Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

How to Fix a Kitchen Cabinet

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Are you having troubles repairing your kitchen cabinet? Fix a Kitchen CabinetDo you want to save money and learn how to fix a kitchen cabinet easily? By learning the common problems in fixing the cabinet and following the simple steps discussed below, you can repair the damages in the furniture in a day.

Materials Needed

To prevent delays in fixing the damages, it is important that you get all the necessary materials before you start the project. The materials that you need include the cabinet hardware, wood filler, sanding block and a screwdriver. In addition to these, you will use wood screws and WD-40.

Procedures

If you are having hardware problems, you need to detach the damaged part like the cabinet door or the drawer. If your door is damaged, then the first thing to do is to remove the screws in the hinges. Remove the door and place in a clean and dry area. Keep the screws that you have removed in a small bag. On the other hand, if you are having problems with the drawer of the furniture, then you need to take the drawer out by pulling it off.

Check if there are wood damages in the furniture. If the screw holes are crumbled or enlarged, then you need to put wood filler in the holes. Apply wood glue on the filler and wait for several minutes. Remove the glides and hinges as well as the other parts attached to the damaged part of the furniture. Bring the parts to the local home improvement store. Buy the same orientation and size of the parts. Replace the damaged parts. Reattach the cabinet door or the drawer. Use the screws that you have removed to reattach the damaged part.

If you have problems with a sagging shelf or drawer, the first thing to do is to measure the inside of the drawer or the shelf. Cut a wood piece with a thickness of at least ½ inch. If the problem is with the bottom part of the drawer, screw the wood to attach the bottom part to the entire drawer. If the problem lies with the shelf, then you need to sand the edges and top of the shelf before replacing it. Instead of screws, it is best if you use L-shaped brackets because these can support heavy materials. To add support to the shelf, do not forget to install a crossbeam on the center of the shelf.

How to Install Kitchen Cabinets

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Do you want to maximize the space of your kitchen without affecting its design? Install Kitchen CabinetsDo you like to have utensils storage in your kitchen? Then to save money it is best if you learn how to install kitchen cabinets efficiently. Below are the steps that you can easily follow for this project.

Materials Needed

The materials needed for this project include a cordless drill, the kitchen cabinet, drill bits, a cordless screwdriver and wood screws. In addition to these, you should have a level, a stud finder, a measuring tape and shims.

Procedures

To install wall cabinets, the first thing to do is to check if the package of the cabinet is complete. Check if it has the proper design, color and size. Afterwards, check the place where you will install the furnishing. Get a level, a pencil and the measuring tape. Mark the specific part of the wall where the furnishing will be installed. Allot space for the base cabinet, the splash as well as the countertop.

Mark on the wall where the furnishing’s bottom and the top will be. Locate the wall studs using the stud finder. Mark the studs above the cabinet and at least six inches at the bottom of the furnishing. To find the center of the studs, make a vertical line connecting the marks.

Make a rail that will provide temporary support for the furnishing. Align the top of the rail to the bottom of the furnishing. Screw the rail and the cabinet to the wall. Secure the cabinet with screws that have a length of two inches. Attach the cabinet on the wall. To secure the cabinet, you need to use clamps and screws.

To install the base cabinet, level the furnishing with the use of the shims. Align the top of the cabinet with the markings on the wall that you make before you install the wall cabinet. Use screws and clamps to secure the cabinet. You can add a fillet strip if the furnishing has a drawer and door. Drill screws through the furnishing’s back. Use a putty knife or a chisel to remove excess wood. To connect the base cabinet to the countertop, you should add wood pieces to the top of the cabinet.

Additional Tips and Other Important Information

If you want to remove baseboards, it is best if you look for a pry bar and use it carefully to discard the boards. Before you install the cabinets, remember to remove shelves, doors and drawers. Label the shelves, drawers and doors so you will not have a hard time installing these parts.

How to Make a Breakfast Bar

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

We usually see breakfast bars installed in upscale kitchens, Make a Breakfast Barwhich basically means they are usually more expensive than the regular setup we have at home. Another reason why they often catch our attention is that these breakfast bars are indeed real conveniences. You can extend the room in your kitchen and get more space to store stuff that you might need and entertain guests at the same time.

We?ll walk you through the process to make a breakfast bar on your very own. You?ll be saving yourself several dollars in the process rather than spending a lot when you purchase one. This will require some work and a bit of carpentry skills but it is nevertheless doable if you have the time.

Needed Materials and Tools

You?ll need the following tools to make a breakfast bar: reciprocating saw, drill, screws, router, hammer, tape measure, contact adhesive, dowel, and a roller to be used for your wood adhesive. You?ll also need the following materials: plywood, 2×4 lumber, base cabinets (about three of them), countertop laminate, and edge banding.

Take every necessary precaution with power tools. This basically means that you have to wear gloves, goggles, and other necessary protective gear. A good money saving tip with the cabinets is that you don?t have to buy a new set of cabinets. You can use ones that have been previously removed or at least pre-owned.

If you have remodeled your kitchen and have set aside the old cabinets then you can recycle those into your breakfast bar. You can also get this old unwanted stuff, including the countertops, from a thrift store that sells home supplies. You?ll be surprised at the amount of money you can save by spending a little more time asking around and haggling.

Steps to Make a Breakfast Bar at Home

Here?s what you need to do in order to make a breakfast bar. To stop the drywall from tearing when you work on them, cut along the lines of the corners on both the ceiling and your wall. Do not cut near any of the outlets. Be sure to inspect the wiring inside the walls.

Once you have outlined the space where you want to make a breakfast bar it is time to demolish the wall between your kitchen and dining room. If ever you?re not familiar with doing the wiring you should contact a contractor do the rewiring for you. Be sure to remove any nails found in the studs.

Make a frame when you make a breakfast bar using the 2×4s. Install your frame using screws and install the drywall on either side of it. After that you may build the base for your cabinets. Attach the cabinets to base afterwards. You may use both clamps and screws to put them in place.

Cut the countertop to your desired dimensions and be sure to round off any corners. Cut your laminate to a length that extends about an inch on the sides and turn it upside down on the installed countertop. Coat the laminate and the plywood with contact adhesive.

Lay the dowels on the countertop and then lay the laminate on top of them. Next, pull out the dowels one by one and let the laminate get in contact with the plywood. Make sure to roll out any bubbles that form in between when they have bonded. Trim off any edges using a router and then apply the banding on the smoothened edges.

How to Fix a Kitchen Sink

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

The kitchen sink is usually affected by Fix a Kitchen Sinkdifferent kinds of problems. Aside from a clogged drain, a broken faucet is one of the most difficult and most common because people cannot perform daily tasks normally without water. After continuous use, the gaskets eventually wear out, loosen up and cause water to drip. There is really no need to hire expensive professional services especially for those who know how to fix a kitchen sink.

Materials Needed

Only a few simple materials are needed to complete this moderate task. Among these are a penknife, a Phillip?s screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. In addition, you must also have a cloth and clean gaskets. With these items available, you can start with the following steps right away.

Steps

Under the sink, open the cabinet and then look for the cold and hot water valves. Turn them in clockwise direction. After this, check if there is still water on the faucet. In case the valves are stuck in the ?on? position probably due to corrosion, just shut the main water switch off temporarily while you are working on the sink. Go back under the sink and then replace the valves if they are faulty.

Go to the faucet and then observe the handle. There, you can find a little circular faceplate concealing a screw. Get the penknife and then pry it off to expose the screw. If a penknife is not available, you can instead use a lobster pick or any item with a sharp point. Get the screwdriver and then slowly remove the screw. Secure it in a safe place for later use. Hold the top of the handle and then slowly pull it off the faucet.

At the inner part of the handle, you can find a rubber gasket and a nut holding the cartridge. Gently remove the gasket and check if it is worn out or cracked. In case it is fine, just clean it with a nice clean cloth. If damaged, try to replace it with a new one. Remove the cartridge by unscrewing it. In case it is damaged, bring the cartridge to the nearest hardware store and buy a replacement.

If the problem is only the gasket, you do not have to replace the entire cartridge but this specific part only. Return all the various parts of the faucet and sink in the reverse order you removed them. Turn the main water switch on. Expect a no-drip faucet and a fully functional sink.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

In order to prevent screws and any part of the sink from going down the drain, put the drain stopper before working. When buying new gaskets, be sure to bring the old ones with you so that you can buy the right size of gaskets you need to fix the problem.

How to Build a Kitchen Cabinet

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

To be able to build a kitchen cabinet, only basicBuild a Kitchen Cabinet knowledge of carpentry tools is needed. You’ll also need plenty of space to work in, so clear up the workspace.

Required Tools and Materials

Measuring tape
Clamps
Kitchen layout
Wood screws
Pine wood
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Screwdriver
Saw
Cabinet hardware
Power drill
Dowels
Kitchen cabinet sketch design

Step 1

Make a sketch of the cabinet. Note down the dimensions, the number of drawers, style etc. You’ll be using this as your guide throughout the construction process, so make it detailed. There are also kitchen planners available in shops and online.

Step 2

Once you get the dimensions, it’s time to get the lumber and supplies needed to build a kitchen cabinet. If you’re making several cabinets, multiply the figures you get from the one cabinet you drew up.

Step 3

Start by making the cabinet box (or carcass). As you cut the wood, reduce the dimensions of the sides by the board thickness. This should be done for the top and bottom. Now cut the back board. The length and width needs to be a couple of inches shorter than the wood is thick. This will allow you to fit the pieces in the frame.

Step 4

Put glue on the edges of the top and side. Drill holes and fasten the top on the sides. Note: pre-drilling the holes is recommended so the wood doesn’t crack up. Turn the structure over. Secure the bottom section using the same method. Make sure you glue the edges as you build a kitchen cabinet.

Step 5

The faceplate’s height needs to be the same as the cabinet. The width is up to you. The board for the faceplate length should be equal to the cabinet. The width should be a bit less than the side boards.

Step 6

Align the faceplate to make certain they fit. Mark it for the dowel holes. Make a couple of holes at the ends. This should be a match for the holes in the interior. Add some glue in the holes. Put the dowel in. Clamp the parts so they end up forming a square.

Step 7

Proceed to build a kitchen cabinet by gluing the faceplate to the cabinet box. Drill holes and fasten it with finishing nails. Next, slice the door so it is 3/8” wider than the faceplate’s opening.

Step 8

You can finish the cabinet up by staining or using polyurethane finish. Put in the hinges. Put some wood putty on so the holes are covered. Add the putty after you stain but not before the varnish. Now you can add any other hardware that comes with your door.

Tips and Warnings

Consider putting tape on the drill half the dowel’s length. This will help you determine when to stop. Wear safety goggles when cutting lumber. Keep your sketches nearby so you don’t make mistakes in the design.

After you build a kitchen cabinet, go over it. If everything’s okay, you can use it as a template for other kitchen cabinets you want to make.

How to Repair a Copper Pipe

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Copper pipes will burst when exposed to Repair a Copper Pipefreezing temperatures and will corrode and leak overtime. A lot of people will simply think of replacing the entire broken pipe as a quick solution. However, if the leak or damage is about a pinhole or perhaps less than an inch then there are certain things you can do to repair a copper pipe. You would even save some money by doing such simple repairs instead of buying an entire pipe as a replacement.

Materials and Equipment

You will need the following things in order to repair a copper pipe: tubing cutter, fittings, and a matching pipe replacement. As a reminder, always wear protective gear when working on your pipes.

Steps to Repair a Copper Pipe

The first thing you need to do to repair a copper pipe is to locate where the damaged pipe is located. Everything will be a lot easier if the broken pipe is located in a visible area. However, you can also have broken or damaged pipes running into your walls or ceilings. Some construction experience is called for when broken pipes are located in such area since you will have to tear open ceilings and walls.

Once you have located where the leak is at you should turn off your home’s water supply. You should also drain all the water left in the pipes by opening faucets and other valves. Depending on how much water is stored in your piping system, draining the water can take a minute or even a few minutes longer.

The next step to repair a copper pipe is to cut off the section of the pipe that was damaged. After cutting off the damaged section you should measure it. After that cut a piece from the replacement pipe exactly the same length of the section of damaged pipe you removed. Take note that when you cut off a length of the replacement tubing you should include some clearance for its couplings.

It is recommended that you use Sharkbite fittings when you attach your replacement tubing. This type of fitting is easier to connect since it will not require any soldering or heating. You just have to slip it over a pipe to attach get it attached. This type of pipe fitting is available in many popular hardware stores.

Now that you have your replacement pipe secured it is now time to turn off all the valves and faucets you opened up earlier to let the water out. Finally, the last step to repair a copper pipe is to turn on the water in your home to check for any leaks.

How to Install Kitchen Tile

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

To make your kitchen shinier and cleaner, Install Kitchen Tileyou can install tiles on the countertops as well as on the floors. Ceramic tiles have different designs so you can easily choose the style that will suit the architecture and motif in the kitchen. If you are in a tight budget and you want to save money, you can install the tiles by yourself. By following the simple procedures discussed below, you can learn how to install kitchen tile easily and efficiently.

Materials Needed

Before you begin this project, it is beneficial to get all the materials, which include the ceramic tile that you will use and sink rail tiles. In addition to these, you need caps and corners for the countertops as well as tile spacers. The other materials that you will find useful for this project are mastic, a wet saw, a backer board, a corse thread, chippers, a wax pencil and a mortar trowel. Aside from these, you also need a grout trowel, a bucket, a sponge, a soft cloth, a tri square, a thin set mortar, a grout, a grout sealer, a coarse sandpaper and a chalk line.

Procedures

Cover the floor and the countertop with the backer board. Use the coarse thread to secure the board. Make a chalk line from the corners of the floor and the countertop to the center. Mark the center with an X. Mix the mortar based on the instructions in the packaging of the mortar. Get a tile and lay it on the center of the floor or the countertop. Apply mortar on the portion where you are about to install a tile. Get the spacers and use these to keep the tiles in line. Follow the instructions on the packaging to mix the grout.

Be sure that there are no dust and dirt in the grout lines. Apply the grout using the grout trowel. Get a sponge and remove excess grout. To make the tiles shinier, get a soft cloth and wipe the tiles with the cloth.

Additional Tips and Other Important Information

When installing the tiles, it is best to wear safety glasses to prevent the chemicals from causing eye infections. Secure the gout after three days. Get a sandpaper to remove the sharp edges of the tiles. When you cut excess parts of the tiles, keep your fingers away from the saw’s cutting blade. To maintain the tiles, you should clean these everyday using a wet rug.