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No Smashed Fingers Here's a low-tech hint. To avoid mashing your fingers while hammering, put the nail upright in between the teeth of a comb. Then hammer away.

Paint Additives

While paint right out of the can is just fine for most folks, there are others who feel that an additive can improve the job. The answer to "which is right," is out there in the middle somewhere -- of course.

Paint manufacturers generally feel that if the product needed something more, they would have put it in there. However there are circumstances when an additive may indeed make sense. Additives can be used for various purposes. Some help oil-based paint penetrate better and dry slower. Others help latex paint act more like oil paint, causing it to flow and brush out better. There are also additives that speed the drying time of oil paint. If you choose to use a paint conditioner, follow the recommendations but don't depend on paint manufacturer support if a problem develops.

Storing Food Safely Place warm leftover food in the refrigerator right after use. Don't let it cool on the counter. Bacteria can grow very quickly. If the food is really hot, divide into smaller portions to cool quicker. Then pop into the refrig.

Leg Relief

Many home repair warriors have garage or basement workshops. One thing these areas have in common is their concrete floors. While concrete makes great floors, standing and walking on it for extended periods of time can cause leg fatigue. There are a couple of solutions for those tired gams. Get something between your feet and that concrete. Laying down planking works and rubber mats are available from industrial supply houses. Or, get some of those colorful, dense foam locking squares at the home center and liven up your shop a little.

Make Up Air

The term "make up air" refers to air that replaces the air that a gas appliance or exhaust fan removes from the building. Air is required for combustion and that combustion air goes up the chimney and out of the house. Similarly, exhaust fans remove air from the house. In older homes this lost air was replaced by infiltration, that is air leaking into the house through nooks and crannies. In newer buildings, construction is tighter and there is often a dedicated source for make up air. If you have tightened up an older home, make sure there is an adequate supply of air for combustion appliances. A gas appliance starved for air operates inefficiently -- and sometimes dangerously.

Wallpaper Hanging

After reading some specific instructions on paper hanging, keep these thoughts in mind. Most corners, windows and doors are not perfectly "plumb," or square. Before you begin hanging your wallpaper, establish a plumb line to start hanging from. Lay out the entire room before cutting or hanging any paper. If there is a matching pattern, know that at some point in the room it will not match. Try to arrange the layout so that the first and last piece comes together in a corner behind a door. Finally, think the job all the way through and have all the tools, materials and time needed before you start.

Scuff Marks on Floor Shoe heels can leave unsightly scuff marks on floors. To remove, rub the marks with a clean pencil eraser. Sweep the floor and then clean it as you normally do.

Handy Tool

Drywall compound, more often called mud, comes in plastic buckets. These buckets can be tough to get open if you don't do it regularly. Look for a bucket opener at the hardware store or home center. This inexpensive tool can save a lot or wear and tear on your fingers.

And while we're on the subject of mud, make sure you get the right mud for the job. All-purpose mud is just that. Topping mud should be only used for the final coat -- not for taping. Topping mud lacks the adhesive component of taping or all-purpose mud.

Wallpaper Prep

Wallpaper hanging, like anything else, requires some specific skills but much of the job is in preparation. Often folks think that wallpaper is made to cover over problems in a wall, but this is not the case. A wall that is not clean, sound and smooth will be difficult to cover and won't look very good when it's done.

To prepare a wall for wallpaper, start by cleaning the wall and removing any loose or flaking paint. Next patch cracks, nail holes and any other defects in the wall surface. Finally, size the wall. Sizing for wallpaper is the equivalent of priming for paint. The paper manufacturer will specify the proper sizing.

Painting Tip

Most painting around the house is done with either a brush or a roller. For most applications this is fine, but for others a smoother finish is required. The smoothest finishes are obtained by spraying, which requires spray equipment. When the paint job is small, buying, borrowing or renting the spray equipment just doesn't make sense. When you need to spray a cabinet, a door or some other similar-size project a specific color, pick up an aerosol applicator at the paint store or home center. You supply the paint and the applicator supplies the spray. These one time disposable applicators can give custom results where conventional methods fail.

Holiday Car Trips If you and your kids will be making trips to visit relatives, plan ahead. To make the road time pass more quickly for your children, have each one pack a small tote with toys, electronic games, books, crayons. This will keep them occupied and quiet during the drive!



-- Anonymous, November 20, 2001


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