Reviewed By Sam: DIY Projects

Showing posts with label DIY Projects. Show all posts

The Stanley Wonder Bar Tool

The Wonder Bar, the name says it all. No there are no buttons for low or high speed, you can’t even plug The Wonder bar tool in, it's just a bar.

I’m going to tell you how I used my wonder bar over the years for various DIY projects.

If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person and like to take on projects yourself. Most of the time the first thing that you have to do in any project is the demolition. I can tell you, there is no better tool than the Wonder Bar to help with demolition.

The First Project with My Wonder Bar Tool:

When we closed on our house, we had some serious work do to. Working on a budget we decided to take on as much work as we could, on our own in an effort to save some money. The very first thing we did was tear out all of the old carpets, in the living room, hallway, and bedrooms.

After rolling up all of the old carpets and hauling it out to the curb. We had rows and rows of carpet tacks that were used to secure the padding. And, the tack strips along the baseboard were nailed in tight.

Our carpet installer told us that they all had to come out. I bought not one but two Wonder Bars; I couldn’t handle two at a time so my wife used the other one. We spent a couple of days removing the tacks, and tack strips, along baseboards, in preparation for our new carpet.

The angled end of the Wonder Bar made short work of the tacks on the floor. Then, we used the flat end for removing the tack strips along the baseboards.

The Second Project for The Wonder Bar Tool:

Removing the deck boards from our outside deck, and prying up the boards on the old deck was easy using the wonder bar. I’m sorry, I’m using the word easy because, it was a lot of work, but the Wonder Bar was a huge help.

The Third Project for The Wonder Bar Tool:

Removing the old tile from the bathroom floor was easy using the flat end of the bar and a hammer. I can go on and on, as to how many times I used this tool. But I think you get the idea. If you have some demolition to do in a future project. I recommend the Wonder Bar from Stanley.

Stanley STHT55134 FUBAR Demolition BarCheck the Price

Stanley 55-045 7-1/2-inch Wonder Bar Ii Pry BarCheck the Price

Stanley 55-525 15-inch Super Wonder Bar Pry Bar, BlackCheck the Price

How to Replace Bathtub Caulking

What is bathtub caulking? And why do I need it? Bathtub caulking is the seal between the wall and the bathtub, and you need it, so water doesn’t get behind the tub wall or leak into the walls causing damage.

Our bathtub caulking began to show signs of mildew, and no matter what cleaner that I tried it always came back.

I like to take on these projects myself, as this one is really not that difficult. You really don't need to be an expert. All you need are the proper tools, somewhat of a steady hand, and some patience.

I replaced my bathtub caulking just the other day. The job only took me about an hour, and the following step-by-step is how I did it.

Step 1 – Remove the old caulking

Start by removing the old caulking. Tools required for this are a utility knife or putty knife. As you can see in the picture I chose a putty knife.

Start in a corner and get the tool under the old caulking either from the wall or the tub.

Once under the caulking push along the surface to remove the old caulking.

If your tool is on the surface of the tub be careful not to scratch the tub. Especially if you’re using a utility knife. Continue until all of the old caulking is away from the wall and tub.

If you have some difficult spots try some De-Solv-it Caulk Remover. You may even want to apply this before you start. This will soften up the old caulking and make it so much easier to remove.

Step 2 – Clean the area

Now, you will want to clean the area. Wipe the entire area around the tub and wall with clean rags or paper towels.

Avoid using soap, or any kind of house cleaner. This will create a film that the new caulking may not stick to.

After that, clean the area using rubbing alcohol. This should remove any unwanted residue left behind.

Step 3 – Apply new caulking

Now that the area is clean and free of residue.

It’s time to apply the new caulking. I use DAP Kwik Seal, Kitchen& Bath Adhesive Caulk.

I use the tube, but you can also buy it in a canister.

If you buy the canister will need a caulking gun. Cut the tip of the tube at a 45-degree angle.

Apply the caulking by squeezing the tube or pulling the trigger, if you’re using a caulking gun. Apply steady and easy pressure around the tub.

Step 4 – Trim the caulking

I use this handy little tool to trim out the caulking. You can find one at any hardware store or buy a complete kit that includes the caulking and the trim tool.

Just remember to keep the tip focused on the caulking and the adjacent edge flat on the tub.

Wipe the excess caulking from the tool with a paper towel frequently.

Step 5 - All done

The completed job and all nice and neat.

You don't want to use your tub for at least 24 hours. Follow the instruction on the tube of caulking.

18 Pieces Caulking Tool Kit, Wobe 3 in 1 Caulking Tools Silicone Sealant Finishing Tool Grout Scraper Caulk Remover Caulk Nozzle Caulk Caps 5 Replaceable Pads for Bathroom Kitchen Sealing (Blue)

23 Pieces Caulking Tool Kit, 3 in 1 Caulking Tools Silicone Sealant Finishing Tool Grout Scraper Caulk Remover and Caulk Nozzle and Caulk Caps 3 Replaceable Pads Bathroom, Kitchen, Room Sealing.

Outus 4 Pieces Sealant Tool Caulking Tool Kit for Bathroom Kitchen and Frames Sealant Seals (Black, Red) (Black, Blue)

Storage Solutions for your Home

Home Storage Solutions

Do you have coats hanging on chairs? Are you tripping over shoes on the floor? Is this a familiar site in some parts of your home?

Well, I think we're not all as bad as the clutter in this picture, but you get the idea.

Clutter in certain areas of your house can certainly be overwhelming at times. Sometimes we just need to come up with some simple home storage solutions to keep the clutter to a minimum.

Our entrance to our basement was a mess, we had coats and shoes all over the place. After taking a look at the area I saw a blank wall so, I thought what perfect space for a coat rack. Then underneath the coat rack, I put a shoe rack, problem solved.

There really are some cheap storage solutions if you think about it.

LIBERTY 165541 Six Scroll Hook Rack Cocoa and Soft

BirdRock Home Oval Hook Coat and Hat Rack | 6

Liberty 129848 Hook Rail/Coat Rack with 5 Flared Tri Hooks,

Sodynee 25 Pairs Shoe Rack Shoe Tower Shelf Storage Organizer

Whitmor 20 Pair Floor Shoe Rack, White

Seville Classics 2-Tier Resin Slatted Shoe Rack

Here are some bedroom storage solutions:

How about some storage for the kids' rooms. We have four grandchildren and I gotta tell you that I've never seen so much stuff. Games, books, toys, clothes, you name it and it's there.

Our daughter picked up a couple of neat wall storage units with cubbies and cloth drawers. They are not very expensive and very easy to assemble.

Tip: If you buy a tall wall unit for storage and have small children I recommend anchoring it to the wall with some "L" brackets.

Tot Tutors Kids' Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Plastic Bins,

Cosco Hazel Kids 4 Shelf Bookcase White

ClosetMaid 8937 Cubeicals 9-Cube Organizer, Espresso

Then there is the entranceway in your home. Wouldn't it be nice if you had a storage bench to sit on and take off your shoes and still have room to store some things inside?
I really wish that we had the room in our entranceway for one of these, but we don't.

Linon Home Decor Storage Bench with Short Split Seat Storage,

Simpli Home Avalon Rectangular Faux Leather Storage Ottoman Bench, Large,

ClosetMaid 1569 Cubeicals 3-Cube Storage Bench, White

If you need to organize your garage click here for more ideas.

Why do you need Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Do you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home?

Just before the winter season, we had our gas furnace inspected. We wanted to make sure everything was in good working order for the coming cold weather.

During the inspection, the service guy asked if we had carbon monoxide detectors in the house.

Fran and I looked at each other with this blank look on both of our faces because the answer was no we don't.

We've been living in this house for almost five years now and never gave it a thought. I don't know why because we had them in our last home.

What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is orderless, tasteless, colorless, and is not detected easily. It is a product of incomplete combustion of organic matter.

You can learn all you need to know about carbon monoxide here.

You might ask, why do I need carbon monoxide detectors?

Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer. There are more than 150 unintentional deaths every year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

You can find the statistics here.

When do you need carbon monoxide detectors:

One interesting fact that I found out is that even if your house is totally electric you may still need to have a carbon monoxide detector. If your garage is attached to the house or you have a wood burning fireplace or stove it is recommended that you have a detector.

I also found that there are different kinds of alarms. Plug in with a battery backup, ones that the battery will need to be changed once a year, and the sealed battery types that will last 10 years.

I bought two of the Universal sealed battery types. The instructions will give the recommended carbon monoxide alarm location for your home.

I placed one in the hallway where our bedrooms are and one in the basement. I got my wife, daughter, and grandsons together and pushed the test button so everybody knows exactly what the alarm sounds like.

Some State Laws require that you have carbon monoxide alarms See States here:

So, if you don't have carbon monoxide alarms in your home please think again.