Installing Photovoltaic Solar Power at Home
April 11th, 2010 | diy home | No Comments »
This vid shows the various steps in planning and having a company (Real Goods Carlson: affiliates.realgoodssolar.com install photovoltaic solar electric power in my rear yard in San Diego; definitely more challenging than a roof installation. My rationale for this: reduce my carbon footprint, buy / own my energy (like I do my house), help address ca’s energy shortfall and take advantage of the state and US government incentives for early adopters to save on the installation. I just uploaded it to Repower America: www.repoweramerica.org
DIY Guide to Installing Siding
February 3rd, 2010 | diy home | No Comments »
This article gives a step by step guide on how to install sidings. Its so easy to understand that a novice will know how to install sidings after one read.Before installing siding, you must know how to install sidings. It’s a good idea to cover the sheathing with house wrap. Don’t be tempted to substitute ordinary plastic, which would only trap moisture, causing the walls to rot.
Before we begin, one advice I would give you is that if you don’t know how to install sidings, and have never done such projects in the past, leave them to professionals who know how to install sidings.
How to install your own siding
The first lesson of how to install sidings is to begin by hanging the first sheet of wrap from the top of one wall. Secure the wrap every few feet with plastic-capped nails ), and cut carefully around doors, windows and mechanical obstructions. Tape or caulk along the edges.
The next lesson of how to install sidings is to install galvanized metal rain caps over every door and window. Nail each cap in place through its back flange, at least 1/2 in. above the bend.
The third lesson on how to install sidings is to paint the back of as many panels as you can before you start the installation. This helps keep moisture from entering the panels through their rear surfaces. Use a paint roller and store it in a plastic bag between applications and in the refrigerator overnight.
The fourth lesson on how to install sidings tells you that it’s customary to nail a spacer under the first row of siding, so it slants at the same angle as the boards above it. We chose to nail our first row flat.
The fifth lesson of how to install sidings will point out that many of the mechanical and electrical obstructions will also be at this level. The best way to side around them is to cut the siding at the center of the conduit or pipe, and join the two pieces with a metal splice designed for end-to-end siding joints.
The sixth lesson on how to install sidings tells you that you should measure from the nearest corner to the center of the faucet pipe and subtract 1/8 in. for the splice. Cut the siding and create a notch to fit around the pipe. Install this piece of siding, and cut metal splices to fit above and below the pipe. Apply caulk to the splice pieces and bring a matching piece of siding in from the other direction. Nail this piece in place and caulk the splice on both sides.
The seventh lesson on how to install sidings teaches you that when you are installing new siding around vent pipes, measure carefully and cut a hole to fit the pipe. Slide the siding over the pipe and nail it in place. Secure house wrap with plastic-capped nails placed every few feet. Overlap adjoining pieces for a good seal. Trim the house wrap with a utility knife so it meets doors and windows neatly.
The eight lesson on how to install sidings is that where a vent pipe passes through the wall, use a saw to cut the hole. After installing the hood, apply caulk.
DIY Bathroom Plumbing – Installing a New Showerhead
January 6th, 2010 | diy home | No Comments »
Of all the home heating repairs you could tackle, is the replacement of an old showerhead with a new probably the easiest. A shower plumbing project is a good starter project for a number of reasons. Special tools are not necessary, the required parts are pretty close one size fits all, and if you make a mistake and have a leak, the only thing that's wet your shower / bathtub. This is the perfect project for the novice home repair craftsman and restartcan generally well completed in less than an hour.
The first step is to want what type of shower head replace decide. While most lamps shower connects to a standard size pipe thread, you must ensure that you have enough space for your new shower head. When the stem (the part of the pipe from the wall to the existing shower head) is the short or near the ceiling you want to check before buying a big light on.
The tools you need – For this project you willneed a wrench or pliers and some teflon tape. Depending on the age of the existing furniture, you must also have a pipe wrench on hand as well. You may also have something to protect your furniture from the jaws of the wrench or pliers have (a folded towel or a piece of rubber well) from the hose
Remove the old showerhead – If you have an older device, you have probably remove some rust, oxidation, or lime-building, have a hard time making a distance. If the lamp is noteasily solved, use two sets of pliers / wrench (with the jaws of each protected as indicated above), one set on the master and the other on the lamp. Apply the same pressure on both sides until the shower head begins to move. Be careful not to spend too much force because you do not want to break either the stem or existing shower head. Once the shower begins to rotate, you should be able to remove it by hand.
Clean and prepare the stock pipe – A little preparation here can saveconsiderable time later if you decide to replace the shower head again. Clean the threads of the stem rust or lime and apply Teflon tape on the threads. This will help install the new shower head easily, a good seal, and make it easier in the future if you ever replacing the shower head.
Install the new shower – If you selected is a simple replacement shower head all that remains to be done, the new device to the prepared pipe mouthpiece. Verifyare not attracted too much when you install this – hand is firm plus one quarter or half turn, probably everything you need. If you purchased a more sophisticated device such as a shower massage bar, you can install a few pieces to have. Make sure that you apply Teflon tape to all threaded connections (unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer) to ensure a good seal.
Test It – Before your tools away and jumped in the shower take a few minutes to make sure that the job is done.Turn on the water and check all the connections check for leaks. If you have a, usually they will be fixed by tightening the connection and another quarter or half turn. If this is not the problem, you may need to check for missing or worn disc.
Installing a wet bar-DIY
December 2nd, 2009 | diy home | No Comments »
A wet bar can add a touch of class, and is ideal for entertaining .. SHOW DESCRIPTION: This show is only available online at this time.