Here are some handy tips for you to use when you install a sump pump to rid your house of unnecessary water:

• Be sure you hook up a pump which can thoroughly remove and properly divert the water by lifting it both up and away from the sump hole.  The capacity of the pump to be able to do that is called its “lift.”

• You want a pump that is strong enough to remove the water and direct it as far away from the house as possible.

• You must be absolutely certain that the connection of the pump and its electrical source are fully grounded, as electricity and water do not mix well or safely. The plug should ideally be a GFCI ground for your safety and the safety of the structure itself!

Finally, you are getting new carpet!  You may have wanted to do it sooner but you were afraid that it would be too difficult to do it alone and too costly to hire someone else to do it.  It really is a simple process and there are just a few simple steps that you need to take to get your home looking more beautiful. 

1. The first thing that you need to do is get some tools and necessities.  You will need quite a few smaller tools to do this job but nothing to expensive or difficult to use.

2. First remove the old carpet.  Using a utility knife you can cut the old carpet up into smaller pieces.  This will help to remove it from the room more easily.

3. You want to make sure that you clean the floor well and make sure it is dry before preparing to install the new carpet.  This will help keep lumps and moisture from becoming stuck under the new carpet.

4. Install tackless strips around the boarder of the room.  This allows the carpet to stick to it easily.

5. Measure the longest point of the room and add on at least four inches.  Measure twice and cut once!

6. Now, lay out the carpet where you have ample space to work and properly marking the back for cutting.  You can use a piece of chalk or two marks with a carpet knife.

7. Place the carpet into the room and roll it out and perform a “dry cut”.

8. If the room is too large for one piece, you may need to piece it.  This is when you will need a seam cutter.  This helps to make sure that the edges line up properly so you cannot see the piecing.

9. Use seaming tape to help piece them together.

10.  Heat a steam iron and run along the tape to help melt it.  Make sure you are applying some weight to the area while you use the steam iron.

11. Attach the carpet to the tacks along the outside and trim along the edges.

With just a few simples steps you can add beauty to any area!

1.) You will need to get the carpet up off of the floor and then get it taken outside where it can begin to air out.  This is very important because you want to get the padding underneath of it out so you can replace it.  You do not want any mold growing under there.

2.) Clean the carpet with fresh, clear water so that it any dirt and residue will be removed.

3.) Use a good cleaner to clean the hard wood floor and run fans over the hard wood floor so that it will dry more quickly. You may need to replace any molding tongue and groove boards.

4.) Let the carpet air out for several days in order to ensure that it is completely dry.  You will only be defeating the purpose if you put it back while it is still wet.

5.) Place new padding on the floor and then tack the carpet back into place.

It is possible to save your carpet after you have experienced water damage.  However, you need to remember that it will be labor intensive and it will be time consuming.  If you do not have the time to do this work, or you just do not want to,  you might want to call a professional.

Four Easy Steps For Repairing Resilient Tile:
1. While keeping a fire extinguisher nearby, use a propane torch with a flame spreader to soften the adhesive under the damaged resilient tile. The tile should not be too hot to touch, but warm enough to loosen the adhesive beneath the damaged resilient tile. Pry up the damaged resilient tile by starting at a corner of the tile with a putty knife and left off.
 
2. Once the adhesive has hardened, scrape it up so the subfloor is level and clean.

3. Use a notched trowel to spread a thin, flat layer of adhesive on the subfloor.
 
4. Butt two adjacent edges of the new resilient tile against a pair of original adjacent tiles. Make sure you match any patterns. Press the replacing resilient tile in place and remove any smudges with a solvent and let the adhesive dry.

Surface damage, like separated, split. loose, or  warped boards, can be repaired successfully. To preserve the new look of your wood floors, make repairs immediately after damage occurs. When refinishing the repaired area make sure to mach the  color and protective finish as closely as possible. This will hide any signs of repair.

Repairing Surface Damage: You should remove the protective wax or oil finish from the damaged wood floor with a wax stripper. Once you complete the repair, make sue to rewax or oil  the wood floor with the same wax or oil used before. When stripping and rewaxing, follow the product manufacturer’s directions.

Water Marks: After removing the protective finish from the surface, rub water marks stain on the wood floor with fine steel wool and a little paste wax or a solvent-base liquid floor wax. If the marks don’t disappear then you need to  wipe the wax with a soft cloth and rib again with fine steel wool and odorless mineral spirits. Once the water mark is gone, wipe clean and finish.

Burn Marks: For burn marks that just darken the wood’s surface and do not leave a hole, lightly sand and wipe up sanding residue with a damp cloth. When dry, finish as desired by following the steps in “Repairing Surface Damage”. For burns that go deeper, carefully scrape out the burned wood with a sharp knife, use tool safety precautions. Apply one or more coats of a commercial scratch hider, putty stick or stick shellac. Once dry you may add the finish to he wood floor.

Scratches and Gouges: You can conceal a shallow scratch with one or two applications of a commercial scratch hinder or crayon by placing the hinder or crayon within the scratch. To repair deep scratches and gouges however, you will need to remove wax  or oil from the damaged area. Fill the scratch or gouge with matching wood putty, putty stick or stick shellac and let dry. Once dry than sand smooth with fine-grade sandpaper and finish the wood floor.

Fixing Damaged Floor Boards: For long or wide separations between floor boards, fill the gaps with wood strips. For the best  possible fit you need to angle the saw blade to cut strips that taper in slightly at the bottom. Loose, split, or warped boards can be repaired by following the steps below. Make sure to sand any putty, once it is dry, with steel wool  and finish the repair to match the rest of the wood floor.

Split Boards:

1. Drill a pilot hole into the wood at an angle every few inches along the length of the crack. Drive and countersink annular-ring nails.
2. Fill the nail holes and the crack with wood putty.
3. Match the repair with the rest of the wood floor.

Loose Boards:

1. From blow the floor drill pilot holes through the subfloor and just into the boards. Then insert screws.
2. Form above, drill pilot holes; and drive countersink nails.
3. Fill with wood putty and then finish.

Warped Boards:

1. Drill pilot holes every few inches along the warped wood floor board.
2. Insert and tighten screws.
3. Fill the holes with wood putty and finish to match the rest of the wood floors.