Category: Handyman

It’s usually disappointing when you have to dispose of your furniture or throw them away because they are damaged. However, there are a few handyman repair tips that will work for you and will go a long way in keeping your furniture in good condition. The best thing about these tips is that you won’t even have to spend a lot in the process. You do not need a lot of expensive tools and equipment to repair furniture. You just need to know those that are frequently used and how to use them well.

Below we have listed a few professional tips from the experts that you should learn about house repairs.

Use a Good Brush

A good paintbrush is always a must-have. When you visit the local hardware store, you should know what to look for. With a few hints, you can discuss your options with the attendants and get the perfect fit.

If proper finishing is your ultimate goal, always go for high-quality paintbrushes. After use, make sure you clean the paintbrushes properly so you can use them again. Cleaning also reduces the prospect of brush marks and you don’t need to keep reloading the brush all the time. For a good brush, you should be willing to go as high as $50.

Wear Plastic Gloves

You will be using different solvents from time to time, which naturally means that you need to wear quality gloves too. Some people tend to apply finishes with their bare hands, and then cleaning their hands with solvents. The solvents will eventually seep through the skin and into the bloodstream. You can avoid this by purchasing good quality gloves, which you will have to use especially when applying adhesive.

Preserving Finishes

Your finishes must stay fresh for better results. For this reason, make sure the can rims are cleaned properly so that you can preserve the quality finish. If you have to force the lids closed when you have some finish on the rims, the cans will not seal properly, and as a result, the content of the cans will dry out.

Use quality cotton cloth, especially when you are working on handyman services and wipe the rim of the can. This way, you will have a tight and clean seal, which is also very easy to open when you need to use the finishes.

Use Mini Mallet for Tight Spots

There are times when you will need to work on very tight spots and a hammer won’t do. A small mallet will be more useful, especially when joining parts of furniture together.

The good news is that small mallets are quite affordable. They are also available in different measurements, from ¾ inches to 1 ½ inches. Before purchase, carry your hammer into the hardware store. This way you can find a mini mallet that fits perfectly.

Check for Loose Bristles

It’s advisable that you pay attention to the bristles, especially those that usually break away from the brush and remain embedded in the project finish. Before you dip your brush into the can of finish, smack it a few times against your palm. The bristles that have loosened already will stick out, and you can pull them out before you start applying the finish.

Carpet installation is not as technically difficult as most homeowners think it is. With the right preparation, it can be a very easy and simple project. The biggest challenge that most people have lies in the size of carpet rolls that they have purchased, and in most cases, the amount of space they have to work with. This is why you should consider handyman Santa Ana in case you need professional help.

The guidelines for laying a carpet are pretty much the same, whether you are laying a plush carpet for your living room or a basement carpet. Other than custom carpets, most carpets are 12 feet wide. Even for a normal room that measures 12 x 12 feet, the rolls will be relatively heavy. In case your carpet must have a seam, make sure you hire an expert to handle the installation. You will get better results than if you tried to install it on your own.

Another instance where you would be better off hiring a professional is if you want to lay a carpet on the stairs. The reason here is mainly for safety and less on aesthetics. An amateur can do handyman Santa Ana CA on the stairs but fail to keep it tight on all the steps. As a result, it the stairs become dangerous because of how easy it will be to trip and fall.

Using a Carpet Pad

For this installation, you must have some adhesive or glue to keep the pad and the carpet glued on the floor. Other than that, you must also keep the carpet properly fixed to the floor around the perimeters. This will help you prevent unnecessary bumps and lumps once you finish laying the carpet.

You must first create a tack strip. The wooden strip should cover the entire perimeter of the space you want to carpet. Nail the strip to your subfloor and keep all the points at an angle to the wall. The points that will be sticking from the tack strip will hold the carpet in place once you have stretched it. Pay attention to the spacing of the tack strips. They are supposed to be set from your wall, a distance that’s the same as the thickness of your carpet.

Set the carpet pad within the layout of the tack strip, and then affix it on the subfloor with staples. You can trim the pad with a small knife if needed. At the point where the duct tape meets the pieces, seal the joints.

Try and lay the carpet in the correct position. The less movement you have when laying out the carpet, the better the results that you will get. You might need a carpet kicker and stretcher to move the carpet above the tack strip spikes with ease. For a handyman Santa Ana expert, these are tools that are very easy to use, out of experience. For a beginner, you might have all the tools needed, but you may still struggle to use them as you should. You will also notice that during installation, professionals have the seams in areas that are not visible or on those that experience less traffic.