Browse Month: April 2018

The best way to Install LED Strip Lights in Kitchens

Light Emitting Diode strip lights offer illumination that is crisp, targeted. These little digital parts fit snugly in to a long strip for installation in restricted places. Kitchen countertops, for instance, are dark; any over-head lights can be obscured by the over-hanging cabinetry. As an answer, it is possible to install LED strip lights beneath the the cabinetry therefore the counter-top stays lit with toggle switch and an power adapter for on and off features. Careful consideration to securing add-ons and the strips will result in a lights task that is productive.

Place double-sided tape on the rear of the power adapter. So the whole area is coated press tape onto the adapter. Cut any excess tape with scissors away. Keep the tape aspect coated with its protecting paper that is provided.

Step 1 for the back of the strip light’s connected toggle-switch.

Locate an area underneath the kitchen cupboard to install toggle-switch and the power adapter. The place should be in one corner of the kitchen, for example near a wall change when a person enters the region, so the toggle-switch is easily attained for activation.

Remove the paper in the rear of the power adapter. Press the adapter against the base of the cupboard. More room is allowed by this placement technique for the real strip lights.

Repeat Step 4 for the toggle-switch. Place the change outward toward the open-space of the kitchen so it’s easily attained for activation.

Measure the amount of the under-side using a measuring tape of the kitchen cabinet’s. Cut an extended length of double-sided tape using a pair of scissors to the size.

Remove the protective paper from aspect of the tape that is lengthy and press it to the lower of the kitchen cupboard. The tape needs to be located to the counter-top below in the centre of the cupboard under-side for the most useful illumination.

Remove the uncovered protecting paper in the tape duration that is long.

Plug the toggle-switch connector in to an LED strip mild.

Press the strip light to the exposed tape over the under-side of the cabinet’s. Continue to press the strip to the tape before the cupboard is adhered to by the whole duration.

Plug a-2-pin connecting wire to the open-end of the strip mild. Plug the reverse end-of the wire that is connecting in to still another strip light length, if required. Repeat Stage 1 to a-DD this additional amount of strip lights.

Plug the cord in the power adapter right into a wall outlet. Observe the LED lights. They need to illuminate with all the input utilizing the swap as an on-and-off selector. This configuration of swap, strength adapter, the cord and strips will offer a secure le Vel of energy to the LED strip.

See related

The best way to Troubleshoot a Freezer Much

The freezer of the home’s is for preserving meals over-extended intervals of time, a helpful equipment; veggies, frozen meats and other meals may be bought at discounts and saved for later dates. However, the defrost may be begun by the freezer also significantly on the length of its own use. Defrosting that is excessive is usually a symptom of a number of causes that are different. Each trigger has to be evaluated so that its regular capabilities can be regained by the appliance.

Keep the freezer door closed. Don’t stand before the freezer door that is open for prolonged periods of time. The the applying should continually change its temperature to keep up with all the established thermostat as the hot air in the surrounding area penetrates the inside of the freezer. Defrosting will happen continuously having a temperature from an open-door.

Turn the thermostat on the freezer. An exceptionally low-temperature level inside the freezer can cause make it defrost continuously as it’s overcompensating for the thermostat that is established.

Remove the panels within the the hinges of the freezer door manually folding or lifting them straight back. It might be required to use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the plastic in the hinge.

Observe the bolts which are holding the freezer door to the primary assembly. The door to seal incorrectly can be caused by loose bolts; frost will cause defrosting steps that are extreme and will will establish. Tighten the bolts using a wrench, if required.

Open and close the freezer door and take notice of the the seals across the door. Each time the do-or closes should be connected together with the principal body of the freezer by them; there shouldn’t be any spacing involving principal human anatomy and the do-or.

Reverse the process Instep 3 to protect the screws back-up.

See related

Classic Handyman Tips and Tricks

More and more people are starting to realize that you don’t have to hire a handyman Mesa AZ to fix every little problem you have in your house. Whether you’re an avid DIYer or an amateur handyman, we’ve got you covered with a list of top handy tips that you can use for a variety of home remodeling and repair jobs.

Use Hand Screws

Contrary to popular belief, hand screws are still very relevant and in some cases, more versatile and useful than fast-action metal clamps. The good thing with hand screws is that you can use them for jobs that involve tapered parts or parts that are dissimilar, which would pose a challenge for fast-action metal clamps.  

Instant Saw Support

T-blocks are a must-have implement for any handyman in Mesa AZ that regularly works on home repairs. They’re viable for a number of uses, from providing a drying rack for projects that are in their finishing stages to elevating assemblies so that you can slip your clamps under them. They even enable you to work more comfortably by raising projects off your workbench. The great news is that you construct several T-blocks from pieces of scrap wood and enjoy even more convenience.  

Perfect Worktable

Do you have an old hollow core door that you’re not using? Well, don’t throw it away yet, because when placed on a couple of sawhorses, it transforms into a lightweight, strong, and perfectly flat work table.

Recharge Station

The different chargers from your cordless tools can cause a disorganized mess on your workstation, but there’s a solution. Create a little ‘charging station’ by horizontally mounting a  piece of plywood on the wall next to a power strip, so that you can charge them all at the same place, for better organization and surge protection.

Magnetize a Screwdriver

Don’t you just hate it when a screw just drops while you’re still working with it? Thankfully, we’ve got a solution to this problem, and it involves magnetizing your screwdriver. All you have to do is rub a magnet along the shaft of the screwdriver in one direction for about a dozen times. This process won’t take you longer than 10 seconds.

Two-Stage Speed Painting

As any good handyman Mesa knows, a paint brush is ideal to use when you want to get a smooth finish, whereas the roller lays the paint on fast, which is important when you’re working in dry conditions when paint tends to dry quickly. Now you can get the best of both worlds by using the two-stage painting technique, where you brush on a layer of paint and then finish it off with an easy brush stroke.

Stop a Wandering Bit

Give sharp bits a softer landing like thin cardboard to prevent them from skating across surfaces such as metal, glass or tile.

Final Paint-Prep Step

According to the pros, proper preparation is the key to a solid paint job. You start by patching the walls and then sand them down using 100-grit sandpaper. Vacuum away all the dust and debris residue with a wide floor brush, and use a smaller vacuum for the corners and edges. After that, you’ll be all set to get a smooth paint job with a vibrant and textured finish.

The best way to Refinish a Gas Grill

No matter how expert your grilling methods, an fuel grill can make diners drop their appetites. Exposure to the hrs and the the weather of use dulls the new-look of a grill. Clean and re-finish this outside equipment to enhance its look. All you’ll need with this DIY task is a number of basic resources, some elbow-grease and paint materials. This easy re-finishing task requires about half of a a day, for those who have a barbecue in the pipeline, so plan accordingly.

Move your gas grill away from some furniture or your home into a location that that might get stained throughout painting. Place the grill on a dropcloth.

Examine the grill for rust places. Remove the area rust. Sand the whole grill exterior, utilizing the sandpaper block. Dust off the rust, utilizing a fabric or a dry paint brush.

Remove grease and grime, utilizing cloths and a de-greasing spray. The grill should be grease-free to guarantee a smooth paint-job.

You don’t want painted, utilizing painter’s tape and newspaper.

Hold the heat-resistant spraypaint 12 to 18-inches in the grill. Spray the grill, utilizing even actions. Don’t spray also carefully as this can trigger runs and drips in your paint-job. Allow the paint before applying a second coat to dry. Allow this coat to dry and use a coat, if required. Allow the grill to sit untouched for 2-4 hrs.

Remove tape and the newspaper. Turn on the gas grill to get several minutes to permit it is cured by the warmth.

See related

10 Tips for Installing Laminate Flooring

Are you thinking about installing a laminate floor? Well, you should move fast because the benefits to be savored here are quite amazing. Laminate floors are designed to give you full value for your money. To start with, the installation process is quite easy compared to other floor materials. The floors are also available in many different styles. This allows you to diversify your interior with additional designs. The durability of laminate Pasadena flooring is also well known. You are likely to get service from these floors for years.

The following are a few installation tips that will help you:

Determine if the Room Is Square

Before you begin working on the floor, make sure you have measured the room and see if it’s square or not. This will help you install the last row on either side of the room accordingly.

Wear Gel-Filled Knee Pads

The old knee-pads that you wear when you work on the roof or the landscape will not be needed for laminate floor installation. Instead, use gel-filled knee pads. They are comfortable and won’t damage or scratch the floor.

Use Proper Tape

It is also very important to make sure you are using the right tape for the job. There will always be a tape suggested by the underlayment manufacturer so always use that to avoid any issues.

Start with a Smooth Subfloor

The key to having your laminate flooring Pasadena CA functioning well is to make sure it’s placed on a smooth surface. In that case, you need to closely inspect the subfloor to ensure that it is smooth and leveled before the laminate is installed.

Cut Flooring by Using a Laminate Shear

You can use a miter saw to cut the laminate but this will create too much noise and too much dust. You should use a laminate shear for cutting in order to avoid such situations.

Installation Should Start on the Wall with the Most Doors

Make sure that as you begin installing the floors you start from the walls with the most doors.

Get the First Row Right

The first row of the laminate floor is the most important one. It will have an effect on how the other rows will look. Make sure it’s done right even if it takes longer than you’d hoped for.

Snap In a Whole Row at Once

Instructions given in many laminate floor materials urge installers to snap the various pieces consecutively. However, it’s easier to snap in a whole row all at once.

Know How to End the Floor at the Doorway

This is a very important part of the installation. The technique used in ending the floor at the doorway is simple but if you haven’t done this kind of installation before, you need to read more about it.

Beware of Heavy Furniture

Before you start working on the room, make sure that heavy future pieces are removed. This will prevent the laminate floor from getting damaged.

Well, these are a few simple tips that you’ll need to install laminate flooring Pasadena at your home, and you can rest assured that they will help you do a great job.

Western Red Cedar Pests

A typical sight in landscaped gardens, the western red cedar (Thuja plicata) gives a great wind barrier. The tree, which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant-hardiness zones 5 to 8, is an ever-green with dark green foliage. It may reach up to 80 feet and grows right into a form. The red cedar is attacked by several kinds of pests. Some trigger injury that is moderate while the others can destroy the trees.

Aphids, Scales and Accurate Bugs

Some small pests harm trees. Aphids, bugs, moment cypress scale and juniper scale leaves, stems and delicate components of fluids. As they feed the pests might inject toxins. The aphids that are licelike leave-behind sticky waste. Black fungus called sooty mould grows on the honeydew and disrupts photosynthesis. Moment and Juniper scale cypress scale appear like small spots on leaves and have a tough covering safeguarding their delicate bodies. Leaffooted bugs seem like small flies and abandon a pale stippling pattern on leaves. Small numbers of the insects aren’t significant threats to trees. Natural enemies of aphids, like parasitic wasps, lady bugs and lacewing, manage populations of the pests. If infestations of scales and aphids becomes significant, low-toxicity pesticides like insecticidal soaps, neem oil and narrow-range oil sprayed on assist control infestations.

Beetles, Moths and Weevils

Pests of red cedars that consume bark contain cedar and cypress cypress bark moths, bark beetles and weevils. The beetles are small cylindrical- . They lay eggs and tunnel into twigs. Their existence is indicated by the existence of microscopic holes holes in bark. Larvae feed on foliage and bark. Moths and beetles depart dirt in tree wounds. Pine weevils are small beetles about 1/4 inch-long. They chew on foliage and tree-bark. Conditions that offer prime surroundings for all these pests contain soil that is soggy due to over-watering, bark and over-fertilized soil. There’s not much you can do to get cleared outside of pruning and discarding infested limbs, of bark beetles and moths. The tree needs to be removed in the event the trunk has serious infestations of beetles. Generally, serious injury is not caused by pine weevils.

Leafminers

The cypress suggestion miner is included by the most frequent species of leafminers that assault red cedars. True to its title, the larvae of the type of leaf-miner prey on the tips of branches. Females lay eggs on ideas of trees plus they hatch as larvae that were yellow or green. The larvae spin cocoons between little twigs. Tree tips that are infested brown and then first-turn yellow. Insecticides that contain acephate, the slightly poisonous chemical, get a grip on populations of suggestion miners.

Sawflies

Sawflies are wasplike and winged insects that have. Cypress and conifer sawflies consume buds, leaves and stems. Huge holes are left by them . Infestations of the pests eliminate trees and can stunt plant development. Reasonable and minor infestations only direct to your loss of leaves. Natural enemies of the pests contain some species of beetles, wasps and fungal illnesses. Larvae can be killed by soap sprays.

See related

What You Should Know About Water Damage

Water damage can occur anytime. When a water pipe bursts or a drain backs up, the mess created can cause a lot of problems for anyone. At that moment, there are probably a thousand questions running through your mind. What should you do next? What caused the problem? Who do I call for water damage restoration Scottsdale? It’s simply a moment of confusion and sometimes having the clarity of mind to make the right decision can be very challenging. Dealing with water damage is, of course, a stressful experience but it’s important to handle it right.

Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Your Insurance For Flood Damage And Water Damage Is Not The Same

There is a big difference between water damage and flood damage insurance. Flood damage is usually not covered by the homeowners’ insurance. For people who live in areas that experience a lot of flooding, it’s very likely that you will have a separate cover in case of flood damage. You need to clear this up with your insurance company as soon as possible.

Some Policies Will Not Cover All Water Damage

Although most damages caused by water are covered under your insurance policy, there are some exceptions. The exceptions will be determined by the type of insurance company you are working with. In light of this, it is very important to understand what your cover says about these exceptions and plan for water damage Scottsdale accordingly.

Get Immediate Help

Once water damage has occurred, you cannot afford to wait. This is because the more time it takes to resolve the issue the bigger the damage will be. Ideally, it is advisable to call in water damage restoration experts as soon as you notice any signs of water damage or flooding. Make sure you’ve turned off the main water supply in the house. Turn off the electricity too. Move out of the house and wait for the specialists to arrive.

You Must Notify Your Insurance Company Right Away

The claims process in case of water or flood damage can take very long. It is therefore advisable to begin it as soon as possible. Notify your insurance company right away once you’ve spotted signs of water damage. This way, the insurance agent will start the claims process sooner. The agent might also offer some invaluable advice on how to safeguard your property and limit the extent of damage. In some cases, the company might direct you to a water damage Scottsdale AZ company for an immediate solution.

Your Water Is Probably Polluted

If there is water damage at home or on your commercial property, you should not drink the water until it’s tested. There are various categories of pollution and an expert in water damage will be able to tell you what to do next.

Water and flood damage is a fairly common emergency and there are professional ways of dealing with it. However, make sure that you keep in mind the simple tips above.

How to Antique a Brass Light Fixture

Light fixtures aren’t complimentary to the decor of a room and exist in lots of homes. A procedure that is a simple exists to antique the brass area to produce a fixture that is light having a completely different look. The antiquing method that was same could be applied to any brass product, enabling coordination of brass decorations inside the room. Prior to starting the task, the brass light fixture has to be eliminated. It’s important to to show the breaker off before you take it off to the circuit that feeds the fixture.

Clean the the top of fixture with water and soap. Remove particles from the suggestion of a round toothpick or ornate style function using a cotton swab. Allow the brass light fixture to air dry 15 minutes.

The whole area of the brass light fixture using a cotton ball saturated with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol eliminates skin oil and smoke residue, offering an area that is better for the spray-paint to to stick to to.

Sand the whole area of the light fixture lightly to scuff up the the final. Wipe the dust in the surface using a lint-free fabric.

Cut a big trash bag along the bottom as well as one side-seam. Open the trash bag and protect a work location that is flat in a well- secure and ventilated location to spraypaint, away from any pilot lights like a garage or basement, or outside.

Place the brass light fixture in the middle of the plastic.

Open the can of spraypaint and shake for 60 seconds. Turn the nozzle to point straight in the brass light fixture. Therefore the nozzle is around 6″ in the surface position the spray-paint. Apply a coat of spray-paint on the whole area of the fixture. Move the fixture as required to achieve all sides. Allow the spray-paint to dry for 1 5 minutes. Repeat the procedure to get a complete of two coats.

Lightly sand the spraypainted surface to expose a few of the brass surface. Sand as significantly or as tiny as wished to to generate the look that was required. Allow the spraypaint to stay static in in the information on the layout work.

Wipe the the top of mild fixture to eliminate all sanding dirt.

Three to five coats of acrylic spray sealer. Allow each coat to dry 1 5 minutes between program.

See related

The best way to Grow Flowering Kiwi Berries

Kiwi berry is the title given to fresh fruit that grows on hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) vines. The berries, which are green and in regards to the dimensions of a grape that is large, style sweet and will be eaten using their skin. In spring kiwi grows flowers that are white and as well as its foliage, decorative interest can be added by the plant to your garden. Native to East Asia, this member of the Actinidiaceae family could be transplanted after the last spring frost in the Environment Zones of Sunset 14 to 20 and 1 to 9.

Cultivate the soil in a sunny location of the backyard into a depth of at least 10″. Remove weeds using a garden hoe and perform a 2 inch layer of compost to the soil. Aim to get a well-drained soil having a pH between 5.0 and 6.5.

Install a T- method that’s an 8 foot primary post along with a 4 foot cross arm. Bury the principal post at least 2-feet deep. Or, educate the kiwi vine to climb on a backyard or pergola fence.

Dig holes which can be deep and broad enough to to suit the roots of the kiwi vines. Transplant the vines in a comparable depth as these were were in the nursery container. Space the plants about 10-feet apart. Water the kiwi after planting. Increase one plant for each nine female crops because kiwi is needs-both male and female plants to bear fruit.

Water the kiwi plants that are hardy frequently to keep the soil moist. Increase watering frequency throughout the summer and change it. Avoid allowing the soil dry because kiwi isn’t drought-tolerant — fruit and flower development can be impaired by drought when subjected to prolonged periods of drought, as well as the plant may die.

Spread a-4-inch layer of seed- straw on the soil round the plants to suppress weeds and also to keep moisture in. Keep the mulch 3″ away from your trunks to prevent crown rot.

Feed each plant of their second-year and every spring with 2 ounces of 10-10-10 in spring after that. Increase the quantity of fertilizer each year before you are feeding 8 ounces to each plant.

Use pruning shears to eliminate when the kiwi is dormant canes that produced fruit in the prior period Prune in cold temperatures. Shorten vines which have not fruited however to eight buds. Cut off lifeless and tangled canes. Beyond the flower, lessen the duration of flowering shoots leaves in summer.

See related

Tips to Improve Your Home’s Security

It’s every homeowner’s dream to make sure their household is safe and protected at all times. Towards this end, there are a lot of safety measures and resources that you can put in place. However, sometimes, there’s too much to consider, you can get overwhelmed in the process.

The following are some of the top electricians Birmingham tips that should help you keep your household protected:

Turn On the Lights

One of the simplest ways of keeping burglars away is proper lighting. You can even use infrared motion sensors that turn on when someone breaches the defined vicinity. No burglar alive wants to be under the spotlight while stealing.

Don’t Leave Your Key in the Mailbox

A lot of people tend to leave keys in the mailbox, or under a mat outside the house. These are the first places any thief will look at. If you have to leave the key, wrap it properly and then leave it in a place that only your household members know of.

Give the Appearance that Your House is Occupied

In case you are going away for a long time, you should install automatic light timers. These usually turn on and off at specific times, giving the impression that people in the house. Otherwise, your house would be an easy target.

Change Your Locks

Once you move into a new house, it would be wise to change the keys. You never know who used to live in the house, or who has copies of the keys. Changing the locks is the easiest way to get utmost home security.

Use Metal Bars on Sliding Doors

On your sliding doors, install a metal bar at the bottom, both for the windows and doors. This should be done especially for patio doors. The metal bars usually make it difficult for burglars to force the doors open.

Protect Your Windows

Other than doors that are easy to access, windows are the most common entry point for burglars. You should install some window locks, or replace the normal glass with burglar-proof glass. Instead of installing a single glass pane, you should consider installing a number of glass panes.

Use Interior Door Hinges

When it comes to electricians in Birmingham, interior door hinges are a safe option. Having the hinges outside makes it easier for anyone to unhinge the door and access the house. Make sure you have the hinges reset to inside the house just after you move in, or before.

Install an Alarm System

Alarm systems have always been a revelation in home security. If your system is connected to security agencies, they are alerted immediately when there’s a breach in your premises.

Their response time will greatly determine whether they will catch the suspect or not. Silent alarms are efficient too because the security team will be there before the burglars do any serious damage. Blaring alarms are just as effective because they scare away the burglars when they go off.

Conceal All Wiring

Usually, burglars will try to find wiring around the house and cut it so that the security system is disarmed. Taking this into perspective, make sure you have all your security wires away from public glare.

Install Deadbolt Locks

Your doors, especially the exterior doors, should have deadbolt locks that are no less than an inch thick if you are serious about electrician Birmingham. Spring latch locks are relatively cheaper than deadbolt locks but they do not offer the strength and level of protection that deadbolts provide.

  • 1
  • 2