Month: December 2020

December 28, 2020 Traditional Architecture

How to Size Gutters & Downspouts

Half round and K-style gutters would be the two most frequent gutter types found on residential houses. Each gutter design comes in two dimensions and each has the capability to transfer a particular quantity of water from your roof. Correctly matching the size and style of a gutter to your house necessitates careful dimensions and exact calculations to ensure the gutters don’t float through heavy or prolonged periods of rain.

Set up an extension ladder from one border of your home’s roof. Be certain that the ladder extends at least three feet beyond its upper resting point against the roof edge. Place a torpedo level and tape measure in a tool pouch to keep your hands free. Climb the ladder, maintaining three points of contact at all times. For example, keep two feet and a hand or two hands and one foot on the ladder at all times.

Place the torpedo level on the roof together with the amount body sitting perpendicular to the roof peak. Adjust the amount until it reads degree. Hold an extended tape measure at the close of the level that isn’t touching the surface of the roof. Transfer the tape measure so that its blade is sitting right from the end of the degree. Measure the distance between the roof and the bottom of the level. The dimension will determine the pitch of the roof. For example, a distance of 6 inches would signify that the roof includes a 6-in-12-inch pitch.

Measure the length and width — distance from the eave to the peak of the roof — of one side of the roof. Multiply the 2 measurements to find the area of the roof section. For example, if the length of the roof section is 50 feet and the width is 25 feet, the area is 1,250 square feet. Determine the area of each roof section. When determining the area of a triangular hip roof, then use the formula: length times width divided by 2.

Locate the roof pitch — incline factor — for your pitch of your roof by consulting a roof pitch chart or using these values: For roofs involving horizontal and 3-in-12 in pitch, use a factor of 1. For 4-in-12 or 5-in-12, use 1.05. For 6-in-12 to 8-in-12, use 1.1. For 9-in-12 to 11-in-12, use 1.2. For 12-in-12, use 1.3.

Multiply the largest square footage from the corresponding roof pitch element. In the example, multiply 1,250 square feet from the corresponding roof factor of 1.1 for a drainage area of 1,375 square feet. Multiply the drainage area from the maximum rain for your area in inches per hour. For example, for the San Francisco area, you would multiply 1,375 square feet by 2.7 to get a entire drainage area of 3,713 adjusted square feet.

Compare the adjusted square footage to the two most frequent gutter types. K-style gutters possess the ability to move either 5,520 square feet for 5-inch gutters or 7,960 square feet for 6-inch gutters. Half-round gutters transfer less water and permit to get 2,500 square feet to get a 5-inch diameter or 3,840 square feet to get a 6-inch diameter gutter. For example, the 3,713 adjusted square feet in the previous example would allow you to use either a 5-inch K-style gutter or a 6-inch half-round gutter when installed with the typical pitch of 1/4 inch per 10 feet.

Decrease the necessary size of your gutters by installing more downspouts compared to normal spacing of one every 40 feet. The amount of additional downspouts needed to boost the gutters’ capacity will depend on the size of the downspout. For example, adding one 4-inch round downspout will raise the gutter capability by 1,255 square feet, and one 3-inch round downspout would boost capacity by 706 square feet. Rectangular downspouts move slightly less water, at 600 square feet for 2-by-3-inch or 1,200 square feet for a 3-by-4-inch downspout. Multiply the amount of downspouts by square footage of each downspout. For example, one 4-inch downspout would saturate 1,255 in the initial 3,713 and would reduce the drainage area to 2,538 square feet.

See related

December 24, 2020 Saving Water

Description of This John Deere 240 Tractor Mower

The John Deere 240 is a lawn and garden tractor that Deere manufactured between 1987 and 1992. It was a late entry in the company’s 200 series of little figurines, and it was the smallest of their late-80s 200 series machines. A bit underpowered and obese by current criteria, the 240 was nonetheless capable of performing a complete range of gardening, landscaping and operational tasks.

Engine and Transmission

The 240 tractor is equipped with an air-cooled, single-cylinder, 422-cc Kawasaki FC420V engine which generates 14 horsepower. The engine is mated to a Tuff Torq transmission with six forward gears and one reverse gear. The 240 also features electric start and also a sizable 3-gallon gas tank. In comparison to 2014 Deere tractor models, the 240 is a little garden tractor; the D105 lawn tractor is the smallest riding mower at Deere’s current product line, and it is equipped with a 17.5-horsepower, 500-cc engine and an automatic transmission. Despite its comparatively small motor, the 240 is heavy, weighing in at 590 pounds in comparison with the D105’s 415-pound foundation weight.

Mower Decks

The 240 may be outfitted with either a 38-inch or 46-inch mid-mounted mower deck. The 38-inch deck features two blades, a guide lift mechanism and adjustable cutting height between 1.5 and 4 inches. The 46-inch deck includes three blades, manual lift along with the exact same cutting height adjustments as the 38-inch deck. In contrast, the D105 is equipped with a 42-inch mower deck.

Dimensions

The 240 has a wheelbase of 47.9 inches, and it rides on 16-inch front wheels and 23-inch rear tires. The general diameter of the tractor when equipped with all the 38-inch deck is 53.5 inches, and when the 46-inch deck is onboard the tractor’s diameter is 57 inches. In comparison with current models, the 240 is chunky; the D105’s wheelbase is 1 inch longer, but its width is only 53.9 inches, and its tires are markedly smaller than those of their 240.

Other Attachments

Despite its modest size and power, the 240 has been meant to be a competent all-around tractor to get the homeowner. It might be equipped with a 42-inch, single-stage, manual-lift snow blower, in addition to a 46-inch manual-lift snow plow blade along with a 33-inch tiller. A 30-inch mechanical-drive tiller at John Deere’s current product line is also compatible with all the 240 tractor.

See related

December 22, 2020 Saving Water

About the Stihl FS 130 R Trimmer

STIHL, a business which’s become a household name because its invention in the early 1900s, began with two-man, 106-pound chain saws. Since then, the company’s product line has grown to include homeowner and professional-use chain saws, trimmers, pruners, blowers, sprayers, lawnmowers, concrete cutters and hand tools. The FS 130 R trimmer is a professional-use trimmer with an assortment of benefits and features for your operator.

STIHL FS 130 R Characteristics

The FS 130 R has a list of features that benefit not just the operator, but also the surroundings. One example is this item includes the STIHL Caring for Nature seal that means this trimmer produces less emissions than EPA or CARB standards. The”R” in the model number indicates a loop handle as opposed to a bike handle. Loop handles are somewhat more efficient in tight areas, such as between footprints. This trimmer is also equipped with STIHL’s anti-vibration system which lowers the fatigue and stress on the operator’s body.

FS 130 R Specifications

With no cutting tool, the STIHL FS 130 R measures 71 inches long, and without the deflector, it weighs 12.3 pounds. The trimmer offers 1.9 brake-horsepower and 2.2 cubic inch motor displacement. The motor idles at 2,800 rpm and has a maximum output shaft speed of 7,400 rpm. The fuel tank holds 18 oz of mixed fuel: midgrade, unleaded fuel and two-stroke, air-cooled engine oil at a ratio of 50 to 1.

Accessories and Safety

As a professional-use trimmer, the FS 130 R is designed to handle a bit more compared to typical residential gardening tasks. It is designed to cut through rough terrain. It requires nylon trimmer line for regular usage, but in the instance of rougher brush and weeds, this trimmer can also take steel grass-and-brush blades. Always wear long pants and sleeves, closetoed shoes, safety goggles, heavy-duty gloves and noise barriers when operating a trimmer.

STIHL Standard Trimmer Characteristics

All of STIHL gas-powered, specialist grass trimmers share a large number of attributes, such as a multifunction control handle which houses all controllers, easy-access for cleanup, replaceable parts, infield repairs, ergonomic layouts, easy-to-see cutting, lightweight but heavy-duty, high-tech polymer housings, and an adjustable use for stability and security.

See related

December 18, 2020 Furnishings

Household Items for Cleaning Seats, Couch & Loveseats

Furniture gets dirty whether it’s sat upon every day or barely whatsoever. Food, animal fur and dust ensure upholstery material look less than its best, unless the furniture is cleaned frequently. The equipment necessary to keep that furniture in top shape are items you likely already have about the house. Consult the care label on each piece of upholstered furniture for general upkeep info.

Vacuum for General Cleaning

Regardless of which type of fabric is on your sofa and chairs, a vacuum cleaner removes dirt, dust, and debris that accumulate in the fibers and also in between and under cushions. Remove all the pillows and cushions to get into all of the crevices and cracks. A crevice attachment reaches between the cushions that can’t be eliminated, while a brush or upholstery attachment provides a gentle touch over material while vacuuming. Use the vacuum cleaner or a stationary pad dust-grabbing mop beneath the furniture.

Snack Stain Removal

Snacks eaten in the family or living room wind up as stains on the furniture once in a while, however careful the children or adults are using their food. It is possible to remove a few of the good chocolate residue by scraping the material with a rubber knife, which lifts it out of this cloth. Dish soap on a damp sponge or soft cloth wipes away remaining chocolate stains. A zippered sandwich bag full of ice hardens gum to make it easier to eliminate; the plastic knife comes to the rescue once again to pry and pick away in that hardened gum.

Dissolving Ink

Rubbing alcohol along with a white cloth team up to eliminate ink from upholstery material. Pour a bit of alcohol on the cloth, then blot the place always, checking the cloth to see if the ink has moved to the cloth. If you see ink on the cloth, start with a fresh corner of this cloth dipped in the alcohol to prevent spreading the needle. Blot the ink instead of rubbing it, as rubbing can make the issue worse.

Fur Fighters

If a cat or dog has free reign within the living room, fabric-covered furniture is bound to show it. Put on a rubber glove and rub it over the cloth to ball up fur, which makes it easier to pick up and discard. A lint roller also picks up fur in a pinch, as does a bit of packing tape wrapped around your fingers, sticky-side out.

See related

December 16, 2020 Home Cleaning

How to Clean Metal Cabinet Hardware

Whether you’ve alloy cabinet hardware made from antique brass, modern stainless steel or even something in between, it requires regular cleaning. The bacteria and dirt from your hands as well as the grease from cooking can leave your metal cabinet hardware looking and feeling grubby. If the hardware appears very dirty or tarnished, you might need to remove it for it thoroughly clean. Keep your cupboards and its hardware looking brand new by adding it to a regular weekly or monthly cleaning routine.

Soap and Water

Fill a bowl or sink with warm water and add a squirt of dishwashing liquid or olive-based soap. Swish the water around with your hand to make suds.

Dip a rag into the soapy water and wring it out.

Wipe the cabinet hardware using the soapy rag. For tough dirt, dip a soft toothbrush into the water and bathe.

Wash the rag, wring it out and then wipe the cabinet hardware to remove the soap residue.

Buff the hardware using a dry chamois cloth to polish and shine it.

Vinegar Cleaning Solution

Pour 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle and shake the jar to blend.

Spray a rag with the vinegar solution until it’s moist but not dripping.

Wipe the hardware using the vinegar-soaked cloth. Wash the cloth if required and wet it again with the vinegar mix.

Buff the hardware using a dry chamois fabric to get a nice polish and sheen.

Joining and Removing

Unscrew the cabinet hardware from the Interior with a screwdriver.

Fill a sink or bucket with hot water and then add sufficient dishwashing liquid to make suds. If desired, add 1/2 cup white vinegar.

Submerge the hardware in the soapy water for several hours or overnight.

Remove the hardware in the water one piece at a time and bathe it with a toothbrush. If the hardware is tarnished, spray on the toothbrush using white vinegar and then sprinkle the bristles with table salt prior to scrubbing.

Wash the hardware and then buff it with a chamois cloth to restore shine.

See related

December 11, 2020 Furnishings

Alternative Stones to Carrara Marble

Carrara marble flooring and counters epitomize luxury and timeless upscale decor. The stone, quarried in the Italian Pyrenees for decades, comes in a myriad of coloured veins with characteristics that vary from noticeably flawed — most fascinating — to smooth and lightly veined. But marble stains, scratches, nicks and loses its luster when not thoroughly preserved. Other types of stone for the kitchen, bathroom or flooring may save you money and labor.

Granite

Granite, an igneous rock with hard crystalline flecks inside, is a durable stone. It’s perfect for heavy-use surfaces such as kitchen counters. You can’t scratch it with a knife, though it’s so tough it’ll dull knife blades. An extremely close-grained stone, it does not absorb stains readily. You can decide on a hot grass form the stove on it because it wo not react to heat. Granite does not crack, but it may be chipped — with a great deal of effort. It takes much less attempt to fix a chip with a mixture of epoxy glue and granite dust. Granite comes in many different colors — reds, grays, blues, browns, creams and black. It’s an investment in your kitchen that will outlast the home.

Soapstone

Soapstone is impervious to heat the same as granite. It’s a much softer stone, though, and requires different handling. Soapstone, also referred to as steatite to distinguish it from a very soft soapstone used for talc goods, is extremely dense and non-porous, more than granite or marble. It does not stain because it is impenetrable and consumes no liquid. But recently installed soapstone counters could be oiled several times to bring the stone to its naturally dark eventual shade quickly. Each oiling deepens the color from gray to charcoal. After a couple of applications of oil, the deeper shade will hold and may be touched up if it begins to lighten. In about six months, then the stone will eternally reach its charcoal hue. Since soapstone is delicate, scratches can be disguised by rubbing them with oil. A deep scratch might be gently sanded and then oiled.

Slate

Slate flooring is just a non-skid, non-porous natural stone that comes in variegated hues of blues and grays that may contain hints of lilacs, browns and greens. It has a primarily bluish cast but doesn’t come in dark, a versatile option for many decors, and could be set up with a slightly irregular natural finish or polished down to a smooth surface. It is not essential to seal slate, but doing this will cut back on maintenance and make the stone easier to mop. Slate lasts for 100 years or more; only be sure to receive one of those tough slates for flooring tiles to ensure a century of use won’t show up as worn-away traffic patterns in and out of the kitchen.

Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock that comprises the observable skeletons of tiny sea creatures, shells and other pieces of sediment that sank to the seafloor millions of years back and solidified into tough calcium carbonate. It may be almost white, beige, gold, rose, or dark green or dark. Most limestone used in house interiors is pale. Limestone tends to be tough due to its composition, but it is a very intriguing stone when displayed on floors or counters. Maintenance is the problem. It’s extremely porous, and even penetrating sealer won’t completely protect it; spilled lemon juice or vinegar will stain it. The finish wears away, and acidic liquids fast mark the rocks and eat through the sealer. Unsealed limestone darkens with dirt, stains and use. It’s best used for ornamental touches where it won’t be subject to this punishing traffic of a kitchen, bathroom or hallway.

See related

December 7, 2020 Home Painting

Can Vaseline Be employed on a Refrigerator Gasket?

The gasket, or seal, in your fridge door is responsible for maintaining cold air in and warm air out of the cooling compartment. In case it gets dried out, whether due to age or disuse, it wo not seal correctly, leading to premature and condensation food spoilage.

Seal It Up

Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, can soften a dried gasket so it will form a fantastic seal around the door of your fridge. The Vaseline will not repair damage such as cracks or tears, but if the damage is small, it might create a temporary seal until the gasket can be replaced. To use Vaseline or petroleum jelly, gently wash the gasket with warm water and dish soap. Rinse and dry it, and then spread a thin layer of Vaseline above all visible parts of the gasket. Manage the gasket gently while cleaning and also apply the Vaseline so you don’t accidentally cause any harm; a dried-out gasket can tear easily.

See related

December 5, 2020 Home Painting

The way to Keep a Dishwasher By Building Up Mold

Moisture, pieces of food and a warm surroundings may result in unwanted mold growth. The fridge gives an optimum environment for mold and mildew if it isn’t cleaned regularly. Mold isn’t only ugly and unhealthy; in addition, it can stain the inside of the appliance. Prevention combined with frequent cleaning keeps the mold out of the fridge, and suitable mold removal cleans a moldy dishwasher so that it’s like new.

Food Particles

Mold and mildew need nutrients to grow, and they find them from the food particles left behind in your fridge. Food particles gather in the plastic filter at the base of most dishwashers, on the interior sides and door panel or at the silverware baskets and dish racks. Removing the filter and cleaning it prevents food accumulation. Removal directions vary depending on the machine, but generally the filter is situated in the base of the fridge and lifts out. Running the fridge empty at least one time per week will eliminate the majority of the particles from the interior of the machine, but assess silverware baskets after each use to be certain food has not collected inside.

Door Gaskets

Moisture becomes trapped at the door gasket, but it is not washed out during a normal wash cycle. Food particles, dirt and other debris eventually become damp, then mold grows on it. The regions of the gasket most likely to mold are not readily visible if you don’t pull the gasket to look. Clean the gasket out once weekly after you have run the fridge. If mold is an ongoing issue, you might need to dry the gasket after every use. Slide across the gasket and door seal with a dry cloth. It is possible to use a general-purpose cleaner if dirt accumulates in the gasket.

Moisture

Mold merely grows in moist surroundings. Open the dishwasher door after every use and let it dry out thoroughly before closing it to prevent mold growth. Employing the heat-dry function after every use also overlooks the interior and also prevents mold growth. Should you won’t be using the dishwasher for a little while, like when leaving for vacation, leave the door open as you’re gone to ensure no trapped moisture leads to a mold or mildew issue.

Mold Removal

Chlorine bleach kills mold and helps eliminate most mildew stains. Dilute 1 cup of bleach in a gallon of water and bathe the interior of the machine with a stiff brush. Use a toothbrush to get in narrow places, like around door gaskets. Wear gloves to protect your hands when you use bleach, and also avoid mixing bleach with any other cleaning product. Run the dishwasher empty after cleaning it to rinse the bleach out residue. If stains remain after mold removal, then scrub them off gently with a damp rag and mild scouring powder.

See related