Caulking Your Home (Latex/Acrylic and Silicone)

Fixing drafts around windows, gaps in woodwork, seal a sink, leaking gutters, basement drafts, cranked concrete, spaces around the tub, and dozens of other problems in your home, is as easy as inserting a tube of caulk in a caulk gun and squeeze away! Even though it looks easy, doing a professional caulking joint or also called a caulk line or bead of caulk, takes a little technique. But, first you need to find the correct caulking for your project. At your local hardware store or home center you'll find several shelves stacked with a variety of caulks. With the types of materials used in building a house. These materials expand and contract with changes in humidity and climate. Like the house settling and shifting foundation, or beams sagging and causing cracks. Because of these movements, caulk should be durable and flexible. Caulk should have 3 key properties: 1. It must remain flexible as it ages. 2. It must stretch and recover it's original shape when materials expand and contract. 3. It should stick firmly to the material being sealed and not peel off. There's two types of caulking that do this and works on most projects and they are Latex/Acrylic and Silicone caulking. Latex/Acrylic caulk contains a wide range of ingredients like "polymers" (acrylic) adhere well to porous materials like wood and concrete. Latex/Acrylic are most popular because they clean up with water (unlike silicone) and user friendly and paintable. The quality and performance of latex caulk varies on grade and character of the polymers. The higher quality latex caulk adhere better and stay flexible longer and cost more. Silicone caulk excels on non-porous surfaces, it's flexible and last a long time. Silicone caulking is great for surfaces like: glass, metal, plastic, glazed tile and all other smooth non porous surfaces. The best performing silicone caulks are 100% silicone caulk. They cost more and come in two forms: acid-cure and neutral-cure. Silicone has a strong sent to it. This sent is from the acid reaction that causes the silicone to cure. The new neutral-cure silicone doesn't have the same side effects as the acid-cure silicone so it sticks well to plastic and concrete and can not be painted. Neutral-cure silicone are even more expensive then the acid-cure. Neutral-cure silicone is good for vinyl siding and expands and contract with changes in temperature. Once you choose the right caulk for your project, applying it is the next step. First stuff a piece of foam backer rod into a deep gap. Next run a bead of caulk about half as thick as the gap it spans. Most people squeeze a thick bead of caulk in the gap, hoping that will do the trick. This isn't the best way (depending on size of gap), but if you use the best caulk, it should work. As materials expand and contracts the gaps widen and narrows and the caulk will stretch about 25% in a well formed joint. Using  a finger (latex caulk) a caulking tool or spoon will give you an hour glass or curved shape and give your joint a professional look.  

WOOD-FINISHING TOOLS and MATERIALS

Before you starting your next project. Making sure you have the tools needed is important to finishing your task.Think Safety first! Eye protection like Safety Glasses are among the most important tool you can buy. Also purchase some Rubber Gloves whenever your working with Oil Based and Wood Finishes. Next Sandpaper and Sanding Block, sandpaper comes in different grits for different surfaces and depths. A Putty Knife or a Scraper can be a time saver when it comes to removing old finishes. A good Polyester/Bristle Blend or Foam Brushes and a Stain Applicator for applying all stains and finishes. You may also use Lint-Free Cotton Rags to wipe on stains and oil finishes. To get into those tight spaces using a Toothbrush and a Wire-Brush. Use Steel Wool for smoothing oil based finishes between coats. Use 120-220 Grit Sandpaper between coats when using water based finishes.Steel Wool may rust if used on water based finishes. Having the right tools and materials will help you get the best wood finishing results!

Cordless Power Drill

Cordless power drill are widely used more now then their cousin the corded drill, due to their convenience, strength and durability and now lighter weight. A drill is fitted with a cutting tool attachment or driving tool attachment, usually a drill bit or driver bit, used for boring holes in various materials or fastening various materials together with the use of fasteners. The attachment is gripped by a chuck at one end of the drill and rotated while pressed against the target material. A rechargeable and removable battery is used for the tools power source. To prolong the batteries life, they stop charging when the battery charge reaches full level, before the battery begins to overheat. Batteries range in voltage from 4 to 24 volts and the higher the volts, the stronger the tool. Drills are commonly used in woodworking, metalworking, construction and do-it-yourself projects. Specially designed drills are also used in medicine, space missions and other applications. Drills are available with a wide variety of performance characteristics, such as power and capacity.

Airless Paint Sprayer (Spraying Techniques)

Using a Airless Paint Sprayer will take some time to master. Doing it incorrectly will make a mess, so take some time to practice. Using a piece of cardboard or plywood and follow these techniques.

Don't arc your arm; this may cause an uneven application. Move your arm from side to side and at the end of each stroke bend your wrist to keep an even stroke. Keep the gun 8 to 10 in. from the surface being painted. Two thin coats are better than one heavy one, which may drip, run or sag.

Spray painting require wind-free conditions. Even if you've covered the shrubs, masked the windows and trim and made sure the kids and pets aren't in the area to be painted, a breeze will carry a fine spray to where you don't want it. Spaying the sides of your home is more easier to paint then trim.
Use painters masking tape and plastic or newspaper to cover windows, doors and any surface that isn't to be painted or the same color as the sides of your house.

Just as you would paint the interior of a house, the doors, windows and trim are painted last and are the most time consuming. You can spray the trim, but probably isn't worth the time it takes to mask off the newly painted siding or to use a handheld shield; a brush, roller or a combination is probably quicker.

Wallboard Saw

Wallboard saw is similar to a compass saw, but it is designed for gypsum board also claaed, drywall and sheetrock. The sharpened point is designed to make a starting cut for pipes, electric outlet, light switches etc.

The Advantages Of A Stabilizer Bar

A stabilizer provides a broad base for the top of an extension ladder so that it is less likely to twist away from a wall. Stabilizers come in a variety of materials and designs. The one shown here is made of a square aluminum tubing curved on each end. It's wide enough to bridge across a single window. It lifts the ladder away from the window and away from a wall for easier access to the roof. The stabilizer is fastened to the rails of the ladder by clamps and wing nuts. The stabilizer bar gives protection to a wall not only by keeping the ladder rails from scratching the wall. But with its nonskid pads at the ends of the stabilizer bar, it prevents slipping of the ladder as well.

Roller Grid and a 5 Gallon Bucket

A roller grid is great for loading paint on your roller. It helps to give you a even load of paint to your roller. You can place it in a 5 gallon bucket or in a paint roller pan. Use a 5 gallon bucket  when you are using more then one gallon of paint to get an even mix of your choice of paint. If any paint is left, simple place a top on the bucket and store it away.

Basic Drywall Tools

Mud pan is great for holding compound when on ladders or high places. You can clean your putty knife by scraping your putty knife on the top side of the mud plan. Use a 6in. knife for your first coat of compound and then apply tape. For your second coat, use a 8in. knife and then a 10in knife for your third and final coat. If adding a forth and final coat, you can use a 12in. knife.

Light Weight, Easy Sand 20,45,90 Minute Joint Compound

 Easy Sand Joint Compound is a substance that is used in joining together drywall (sheet rock) panels in the remodeling industry. This joint compound comes in a powdered form (non pre-mixed) that has to be mixed (with water) to the manufactures recommendations to make a paste. The 20,40 and 90 minutes set, is the amount of time is takes for the compound to dry (set). Only a true professional should use 20 minute set. This compound drys fast and gives minimum time for error. 40 minute set is good for an experienced drywall finisher or someone that as some experience. The 90 set is recommended for the inexperience do it yourself er. When using Joint Compound make sure all furniture and floor are covered, especially when doing a ceiling!

Dual Cartridge Respirators

Dual cartridge respirators are good to use when spraying solvent-base paints and strippers. They come with dual cartridges for protection against mold, asbestos, chlorine, solvents, dust and other different respiratory hazards. The cartridges come with filters and chemically active canisters to absorb vapors. and are color-coded. Many come in a convenient one-hand operation; contoured flange for superior fit and comfort. Some dual cartridge respirators cover your full face, while others cover just your nose and mouth area. Be sure to choose the right cartridges for the contaminant you are protecting yourself against and that your respirator fits properly.

Using A Electric Drills

There are a number of  sizes and styles when it comes to the electric drill, whether light-duty or heavy-duty.  Light-duty drills have a pistol-grip handle, while the heavy-duty drills have a spade-shape or like a D-shape handle. The electric drill can be used for just about anything, from walls, doors, lighting, hanging pictures, cabinets and a lot more! When using a drill make sure you wear eye and ear protection. Corded electric drills are good for maximum power and never running out of battery, but it limits the user when it comes to power source and can cause the user to be rapped in it's cord. The drilling speed is controlled by the amount of pressure applied to its trigger. Using a drill bit is determine by the size of the drills chuck opening. Twist drills (also called bits) are used for drilling holes for screws. Twist drills come sizes from 1/16in. to 1in. in increments of 1/64. Auger bits come in fine or coarse fee screws. Fine feed are used for boring in finish work, while coarse is used for fast boring in rough work. Auger bits come sizes from 1/4in. to 1in., graduated in 1/16in. increments. When drilling into material make sure to hold drill steady, failure to do so may break a twist drill.

Carpenter's Level

Carpenter's Level is a great tool used in the construction, home remodeling and by the homeowner as well. Most homeowners use this tool for hanging picture frames, cabinets, shelves and more. Not only can you use the Carpenter's Level for these types of projects, but you can also use it for painting vertical and horizontal lines for stripes and diamond shapes.

Circular Saw

Circular Saw sometimes called the Skilsaw. The Circular Saw is considered one of the most used tools in the industry. This tool can be adjusted, for Miter and Bevel cuts as well as being adjusted for depth in certain cuts. The Circular Saw as well as some other saws may come in different sizes determining on the size of  it's   blade. Blade sizes range from 41/2 to 16 inches blades (never change a blade with saw still plugged into it's power source) that come in a number of styles for different cuts and materials. Not only do the blades come in different styles, sizes, but also in the number of teeth per inch as well. This saw come with a built in blade guard. One half of the guard stays in a stand position, while the other half in a spring retracting guard for protection of it's operator. The guard can be retracted by hand for certain cuts, but only recommended that   a professional take this action! With the proper care and maintenance and regularly change blades when needed, the Circular Saw could last a lifetime.                                                                                           

Painting A Basement

Inhospitable basement has sounds walls and floor, only minor moisture problems, but little use. Remove fleaking with a staff wire brush. Stop minor moisture penetration with a waterproofer coat. Appy paint with long roller or brush- two coats of latex or one coat of waterproofer, then latex. Paint around obstacles and wall edges by brush, then roll floor with alkyd porch and deck enamel. Lively colors, a few lights and blinds on the windows will turn a basement into a habitable recreation room, play area or work space.

Power Washing

Power Washer removes dirt and loose paint with a water spray of up to 2500 psi. Work at an angle, with nozzle 10-12 in. from the surface. Avoid spraying directly into eaves and vents. Use protective eyewear.

Roller Cover & Nap

All paint rollers have removable covers or sleeves that are generally interchangeable with covers of the same width. These covers have fibers or naps different length to suit the type of surface being painted and the type of finish you are applying.  For flat wall paint, a cover with 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch nap is suitable for smooth surface walls and ceilings. For heavy stippled or textured surfaces a 3/4-inch nap will do much better at penetrating crevices. If painting really rough surfaces, like brick, stucco or shingles then a 1 1/2-inch nap will be your best bet.

Miter Saw

The Power Miter Saw is a great tool to have. You can make several types of cuts with this saw, straight cuts and angles cuts like a 45 degree cut and more by reading the degree scale. With this saw you can cut different types of  lumber materials. The adjustable head makes it easy to cut that 45 degree angle for molding, trim and borders or any two joining pieces. For a less expensive tool and get the same cuts, a handsaw miter box is a good back-up.

5 in 1 or 14 in 1 (A Painters Side kick)

The 14 in 1 tool is one of the best tools you can buy! It's handy for all types of jobs. With this tool you can use it as a scraper, can opener, bottle opener, nail pulling, tighten & losen bolts, strain paint rollers, and with the screwdriver attachments you can do just about everything.

Gypsum Wallboards (Drywall)

Gypsum wallboard is probably one of the most widely used wall-surfacing materials, having almost entirely replaced plaster in homes built over the last thirty or forty years (although it's often called Sheetrock, that is actually the brand name of one manufacturer). Gypsum board is strong and easy to work with, and much simpler than plaster to install. It is one of the easiest ways for the homeowner to finish off a newly erected partition wall (or to make a sizable patch on a plaster wall). Gypsum-board panel are normally sold in 4x8-foot sheets. although larger sheets 10, 12, or 16 feet long can be specially ordered. They come in three standard thickness: 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8 inch, with the 1/2-inch thickness being by far the most popular. Nails or screws should be spaced no more than 6 inches apart along the seams, and no more than about 12 inches apart along studs at the center of the sheet when hanging panels.

---

The Right Tool

The right brush for the job speeds the painting process and ensures better results. A wooden handle absorbs moisture, making holding easier. A plastic handle will get slippery.

---