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One of the many key tools that you can use to remove silicone caulk is regular tile solvent. Remove silicone caulk with tile solvent with help from the president and owner of Source Development Inc. in this free video clip.
Removing silicone caulk from clothing is something you can try to do by freezing the clothes, among other techniques. Remove silicone caulk from clothing with help from the president and owner of Source Development Inc. in this free video clip.
Many different kitchen layouts have an L- or U-shaped backsplash that results in one or more inside corners. Corner joints between two tiles are treated differently than straight joints between two tiles, meaning that no grout is installed in the corners. Instead, a bead of caulk is run along this joint. The type of caulk used is dependent on the type of tile, the size of the joint and the amount of light in the kitchen.
Polyurethane caulk has a number of really great uses, like fixing cracks in your concrete blocks at home. Fix cracks in concrete blocks with polyurethane caulk with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
A galvanized steel grain bin, also known as a silo, is a facility that allows you to store and dry grain after harvesting. Grain bins tend to be round in shape, so fewer particles become stuck in corners. A galvanized steel grain bin is made of steel coated with zinc, which protects it from becoming rusty. If you harvest your own grain and want to store it somewhere safe and dry, you can build your own galvanized steel grain bin by purchasing the materials and building it on top of a wooden platform in a dry place, preferably under a…
“Black pipe” is an industry-speak term that refers to pipe and fittings made from mild steel or malleable wrought iron; the material is not galvanized, and the color results from a coating of iron oxide. In homes, black pipe is most commonly used for routing natural gas into and around buildings, and less commonly for water supplies. Cement blocks, colloquially often called cinder blocks, are typically hollow, rectangular bricks. Black pipe can pass through walls constructed of cement block. If a leak occurs in the pipe inside the wall, rectification typically requires that the damaged pipe be replaced.
When preparing to insulate a basement, crawl space or other area where one wall may have some exposure to moisture, you need to keep the insulation and other construction materials dry to avoid the development of mold. A vapor barrier, which can be in the form of impervious sheeting, is applied on the warm side of a structure to stop moisture from the outside from being pulled through a wall, floor or ceiling and damaging building materials.
Silicone caulk is a weather sealant that typically lasts for up to 50 years. Using silicone on a glass door provides a lasting seal if you apply it properly. The drawback to silicone caulk is that you cannot paint over it, so select a color that matches the door’s trim for the best appearance. With the right tools, proper silicone caulking of glass doors requires little time for a professional looking finish.
An underground gravity drain line system is often used for a house, or property, as part of the storm water management system. A well-designed system lays out the components economically and according to best practices. Drainage has serious consequences when a system fails, so it's best to consult local expertise for technical requirements for the area.
Mortar is the go-to tool for keeping bricks, tile and similar materials in place. The kind of mortar used varies on the project, but clay mortar is often used around fireplaces and other areas where the temperature will become hot. Using clay mortar is not unlike using other kinds of mortar, such as thinset, and it is fairly simple to apply. With the help of a few tools, you can lay clay mortar like a professional.
Building a shed on your property makes a great way to increase your storage space for such things as tools and yard and garden equipment. This type of project might become too complex for the average do-it-yourselfer, however, if creating the foundation involves pouring concrete. For homeowners who are looking to build a smaller, prefabricated shed, a simple construction technique that uses cinder blocks and timbers instead of poured concrete can make this task much easier to successfully complete.
The color and texture of brick can add a dramatic accent to the arched doorways in your home. Brick veneer is made of thin slices cut from real bricks. It can be installed to frame your arched doorways in a manner similar to installing ceramic tile. Brick veneers, sold by hardware and home centers, come in different colors and brick textures to suit your décor.
Building your own outdoor fireplace can save you a great deal of money on contracting costs while adding an aesthetic and practical element to your outdoor space. A competent DIY homeowner can build a simple outdoor fireplace from cement blocks and a few extra materials, including fire bricks and a lintel. Covering a cement block fireplace in stucco creates a decorative exterior for an otherwise very plain surface.
Enjoy the many benefits of owning a metal shed. Store your tools, lawn equipment and boxes of items you don’t want to discard in the shed for ready access when you need them. Metal storage sheds are generally lightweight metal held together with screws, and the frame is not heavily reinforced. Anchor the shed firmly and evenly balanced to a cinder block foundation to ensure that does not blown over or get damage during bad weather. Damage to the shed results in damage to the contents stored within.
Arched fireplace surrounds are commonly made from masonry, cast stone or metal, the construction of which does not typically incorporate framing. If you desire a basic arched wooden fireplace surround, you would first need to build a framework of standard 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-inch lumber. The specific dimensions and layout of the frame depend on the size of your fireplace and the design of the surround, which should adhere to local building codes. As with standard fireplace surrounds, proper framework provides the basis for plumb and squarely built arched surrounds.
Many homeowners dream of a custom built outdoor gas grill, but lack the confidence to begin such a large project. However, the grill's structure can be easily formed from cinder blocks; these hollow concrete forms are lightweight for transport, but can be filled with sand to create a heavy duty base for the grill itself. Pinpoint a prime location for grilling and get cooking on a permanent grill structure that will make you the envy of the neighborhood.
Finishing a cinder block basement is a good way to add living space to a house. You can build a playroom, a recreation or entertainment room, an office, a workshop or any combination of rooms, depending on the size of the basement. Properly finished, basement rooms can be as comfortable and as useful as any room in the house. The keys to success with such a project are the design, the waterproofing and the insulation.
Vapor barriers prevent moisture from leaking into the wood frame of a building, thereby preventing wood rot and the formation of mold. When it comes to sealing bathrooms, two types of vapor protection exist, barriers that go in bathroom walls and material used to seal around fixtures in showers, tubs and sinks. Installing an actual vapor barrier requires access to the wood frame of the bathroom and should be done during home construction. Retro-sealing shower fixtures, on the other hand, requires minimal effort.
An open pit grill provides an exciting addition to the exterior of your home. These homemade fire pits give you the option to host parties and entertain guests as well cook food, roast marshmallows and provide warmth on cold nights. Creating a open fire pit can be as easy as digging a hole in the ground. However, if you want a more durable option build a metal open pit grill using the body of an old gas grill.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends construction of a "safe room" in every house in areas subject to extreme winds, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. A safe room has walls and ceilings strong enough to withstand very high winds and falling or flying debris. Cinder blocks, concrete blocks made with coal ash rather than gravel for aggregate, may be used to build a safe room. Safe room cinder block construction is a major undertaking, and requires both masonry and carpentry skill. It also may require professional assistance.
Parging is the process of covering a concrete, stone, brick or block wall with a thin layer of mortar. Applying this parge coat to the wall produces a smoother, more attractive surface. It also protects soft mortar and other materials that may degrade on exposure to moisture.
Constructing a screen of plumbing pipes and sheet metal is a simple way to provide privacy in an outdoor space. You can make such a screen out of a single panel or several in a line, attached to fence posts to form a barrier. The screen may be made of new materials; however, by reusing reclaimed materials or scrap items, you can save money and create a screen that already has a weathered look and character.
Ledger stone, also called ledgestone, is made from a variety of stone types, including limestone, fieldstone, granite and marble. The stones may be cut into slabs of different thicknesses, widths and lengths and may have smooth or rough surfaces. The stones may be used loose or in panels. The color, type and size of available ledger stones open the door to multiple uses inside and outside the home, including retaining walls, fountains and patio walls, fireplaces, interior walls and house facades. How you use ledger stone depends on the type of project.
Used by tribes far from Western civilization, American settlers and outdoorsmen alike, the stone stove is an excellent cooking tool that has been passed from generation to generation. Building a primitive stove may seem like a lot of work, but the ability to cook a warm meal in the middle of the wilderness is well worth the effort. Cultures around the world each have their own unique style of stone-built stoves; as long as the earthen tool heats dinner, it is a success.
Sinking cement blocks or slabs along a sidewalk not only look unattractive but serve as a tripping hazard. Repairing such blocks is a straightforward procedure that requires basic tools, a cement mixer and a portable pump. Called mudjacking or slabjacking, the process involves drilling holes into the sunken blocks and injecting a prepared grout mixture into them until they are raised to the desired level. Repairing a sunken cement block is cheaper than replacing the entire sidewalk or pathway.
Just because your office has cinder blocks doesn't mean it won't look good. Make an office with cinder blocks look good with help from an experienced designer in this free video clip.
Concrete blocks are used to form walls, fences, buildings and other projects. Although these blocks are strong and durable, they need to be finished properly, or water and debris can get inside. Finishing is accomplished by capping the top of the concrete block. Special concrete caps are available in many sizes and shapes to suit your project. The cap will not only protect the concrete blocks, but will also stabilize them and give the project a finished look.
The rim joist is the rim board across the perimeter of your home's foundation or basement where the ends of the floor joist connect. This is an area where there is a lot of heating and cooling loss. It is also difficult to insulate and caulk a rim joist due to the many pipes that run through different areas of it. Caulking a rim joist is best once you place some rigid foam insulation against the joist between the floor joist.
Paintball is a popular sport that can be played in just about any large outdoor space. Adding structures to your paintball course can make the game more interesting. A concrete bunker with a plywood roof is a simple project that can spice up the game.
You can use a plethora of material to support basement beams. Cinder blocks, however, are typically the go-to material since they are relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. Since cinder blocks come in standard sizes, you will need to cut a block to get your support column for the beam at the proper height. Cutting cinder blocks is a straight-forward project that requires minimal experience and the use of the proper tools.
Model train enthusiasts can drive their trains around realistic-looking rocks and mountaintops using something as simple as acoustic ceiling tiles. The key to the most realistic rocks is the texture since most rocks and mountains do not have smooth edges. With a bit of patience and sculpting, this is a project even a novice model train builder can take on.
Installing window flashing on brick veneer siding helps keep moisture or water from getting between the veneer and wall underneath. Properly installed window flashing prevents water leaks inside the home that can lead to rotted wood and mold growth. The best time to install flashing is before installing the brick veneer, so you can lay the brick over top. It is possible to remove a row of brick veneer to access the wall and install this integral construction piece.
The major difference between framing and attaching a door to cinder blocks rather than 2-by-4 studs is that the screws require special anchors. The cinder block opening for a simple, basic frame should accommodate a standard door that's 6 feet, 8 inches tall. Overall, the bottom of a header above the door should be 82 5/8 inches above the subfloor. The opening between the cinder blocks should be the width of the door plus 5 inches.
Sealing exterior cinder block fences will help prolong the life of the structure. If the fence is not sealed properly, moisture can seep in and cause severe structural damage to the fence, which will lead to an expensive and time-consuming repair. Fortunately, sealing cinder block is a relatively cheap and easy process that requires only a few products you can purchase at home improvement stores. For best results, follow the specific instructions and warnings located on the back of the sealer.
In addition to their high combustion efficiency and clean fuel loading, pellet stoves also offer the advantage of being direct-vented. This increases your options of where to place one inside your home. You can easily vent a pellet stove by removing a portion of a cinder block wall so you can run the vent work outdoors.
A fire-clay thimble is simply an insulated sleeve that provides a safe passage for a stove pipe that is penetrating a chimney. Whether your chimney is made out of cement blocks or another material, a thimble is a necessary safety measure for a safe vent connection. Before beginning your installation, make sure all of your materials are approved by the manufacturer of the appliance or stove. Each appliance type has different requirements for safe venting configurations, materials and clearances. Additionally, always review local building codes for the highest level of safety.
Plaster guards are useful during construction and home-improvement projects due to the protection they provide wall inlets against plaster and dust exposure. They're more convenient than using normal inlet wall covers, because putting the covers on early increases the odds of the covers getting dirty or discolored. Guards also fit over plumbing fixtures to prevent plaster-dust infiltration. They're usually cost-effective and simple to install.
Adding ceiling tiles to a room enables you to hide an existing ceiling or add one to an unfinished area, such as a basement. Most ceiling tiles simply set inside a suspended ceiling grid. While the installation process is not difficult for a do-it-yourselfer, you do need to do some planning before you install the grid. Since most rooms are not the exact measurement of multiple widths of the ceiling tiles, you need to plan the suspended ceiling grid so the outer rows of tiles are slightly narrower than the rest of the suspension frame.
Waterproofing cement block walls will help extend the life of the walls and help to prevent expensive water damage that can occur if cement block walls are not properly sealed. Instead of hiring an expensive waterproofing company, choose the cheaper route and waterproof the cement block walls yourself with the help of commercial waterproofing products.
Hanging a trellis to a cinder-block wall not only provides vertical growing space for plants but also enhances visual interest. Covered with vines and flowers, the trellis conceals the unsightly cinder-block surface, adds natural color to the indoor or outdoor space and enhances interest at varying eye levels. Unlike with drywall, however, anchoring the trellis to a block wall is slightly more complicated, requiring specialized tools and fasteners to fasten it securely in place. Wear protective eyeglasses when drilling mounting holes through the wall.
A mezzanine floor is an elevated floor often found in factories and warehouses. Because it sits up from the main floor, it provides extra surface areas that can be used for purposes such as fitting more machinery in a factory or providing a viewing platform for supervisors. Mezzanine floors often are constructed after the rest of the building is finished, and might be portable. Their specifications, such as deflection, are important considerations based on the type of material.
Cinder block walls are a common feature of industrial and commercial buildings. Cinder blocks are identical to concrete blocks with hollow centers and openings on two sides. Cinder block walls are framed for doorway openings first by making a hole, then by shaping that hole so it's ready to receive a door frame. The process of framing an exterior door in a cinder block wall requires some masonry skills and a few specialized tools.
Subfloors are the level of flooring installed directly on top of the floor joists but underneath the finish flooring material, which is usually tile, hardwood or carpet. On top of the subfloor, a moisture barrier should be in place to keep any condensation from reaching the finish material, or vice versa with the subfloor. This is usually a layer of tar-based felt paper. Sometimes, such as in the case of a leaky floor, the vapor barrier will need to be replaced to keep the structural integrity of your home intact.
One of the most basic aspects of working with concrete is that you need to build forms out of wood or another material to hold the concrete in place while it cures. This is true for foundation and retaining walls, and it's true when you're creating cinder blocks. You can make cinder blocks to your own size and specifications, using the same basic principles. You need just a few simple carpentry tools, and you can put together molds that allow you to cast your own cinder blocks for any home project.
A bivy sack is a bivouac sack, which is an ultra-lightweight sleeping bag designed to protect the user in a variety of conditions, including extreme cold temperatures, without the need for a tent. A vapor barrier liner fits inside the bivy sack and is made from a material that does not allow moisture or air to pass throughout it. The vapor barrier liner protects the bivy sack from your perspiration and creates an environment that actually causes you to perspire less while sleeping with your body wrapped in a nonbreathable membrane.
Building a wall with cement blocks is a quick and sturdy way to build a wall that is useful for a variety of purposes. These blocks make effective retaining walls, elevated garden beds, and parking containment walls. Using only 16 cement blocks restricts the size of the wall, but leaves many options based on the arrangement of the blocks. The resultant wall may be long and short, narrow and high, or a perfect square depending on the intended purpose. The wall can be held in place with mortar or simply let gravity hold it in place, depending on your preference.
Whether you are building a pitched roof or putting on a flat roof, the process of building a rooftop is basically the same with some minor variations. The type of roofing style you choose, along with the type of roofing materials you use, will play a role in determining how you go about constructing your roof.
You can attach a vinyl fence to a cinder block wall using specialized brackets. When the brackets are attached to the cinder block wall, you can slide the vinyl fence rails directly over them for hanging. Brackets vary in size to accommodate a wide range of vinyl fence rails. Hanging the brackets on a hollow cinder block wall requires the use of masonry anchors such as lag screw expansion shields, which expand when threaded into holes.
Before the invention of modern clocks and watches, people used sundials to tell the time of day. You can recreate a sundial using natural materials found at any craft or hardware store, such as stones. Place a stone sundial into your garden or yard as a decorative accent piece that is also useful. Basic stone sundials can be constructed using minimal experience and crafting exposure, making it a project that can be accomplished by people with differing abilities.
R-Tech rigid foam insulation may help reduce heat transfer through walls, which can reduce heating and cooling costs. It can be installed in cinder block walls, which are commonly used in basement, garage and storage building construction. Insulation installed on concrete block walls may provide more efficient resistance to heat transfer than insulation poured or filled into block cavities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Installing R-Tech rigid foam insulation is a straightforward process because it comes in sheets that you can cut to size to cover your cinder block walls.
