The walls will need to be clean and dry and, most importantly, oil free. The first thing you will need to do is lightly sand any imperfections that you see, but make sure that there is no lead paint on the wall. You don’t want to sand a wall and release any dust filled lead into your home.

Make any repairs necessary. Check to make sure there are no small cracks or missing plaster. Small holes and cracks can be easily filled in with a spackling compound that you can find at Home Depot or Lowes. It’s relatively inexpensive.

After you make any repairs that are needed, wipe the walls down with a clean, damp cloth to remove any debris. Let the walls dry thoroughly before starting your painting project. Paint will not adhere to dirty or oily walls, so make sure that they are clean.

Prepare your room by using a painter tape such as 3M blue tape. Tape all areas that you don’t want the paint to touch like the baseboards, window trim, etc. Remove all electrical outlet and light switch covers for a neater job. Cover all furniture and carpeting with a drop cloth or plastic to protect it.

Preparing the walls, furniture and carpeting can be a tiresome task, but it will make for a nicer, cleaner look when you finish painting.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kathy Zengolewicz

The first thing you need to do is to stop any leaks or seepage from you basement floor or walls. Seepage can be caused by any cracks in your cement, the house settling may be a cause and any water pressure that may have built up outside and is forcing the water through the walls.

If there are leaks or crack, those have to be repaired before waterproofing. You can fill any hairline cracks with the waterproofing mixture. Any cracks larger than about 1/8” need to repaired first before taking further steps.

There are epoxy and latex cement mixes for repairing small jobs. For any bigger cracks consider using a mortar mix to fill in the holes and cracks. If outside pressure is forcing water through the wall, you may want to consult a professional.

If there are no cracks in the walls or floor then you can start to apply a waterproofing compound directly to the walls. To apply the coating use a stiff brush and circular motions. Take you time and fill every pore in the wall.

Apply the coating to the bottom first, to the top and then back to the bottom applying additional layers. When the coating is dry, soak it thoroughly with water and let it set overnight. Wet it down thoroughly again and apply a second coat of waterproofing mixture while the wall is wet. Use the same techniques for brushing on the second coat that you did for the first.

Always use two coats when waterproofing. One coat will not seal the area adequately enough.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

I have a friend who has started a project of removing some tiles from her floor. I’m sure she wishes that she hadn’t started this since it is turning out to involve much more than she anticipated.

sxc.hu

If you are removing vinyl or stick on floor tiles it is easier to use heat to help loosen them. Home improvement stores sell the heat guns and they are relatively inexpensive.  They are similar to a hair dryer, but the heat is much hotter and the blower is more powerful.

You will also need a large scrapper, or you might want to invest in a long handled chisel so that you can scrape while standing. That is a little bit easier on the back.  A flat bladed garden shovel will also do the job. You can buy a floor scraper at just about any hardware store. Remember, you will need the most durable scraper you can find and one with a sharp edge.

After loosening the tiles you will then need to go back over the floor with the scraper. If you have a problem getting the floor tiles up with the scraper, try using the heat gun again. There may be a few patches of tile and clump, use a putty knife on those spots to loosen.

You may not have to use adhesives when you put the tiles down, but you will deal with the adhesives when removing the tiles. If heating the adhesive isn’t working, you may need to purchase a commercial vinyl tile and flooring adhesive remover. If you get to this point, you will need to make sure the area is well ventilated and use a face mask or respirator while applying the remover.

As you can see, this project can go from a simple task of removing the tiles to using adhesive removers and dealing with chemicals that you may be breathing into you lungs. So, know your limits. Know when you need to call in a professional.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon.

Post from: Keeping the Castle

sxc.hu

Most weatherproofing can be done by you, no need to call a professional. Here are a couple of easy jobs that will make a big difference when the cold weather blows in. Clean all gutters and downspouts in early fall and check them again, to make sure they are clear, before winter. Clean or replace the filter in your house heater. Make sure to turn off all outside water spigots and turn the water flow off from the inside.

Buy snow shovels and any other winter supplies early, before the snow hits. Always keep extra bottled water and canned goods on hand in case of an emergency.

Make sure that attic and basement walls are adequately insulated. Look under your doors for gaps where the warm air can escape or cold air can find it’s way into your home. Caulk all window or door frames that are in need of repair.

Feel around the electrical outlets and switch plates for cold air. Insulate where needed. Have your chimney cleaned and test the flue of your fireplace to make sure there is a tight seal when it is closed.

These are just a few ideas to help you save money and to keep you warm throughout the winter season.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kathy Zengolewicz

Indoor gardens can be made to exude beauty in a room.  They are the perfect solution for apartment dwellers who don’t have room for an outdoor garden. Believe it or not, indoor plants actually filter the air in your home. They do require some maintenance, but if you choose the right plants the maintenance time will be drastically reduced.  Let’s take a look at a couple of different ideas for an indoor garden.

These plants need a minimum of care and are inexpensive to buy.

A pothos plant, or devil’s ivy as it is sometimes called, is the most common indoor house plant. It has even survived bachelor pads, now what does that tell you? It can survive and flourish with changing  levels of light, temperature, humidity and watering. It is one of a few species that can survive without any natural light source.

A spider plant. Everyone knows how easy it is to care for a spider plant. Why not start your plant from a small cutting/clipping and see how big it grows in a few months time.

A bromeliad is another excellent indoor plant. The have colorful foliage and they adapt nicely to growing conditions that exist in most houses.

Another good idea is to create an herb garden to sit on your kitchen counter or window sill. Make sure  to grow only the herbs that you will use in your cooking.

This should be enough information to get you started on your indoor garden.

Indoor plants, however, do need consistency with watering and feeding. I will blog about watering, feeding and decorating with indoor plants at a later time, so stay tuned!

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Kathy Zengolewicz

Changing your curtains or getting a new window treatment can completely change the look of a room. It doesn’t matter whether you choose sheer curtains, heavy draperies or a sheer curtain with an over drape. Window treatments express your style and also provide privacy. You can choose anything from a simple linen curtain to a faux silk drape for a stunning effect.

For the kitchen, you don’t have to go to a lot of expense. I did a makeover on my kitchen and it cost me next to nothing. Throw some paint on the walls to brighten and freshen them and change your drawer pulls. My kitchen theme is apples so I looked around and found small apple knobs and I replaced my old drawer pulls with those. Go to a linen outlet and choose a few colorful, seasonal dish towels, hand towels and dish cloths. They will definitely make your kitchen bright.

Living rooms were made for candles. Arrange a couple of pillar candles, different sizes, around the room to give it a rich look. Around this time of year you can get seasonal paper plates in all sizes to set the candles on to give them a festive charm.  If your sofa is looking a little shabby, try a new slip cover or better yet arrange a favorite quilt or afghan, corner facing down towards the cushions, across the top of the couch. This will give your living room a warm and inviting look. Remember to keep you living room lamp and coffee tables free of clutter.

Always make sure that your entry way, at the front door, is free of clutter. When the path is clear, your home will feel more welcoming.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

1. Try to unscrew your shower head yourself.  Many of them can unscrew with your hands.  If this doesn’t work, you’ll need some plyers.
2. Wrap your plyers in tape (this is to keep them from scratching up your shower head).  Remove showerhead.
3. Use a toothpick to remove large clumps of build up.
4. Submerge the showerhead in vinegar.  You can use a bowl, bucket, etc.  Soak the showerhead all day or overnight.  If you don’t want to remove the showerhead from the wall, then you can try filling a bag (maybe a Ziploc) with vinegar and tying the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band or something strong enough to hold the weight of the vinegar.  The vinegar will dissolve the mineral deposits.
5. Remove showerhead from vinegar submersion and reattach to the shower.

Enjoy your clean showerhead!

image sxc.hu

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Hello all! Lou Manfredini here, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man.” I’m excited to share some easy tips on adding curb appeal to your home this summer. Keeping the outside of your home looking great has two purposes: you’re able to see a home you’re proud of every day and it increases your home’s overall value.

One of the most important things you’ll want to do is to keep your home’s exterior paint and caulking in tip-top shape. If you have a painted home and there are areas that could use some TLC, follow this advice:

• Scrape off any loose paint and sand the areas to feather the edges of the scraped paint to the rest of the surface.
• Spot prime the areas with a good exterior, stain-killing primer like Ace Stain Halt, which is low-VOC and easy to apply and clean up.
• Finally, repaint the siding with a satin finish exterior paint to repel moisture.

If the front door is looking a little shabby, consider repainting that as well. After all, it is the first thing people see when walking up to your home. To make your door shine, follow these simple steps:

• Start by using a sanding sponge to level off the old finish of the painted surface.
• Next, prime the entire surface with a durable primer like Ace Stain Halt. It is easy to apply, cost-effective and clean up is a breeze – all you need is soap and water.
• Once the door is fully dry, lightly sand the door before applying at least two coats of a high-quality exterior paint in a semi-gloss finish. Choose a color that complements your home and be sure to use a really good brush – it does make a difference.

Finally, finish off your entryway with new accessories. Replace door handles, doorknockers and house numbers with shiny new versions or simply paint your old ones to get that “brand-new” look. These small changes can really make a big splash!

How have you added curb appeal to your home?

image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Better Homes & Gardens always has great do-it-yourself projects and home improvement ideas.  BHG has step by step instructions on how to upholster a headboard.

To make this headboard you’ll need plywood, foam, and about 7 yards of fabric.  Check out BHG’s step by step instructions.

image from Better Homes & Gardens

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Get a grill – If you already have a grill, then get it working.  Clean it up and change any needed parts.  You also might want to get a grill cover to keep the rain and weather from causing damage.  I don’t know about you, but once summer rolls around I enjoy cooking outside.  It keeps me from heating up the house and there are so many foods that taste great when cooked on the grill.  Have some friends over, grill some meats and veggies, and have fun!

Start a garden – I’ve been meaning to start a garden these past few weeks, but I just haven’t had the time.  Last year I enjoyed peppers and tomatoes and this year I plan to plant more things.  Starting a garden is on my priority list for next week.  Come summer, I’ll be enjoying fresh vegetables off the vine.  They seem to taste so much better when you’ve grown them yourself and it definitely saves on your grocery budget.

Put in a deck or patio – Decks and patios can be expensive, but you can save a lot of money if you build them yourself.  Decks and patios can be used for years to come and they make such a great hangout spot for your summer get togethers.

Plant some flowers and plants – It’s hard to enjoy your yard when it doesn’t look good.  Plants and flowers are one of the easiest ways to spruce up a yard.  Personally, I like perennials because they come back each year, don’t require a lot of fuss, and they’re a more thrifty choice.  Check with your local stores for tips on plants and flowers to plant in your area.

Image: sxc.hu

Consider the little things – Sometimes minor changes can make a difference.  Is your garden flag tattered and faded?  Does the outside light provide enough light?  Changing minor things can make your yard more appealing and comfortable for you and your guests.

Get some lawn furniture – I have always wanted some nice outdoor furniture.  Maybe one of these days I can make this purchase.  I have a big deck this year so it would be nice to sit outside under and umbrella and have lunch.  If you already have outdoor furniture, then now is the time to get it cleaned up and ready to use.  If it looks a little worn, then it may be possible to clean it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or perhaps you could just replace or recover the cushions.

Hang up bird feeders – Even if you don’t have much money this year, chances are you can afford a bird feeder.  There’s something very peaceful and calming about watching beautiful birds outside your windows.

Consider some outdoor storage - To put it nicely, outdoor junk is very unattractive.  I can’t stand to see things lying around the yard.  If you don’t have a shed or outbuilding, you might consider getting one.  If you can’t afford a building or if you don’t need something that large, there are other storage options such as storage benches and deck boxes.

Get the bugs under control – It is hard to enjoy the great outdoors if there are pests flying around.  You certainly don’t want your guests to be eaten up by bugs while they’re visiting.  You may want to try citronella candles or torches.  Also, keep in mind that there are also some pretty neat traps and repeller gadgets out there now.

Think about some decor – From arches and trellisis to ponds and fountains, there is something out there for everyone.  Look online or drive around different neighborhoods and look for things you like.

These are some of the things you can do to make your yard more enjoyable this summer.  What suggestions do you have to add to this list?

Post from: Keeping the Castle