The Bulb - There is more to home maintenance than changing light bulbs. So the secondary title for this book is "150 WAYS TO SLASH YOUR HOUSEHOLD BILLS & SAVE ENERGY, TOO" This is for those who are able bodied and wish to do more things themselves to improve the living conditions around their home and take measures to save money and energy. Many of these little things make small or insignificant immediate changes that add … (10 comments)
The TAPE - Did you know that it was made for the US Army in the Second World War to keep ammo boxes dry. It was used to patch anything from jeeps to boots. It stayed on in wet conditions, hence the nickname "duck tape". After the war it became known as "duct tape" as heating contractors … (8 comments)
home maintenance: Moldy Shower Caulk... Fixed!
- 04/20/11 04:36 AM
Here is a gerat way to clean up an unsightly condition that is problematic for many homeowners and housekeepers. Once it is cleaned up keep it from reoccurring by using the exhaust fan while the shower or tub is in use and for up to an hour afterwards (with the door closed). This will ensure that the excess humidity is removed and this eliminates the conducive conditions that allow surface molds to grow there in the first place. This is a reblog, and I usually disable comments on reblogs. If you would like to leave a comment, click on the … (0 comments)
home maintenance: Does 'FLASHING" remind you of a 'perv' in the park? (Part 2)Connotations of 'CAULK' and 'FLASH' .
- 03/25/11 03:20 AM
Does 'FLASHING" remind you of a 'perv' in the park? Does that mean "CAULK" is a 4 letter word to you ? That' seems to be the case now a days. INTRODUCTIONS : On the left: Roofing meet flashing (black cap flashing). Flashing meet caulk. Caulk meet old tar ( old brittle cracked leaking tar). On the right: Roofing meet new flashing (couldn't be made smaller). New flashing meet surface caulking. Surface caulking meet porous wet brick. SO who's leaking now : Every place the new caulking touches old materials some small amount of wetting or water entry is happening. It … (5 comments)
home maintenance: WATER In the Frame and on Display. (A hidden defect in prior form?) POP QUIZ
- 03/23/11 11:10 AM
WATER In the Frame and on Display. Most people put up framed photos or art work of some kind, under glass to protect it. Photos are usually people, places or events that are memorable to the residents. Art is put up for decor, colour or effect. This sort of framed wall decor is rarer. In fact it's the only one I've seen to date. This 'picture' is memorable to the owners here because they had a plumbing accident and needed to shut off the water. But they couldn't find the valve!. Somebody had enclosed it in the wall! Now its … (6 comments)
home maintenance: Is 'CAULK' a 4 letter word ? (Part 1) Connotations of 'CAULK' and 'FLASH' .
- 03/21/11 07:54 AM
Is 'CAULK' a 4 letter word to you ? Does that mean "FLASHING" reminds you of a 'perv' in the park. I would think so judging by the number of places I'm seeing that should have flashing in use but has none or is relying on caulked seams instead. A blog Relying on Caulking by a fellow inspector, Steven L. Smith here in AR got me thinking about the defects that I commonly see regarding these products. His main points were about the life expectancy of caulking and their being used instead of the proper flashing. I concur with the points he makes and … (6 comments)
Yes it’s popped open or lifted when a door or window is opened somewhere and it’s a windy day or the wind is hitting that side of the house. The sudden increase in air pressure will lift the hatch (it’s not heavy). It can even be pulled up as sudden gust of wind create a low pressure zone over the roof. This partial vacuum will pull higher pressure air form the house, lifting the hatch cover with it. Most times it will just fall back down to the … (9 comments)
This does several good things; 1. It gets it out of tight closets that are difficult to position ladders in. 2. It does not require the emptying of shelves to gain access to the hatch. 3. Opening the hatch does not cause loose insulation or other attic debris to rain down on the clothes in the closet. 4. Positioning in the swing area of the doorway ensures that there will never be any furniture … (6 comments)
This home had two of these, one on each slope of the roof. There are two obvious problems. One is that the gutter empties onto the roofing shingles and the other is that it is built on top of the shingles. Another issue may be that the soffit venting is blocked by this set up. But other than that, why is this here, What is it?
It’s made of sheet metal, painted (Valentine Pink) to match the original woodwork colour and while not being perfectly flat it is cut … (11 comments)
Usually I'm presenting an aspect of home maintenance, value improvement or 'how too' instructions to feature best practice ways to do things around building and property issues.
Some times it's building tech history or how thing came to be as they are, the back story on terms, expressions and phrases.
I keep track of the strange, the unique, the special and interesting things I get to see, including the dangers. These are filed as OMGs. OMGs always have photos, so I share the file with you from time to time.
The rest come out of thin air. More than once I start writing a comment on someone else's blog and end up inking a whole new blog. Am I inspired or am I ranting? You can decide.
"When Changing A Light Bulb Just Isn't Enough" An "Off The Shelf" Review
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