A shiny chrome cup with a handle protruding from the side above the urinal is a common sight in most men’s public restrooms. This device is designed to allow enough water to enter the urinal when the handle is depressed to flush the appliance. Most of the time, the cup is a Sloan flush valve. Many urinals use a Sloan valve for flushing. These are reliable long-lasting valves, but even the best sometimes need to be repaired.

The art of making mosaics dates back to at least the fourth century. Over the years, the art has flourished, and it is no longer reserved for nobles but can be enjoyed by everyone. By making a mosaic tile table, you not only continue the tradition of mosaic art, but add another dimension to what could otherwise be just another piece of furniture. For a piece that can weather the tests of time, you need to apply the best way to edge a mosaic tile table.

Look at both sensors, located near the floor on either side of the garage door. If both sensors are steadily lit, there is no obstruction. If one is flickering, it means the two sensors are misaligned or something is obstructing their path. Troubleshooting a Liftmaster Garage Door Coor Closes as It Is Reversing Remove any leaves, dirt, debris or objects around or in the path of the sensors to see if that fixes the problem.

Dressers sold in matching bedroom suites may fit your needs and your space -- or not. You can easily find just the right dresser -- whether low and wide or tall and narrow, with varying depths and numbers of drawers -- if you understand your options. A dresser is a personal piece of furniture requiring attention paid to its dimensions. Whether antique or modern, dressers have similar dimensions, and understanding these should help you in your search.

A bedding sham is a pillowcase with a facade. Shams are fancier, more substantial covers for bed pillows that serve a decorative purpose; they match the duvet, pull together the colors in the room or help set a theme. Shams often have deep borders that "frame" the regular pillow shape. Shams are sold in the bed-linens department or in specialty shops in sizes to slip over regular bed pillows and some more decorative pillow shapes.

A bar is a fun accessory to any home, whether indoors or outdoors. Decorate it with your own flair and even make your own bar stools to create your own signature design. Build an innovative and stylish stool by using PVC pipes. PVC pipes are used for plumbing and other piping applications. However, PVC is also an ideal material for furniture making because it is durable and easy to clean.

Magnetizing metal with batteries is a fun and common science fair or classroom project, but it can easily be duplicated at home. Any type of ferrous metal--such as iron--can be magnetized with batteries. Such objects are said to be electromagnets since their magnetic properties are dependent upon an electrical current. Once the current is stopped, the metal object loses its magnetic properties. Wrap the bell wire tightly around the iron nail so that most of the nail is covered with one layer of wrapped wire.

A trapdoor in the floor provides you with a quick and convenient method of moving between floors, a closeable door in the floor of a loft, or a way to access a crawlspace beneath your floor. Making the trapdoor is just like creating any doorway in a wooden frame. You need to cut and reinforce an opening, and then create the door frame and door. Things You Will Need + Prybar Chalk Straightedge Circular saw Carpenter’s square Tape measure 2-by-4-inch planks Wood screws Drill Screw set Lumber planks Framing nails Framing nailer Reciprocating saw Drill Chalk line Keyhole saw Wooden door trim Finish nails Hammer 3/4-inch plywood sheet Hinges Wood screws Screwdriver Construction cement Recessed cabinet door pull handle Strip away any floor covering material over the proposed trapdoor area.

Exercise caution whenever a home improvement article begins “to do this, simply…” Finishes like pickling take patience to execute. There are three important steps in pickling; preparation, staining and sealing. Pickling brightens cabinets but preserves the look of wood. Things You Will Need + Staining gloves Dust mask Safety glasses Fine and medium grit sandpaper Paper towels Newspaper Tack rags Lintless cloths Jar or box Two-step wood bleach Synthetic bleach brush White oil paint or whitewash Paint thinner Stain brush Wood sealer White shellac or non-yellowing varathane Denatured alcohol Mixing containers Too often the first is skipped and the third consists of a thick coat of yellowish polyurethane, yielding a muddied result.

Asphalt is a combination of gravel and tar and is commonly used to cover driveways. Asphalt sees a variety of stains, especially those caused by leaking fluids from vehicles. Gas and oil are two common items that stain asphalt driveways. Asphalt is commonly used to pave roads. Not only will gas and oil stain the asphalt, they will also eat away at the driveway surface. Gas and oil should be removed from the asphalt as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your driveway.