It’s common for homeowners to turn to a handyperson when they can’t get a task done on their own. Some projects, however, require specialized knowledge that only Handyman Lexington KY could provide.
It’s easy to let minor building maintenance tasks slip by. But these annoyances can add up and drain your energy.
A dripping faucet can be more than just annoying, it can lead to water waste and higher utility bills. Even a single drop of water per minute can waste hundreds of gallons over the course of a year. It’s important to fix leaking faucets to avoid costly repairs and conserve water. A handyman can help you repair your leaky kitchen, bathroom or shower faucet quickly and easily.
The first step is to shut off the water. This is typically done by locating the shut-off valve under or near the sink and turning it clockwise. Next, remove the faucet handle and screw by using a screwdriver or Allen wrench. If there is a decorative cap on the screw, remove it and set it aside. You can use a screwdriver to unscrew the stem from the faucet body and set it aside as well. Now you can replace the O-ring and seat washer. If you are replacing the O-ring, it is a good idea to take the old one with you to the hardware store so you can find an exact match. It’s also a good idea to coat the new O-ring with plumber’s grease to prevent future leaks.
Some faucets may have a plastic cam and packing that need to be removed with needle-nose pliers. Once this is done, you can replace the rubber washers and put the faucet back together. A quick check for leaks should reveal any additional issues that need to be addressed. If you cannot stop the leak or if the problem is more serious, it’s time to call a professional plumber.
Changing an electrical outlet is a relatively simple project for any handyman to do. However, before beginning any work in an electrical circuit, you need to shut off the power to the outlet using your home’s breaker box or fuse. Once the power is off, use a stud finder to locate any studs in the wall where you want to install your new outlet. Then, measure the distance between those two outlets to make sure you have enough room for your wiring.
If you don’t have the skills to do this project yourself, a professional electrician should be hired. This is because certain projects, such as installing an electric outlet or a faucet, are better left to specialists. If specialized work is involved, contractors must obtain a license to do the job and ensure that building projects meet safety standards.
Many handymen work on a freelance basis, but there are also companies that manage the hiring and management of these professionals for an agreed fee. They then assign them to service calls based on geographical areas. For example, some of these companies put potential customers in touch with local franchise owners that have their own trucks and tools.
Working as a handyman is often a stepping stone to becoming a contractor or taking on a full-time permanent job. If you do choose this career path, it’s important to get the most out of your contract by ensuring you have a clear understanding of what is expected from you and how you will be paid. And remember to always be cautious of anyone who asks for full payment upfront — you should never pay for services without getting a written guarantee first.
If you’ve lived in your home for any length of time, chances are there are dings and holes in the walls. This is especially true if you have children. Handymen know how to patch drywall and make it look flawless.
Before a handyman begins working on a wall, it’s important they shine a light into the hole to see if there are any electrical cords or plumbing lines running through it. This is critical for your safety and to ensure the work complies with all local codes.
The first step is to cut a new piece of drywall for the patch. The handyman should measure the vertical distance of the hole, and then cut a drywall board 3 – 4 inches longer than this measurement. This will allow for a little bit of error and will also help the piece fit snugly against the studs.
Next, the handyman should screw the new drywall into place. It’s best to use a heavy duty screw that is rated for the weight of the drywall. They should also use a power drill to make the screw go in more quickly.
Finally, the handyman should smooth down and sand the drywall to remove any bumps. They should then apply a coat of joint compound to the repaired drywall. Then, they should sand again to smooth out any ridges and to make the drywall ready for painting.
Some handymen specialize in certain kinds of repair work, such as plumbing or electrical, while others have a wide range of skills that they can use to tackle various jobs around the house. Whether you need a small fix or a complete renovation, hiring the right professional can save you time and money.
For a clean look and to avoid the potential strain on your back from hauling your TV around, it’s often best to mount it on a wall. However, before you can do that, it’s necessary to get the proper mounting kit and find the right spot on the wall. This can be a time-consuming project, and having all the tools lined up ahead of time can help you save on costly last-minute shopping trips.
Before you start drilling into the wall, be sure to use a stud finder to locate where the studs are. This will help ensure you are mounting your TV to a solid surface and not drywall, which can lead to a collapsed television or even an entire room. Once you’ve found the right location, mark it with some painters tape. This will make it easy to see how high you want the TV to sit once it’s mounted.
Generally, a TV should be hung 57” from the floor, which is roughly eye level. This is a good general rule of thumb that can be used for most rooms, but if you’re mounting the TV above a fireplace or other focal point, you might need to adjust this height to accommodate it.
As a jack of all trades, the handyman is a common character in popular culture. There are songs about them like “Handyman,” and they can also be seen in films and TV shows, usually wearing the traditional handyman outfit of overalls, a tool belt, and a carpenter’s pencil. They’re the go-to people to take care of any odd jobs around the house, from fixing a leaky faucet to painting a door.
One of the most complex jobs a handyman can do is refinishing floors. A floor refinisher needs to have the right equipment and experience to ensure that the job is done correctly. It is also important that they follow the proper procedures when refinishing wood floors so they don’t damage the hardwood. Before beginning, they should discuss the process with their client.
Ask your potential refinisher for examples of past work they have completed. This will give you a good idea of their expertise. They should also be willing to provide you with a timeline for how long the project will take and when they anticipate that they will finish.
Before sanding, the wood floor should be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Then, the sanding can begin. The floor will be sanded to create an even texture. After the sanding is finished, the floors will need to be wiped again with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dust. A new coat of polyurethane can then be applied to the floor. This coat should be allowed to dry for one to seven days before the floor can be walked on.
Some floors may require less sanding than others. For example, an engineered wood floor that consists of real hardwood bonded to plywood can be refinished a few times, but it should not be sanded to the point where you are exposed to the plywood underneath.
If you are looking for someone to refinish your floors, consider hiring a specialized hardwood flooring professional who uses Bona’s complete line of professional products from sanding through finishing. Their experts can help you choose a stain color, and they will use all of the proper equipment to guarantee that your hardwood floors look their best.
