Actually, one of the first things I learned when I started hanging our family portraits throughout our home was just how tricky the process is, especially without a second person to give you a hand.  Here are some strategies that should show you how to hang a picture properly.

How to Hang a Picture:  Getting the Proper Tools

Before you start trying to learn how to hand a picture properly, you need to gather the correct tools.  First, you need to decide the weight of the object you want to hang on the wall.  Most pictures are light enough that an ordinary nail will be sufficient for hanging, but a better choice is a wall hook.  These hooks are created to hold different weights of items so you’ll need to choose the right hook for the weight of your photo.  If you are trying to hang a portrait in a very heavy frame, then consider purchasing wood screws instead.  Obviously, you’ll need either a hammer or a screwdriver depending on the hanging method you choose.

Additionally, you’re going to need a good level.  Spend a little extra to get the models which offer the most useful features.  Remember you can get reusing that level for a long time so it’s worth the investment.  You’ll also need a stud finder, a tape measure, and a pencil.

How to Hang a Picture Properly – The Process

Once you’ve gathered all of your equipment you’ll need to decide where to hang the picture.  Having a second person around can come in handy at this stage because you can experiment with holding the picture against the wall until you find the best spot.  Remember to hang pictures at different heights depending on the furniture and other wall hangings.

After you select a spot, you’ll need to find the center mark.  If you want to center the picture over a piece of furniture, then measure the width of the furniture piece.  Otherwise, measure the width of the wall.  Mark the center with the pencil.  Now you’ll want to find the center mark on the picture you’ll be hanging.

Make sure to install the picture fastener you’ve chosen.  If you’re using wood screws, you’ll have to use the stud finder because those screws should be placed directly into the wall stud for extra strength.  You’ll want to avoid the studs if you’re using nails or hooks.

You can then hang the picture on the fastener.  Use the level to hang the picture correctly.

After you know how to hang a picture properly, you can experiment with placing pictures at different heights and in different positions relative to the furniture in your home.  Experimenting can help you create a unique feel to your photos.  For example, I’ve hung some of our children’s pictures in a stair step formation instead of in a vertical or horizontal row.  The different form makes the photo more visually interesting.

Changing Your Furnace Filters

The most frequent part of maintaining your furnace is changing the furnace air filters.  Most of these filters are fairly easy to reach and to replace so you don’t need to call out a professional.  Pull out your furnace’s maintenance book and read the section on filter replacement to find out which type of filter to use and how often to replace the filter.

Most disposable filters should be changed when you first start using your heating.  If you use your furnace continually, it’s a good idea to change out the filter every month.  When you don’t change your filter frequently enough, it can become clogged with dirt and debris.  As a result, your furnace won’t work as effectively or as efficiently.  In fact, if you’re already seeing high energy bills then changing your filters more frequently might be a good idea.

Not all furnace filters are disposable.  Some models only require cleaning.  Again, make sure you read the maintenance guide that came with your furnace to find out for sure.

Regardless of the type of filter, I would recommend cleaning the blower and other visible parts of the furnace every time you change the filter.  When these parts become too dirty, they can also affect the efficiency of your unit.  Some rags and a vacuum cleaner should be all the tools you need.  I’ve done this routinely with our current unit, which is fairly old, and it actually runs better than some of the newer units our neighbors have.

Other Furnace Servicing Needs

While changing your furnace filters regularly is probably the most common type of maintenance you’ll need to perform on your system, it’s probably not going to be all you need to do.   Some newer furnaces are fairly self-contained and require very little maintenance.  The bad news is that with these units the maintenance that is required must be done by a professional.  They just aren’t set up to make them easy for do-it-yourselfers to work with.

Older units don’t have the same problem.  You can more easily get in to do minor repairs or trouble shooting.  However, it’s a good idea to have those older units inspected periodically by a professional.  Carbon monoxide poisoning, for example, can be a problem with faulty older units.  Regularly inspections can also help you determine the remaining life of your unit.  Replacing your heating system can be costly so if you know your current unit only has another couple of years left then you can begin saving now to afford that replacement.

When it comes to your heating system, you should definitely be changing those furnace filters but it’s a good idea to call in professionals at least once a year to make sure everything is working correctly and that you can look forward to another toasty winter indoors.

After hearing that, we realized properly securing our domestic hot water tank was not something anyone should take lightly.

Other Good Reasons to Secure Your Hot Water Tank

We’ve already talked about one excellent reason to make sure your hot water tank is secure, but that’s only a problem if your system relies on natural gas.  Many don’t.  That doesn’t mean you don’t still have to be concerned.

If you think about your hot water tank, you know that it holds a good amount of water.  The actual capacity varies depending on the make and model but, on average, most tanks can hold about 50 gallons of water.  Considering the average weight of each of those gallons you’re talking about 400 pounds of water and that’s not even including the actual weight of the tank.  Can you imagine having something that weighs that much fall on you or one of your children or even a pet?  The results would definitely cause serious injury at the least.

Another good reason to secure your tank is that all of that stored water could be extremely useful in a bad situation.  If our friend, for example, had a secured tank and had been without water for a few days because of the earthquake, he could have tapped into that tank.  Most people don’t think about that.

How to Secure Your Hot Water Tank Properly

Now that you understand why you should secure your tank you should learn how to make sure it is properly secured.  You can buy kits and straps for this very purpose at most hardware stores.  Make sure to purchase only items that have been certified.  Poorly made pieces will end up breaking if the tank moves too much.

I have seen individuals use tie downs (straps you would use to secure items in the back of a pick-up) to secure their tanks, but I would recommend this only as a last resort.  Because most of these tie downs are made of nylon they could melt if allowed to come in contact with intense heat or flames.  You also would need to make sure they can support the weight of your full hot water tank.

If you’re in doubt, then I would recommend calling out an expert to check the security of your hot water tank.  Sure, you’ll have to pay for the visit but you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing your tank isn’t likely to tip over any time soon.

As usual though, I discovered that replacing those doors was a bit trickier than I’d thought at first. In fact, just choosing the right doors was a challenge.

Choosing Materials for Residential Exterior Doors

Your exterior doors need to be chosen carefully for a couple of reasons. Unlike your interior doors, these doors are going to be exposed to the harshest things Mother Nature can throw at it. From hail to snow to wind, your door needs to be able to stand up to it for years.

Many doors, particularly in older homes, are made from wood. Wood can be very attractive, but it does pose some durability problems. For one, the weather conditions can warp the door meaning eventually it won’t fit as snugly into your doorway as before. The result is a reduction in energy efficiency because more air from outside can get into your home.

When you start looking at new doors, you’ll find that there are more energy efficient models available. The most cost-effective are probably the steel variety. They cost around $150 at the low end and can be painted so they match the rest of your home. The steel won’t warp, and they handle wear and tear pretty well. Fiberglass and composite doors are two other options. These cost $300 and up. They aren’t quite as energy efficient as steel, but they have a more upscale look. If you or your spouse hates the idea of a steel door, either of these options would be a better choice than wood.

Residential Exterior Doors & Safety

One of the big concerns when you are replacing exterior wooden doors on your home is safety. When I was door shopping, for example, I found a beautiful model that had lovely windows around the edges. Another shopper saw me admiring the door and warmed me against buying it. His son-in-law had installed the same door a few weeks earlier, then a burglar broke one of the glass panels, reached inside, unlocked the door, and robbed their family while they were away for the weekend.

Those windows are beautiful, and they do let plenty of light into your home. However, you have to weigh those benefits against the safety risks. Look for doors that might allow you to have both by placing the windows in strategic locations or by including other safety features. Remember that the glass could also be broken by a careless paperboy, a neighbor kid playing ball, or even a particularly bad storm.

My advice for buying residential exterior doors is to stick with metal, particularly steel. It’s affordable and durable. If you love the wood look and can afford a little more then give the composite or fiberglass versions a whirl. But never make your purchase without thinking about your home’s and your family’s safety.

That’s when we decided to start seriously looking at their home insulation. Whether you’re buying a home or making your home more energy efficient, here are some home insulation tips you should find useful.

Home Insulation Basics

Regardless of the type of insulation you use in your home, it serves the same purpose – to prevent heat transfer. During the winter, you want to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. During the summer, it’s just the opposite. Reduced heat transfer means your home is able to maintain a stable climate and that puts less strain on your heating/cooling system which, in turn, reduces your energy costs and extends the life of your equipment which also saves you money in the long run.

A common question people ask is how to determine the energy efficiency of a given type of insulation. The answer is you compare R-values. R-value is a figure which represents how strongly the material can resist heat conduction. High numbers mean less heat transfer and greater energy efficiency.

Types of Home Insulation

Possibly the most challenging part of choosing home insulation is wading through all of the varieties on the market. Each type has advantages and disadvantages so you have to weigh those issues and consider what fits your particular needs the best. For example, spray foam insulation can be applied in some quantities and also provides some sound insulation which is nice if your neighbors are close. The foam can also increase the stability of the structure and some types are even fireproof. On the down side, you’ll need to use drywall or some other type of fire barrier with most spray foam because when it burns it releases toxic fumes into the air. Over time the insulation shrinks and becomes less effective.

Another common option is known as loose fill insulation. This was the option we chose for my in-law’s home. While loose-fill does not provide the greatest energy efficiency, it is safer for the environment and for humans, plus it’s one of the most cost-effective choices available.

Basically, loose fill materials are blown into the attic, between the walls, and in the ceiling of the home by a professional contractor. You can choose from a number of different materials, including cellulose, fiberglass, granulated cork, cotton, and wood chips. Many of the materials available are recycled so this insulation method may be a good choice if you are concerned about the environment.

These are just a couple of the choices you’ll have to investigate. Take some time and do your research. You need to find a good balance between safety, price, and effectiveness. It’s not an easy chore but your reduced heating/cooling bills will definitely be worth the effort in the end.

Anyway, cutting the hole and fixing the section of pipe that cracked was easier than I thought it would be. In fact, even the drywall repair went really well – I marked the drywall with a pencil where I wanted to cut the hole. I used an exacto knife to cut the line half way thru the drywall and then I used a drywall saw to finish the cut.  I like to use the exacto knife first to create a clean smooth cut so when it comes time to fill the hole the edges of the drywall are smooth creating a nice butt joint. I took my time when cutting to prevent damaging the drywall so I could reuse the cut piece to fill the hole.

When it was time to repair the hole I used a small piece of 1/4 plywood as backing and screwed it to the existing drywall with a 2-inch over hang. I used the overhang to screw the piece of drywall I cut out. Saving the cut out piece I could use it again. I used sticky mesh tape over the joints and applied compound lightly to the tape building it up just a bit higher than the mesh and then feathered it out over the wall. In no time at all and the wall was all patched up and repainted, just like new.

The good news is you only have to clean your gutters three times in an entire year.  The bad news is shortcuts don’t work that well.

Gutter Covers:  Are They Worth the Money?

You may have heard about products that can be installed on your gutters that prevent them from being clogged which means you don’t have to clean them any more.  This type of gutter guard sounds amazing, but it can be costly.  You’re usually charged by the linear foot for the material so depending on the amount of gutter around your home you could end up paying a small fortune for this protection.

The good news about gutter covers is they seem to do a decent job of keeping out the big pieces of debris, such as leaves.  The bad news is you’re likely to still see regular build up of smaller debris, such as pine needles.  These small items can work their way through the holes and become lodged.  Even with the gutter guard protection, you’ll still need to clean your gutters periodically, just maybe not three times a year.  You would have to decide for yourself whether the financial sacrifice is worth it or not.

Gutter Cleaning Steps

When we first moved to our home, I had to clean the gutters after a big rain storm.  I didn’t know what I was doing and seriously considered calling in one of those gutter cover companies for an estimate.  Then I did some research and realized the job wasn’t pleasant but it also wasn’t too difficult.

For starters, you have to know when to clean those gutters.  Through trial and error, I’ve discovered the best times are twice after the leaves begin falling (right now would be a great time) and again after all of the leaves are gone from the trees.  If you have a particularly nasty autumn, you may want to watch for water dripping from the corners of your gutters.  This could mean your actual downspout is clogged.  You may also just need to seal the corners of your gutter with a sealer – you can find several available on the market.

When you start gutter cleaning, you’ll need to make sure your ladder is secure.  Most accidents that happen do so because of ladders slipping.  If you can’t secure it, make sure to have someone else available who can hold the ladder for you.

When I clean the gutters, I always wear rubber gloves.  The gloves protect me from the sharp edges of the gutter and from the debris I’m cleaning out in big handfuls.  That’s right.  I recommend starting by cleaning out the gutter using your hands or a scooper of some kind.  Once you have most of the debris out you can use a hose to flush out the rest.

Of course, you also have the option of hiring someone to do your gutter cleaning for you.  But the job really isn’t difficult or time-consuming if done regularly and that money could probably be spent more wisely on other parts of your home.

Simply asking a neighbor or friend, regardless of their expertise, can save tons of trouble in the long run.  I’ll attest to this first hand.

Just a few months ago, my wife and I were watching our favorite weeknight T.V. show when she noticed water slowly dripping from the ceiling.  Well, we have an upstairs bathroom directly above the site where the drip was occurring.  I was less than thrilled to say the least!

Anyway, I managed to shut off the water and resolved to dig in and fix the problem the next morning.  After analyzing the problem the best I could, I basically conceded to the fact that cutting a hole in the living room ceiling’s drywall to get at the issue was the only reasonable solution.

When I mentioned this to my neighbor, who’s sort of an expert handyman, he suggested accessing the leak from the inside of the bathroom vanity instead – just cut away the drywall inside the vanity and simply replace it after the leak is fixed with plywood painted white, which will also allow easy access in the future.  Why didn’t I think of this solution in the first place?  I don’t know, but I’m sure glad I mentioned it to my neighbor before creating a gigantic mess out of the living room.

This serves as proof that it really does pay to ask for advice on any home improvement projects you’re getting ready to tackle, whether it’s a full blown DIY interior remodeling project, designing and building a new deck, turning that extra bedroom into a new home office, or even just basic decorating.  In the end, you’re not required to abide by the advice, but I can almost guarantee you’ll end up appreciating the insight offered!

Finding the Right Roofer for the Job

In most cases, the first place you’ll start your search for a roofer is in the Yellow Pages.  That’s a big mistake.  When you look in the phone book, your eye is going to focus on the largest ads and those are the folks you’ll end up calling.  The bad news is that big ads don’t translate into the best service, just the highest prices (at least most of the time).

Instead, you should start by talking to your friends and family members who’ve had roof work done.  They can give you the names of people to consider and people to avoid.  After you have a list of potential names, you need to make sure they are licensed contractors for your area.  To do this, you can go to www.cslb.ca.gov which is the Contractor’s State Licensing Board (CSLB).  You should never hire a roofer who is not properly licensed.  You want to find someone licensed to provide residential roof shingles.

Before you settle on a roofer, you should have multiple professionals give you an estimate on the work and their opinion of what needs to be done.  What surprised me most was how different the recommendations were for our roof.  One roofer even said we’d have to strip down the entire roof and completely redo it!  Remember you need a second, even a third or fourth opinion, before you make a decision.

Questions to Ask Potential Roofers

When you’re comparing roofers, you have to ask a few important questions.  For starters, ask what types of shingles they will be using in the work.  Make sure you do your own homework about the different shingle materials – asphalt roof shingles are a common choice -  and styles so you’ll be able to make an educated decision.  The golden rule is the more you pay for your shingles the longer they are going to last.  Basically choose the most expensive shingles you can afford.

While not really a question, you should also ask potential roofers for at least three references.  These should come from people who have recently worked with the person – not some guy who had roofing work done five years ago.

You should also go over the contract thoroughly before signing it and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.  Make sure all of the terms are spelled out clearly, including the specifics of what needs to be done, when work will be started, what materials will be used, and how much the work is going to cost.  While we’re on the subject of cost, be prepared to pay a deposit to get the work started.  However, that deposit should be the lesser of $1,000 or 10% of the total estimate.  Make sure you pay that deposit and all future payments by check or – if you must pay in cash for some reason – get a signed receipt from the contractor.

The bottom line is do not rush into a decision about a roofer just because you’re desperate to have work done to your roof.  A bad choice could lead to bigger problems down the road.

Some Pointers for Choosing Blinds for Your Windows

When you’re thinking about blinds, a few questions should come to mind.  For one, you need to think about how much light you want to allow into the particular room.  For example, you may need to keep light out of bedrooms and living rooms while letting light into kitchens, playrooms, bathrooms, or dining rooms.  To minimize lighting you might want to consider privacy bamboo wood blinds.  Bamboo has become a popular choice because it’s moderately priced, decorative, and long-lasting.  If you choose the privacy version, an extra piece of fabric will be attached to the back of the blinds to stop that lighting from getting through.

If you’re talking about window coverings, then energy efficiency is probably also going to be a factor.  Your best choice is PVC backed vertical blinds.  Vertical window binds are a popular choice because they give you good control over lighting and privacy, but when you add the PVC material then you increase the ability of the blinds to block heat and cold from coming into your home uninvited.

The style of your home should also be worth considering when choosing window treatments.  Today’s contemporary-looking homes, for example, also look great with verticals and with some of the blinds made from faux materials that are now on the market.  However, if you have an older home, then wood window blinds are going to be the best choice.  They will match more nicely with the rest of your décor.  These styles of blinds are affordable and fit into most budgets.  Plus, they are fairly easy to find on the market in a variety of sizes to fit most home windows.

Other Factors for Blinds

As you may already have realized, some rooms are just more humid than others.  Your bathrooms, for instance, have a lot of humidity.  That humidity caused from your shower and all of the other water being used can damage many types of blinds that you could install in the room.  Vinyl blinds are a better choice because they stand up against the humidity and because they are affordable.

If you’re on a really tight budget, then mini blinds are your best choice.  They can also be a great window treatment to have in place while you decide which window blinds you prefer to use for your rooms.