Ups and Downs

In my day we never locked our doors, but I would not try that today. As a kid I came and went and never needed a key. When my kids were kids, they never needed a key either. We had an attached garage with a keypad outside. A lot of people with attached garages use their keypads to enter their house.

As a handyman I often receive questions about garage doors and garage door openers, here is one that was a little different.

"Our house is about fourteen years old, and most everything is still original. Recently our garage door opener raised and lowered for the last time. We had a door company put in a new Genie door opener. We got three remotes, but we did not get a new outside keypad. The old keypad is still attached outside, but does not work. We have been spoiled by the convenience of the out side keypad, and want one with this garage door opener.
Can we get an outside keypad for the new garage door opener, and if we find one how hard is it to wire?"



It is possible to reuse your old keypad. The old keypad should have two wires coming from it that can be hooked up to the base unit in the garage. The wired keypads, are just switches, so if you hook up the old pad, it will open and close the door using your old code. If you want to replace your old keypad, you can find the one you need on this site; http://www.geniedoor.com/index.shtml. You can replace the old keypad with a wired keypad, or you can pay a little more and get a wireless keypad. The geniedoor site has several to chose from. The advantage of wireless keypads is there is no drilling or wiring to do.

As a handyman I would sub out any major electrical work, but minor electrical and low voltage electric such as key pads, I took care of myself. So as a homeowner never take on a job you feel is over your head.

Not So Cool

From my point of view when it comes to home remodeling or home repairs, I feel there is no substitute for the professional handyman or other service technicians. However I also think that a homeowner can learn to do simple repairs and trouble shooting in their own home, as long as they know their limits and call a professional when the job is over their heads. sometimes things are simple if you know the basic things to look for. Here is an example of some questions I receive from homeowners;


"We live in a warm climate, so we use our air-conditioner a lot. We have been using our air-conditioner for the past two weeks. We have it serviced every year, in fact we had it serviced three weeks ago, and everything checked out great. But now it is hot in my house and the inside unit is running but the outside unit is not.

Is there anything I can do or check myself before I call for service?"

In a lot of cases this is a simple fix, and you can solve it yourself. The first thing I would look for is a tripped A/C breaker. There are two breakers to the outside unit. The one to check first is the one that is in the main breaker panel. Look in the main panel and find the breaker for the air conditioner. The A/C breaker is going to be a double pole breaker (240 amp breaker). Turn it completely off even if it appears to be off, then turn it back on again. If it trips again, leave it alone and call your service tech. If it stays on, then check if the unit is working. If the unit is still not working, you will need to check the breaker (quick disconnect) that is located outside near the unit, and repeat the same steps you did on the inside unit. If none of this works, it still could be a simple fix like a broken wire, or a bad capacitor, but unless you are skilled in this area it is time to call a service tech.

In this case it was a tripped breaker in the main panel, and it is run fine since.

Gutter Pains

Gutter problems are not only a pain when they are not working correctly, but can cause costly problems such as damaged siding, leaking windows, and even foundation failure. Gutters and downspout problems is also a leading cause of leaky basements. Fixing this problem is money well spent and will prevent and will prolong the life of your home.

Here is a question I received about gutter problems;


"I live in a twenty year-old ranch house on a large wooded lot. I know that it is important to keep the gutters clean and I always do. When we get a good rainfall, I can look out of the window and see the water cascading over the gutters. I check the gutters and they are clean, but they still run over. What could be causing the gutters to overflow?"



I get this question often, but in most cases it is only a few things that can cause this. One of the most common problems comes from having long runs of gutters, with very few downspouts. Runs over thirty feet without a downspout, could back up in heavy rains. This happens just because the downspouts cannot drain the water fast enough.

Another cause can be that the downspout is clogged. The best way to check this is to run water in the gutters and check to see if you have a good flow coming out of the downspout.

If your down spouts drain to an under ground drain, the problem may be that the under ground pipes are clogged. To check this, run water directly into the downspouts for about ten minutes. If the water starts backing up, it is time to have the drainpipes cleaned out.

After you have determined that the gutters and down spouts are working properly, you could install some basket strainers in the top of the downspouts. This will help keep the downspouts and or drains from getting clogged.

I recommend that you call your local professional handyman; he can help you with this problem and recommend products that can eliminate the cutter cleaning process.

Let's go Fishing

Don't Get your Lights turned Off!

As a handyman, I often hear my clients say, “I am going to put in new lights my self”. Of all the projects in the home, the scariest and the most mysterious projects involve electricity. It is very wise to do the research before jumping into this project. You will find that besides knowing the proper safety procedures, the actual work is pretty easy.

For the do-it-yourselfer, I recommend that you turn off the electricity at the main panel, but remember that this does not always kill all the power. Some main panels have a true main that will kill all the power to the house. Some panels may have a circuit breaker that is marked 'main', but this circuit breaker may only turn off some circuits, leaving others on. Some panels are designed so that it takes up to six breakers to suspend all the power to the house. Some panels may be wired incorrectly making it impossible to turn off all the power.

The only way to make sure that you are not working with live wires is to test the wires on which you are going to work. This can be done with an inexpensive no-contact circuit tester. You simply put it on a wire that has insulation and it tells you if it is live or not.

In common house circuits, the black wire is usually the hot wire and the white wire is the neutral wire, but both have the potential to carry current. With this in mind, you should turn off the current at the main panel and still check each wire with your tester before touching them.

One of the most common mistakes is turning off the light switch and thinking that just because the light went out the wires are not hot. Switches can be wired to the neutral (which is improper) leaving power at the light even when the switch is turned off.

Do your research. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, and most of all, be safe.

Where is a Stud When You Need One?

A lot of people find a great deal of satisfaction doing their own small home improvements. As a handyman it was common for a client to ask me advice on a small project they wanted to take on to do themselves. Granted most of the time after I explained what needed to be done, they asked me how much I would charge to make the improvements. My advice to my clients, is never take on a job that feels out of their skill level. If you are trying to do your own home repairs or home improvements for your own satisfaction, that is one thing. But if you are just trying to save money, be very careful. In most cases where a homeowner took on a project they were not qualified to do, it cost them a lot more to fix what they did then the job would have cost for a contractor to do it right the first time.

Okay, back to some of the questions I receive. Here is an actual question from a client;

"We are remodeling our family room, and one of the larger aspects of this project consists of floor-to-ceiling shelves on three walls. We had the shelves custom made, and delivered. Now we are ready to install them. The problem we are having is locating the where the studs are behind the drywall. We are over our budget now and did not want to add the expense of buying a stud finder. We were told to tap on the walls and listen for the change in sound. This is not working for us".
"Do you have any ideas for us"?


The drywall is attached to the studs with nails or screws every sixteen inches on center. The studs are a little less than two inches wide. The drywall is four foot wide. Each piece of drywall ends in the middle of a stud, then the next piece starts. Where these two pieces meet, joint tape is used to finish the seam. Keep in mind that this seam is in the middle of the stud. So if you can find a seam, you can measure sixteen inches from the center of this seam to find the center of the next stud.
The best way I know to find the seams is to use a drop light, or a lamp without the shade will work also. Take the light and hold it about a foot away from the wall and look for the silhouette of the joint tape. The center of the joint is the center of a stud, now remember sixteen inches on center, and you should find as many studs as you need.

Not a Cloud In The Sky, They Are In My Windows

As a Handyman I receive a lot of questions about windows. This example is very typical of the questions I receive;

“We own an older house that, until six months ago, had single-pane, wood windows. We had all new double hung, double pane windows installed the first of the year”.

“Recently we have noticed that the larger window in the living room is cloudy. This is very noticeable in the morning, because the sun shines directly in this window. We tried to clean the window, but it appears that the cloudiness is inside of the double panes”.
“Is this normal for this type of window or should we call the window company”?

Cloudiness between the double panes is a problem. A vacuum exists between the double panes, and the seals ensure it. If cloudiness or moisture is present between the panes, it means that the seal is no longer doing its job. Depending on the size and the style of the window, the repair can be costly.
Since the windows are less than a year old, they are probably still under warranty. Report this to the window company as broken seals. Also it is a good idea to check all of the other windows for cloudiness.

I have always encouraged my clients to use quality products on any home repair. If you use cheap low quality products, you will be replacing them much sooner than you want to. I always say, “you will pay now or you will pay later”. Quality product cost more in the beginning, but will save you money and aggravation in the long run. It will also give you more time to go fishing.

BAD VIBES

It is nice to be remembered as a handyman, like when an old client has a problem and calls for help. It is even nicer, when I can help. I did some work for Janet and her family some years ago, and when she had this problem, it was nice that she called. This is how she explained her problem:
“We recently bought a new house. It is a two-story home with vinyl siding. We love it and everything is great until the wind blows. Then the siding vibrates very badly, so badly it feels like the whole house is vibrating, and it is also very loud. We are in a new subdivision that is currently very exposed to any wind. On the side that vibrates, there are only a few windows, and the vinyl siding goes from the foundation to roof. We are desperate enough that we are thinking about having the home re-sided with some other material. We know others that have vinyl siding and they don’t have the noise and vibration that we do. Is this a bad siding, or can something be done to correct the problem?"

A common problem with vinyl siding is not the siding it self, but a problem with the instalation. It is not uncommon to find that the installers did not consider the wind direction when they lapped the siding. Common vinyl siding is hung loosely to keep it looking straight.
Common vinyl comes in 12-foot lengths. The laps should be made into the wind, so the wind does not get under it. Roofers, when installing the ridge cap frequently make this same mistake.
I have seen some success in making the vibration stop when the overlapped seams are caulked with silicon, but this is not always a positive cure, but it is worth a try before residing the house.
If new siding is the option, a seamless vinyl is a better choice. The seamless, besides being one piece, is anchored, not hung like conventional siding. Oh how things change.

Garage Door Safety

You can check your garage door opener safety devices by following these tips:

Look for photoelectric eyes near the floor on both sides of the door.

If you have photoelectric eyes- test them by blocking the beam between the eyes as the door is closing, and the door should automatically reverse.

If you do not have a photoelectric-reversing-device, you need to check your pressure- sensitive device.

To do this, try to stop the door with your hand (be careful not to be under the door). Before the pressure gets too hard on you, the door should reverse

If the door does not reverse, call a service person to adjust this.

If you have none of these safety devices, then it is time to replace that old opener.

Another safety check is your springs:

Check to see what type of springs you have. If you have a spring that runs along the top of the garage door on a bar, then you have a torsion spring. This type is usually safe if it breaks, because the spring will stay on the bar.

If you have two springs that run overhead parallel with the track, then you have extension springs. You need to check these springs for cables running through them. These cables will contain the spring if it breaks. Without these cables a broken spring can break apart and send pieces of metal flying through the garage.. If you do not have a safety cable call a service person.

Also, annually check that all nuts and bolts on the rails and rollers are tight. This will help limit wear on your motor.

Remember the first step to keep your family safe begins with keeping your house safe.

Handyman Knows Best

Let's face it, most homeowners don't think of the handyman until something is broken or they want home improvements. Regular maintenance can also help prevent safety issues. The importance of safety in your home is yet another good reason for hiring a professional handyman. Other beneficial aspects is a professional handyman can address maintenance concerns that could prevent safety issues.

The pro knows how and what to look for when it comes to safety issues that many homeowners may take for granted. For example the garage door is the largest door in the home yet many people tend to use it as the main exit and entrance to their homes. With the convenience of automatic door openers, not to mention the remotes we carry in our cars, it’s easier to use than the front door. What would the kids do without the numeric keypads, into which they punch their codes, to get in the house? We bring our cars and bikes in and out, and don’t forget lawn mowers, garden tools and whatever. The point is, this door is well used, but how safe is it?

Automatic garage door openers have been around a lot longer than safety devices for them, or for that matter safety regulations for them. Garage doors with openers that either did not have safety devices, or had defective safety devices, have been blamed for causing serious injury and even death. Children and pets have been the primary victims. The car you have seen with a crease on the hood, is a good indication of these older heavy doors without properly working safety devices.

For example, an older double garage door can weigh over four hundred pounds, while a new door of the same size can weigh less than half that. If you have an older door and the safety device does not work, what you have is an accident waiting to happen! This is a good reason why all new automatic openers must have a pressure sensitive auto-reversing device and a photoelectric-reversing device.

Tomorrow I will give you some tips for checking the safety devices on garage doors.

First Impressions

Over the years homeowners always ask me; what can I do to my house to help it sell? As a handyman I know it is important for the house to be structurally sound and good working mechanical systems, but the bottom line is First Impressions.
No matter in which price range your house falls, the buyer’s first impression is one that sets the mode for the transaction. The phrase “curb appeal” is not just another cute phrase, it plays a large role in getting high market value for your house. The first impression certainly starts with the exterior. There are inexpensive things you can do to achieve good “curb appeal”, such as:
Keep the grass freshly cut
Avoid clutter in the yard
Fresh paint on wooden fences
The front door needs to look good (fresh paint) if needed
Make sure that all door handles are tight and clean
Wash or paint the exterior of the house
Make sure the windows are cleaned inside and out
Make sure that gutters and downspouts are firmly attached, and in good working order
Fresh mulch in flower borders

Tips for the interior include:
Avoid excessive things hanging on the wall
Avoid excessive knick-knacks sitting around
Keep rooms as open as possible (you may consider a temporary self-storage unit)
Clean or paint walls and ceilings
Carpets should be clean and smell good
Remove things from under the sink cabinets
Repair all plumbing leaks, this includes leaking faucets, and duct-taped drain traps
Make sure all light fixtures are clean and free of dust

Sight is not the only thing that makes a good first impression; the nose plays its part as well. These things will help in that department:
Keep the central air filter changed (it makes no difference if it is the heating or cooling season)
Pour water in basement floor drains (this keeps the drain traps from becoming dry, and letting in sewer odor)
Control cigarette and pet odor


When making a real estate transaction, hiring professionals will help you get the most value for you transaction.

Call the Doctor for a Facelift

It is not a question in the Real-estate business that the best bang for your buck when investing in your house is spent in the kitchen and baths. But you don’t have to spend a fortune on remodeling to update these rooms. In most cases a professional handyman can show you affordable ways to make large improvements on a modest budget.

Here I go, I took another article from the HouseDoctors.

A FEW SIMPLE IDEAS TO GIVE KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS A FACELIFT
Quick and Easy Fix-ups That Won’t Break the Bank

Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most high-traffic rooms in our homes. Here are some tips on how to make these hard-working rooms look their absolute best and refreshed.


SPRUCE UP YOUR KITCHEN

· “SPLASH OF COLOR”: Painting is one of the most versatile decorating tools and adding a new color to the walls will do a lot to lighten and brighten. Yellows and reds can make your kitchen seem warm and cozy, while blues can create an atmosphere of cool sophistication. Lighter colors will make the room seem bigger while textures can add contrast and interest. But don't stop there! Repainting the cabinets can completely transform your look. An inexpensive way to freshen up dark cabinets is with a new coat of paint.

· “ADD SOME SPARKLE”: A new trend in painting is called "glazing," which you can do over a painted door. Take a can of glaze and have tint added. Use a brush to apply sparingly to achieve a streaked, antique look!

· “CONSIDER A FACELIFT”: Replacing dated hinges, handles and knobs with new, stylish hardware is an easy way to make cabinets more attractive. Just changing your cabinet knobs can add a touch of whimsy, a vintage look or a contemporary feel.

· “THROW ON A TILE”: Changing a countertop is a dramatic part of creating a new look. Ceramic tile is also a great do-it-yourself way to update worn-out counters. Peel-and-stick mirror tiles are available at most building stores, for an instant backsplash brightener. Ceramic subway tiles are yet another trendy look that's surprisingly easy to do, especially if you can adjust the design to avoid having to cut them.


TURN YOUR BATHROOM INTO A PERSONAL SPA

· “A SHOWER YOU DESERVE”: Tiled showers can be cold and dark once the curtain is drawn. Warm up the space with a combination light fixture/heat lamp. A lot of showers already have a light fixture, so this can be an easy change out. Change the showerhead or simply add an attachment to your shower wall for the ultimate spa experience! There are many options that offer multiple body sprays and massaging jets.

· “NO MORE CHILLY FEET”: Changing the ceramic floor tile is a common update, but ceramic tile floors can get chilly. To prevent cold feet add a radiant heating system before you install the tile. These ultra-thin electric heating systems are easily installed in cement under ceramic tile and stone floors.

· “TAP INTO NEW DESIGN”: Putting in a new faucet can give your bathroom sink a whole new look. Many new faucet styles are specially designed for do-it-yourself installation, using just basic tools, and there are a variety of styles to choose from that cost less than $100.

The above suggestions may require professional assistance to ensure proper installation.

Vacation Tips From A Handyman

As a Handyman, it is common to have people ask you for all kinds of advice about their home. Recently I have been asked by several people for advice on preparing their home prior to vacation. I think this article that was put out by the HouseDodtors Handyman Service is a very good one, and I hope it helps with your peace of mind wile you are on vacation.

Tips for Pre-Vacation Home Preparation and Safety Suggestions


Before you go on a well-deserved vacation, take the time to give your home a safety check-up
GIVE YOUR APPLIANCES A VACATION! (Save energy and money, too!)
Adjust Your Thermostat - In the summer, set your air conditioner to a higher temperature, but don't turn it off altogether. A silent compressor on a blistering day is a sure sign that a house is unoccupied. In the winter, set the furnace thermostat at 55 degrees - but don't go any lower. This will help prevent water pipes from freezing and bursting.

Cool Down the Water - If you have a gas water heater, set the temperature dial to the VAC or "vacation" setting or turn the thermostat as low as it will go - but don't turn it completely off. If you have an electric water heater, cut the power at the breaker or fuse in the service panel. When you come home, be sure to let the water reach at least 120 degrees before using it.

Hold the Ice – Turn-off your refrigerator’s icemaker to prevent any leaks in your absence.
Pull the Plugs - Unplug any appliance or electronic device that doesn't need to stay on. Many items like microwaves, computers and televisions draw power even when they're not being used. Unplugging appliances will also help prevent damage in case of a storm or power surge. Don't forget to also unplug bigger items like your washer and dryer.

SAFETY AND SECURITY - Give your house that lived-in look while you're away.
· Let There be Light – Use automatic timers with lamps and televisions. Look for a timer that can be set to a random pattern so the lights don't turn on and off at exactly the same times every day. Install motion detector lights outdoors.

· Create a Lived-in Look Outdoors - Mow the lawn before you leave town. If you'll be gone more than a few days, hire someone to mow the lawn or shovel the walk. Ask a neighbor to set out your trash on collection day and then retrieve empty cans and recycling bins the same day.

· Stop the Presses – Put a vacation hold on your mail and newspapers or arrange for a neighbor to take these in for you daily.

· Lock ‘em Up & Keep ‘em Raised – Make sure each window is locked. Leave blinds, curtains and shades in their normal positions. Burglars are attracted to homes with windows that remain covered day and night.

· Park It on Your Driveway - Arrange to have a neighbor park in your driveway while you're away. Or if you're leaving your car at home, park it in the driveway instead of the garage, and ask your neighbor to move it from time to time. Unplug your automatic garage-door opener before you leave.

· Notify the Police – Contact your local police department about your departure. Many departments offer a complimentary drive-by service.

Upside Right

She is not the only one, I get this question several times a year. This is not a hard task, but does require patients. The wiring is not the problem at all, it is just someone put the switches in upside down. A switch only breaks the hot wire, so when the switch is on the circuit is complete. So all that has to be done is removing the switch and turning it over.
Here is what to do:
1-Turn off the power at the main panel

2- Remove the cover plate from the receptacle

3- Undo the two screws that are holding in the receptacle

4-Put the switch in the position where you see the word “OFF”

5- Turn the body of the switch until the “OFF” is on top

6-Then put the screws back in

7-Put the cover plate on
Be careful when you turn the switch body, so you do not loosen any of the wires.Remember always be very cautious when working on electrical devices.Some electrical panels cannot be completely turned off by turning off just one breaker. A no-contact volt sensor is a sure way to know if the power is really off in the spot you are working. A no-contact volt sensor cost around twenty dollars, and is a must for do-it-your-selfers.

Handyman Gets Call aboutUpside Down Electric

A few years ago I got one of those handyman calls where you just stand there in silence, trying to figure out what you heard, you know the ones. This one started out with; "Hi my name is Donna, and all of my electricity is upside down". As I am pondering "upside down electricity, she continued; "We moved into our new home six months ago, okay it is new to us, but it is forty-three years old. We love everything in our home, except for one thing that is annoying; the light switches are upside down. When the switch is up the lights are off, and when the switch is down the lights are on. This is driving me crazy, but I cannot afford a big expensive electrical job right now. I am concerned about all of the electrical work. I am probably the only one to have this problem.
Is this something I just need to live with, or what?"

See you tomorrow for the rest of the story.