The Basic Do-it-yourself Guide For The family man
What You Be Reading In This Post
- Basic Tools Required
- Working On Floors, Walls & Ceilings
- Working On Windows, Doors & Lighting
- Working On Bathrooms, Kitchens & Basements
- Working On The House Exterior
- Always Have A First Aid Kit
Foreword
When it comes to having the right handyman tools, getting a set with some level of quality is better than just throwing together a few bit and pieces to make up a kit.
Basic Tools Required
The following are some of the more common tools that are recommended to be included in your toolset:
- 20-inch hand saw – although there are a lot of different types of hand saws available in the market for various uses, getting one that will be able to be used for general purposes will be more than enough. This can come in the form of the universal wood saw that has medium-sized teeth that are spread out approximately 7 teeth per inch.
- 16 0z claw hammer – this is suitable for medium weight hammering jobs. However, if needed, a lighter or heavier one can also be used with equal comfort and accuracy as this will really depend on the individual using the tool. This can be done by simply gripping the differently weighted hammers to feel which one has the most suitable balance for the individual.
- Stanley knife – this tool is particularly useful when there is a need for a sharp yet safe cutting tool. The safety and storage designs are well done and the size is compatible and comfortable to use.
- 20mm and 8mm chisels- these tools are suitable for most woodwork jobs. However, it is essential to keep these tools sharp at all times to ensure they give optimum results when needed.
- Junior hack saw – most D.I.Y. jobs are usually quite small and very rarely complicated, thus the junior hack saw should be able to work well for most sawing related jobs. They also work well on wood and metal, such as cutting metal pipes, trimming window blinds and shortening wood pieces.
- Punch – this tool is especially suitable for hammering the heads of nails below the surface of wood prior to filing. It is considered one of the more essential tools next to the hammer when it comes to jobs involving nails.
Working On Floors, Walls & Ceilings
Most people today opt to do their own home improvement work and although such exercises require a certain amount of experience, the internet is a great source and encouragement for those who want to tackle these improvements themselves.
The following are some tips on how this can be done systematically and without causing too much stress:
- Floors – layout the band boards by using the square, tape measure and pencil and then the task of measuring and marking can begin. Set measurements have to be followed to ensure the finished work is well placed and there are no unsightly overlaps. Cutting the floor joist according to the subtraction of 3 inches for the band boards should be done. The attaching of the joists to band boards should be done with the use of 16 penny nails. Then a bead of adhesive caulk could be applied down each joist using an instrument called a caulk gun. The subflooring should be laid out carefully, ensuring the long edge lays perpendicular to the way the studs run. The 8 penny nails should be spaced every 8 – 10 inches down each stud.
- Walls – very similar to the outlaying of floors with the exception of remembering to mark out allowances for windows and doors and other walls that may tie in. Cutting wall studs, headers, jack studs, sill plates, crown or king studs, partition posts, and corner posts, should be done to the required length. Measurements should also be done up the length of the wall and across the base of the wall. Erect the wall and attach it to the floor using 16 penny nails through the bottom plate and into the floor joists.
- Ceilings – this is similar to the laying of the ceiling and requires the nailing of the ceiling joists at an angle to the wall without splitting the floor joist. Then attach the ceiling joist hangers to the ceiling joist and top plate of the walls ideally using joists hanger nails.
Working On Windows, Doors & Lighting
The task of working on windows, the D.I.Y. style, requires a few tools and some simple steps that are fairly easy to follow.
How To Do It Yourself
The first step would be to get the precise measurement noted down in order to purchase the material needed accordingly. Testing the fit of the new unit would be wise, before actually installing it permanently. A polyurethane sealant is applied around the existing window frame to ensure it is weatherproof, then installation screws are used to fasten it into the solid wood frame. Put in the window, bottom first, and then tilt the top into place, then use thin wedges called shims to center the window.
As for doors, the first step involves measuring the doorway opening and then laying the door on sawhorses. Remember to provide in the measurements an inch or two for carpets to run under the door. Then, apply painter’s tape along the length of the marked out frame and on the plate of the saw, while cutting the door along the mark. Screw the hinges and the door together, then move it through the frame. Once the door is leveled out, nail through the frame to the wall then use low expansion foam to fill the spaces between the door and the wall which should effectively keep the door in place.
As for lighting, the first thing would be to disconnect the power supply which can be done by turning off the circuit breaker or removing the fuse. Remove any coverings and the light bulbs and then disconnect them from the electrical box by removing the screws. Observe the existing connections before replacing them with new ones so that the job can be simply mimicked. The 3 wires are white –negative, black – positive and the green or bare copper – ground wires. The black wire should be connected to the brass screw, the white to the silver screw and green to the green screw. Then remount the fixture and turn the power on.
Working On Bathrooms, Kitchens & Basements
Working on D.I.Y. projects can be very rewarding if the individual is well equipped mentally and physically. Therefore, before actually attempting the jobs, one should be fully prepared in these areas.
Be Well Equipped!
There are several different areas that are to be considered when looking into remodeling a bathroom, and these would include bathroom accessories, bathroom countertops, bathroom designs, bathroom flooring and installations, bathroom planning and remodeling, bathroom sinks, bathroom toilet, bathroom walls, ceramic wall tiling, bathroom cabinets, bathroom decorations, bathroom fixtures, bathroom shower, and bathroom vanity. Each area requires a different set of actions and perhaps a variety of tools to get the job done efficiently and accurately. Therefore, some careful attention and knowledge should be exercised.
The D.I.Y. kitchen project also requires attention in several different areas and this would ideally include building the cabinets, designing the kitchen space and planning out where each item fits in such as the kitchen countertops, kitchen plumbing, kitchen decor, and kitchen safety items. However, there are simple smaller changes that can be made that may bring about a whole new pleasant look and feel. These may include, simply changing the countertops, flooring, painting the kitchen or replacing the cabinets, all of which are a much cheaper alternative than actually attempting to change the whole kitchen.
Basements are a little tricky to attempt to do yourself, but none the less, it can still be done with attention given to certain important areas. Ensuring the project only begins when the area is completely dry is very important. Then checking the electrical coding and ensuring it is done accordingly should be the next step. Hammering nails is ok to get the job done but using a tool called a shotgun is better for this kind of construction. Include furring in ½ inch measurements between the inner and outer walls. Include polyurethane sheeting to keep the moisture from seeping in and also consider insulation that is completely enclosed in a vapor barrier.
Working On The House Exterior
Choosing a suitable style for the exterior of the home when a remodeling project is needed should involve a few important considerations. These would be elements such as, deciding whether the idea is to stick out and be different or to blend in with only a few minor features that are attention-grabbing.
Making Your Home Beautiful
As there are several different styles to consider, having some knowledge about the various designs and what it entails would be a good place to start. The following are some simple outlines on the more popular designs used:
- Farmhouse – here the main facade feature would be the covered porch that usually stretches along the front and goes around the sides of the unit. One may also consider the steep gable roof, shutters and horizontal siding that make up the style of the farmhouse.
- Georgian – the symmetrical design evident here comes from the stately brick facade that amplifies the Georgian style. The decorative keystones over the shuttered windows, the columned entryway, and the gabled dormers all add to the distinct characteristic of this style.
- Cape Cod – the simple lines used here contribute to the symmetrical design, where the dormers and the dominant roofline dictate its distinctness. The roofline, which typically extends down to the first floor, is what makes this design mirror the early styles.
- Victorian – Victorian-style architecture has a very distinctive style that is recognizable in the home corner turret, its wraparound porch and the ornate detailing work. This is also another style that is considered dated, yet still charmingly drawing the interest of a lot of homeowners.
- Mediterranean – the arched windows and stucco exterior are all part of this particular style. Adding to this, the low pitched tiled roof is an excellent example of the Mediterranean style.
- Contemporary – then there is the ever-popular more suburban look that is displayed through its asymmetrical design of varied rooflines, stark facade and hold windows. In some designs, there is the add-on of a circular tower with a domed skylight.
Always Have A First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first-aid kit is sometimes the only recourse an individual has to the first line of defense when accidents occur at home, at work or outdoors. In most cases, it is a very good source to turn to when there is a medical emergency and actual medical assistance is not available or close at hand. However, a first aid kit should be well equipped at all times and updated periodically as most of the contents have an expiration date. An ill-equipped first aid kit will be of no use to anyone.
The following are some of the items that should ideally be part of a complete first aid kit – first aid manual, sterile gauze pads of different sizes, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages in several sizes, elastic bandages, a splint, antiseptic wipes, soap, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solutions, hydrocortisone cream, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, extra prescription medications that can be used without a doctor’s prescription, tweezers, sharp scissors, safety pins, disposable instant cold packs, calamine lotion, alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol, a thermometer, a couple of pairs of plastic non-latex gloves, a flashlight and extra batteries and maybe a blanket.
Although some of the items listed may seem a little extreme, it would still be prudent to include them as being prepared is better than being caught off guard when it comes to being faced with having to handle an emergency situation. Storing the first aid kits in places that are out of the reach of children is another important consideration.
Wrapping Up
You can tackle just about any project around the house by yourself. You just need to make sure that you are first well equipped as well as prepared for the task at hand. Seek out as much information on your project as possible, after all a little help never hurt anyone. Enjoy the sense of pride you get from doing something with your own hard work and two hands. I hope this book has provided you with some useful information. Good luck with your future projects!
