Electrical Generators - A portable generator will run anything from a small lamp to a number of large appliances. But you must select the correct output size in order to handle the anticipated load. To determine the size generator you will need, add the wattage of the maximum number of items you will be running simultaneously. For items with start up ratings higher than their run ratings, use the higher rating to determine your power requirements.

Inductive load appliances and tools such as refrigerators, washers, and power tools require additional wattage for starting. The initial load only lasts for a few seconds, but is very important when calculating your total wattage. For example - Running a 100 watt light bulb, a 1,200 watt refrigerator with a start-up wattage of 3,000 watts, and a 400 watt TV, would require 3,500 watts.

Electric Generator Safety Tips

Fire Extinguisher Type - There are four classes of fire extinguishers. Each one is designed for a specific type of fire. Modern fire extinguishers use a picture and labeling system to designate which types of fires they are designed for. Older units use colored geometrical shapes with letter designations.

Class A and B fire extinguishers have a numerical rating based on tests conducted by Underwriter’s Laboratories. These ratings determine the extinguishing potential for each size and type of extinguisher.

Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper. The numerical rating refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it is designed to extinguish.

Class B Extinguishers are used on fires involving flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that can be extinguished.

Class C Extinguishers are for use on electrical fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Ceiling Tile Grid - Planning and good layout are the most important parts of a successful ceiling tile job. Once everything is laid out, the project should go smoothly. And it's also one of those tasks that adds a lot of appeal to your home.

Selecting the Tiles

Most ceiling tiles are made of fiberboard. Standard tiles measure 12" by 12", although tiles are also made in 12" by 24" and other sizes. Acoustical tiles are made from the same type of fiber with an additional manufacturing process to help absorb sound in a room. A well designed acoustical tile absorbs up to 70 percent of excess noise.

Ask the supplier to help estimate the materials you need for installation. Most manufacturers provide charts to determine the number of tiles, the amount of furring, and the gallons of adhesive needed (if adhesive is used) based on the room size. Tiles are typically packed as follows: 12" by 12" ceiling tiles in cartons of 40, 12" by 24" are packed 20 to a carton.

Ceiling Tile Installation Methods

The most common methods of ceiling tile application are adhesives, stapled or nailed to wood furring strips, or a metal grid suspended from the overhead floor joists. For ceilings made of plaster, sheetrock, or other materials that provides a smooth, continuous backing, use adhesives to apply the ceiling tiles. If the ceiling has cracked plaster or other defects, apply furring strips and nail or staple the tiles to the furring strips.

Basic Rules

• All cut tiles should be used for the edges of the room where the ceiling meets the walls.

• Cut tiles at opposite ends of the room should be the same size.

• If at all possible, cut tiles should not be less than half a tile wide.

Determine the Size of Border Tiles

Measure the distance from wall to wall on the longer side of the room. If the length measures exact feet, you will not need to cut border tiles for that direction. If the distance does not come out in exact feet, add 12 to the number of inches remaining and divide by two. This gives you the width of your border tiles. For example, if the room is 10′ 6" long, add 12 to 6 (18) and divide 18 by 2. The result of 9" is the width of the border tiles for each end of the run. Do the same thing for the shorter side of the room. Confused? Here is the result of the calculations:

• 10′ 6" = 126 total inches of the run (10′ x 12" to the foot = 120") + 6" = 126"

• 6" + 12" = 18" (to make sure each end tile is at least 1/2 tile wide)

• 18" / 2 = 9"

• 9" on start of run + 9" on end of run = 18", so 126" (total length of the run) - 18" = 108"

• 108" / 12" (size of standard ceiling tile) = 9 tiles in middle of the run

• 9 tiles x 12" = 108" + 9" start of run + 9" end of run = 126"

• 126" / 12" = 10′ 6"
  

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Concrete Block - You need to know how many yards are needed for concrete projects when placing an order. A yard is just another name for 27 cubic feet. Since a standard yard contains 3 feet, a cubic yard is 3' x 3' x 3'. That's 3' wide, 3' wide, and 3' long.

Most concrete projects are measured by the foot for length and width, and inches for thickness. So how do you determine the cubic yards of concrete to order?

Let’s say you are pouring a slab that measures 20 feet wide, 20 feet long, and 4 inches thick. Start by calculating the square feet of surface area. The formula is:

Synthetic Stucco - Stucco is very durable. The newer types have a long lifespan and are resistant to the elements. But small cracks do occasionally appear. There is also the problem of mechanical damage from something hitting the surface. Use acrylic latex paint to cover small cracks. You can also fill them with latex caulking compound and then paint with acrylic latex paint. For larger cracks, chisel around the edges of the crack and brush away loose material. Paint the edges with concrete bonding agent and allow to cure. Then use a trowel to fill the crack with stucco patching compound.

Make sure the color and texture are similar to the stucco around it. Matching the texture and color is the hardest part of stucco repair. Make a few trial patches on scrap wood before applying to your house. Keep the patch damp for 4 days to allow it to cure.

Tile Mural Backsplash - Adding a ceramic tile backsplash is a great way to accent your kitchen or bath, while providing a barrier against splashes and spills. The cost is minimal and the average handyman can do the project in a weekend.

Before starting, review the features of the area. What color are the walls, countertop, floor and appliances? Are the cabinets light or dark? What type of lighting is present, and what does it illuminate? What color and type are the fixtures? If your cabinets are dark, you may want to lighten-up the area. If you have under-cabinet lighting, the backsplash could probably be done in a medium color tone so it doesn’t contrast with the cabinetry.

Surface Preparation

Tile can be installed over most substrates if they are clean, smooth and dry. Check with your supplier to see if the tile you have chosen requires a specific underlayment. Repair and level any damaged or uneven areas. Make certain your countertop is level. If not, insert shims between the lower cabinets and the countertop. Turn off power and water to any outlets within or near your work space. Be careful! Electric wires and plumbing run between studs in walls. Don’t make the mistake of cutting into either while they are still live.

Wagner Paint - All house paints are either water based latex or oil based. Latex is the most commonly sold paint today. It covers well, cleanup with water is fast and easy, and it is durable.

Water based latex paints offer significant performance advantages. Compared to oil based paints, top quality exterior latex paints have greater durability, color retention, and chalk resistance, so they continue to look good for years. Since they are less brittle and more elastic than oil based paints, they have better resistance to cracking. Latex paints also dry much faster than oil based paints, which allows for a quicker second coat. When compared with other latex paints, those with 100% acrylic binders are especially durable and highly flexible. They tend to adhere extremely well to a variety of exterior surfaces, and have greater resistance to troublesome paint failures like blistering, flaking and peeling.