HowToDoThings.com Recent Tools & Materials Articles

How To Open a Door with a Credit Card

gin rummy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:12:15 -0500

You're away from your apartment again and you know exactly where your keys are -- right on top of the dresser drawer. You run to the landlord but alas, he is not there. Not much of a different situation whenever you need him, but when it comes time to collect the rent he's there on the dot all the time. Go figure.

How To Implement Heating Efficiency Ideas

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:52:31 -0600

Saving money on your water heater is a great idea. There are so many different things you can do to save hundreds of dollars per year with very little work. Let's review some things to look for when dealing with the different types of plumbing parts associated with water heaters.

How To Remove Sediment from a Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:06:19 -0600

All water that enters into a water heater contains natural minerals of some kind. Heating the water causes the minerals to separate and fall to the bottom of the tank. Usually this sediment build-up is made of calcium carbonate. One sign of sediment build-up is a sulfur (or rotten-egg) smell around your water heater. With gas water heaters, sediment problems may cause the entire heater to become noisy while on.

How To Snap a Chalk Line

Larado — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:09:00 -0600

Most people snap a chalk line for one reason: They need a line to follow. You could be laying tile, or framing a room, or even just cutting a large board. Whatever the reason, being able to snap a chalk line is a very useful skill that is frequently needed for projects around the house.

Items needed:

Chalk box
An assistant
Hammer
Nail
Tape measure

Instructions:

How To Upgrade Your Water Heater's Drain Valve

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:58:34 -0600

The drain valve is located near the bottom of the water heater tank. Many water heaters come with drain valves that are prone to leaks or breakage. Plastic cone valves (these have a cone-shaped handle) and plastic faucet valves often drip, freeze and/or clog with sediment. Even after only one use, plastic valves often leak. Also, because the drain valve is made of plastic, the threads on the valve are easy to cross-thread when attaching a garden hose to it.

How To Keep Your Electric Heating Elements from Failing

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:41:51 -0600

The following applies to electric water heaters only. The heating elements in an electric water heater are susceptible to sediment buildup, burnout and sudden failure. Learn how to clean and inspect the heating elements in your electric water heater.

How To Prevent Rusting in a Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:17:10 -0600

What Are Plastic-Lined Nipples And Why Do I Need Them?

Pipe nipples are small fittings that connect two pipes together. Many pipes and pipe nipples are made out of brass or copper because these metals are “noble” metals. This means that brass and copper do not chemically react with oxygen—the cause of corrosion or rusting—as much as other metals do (such as steel). The hot and cold water lines on top of the water heater are usually made of brass or copper. Unfortunately, most water heater tank linings and pipes are made out of steel. If these different metals touch each other, the brass or copper will actually promote rusting on the steel tank while the brass or copper remain rust free.

How To Inspect a Leaky Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:41:57 -0600

Inspect your fittings. Don’t know which fittings you need to inspect? Check all of the following; make sure the fittings are tight and dry. Use a cotton swap or Q-tip to wipe around the areas to make sure they are free of moisture and rust.

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How To Shrink Power Bills by Conserving Energy with your Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:37:39 -0600

This article teaches you how to save money by instituting all the following devices: Electric temperature controls, heat traps, low-flow shower heads, pipe insulation, recirculating system controls, vent dampers and water heater blankets.

Electric Temperature Controls (Electric Water Heaters Only). An electric temperature control allows you to shut down the water heater when no one is home or when everyone is asleep. This will reduce heat loss and save you money. Call your utility company or a plumber to help you install this device.

How To Save Yourself from Cold Showers by Knowing More About Dip Tubes

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:43:59 -0600

Standard Dip Tubes. A dip tube is a long, straight plastic pipe attached to the cold water inlet, above the water heater, and into the tank of the water heater itself. Its purpose is to ensure that new cold water enters the tank at the bottom. Hot water naturally rises above cold water, so the hot water will be used first since the hot water outlet is at the top of the tank. If the dip tube breaks, cold water will enter at the top of the tank and will be immediately sent through the hot water outlet. This results in a cold shower or bath.

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How To Handle Corrosion Problem Spots in a Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:57:01 -0600

Corrosion can cripple the life of your water heater no matter if you have a tank-type, commercial or solar water heater system. Learn where the 7 trouble spots for water heaters are and how to protect your water heater from corrosive elements.

How To Operate Electric and Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:30:09 -0600

Gas Controls

Gas water heaters have a thermostat inside the water of the tank, which is then connected to the front control at the bottom of the water heater. On the front control there is a dial with three settings: ON, OFF and PILOT. Above the dial is a knob with a recessed screw which controls the gas flame. Below the bottom of the dial are three tubes. The largest tube, always in the middle, is the natural gas supply tube. The medium-sized tube, usually the one on the right, feeds natural gas to the pilot light switch. The smallest tube, usually the one on the left, is called the thermocouple. The thermocouple allows you to control the amount of gas fed to the pilot after it has been lit, therefore controlling the size of the flame. Lastly, the burner assembly is attached to the tubes and control; it can be removed for cleaning, but do not take apart the control itself.

How To Repair Broken Pipe Nipples on Water Heaters

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:14:37 -0600

Many pipes and pipe nipples (small fittings that connect two pipes together) are made out of brass because brass is a noble metal. This means that brass does not chemically react with oxygen and cause corrosion or rusting as much as other metals, such as steel. Unfortunately, most water heater tank linings and pipes are made out of steel. If the two metals touch each other, this causes the less noble steel to corrode or rust. To prevent this, many heaters use a plastic lining in the tank, which allows the brass plumbing to touch the steel water heater tank; the plastic interior will not rust or corrode. If you have steel plumbing, you should not install a brass pipe nipple.

How To Clean and Remove Sediment from a Commercial Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:43:47 -0600

Commercial water heaters have several features that differ from residential water heaters. To begin with, commercial heaters produce a minimum of 75,000 British thermal units whereas residential heaters residential water heaters produce anything less than 75,000 British thermal units.

Also, commercial heaters have a clean-out port on the side of the water heater; residential heaters must utilize the drain valve and require specialized equipment in order to clean them. With commercial gas water heaters, there is more than one gas flue and automatic ventilator, and with commercial electric heaters, there is often an ignition feature.

One other difference is that on a commercial water heater, the cold water inlet is at the bottom of the tank instead of the top. This allows cold water to enter the tank at the bottom—a definite improvement over residential heaters.

How To Install, Inspect and Evaluate Anode Rods in Water Heaters

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:31:41 -0600

An anode rod is necessary because it prevents any corrosion of a water heater's metal lining. As long as a serviceable anode rod is installed, the metal of the rod will wear away instead of the water heater lining. The anode rod produces an electro-chemical reaction within the water, which protects the water heater.

Anode rods are attached to the top of the water heater with a ¾ inch hex head screw. Most rods are approximately 3 feet 8 inches in length: just a few inches shorter than the water heater itself. The core of an anode rod is a steel wire framed by one of three different metals: aluminum, magnesium or zinc. All anodes are made from one of these three metals, and each type of rod has a particular use.

How To Mix Cement

Grace170 — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:20:00 -0600

Think mixing cement is easy? Think again. While mixing cement is not brain surgery, it is can be an arduous task that requires some degree of precision for peak performance. Cement is a bonding agent used in conjunction with sand, water, and aggregate (crushed stone) to create mortar and/or concrete. You need cement for a variety of projects--to set footings for decking or fences, to fill a sidewalk, or to patch a blemish in your house's foundation. If you are doing a project that requires concrete or mortar application, you will need to know how to mix the cement that bonds the materials together. Here is how you mix cement.

How To Install Metal Roofing

Staff468 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:01:00 -0600

This metal roofing article is a snippet -- complete the article to earn cash!

An alternative to common asphalt roofing, metal roofing carries definite advantages. Not only can it efficiently keep your house colder during hot summers, but owing to its resilience to unpleasant weather, metal roofing can also outlast asphalt roofing. This combination of performance and longevity makes metal roofing increasingly appealing. Despite its advantages, metal roofing is still harder to find.

How To Use a Pressure Sensor

Staff468 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:54:00 -0600

This pressure sensor article is a snippet -- complete the article to earn cash!

A pressure sensor is a device that gauges pressure and generates some form of signal (whether visual, auditory or electrical, or some combination). "Pressure" is the force acting upon a surface area. Generally, pressure sensors are used to calculate the pressure of a liquid or gas, but their applications are wide-ranging, from accurate weather forecasts to measuring altitude in flight. In any device where pressure is utilized, a pressure sensor can ensure safety and proper performance.

If you are an expert on the topic of pressure sensors, please apply to write this article. Your published articles will earn you money. Earn more money by writing more articles. Learn more!

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How To Use Crane Trucks

Staff468 — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 10:24:00 -0600

Crane trucks are a complex but useful piece of equipment that can be used to lift heavy and unwieldy objects. A crane truck has a boom with several sections that telescope together. Reinforced steel cables run from behind the cab up and over the boom-the more lines, the higher weight load can be lifted. (A heavy metal ball keeps the lines taut when the crane is not lifting a load.) Beneath the cab is a large gear that enables the crane truck to maneuver 360 degrees. The gear is driven by a hydraulic motor on the cab and is controlled by the operator via a foot pedal. Crane trucks are frequently used in construction, transportation, utilities, mining, drilling for oil, railroad yards, heavy equipment yards and building supply dealers. Crane trucks can be custom ordered and assembled with different specifications that suit the buyer, be it the size of the engine or the length of the boom.

Here are some tips on how to use crane trucks:

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How To Use a Jib Crane

Staff468 — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 10:41:00 -0600

A jib crane is a crane that has a horizontal jib that is akin to a projecting arm. This horizontal jib is what the trolley moves on and can usually be raised and lowered. Here are some tips on how to operate a jib crane:

An area beneath and around the jib crane must be cleared of all people and objects that could be injured or damaged by falling debris. Never operate a jib crane above other workers.

The jib crane must be operated according to the design parameters of the manufacturer. Never under any circumstances exceed load capacity of the jib crane or any of its components.

Always check end stops that prevent the trolley from running off the jib.

The load must be securely seated in the hook of the jib crane before moving. Remove slack from the cable or sling chain before lifting the load.

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How To Use an Overhead Crane

Staff468 — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:51:00 -0600

An overhead crane is a crane with a movable bridge that carries a hoisting mechanism and travels on a fixed runway structure. For safety purposes, overhead cranes must be inspected frequently. In fact, OSHA has a set of guidelines for the safe operation of overhead cranes. Here is a list of tips to get you started on the safe and effective use of an overhead crane:

Familiarize yourself with the controls. Know their location, their function, and how to stop the crane immediately should you need to. There is a disconnect switch that will stop all functioning of the crane when you push it--make sure that it is both easy to reach and also operational.

Inspect equipment daily before use. If any parts such as steel ropes, limit switches, chains, nylon or web slings are worn, loose, or missing, replace immediately. Also check pneumatic and hydraulic parts for leakage.

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How To Buy Kitchen and Bathroom Tile

Grace170 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 05:06:00 -0500

Tiling-to many in the profession, is an art. While there is certainly a learning curve for advanced tiling techniques, an average Joe can lay tiles if he knows how to do it, but perhaps more importantly, what to buy. If you are thinking of embarking on a tiling project in your kitchen or bath, here are some tips on what kind of products you should buy.

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How To Patch Holes in Walls

Grace170 — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 08:06:00 -0500

You have a son or daughter with anger management problems. Your overambitious husband has successfully hammered a hole large enough for twenty nails to fill. You bought a house and discovered there WAS a reason why the sellers left the couch against the wall until the final walk-through. Whatever the scenario-you have a hole in your wall that needs patching. Here are some ways to remedy this eyesore.

How big? How large is the hole? If it is, say, smaller than a fist, you can use a quick method of repair. If it is a little larger (knee or foot size), you will need to do some more prep work before filling the hole.

What material? What is your wall made of? It is unlikely that you've punched through brick, so your choices are usually drywall, plaster, or some sort of paneling.

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How To Find Used Cranes

Staff468 — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 19:35:00 -0500

You'll find a wide range of used cranes online. Bookmark a few sites (see links) and keep your eye on the inventory. Just looking at what's available day by day will give you a good sense of what the market is for used cranes, and the particular crane you're interested in.

Assess your needs first. Once you start looking, you're going to see some bells and whistles that will seem like you can't do without. Before you look at any used cranes, figure out exactly what qualities you do -- and don't -- need in your used crane.

Establish a budget. Although at first you'll want to look around so as to understand the market for used cranes, establish a budget early on and keep that budget number in the back of your mind so as to prevent heartache later.

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How To Control Corrosion

Staff468 — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 11:02:00 -0500

Corrosion is the deterioration of the properties of a material due to its interaction with the environment. Corrosion occurs everywhere from your teeth to your batteries. A common place that we want to control corrosion-besides our teeth-is in metal or ceramic materials. Metal typically corrodes due to the oxidation of iron atoms as they react with water or oxygen while ceramics typically corrode by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light. Some metals better resist corrosion than others, which is why, for example, brass is frequently used in plumbing.

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How To Find Corrosion Control Products

Staff468 — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 13:19:00 -0500

Corrosion is the deterioration of materials, usually metal, due to reactions with the environment. While corrosion can occur anywhere, it is the corrosion of a home's pipes that is the cause for the most concern, as it can lead to the toxicity of a family's water supply.

Before using a corrosion-control method, conduct a test to estimate the degree of corrosiveness. There are a couple of simple ways to determine if your pipes are corrosive. For one, if you see blue-green stains in your sink or the same stains along the joints of the copper piping, corrosion is present. Rust stains will appear when iron corrosion is present. Toilets with blue, green, or rust stains indicate corrosion as well. If the tap water tastes bitter or metallic, corrosion may be the culprit of that, too. Sometimes corrosion also gives off an odor.

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How To Hammer Without Numbing Your Fingers

Peter5 — Sat, 06 Oct 2001 23:00:00 -0500

Hitting your fingers more often than the nail ?

Push the nail through a piece of card, hold the card instead of the nail. Once the nail is firmly in place simply rip the card to remove it.