DIY Home Repairs at WomanTalkLive

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• ToolBox TomGirl: Giving Your Kitchen Cabinets a Facelift

  Thursday, May 17, 2012

  
  Jo Ellen Soesbee

  If you want to do something to spiff up your kitchen, one thing you can do is to give the cabinets a facelift by painting them. The dark, dingy wood look is so outdated it makes an otherwise nice kitchen look dreary. No modern day DIY woman wants that to happen.

  As a DIY’ing woman, all you need to do is prepare your cabinets for the facelift and you can make all the difference in the world. I am here to lead you through the process.

  First remove all the doors because it makes it easier to paint them and keeps you from having to worry about horizontal drips. Second, remove all the hardware – which you are going to replace with new dazzling hardware anyway – almost like a new pair of diamond earrings when you get new makeup. Now you are ready to begin the makeover.

  1. It begins with a thorough cleansing. Because cooking deposits a thin film of oil and grease you need to scrub inside and outside (shelves and cabinets) with a TSP solution and then rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
  2. Roughen up the surface that will be painted with a 220-grit sandpaper so that the finish is completely dulled. You can also use a liquid deglosser which eliminates the need for sanding but it won’t remove imperfections in the wood like sanding will.
  3. Next you need to wipe off the sanding dust with a nice clean cotton cloth. You should use some denatured alcohol so the dust sticks to the cloth and doesn’t fly up and into your eyes (past your protective eye wear). PROTECT your hands with gloves!
  4. Now you need to apply white primer before painting your new color.
  5. I know you will hate this but now you have to re-sand again – but only lightly this time. Re-sand the primed surface with the 220-grit sandpaper, and again remove the dust with a damp rag.
  6. Using a brush or a paint pad you finally get to do your magic and paint on your beautiful new color of enamel paint to the cabinets. Do this within 24 hours of the priming so no dust or dirt accumulates on your primed surface. Look at what you have done to see if imperfections show through and do a second coat if necessary.

  Tip: When applying your new knobs, you want to lightly hold the knob in position against the front surface of the door or drawer while using a screwdriver to tighten the screw from the back. (DO NOT turn the knob from the front to tighten)

  Now, stand back and admire your work.  Enjoy that new kitchen.

  Here’s to women holding paintbrushes,

  Jo Ellen Soesbee
  The ToolBox TomGirl

  ***

  Besides teaching you how to DIY, I present and lecture to groups of all sizes (and ages) regarding DIY projects, being a woman in business, and basic repairs.

  The ToolBox TomGirl and her crew at Reliable Repairs, Inc. are available to help you around your house or business.

  Sign up for Jo Ellen’s eNewsletter and educate yourself one home repair at a time.

  You can also contact Jo Ellen at 443-286-6923 or joellen@toolboxtomgirl.com.

  
  

   

• ToolBox TomGirl: Painting Your Home – Getting Ready For the Oohs and Ahhs

  Thursday, May 3, 2012

  
  Jo Ellen Soesbee

  Now that the weather is getting warmer, a lot of you will need to spiff up the outside of your house. Check out the trim around your doors, windows, roof, and porch.

  In order for the trim outside your house to withstand all temperatures and weather elements, the key is to prepare it properly. It’s a lot like a baby, you need to treat it with care by scraping off the old “stuff” and prepare it with a layer of primer (no -not baby powder) and then put on the new coating (paint in this case). Then it will be ready for the world to admire with all the oohs and ahhs.

  What I am really saying is that you need to repair, scrape, sand, clean, wipe down, and apply your primer. Then, you are ready to paint. You need to paint within three days. Trim paint can be matched to the paint color on the rest of the house so you have a nice even color flow.

  Below are some tips on the different areas of trim that you will be painting:

  1. Paint soffits and fascia first; this keeps paint from dripping on work you may have done to the siding or other areas. Paint the overhang (soffit) and then work your way onto the edges facing the soffit. Paint the brackets (corbels) after you have painted the panels (in other words, last). Paint the cornice molding as you go along so you don’t have to go back later and do it. Move in a smooth line.
  2. Paint the gutters with a metal primer that includes a rust inhibitor. These come in a variety of colors also.
  3. After painting your walls or siding and trim, you can prime and paint your foundation. Use the same color as your siding or choose a complimentary color. Paint the areas around the windows and doors first with a sash brush and then paint the border areas with a larger brush working the paint into the mortar lines.
  4. Don’t forget the metal railing. Scrape off the peeling paint and rust. Using a stiff, wire metal brush, scrape off peeling and flaking paint. Brush off all the residue. Finish with a dry cloth to remove any debris. Next follow up with primer with enamel paint with rust busting capabilities. If you get it in a spray can make sure you cover the surface below and against the walls in case there is overspray.
  5. When painting the jambs, casings and trim next to the siding be sure to use painters tape to mask it off to keep drips and spills from hitting the siding. Mask the floors underneath the doors and wedge the doors and windows open. Paint the jamb after the window is dry. Paint the casing while the jambs are wet but wait to paint the threshold until after the jambs and casings have dried. (Whew – that’s always a lot to remember).
  6. Prime and paint wooden steps and porch floors after everything else has been painted. Remember to use enamel floor paint – one that withstands high volume foot traffic. I know that you already know to start at the top and work your way down the steps (right?).

  Now your house is ready for the oohs and ahhs it so well deserves.

  Here’s to women getting it done,

  Jo Ellen Soesbee
  The ToolBox TomGirl

  ***

  Besides teaching you how to DIY, I present and lecture to groups of all sizes (and ages) regarding DIY projects, being a woman in business, and basic repairs.

  The ToolBox TomGirl and her crew at Reliable Repairs, Inc. are available to help you around your house or business.

  Sign up for Jo Ellen’s eNewsletter and educate yourself one home repair at a time.

  You can also contact Jo Ellen at 443-286-6923 or joellen@toolboxtomgirl.com.

   

   

• ToolBox TomGirl: Does Your House Need to Breathe?

  Thursday, April 19, 2012
  

  Jo Ellen Soesbee

  How confused have you become over insulating, not insulating, how, when, how much, too much, not enough, what kind, here, there, up, down, inside, outside, – EXACTLY….me too. Enough already!

  Before the craze to go energy efficient we didn’t have the extra insulation in walls, attics and crawl spaces. We had natural ways for air to escape the house and be replaced with fresh air. We had windows that we used as our ventilation system and we even believed that we got fresh air from the attics and outlets (now we even plug those holes up).

  Sealing your house and having proper insulation is a good thing but how do you know what is good and what is bad? Basically what we should have in our house is what we want in good exercise clothes, like Under Armour. We want it to keep the cold air out but let our body vapor (hot, moist air) out also. So, in other words, we want our walls to be air tight, but vapor permeable. We need fresh air but not so fresh that we are freezing or sweating.

  Today remodelers have several ways to accomplish fresh air in a house (but typically this sets aside energy efficiency goals). One is to installs a bathroom fan that runs throughout the day. He/she would choose a quiet model that more or less runs continuously throughout the day when someone is in the building or house.

  Another way to get fresh air inside without having open windows all year is to install a heat exchanger which controls the amount of air that goes out while bringing in the same amount of fresh air and minimizes the amount of heat lost (I choose this option). This is the most efficient and safe method. It also ensures a cleaner air flow and you will be able to keep the loss of energy to a minimum.

  If you need to remodel – why not do it right and make the changes to your house healthy ones. Who knew that this would all become so complicated?

  I can help determine if your house needs mouth-to-mouth, if it is breathing too much and is hyperventilating, or just needs some adjustments for better air flow. Call me!

  Here’s to women getting it done,

  Jo Ellen Soesbee
  The ToolBox TomGirl     

   ***

  The ToolBox TomGirl and her crew at Reliable Repairs, Inc. are available to help you around your house or business. We love to do this stuff. What you don’t want to do – we will.

  Sign up for Jo Ellen’s eNewsletter and educate yourself one home repair at a time.

  You can also contact Jo Ellen at 443-286-6923 or joellen@toolboxtomgirl.com.

   

• ToolBox TomGirl: More Getting Ready for Spring

  Thursday, April 5, 2012

   

  

  Jo Ellen Soesbee

  Knock – knock, Guess what?   You thought you were finished last week?  Not a chance.  I still have more items for your wonderful spring DIY checklist.  So STOP WHINING and get busy!

  If you need to review those items from last week, click here.

  Below are some more items that you need to look at around your house just to be sure your castle is ready for the upcoming weather (and made it through the mild winter we had).

  1. Clean the exhaust fan on the stove (including the filter – put that in the dishwasher).
  2. Vacuum the filters on the dryer, washer, heater/AC unit, refrigerator coils, and the dryer vent on the outside of house (be sure the flapper outside is still working correctly).
  3. Inspect the water lines for the washing machine (check for cracks).
  4. Check the deck for loose screws, nails or split wood. Check the handrails and steps for loose boards.
  5. Check the general condition of the roof, shingles, gutters, shingles, soffit, caulking, etc. Walk the house perimeter looking for places that little critters could get it. Plug up holes with “Great Stuff”.
  6. Inspect the attic fan and roof-mounted turbine vents to be sure they are operating properly.
  7. Check the windows for caulking issues, screen repairs, loose latches, etc.
  8. Check to see that the garden hose is in working condition (before you need it in the garden).
  9.  Service the AC unit – NOW – before the mad rush.
  10.  Wash the windows, drapes, and blinds (I can hear my Mom saying – Spring cleaning time…..yuck).
  11.  Check the smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors.
  12.  Have your duct system cleaned by a professional. Change the air filter after a few days of having this done.
  13.  Check the grill, patio furniture, and hammock for damage from last year before using it for the first time.

  Okay – now relax. Have a drink and play for a bit. You don’t have to do this all in one day. It’s all about preparation for the days to come.

  I am also available to provide you with an all-inclusive home inspection/maintenance service for each season. I can provide you with the necessary tips and tools to keep your home in tip-top shape all year round.

  Here’s to women getting it done,

  Jo Ellen Soesbee
  The ToolBox TomGirl     

   ***

  The ToolBox TomGirl and her crew at Reliable Repairs, Inc. are available to help you around your house or business. We love to do this stuff. What you don’t want to do – we will.

  Sign up for Jo Ellen’s eNewsletter and educate yourself one home repair at a time.

  You can also contact Jo Ellen at 443-286-6923 or joellen@toolboxtomgirl.com.

   

   

   

• ToolBox TomGirl: Spring into Action

  Thursday, March 29, 2012
  

  Jo Ellen Soesbee

  It’s the time of year that everyone is thinking about spring cleaning and all the other “To Do” lists that they have for spring. Like every other ToolBox TomGirl I am thinking of my own spring maintenance list. I am NOT thinking house cleaning though. Trust me, that is not something I enjoy. I do it, but it is with a huge chip on my shoulder and some very loud music.

  This week I am going to provide you with a short list of the forgotten or weird spring maintenance tips for around your house. These are the ones that are not always on your tip sheet, not the normal ones like checking the gutters and air conditioning filters; these are some of the forgotten ones. So here goes:

  1. Check all the bathtubs and showers caulking/grout to see if any have small gaps and cracks. If it does, now is the time to scrape it off and put in new caulking/grout. BEFORE you have a leak.
  2. Go around and check all the shelves that you have books and heavy objects on. Look to see if they are bearing the weight properly. Are they pulling away from the wall (even a little)? If so, you need to move them or refasten them with new fasteners, lighten the load, or take them down and do some redecorating. Be sure to check the closets, garage, and laundry room (all the hidden places you hardly ever visit).
  3. Clean out the closet under your basement steps and look for evidence of spiders or crickets. Use bug spray. Get rid of unwanted items and put things in storage totes or other storage units. Keep the area clean so nothing can nest in there next winter. Check your attic and garage the same way. Rodents and insects love spaces where no one looks. Keep it clean.
  4. Check behind furniture for cracks in the molding and fill it in with caulking. This is a great entry point for ants in the summer (especially on outside walls).
  5. Check the screws, hinge pins, rollers and door closers on all your doors. You want these rolling and moving freely when you want to run outside for the sun and inside quickly from a summer rain storm.
  6. Check your deck handrails to be sure they are secure.
  7. Remove the cover and clean all the bathroom exhaust fans.
  8. Check your grill. Make sure you have propane for your first cookout.
  9. Fix a cool drink and go outside and enjoy the beautiful flowers popping up everywhere. Look for where you need to hammer in a nail, saw down a tree, or dance to a Tina Turner song.

  See you next week.

  Here’s to women holding hammers!

  Jo Ellen Soesbee
  The ToolBox TomGirl     

   ***

  The ToolBox TomGirl and her crew at Reliable Repairs, Inc. are available to help you around your house or business. We love to do this stuff. What you don’t want to do – we will.

  Sign up for Jo Ellen’s eNewsletter and educate yourself one home repair at a time.

  You can also contact Jo Ellen at 443-286-6923 or joellen@toolboxtomgirl.com.

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