Fix It Blog

Welcome to the Fix It Blog. This is the latest spot to get all of the updated information on your Fix It projects, what questions people are asking and what projects I'm currently working on (not to mention, cool gadgets that I uncover). Also...

How Would You Like To Contribute To This Blog?

That's right, you can even become part of the Fix It Blog! Simply tell your favorite home projects story or tip here! A link to your submission will be included below and will become a permanent part of the site for others to read!

How to Easily: Fix Floor

Your Project list says Fix floor. This can be a challenging project. I'll show you how to easily make repairing and replacing your floor easy as 1, 2, 3.

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Fix Sticking Door

Does your door Stick? Time for a Fix Sticking Door home improvement project. I'll show you easily how to fix that sticking door and you can do it in about 10 minutes or less.

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Contribute To Fix Home Projects Yourself

Would you like to share your knowledge about home projects? Great, find out how you can submit your story or tip here.

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Toilet Turmoil - That Funny Flapper Valve

I received this email from Bernie:

---when you flush toilet and only a quarter of the tank water flushes because the flapper valve closes too quickly does the flapper valve require replacing?---

Bernie is asking a great question and at some point or another, we are all going to come across a toilet challenge.

Here is what I wrote back to Bernie.

---Hey Bernie,

Thanks for the email. You have an interesting challenge in front of you.

Let's first take a quick look at how the flapper valve works: When you flush your toilet, the water drains from your tank and exposes your flapper valve to the air. Your Flapper valve is hollow with an opening on the bottom. This is designed to capture some of that air. This air is what allows your flapper valve to stay open while the water drains from the toilet the next time you flush.

You're mentioning that your tank only drains about 1/4 of the way before the flapper valve closes.

I don't anticipate this is the case, but first, check to see if the opening on the lower side of the flapper valve is clogged. If it is, clean it out and you should be good to go.

What I anticipate the problem is that the chain (connecting to the handle) isn't lifting up the flapper valve far enough and therefore, the flapper valve is being pulled down by the suction of the water leaving the tank. With this in mind, simply shorten your chain. This will, in turn, raise the flapper valve higher when you flush and should solve your problem.

Best of luck to you and keep me posted on your progress.

ThanksJeff Hensiek

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Fix It Friends

Are you interested in who I recommend for my fix it projects - my Fix It Friends? Then you are at the right place.

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How to Fix Toilet - Step-by-Step

Next on your Honey Do List - Fix Toilet! I'll sho you the most common toilet problems and also how to fix them step-by-step

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Bathroom Renovations

Easy Bathroom Renovations

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Fix Leaky Faucet for $3 or less

Take 'Fix Leaky Faucet' off of your 'honey do list'. Fixing a leaky faucet is easier, faster and cheaper than most people think.

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Fix It Before It Burns Down!

FIRE! Not a great thing, unless you are camping and then, it's a lot of fun.

My daughters teacher asked me the other day to take a look at their Kiln house. The teacher and her students were complaining that the door was getting too hot for them and they wanted my opinion on the situation to see if I could help.

(A Kiln, is a big clay bucket or tube that gets to be about 2000 degrees. They use it to 'fire' clay and make it nice and hard.)

I took one look a the kiln and realized we have potentially larger issues than just the door getting hot.

For starters, the rafters are starting to turn a little black. If this was an old shed, then I probably wouldn't even bat an eyelash at it, however, this is a new shed and the rafters are chard. What this means is that it is getting so hot in the kiln shed (even though they have 2 vents already) that the wood is literally about ready to catch fire. This is in need of some MAJOR HELP and RIGHT NOW!

I've recruited a buddy of mine and this coming weekend, we are going to be working on the project. I'll be taking some pictures and even some video and we'll be able to see what we do. Stay tuned and next week, I'll show you what we ended up doing.

Until Then
Jeff Hensiek

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Fix It - Do You Have the 'Right' tools?

Have you ever built a greenhouse?

Today was my first go at it. My wife and I were helping my oldest daughter (and her class) build a greenhouse. We couldn't have picked a worse day. It was starting to rain and we were getting some sleet. Anyway, I found out that not all tools, while advertised as comfortable, are not all that comfortable. Especially when it comes to drills.

As you know, I have 2 cordless drills. And I really enjoy them. They have both been good work horse drills. (to take a look at the drills I use, click here) However, after you use them for about 30 minutes non stop, drilling in about 100 screws or more in one shot, your hand gets tired.

I'm going to have to get with Black & Decker to build a new drill. One that doesn't cause fatigue on your hand. My hand typically starts to hurt where the drill is being cradled (between the thumb and the first finger on my right hand).

Not only does my hand start to fatigue, it also get's tired of pulling the trigger all of the time. Just like when you are using a squirt bottle for a long time, you need to shift fingers, that is what I had to do today.

Here is what I'd like to see, a revamp of the standard drill. Something that will give you the ability to push the screw in forcefully while not fatiguing your hand. Almost like a boxer kind of grip, where you would be 'punching in' the screw. The trigger could be across all fingers and more of a squeeze model like what you have on a compound miter saw. It will also need to be easily controlled with one hand and not fly around like a flag on the top of a pole on a windy day. Of course, it should have very good torque and a long battery life.

Let me know if you are on the same page as I am with respect to drills (or maybe you disagree). Either way, email me by going here.

Let's fix it together.

Jeff Hensiek

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