Archive for the ‘Repairs and Replacements’ Category

How to cut angles on wood flooring

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

You can easily find the degree of these angles to cut accurate, well fitting pieces of wood flooring for a professional, seamless look.

  • Cut a piece of paper the length and width of each of the wood flooring pieces with scissors.
  • Press one of the papers against the angle where the wood needs to fit making a sharp crease to indicate the angle.
  • Lay all of the pieces of paper on the floor, creasing the papers at the angles until you have covered the floor.
  • Cut off the excess paper above each of the creased lines on the papers. The papers should all fit against the angled portions on the walls, without any paper sticking up.
  • Lay each piece of paper on top of a piece of flooring and trace the shapes of the angled ends of the papers with a pencil. Mark the wood clearly where you need to make the angled cuts.
  • Cut each piece of wood flooring along the marked lines with a table saw. Test fit each piece after you cut it to make sure you are cutting them appropriately.
  • How to Repair Scratches in Pre-finished Hardwood Floors

    Monday, July 19th, 2010

    Scratches or small gouges in pre-finished hardwood floors can ruin the look of the whole floor, and allow moisture to get down into the wood, causing rot. It’s usually best not to try to refinish a pre-finished floor as part of the repair process because you probably won’t be able to match the existing finish.

  • Soak a cotton cloth in rubbing alcohol. Use it to clean and buff the scratched area of the surface.
  • Scoop up wax putty with a plastic putty knife. Spread it over the scratches, running the edge of the knife perpendicular to the scratches, so the putty is forced into them.
  • Run the flat edge of the putty knife over the scratches lengthwise, to flatten and smooth the putty. It should come off the surface of the floor but remain within the scratches.
  • Fold a dry cotton cloth into a square, lay it flat against the floor and buff the area, rubbing vigorously to take up any residual putty from the surface. Use only the flat span of the cloth, not the edges, so you don’t dig the putty out of the scratches. Let the putty set for a day.

  • How to Repair Chipped Glazed Floor Tile

    Monday, July 19th, 2010

    Epoxy glue is an excellent filler for chipped tiles, as it dries rock-hard and can be painted to the color of the tile. Floor-grade polyurethane gloss with keep the paint from coming up.

    • Open the epoxy glue. If the glue come in two separate tubes that have to be mixed, mix them according to the instructions on the packaging.
    • Put a dab of the epoxy over the chipped area. Use the end of a toothpick to work it down into the fissure and smooth it along the top, so it’s flat. Let the glue dry overnight.
    • Buff the dried epoxy very gently with extra-fine sandpaper, getting it completely smooth. Wipe away the dust.
    • Paint over the epoxy with paint the same color as the tile, using a small paintbrush. Apply the paint only over the dried glue, not the surrounding tile. Let the paint dry for eight hours.
    • Brush a thin layer of polyurethane gloss onto the painted area. Let it dry to the touch. Lightly buff the polyurethane with extra-fine sandpaper. Apply a second layer of polyurethane. Let it dry overnight.

    Tiling a bathtub area

    Monday, July 12th, 2010

    Tiling the walls around your tub is the classic approach, and still arguably the best, in terms of attractiveness and wall protection.

    Here is how you do it.

  • Draw a vertical line through the middle of one wall behind the tub, using a pencil. Spread thinset mortar over the bottom section of the wall, using a notched trowel. Make the mortar come up about two feet from the top of the tub, measuring with a tape measure.
  • Hang the first row of tiles along the top of the tub, starting at the center line that you drew and working your way out sideways toward the edges. Put tile spacers between the tiles as you hang them, and below them, to separate them from the tub. Cut the tiles at the ends of the wall as needed, using a tile saw.
  • Hang the next rows of tiles, building up the wall row by row, starting each row at the middle line and working outward. Spread more mortar on the upper parts of the wall as you build up. Tile the entire wall, using a tile saw to cut around plumbing fixtures as needed. Repeat for each of the walls around the tub. Let the tiles set for a day and remove the spacers.
  • Apply grout to the walls with a grout float, starting at the top areas and working down. Press the grout into the spaces between the tiles, while squeezing it off the tile surface. Wipe up the excess grout with a damp sponge. Grout everything except the space between the bottom row of tiles and the top edge of the tub. Let the grout set for a day.
  • Caulk the line between the top of the tub and the bottom of the first row of tiles.
  • DIY Plaster Repair

    Monday, July 12th, 2010

    The easiest way to repair cracked, crumbling, or otherwise damaged plaster is with more plaster. The proper procedure to ensure a strong, flat repair job is to fill the hole or crack with plaster, lay drywall tape over it, then plaster over the tape in layers, sanding each layer as you go. Plan on repainting the whole area after you’re done.

    Could you please help me with some advices on how to paint a damp concrete floor

    Monday, July 12th, 2010

    Hi Clive, I’m restoring a fireplace. I’m not going to use it for an open fire so i need to block the chimney to prevent draft and dust entering the room. What’s the best way to do this? Thanks

    Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

    You’ve essentially got 2 options: 1. invest in one of those inflatable balloons or 2. board off the chimney with timber. Personally, I’d go for the timber option - it’s the old fashioned way, and it will give you a more secure finish (I have heard that the balloons tend to deflate after a year or so). I’d use 18mm MDF board - make a template out of cardboard, cut your MDF to size and hold in place using 2×1″ battons fixed to the inside of the chimney breast. Depending on the size of your breast (as it were), you may struggle to get a drill to the timber at right angle. In which case, I’d use no-nails to fix the batton back. Remember to allow the no nails to go off overnight before fixing up the MDF.

    My window sills have rotten – can I repair, or will they have to be replaced?

    Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

    It depends how rotten. There are solutions to minor rot  n the form of special liquids which when poured on stop the rot and harden it all up. However if its serious it will have to be cut out and replaced.