Exterior Stucco - Stucco is an excellent alternative to wood and vinyl siding. It has been around for over 50 years, and the finish is very durable. However, small cracks do occasionally appear. There is also the problem of mechanical damage from something hitting the surface. So repairs will be needed. Use acrylic latex paint to cover hairline and small cracks. You can also fill them with latex caulking compound and then paint with acrylic latex paint. To fix larger cracks, chisel around the edges of the crack and brush away loose material. Paint the edges with concrete bonding agent. Next, use a trowel to fill the crack with stucco patching compound.

Make sure the color and texture are similar to the stucco around it. Matching the texture and color is the hardest part of stucco repair. Make a few trial patches on scrap wood before applying to your house. Keep the patch damp for 4 days to allow it to cure.

Mural Tile Backsplash - A tile backsplash will create a new look for your kitchen or bath. Using the right color to accent your kitchen adds a nice finished touch. This is a great weekend project for the average handyman.

Before starting, review the features of the area. What color are the walls, countertop, floor and appliances? Are the cabinets light or dark? What type of lighting is present, and what does it illuminate? What color and type are the fixtures? If your cabinets are dark, you may want to lighten-up the area. If you have under-cabinet lighting, the backsplash could probably be done in a medium color tone so it doesn’t contrast with the cabinetry.

Surface Preparation

Tile can be installed over most substrates if they are clean, smooth and dry. Check with your supplier to see if the tile you have chosen requires a specific underlayment. Repair and level any damaged or uneven areas. Make certain your countertop is level. If not, insert shims between the lower cabinets and the countertop. Turn off power and water to any outlets within or near your work space. Be careful! Electric wires and plumbing run between studs in walls. Don’t make the mistake of cutting into either while they are still live.

Garage Floor Paint - Paints are usually water based latex or oil based. Most of the liquid portion of latex paint is water, while the liquid in oil based paints consists of petroleum distillates and other organic solvents.

Latex is the most commonly sold paint today. It covers well, cleanup with water is fast and easy, and it is durable. Before starting any paint project, consider the nature of your particular job before deciding which type of paint is best for your application.

Water based latex paints offer significant performance advantages. Compared to oil based paints, top quality exterior latex paints have greater durability, color retention, and chalk resistance, so they continue to look good for years. Since they are less brittle and more elastic than oil based paints, they have better resistance to cracking. Latex paints also dry much faster than oil based paints, which allows for a quicker second coat. When compared with other latex paints, those with 100% acrylic binders are especially durable and highly flexible. They tend to adhere extremely well to a variety of exterior surfaces, and have greater resistance to troublesome paint failures like blistering, flaking and peeling.

Installing Bathroom Tile - For a professional tile installation job, good planning and proper layout are a must. The surfaces must be smooth and free of defects. Fix all high and low spots before proceeding, and make sure that nail heads are countersunk slightly below the surface.


Layout lines must be accurate and easy to see. The horizontal lines are drawn first, and the procedure depends on whether your tub or shower pan is level.

Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is level to within 1/8″, measure and mark your horizontal line from the high point of the tub. The 1/8″ difference (if there is a difference) can be hidden with grout. Measure up from the lip of the tub, the width of a tile plus 1/8″. Make a line using a level and a straight edge, along the back wall and the two end walls.

Out of Level Tub or Shower Pan - If the tub is not level to 1/8″, mark your horizontal line from the low point. Determine a level line just like for a level tub and run a batten along the bottom of the line. It is usually best to nail a straight wooden batten so that the top of the batten is set to the horizontal line. This provides a level surface for the tile. After all the tile is laid, remove the batten and install the bottom row. You will have to cut the bottom row of tiles to fit along the uneven top edge of the tub or pan.

Vertical Working Lines

Setup the tiles so each edge (border) tile is the same width on each end, and more than half a tile wide. To do this, first locate the mid-point on the back wall and mark it on the horizontal line. Then place a row of loose tiles along the back of the tub, making sure that a joint matches up with the center mark. The distance left at each end gives you the dimension of your border tiles. If the end tiles turn out to be larger than half a tile, make the vertical center line all the way up the wall using a level and straight edge.

Door Handles - Most people buy doors with jambs assembled together, called pre-hung doors. Installing a pre-hung door is usually easier than trying to fit a new door into an existing frame.

Brick homes are especially prone to having jambs that cannot be removed. For some reason, there are builders that will install the doors, then apply brick right over the outer part of the door frame. In this case, removal would require the jambs be broken apart in small sections for removal, and the new frame would have to be modified in order to fit.

Hanging a door can be a frustrating experience. The problem is usually due to not keeping the new frame square and plumb. Sometimes, it can be quite difficult to get a good fit due to the opening being out of alignment. Houses settle with time and door openings can move around a lot.

Removing an Existing Door

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Kitchen Countertops - Before starting your ceramic tile project, do some research into the different types and styles that are available. Visit your local home supply store and ask questions. Get brochures and see what types of adhesive and substrate are needed. Do you have the necessary tools? If not, weigh purchase vs renting what you need.

Measure the floor and wall areas to be tiled. If the tiles are normal sized then you should add no more than 10% for waste. Some tiles will have to be cut, while others may be damaged or blemished. Always order an extra 10%. Even if you don't use them, they often come in handy for repairs at a later date.

If you are using a floor or wall border, measure the distance to be tiled and divide it by the length of each border to arrive at the number of tiles required. Again add a few extra pieces for waste.

Copper Pipe Solder - You need a few basic tools to successfully sweat solder copper pipe. These include pipe cutter, cleaning tools, propane torch, safety goggles, gloves, fire extinguisher, and flame blocking material if working in enclosed places.

You will also need lead free solder and a soldering paste called flux. Do not use lead based solder on water pipes because the lead can get into your water supply. Even a small amount can be detrimental to your health.

Copper must be cleaned to remove surface contamination prior to soldering. There are a number of ways to do this. You can use fine grit sandpaper, emory cloth, or a tool designed for the purpose. Whatever method you choose, the mating surfaces of the parts to be connected must be bright and shiny. Otherwise, solder will not bond and you will end up with a leaking connection.

Here are the steps to a successful sweat solder job:

• Measure, cut, and dry-fit all parts. Be sure you have cut pipes to the correct length. When fitted together, about 3/8 additional inch will be needed on each side of an assembled joint to account for the connector.

• Clean the mating surfaces of parts to be joined - outside surface of pipe, inside surface of connector. Use one of the cleaning methods mentioned earlier, and don’t touch the parts with your fingers after cleaning. This step must be done properly. Any contamination on the surfaces to be joined will prevent the solder from bonding.

• Apply a light coating of flux to the outside mating surfaces of pipes and inside of connectors. Be sure to get an even film all the way around. Use a small flux brush for this task. The purpose of the flux is to remove any unseen surface oxidation, etch the copper, and guard against oxidation when the parts are heated.

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