Hardwood Floor Installation: Start in the Middle

The decision of where to lay the first course in a hardwood flooring installation is influenced by factors that include the room dimensions, the placement of doorways and the direction of the boards. For reasons of visual symmetry and to allow equal expansion of the wood in both directions, many installers prefer to lay the first course down the middle of the room rather than against a wall. It requires a special technique.

Home Remedies for Killing Rats

Regardless of where you live, rats can be a disgusting and overwhelming problem. The average rat is a foot long including the tail and will eat anything it can get its claws on. Rats reproduce at alarming rates, and even one mating couple can produce an entire colony of over 100 rats each year. If you have a preexisting rat infestation, or even a couple of unwelcome rats, the time to take action is now.

Homemade AC Filter | HomeSteady

A whole house air conditioner (AC) takes in air that is then cooled and circulated through a home. An AC air filter in the outdoor compressor unit removes loose contaminants before they can become stuck in the compressor and inhibit the free flow of air. Make your own AC filter to save money. A homemade AC filter will require supplies from a crafts store or hobby shop, and tools that are commonly found around most homes.

How to Arrange a Queen Bed & a Twin in One Bedroom

Arranging both a twin sized and a queen sized bed into a single average sized bedroom is not a difficult task with some basic planning and preparation. Naturally, this arrangement limits the layout of the remaining space of the room, but if the most important goal is to fit two beds into the living space, it won't matter in the long run. Be sure to get some help when you have to move all of that furniture!

How to Build a Weed Eater Rack

How to Build a Weed Eater Rack. Storing or transporting a weed eater takes careful planning so that you don't damage your weed eater. You may want to build a weed eater rack for your trailer if you are in the lawn-care business, for example. Or, you may want to build a rack to store your weed eater at home. Build a weed eater rack to transport it by trailer.

How to Keep Moss From Growing on Bricks

Moss typically grows on damp, shady areas of the yard, especially around swimming pools, water spigots or areas with poor drainage. While some like the look of moss on brick, many homeowners wish to remove it, whether it has become slippery and dangerous to walk on, or simply detracts from the look of the yard. Keep bricks clean to prevent moss growth. Things You Will Need + Latex gloves Small bucket Oxygen bleach Warm water Push broom Handheld brush Hose Cleaning moss off the brick in the landscape only takes a few materials, and proper maintenance over time will keep moss from developing in the future.

How to Measure the Strength of an Angle Iron

Whether you're putting together a set of bleachers or a playground set for a local park, it's likely that you'll be installing angle irons as part of the process. Manufactured with acute, right and obtuse angles, these pieces of iron guard against forces pulling in a variety of directions. For example, in bleachers, angle irons hold seat backs in place when spectators sit down on benches and lean back. Angle irons vary in strength, because their applications vary as far as applied force.

How to Use a Wood Chipper for a Paper Shredder

Wood chippers are often used in the papermaking process to reduce the size of wood chunks. Tiny pieces of shredded wood are then pressed and dried into paper sheets. The same fast spinning blades can turn a stack of paper into a pile of scraps. The teeth of the wood chipper pull in items from the hopper. You can shred large stacks of documents with a wood chipper much faster than most office shredders.

Can You Use Brick Veneer on Steps?

Warm and inviting, a brick veneer on your steps or walkway is a good way to add curb appeal or a touch of style to your home. It is an appealing addition to walls and rooms in the home, particularly walkways. Can You Use Brick Veneer on Steps? Brick veneer immediately adds warmth and a touch of style to nearly any area. It is an attractive addition to most walls and rooms in the home, particularly walkways.

How Do I Repair a Furnace After a Flood?

Furnaces are found in nearly every home in America. They are used to heat homes in the colder months and are a must for any homeowner. They are usually located in the basement of houses and their temperature can be adjusted by a thermostat. During rainstorms, basements flood. This flooding can damage the furnace. Replacing a gas furnace can be costly, so try to repair the furnace first. Step 1 Pump all the water out of the basement and away from the furnace with a submersible pump.