Seven Interior Window Upgrade Projects

Instead of looking “out” your windows, try looking “at” them. If your home’s window interiors could use some enhancements, try these fast and easy out-of-the-box-and-onto-the-house projects using decorative urethane millwork pieces from Fypon, LLC.

Lightweight yet durable, low-maintenance Fypon® pieces are ideal for simple window upgrade projects. No special skills are needed; just let your imagination guide you to upgrading the windows in your home.

Project 1 – Create a unique window treatment by installing a pair of brackets on either side of a window. Insert a lightweight dowel rod through the bracket openings and drape with fabric for a fast and easy decorative window treatment.

Project 2 - Top off interior windows with a pediment above a window surround. Be bold and add a rams head, sunburst, peaked cap or acorn pediments.

Project 3 - Accent geometric-shaped windows in the home with a one-piece trim surround. Enhance with a keystone at the top of the window.

Project 4 - Jazz up your windows by adding a stylized window crossette system to surround a window. Order a matching header, sill and pilaster set. The bump-out texture and design at the top of the window makes the results outstanding.

Project 5 - Block it up … with plinth blocks. To surround a window, make straight moulding cuts and then put plinth blocks in the corners. There’s no mitering involved and your window has a new frame surround in about 15 minutes.

Project 6 - Add depth to your interior windows by placing window panels beneath a windowsill. Add moulding around the panel and the entire window for eye-popping results!

Project 7 – Shutters don’t need be just for the outside of your home. Select a room with a single window and lots of wall space … then add a set of painted or stained lightweight urethane shutters to flank the window.

Fypon pieces come pre-primed, ready for installation. All products need to be glued and nailed or screwed to the wall, then painted to your preference. To locate the closest Fypon dealer to you and learn more about Fypon products, visit http://www.fypon.com/dealerlocator/.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

New App: Craftsman Torque

While there’s clearly an app for this-that-and-the-next, the Craftsman Torque app is guaranteed to transform the execution of every home improvement project. Whether it's information on some of Craftsman’s most popular tools and projects or fun, entertaining articles and video to pass the time, Torque has you covered.

Torque is the ultimate, interactive power tool for your workshop. The FREE magazine app is designed specifically for the iPad to guide users through DIY projects with live broadcast demonstrations, project-specific advice, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Craftsman’s innovation. The app features Craftsman’s top must-have tools in the CRAFTSMAN TOP 100, highlights what’s new in CRAFTSMAN INNOVATION, the Petersen Automotive Museum’s MYSTERY CAR FEATURES, CRAFTSMAN CLUB benefits and more.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Top DIY repair secrets for Dad this Father's Day

PartSelect.com, the complete online resource for the do-it-yourself (DIY) repair market and official home of the Virtual Repairman, wants to turn every dad into Mr. Fix-It this Father’s Day. Today, the company is revealing the top dos and don’ts of DIY appliance repair to help fathers avoid the most common home-improvement mishaps.

“Many do-it-yourself dads have the enthusiasm to tackle their own appliance repairs, but not necessarily the know-how and experience to complete the projects safely or correctly”

If past home-improvement projects have resulted in more power outages and floods than actual solutions, rest assured. The following tips will help dads avoid these faux pas and make the next DIY appliance repair a breeze:

DO look into the appliance’s manufacturer warranty, as well as the warranty for your home, before you start to see if the repair in question might still be covered. There is no sense taking on a project that could be done for you at no extra cost.

DO conduct background research. Watch relevant how-to videos, know what tools are required and familiarize yourself with the portion of the appliance you will focus on. Also research how to properly handle the parts surrounding the item you’re replacing so as not to cause additional breaks or damage.

DON’T forget to disconnect the appliances from utility circuits such as electrical connections and water lines before beginning the repair process. Forgetting this crucial step could lead to damaging and dangerous situations. Appliances must be in a stable position on a level surface before you attempt to work on them.

DON’T use a part that is similar to the one you need, or one that you are “pretty sure” is the right fit for your product. Every make and model is different, and attempting to insert the incorrect repair part will more often than not result in appliance disaster. Substandard parts from your neighbor’s garage or plucked at random off a shelf at the hardware store will not give you the results you’re looking for.

DON’T use broken or improper tools. Approaching every household appliance with that same pair of pliers is not only ineffective, but it can also cause unnecessary wear to the tool, as well as injuries. All dads’ toolboxes should be equipped with the following tools in a quality brand: multi-bit screwdriver with ratcheting, combination wrench, wire strippers, nut driver, and multimeter. You should also have a selection of at least two to three types of pliers, including needle-nose, slip joint and water pump pliers.

DO take photos during each step of the repair process. The best-kept secret to successfully reassemble an appliance is to always have your digital camera on hand. Flipping backwards through the step-by-step photos you took during the repair will serve as your roadmap for piecing the appliance back together.

DO know your DIY limits and take proper safety precautions. Safety goggles and other protective apparel should be worn at all times, particularly when dealing with spring loaded mechanisms. Protective gloves should be worn when working around glass items or sharp metal edges, and if you are moving an appliance, protective footwear is a must. It is unsafe to attempt a repair that is beyond your comfort level, so don’t be afraid to call in the experts.

“Many do-it-yourself dads have the enthusiasm to tackle their own appliance repairs, but not necessarily the know-how and experience to complete the projects safely or correctly,” says PartSelect.com Service Director Steve Ash. “These dos and don’ts should serve as a good guideline for dads and help them avoid the faux pas and headaches most commonly associated with do-it-yourself maintenance and repair.”
For additional DIY appliance repair parts, resources, and step-by-step installation instructions and videos, visit http://www.partselect.com/.

ABOUT PARTSELECT.COM
PartSelect.com is the largest appliance and consumer electronic repair store for the do-it-yourself market, with more than 2 million parts, 30,000 sets of installation instructions, and a growing library of how-to videos. PartSelect.com’s Virtual Repairman is the only search engine that lets users self-diagnose their appliance issues and immediately connects them to the parts and instructions needed to fix them. www.PartSelect.com.
 

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Instant Glue by Elmers Takes Projects to the Next Level

There are always things that break or small things that you need to fix around the house or so it seems. Especially with kids, you find quickly that nothing is safe and even things that you thought could not break, in fact can break! With this in mind I have had different occasions in the past to have to fix items with Instant Glue. I have found this glue to be great (as long as it didn't get on my own fingers) at fixing small breaks. I was always amazed at the bonding capacity at this glue and how easily it bonds together seemingly any type of material that you can think of.

Thanks to Elmers and Collective Bias I was given the chance to shop and see what I think of the current line of Instant Glue products at Elmers. Before I did this though I had to think about what projects I had going around the house, or what needed fixing and two items came to mind. They both were wooden fish that my wife and I purchased on our honeymoon 13 years ago. These fish have moved many times with us and have weathered almost everything, that is besides our children. Over the past few years the kids have had some run-ins with these fist leaving a few places on them broken...so today all of that will change.

So off to Walmart I went to purchase this glue. When I arrived it was not hard finding the aisle for the glue. I was surprised that there were not more Elmers varieties. Loctite offered many more options, though I am not for certain on the quality of the overall product. I decided to purchase one of each of the containers of Instant Glue to see what I thought. In looking at the overall display in the store, I found the Elmers Instant Glue to be somewhat hidden at the bottom of all of the Loctite products (or at least overshadowed). At the end og the aisle there was a great display of Elmers Gluesticks, and I thought to myself that this would be a great place for a display for instant glue as well.

In coming home I decided to try out the Instant Glue Single Use Packets. In opening the container I loved the little carrying case as well as the fact that they made it super easy to pierce the container (all you had to do was tighten the cap). No more do you have to pierce it with a needle and hope that it does not get on your clothes. In using the single use container I found it to be easy to use and there was much more in the small container than you would first guess. With this in mind, I found myself wanting it to have a cap so that it could be used again and so that I did not need to throw away the leftovers. I ended up sticking a safety pin in the end and we will see it that will keep it for a while.

The glue did a great job at fixing the fish and they are now safely back in their homes. We will see how long the fish last as we move forward in the lives of the kids, but with Elmers Instant Glue, you can rest assured that things can and will get fixed easily in the future!

This shop was compensated as part of a of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Safety Tips from Champion Window

Do you often worry about your children's safety in your home? Are local neighborhood break-ins constantly on your mind?

Champion Window, http://www.championwindow.com/, one of the nation's leading home improvement companies has some simple tips to increase the safety of your home.

According to the Home Safety Council, there are tens of thousands of preventable injuries occurring in the home each year. "Preventable injuries and even deaths occur far too often, bringing the issue of home safety to the forefront," said Donald Jones, President, COO Champion Window. "As spring and summer arrive, homeowners begin opening their windows for ventilation for the first time in many months, so now is an ideal time to remind homeowners of some simple window safety tips."

Easy home renovations and improvements can make a huge difference in enhancing the safety level in a home. Those with young children or pets should pay special attention to ensure their loved ones are safe around windows. "What people need to keep in mind is that window screens are not safety belts. They have one purpose - to keep insects out while providing ventilation. They won't prevent a toddler or pet from falling through an open window. As such, there are simple tips to increase window safety."
For example:

• Install double-hung replacement windows, which allow for ventilation at the top, as opposed to single-hung bottom-only ventilated windows
  
• Arrange larger furniture away from windows. Children and pets could potentially fall out of a window by climbing on a couch or bed that is placed under a window
  
• Make sure your windows have ventilation latches, a safety feature that limits the initial opening of the window to less than 4-inches. The latch can then be disengage to allow the window to open further. This feature is becoming mandatory for code compliant windows with a sill height greater than 6 feet from the exterior grade.
  
• Make sure that sash balance systems work properly. Windows with broken weight cords can cause a significant risk of crushing fingers, if a heavy sash unexpectedly slams closed.
  
• Ensure window blind cords are not left hanging, as they are a risk for strangulation and they should be tied up and out of the way of a child's reach
  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85% of all U.S. fire deaths in 2009 occurred in homes. "Rooms need to have "egress" windows, which are windows that are required in specific locations in a home to provide an emergency means of exit. The standard is 5.7 square feet of space to escape if needed. Besides egress windows, there is other advice for homeowners to promote fire safety in their homes."

• Do not block windows with large furniture
  
• Teach children their bedroom fire escape plan
  
• Never have a bedroom in a room with small windows or no windows at all
  

Unfortunately, crimes such as burglaries are a common occurrence in the home. To protect your home and family, consider the following home improvement tips:

• Windows should pass AAMA Certification, a series of tests including testing the tightness of windows and also passing the forced entry standard, which resists the ability to force locks open from outside
  
• Windows should be equipped with inner locks, which also provide a barrier to the locks from outside
  
• Door locks should be regularly tested and maintained to ensure security
  
  

Other things to keep in mind when considering renovating windows:

• Make sure windows are operating correctly to prevent any injuries or security issues
  
• Know what safety features to look for when purchasing windows and don't be afraid to ask questions before buying
  
• Installing windows that can be cleaned from the inside is a simple way to prevent injuries from cleaning using a ladder on the outside.
  
• Assure that tempered safety glass is installed in proper locations especially in entry doors, sidelites and large windows located near the floor. Tempered glass if broken, will crumble into small relatively harmless pebbles of glass rather than potentially dangerous jagged shards.
  

For more information on Champion Window, please visit ChampionFactoryDirect.com

About Champion Window and Supply Co. LLC and Patio Room Company, Inc.

Started in 1953, Champion Window, Door and Patio Room Company is one of the nation's leading home improvement companies. Champion builds and installs vinyl replacement windows, entry doors, patio rooms and siding, with more than 40,000 homeowners joining the ranks of customers on an annual basis. Champion's energy-efficient products help consumers save money on their utility bills year-round. Champion's control over every aspect of manufacturing, distribution, installation and servicing provides a single source of accountability for its customers, removing all concerns about who is responsible for their home improvement project. The company operates factories in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Denver, Colo. For more information, visit Champion's website at www.ChampionFactoryDirect.com.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

New Tips article on troubleshooting home appliances

Most home appliances take AC voltage, supplied to your house from the utility company, and use it to make heat, light, turn a motor or, commonly, all three at the same time. But when the appliance stops functioning, a logical approach to troubleshooting comes in handy.  The most common problems with household appliances are mechanical in nature: a broken or worn out component (such as a switch or motor), a loose wire, or a bad connection.

Troubleshooting appliances comes down to checking for proper voltage at each circuit component, typically 110 to 120 volts AC, as well as checking the integrity of components and connections using functions found on Amprobe multimeters.   

Step by Step Troubleshooting:

1.      Check the AC supply voltage:

To measure the AC supply voltage at a receptacle, first set the DMM (digital multimeter) function switch to ac volts and, if using a manual ranging model, select a range greater than the voltage you expect to measure (greater than 120 volts).  If using an auto-ranging meter, the meter will automatically select the most appropriate range.  Next, connect the test leads to the volts input and common jacks on the meter.

Carefully, insert one probe of the DMM in one slot of the receptacle, and the other probe in the other slot of the receptacle. You should read about 120 volts.  The power cord from the appliance usually has three wires going to the plug: black, white, and green. Black is usually the “hot” wire, white is usually “neutral”, and the green wire should be ground.

If you measure no voltage, check to make sure the circuit breaker or switch controlling the receptacle is ON.  If voltage is detected at the receptacle, you could have a problem in the power cord.  That will be your next test.

2.      Check The Power Cord:

\

Over time, and sometimes through accidents or flexing, the internal conductor in the power cord can break while appearing perfectly normal on the outside. To check a power cord, first disconnect it from the outlet.  For this next part, you will need to gain access to the internal connections on your appliance.

Set your DMM to the resistance or “Ohms” function and measure the resistance between each prong of the plug and the point where the power cord connects to the appliance. The flat, narrow blade on the plug should be connected to the black wire. The flat, wide blade goes to the white wire. The round pin connects to the green wire.

A good power cord will have less than one ohm of resistance from the plug to the end of each wire. Anything higher than one ohm may indicate a cord that is starting to break down and could become overheated when in use. Replace the entire power cord if any wire shows high resistance or “OL” is displayed on the meter.

3. Check the Current Draw:

Current draw is measured in one of two ways: using a clamp accessory attached to your DMM, or using a clamp meter.

To make a current measurement with a clamp accessory, insert the clamp leads into the current jack and common jack of the DMM, and set the DMM to the AC mA range. Clamp the jaw around one conductor (wire) of the circuit to be measured. The current clamp will act as a step down transformer, taking the higher current consumed by the appliance and transferring it to a much smaller current (usually 1000 to 1) which the DMM can handle.   Be careful not to clamp the jaw around both conductors, this will cancel the signal showing zero current.

To make a current measurement with a clamp meter, select the AC current function and clamp the jaws around one conductor. The display will show the current being measured.

4. Checking Switches:

You can check switches in a couple of ways. If the appliance is plugged in, you can check both the input side and output side of the switch for voltage.

With the leads plugged into the volts and common inputs, set the DMM to the AC voltage function. Touch one probe to ground (the metal frame of the appliance) or to the neutral connector on the power cord (the white wire). Carefully touch the other probe to the connectors on the switch, first one side, then the other. With the switch in the “ON” position, the voltage should be present on both input and output lugs.

Another way is to check the continuity through the switch. For this test, remove power from the switch first by unplugging the appliance.

Next, isolate the switch by removing the wire or wires from one side of the switch.

Then, set the DMM to the continuity function and place one lead of DMM on the input lug of the switch and the other lead on the output lug of the switch. When the switch is on, the DMM should sound the audible continuity signal and read about zero ohms. With the switch in the off position, the audible tone should stop and the DMM will display “OL.”   If it doesn’t, you have found your problem; a defective switch.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com