Replacing Cracked Tile

Replacing a cracked tile is a lot easier than you may think and could make your home look beautiful again. With just a few steps you can have that cracked tile looking new again.

Tools Needed

1) Chisel or Flat head screwdriver

2) Hammer

3) Trowel

4) Grout sponge

Materials Needed
1) Replacement tile
2) Mastic (tile adhesive)
3) Grout
4) Tile

The first step that you must do is carefully start chiseling out the damaged tile by starting at the grout line and working your way towards the center. The tile should come out easily with a few taps around the edges.

After you removed the damaged tile it is time to remove the adhesive that holds the tile in place. It is important to make sure that you have a flat surface for your new tile to be able to lay flush. 

Once you have removed all the adhesive it is time to lay the mastic out on the cleaned surface and simply lay your tile into place. Make sure that your grout lines even on all sides, you can use the tile spacers if you have some extras laying around.

Allow the new tile to dry for 24 hours and then fill the grout lines with matching grout. Use the grout sponge to clean the tile and waalaa!!!! That's how you easily replace a damaged tile. See you next time.

Replacing Rollers on Sliding Glass Door

Anyone that has a sliding glass door knows how horrible it can be if the door stops sliding and you have to practically pry it open because the rollers are shot. Although you may believe that the door itself is broken it is simply the set of rollers on the bottom track that need to be replaced. Below I am going to show you the easiest way to replace the damaged rollers.

Tools Needed
1) Screwdriver
2) Needle Nose Pliers

Materials Needed
1) Replacement Rollers

The first step that you must do is remove the sliding glass door from the track by firmly holding on to each side of the slider and lifting the glass door up and sliding the bottom out of the track. I recommend you having someone help lifting the door out of the track because it is heavy. It is possible to use the suction grips to grab onto the glass but if you hold onto the actual track it makes it a little easier.

Next lay the slider on its side and remove the bottom frame by unscrewing the one screw on each side of the frame that holds the framing together. 

Now you have to carefully remove the actual frame by pulling it away from the slider.

Once you got to bottom frame out you can simply remove the roller from the frame and take to the roller with me to the local hardware store and match the damaged roller with the correct model. They make quite a bit of different types of rollers so you want to make sure that it matches exactly the one you have.

Once you have the correct roller simply repeat the above steps backwards and reinstall the new rollers and place you door back on the track. You just replaced your damaged rollers! Good luck ask me any questions you may have.

Replacing a Toilet Fill Valve

If your toilet is starts sounding like a tug boat when it is filling the water holding tank you have to replace to "toilet fill valve". Replacing the fill valve will eliminate the loud sounds the toilet makes when it is filling and ensure a peaceful toilet experience. I recommend going to your local hardware store and purchasing a universal fill valve from the plumbing section, you are able to adjust a universal fill valve to fit your specific toilet. Below is a picture of the fill valve.


Tools Needed
Wrench


Supplies Needed
Replacement Universal Fill Valve

The first step to replace the toilet fill valve is to turn off the water supply line to the toilet and flush the toilet so the holding tank empties. Remove the supply line from the fill valve and use the wrench to remove the nut that holds the fill valve in place, it is located under the holding tank as seen on the diagram below.

 

Disconnect the refill tube from the overflow tube and remove the damaged fill valve from the holding tank. Install the new universal fill valve and make that the nut and the supply line are tightened; they usually make the nut that holds the fill valve plastic to prevent you from breaking the tank. You just successfully replaced your fill valve, enjoy endless flushes with quiet refills. Please enjoy the sounds below.

Replacing Electrical Outlet

Replacing your electrical outlet on your own can save you about $40 you would pay an electrician to come out to the house to do it for you. You really don't need to know much about electrical work to just replace an existing outlet, you just have to make sure you follow the simple directions below and always make sure your main breaker is turned off before you begin working.

Materials Needed
1) Replacement outlet (Match existing)

Tools Needed
1) Flat head Screwdriver
2) Voltage Tester

The first step you need to do is make sure that you turn off the breaker that powers the outlet that you are changing. Once your power is turned off make sure to check the outlet you will be replacing with the voltage tester to make sure that there is no electricity coming in.


Remove the face plate of the wall outlet.


Remove the two screws that hold the actual outlet in place and pull the damaged outlet out.


Once the outlet is out I always double check to see that the wires are not live by checking with the voltage tester at the contact points on the outlet. (Better safe than sorry)

The next step if pretty much taking one off at a time and placing it on the same location except on the new outlet. The hot wire is usually black or red and will be connected to the side that has the shorter slot on the outlet, and the neutral wire which is white will be connected to the side where the slot that is bigger. The ground wire which is usually green or bare copper will be grounded to the outlet casing which has a green screw indicating the ground.
   

Now that you replaced the outlet you simply screw the new outlet back into place and attach the cover and turn your breaker back on. You have successfully replaced your damaged wall outlet. See you soon!

Regrouting Shower

Regrouting you shower tile can be an easy job if using the correct tools. It is important to invest into a dremel or borrow one from a friend to be able to effectively regrout you shower tiles.

Tools Needed1) Dremel
2) Grout removal bit
3) Shop Vac
4) Protective Eye wear
5) Grout Sponge
6) 5 Gallon Bucket
7) Wiping rags
8) Grout Spreader

Materials Needed1) Grout
2) Grout Sealer

The first step to regrouting your shower tiles is to score the existing grout lines to at least a 1/16" deep. The best way I have found to do this is to use a dremel with a grout removal bit that you can purchase at your local hardware store. It is important to use the grout removal bit because they are specifically made to be used on grout. Depending on the thickness of the grout lines will determine the grout bit size you will need, they come in sizes from 1/16" to about a 1/4" thick.

I find it easier to start the dremel off at a lower speed until you get comfortable with the way you handle the dremel and then simply up the speed. It is important to be patient and take your time until you get a good technique to passing the dremel through the grout lines. I usually start from the top and work each line from top to bottom and work one line at a time. Once I have completed the vertical lines i move on to the horizontal lines and work those one by one also. It is important not to miss any lines because you have to score each line at least 1/16" deep so the new grout will stick.

The second step once you have removed all the grout is to clean up the mess you made with a vacuum and wipe down the entire area you were working on. Once everything is cleaned you can begin to spread the grout into the scored joints using a grout spreader. Try to not leave excess grout on the tiles it makes it harder to wipe up once you are ready for clean up.



Once you have spread all the grout into the scored grout lines it is time to wipe off all the excess grout off the tiles with a grout sponge. Make sure the grout sponge is not soaking wet because you will take the grout out of the joints you just filled.



Once you remove the excess grout from the tiles you can let the new grout dry for at least 24 hours and you can come back and seal the new grout. I usually use a grout sealer that will not penetrate the tile so you can simply spray grout joints, let it sit for about 5 minutes and wipe off the excess. You usually have to let your sealer dry for about 24 before being able to use the shower. I hope you enjoyed learning how to regrout your shower.

Replacing Above Stove Microwave

Replacing a microwave above that is attached to the cabinet above you stove is a very easy job to complete with the help of another person and can save you about a $80 installation fee. You will simply need a screwdriver and the help of a friend.

Step 1
First unplug the microwave and have a friend hold the microwave that is in place while you remove the top two screws that are located in the cabinet directly above the microwave.

Step 2
Once you have removed the two screws in the cabinet above the microwave your friend can slowly allow the microwave to come down, it is attached to a bracket behind it that allows the front of the microwave to pivot down and then you are able to lift it up out of the bracket once you have enough clearance. Place the microwave to the side. The picture below shows the mounting bracket that holds the microwave in place.

Step 3
Remove the existing mounting bracket and make sure that the new mounting bracket is installed to the height and specifications that your specific brand microwave is calling for; different companies have different types of mounting brackets. Once you have installed the new mounting bracket, you and a friend can lift the microwave into the bracket and screw the top two screws back into place. The top two screws are usually placed in the same area on the top of all microwaves so you do not need to drill new holes for the new microwave. Make sure the screws are tight and plug in your microwave and you are ready to go.

Replacing torn window screen in metal frame

A torn screen in your window can start to become a problem when you have mosquitoes or insects start to invade your home. The easiest way to fix the problem is to remove the damaged screen and replace it with a new screen. Before you begin you need to make sure you have the following materials and tools.

Tools & Materials Needed:

Spline Tool

Screen

Needle nose pliers

Flat Head

Utility Knife

Scissors

The first step you must do is remove the screen from the window unit so you can work on it on a flat surface. It is important to carefully remove the screen so you don't damage the screen framing.

Next place the screen on a flat solid surface so you can work on the screen without damaging it, make sure that the screen spline is facing up so you can remove it carefully. Use a flat head screwdriver or a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the twine from the framing. 

After you have completely removed all the spline from the frame you can easily remove the damaged screening. Cut a new piece of screen to the outside edges of the framing that you are working on. It is better to cut a little big than a little short, you can always trim excess screen. Make sure that the new screen is aligned over the frame.

Once you have the screen cut to size use the spline tool to carefully begin to insert the spline into the channel in the frame. It is important to be gentle when using the spline tool because you may accidentally cut the screen if you are not careful. Start with the top of the screen first and then do one of the sides. Once you have the top and one side done it is important to pull the screen snug before you complete the bottom and remaining side. If you feel that there is a little slack in the screen, it should tighten up as you complete the bottom and the side.

The last and final step is to carefully trim off any excess screen that remains along the edge of the channel. Be careful not to cut the new screen!

Now that you have your new screen installed it is time to put it back were you got it, carefully place the new screen back into the window were you removed it and you just learned how to replace a damaged screen. Stay tuned for more helpful handy man tricks! See you soon.

Take a look at the video below it shows everthing I just explained above.