Furnace Maintenance for Beginners

Getting ready for winter in advance is important to make sure that you don’t run into major problems once cold weather hits. There are a lot of places in the home that will likely need some maintenance or upkeep as part of your winterization process. Of these, your furnace is one of the most important; falling behind on furnace maintenance can result in problems at the worst time, and getting them fixed in the cold of winter can be both difficult and expensive.

Fortunately, a lot of furnace maintenance is fairly easy to do even for complete beginners. There are several things that you can do if you want to make sure that your furnace is ready for winter. While the specifics may vary depending on your actual home heating setup and the type of furnace you have, here are some of the basics of furnace maintenance that you should keep in mind both for winter and throughout the year.

Furnace System Cleaning

There are several cleaning tasks that you should do every two to three months throughout the year, but that are especially important heading into cold weather after your heating system has been off for the summer. Replace your air filter and clean your system’s humidifier if it has one. If your system has a burner, you should also clean it to remove any dust, lint, or other debris that could affect functionality. Take the time to open up your vents and vacuum out the registers and ductwork as well, as there was likely a lot of dust and other buildup that occurred during the summer.

You should also take a little time to clean and test various sensors around your home to ensure that they are working properly. This includes things like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, as they’ll be very important in case there’s some problem with your heating system. If you use gas heat, having a functional gas detector is also important. So if you don’t have one already, you should install one. If you do, make sure it is clean and working so that you’ll be alerted of any potential gas leaks before they can become dangerous.

General Maintenance

There are other basic maintenance tasks that you should perform in the lead-up to winter as well. Test your thermostat to make sure that your furnace is turning on and off automatically at the set temperatures. Check to make sure that blower fans can turn freely as well, and add a small amount of lubricant if needed to keep them spinning without grinding or hanging. Visually inspect the components of your furnace for signs of wear, rust, or damage; even small cracks can result in leaks or more significant damage once the furnace is in full operation.

Check out the function of your registers to make sure that they open and close as expected; this will help to ensure that the heat your furnace produces is going exactly where you want it to go and isn’t being blocked by a register that’s stuck closed. You should also turn on the furnace and let it run briefly to make sure that it is actually blowing warm air, since a heating problem is definitely something that you want to fix before winter comes. If you use a house fan as part of your summer cooling solution, make sure that it is turned off and closed for the winter so that you aren’t losing heat from your furnace as a result.

Getting a Pre-Winter Inspection

Depending on your furnace setup, there may be a lot of components that need to be checked to make sure that everything works properly. This can be a big job for beginners, which is why many HVAC companies offer pre-winter inspections that identify and fix potential issues before they can become major problems.

 

Considering a Utility Sink?

Having access to a sink when you need one is a great convenience. Most people are used to having sinks in their kitchen and bathrooms, but there are other locations where a sink can come in handy as well. Installing a utility sink in these areas can make tasks such as laundry and cleaning easier, while also keeping you from having to dump things like cleaning wastewater into your kitchen or bathroom sink.

Installing a utility sink in places like your laundry room, basement, or mudroom can be a great idea, especially if there aren’t any other sinks convenient to those locations. Depending on how your home is laid out, though, it might also be a significant undertaking. If you’re thinking about adding a utility sink, here are some things to keep in mind.

What Is a Utility Sink?

If you aren’t familiar with the term “utility sink”, you are still likely familiar with these sinks and the role that they fill. Most of the time, utility sinks are standalone deep basin sinks in areas such as a laundry room or basement. Some utility sinks may have a hose attachment or threaded faucet that a standard hose can be attached to, allowing them to fill buckets or other containers with water even if the container isn’t placed into the sink itself.

Most of the time, the purpose of a utility sink is cleaning related. Utility sinks in the laundry room may be used to wash off dirt, paint, and other materials before putting items in the washing machine. Utility sinks may also be used to fill mop buckets and other containers with soapy water for cleaning floors or even washing your car. Many such sinks also contain large drains to make it easy to empty these containers once you’re done (though it’s worth remembering that some chemicals and waste products shouldn’t go down the drain, whether it’s in a utility sink or not).

Utility Sink Installation

Installing a utility sink is similar to installing a kitchen or bathroom sink, with one notable difference: many houses aren’t set up with water lines that terminate at a utility sink’s location until the sink is installed. That means that a little more work may be required to run the plumbing and install the valves necessary to hook up a utility sink where you want one. Some areas like the laundry room may already have water lines nearby, but others such as the basement or garage could require a little more work. You’ll also need to consider drainage, as the water in your sink is going to have to have a way to leave as well.

Once you’ve got all the plumbing issues sorted, you’ll need to secure the sink basin and connect the water lines and drainage. Some utility sinks have a single faucet, while others have two faucets or a faucet and a hose attachment; you’ll need to make sure that these are hooked up properly if you want to make full use of them. After everything is connected and the basin is secure, all that’s left is to turn on the water and make sure that the sink functions correctly.

Utility Sink Installation

Installing a utility sink is similar to installing a kitchen or bathroom sink, with one notable difference: many houses aren’t set up with water lines that terminate at a utility sink’s location until the sink is installed. That means that a little more work may be required to run the plumbing and install the valves necessary to hook up a utility sink where you want one. Some areas like the laundry room may already have water lines nearby, but others such as the basement or garage could require a little more work. You’ll also need to consider drainage, as the water in your sink is going to have to have a way to leave as well.

Once you’ve got all the plumbing issues sorted, you’ll need to secure the sink basin and connect the water lines and drainage. Some utility sinks have a single faucet, while others have two faucets or a faucet and a hose attachment; you’ll need to make sure that these are hooked up properly if you want to make full use of them. After everything is connected and the basin is secure, all that’s left is to turn on the water and make sure that the sink functions correctly.

 

Budgeting for Major Construction Projects

Maybe you’re adding an expansion onto your home, constructing a standalone storage building in the back yard, or undertaking some other major construction project. Whatever it is that you’re building, you likely already know that big construction jobs can carry big costs. If you haven’t budgeted for the job correctly, though, you might end up surprised at how big some of these costs can be.

Sticker shock for construction projects can be a problem, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of thought and planning you can make sure that you’ve got all your expenses covered in your budget before the job begins. While some of the costs involved will be very specific to the details of your construction project and where you live, these budgeting tips will help you to keep an eye out for things that can drive the price tag up, so you can account for everything.

Major Expenses

Some of the costs of major construction projects are obvious: You’re going to need money to cover things like lumber, siding, wiring, and other materials. You’re also going to have to pay your contractors and laborers for the work that they put into actually doing the construction. If you aren’t paying attention, however, these costs can get away from you and leave you with a bit of a surprise when the bills come due.

Many material costs fluctuate based on supply and other factors and may be affected by things like transportation costs as well. Lumber prices in particular are prone to fluctuation and can increase significantly if supplies are disrupted. If possible, get in a purchase order or otherwise get some sort of pricing guarantee before work starts so that you can lock in a price and protect yourself from price shifts down the road.

Easily Overlooked Costs

While changes to your material costs can be an issue, one problem many people have when budgeting for construction is that they forget to account for all of the smaller costs associated with this sort of project. Some of these costs (like getting a construction permit) may seem obvious, but they can be easy to overlook when looking at the significant costs of materials and other aspects of the job. These costs can also be significantly higher for large projects than they are for the sorts of projects you’ve tackled in the past, so keep that in mind.

A few aspects of the job that you might not consider which can significantly increase your expenses include things like putting down a slab or foundation, installing a roof on a finished building or expansion, renting a dumpster for the construction crew, and interior materials such as fixtures and appliances once the project is done. Even landscaping costs and a bit of extra funding to cover incidentals or unexpected situations should be considered. The last thing you want to do is to budget things precisely and then realize that a portion of your yard has to be dug up to replace some pipes or some of your existing wiring will have to be ripped out to get everything up to code.

Managing Your Project

There are a lot of moving pieces in any major construction project, and hiring a project manager can go a long way toward managing all of them. In some cases your general contractor may act as a project manager as well, but many times they’re there to do the job they’re hired for and the rest of the details are squarely on your shoulders. Consider bringing in a project manager or ensuring that you’ve picked a contractor who will manage the project as well will help with budgeting and cost tracking, while also making sure that you don’t forget some important part of the project that might otherwise come back to haunt you.

 

Painting Concrete Floors: The Basics

When most people think of flooring, they picture things like carpet, wood flooring, tiles, and other common floor coverings. There are other options available to homeowners though, including concrete floors. While concrete was once seen mostly in places like basements and garages, it’s becoming increasingly common in the main floor of homes as well. Concrete flooring with built-in radiant heating systems is becoming a lot more popular, especially in areas that tend to have more severe winters.

Some people think that concrete flooring is limited in its decorative options, assuming that the only thing you can do with concrete is apply a sealant or stain. There are other options available, though, including painting the concrete. But be careful before just slapping a coat of paint onto a concrete floor; there are a few things that you should know first.

Prepping the Surface

One of the biggest problems that people have with concrete floors is trying to paint them without having adequately prepped the concrete surface first. In order for paint to adhere to concrete well, the surface needs to be rough enough for the paint to get a good hold, and it also needs to be clean and dry. This can mean a little more prep time than some other types of flooring, but the end results are definitely worth it.

Seal any cracks in the concrete with concrete filler, then sweep the concrete to remove any dust or loose debris. Scrape off any old paint or other materials that are stuck to the floor. Wet the floor with a sprayer or mop, then apply a concrete degreaser and scrub the surface with a stiff-bristled broom to clean it. Rinse well and clean up any excess water with a wet/dry vac so that the surface can dry completely before you start painting.

Painting and Sealing

Once your floor is completely dry, it’s very important to put down at least one or two coats of primer that’s designed for use with concrete before you actually start painting. Tape off all of the baseboards and other areas that you want to protect, then start applying your primer at the edges and work toward the middle. Try to get each coat applied in a single painting session, as you don’t want to let the primer dry in patches that will show through in the final paint application. Allow each coat a chance to dry completely before starting on the next, waiting up to 24 hours if necessary to ensure that it’s fully dry.

Once you’ve applied your primer, it’s time to start painting. Use a concrete-friendly epoxy paint and follow the same application instructions that you used with the primer. Get good coverage along all of the edges before moving in toward the center and allow each coat a chance to dry completely. Once your paint is completely dry, apply a concrete sealer and follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure that it cures properly. Ventilation and proper masking are especially important for this step, as come sealers can release fumes that you don’t want to breathe.

Understanding the Project Scope

Painting concrete floors can be intimidating because the process is a bit more involved than your standard paint job. If care isn’t taken to ensure that the floor is properly cleaned beforehand and sealed afterward then you can end up with bubbles and peeling paint down the road. Getting all of your materials together before the job starts and following all material instructions will save you a lot of trouble in the long run, since you won’t have to stop to go get something or run into issues with improperly applied coats.

 

Change Your Bathroom’s Look With a New Faucet

Bathrooms are one of the most important rooms in the house. Despite this, they tend to get a bit less attention than other rooms when it comes to how they look. If you find yourself worrying that you have a less-than-beautiful bathroom, you’re in luck; the bathroom is also one of those rooms where a relatively simple change can make a big difference in the overall look. In fact, something as seemingly simple as changing your faucet can have a major impact on how you and your guests view your bathroom.

Of course, it’s important that you choose the right faucet if you’re hoping to make a positive change to the look of your bathroom. A cheap or ugly faucet can have as big of a negative effect on the room’s appearance as a beautiful faucet can change it for the better. If you’re not sure what sort of faucet to get to make a positive impact on your bathroom, here are a couple of things to keep in mind while you’re shopping.

Faucet Style Considerations

One of the main things to consider when choosing a new faucet for your bathroom is the style of the faucet. While you might think that one faucet is pretty much the same as any other, there are actually a wide range of styles to choose from. Different styles work better in different rooms, and pairing the wrong faucet style with your bathroom can make it look out of place and really throw off the overall look.

When shopping for a new faucet, think about the color of the faucet, the finish, and even the shape that would work best in your bathroom. Many bathroom faucets are silver or chrome in color, but there are a wide range of metallic shades available and quite a few that offer splashes of other colors as well. Some faucets are taller than others, and some are very blocky and square while others are rounded and smooth. Take pictures of towel racks, wall colors, and other features of your bathroom to help with your comparisons.

Faucet Functionality

Functionality is often overlooked when shopping for a new faucet, since many people just buy a faucet that functions the same as their previous one. There are several different functional options available in bathroom faucets, though, and they can impact the overall look of your bathroom as well. Some faucets have a single handle while others have separate handles for hot and cold water. Some have water-saving features, some are designed to mount through a single hole, and some mount to the wall or are otherwise specialized for standing vessel sinks. Each of these different types brings with it specific quirks of installation.

Some faucets may take functionality changes even further than this. You may consider touch-sensitive faucets that you can turn on and off with a tap of your hand, or faucets that have attached soap dispensers built directly into the sink counter. Other functional features may be available as well, and they will affect not only how you use the faucet but also how it looks as well.

Installing a New Faucet

Once you’ve picked out a faucet, installing it can be a decent DIY project for the weekend. In most cases, faucet installation is fairly straightforward; you remove the old faucet, put the new faucet in its place, then tighten the mounting hardware and reattach the water lines. If you’re making significant changes to the style of faucet in your bathroom or adding new features like a built-in soap dispenser or handles that are separate from the main faucet body, however, there might be a bit more work involved.

If you need some help changing the way that your faucet mounts to the sink or want to make sure that everything’s installed properly to avoid leaks, don’t be afraid to call in a plumber.

 

Cleaning Your Toughest Patio and Deck Stains

After a long summer, it’s time to clean up around your home and get everything in good shape before the winter comes. Not only does this sort of fall cleaning help your home look nice after the rain and heat of summer, but it can also aid you in finding issues or damage that you might want to take care of as you winterize your home. Some areas that often needs particular attention during these cleanup periods are patios and decks.

Part of the reason for this is that many people use their patios and decks more during the summer than any other time of the year. Various spills, dripping grease and oils from grilling, and assorted other messes can end up on the wood, while changes in weather over the course of the summer can encourage the growth of things like algae and mildew. Knowing how to effectively clean up all of these stains and other issues will not only make your deck or patio look better, but can also result in them lasting significantly longer without needing repairs.

Deck Stain Removal

Effectively cleaning up the various stains that occur on your deck or patio becomes a lot easier if you know the source of the stain. Grease stains, sauces, and similar spills can usually be cleaned with dish soap and a stiff-bristled brush, followed by washing the area thoroughly before it has a chance to start drying again. Dish soap can also be used to remove stains from decomposing leaves; allow it to sit and penetrate for 10 or 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing the stains away.

Other types of staining may require different solutions, however. Rust stains may need to soak in a mix of water and white vinegar or specialized acid cleaners to remove the discoloration. Tree sap can also be stubborn and difficult to remove, often needing dedicated deck or patio cleaners or cleaning solutions such as liquid oil soap cleaners. Some stone patios may require specific cleaners that won’t damage the type of brick or stone that’s used as well

Dealing with Algae, Moss, and Mildew

Discolorations caused by algae, moss, mildew, and mold are usually a bigger problem than other stains, even though the other stains may be more common. The problem with algae, mold, and similar growths is that they actually cause damage to the wood or stone of your patio or deck and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. Some growths like moss can be removed with soap, water, and a stiff-bristled brush, but things like algae and mold typically require a bit more.

Because these grow into the wood or stone and thrive in moist environments, you’ll need a cleaner that can actually kill them and prevent them from coming back. In some cases, a bleach/water mixture will do the trick, combined with some scrubbing and general cleaning afterward. Special deck and patio washes are also available that are formulated to kill mildew, mold, algae, and similar growths, helping to ensure that you take care of the problem without having to try out different DIY mixtures.

Professional Cleaning

If you haven’t had much luck getting your deck or patio clean or simply don’t have the time to dedicate to the cleanup, there are professional services available that can get the job done for you. They typically use cleaners that are designed for the types of cleanup you need, and may employ tools such as a power wash sprayer to really get into all of the places that are hard to reach with a brush or a broom. Depending on the service, they may apply new sealants or other protectants after your deck or patio is clean as well to help you weather the winter unscathed.

 

Is It Time to Cut Down Your Tree?

Autumn is a good time to do a number of things around the house. You’ve likely already started preparing for winter, trimming back some of your plants, and doing other maintenance tasks that are perfectly suited for brisk fall days. There may be at least one big task that needs to be done that you haven’t even considered, though: cutting down that tree that you’ve been worried about for ages.

It may seem strange to think of a project as major as cutting down a tree as especially well-suited for autumn, but there are actually a few reasons why this is the perfect time of year to bring that tree down. If you’re on the fence, here’s some advice on how to tell whether the tree really needs to come down and how to make sure that you bring it down safely.

Why Autumn?

Though bringing down a tree can be done at any time during the year, there are a few reasons why you should give it extra consideration during autumn. Cutting down a tree in the fall can help prevent regrowth, as sap will rise during the day and then can freeze during the cold overnight and kill the roots and stump. Even if it’s not cold enough to freeze, the fall cutting will weaken the roots and remaining stump and greatly decrease the likelihood of regrowth.

This isn’t the only reason to cut down trees in the fall, though, and not even the most important reason. If you’re cutting down a tree, it most likely has significant damage or disease and will become a hazard eventually if it isn’t already. Dead and damaged trees are much more likely to fall or split during the winter as water penetrates the damaged sections and freezes; cutting down the tree in the fall prevents this from happening, giving you control over when and how the tree falls instead of leaving it up to chance.

Inspecting Your Tree

When trying to decide whether a tree needs to be cut down, there are a few things that you should look for. Significant damage to the tree is a big one, and one of the most obvious; this can be storm damage, lighting strikes, or other types of damage, and should be pretty obvious just from looking at the tree. Splits, cracks, and holes in the trunk revealing that at least part of it is hollow make this sort of damage very obvious. At the very least you should remove damaged or dead limbs before winter, and if the damage is significant then the whole tree should come down.

There’s more than just physical damage that can indicate a tree needs to come down, though. Signs of disease such as large sections of dead leaves, discoloration on the trunk, and smells or visual signs of rot can also mean it’s time to cut down the tree. Mushrooms or other signs of fungus can also mean that the tree has a significant fungal infection, especially if the mushrooms are growing on the trunk or out of exposed roots. Infestation by insects or other pests can also indicate a problem with one of your trees, as these can eventually kill the tree and make it much more likely to fall. Any of these problems could result in a weakened or internally damaged tree that could come crashing down under the weight of winter snow and ice.

Bringing It Down

Cutting down a tree safely requires you to control the way it falls, ensuring that it avoids buildings, property features, and of course people who are helping with the cut. While it’s possible to do this yourself, there are companies that specialize in controlled cuts that bring the tree down safely and help to dispose of it afterward.