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<channel>
	<title>Handyman and Home Repair Tips and Advice</title>
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	<link>http://handymantricks.com</link>
	<description>Handyman advice and Home repair tips</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:21:46 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>How To Fix Cloudy Pool Water</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-cloudy-pool-water</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-cloudy-pool-water#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:21:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Swimming Pools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chlorine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cloudy water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool care tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool chemicals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool troubleshooting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pool water]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=49</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nothing beats the refreshing and fun times a swimming pool party can give to you and your family! But after a long day, it could bring big issues to your swimming pool. You assume that it really is sufficient to frequently throw chlorine and strain the debris from your swimming pool to keep it cleansed [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nothing beats the refreshing and fun times a swimming pool party can give to you and your family! But after a long day, it could bring big issues to your swimming pool. You assume that it really is sufficient to frequently throw chlorine and strain the debris from your swimming pool to keep it cleansed but it isn’t. I bet you are shocked to notice how your pool is starting to get that dirty and cloudy even though you follow all the <a title="pool care tips" href="http://handymantricks.com">pool care tips</a>. It really is normal but do not worry because you just need to know <strong>how to fix cloudy pool water</strong> and your swimming pool will probably be as great as new!</p>
<p>There are lots of factors why your pool can get cloudy or dirty looking:</p>
<p>a.) Early algae growth caused by low or inadequate oxidizer or sanitizer.</p>
<p>b.) An inadequate pump which creates poor circulation. The “unfilterable “ human waste for example lotions, cosmetics and body fluids can result in your pool to have that hazy look.</p>
<p>c.) Lawn and chemical spray drifting into the pool</p>
<p>These are just a few things that make your swimming pool to be cloudy. Even though it really is nothing serious, it would still be far better to think about how safe and sanitary your pool is for human use. You need to take care of your pool well to avoid diseases and allergies especially the young children who swim into your swimming pool. Bacteria can simply breed anywhere and if you are not cautious, you may be prone to life threatening diseases as well. So how do you fix this problem? Just follow these simple steps.</p>
<p>1.) Clean the pump basket and then backwash the filter.</p>
<p>2.) Once the filter is thoroughly clean, proceed to balance the water. First, adjust the PH level to 7.2 ppm before adding chlorine.</p>
<p>3.) After you circulate the pool for 15 mins. Shock the h2o with Chlorine.</p>
<p>4.) Remove the time trippers and for 24 hours run the filters until the water is clean and clear or the filter needs backwashing. If the drinking water does not obvious for 2 days you may have a bigger dilemma.</p>
<p>If water does not clear up you may possibly should take extreme measures. Get your pool water tested with Complete Dissolved Solids (TDS), stabilizer, calcium hardness and total alkaline ranges. It really is feasible that the swimming pool is numerous years old and has gathered too thick minerals within the normal water which makes it difficult to evaporate. You may well should drain the swimming pool half-empty and have it cleaned.</p>
<p>If the h2o checks out OK following this, it means you&#8217;ve filters that are not operating properly. You may possibly need to go and get a professional pool technician to cleanse it. Remember these ideas on <em>how to fix cloudy pool water</em> and take pleasure in the benefits of having a calming day on a clear, clear pool.</p>
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		<title>Best Ways To Fix Nail Holes In Walls</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/best-ways-to-fix-nail-holes-in-walls</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/best-ways-to-fix-nail-holes-in-walls#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:15:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[best way]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fix nail holes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holes in the wall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=46</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It can be very troubling to see small black, tiny spots on the facade of your beautiful wall. This happens specifically in case you move into an old residence; you will be left to deal with all the dilemma of nail holes. It doesn&#8217;t aid when the previous owner of the house can be a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It can be very troubling to see small black, tiny spots on the facade of your beautiful wall. This happens specifically in case you move into an old residence; you will be left to deal with all the dilemma of nail holes. It doesn&#8217;t aid when the previous owner of the house can be a great lover of paintings and anything that hangs off walls and decided to stud a massive portion of the home with nail holes. It would not be such a problem should you know <strong>the best way to fix nail holes in the wall</strong>. Don&#8217;t worry, you won&#8217;t even have to call a <a title="handyman" href="http://handymantricks.com">Handyman</a> to fix it for you.</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t be anxious if the wall in your home is literally covered with holes. It really should not hinder you from putting up your favorite painting or re-decorating your rooms. As soon as you learn this do it your self trick for mending nail holes, you will be able to try and do anything you need without fear of ruining your walls.</p>
<p>The initial step to repairing nail holes is to make sure you have the right tools with you. Go for your nearest local hardware store or residence depot and obtain a putty knife and some joint compound. Spackle is a nice joint compound you can buy and use. It can be far better to acquire the pre-mixed one so you wouldn&#8217;t have to go by way of the trouble of mixing it your self. This way you&#8217;ll be able to be positive that it really is going to work.</p>
<p>Once you&#8217;ve everything you need, take out your joint compound and gently fill the gap in thin layers. Repeat the method until the entire gap is filled and covered. Smooth out any excess and scrape off the whole excess compound so which is in level with the wall surface.</p>
<p>To smooth out the excess, use a 120 grit sandpaper block. It is possible to create a sandpaper block by wrapping sandpaper around a block of wood. Using the sandpaper block is efficient since it will make sanding the flat area easier as well as flush together with the walls.</p>
<p>The next thing to try and do is paint the wall with the similar color or primer the location where you sanded and puttied the gap. Should you not get the identical paint shade of entire wall, take a photo and take it for your hardware or paint store. They will likely be ready to mix paint to your particular wall color. Or if you want a fresh start, paint the wall with a brand new color. Just remember to clean the place before you paint to avoid dust and debris whenever you start painting or else you may have surely destroyed your wall since of this.</p>
<p>This may be difficult to begin with but when get a hang of it. You will surely love fixing the nail holes in your wall.</p>
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		<title>Tips For Buying The Best Table Saw</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/tips-for-buying-the-best-table-saw</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/tips-for-buying-the-best-table-saw#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:18:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buying a table saw]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portable table saw]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[table saw]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[table saw reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tablesaw]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=40</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Buying a table saw is a great idea when you are in the construction business or you if you want to do some work on your home. They are great for any handy man to have because you will never know when you might need to cut a piece of wood. There are many features [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Buying a table saw is a great idea when you are in the construction business or you if you want to do some work on your home. They are great for any handy man to have because you will never know when you might need to cut a piece of wood. There are many features to consider when <strong>buying a table saw</strong>.</p>
<p>There are four different types of table saws to choose from when it comes to if you can move the saw easily or not. These for types are portable table saws, contractor saws, cabinet saws, and hybrid saws. If you are planning on moving your table saw from one work place to the next then either a portable or contractor table saw is what you are looking to buy. If you are planning on using the saw in one place then you should look into buying a cabinet saw.</p>
<p>Safety is another main concern to keep in mind when you are <a title="buying a table saw" href="http://tool-deals.com/table-saws-what-features-to-look-for-when-buying-a-new-table-saw">buying a table saw</a>. Look for a saw that has a blade guard. This will keep you from cutting yourself if the wood moves. Also having a large on and off switch is a great idea. There are even some models that have a paddle switch which means you can turn the saw of with your knee. If an emergency was to occur this is great because usually when you are using a table saw both of your hands will be occupied. When you are using a table saw make sure to wear protective eye wear. This is because sometimes pieces of the wood will chip off and if you aren&#8217;t wearing eye protection you could get injured.</p>
<p>Other features to consider when buying a table saw are how heavy the work surface is and if it is smooth. Having a work table that isn&#8217;t smooth may result in injury because the wood might move. Also look for a handle that will adjust the saw, and a dust collector. Look at the motor before you buy any table saw. See how strong it is, the stronger that the motor is the thicker the wood it will be able to cut.</p>
<p>If you are not sure what size you are looking for think about how big the wood is going to be that you are cutting. Check to see if the motor vibrates or if it doesn&#8217;t start smoothly. Usually a table saw will start as soon as you push the on switch so if you are having trouble getting the item to start right away you may want to consider purchasing a different brand.</p>
<p><em>Buying a table saw</em> is a great idea for anyone that is in the construction business. Look for safety, and main features that should be on all table saws. Also find a great table saw that is in your price range, don&#8217;t over spend if you do not have the money to. Once you find the saw you are looking for you can cut, rip, square, groove, and shape any type of wood without a problem.</p>
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		<title>How To Fix A Running Toilet</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:05:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Plumbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[basic home repair tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diy home repair tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diy tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fix a running toilet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to fix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plumbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[running toilet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toiliet]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=38</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It Pays Great When You Know How To Fix A Running Toilet Everyone can be a jack-of-all-trade nowadays especially that hundreds of how-to-books have been written and published not only in prints but also on the internet. Everything can be done even without a formal training on a particular subject like fixing anything in the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3 id="internal-source-marker_0.5628022030899047">It Pays Great When You Know How To Fix A Running Toilet</h3>
<p>Everyone  can be a jack-of-all-trade nowadays especially that hundreds of  how-to-books have been written and published not only in prints but also  on the internet. Everything can be done even without a formal training  on a particular subject like fixing anything in the home or office.  Thanks to the brilliant minds behind those writings for they have proven  to be so beneficial especially to us homemakers. When it comes to  household tips such as <strong>how to fix a running toilet</strong>, people can find it a  big help to know at least the <a title="basic home repair tips" href="http://handymantricks.com">basic home repair tips</a> to get the job done. And this time, that is exactly  what you are about to learn.</p>
<p>Flush  toilets are nothing new. In fact they have been around for so many  years and are still improving since the first time they were introduced  in the market. From the very simple design and mechanism, they have  evolved into a little more sophisticated and posh styles. But its  function and capability are still the same from the day it was invented  except for the fact that water-saving features have now been added to  some brands of water closets.</p>
<p>It  pays great to be acquainted with the basic components in order to know  how to fix a running toilet. Within the tank or water closet is a simple  mechanism composed of two types of valves. The other valve stops the  water when the closet is full. It is controlled by a float that looks  like a plastic ball. It is by and large the first thing you can see when  you open the lid of the water closet. The other valve is the one  responsible for flushing the toilet, thus called the flush valve. It is  located at the bottom of the tank and is controlled by the handle. When  the flush handle is pressed or pushed the flush valve opens and water is  released into the toilet. It closes when you let go of the handle and  water fills the tank again up to a certain level.</p>
<p>Now  let us go back to the question how to fix a running toilet. The most  common problem is when the water does not stop from flowing into the  bowl. When this happens, one thing is certain—the flush valve does not  close properly so the water escapes constantly. It can be caused by a  broken chain that connects the handle to the flush valve. If this is the  problem then establish connection again. Don’t panic. Open the lid and  replace the broken chain. If the chain is still in place then most  probably it is the flush valve that has a problem. It may be too old and  worn out. Simply remove it and replace it with new one.</p>
<p>If  things don’t seem to work out the way you expected it. Try turning off  the valve for the mean time until you can call a professional and licensed plumber to show you how to fix a running toilet. If you end up going this route, make sure you pay special attention and ask many questions so you can do it yourself in the future if you have to.</p>
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		<title>How To Fix A Leaky Bathtub</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-a-leaky-bathtub</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-a-leaky-bathtub#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:59:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Plumbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bathtubs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to fix]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leaks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leaky bathtub]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=35</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are a lot of people who do not realize how much it costs them to ignore a leaking faucet. Aside from the fact it is so irritating to hear the faucet dripping the whole night, it also adds up to your bill. Moreover, it gives a nasty water stain to your tile or fixture [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There  are a lot of people who do not realize how much it costs them to ignore  a leaking faucet. Aside from the fact it is so irritating to hear the  faucet dripping the whole night, it also adds up to your bill. Moreover,  it gives a nasty water stain to your tile or fixture where the water  runs. Imagine how much you are going to lose if you just neglect it.  This article deals with the topic <strong>how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet</strong>.  Whether you are a man or woman reading this article, you need to know  that doing the job does not require a professional training in plumbing.  You can do it if only you have the necessary tools in hand and the guts  to try out this thing. It is my hope that as you read along, you will  find answers to most of your questions regarding the matter. It may be the cheapest <a title="home repair advice" href="http://handymantricks.com">home repair advice</a> you get!</p>
<p>When  it comes to the question how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet, you can opt  for a quick and cheap remedy by simply replacing a particular part that  has failed. In most cases the synthetic rubber washer becomes overused  and eventually turns brittle so it no longer seals in water. But there  are situations when the only option you have is to go for a complete and  a little expensive remedy depending on the severity of the problem. If  you think it is a major problem that causes the leak then a replacement  of the whole thing can be the only alternative.</p>
<p>There  are basic tools you need so you can easily manipulate the faucet like  detaching it from the pipeline, dismantling every part of it and putting  back everything together. You need to invest a little amount of money  for tools such as pliers, adjustable wrench, and screwdrivers. Be sure  you gather these tools and put them at a place just within your reach  before attempting to do the repair of your bathtub faucet. Or you can  neatly arrange them in a waist bag for your convenience. Be sure you  also have your spare rubber washers and an extra faucet just in case you  really need a new one.</p>
<p>Now let us go to the procedure on how to fix a leaky bathtub faucet. The following is a step by step process.</p>
<ul>
<li>Gather every tools or materials that you need to fix the leak.</li>
<li>Turn  off water supply from the main switch, this is to ensure that there  would be no water flow making it more messy and tasking for you fix when  this happens.</li>
<li>Remove  the faucet parts beginning at the handle. You may need to use a  screwdriver and an adjustable wrench depending on the type of faucet.</li>
<li>Work your way until you expose the worn out washer.</li>
<li>Remove washer using a screwdriver and replace it with new one.</li>
<li>Put everything back to its proper place.</li>
</ul>
<p>?If this doesn&#8217;t fix a leaky bathtub, then you may have to call a professional plumber as the problem may be a deeper and more complex problem to fix.</p>
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		<title>How To Fix A Wobbling Ceiling Fan</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-a-wobbling-ceiling-fan</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-fix-a-wobbling-ceiling-fan#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:51:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electrical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[balance a ceiling fan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ceiling fans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to fix a ceiling fan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[out of balance ceiling fan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wobbling ceiling fan]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=30</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If it&#8217;s one thing that really irritates me, it&#8217;s a wobbling ceiling fan! Even one that is just a tiny bit out of balance can drive me nuts. I just can&#8217;t take my eyes off of one that is wobbling. Here&#8217;s another home repair tip that will have you adjusting those fans and getting them [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-31" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 5px;" title="wobblingceilingfan" src="http://handymantricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/wobblingceilingfan-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="210" />If it&#8217;s one thing that really irritates me, it&#8217;s a wobbling ceiling fan! Even one that is just a tiny bit out of balance can drive me nuts. I just can&#8217;t take my eyes off of one that is wobbling. Here&#8217;s another <a title="home repair tip" href="http://handymantricks.com">home repair tip</a> that will have you adjusting those fans and getting them running nice and smooth.</p>
<p>Before doing anything, clean the fan blades and the motor housing. I use a dry lint cloth to get all the dirt. Clean them good! You&#8217;d be surprised at how little amount of dirt it takes to make a fan wobble!</p>
<p>The next thing you want to do when <strong>fixing a wobbling ceiling fan</strong> is to check the bolts/screws on the fan blades. Check both the screws hat hold the blade to the arm as well as the screws that hold the arm to the fan motor. If you find any of these loose, tighten them and start the fan to see if it still wobbles. Make sure you operate the ceiling fan on all speeds. I&#8217;ve seen more than one fan have a wobble at a certain speed.</p>
<p>Next, check the blades their self. If you find any damaged, bent, warped or otherwise a blade that is different from the others, you may need to replace the fan blades. Wooden blades are more susceptible to damage, especially if they are made out of cheap wood and used in a high humidity area such as along the coastal areas. I&#8217;ve seen fan blades drooping so bad that they were hazards to people walking under them.</p>
<p>One time, while having Sunday dinner in a cafe, a blade from a ceiling fan came sailing off and barely missed my daughter who was 4 at the time. To say I was P.O.&#8217;d would be an understatement because most of the ceiling fans in that place were unbalanced. I gave the Manager a what for and explained to him that I didn&#8217;t want to own the restaurant but that if someone gets hurt from their lack of maintenance on their ceiling fans, they could go ahead and change the name of the restaurant to mine.</p>
<p>On my next visit, all the fans were running smoothly and some of the older ones had even been replaced!</p>
<p>Anyway, back to balancing a wobbling ceiling fan.</p>
<p>If the above measures don&#8217;t help balance the ceiling fan, then you&#8217;re going to have to try and balance the blades. Usually, when all else fails, this works. I don&#8217;t know why ceiling fan blades become unbalanced, but they do. To correct unbalanced ceiling fans, you&#8217;re going to need a balancing kit for ceiling fans. These are usually just a few bucks and I buy mine from <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061NMYE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=viphomeinsp-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217153&amp;creative=399701&amp;creativeASIN=B00061NMYE">Amazon.Com</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00061NMYE&amp;camp=217153&amp;creative=399701" border="0" alt="ceiling fan balancing kit" width="1" height="1" /> because they so cheap. I usually buy several to have handy or to give friends and family when they complain about a wobbly ceiling fan. They are very handy and a lot less stressful than trying to tape quarters or washers to the backs of the fan blades.(which often fails)</p>
<p>Balancing kits for ceiling fans come with a &#8216;C&#8217; clip weight which is the temporary weight. Most will also come with permanent weights to attach to the blade once you find the unbalanced blade.</p>
<p>To find which weight is out of balance, you just attach the &#8216;C&#8217; clip to each blade and run the fan. Start by attaching the &#8216;C&#8217; clip to the end of a blade and turn it back on. If that doesn&#8217;t fix it, move the clip about halfway down the blade and try again. If it still doesn&#8217;t fix it, move it down to the base of the blade. If that doesn&#8217;t work, then go on to the next blade. This may sound like a lot of work, but it only takes me about 30 minutes most of the time if a ceiling fan is badly out of balance.</p>
<p>Also, be aware that once you find the wobbling blade, you may have to move the weight forward or back on the blade to balance it. Many people assume that they can just put the clip at the end and be done with it. That&#8217;s not true and one reason some people can never fix a wobbling ceiling fan!</p>
<p>Once you do find the one that wobbles and find the &#8220;sweet&#8221; spot for the &#8216;C&#8217; clip, you can then attach the permanent weight. Try the fan again after removing the &#8216;C&#8217; clip and installing the permanent weight. If everything went well, this should <em>fix a wobbling ceiling fan</em>!</p>
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		<title>How To Remove A Broken Bulb</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-remove-a-broken-bulb</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-remove-a-broken-bulb#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:30:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electrical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[broken bulb]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bulb socket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[how to remove broken bulbs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[replace broken bulb]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=26</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[First off, let me say that I&#8217;m not an electrician and I haven&#8217;t even played one on TV. But I have removed many broken bulbs in my own house as well as others over the years. This is just another in a series of home repair tips I&#8217;ll share with my good readers! Before performing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-27" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 5px;" title="broken light bulb" src="http://handymantricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/brokenlightbulb-300x195.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="137" />First off, let me say that I&#8217;m not an electrician and I haven&#8217;t even played one on TV. But I have removed many broken bulbs in my own house as well as others over the years. This is just another in a series of <a title="home repair tips" href="http://handymantricks.com">home repair tips</a> I&#8217;ll share with my good readers!</p>
<p><em>Before performing any type of work or maintenance on electrical circuits, make sure all power to that circuit is shut off. Never assume that a breaker or fuse is the correct one just because it&#8217;s labeled as such. I&#8217;ve seen way too many circuits mislabeled!</em></p>
<p>Now when I say remove a broken bulb from a socket, I mean the good ole incandescent bulbs. I have never tried this on the newer fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulbs. If you read up on them, you basically need a hazmat team to come in and remove these toxic pieces of junk! But hey, we&#8217;re saving earth (debatable) even if we&#8217;re killing ourselves and our families!</p>
<p>There are several ways to <strong>remove broken bulbs</strong>, I&#8217;ll share with you several of the ways I&#8217;ve used over the years.</p>
<p>My favorite way is to wad up  some newspaper and stick it into the broken socket. Make sure you have heavy (preferably leather) gloves and eye protection. Once you have the newspaper wadded up and stuck in the socket, turn the newspaper counterclockwise.</p>
<p>The newspaper will grip the broken glass and give you the leverage you need to unscrew the broken light bulb socket.</p>
<p>Another way I&#8217;ve done this is to use a Potato cut in half. Simply stick the potato into the socket and turn counterclockwise.</p>
<p>Finally, you can use your favorite pair of needle nosed pliers if you&#8217;d like. Simply insert them into the broken socket, and open them up so the back of the pliers contact the inside of the broken bulb. Then simply turn counterclockwise and remove the broken light bulb socket.</p>
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		<title>How To UnClog A Sink Drain</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-unclog-a-sinkdrain</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/how-to-unclog-a-sinkdrain#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:47:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Plumbing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clogged drain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drain auger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[plunger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unclog a drain]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=24</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[First, let me start out by saying that I&#8217;m not a Plumber nor do I play one on TV. Heck, I haven&#8217;t stayed in a Holiday Inn recently either. I&#8217;m just an Average Joe who&#8217;s had to unclog sink drains in my time. Okay, let&#8217;s say you&#8217;re in a hurry one morning and getting ready [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>First, let me start out by saying that I&#8217;m not a Plumber nor do I play one on TV. Heck, I haven&#8217;t stayed in a Holiday Inn recently either. I&#8217;m just an Average Joe who&#8217;s had to <a title="unclog sink drains" href="http://handymantricks.com">unclog sink drains</a> in my time. Okay, let&#8217;s say you&#8217;re in a hurry one morning and getting ready to go to work, or you&#8217;re fixing to leave for a night on the town and you suddenly notice that your bathroom sink drain is clogged! If you&#8217;ve never done this before, you&#8217;re probably wondering how to unclog a sink drain!</p>
<p>Don&#8217;t panic. There are several easy ways to unclog a drain.  Here are a few of my personal favorites that have worked like a charm over the years.</p>
<h3>Using a Plunger</h3>
<p>We&#8217;ll start with assuming that the clog is in the trap section of the drain. This is the part that dips down and forms a &#8220;P&#8221;. If this is the case, then most of the time a good ole plunger will work.</p>
<p>Before using the plunger, make sure you have some towels on the floor and around the sink. Also, it&#8217;s a good idea to have some old clothes on. Sometimes using a plunger can get messy and you wouldn&#8217;t want to get &#8220;something&#8221; all over your good clothes.</p>
<p>The plunger works just like you&#8217;ve always seen it work. Press down slightly until the plunger gets a seal on the sink bowl. Then give a moderate downward shove, being careful to not use too much force as it may push water out of the bowl. (hence, the importance of the towels)</p>
<p>You be the judge as to how much force to use when pushing downward. It&#8217;s important to keep a good seal around the edges of the plunger. There&#8217;s no need to break the suction by lifting the plunger clear each time.</p>
<p>What this does in effect is to push the clog until it hits a larger drain or until the pressure destroys the clog.</p>
<h3>Using a drain auger.</h3>
<p>A drain auger or drain snake as some call it is nothing more than a flexible piece of metal that is worked down the drain. You can buy these commercially at nearly any hardware or big box store. If the trap is not far from the drain opening, you may be able to use a straigtened wire clothes hanger.</p>
<p>To use either, you simply work them down the drain until you feel the clog and start turning. Either the clog will give way or you&#8217;ll wrap it around the end of the auger. If you end up wrapping it around the end of the drain auger, simply pull it out.</p>
<h3>Using Drain Clearing Chemicals</h3>
<p>I don&#8217;t advocate the use of drain cleaning chemicals. They are very dangerous and I&#8217;d rather go the the extra trouble of taking a drain apart and unblocking it rather than using a chemical drain cleaner.</p>
<p>If you do deccide to use them, I&#8217;ll just tell you this. Wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and some type of protective clothes. And above all, read and follow the directions!</p>
<h3>Preventing Drain Clogs</h3>
<p>In my house, the best way to unclog a drain is simply not allow them to happen in the first place! Prevention can go a long ways in keeping a sink drain clean.</p>
<p>For starters, if you or someone in your home sheds hair like a dog, then keep it cleaned out of the sink! I know that sounds obvious, but you&#8217;d be surprised at how many people try and wash loose hair down the drain. It might work a time or two, but likely all you&#8217;re doing is causing a buildup in the drain.</p>
<p>Next, don&#8217;t let people pour food, grease or other items down the sink. This is what Garbage is for! Most sink drain clogs can be prevented if you&#8217;ll just follow these few simple tips. Then you won&#8217;t have to worry about learning how to unclog a sink drain!</p>
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		<title>Use Diamond Drill Bits for Glass and Porcelain Tile</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/use-diamond-drill-bits-for-glass-and-porcelain-tile</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/use-diamond-drill-bits-for-glass-and-porcelain-tile#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:03:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Handyman Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diamond drill bit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[glass tile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[glass tile installation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[porcelain tile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tile installation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=17</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are a number of spade and other drill bit types designed to drill glass and porcelain tile. But if you want a neat drill hole, use a diamond drill bit for all your glass tile and porcelain tile jobs. But you just can&#8217;t go down to your local home improvement store and grab a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are a number of spade and other drill bit types designed to drill glass and porcelain tile. But if you want a neat drill hole, use a diamond drill bit for all your glass tile and porcelain tile jobs. But you just can&#8217;t go down to your local home improvement store and grab a diamond drill bit and rush back to drill a hole in your tile. There are a few things you&#8217;ll need to be aware of before starting.</p>
<p>Diamond drill bits for porcelain tile and glass tile come in several different designs. Most are diamond core bits. This means that the center of the bit is hollow and there are micro diamonds embedded around the rim of the bit. As it cuts, shavings are pulled up into the bit. Generally there is a hole on the side of the bit near the top where the shavings will come out.</p>
<p>First off, if you can, lay the tile flat to drill. You&#8217;d think this was obvious, but you&#8217;d be surprised at the number of diyer&#8217;s and contractors who lay glass tile on a wall or ceiling then remember they needed some holes in it.</p>
<p>One thing you must do with a diamond drill bit is to go slow and use some water. You don&#8217;t want to heat the head of the bit up. You may even want to form up small levee&#8217;s around the area to be drilled with caulk.</p>
<p>When I was remodeling my hall bathroom, I had to dig out the old <a title="toilet flange bolts" href="http://handymantricks.com/quick-handy-man-tip-aligning-toilet-flange-bolts">toilet flange bolts</a> and ring that the home builder had slightly sunk into the concrete. Needless to say, the toilet was never solid and over the years had rusted even though being made out of galvanized steel. I then had to bust out some more concrete to tie into the drain so I could raise the flange slightly.</p>
<p>I could have used one of those flange units that slip inside the old drain, but this is my bathroom we&#8217;re talking about. Why not take some extra effort and do it right? Also, many of those quick fix flange repair kits that the big box hardware/lumber stores like to sell do not meet code, anywhere! Kinda like those flexible drain lines with the bellows they sell! LOL</p>
<p>Anyway, I drilled through the new porcelain tile with the diamond drill bit I bought at Lowes. I followed directions and drilled slowly. Instead of making little levee&#8217;s around my drill area, I used a spray bottle with cool water to keep my bit cool. It was kinda messy, but I ended up with some beautiful holes in my porcelain tile for the new flange.</p>
<p>The problem with the traditional style bits that are sold for use on glass and porcelain tile is that they can, and usually do, chip out the tile you&#8217;re working on. Normally these drill bits are made out of carbide or have small carbide tips on them to drill the hard and brittle glass or porcelain.</p>
<p>Take it from me, the extra cost of a diamond drill bit and the time it takes to use it, is worth it&#8217;s price in Gold. If you take your time (drilling glass or porcelain tile is a slow process, especially with a diamond bit) you&#8217;ll end up with some beautiful holes and the job will be done right!</p>
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		<title>Quick Handy Man Tip &#8211; Aligning Toilet Flange Bolts</title>
		<link>http://handymantricks.com/quick-handy-man-tip-aligning-toilet-flange-bolts</link>
		<comments>http://handymantricks.com/quick-handy-man-tip-aligning-toilet-flange-bolts#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2009 03:16:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>HandyDon</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Handyman Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bathrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diy tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diy trick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[handy man tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[handy man tricks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[installing a toilet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[toilet flange bolts]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://handymantricks.com/?p=7</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is one of my favorite Handyman Tips for installing a toilet. One of the biggest problems many DIY&#8217;ers have when installing a toilet is keeping the T-head bolts turned properly so that the head is perpendicular to the toilet flange. However, sometimes when installing the toilet itself, or when tightening the bolts, they turn [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is one of my favorite <a title="handyman tips" href="http://handymantricks.com">Handyman Tips</a> for installing a toilet. One of the biggest problems many DIY&#8217;ers have when<strong> installing a toilet</strong> is keeping the T-head bolts turned properly so that the head is perpendicular to the toilet flange. However, sometimes when installing the toilet itself, or when tightening the bolts, they turn on you and you&#8217;re left wondering if the &#8220;T&#8221; is turned the proper way.</p>
<p>Sometimes you won&#8217;t know if the T is turned the right way until you start tightening the bolt and it pulls up through the slot in the flange. This can prevent you from getting a tight fit for the toilet on the flange.</p>
<p>But here&#8217;s a quick way to make sure those darn T head bolts are turned the right way. Before installing the bolts, take a Sharpie or other permanent magic marker and mark a line on the end of the bolt running the same way as the T. Then, if the bolt turns you&#8217;ll know it and can turn it back the right way. Now you&#8217;ll never have to wonder if that bolt is really turned perpendicular to the flange when you&#8217;re <strong>installing a toilet</strong>!</p>
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