Big Daddy Tools

Replacing An Existing Toilet

2008-02-12T10:42:00.000-06:00

Replacing a toilet is not that difficult. You should allow about four hours, which should be more than enough time to make the switch over.

Before you purchase your toilet, you will want to measure the distance from the wall to the two bolts at the bottom of the toilet that are securing it to the floor. This is called the rough in measurement and is generally twelve inches. Be sure to let the salesman at the store know this so you can be certain the toilet will fit.

To begin removal of the old toilet, first turn off the water supply and flush, holding the handle down to remove as much water as possible. There will be some remaining, so be very careful when carrying out the old toilet. It is a good idea to put a plastic liner down over any carpet you will be walking on while carrying the toilet outside.

Remove the bottom nuts and carefully lift the toilet. Carry it outside immediately, taking care to keep it as level as possible to prevent water spills.

Check over the existing plate for cracks. If it passes inspection, you can reuse it. Carefully clean off any wax residue from the old wax ring. Make certain the plate is securely attached to the floor and not loose. If the current plate is below the existing floor, you will most likely need to get an extended wax ring and longer bolts.

Place the ring on the plate, flat side down, and make certain it is properly centered. Carefully lift the toilet and set it down on the ring, making certain the bolts come through the holes properly before actually resting the bowl on the ring.

This is very important. You do not want to rock the toilet in order to seat it to the wax ring or you may end up with a leak. Press down on the toilet evenly until it makes full contact with the floor.

You have two washers. Take the tap washer first and put it over the bolts. Look carefully at the instructions to see the proper way this slips on. Slip on the metal washer next. Put on the nuts and hand tighten.

Begin to tighten the nuts with an open-end wrench, alternating between the two nuts, until the toilet is secure. You can take a mini hacksaw and cut off the excess portion of the bolts in order to finish the installation by putting on the plastic cap that covers the nuts. Place that into position and simply hit it with your hand to set it. It's not a bad idea to complete water installation and testing before cutting the bolts in the event you have leaks and need to redo the installation.

Hook up the water supply hose and turn the water back on. Let the bowl fill and flush. Check for leaks. If it passes inspection, your job is complete.

The Many Uses of Solar Energy and How it Really Works

2008-01-02T09:13:00.000-06:00

Before diving into the vast number of uses for solar energy, it is important to have a solid understanding of solar energy itself. Solar energy is electricity generated by the Sun's radiation which is absorbed through square material known as "solar cells".

To put it simply: the Sun's rays heat up solar cells, and the heat's energy is converted into electricity to power anything from small devices such as laptop bags to entire buildings.

Four Classes of Solar Energy

There are four major styles of solar energy: direct, indirect, active and passive.

Direct solar energy systems convert the thermal energy once, while indirect systems convert the energy multiple times. Active solar means there are mechanical and electrical parts. Passive systems do not use any mechanical parts to convert the energy to electricity.

"So how does solar energy actually work?"

There are many methods for capturing the power of the Sun's energy, but the most common devices are "Photovoltaic cells". These are commonly known as solar cell semiconductors that produce electricity whenever the external material is exposed to heat. The cells also naturally store thermal (heat) energy so the device the cells are powering can work when it is dark as well.

Basically, the Sun's heat is absorbed by the silicon cells, and the energy is stored and converted for use by the semiconductor inside the cells.

"How can solar energy help me?"

When solar energy cells were first introduced in 1941 by Russell Ohl, people hardly realized how this simple invention could change the World. The biggest problem with the energy technique has been the initial cost. However, while silicon is expensive, people have been recently turning to powering their entire house with solar cells!

Yes, there is a large initial investment, but by eliminating your electric bill for the rest of your life, there is a good chance you'll recoup the loss. Many people use solar energy to heat their water (tap, showers, swimming pools, etc.) without powering their entire home. This is much cheaper, but it can still have a positive impact on utility bills and the environment.

There have been many other smaller uses, too. In 2006, a small electronics company invented a solar cell laptop bag that could not only carry your laptop, but constantly charge it on the go!
There practically an infinite number of possibilities for small devices being charged with solar energy and eliminating the need for charging every night for hours just to get a few hours of use.

As solar cell production costs decrease, more companies will be able to produce solar-powered devices and accessories the public can afford. Either way, solar energy is a reliable, natural source of energy that can be used to power practically anything, and it won't run out until the Sun does!

3 Keys to a Successful Bathroom Remodeling Project

2007-12-11T10:02:00.000-06:00

Bathroom remodeling is a popular home improvement project for both new and existing homebuyers. One of the most common reasons for undertaking a bathroom-remodeling project is for a change. The fact is a fashionable bathroom is one of the most attractive enrichments you can make to your home and a wonderful way for you to add value to it -- and lots of pleasure to your life.

Plan Your Bathroom Remodeling Project.

Now the first thing you will need to do is plan how your bathroom remodeling is going to take place. Never forget the saying: Fail to plan and you plan to fail. The two most important things regarding bathroom remodeling are planning properly and shopping wisely in order to keep you project within your budget. Your new bathroom must be tailored to your requirements and the plan must depend on you budget and your needs.

A detailed plan is a must for any bathroom-remodeling project, so make sure you start by drawing a floor plan of your bathroom from above and a plan of each wall -- then on you go!

A good place to start with bathroom remodeling is to think how your current bathroom is not meeting your needs and wants. Then, a smart thing to do is to tour other bathrooms to get a bunch of good ideas. Undertaking a bathroom renovation project can be daunting, but if you've got a plan and a budget, you are certainly on your way to success.

Establish An Approximate Budget.

When remodeling a bathroom, a fundamental and necessary part involves establishing an approximate budget. You - and your budget - will decide how far you want to go in terms of your bathroom-remodeling project. The costs can vary widely depending on your needs, your wants and your budget.

Always stay focused on costs: keep in mind that a good half of your budget is going to go towards finish materials. Bathroom remodeling can end up being pretty expensive so make sure you are choosing the right bathroom contractor for your new project and your approximate budget.

The good news is that bathroom remodeling is fun and can be done with a lot less money than other rooms. And if you cannot afford the services of a professional decorator, using the Internet to learn about the latest trends in bathroom remodeling is a good free alternative.

Treat Your Home As An Investment.

Be a savvy homeowner and treat your home as a real estate investment. It’s important, as your home ages, to maintain and improve your largest and most valuable investment. When it comes to recouping your remodeling investment, a bathroom-remodeling project almost always pays back 90% or more of their costs. And it is very possible to get a 100 % return on your bathroom remodeling investment. As an investment, bathroom remodeling ranks high because the resale value of your house later on is much higher. Choosing to remodel a part of the home that has such a high investment return is a sure winner.

In summary, bathroom remodeling is one of the most important improvements you can make to your home. It can be a daunting task for any homeowner, but if it is well planned it will be lost of fun and as budget-friendly as you choose. One of the many benefits of bathroom remodeling is the possibility to maximize the value of your home. And if you are thinking about selling, bathroom remodeling is truly among the highest return on investment in the home improvement area.

How to Pay for Your Home Improvement

2007-12-10T17:19:00.001-06:00

You want to add a deck to your home to enjoy your evenings outside with your family and friends. You have cash sitting in your bank or you have a few credit cards that you can tap into to finance your home improvement. What is the best option? Should you get a Home Equity Line of Credit? Making the right decision is based on knowing various pros and cons of different ways to finance your project and your current situation. Even if you have cash sitting in the bank, it may not always be the best option.

If you have cash at hand, it should be earning at least 5% in a savings account. If you are not earning 5% from your bank, dump them and go to a bank that will give you at least 5% on your money. Search the Internet and you will be able to find a few online savings accounts, offered by well known banks like Citibank, Emigrant bank or HSBC that will give you a 5% return on your deposit.

If your credit is good and the project is small, search for a credit card that will give you 0% interest rate for a year. Apply online and get approved instantly. Within a couple of weeks, you will get your card and you will be able to use it for your home improvement project. You can use the same technique for store credit cards, Master Card or Visa. When you get a loan on 0% interest rate, make sure that you don't miss a payment. To avoid missing a payment, use online payments offered by many banks for free or the online payment option of the credit card company. Using an online payment, setup a scheduled payment plan for the monthly payment to the credit card. If you miss a payment, your credit card company will withdraw your 0% rate and may even impose a high rate on the remaining balance. So it is very important that you don't miss a single payment. Be aware that when you use a credit card to finance your home improvement project, you cannot claim any tax deductions on the interest you pay. Hence, it is extremely important that you retain your 0% interest rate till you pay off the loan.

If your home improvement project is a large one and you want to do it in stages, HELOC, or Home Equity Line of Credit, is a good option. Search the Internet to get the best rate. Find a bank that not only offers the best rate but also waives the finance charges. When you take a HELOC loan, you are essentially putting your home as collateral and the interest you pay may be tax deducible.

Refinancing your home is a good choice if you have a large equity in your home or you want to reduce your existing mortgage rate. Also, if your home improvement project will add substantial equity to you home, refinancing is an attractive option. You will also get tax benefits on the interest you pay.

Obtaining a second mortgage to finance your home improvement project makes sense if you get a low fixed interest rate and the interest rate on your first mortgage is even lower than the second mortgage. A second mortgage involves less paper works than a full refinancing.

Are you thinking about getting your money from your company's 401 (K) plan? Forget it. Don't use your 401 (K) plan money for your home improvement. A 401 (K) plan is for your retirement not for your home improvement projects. If you are not old enough (59.5 years or more) to take a distribution, you will have to pay tax and 10% penalty for any withdrawal from your 401 (K) plan. Borrowing against your 401 (K) savings is also not a wise choice because 1) you have to pay it back with the above average interest rate 2) money borrowed from your 401 (K) plan will not earn anything in your 401 (K) plan till you pay it back completely. On top of that, if you are laid off you will be hit with the tax and a 10% penalty unless you pay the remaining balance in one lump sum.

Don't make a decision on haste. Weigh the pros and cons of various methods discussed above and your current situation. Find the best way to finance your home improvement project using other people's money and without hitting your pocket book hard.