Homily Magazine

Installing a drain pipe is something that anyone can do if they have the right tools for the job. The task itself is slightly challenging to those who have never worked with pipes and plumbing before, but not something that cannot be done. You will only have to put a three-way joint into the pipe system, run your drain pipe off of that, and connect it to the sink up above — or the shower or whatever else it is that you want to drain. Before you begin, however, make sure that you have the following things. You will need to have the water turned off for the entire duration of the project, to avoid flooding the home, so you do not want to waste time driving to the hardware store to buy the things that you need.

Plumbing Wrenches

Adjustable wrenches are the best because they can be fit to any size pipe. If you know the exact size that you need, you can go with fixed wrenches, but this is not advisable. It is better to have the flexibility in case you have made a mistake in your measurements. This will also give you the ability to use the same wrenches for other projects in the future, saving you money in the long run.

Pipe Adhesive

If you are using plastic pipes, as many people do, you need to have some adhesive. This will be spread around with a brush on the end of the pipe and in the fitting. It dries quickly, so do not put it on the pipe until you are ready to put the pipe into the fitting. Once you have done this, hold it in place for a minute so that the adhesive can set. This is waterproof and will help to keep the pipe from leaking.

A Level

Above all else, you want to make sure that all of your pipes are running level — or that they are at least running downhill in the direction that you want them to drain. If they are running the wrong way, water can get backed up. The system will become inefficient and might not even work at all. You do not need an expensive level, but you should have one that is calibrated correctly so that you do not make a mistake.

A Saw

You will need some sort of a saw to cut the pipe. Some plumbers like to use hand saws because the plastic pipe is not that difficult to cut and a hand saw works without any power source; others like to use power saws because they are much faster and they make sure that you get a straight cut every time.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher living in Austin, Texas. He recommends you check out MVP-Plumbing services and San Antonio Plumber.

There are many jobs for which you may need to call out Woodbridge plumbers if you live in this area, and one of the most common is for blocked up drains.

However, there are plenty of quick and simple ways to keep your drains unblocked so that you don’t have to keep on relying on the services of Woodbridge plumbers, and you’ll be able to save a lot of money and hassle as a result. [Read the rest of this entry...]

As spring draws to an end and a promising English summer begins, the gardening retail market is at its peak. With the garden on everybody’s mind, the sale of garden buildings and sheds in particular start to soar. This article explains something that not everyone is aware about, but everyone needs to know before buying a shed. Building a garden shed base which is firm and level is vital. A base must be constructed for any garden shed, and why pay excessive amounts to dodgy local handyman when you can do it yourself. With the help of the following, you can create your own base, and then you’ll have the perfect foundations for your garden shed.

Firstly, to ensure both ease of assembly and the longevity of your garden shed, it is essential that it has a firm and level base constructed from a durable material. Construction without such a base may not only invalidate any product guarantee that comes with your garden shed but also lead to problems such as doors dropping out of square and water leakage. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Energy Saving tips to save money that you can start today!

So we have all heard about global warming and if you believe it or not changing to energy efficient appliances and following a few of these tips below will help the environment and reduce your electricity usage which means money saved. Have a good look over these tips, most you may already know and I’m sure a few you don’t or simply have forgotten.

Tip 1: Make sure to set your air conditioner to 24 degrees Celsius, this is said to be the optimum temperature for energy saving.

Tip 2: Make use of awnings and blinds to reduce sunlight penetrating the home in summer, heavy curtains also help reduce the amount of heat entering the home in summer and also help retain heat in winter. Another option is too get your windows tinted. [Read the rest of this entry...]

We mark the cuts for tiles that go against the walls at the edge of a counter or floor by transferring the distance directly from the counter or floor to the tile. This ensures that the cut piece will fit, even if the wall is not parallel. This method might seem a little confusing because you are reversing the tile to make the cut. To keep track of the tiles orientation, draw an arrow on the good part of the tile, so that it points towards the portion that is wasted. Now mark one edge of the tile by setting it between the wall and the last full field tile, with the arrow point away from the wall. Be sure to use a spacer between the piece that is to be cut and the tile already laid, so you’ll have an even grout line. To account for the grout joint, mark the work piece at the edge of the field tiles spacer.

Now slide the work piece over to the other side of the field tile and mark the other edge at the spacer the same as before. Connect the two marks with a pencil and you are ready to cut the tile. After you cut the tile flip it over and you will be left with a tile that perfectly fits the gap that it is to be placed in to. Remember to place the cut edge of the tile against the wall. Be sure and smooth the edges of the tile with a rubbing stone. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Be honest, I know we have all swung the door open too hard and put the knob through the wall. Maybe you punched it when your team lost or worse your wife put the remote controller through it when she was fed up with your sports. I have even seen a dog chew through drywall. Whatever the case may be, if you have one of these “excitement holes”, I’m going to tell you exactly how to repair your small hole in your drywall, the right way! OK, so your going to need some things.

Materials:
-Fiber glass Mesh Tape
-1 Bag of 20 Minute Mud
-Paint/Primer
-and a little water for the mud [Read the rest of this entry...]

If your existing baseboard heating metal covers are showing their age from multiple coats of paint, rust or physical damage, it is possible for the DIY’er to replace them. Just not real easily. The back wall pieces seldom sustain any damage simply because they are out of harms way. The front covers and movable vents pieces however are often lost or the vent hinges are gone. Front covers get kicked or scraped and the paint deteriorates over time making them unsightly. Replacement piece for piece is often not possible as manufacturers change their designs just enough that new front covers will not fit on older models. New front covers also require replacement of the back panel as the vent piece and front cover mountings are different as well.

Using a screw gun, pry bar and a pair of good quality metal snips, removal of the old pieces is not too difficult. Not to say it is not a pain in the butt but wearing a pair of gloves to prevent cuts from the sheet metal is a great idea. The trick is to doing the removal and replacement without having to disconnect or damage the heat piping itself. [Read the rest of this entry...]

For optimum results, sow your seeds indoors approximately 6 weeks before your last frost date. This allows plants to get a healthy start by developing a strong root system, a sturdy stalk, and plenty of foliage before it must contend with a world of unpredictable spring weather and garden pests.

For starting tomatoes indoors, you will need planting trays, shelving, indoor lighting, a good starting soil, and a fan. The step-by-step guide below covers the essential steps of how to plant tomato seeds: [Read the rest of this entry...]

Space at home is never enough and the need for extra storage space is every increasing. Many of us are unable to afford a renovation project to increase storage, but luckily, there is a plethora of methods in which much more storage space can be created.

Here are 7 storage tips to create more space at home:

1. Utilising storage containers

Through the usage of storage containers, one can greatly increase the storage space. Get containers that are specifically designed for storage at a certain place, for example under the bed. Those are usually transparent containers that allows you to see what exactly are in them and are slim enough to fit under the below of a bed. [Read the rest of this entry...]

I will never forget something said to me as a young apprentice carpenter; “You just have to be smarter than the wood”. Simply put, know the characteristics of the wood and know how to use that information to make it into a shape or form you want it. Can you weld wood together with a welder, of course not, but you can glue it together. Can you bend a board, yes, up to a point. What is that point before it breaks or are there some techniques you can use to change the breaking point? Are some woods easier to work with than others? Do some woods mold, plane, cut or sand better than other woods? Is there a science to all these questions, yes, but it is more of a skill or feel developed over time. Only experience and the wood will teach you some things, but I can show you a few tricks and techniques that will help you understand the principles of putting in crown moulding.

If you have never installed crown mold before, you may think to yourself it does not sound so difficult. Truth is, it is not rocket science, but is confusing. Let’s get into the typical crown job. Though I can not cover every situation, this article will give you enough information to do the job competently. Just remember to take your time and take it a step at a time. [Read the rest of this entry...]