BLOG.ALOCALHANDYMAN.COM

Spigots and freezing

Sal Pizzurro — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:10:00 GMT

Remove all garden hoses from the spigots before the temperature drops below freezing, even if you have a frost free spigot. What happens many times is the there is a fluid lock in the hose so, the water stays in the hose right up to the spigot. When that water freezes, it causes the spigot and sometimes the pipe behind the spigot to burst.

I know it's a little late in the season, but I just started this blog.

PVC and CPVC

Sal Pizzurro — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:49:00 GMT

Basic Description;

PVC = Poly Vinyl Chloride - is used for interior drain pipes.

CPVC = Chlorinated PVC - is used for potable water lines or supply lines.

PEX vs CPVC vs Copper

Sal Pizzurro — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:05:00 GMT

PEX is flexible, and Resists breakage due to freezing, CPVC is rigid, and has a low resistance to breaking due to freezing. With PEX you need fewer joints to none except from point to point and no messy primer and glue. You can also buy PEX in 100 foot rolls or longer, whereas the longest length in CPVC is 20 feet and you can't roll it up. A drawback for the "do-it yourselfer" is that the crimping tool for PEX is over $100, so it doesn't really make much sense to use PEX if you are doing the job yourself with one exception. You can buy SharkBite TM fittings to make the connections and then you don't need a crimper. You will still need to buy Teflon tape and pipe thread compound or "pipe dope". If you are doing a small job or a short run, CPVC is probably a better choice. The rigidity of CPVC is usually preferred for terminations under sinks and toilets, where there are valves. PEX can be used, it's just more flimsy. I use both CPVC and PEX. It just depends on the job.

Copper pipe - I hardly use it anymore except on real high end jobs, Heating jobs. If I have to tap into copper I will either use a SharkBite tee fitting or sweat on a copper tee and then run CPVC or PEX from the tee.

How to blow a dimmer switch

Sal Pizzurro — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:39:00 GMT

If you want to blow a brand new dimmer switch, try installing it without shutting off the breaker. It will blow your dimmer switch every time.

Another bad "brand new bulb"

Sal Pizzurro — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:19:00 GMT

Just after I had blogged about this in the electrical category the other day, it actually happened again. Luckily this was not the only job the customer wanted me to do. I would have hated to charge a customer just to replace a light bulb. Whenever a light fixture stops working, the first thing you do is change the light bulb. When the light still doesn't work, try another bulb before thinking it's the light fixture. Light fixtures rarely stop working. If it's not the bulb, it may be the light socket, or more commonly the switch. Sometimes, the connections behind the light fixture where the wires are "wire nutted" come undone do to improper use of wire nuts IE: too large or too small for the size of wire. Sometimes the wires are not properly twisted.

Lights or outlets not working

Sal Pizzurro — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:08:00 GMT

If your lights or outlets stop working, first check all your breakers, if the problem isn't due to a tripped breaker, then check for tripped GFCI outlets. Check them all. It's common to connect garage outlets and exterior lights and outlets to interior GFCI outlets. If that still doesn't take care of your problem, call me. It's a bit more involved, but basically, I have to troubleshoot by checking connections at outlets and switches and sometimes the main panel to find the problem.

My light fixture isn't working

Sal Pizzurro — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:04:57 GMT

This is actually very common. If you go to change a light bulb and the light still does not work, don't automatically think it's the light fixture. It's usually another bad bulb .

SharkBite fittings

Sal Pizzurro — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:02:00 GMT

A must have in everyone's tool box

I've known about these for a while, and I think these are awesome. Check them out here SharkBite.com.
You can find them at the home centers and every plumbing supply. (make sure they are SharkBite TM)

These fittings are a little pricey, but they save time and time is money right? FYI, I think it's a great idea to have a couple of the caps on hand, just in case you have a leak or something, you can cut the pipe, and pop one of these on and then you have bought yourself some time. One of the great things about these is, lets say you want a new sink in the garage or basement. Get a SharkBite Tee fitting, install a piece of pipe with a valve already installed on the pipe. It can be copper, cpvc or pex. Turn off the water. Cut the pipe where you want to install a tee fitting, and drain the water into a bucket. You don't have to worry about some water dripping as long as you can work. Cut the pipe so that a tee fitting will fit. Debur the pipe (very end only) with emery cloth. Wipe clean. Pop on the tee with the valve already attached. You can now turn on the water. I can do this in under 10 minutes. Do you know how long it would take to do this without SharkBites? Try a Couple of hours.

I will be posting more Do-it yourself tips, so please subscribe to my blog.

When the jobs are too complicated or you just do not have time, call me, and you will not regret it.

Thanks,

Sal Pizzurro

Spring is almost here

Sal Pizzurro — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:14:00 GMT

Don't wait until spring to get those jobs done.

If you call me now, I'll get them done before spring so that you can enjoy your time off. If you wait, the list will be even longer.

Have repair jobs that you are putting off? Get them done now, before they create bigger problems.

Selling your home? I can get it ready for sale. I have experience in selling real estate because, I am also a real estate investor and have bought and sold over twenty properties since 2001. I have listed and sold my properties without a Realtor and some with a Realtor. I also have a lot of experience in getting apartments or houses ready to rent.

You may call my cell at 484-266-9427......I actually answer my phone

or fax your Honey-Do list to my direct fax line at 610-869-4823

Or you can send me an email
Sal@ALocalHandyman.com. I carry a PDA and will receive your email Immediately.

I also Operate a stump grinding business so check us out at www.Stumpinator.com

Welcome

Sal Pizzurro — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:47:57 GMT

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.