DIY Questions and Answer July 17, 2019 Sonia
Q: If there is no way to avoid digging near buried utilities, what is the best way to proceed with excavation? A: Dig carefully. State laws generally prohibit the use of mechanized equipment (trencher, auger, excavator, etc.) within 18-24 inches of a marked utility, which is called the “tolerance zone.” If you must dig near the marks, use hand tools […]
DIY Questions and Answer July 17, 2019 Sonia
Q: Where are the best places to keep a fire extinguisher around the home? A: If you can reach a fire extinguisher within 6 seconds of the start of a fire, you can put it out in its early stages. With 65 percent of fires starting in the kitchen, it is the most important room to locate a fire extinguisher. […]
DIY Questions and Answer July 17, 2019 Sonia
Q: What is the proper sequence of replacement when rotating a car’s tires? A: If your vehicle has single rear wheels, and the tread design for your front tires is the same as the rear tires, then remove the front wheels and move them to the back, keeping them on the same sides of the car. Next, take the rear […]
DIY Questions and Answer July 17, 2019 Sonia
Q: When utility companies mark underground utility lines at a proposed excavation site, which paint colors correspond with which utilities? A: Ultimately, the state or local government has final say about color codes, but the Call 811 utility-location service, which is free to use nationwide, follows the APWA uniform color code (ANSI Z535.1) for marking excavation sites and underground facilities […]
DIY Questions and Answer May 20, 2019 Sonia
Q: How do I find the septic tank in my yard? A: The best clue is to find where the main drain line (4-in. pipe) exits your home, which indicates the tank might be located right outside from that location. Follow the pipe across the yard by probing every 2 feet with a metal probe. Septic tanks are required to […]
DIY Questions and Answer May 20, 2019 Sonia
Q: What’s the best way to repair cracked tile? A: The trouble with cracked tile is that it’s difficult achieve a perfect like-new repair. However, if the problems are minimal, the fact that tile is generally installed in a repeating pattern means you can make basic repairs that disguise the problem so it blends better with the rest of the […]
DIY Questions and Answer May 20, 2019 Sonia
Q: How do I remove hardwood flooring that’s been glued down? A: If the floor was installed correctly with a high-quality adhesive, then you’re in for a tough job. It might be time to call a contractor who specializes in this type of work. A DIY approach would be to set a circ saw’s blade depth so it cuts through […]
DIY Questions and Answer May 20, 2019 Sonia
Q: How do I remove gutter nails? A: Old fashioned gutter nails are called “spikes and ferrules,” with the spikes being giant nails that pass through an aluminum sleeve (the ferrule) which holds a gutter to the fascia board of the house. To remove them you need to pull the nail. The problem is that the gutter is made of […]
