Fix It Archives - Page 3 of 15

How to Build a Rock Solid Gate

If you googled “Sad Excuse for a Gate”, this is the image that would pop up:

Rotted, sagging and falling apart are all words you could use to describe it.

One of the main reasons this gate is in poor shape is because it wasn’t built rock solid! Building a rock solid gate requires a 2″x4″ frame, not these measly 2″x2″ pieces. The wire can only help so much with sag. This gate just wasn’t built to last.

Want to learn How to Build a Rock Solid Gate?

Let’s get building!

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Homax Easy Gate Kit
2″x4″ board(s)
Tape measure
Pencil
Hammer
Level
String
Shims
Drill
Saw

Instructions:

I’ve built several gates, but the Homax Easy Gate is the easiest way to build a Rock Solid Gate (NOT paid to say this!) The frame is custom sized to your gate by the length of the 2″x4″ boards. The hinges are integrated into the frame, making this one of the quickest and strongest gate kits I’ve ever built.

Start by removing your old gate. If the pickets are in good shape, save them for use on the new gate.

Measure the width of your opening.

Subtract 1.5″ from the width and cut two 2″x4″ boards to this dimension.

Measure the height of your adjacent fence posts.

Subtract a few inches from the height measurement to allow the gate kit hinge to secure to the post. (And to keep the bottom 2″x4″ a few inches above the ground to keep it from rotting.) Cut the two 2″x4″ boards to this measurement.

Insert your cut boards into the gate kit. You may need the hammer to force some stubborn studs into place. Read more

March 15, 2016/4 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

energy conservation, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Maintenance, repair

11 Ways to Keep Your Home Warmer this Winter

11 Ways to Keep Your Home Warmer | Pretty Handy Girl

That bugger, Old Man Winter is peeking around the corner. He’s ready to put the chill in your bones and push drafts through every little crack in your home. But, you can be ready for him with these 11 Ways to Keep Your Home Warmer this Winter. Is your home truly as energy efficient and secure from drafts as you think it is? Here are 11 Ways to Keep Your Home Warmer this Winter! And, not one of them involves raising the thermostat! Click on the links to be taken to a more detailed tutorial.

Weatherstrip Your Doors and Windows

Protect Your Spigots

Make Sure Your Heat Pump is Working at Full Capacity Read more

November 2, 2015/6 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

31 Days of Handy Home Fixes, energy conservation, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Maintenance, Plumbing, repair

Protect Pipes from Freezing

How to Protect Your Pipes from Freezing | Pretty Handy Girl

In the same vein as Monday’s post about adding insulation, let’s continue preparing for winter. While you are under the house looking at insulation, take notice of your water pipes. Are they insulated too? If not, it’s important to protect your water pipes with foam insulation to prevent them from freezing. Here in North Carolina, we’ve been experiencing more winters with temperatures dipping below freezing and sometimes in the single digits.

Having a water pipe freeze and burst is not a disaster I wish to experience. Water leaks, mold, termite damage and asbestos are plenty of experiences for one handy girl. Given my experience with water leaks, I will do everything I can to prevent future leaks (including installing water leak detectors.)

Ready to learn How to Protect Water Pipes from Freezing? This is one of the easiest tutorials I’ve written. Honest.

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Instructions:

If you are venturing into the crawlspace, protect your knees. As a brand ambassador for Duluth Trading Company, I was overjoyed to try these Duluth Trading Company cargo pants with knee pad sleeves. They are now my favorite work pants and I wear them with the inserted knee pads anytime I have to go under the house.

Locate any unprotected water pipes (look for copper, white, red, blue or gray pipes about 3/4 – 1 inch in diameter).

Measure the length of the exposed pipe. Read more

October 30, 2015/8 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

energy conservation, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Home Maintenance, repair

Is Your Home’s Insulation Ready for Winter?

Is Your Home Ready for Winter? | Pretty Handy Girl

The folks at Duluth Trading Company want you to stay warm and comfortable this winter. They have sponsored this post to help you get your home ready for winter. And to help you stay warm and comfortable while taking on these energy conserving tasks.

Winter is fast approaching and now is the time to check the condition of your insulation. If you have a crawlspace and/or an attic, take a few minutes to check for any fallen or missing insulation. Last summer, my neighbor’s cat had a field day in our crawlspace. Luckily I found him before he was harmed. But, unfortunately he had done a fair amount of damage to the insulation in our crawl space.

Not a big deal, I was able to fix and replace the insulation within half an hour. I’m no stranger to our crawlspace. I have my go to gear when I need to go under the house.

I know a lot of people would sooner poke their eyes out than venture under the house. But, I can honestly tell you that I’ve only seen one creature underneath our house and he was eager to run away from me. If it makes you feel better you can prepare before you go. Here are a few things you’ll want to have and wear:

A Hat (if you are squeamish about cobwebs)
Gloves are a must when working with insulation
Cargo pants with knee pad pockets
Knee pads
Long sleeve shirt to cover your arms
Shoes that can be easily brushed off
Flashlight that can be propped up
Utility Knife

Materials for Installing Insulation:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

About Insulation and R-Values: Read more

October 26, 2015/6 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Antique Heart Pine Flooring, Build It, Fix It, Home & Auto Maintenance, Tutorial, wood floor refinishing, wood grain, wood putty

How to Fill Voids and Knot Holes in Wood

How to Fill Holes and Knots in Wood | Pretty Handy Girl

Occasionally, you will get a piece of gorgeous wood that has voids or knots in it. You wouldn’t want to add wood putty, because it wouldn’t retain the look of the knots. But, you want a smooth surface. The solution is to fill the wood knots and voids with epoxy. The results will be beautiful and you’ll be hard pressed to find the patch afterwards.

Materials:

(contains affiliate links)

Instructions:

Begin by taping off the area around the holes, voids or knots. Press the edges of the painter’s tape down to seal it against the wood.

Remove the epoxy from the packaging. (I used Gorilla Glue Epoxy glue that sets up in 5 minutes.)

Snip or snap off the tip of the epoxy tubes.

Press the cap out of the plungers before trying to depress the plunger. Retain the cap to use if you have any leftover epoxy. Read more

May 4, 2015/59 Comments/by Brittany Bailey