Broken Rollers

To save on manufacturing costs, many screen door companies use cheap plastic rollers on their doors. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as they work quite well when in good condition. Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause the plastic to chip or break. Objects that fall into the roller track can cause the rollers to jam or break entirely. Signs that your sliding door screen has damaged rollers include:

1)      The door refusing to move

2)      The door opens roughly

3)      You hear a squeaky or scratching sound when opening

To get the door rolling smoothly again, the rollers must be replaced. Remove the screen by lifting it out of the track. Remove the rollers on the top and bottom of the door with a screwdriver. The rollers attach to the door with special brackets, which are different from door to door. Take them to your home improvement store when purchasing new rollers so you know which ones to get. Install the new hardware in the same spots and replace the door. Smooth operation should occur.

Short Door

If the door continuously falls out of the track, the door sill may be adjusted too small. In this case, sliding screen doors will fall out because they are not held into the track tightly. Most sliding door rails are adjustable with a simple screwdriver.  Start by finding the rail adjustment screws at the top and bottom of the screen door. Unscrew them partially until the rail becomes loose. Push the rail in the direction of the track until the fit is tight, then quickly re-tighten the screws.

Holes in Screen Material

Damage to the screen material is perhaps the most common type of repair done on a screen door. Children and pets have a tendency to scratch and bump up against this material, often resulting in small tears which can propagate into larger ones. The tools needed for this repair are quite cheap and are easy to use. The easiest method is to use adhesive patch kits. Start by cutting a small square of patch, allowing for at least 1/2 inch space overlapping the hole. Align the screen’s holes and then press firmly across the whole surface.

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How Garage Screen Doors Work

Screens like these allow users to transform their garage interior into an additional living space. Work in the garage, host a party or detail the car with the garage door open. Adults can see kids play out front while staying behind their protective veil. The highest quality garage door screens offer double stitched edges and zippered doors. Double-sided zippers allow users to enter and exit the garage without lifting up the screen every time. When you are done using the garage door screen, simply roll it up and clip it to the top of the opening. Users can then open and close the door without interference from the screen.

Standard sizes are available and some companies will craft a custom size for non-standard garage openings. In addition to use on garages, these screens can be used on other structures such as awnings, gazebos, RV’s and more.

Installation

These screens mount to the exterior door frame where it can’t get in the way of the moving door. Most screens require no tools for installation which is an added plus. The first step is to inspect the door for peeling paint or excessive dirt. Clean the area with a damp cloth to remove particles which can affect the adhesion.  With a friend’s help, unroll the product and hold it up to the desired hanging point, usually an inch or so above the garage door top. A line can be drawn on the wall to act as a guide when applying the tape.

Cut off one-foot strips of the included “hook and loop” tape, aligning each piece in a line across the top. One piece at a time, line each strip along the guide line you drew earlier. Depending on the product, the tape may need time to cure before achieving full strength. It can be further secured by applying galvanized nails or staples over it. Starting at one end, attach the screen to the tape until you get to the opposite end.

Some screens have a slot at the bottom which users can slide a metal or wood pole into. This keeps the screen weighted down so it doesn’t blow around in the wind.

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Self Propelled , Pushed, and Push-Reel

Lawn mower wheels come in three types. The first is designed for self-propelled lawnmowers. In case you are not aware, self-propelled mowers use power from their engine to push the mower along. Users simply control the throttle and change the direction of the mower using the handle. Wheels for these types of lawn mowers are distinct in that they have ridges on the inside of the lawn mower wheel. These ridges interlock with the drive gear to turn the wheels. You may need a replacement wheel if you notice that your mower is turning in one direction, lurching or not moving at all. Check the ridges to look for wear. If wear is present, it is time to replace both drive wheels. Replacing both wheels is advised for uniformity power to each wheel.

Push mowers lack a drive system so you won’t see any ridges on these ones. They are also easier to replace than self-propelled wheels. By loosening a bolt on the end, the wheel should come off easily. Replacement may be more intensive on models with one-touch height adjustment.

Push reel mowers don’t use a motor but instead use human power to turn a spiral blade. If a wheel break on a push-reel mower it can be quite easy to replace. Be sure to match the wheel diameter to ensure that the blades reach the ground.

Lawn Mower Tire Tread

Tire tread is simply the textured rubber exterior on the tire. The rubber has tread so it can grip the ground firmly even on rough terrain. This is important on all types of lawnmowers. When replacing the wheels, users can pick between different tread types for best results. Such treads include diamond and zig-zag.

Plain Rubber and Pneumatic

For most lawn mowers, a basic rubber tire works just fine. Larger mowers might benefit more from pneumatic tires. Pneumatic lawn mower tires are filled with pressurized air just like the ones on your car or bicycle.

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Select An Area:

Outdoor tile has countless uses outdoors. You can place tile underneath an outdoor dining area  with colors matching your furniture. Accenting walkways, door entrances and even stairs is also widely done. Tile is both durable and beautiful, presenting many options for decorating. The entire floor does not have to be tiled. For example, tile can be set in a circular or square pattern to serve as a base for a patio seating area.

Prepare The Area:

The floor should be flat and level (preferably concrete). If the floor has bumps or depressions, the tile will roll back and forth when stepped on, most likely breaking the piece. Fill in depressions with concrete filler and sand smooth. Bumps can be chipped away or sanded. Next, it is very important that the concrete be cleaned. You can use a chemical called Tri-Sodium Phosphate (a popular cleaning solution) or a brand name product such as Krud Kutter. Using a scrub brush, liberally apply the cleaning solution and scrub generously in circular motions. Wash clean with water and let it dry completely before proceeding. Optional: To help the tile stick to the floor, you can apply concrete paint. This should be done after the floor has dried. Don’t worry about what color the sealer is, as it will be covered up by the tile later on. This paint is also known as garage floor coating or garage floor sealer.

Plan The Layout:

Your floor is ready for tile, but you first need to figure out how much
you will need to buy. Using a piece of white chalk, draw a rough sketch of the area you wish to cover. Next, take a measuring tape and run it along the sides of the area to be covered. Multiply two sides joined at an edge to determine the square footage of the area. This measurement will not be exact, but don’t worry. You will be adding some extra tile to your “grocery list” to account for broken and cut pieces, as well as unexpected changes in your plan. A general rule is to add 10% more tile than you need. Each tile has a certain square footage (example: 0.25 SF). To determine how many tiles you’ll need, simply divide the SF of the area to be tiled by the SF of a single tile. Don’t forget to add 10% more tile to that number.

Laying The Outdoor Tiles:
Hopefully you picked up some unmixed grout and mortar at the store. If not, run back and get some. You’ll also want a tile spacer and possibly tile cutter for this next procedure. Starting at one end of the area, spread a small amount of mixed mortar onto the ground using a painter’s spatula. Only do a small area at a time, as the mortar has a

tendency to dry quickly. Instructions on the mortar package should tell you exactly how thick to spread the grout. Lie down your tiles in a row along the far wall/end of the area. Use the tile spacer to ensure that each piece is exactly the same distance apart. Tiles are not placed right next to each other, rather they have a small distance between them which is filled with grout. As you proceed, wash the top of each tile with a wet rag, removing any excess mortar. It can be a pain to remove it once dry. Continue making rows until you reach the end of the room.

Complications can arise when you have an obstruction in the middle of the area, such as a built in grill or table. You may find that the tiles don’t match up right and will not fit properly. In this case, the tile will need to be cut. This can be done with a simple, non-powered tool like the one shown on the right. Tiles are placed in the tool and the handle is drawn over it, cleanly slicing it. Always use the spacer to leave a gap between the walls/ends of area and the tile.

It’s Grout Time

At this point your outdoor floor should be covered with precisely laid outdoor tiles. An equal space should be between each one on all sides. Before you go mixing the grout, you should buy a grout float. Grout floats are used to work the grout into the cracks, as well as smooth the grout at an equal depth. Get the grout into the cracks and use the float to ensure that there are no low spots. Wipe off excess grout as you go, but don’t worry if the outdoor floor tiles look a bit cloudy. This will be removed later. After the grout has set, repeat the process with the grout float, removing excess grout from the face of the tile.

Cleaning Up:

After the grout has dried completely, use a wet rag to wash the entire surface. If haze remains, take a damp cloth and go over the floor one more time. When satisfied, apply a grout sealer to protect your new floor and prevent mold from forming in the grout and underneath the outdoor tiles.

• If you are remodeling, you are invited to ask questions and take advantage of the resources on www.continuous-home-improvement-help.com , where guidance, information and support are always available to help homeowners make better decisions.

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Able to withstand extreme temperatures up to six hundred degrees, RustSeal is the sealer of choice for many homeowners. Rust and metal corrosion is stopped in its tracks after the coat is applied. Tough adhesion to the concrete results in a strong bond that resists chipping and cracking. It can be applied in a variety of methods including brushing, rolling or spraying it on. No leveling or smoothing is necessary- RustSeal concrete paint coating is designed to use the power of gravity to set smooth on its own.

Concrete becomes stronger over time as it sets. This process continues for many years after the initial pour. Even so, stresses in the flooring caused by uneven weight distribution or shifting ground can cause the unsightly cracks that pop up occasionally. While there is no way to directly repair the crack and re-bond the concrete, you can use coating products to seal and hide them. Keep in mind that this should only be done after you have filled in the crack will a filler and let it dry. If the crack is not filled, the coating can sink into it and become uneven. Sanding the filled surface before applying coating will result in the smoothest finished product.

RustSeal does not contain harmful VOC’s which damage the environment. This coating is so tough it is used in industrial environments like warehouses. It seeks out pores and grooves in metal and seals it completely away from moisture, stopping rust in its tracks. After application, paint can be applied to transform it into the color of your choice. Sunlight exposure can fade RustSeal over time. The variety of application methods makes it easy to apply. Using the spray-on method, no bending down is necessary. RustSeal is a brand name you can trust to get the job done and protect your architecture from harmful rust.

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The word “paint” in the name throws some people off from its true nature. This paint actually coats concrete surfaces with a thick layer of durable acrylic. Once applied, your concrete floor will be protected, but most importantly will be easy to clean. This concrete paint comes in many colors, with some offering texture chips for an added look. After one simple coat your floor will have uniform coverage. The acrylic dries hard and able to resist hot tires and chemicals.

A hot tire occurs when you drive your vehicle for an extended period of time on hot roads. The rubber can heat up to the point where it can melt or liquefy certain substances. Fortunately you don’t have to worry about this with Epoxy Shield products. The sealer is designed to resist these types of things, including chemicals. This sealer is resistant t many chemicals which usually harm other sealers. Because the acrylic dries into a super hard shell, you can count on it lasting for many years. Besides garage use, this sealer can be used outside on patios and around pools. Concrete sealers add another aspect of depth of your home that you may have not considered.

Many products fade over time due to UV sunlight damage. This paint by Epoxy Shield is resistant to both UV rays and weather conditions. By making your floors waterproof, you make it easy to clean up with a sponge or rag. If a chemical happens to spill on the ground, it will not stain after clean up. Some water and light chemical cleaner works like a charm. Bare concrete floors can look ragged over time as spot after spot of dirt builds up. Many times these stains are not removable. Instead of living with a dirty floor, cover it up with some concrete paint. The paint typically comes in a one gallon bucket. Epoxy Shield designed their paint to be durable both indoors and out.

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If you like to work in the garage, you have probably experienced times where you get the floor messy. Wood and metal shavings, car oils, chemicals and more come off with ease if you have a paint solution applied. It works so well because the paint dries over the entire concrete surface. The durable shell is smooth yet gives enough traction to prevent slipping. When you need to clean up after a job, simply use soap and water to remove debris. A sponge works well to remove tough spots.

With the cool design and aesthetic appeal of floor coatings, it’s a wonder that more people aren’t using it in their homes. Coatings like this don’t take all that much effort to apply. The typical application takes just a couple days. For the smoothest results, several coatings are applied. A simple hand brush can be used for the corners, while the rest of the floor is poured on. Gravity smooths out the concrete coating without any human intervention. All that is required on the user’s part is to start the initial spread. After the first coat is applied, the second and possibly third coats are applied about 24 hours apart. After curing the garage floor sealer will be ready to walk on.

Concrete paint by Drylok can also be used on wood. This non-flammable paint will not catch itself or application surfaces on fire, even when exposed to high heat such as a torch or cigarette. One large can of paint will cover approximately 500 square feet, more than enough for most garages. People who are sensitive to chemical odors will have no problem during application because Drylok is completely odorless. Trafficking, washing and weather don’t stand a chance against this latex based concrete paint.

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What Is Concrete Paint?

Concrete paint is actually a special concrete coating comprised of either a latex or acrylic base. This coating is applied to bare concrete with the intent of sealing it and making the surface smooth. This paint comes in many colors, including special versions that feature speckled flecks for an added touch. Around the home you will most commonly see this product used as a garage floor sealer. The aesthetic appeal of having a smooth textured garage floor is the envy of many homeowners. The fact is anyone with even a small amount of technical expertise can apply a coat of their own. For a modest price you can obtain a gallon or two of this special paint in your color of choice. A garage floor coating project can be completed in a day with a setting time of around 12-24 hours. A second or third coat may be needed depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

How Do I Apply It?

Most people don’t attempt painting their concrete flooring because of the misconception that they will mess it up or coat unevenly. Application involves a few simple steps that when followed careful will result in a beautiful coat every time. The concrete surface must be free of wide cracks and be even. Dirt, debris and moisture must be completely removed before application. Use an etching cleaner to remove tough material like vehicle oils. Neglecting to remove the grime will result in a bad bond between the paint and the concrete. If the floor has paint on it, you will need to remove it with a sander and thoroughly vacuum the area to remove particulates. Cement fillers are available at your hardware store to fill in small cracks and holes before application. Using a wide brush, apply the paint generously around the edges of the floor. You want to cover the concrete so it is not seen anymore. Then, pour the paint along the floor and “roll” it over the surface using your brush. The paint will spread evenly using gravity. If you plan on setting outdoor tiles onto a slab of concrete, it is recommended that a layer of concrete sealer is applied beforehand to improve adhesion.

What Is Concrete Stain?

Concrete stain is used to turn bland concrete into a beautiful surface that is comparable to tile, except stringer. The stain process is similar to the painting process but achieves a different result. The stain is less viscous and can be applied using a brush, roller or sprayer. The stain doesn’t just cover the concrete surface but actually penetrates deep inside it, resulting in a permanent color change. However, you don’t get the benefits of the easy-to-clean seal that concrete paint provides. If you are looking for the best of both worlds, you can apply a clear acrylic sealant over the stain after application. Stains offer more color selection and textures than paints. The concrete can achieve deep swirling patterns that perfectly match the décor of your home. The completed look is even suitable for use as flooring throughout home interiors.

How Do I Apply It?

Preparation is exactly the same as when applying paint. You need to make sure that the surface is completely free of dirt, oils and moisture before beginning. The easiest way to apply it evenly is to use a sprayer. A little tip for you is to use one of those hand-pump pesticide sprayers you use around the home. Load the stain into the container and spray away. Use even, left-to-right motions while walking backwards. It is important to avoid stepping on the uncured surface. If you accidentally create puddles it will result in areas that look darker than the rest of the floor. Additional coats can correct this problem. Make sure you abide by the manufacture’s recommendations for drying time. After curing, feel free to apply a concrete sealer to protect and beatify your investment. Concrete floor coatings are an excellent way to transform any part of the home with minimal investment. Whether you use a standard paint product or a specialized garage floor sealer, the result is a professional looking home.

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