been working for you?
Lets Build a Dream
Thinking about adding on to an existing part of your home? Well there is several items you need to cross off your to do list. But lets use a patio cover in this case and your choice is paint or stain grade lumber, #2 and better douglas fir will be a great option and easily the most cost per footage affective. ![wooden patio cover [overhead]](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/thumbnail2.jpg "wooden patio cover [overhead]")
![free of heart center timber [FOHC] IE.](http://www.my-diy-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/thumbnail-11.jpg "free of heart center timber [FOHC] IE.")
As much as doing it right for appearance, knowing how to select your materials is just as important.
Tree’s growth periods last years, and each year manifest another growth ring, now this being said the timbers are cut and shipped to your local home improvement centers in bulk. Not all the lumber will be of the same quality, so whenever possible you may want to hand select when you can, as you find the nicer looking sticks you must look closely at the ends for what is termed FOHC, or free of heart center’s. When the dowel of the first years growth ends up on those pieces they will twist and curl like crazy as they age in place on your home improvement project, and within a few short months these will stick out like a “cockroach on a wedding cake” quicker than a sneeze. I want you to beam with pride as you stand viewing out your new french doors, and DIY your home improvement patio cover with the same pride as we hold a cold one after another job well done from our end. Be proud and save big [DIY] every chance you get.
Home Improvements Dry-Rot
Water damaged wood is called DRY ROT , but what is this really, well this only happens when a porous piece of wood IE., lumber, timber, posts , siding or fascia board, all of these typically are an exterior specific wooden used product or term. The word DRY comes from the constant wetness or moisture has taken its toll on the wood and often as the moisture exposed wood dries out in between wetting it ROTS, and proceeds to further rotting as it takes on wetness repeatedly. The aspect of home improvements for all of us is, allowing the wetting to stop (sprinklers) or build and or fabricate for potential uncontrolled wet atmospheres (RAIN).
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exterior posts water damage: easily avoidable by not cleaning porch with a garden hose
** exterior siding water damage: hose bib is too short and problem of dripping but did not drip past the face of the wood siding , therefor causing water damage.
*** wooden deck: potential slope problem or often a poor deck material that has fail over time from constant standing water.
An overall quick visual inspection will help you determine the reasons for some of these problems, then of coarse a direction to further travel for the solutions to correcting and saving you money.
