Deep in an undisclosed, carefully guarded third-world bunker, HomeFixated minions have been toiling away at a project so secret, only dozens of people knew it existed. Those that did know of this shadowy project were given only fragmented details, ensuring no single person could put together the intricate puzzle pieces. This top secret project had the potential to topple powerful governments and end human existence as we know it – but mostly it will just teach you cool stuff and make you laugh. So what is this ultra secret Home Fixated project? [Read more...]
HomeHacks.com and HomeFail.com Launch
Leaky Toilet Anyone? How To Change the Flapper Valve
Recently, I filled you guys in on a few ways to save water around the house. Many were quick and simple tips and repairs that anyone could make. However, an eagle-eyed reader noted a blinding omission on my part, a leaky toilet. Ironically, at the time I had a leaky toilet. How I forgot to add that to my list escapes me, but I’ve forgotten much more obvious things in my life (just ask my wife). Anyway, I finally got around to fixing that leaky toilet, much to happiness of my oft-reminding wife, and thought you would be interested in my tale of the throne. [Read more...]
Get Trigger Happy – How to Replace the Trigger Valve on your Bostitch Nail Gun
If you’re a framing carpenter, a hard-core DIYer who loves taking on big projects, or possibly a magician (more on that later), most likely you make use of a stick nailer for much of your framing work. Stick, or framing, nailers are a HUGE time (and arm) saver when you have a lot of 2x4s to bring together. I’ve had my Bostitch N79WW for about 12 years, and it’s launched many a nail, while not receiving much in the way of TLC beyond a few drops of oil in the air fitting before each day’s use. [Read more...]
Setting Trusses without Killing Yourself
I’ve done a lot of framing in my life, but nothing gets my juices flowing like a good truss set. To me, it’s kind of like drinking a case of Five Hour Energy drinks, a hot date with a super model, and shooting a machine gun from the back of a drag car all at the same time. I’m super excited, nervous and scared to death that my heart is going to explode out of my chest. But unless you’re an adrenaline junky like me, a truss set can be a dangerous Tim Burton-esque nightmare that could potentially kill you. Whether you’re a seasoned framing pro or you’re a truss building newbie, you’ll be sure to benefit from these tips for a safe and secure truss set. [Read more...]
Hanging out with Prefinished Cabinets – 10 Tips for Hanging Cabinets
Feeling lonely? Don’t worry about it! You can always hang out with your kitchen cabinets. Or at least hang your kitchen cabinets. But hanging your own kitchen cabinets can be a complex, back-breaking job that has been well-known to drive sane people mad with rage, cause teetotalers to drink and even cause premature aging—just like Benjamin Button. If you’re an optimist, you might know that the bright side of hanging cabinets is that it can cause your significant other to get frisky. DIY kitchen cabinets might finally enable a hot date with your mate other than on Valentines, Christmas or your birthday. Or maybe not. Either way, you’ll have a place to hang out—with your prefinished cabinets. [Read more...]
Rod Busting101 – Tying, Bending and Shaping Steel for Concrete Footers
So you think your job is tough? Try being a rod buster. These iron working heavyweights have to lift, tie and bend steel rebar all day long in the hot sun while being bent over or crouched for the majority of the time. Imagine going to the gym and lifting free-weights all day, 5-7 days a week. But instead of just lifting the weights, you’ve got to bend and tie them together. But don’t just think it’s all dumb muscle. These guys follow blueprints and schematics that make Chinese algebra look like third grade addition. [Read more...]
Installing Under Cabinet Lighting – A Flash of Brilliance For Your Kitchen
Hearing scary scrabbling noises coming from your kitchen at night? Need some task lighting while slicing and dicing your empty beer cans and rusty nails with your Ginsu knives? Often, the light from overhead kitchen fixtures leaves a lot to be desired. It may be coming from flickering fluorescent fixtures, or recessed lights that don’t quite hit the G-spot (that’s G for Ginsu…). You may even have a sad, underpowered little unit like the one at left, begging to be replaced. Fortunately, if you have upper cabinets, it’s pretty easy to get lit up; the recessed area under most upper cabinets provides the perfect platform from which to light up your world. [Read more...]
How NOT to Paint a Door
Painting a door might seem like a pretty straightforward task. Slap on some paint and you’re done right? Not so fast! Painting a door requires more than just a paintbrush, a fancy white suit and a high tolerance to smelly chemical fumes. It takes a bit of skill, lots of knowledge and the right tools to get the job done so it looks like a professional did the work; and not Picasso. If you plan on painting an interior or exterior door; don’t do the following door painting no-no’s (we’ll provide some do-do’s too. . . that didn’t sound right), and you’ll be sure to get a professional looking paint job on your next door painting project. [Read more...]
Pocket Doors can Drive you Nuts
Photo- Courtesy of www.guadalupelumberco.com
Pocket doors and I get along like the guests of a Jerry Springer episode—minus the baby mama drama. To say I loathe them would be an understatement, but no matter what job I do, somewhere along the way, someone has a pocket door they either want repaired or installed. While it’s not too tough to install a pocket door when new construction is in play, it’s not always the easiest task when it’s being installed in an existing house. In fact, it can be a downright pain in the ass. Wires, plumbing and bearing trusses all make this seemingly innocent job even more difficult. Throw in uneven tracks, inferior products and wobbly doorways and you’ll need to get your blood pressure checked.
Oh and did I mention I hate pocket doors? [Read more...]
Five Ways to Naturally Repel Mice from your Home
