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Care for Indoor Walls
Peace and quiet can be hard to find in a house full of young musicians, stereos and television sets. If you'd like a quiet room of your own, some of these steps could solve your problem.
Relocate television sets and stereos that are mounded directly on or in contact with walls and floors.
Maintaining a comfortable level of humidity in your home is important to your good health. If a room is too dry, your nose and throat feel scratchy, and your hair and skin may be dry, too. When the humidity is too high, fungi and mites thrive, and household chemicals like formaldehyde can become respiratory irritants.
Bacteria and viruses can survive whether you have too much or too little humidity.
Cracks that let air escape right through your home's insulation rob you of heat. These leaks are common in the walls of most homes. And they also occur around doors, chimneys, plumbing vents, foundation cracks and other exterior wall openings.
If you have a new home, it may have been insulated with the latest techniques--using gaskets, caulk and plastic.
But if you're not so fortunate, you can rely on a long-lasting, flexible caulk and a can of expanding foam to plug the leaks.
The key to doing an excellent job of installing paneling is to get the first panel straight. Spend all the time you need on the first panel, because you'll save time later by getting it right.
To start, butt a panel into a corner and tack it in place along the edge with one nail.
In years past, when a crack started in a wall or ceiling, there wasn't much you could do to stop it. But now, there's a device called a plaster washer that stops cracks from spreading.
Plaster washers look like thin metal buttons and use five-eighths-inch drywall screws to join cracked areas and anchor them to wood laths or to joists and wall studs.
As a house settles, cracks often form at the corners of windows and door frames and on walls and ceilings. As temperatures and humidity vary, the materials in your house expand and contract. Each section tends to move at an independent rate, which can crack your ceilings and walls.
Fix simple cracks and holes using drywall joint compound and fiberglass joint tape.
Hanging bright new wallpaper is an inexpensive and effective redecorating technique that can give furniture and draperies a rich or cozy new look.
But the old paper is the obstacle. It's almost always best to remove the old rather than to paper over it.
Texturing adds character to plain walls, and there's a practical side to using it. It's great for covering flaws, such as small cracks or uneven walls. And it's amazingly durable.
Best of all, it's easy. The texturing product comes premixed, right out of a can.
Carpeting & Flooring
Even if you vacuum your carpets every day, eventually they will need a thorough cleaning.One option is a steam cleaner, which injects a cleaning solution in the carpet and then immediately removes the liquid and the dirt. If your floor is extremely dirty, however, a rotary shampooer probably is your best bet.
Did you know your carpet could be hiding as much as 10 times its own weight in soil and dirt? Rent a carpet extractor to pull out that dirt!
Most contemporary carpets are designed to hide a minimum of 10 times their own weight of soil. Since standard extraction typically removes 50-percent of the soil, it's not uncommon to have to extract two or three times before the carpet is really clean.
By following a three-application carpet care process -- preventive maintenance, interim cleaning and restorative cleaning - you'll see and enjoy these benefits.
Great looking carpets all the time.
Extended carpet life.
A clean, healthy environment.
Who Cleans Their Own Carpets?You can clean like a pro.
Rental solutions take the "hard" out of hardwood floor restoration Hardwood floors are beautiful, charming, easy to care for, and increase the value of a home or property. When you need to refinish or rejuvenate a hardwood floor, your A.R.A.-affiliated rental store has the equipment and the know-how to help you get the job done right.
Cleaning
When that garden hose just isn't cutting the grit anymore, you may need to kick it up a notch and rent a pressure washer. It can remove grunge from siding, garages, driveways, sheds, fences and decks with a stream of high-pressure water that makes cleaning fast and easy.
A paint sprayer can give your home, deck or fence a fresh splash of color with a brand new coat of paint or stain.
Your A.R.A.-affiliated rental house can help you take the guesswork out of choosing the right paint sprayer to get the job done - they've got the equipment to meet your exact needs.
Concrete
Power trowels are becoming more user friendly than ever for homeowners and contractors who don't do floor finishing as a full-time trade. With a short course of instruction from your A.R.A.-affiliated tool rental professional, you can learn to level concrete.
It's smooth sailing when you put a concrete grinder to the task The first step in repairing and resurfacing concrete floors and other paved areas is to prepare the surfaces properly so that new overlays or coatings can bond securely. To do the job right, consult your A.R.A.-affiliated rental professional to secure the proper rental equipment and knowledge for your particular application.
That's right -- they're not just for concrete anymore! If you're faced with the challenge of removing a variety of coatings from floors - or even just a coat of paint from your basement floor - your A.R.A.-affiliated rental store has a great solution.
Trailered ready-mix is a fast, clean and efficient way to produce and deliver ready-mix concrete
New rental rotating-drum mix trailers are revolutionizing the trailered ready-mix concrete industry with improved quality concrete, greater efficiency and extended travel distances.
Why buy when you can rent on an as-needed basisThere's no need to purchase specialized equipment and store it for long periods between use. Rent the right equipment for special concrete jobs from your A.R.A.-affiliated rental house. One visit with your rental professional will give you insight about how rental equipment can increase your job opportunities.
Site PreparationYou already may be renting the basic skid-steer loader with a bucket as an all-around workhorse on concrete jobs.
Mixing concrete can be a hard job for do-it-yourselfers. But with a little know-how, it can be done. For big jobs, your best option is to rent a concrete mixer. But for small jobs, like a few post holes or footings, there's another way.
Use a plastic nylon tarp about 8 feet square, and lay it flat next to the hole.
Demolition
What goes up must come down - eventually!Demolition work may seem rougher and less exciting than new construction. Let your area A.R.A.-affiliated rental professional put you in touch with the best equipment to handle the job quickly and efficiently.
Excavation
Get power to places that defy larger machines.These little machines feel like big machines. Compact tractor-loader-backhoes (TLB) are not just skimpy versions of the real thing. They are powerful machines that can handle 75 percent or more of the work you would normally do with a standard TLB.
From compact to large riders, rental trenchers are fast and economical solutions. Contractors, who rent large-models, and homeowners and landscapers who need the compact walk-behind models, find rental trenchers a cost effective way to get their projects done correctly.
Everybody is looking for a better way to get things done these days. Contractors and homeowners just may find the answer in mini-excavators. These machines are so versatile you can do just about any type of construction work with them - from using a hammer to break up concrete to digging holes for landscape work.
From compact to large riders, rental trenchers are fast and economical solutions. Contractors, who rent large-models, and homeowners and landscapers who need the compact walk-behind models, find rental trenchers a cost effective way to get their projects done correctly.
General Information
by Tom Sweeney, Editor, American How-To
©1996 American How-To
Renting a seldom-used specialty tool usually is cheaper than buying one. But that's just the beginning of what you need to know to get your money's worth at your local rental yard.
Generators
Evaluate units to ensure optimal performance and value.Portable air compressors and electric generators are among the top 10 equipment items on the construction site. When renting, be sure you know what to look for to ensure efficient performance, durability and reliability.
Quality CompressorsYour A.R.A.-affiliated rental dealer can answer your questions about the compressors available for rent.
Kitchen and Bath
To make the right choice when you purchase kitchen cabinets, you need to know about your options.
Traditional cabinets use face frames--a visible frame around the doors and drawers. Cabinets that have no frames, also called European or international, have doors and drawers that are flush.
Ceramic tile often cracks where it's been cut to fit, like around bathroom fixtures. But you can fix it!
First, check your supplies for leftover tiles. If you don't have any, go to your tile store. Even if your design has been discontinued, you may be able to find something very similar.
Lawn and Garden
With the right tool, sure, you can tackle those lawn chores with ease Lawn and gardening jobs are easy and affordable when you do it yourself with lawn and gardening equipment available at your favorite area A.R.A.-affiliated rental center. Just look at what you can accomplish.
If your neighbors' lawns look lush and green, while yours looks sparse and brown, your neighbors may know some lawn-care secrets that you easily can use, too.
Thatch probably is the culprit. And it's a problem many homeowners don't notice until their lawns look lifeless.
Here's how the problem develops.
For one-time or occasional jobs, renting can save you money.Are you putting off lawn-care jobs because they seem too overwhelming to handle? Here's some great information for tackling those common problems you have to deal with once or twice a year.
Cut lawn care problems down to sizeFor one-time or occasional jobs, renting can save you money.Are you putting off lawn-care jobs because they seem too overwhelming to handle? Here's some great information for tackling those common problems you have to deal with once or twice a year.
Is Your Yard Dull, Yellowing and Lifeless?
Problem: You probably have an excessive amount of accumulated thatchSolution: ThatchingEquipment Needed: Dethatcher
Thatch is a layer of dead stems, roots and clippings between the soil's surface and green vegetation.
Most people plant trees hoping they will naturally grow in symmetrically pleasing shapes. But trees need help to reach their full potential.
Left untouched, young trees can become tangled and potentially dangerous. You might say they need early training.
Rental equipment helps you plant, prune, trim, cut and chip with ease
Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or a professional, tree-care products usually are not tools you use on a daily basis. When trees - whether planting, pruning or removing them - are an issue, renting the right tool for the job is an excellent way to control costs and make tough jobs easier.
Organize and Expand your Space
If you'd like to use your home's basement for expanded living space but the floors are cold or damp, there are ways to solve these problems.
The least expensive way to solve the problem of cold floors is to lay carpeting over a urethane pad at least half an inch thick.
And if you're willing to invest a little time and money, there's a better answer.
Build a Better WorkshopMost do-it-yourselfers wish they could build the perfect workshop. If yours is in the basement or garage, you'll be surprised at how easily you can increase storage, add lighting and improve safety.
First, clean it up. Get rid of things you haven't used in five years.
Installing a closet system is a relatively easy job if you don't need to locate wall studs. Closet systems like the ones made by Closet Maid and Lee/Rowan use fin-back clips.
These work much like plastic wall anchors, except their wings spread farther.
Outdoor Maintenance
In the spring, you may notice your vinyl siding and gutters have collected a layer of winter grunge. Here's how to clean them up like new.
Use a garden hose and water, or attach a long-handled car-washing brush to the hose. To prevent streaking, start at the bottom and work up.
Although most asphalt driveways should last 15 to 20 years, asphalt typically begins to crack in the first 5 to 7 years. In colder climates, freezes and thaws eventually break the asphalt. And in warmer regions, low spots develop as water washes away the asphalt base.
Inspect your asphalt driveway each year.
Plumbing Projects
If the chipped area of your porcelain sink or tub isn't continually exposed to water, such as on the bottom, you can fix it so that it will withstand wear for several years.
Get some medium-grit emery cloth and lightly sand the damaged area. Keep working until you've removed the rust and exposed fresh metal and porcelain.
It's easy to renew a cultured marble sink that has been scratched by abrasive cleaning.
Cultured marble sinks are made of a polyester resin, which has a surface coat of clear gel or onyx resin. And they can be restored using supplies from your local auto parts store.
If your pipes leak under the bathroom or kitchen sink, you may be able to fix the problem without calling a plumber.
Here are the components that make up the piping under your sink. The section of pipe directly below the sink is the tailpiece, and the pipe that runs into the wall is the waste arm.
The U or S shaped pipe in the middle is called the trap.
Here's a neat answer to a messy problem! There's an easy-to-use product on the market that can replace the old-fashioned joint-sealing compound for pipes.
It's Teflon tape, and it's the product of preference for threaded plastic pipe. Joint-sealing compound actually can damage plastic pipes.
If you're like most people, you have a few choice words for pipes or drains in your home when they clog. Usually it's an inconvenient problem that requires immediate attention. Here are tips to handle clogs and to prevent them as well.
Don't use drain chemicals to fix a clog.
Do it yourself with professional results.Plumbing installations and repairs, such as threading a pipe, cleaning a drain or putting in a new fixture, can be easy and affordable. Discuss your plumbing problem with your area A.R.A.-affiliated rental professional.
Repairing and Refinishing Wood
There are many varieties of sandpapers on the market, and some types work much better than others on do-it-yourself projects.
For the money, you're probably going to get the most use out of aluminum oxide sandpaper. It's light brown and has hard, uniform and long-lasting grains.
You can repair annoying nicks, dents, scratches and spills that mysteriously appear on your wood furniture, otherwise far from ready for refinishing.
Take, for example, the white rings caused by wet glasses. Begin by removing the surface wax with mineral spirits and a soft cloth.
If your wooden furniture is beginning to fall apart, you can fit it yourself. When you know a few trade secrets, you can fix anything, from chairs to drawers.
Generally, don't use nails, screws, metal binding plates or angle irons to repair furniture.
To get the best results when sanding by hand, use a sanding block. You can
make your own by cutting a 4½-by-4½ inch square out of three-quarter-inch
softwood. Or, you can buy a commercially made block at your hardware store.
The sanding block takes the place of your finger tips behind the sand paper.
Stripping woodwork is a big job. And if you use solvent-based strippers, you'll have a lot of toxic fumes, too. Water-based strippers are a good alternative to get the job done.
Here's how to strip varnished or polyurethaned woodwork using water-based strippers.
Roofing
The job of replacing a few broken shingles is relatively easy, if you emphasize your personal safety in the process.
Most do-it-yourselfers can repair the damage when a hail storm leaves a few missing or broken tabs-the proper name for the visible part of the shingle that looks like a flap.
The ground rules are simple: don't attempt this job if the pitch (the slope of your roof) is too steep for sure footing.
At least once, most homeowners must replace a roof. If you think you might need a new one, here are several things to consider.
The average roof will last 15 to 25 years, so it's best to take a look at your roof when it's close to 15 years old. Specifically, check for curled, cracked, discolored or missing shingles.
Gutters and down spouts in good condition are an important part of your home's appearance. And what's more, they route water away from your foundation. When they leak, they can turn your basement into a wading pool.
When you have a wet basement, your gutters are the first thing to check.
Safety, Security, and Comfort
Do you keep solvents, such as mineral spirits, denatured alcohol, paint thinner, linseed oil, turpentine or strippers around your home?
To protect your health and your home, you need to store these products safely, use them safely and dispose of them safely.
The device that lets you in and out of your garage controls a 300 to 400-pound door. If the opener fails to reverse when it's supposed to, it could trap you, your car, a pet or your child.
Experts recommend a monthly test of the opener's automatic reverse mechanism.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends having one smoke detector outside each bedroom or sleeping area. If you sleep with the bedroom door closed, install a detector inside the room as well.
If you have a work shop, it probably has a number of flammable liquids and wood, so put a smoke detector in this room, too.
It's a good idea to make sure that each level of your house has at least one smoke detector.
By making your exterior doors secure, you can discourage an uninvited visitor from breaking in.
A door, especially a side or back door, is the first place burglars try to gain entry. Usually it's the quickest way to get in, and the large opening makes removing big items easy.
Most burglars will try a back or side door first, and then will check for unlocked windows.
If a window is locked, thieves probably will avoid it because they'd have to break the glass to unlock the latch. And breaking glass makes noise-something no burglar wants.
One type of window that's fairly easy to open, whether it's locked or not, is a standard double-hung window.
If you add all the space created by the cracks and crevices letting air in your house, on average you're dealing with the space equal to a two-foot-square open window!
No wonder caulking can save you about five percent on your energy bills, winter and summer.
Tools
They're easier to operate than they used to be and get your job done fast. Pneumatic tools save on labor, increase productivity and even give a better finished job, no matter whether you're a contractor or a one-day renter.
If the word "pneumatic" makes you think of a beefy guy hanging on to a wild, thudding jackhammer - think again! Manufacturers have tamed these tools down and made them easier for the average person to handle.
Not just for concrete anymore.
Use: Material handlingTypical Users:
Do-it-yourselfers
Construction/industrial
Landscapers
Plant maintenance
Need a simple-to-use, cost-effective material-handling device? Consider renting a power buggy. In the past power buggies have been predominantly used for placing concrete, but today's innovative user is using the power buggy for other applications, including landscaping and plant maintenance.
This is a superb material-handling alternative anywhere you need to:
Get more work done per dollar (or hour) of labor
Address site restrictions that prevent easy access for a dump truck
Pick the Right SizeBasically there are three sizes of power buggies
Small walk-behind
Advantage: Small size and maneuverability allow it to work in tight spaces and restricted areas, including narrow doorways.
These tools add speed to attachment jobs, but users must be certified.
Powder-actuated tools (PATs) are a necessity for contractors and do-it-yourselfers for many types of jobs and projects. Before you buy, however, consider the savings offered by renting these high-powered tools only when you need them.
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