Safety a vital component of DIY projects Many homeowners enjoy DIY projects around the house. Weekend warriors should recognize that having the right tools and using them in a correct manner is essential to successful, safe projects. Tools are vital for projects, but without proper understanding and usage, they can cause grave injuries. Studies published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the Consumer Product Safety Commission found that certain tools are more likely to cause injuries than others. Power nailers, for example, are among the most dangerous tools DIYers can use. Chain saws, table saws, circular saws, and riding mowers are some additional tools that have very high injury rates. The following are some safety guidelines all DIYers should heed when using power tools. • Use tools that are the
right size and right type for the job. If you are uncertain about which tools to use, watch online tutorials, contact tool manufacturers or seek advice at home supply stores. • Always wear eye protection and the right safety equipment when manufacturers recommend doing so. Gloves, sturdy work boots, hearing protection, and hard hats can protect DIYers from injury.
• Keep cutting tools sharp and in good condition to reduce kick back and potential injuries.
• Secure work with a clamp or vice grip when appropriate to keep things from slipping.
• Regularly inspect tools to make sure they are in working order.
• Ensure that the handles of tools like hammers and axes fit tightly into the head of the tool.
• Never carry tools up a ladder by hand; use a bucket or bag to hoist tools. • Never leave tools lying out in any area where they can present a hazard. Unplug power tools when not in use.
• Keep work environments tidy to avoid clutter, as cluttered workspaces can contribute to accidents. • Read the manual and operate the power
tool as instructed. • Do not force open a safety on a power tool or modify a tool to override safety features. • Cut away from yourself when using chisels and other edged tools. Let common sense prevail when using tools. If it doesn’t seem like a good idea, it probably isn’t. Safety is important to avoid injuries and help prevent delays on the job.
What is sweating a pipe? Copper plumbing long has been a standard in home construction. Anyone who has a home with copper pipes should have an understanding of how to make repairs in the case of a leak or if modifications need to be made. “Sweating pipes” is one term homeowners may hear when maintaining their pipes. Sweating a pipe refers to soldering a pipe or the joint. Sweating seals a new joint or mends a fault. When sweating a pipe, it is important to do the job correctly so that a
soldered pipe can last for years and years. PlanItDIY, a source for how-to advice, says that sweating pipes involves some key steps. • Cut the pipes to the right length using a copper tube cutter or hacksaw. • Use a file or wire brush to remove burs and smooth down the ends. • Clean the end of the copper pipe with a cleaning brush until the surface is bright all around. In addition,
clean the inside of all fittings. • Brush plumbing flux on the brushed surfaces and assemble the joint. The how-to resource Hunker says flux is an acidic paste applied to all of the pieces of copper that you want to connect together. The flux paste will draw in the solder after the pipe is heated using a blow torch. The acid in the flux attracts the solder into the seam between the two copper pieces and fills the gap while creating a semi-permanent bond between the pieces. • To create the seal, move the flame
around the joint to heat it evenly. The copper will get shiny, and the flux will melt. When the pipe begins to dull and the flux sizzles and smokes, it is time to apply solder.
Touch lead-free plumb- about plumbing projects ing solder to the joint that involve sweating can be reassured there are and apply more heat. connection products avail• The sweating process able that are used in lieu is finished when the of flux and solder. These solder bubbles out of push-to-connect fittings the end of the seam. seal joints as well. Let cool and the joint Individuals can speak should now be wawith experts at hardware ter-tight. and home improvement Sweating pipes gets stores to find the best easier with practice. products for their needs and skill levels. DIYers who are nervous
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3 common DIY mistakes to avoid Pride tends to swell when homeowners successfully complete do-it-yourself projects on their homes. In addition to saving homeowners money, DIY projects provide a unique way for men and women to personally connect with their homes. The ability to look at a finished project and say it’s a result of your own handiwork can make a home feel more your own. As fun and fulfilling as DIY projects can be, they also can be nerve-wracking and induce anxiety. When DIY projects falter, fixing them can prove costly, as homeowners typically must call in contractors to correct their mistakes and get a project back on track. That results in additional labor and material costs that might have been avoidable, especially for homeowners who make an effort to avoid some common DIY mistakes.
1. Failure to secure permits Even though homeowners own their homes, that does not mean they have carte blanche to
do what they want with them. Many renovation projects require homeowners to secure permits before projects can commence. Some may even require additional permits as the projects advance. If proper permits are not secured, homeowners may be fined and projects may be nixed, regardless of how much money homeowners have spent up to that point. Before beginning a home renovation project, homeowners should always contact their local permit office to determine if any permits are required. Bankrate. com notes that permits are often required for any project larger than painting or wallpapering.
2. Overestimating your abilities DIY television shows make home renovation projects look easy, but reality suggests otherwise. Homeowners with little or no experience renovating a home may want to take classes before they think about starting a project on their own. Even online tutorials tend to make jobs appear easier than
they are. Roofing and plumbing projects tend to be best left to the professionals, as these projects can be either dangerous or vulnerable to disaster if not addressed by trained professionals.
3. Incorrect materials Whether it’s to save
money or a byproduct of inexperience, DIYers do not always choose the correct materials for a job. Experienced contractors have ample experience working with all sorts of materials and are therefore in a unique position to recommend the best materials for any given job. That resource is not
available for DIYers, who must perform ample research before beginning a job so the project involves the most appropriate materials. Incorrect materials can be a sunken cost that derails a project, but even jobs completed using incorrect materials may need to be redone a lot more quickly than those
that employed the right materials the first time. Many home renovation projects can be completed without the help of professional contractors., especially when homeowners take steps to avoid some of the more common mistakes made by DIYers.
Common home emergencies, and how to prevent them Dorothy Gale said “there’s no place like home” in “The Wizard of Oz.” But what about when homes are no longer safe? Household emergencies can occur at any time. When disaster strikes, knowing how to proceed effectively can make a world of difference and potentially save lives. Fortunately it’s easy to prevent or reduce a wide range of household dangers by embracing some simple safety measures. • Accidental falls: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that accidental falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injury among nearly every age group. Roughly three million adults age 65 and older experience falls that result in emergency room visits each year in the United States. Falls can be prevented by removing tripping hazards, installing steady handrails and other supports and adding lighting in and around a home. If a fall should
occur, stabilize the limb or injured area of the body and seek medical assistance. • Kitchen fires: The potential for danger exists whenever cooking with heat or over open flames. Kitchen fires may occur, but they don’t have to spread or cause serious issues if fast action is taken. Never use water to put out a grease fire — it will only spread it and make it worse. Cover the fire with a lid to suffocate the flames, or use baking soda to douse the fire. Always have an all-purpose fire extinguisher on hand, and know how to operate it. • Burst pipes: Burst pipes or leaking plumbing can quickly cause major damage in a home. Dwell Residential Group says to locate the water main, which is usually in the basement or garage on the “street side” near the water meter. Turn off the main to save the home and your wallet. Make the water main
visible, mark which way is off, and instruct others in the house on how to use it. • Tipping furniture: Tip-over incidents send thousands of people (especially young children) to emergency rooms each year, says the United States Consumer Product
North Central Supply & the “Shops of Quarterwest”
Safety Commission. Top-heavy items, like dressers, TV stands and televisions, bureaus, and bookcases should be anchored to the wall. • Unintentional poisoning: People may inadvertently consume household poisons. State Farm advises calling 9-1-1 if the victim is unconscious or not breathing. If the person is alert, consult with the American
Association of Poison from the home will Control Centers at take place. But to play 1-800-222-1222 (or it safe, residents should the Ontario Poison designate emergenCentre at 1-800cy exits that are the 268-9017) and await quickest and safest instructions. Keep the ways out of every bottle or packaging of room in the house. the assumed poison on Practice this plan and hand and be prepared pick a specific meeting to discuss symptoms spot outside. and personal informaSafety at home intion about the victim. volves knowing how to • Fire or other danger: act fast in an emergency No one ever thinks an and how to reduce your emergency situation risk of being in potentially necessitating escape dangerous situations.
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