How Do I? Guy (Brian Kramer)

How Do I Thaw Frozen Pipes?

Written on November 6, 2009 at 11:36 am, by How Do I? Guy (Brian Kramer)

Winter weather often brings unexpected frozen pipes in your home’s basement, exterior walls, and outside faucets. Here are three ways to deal with frozen pipes before they burst or rupture.

1. For exposed pipes under a sink or in the basement, thaw with a hair dryer. Turn the faucet on to release any steam or pressure that you create during thawing. Move the hair dryer back and forth to break up the blockage.

2. For pipes concealed in a wall, set up a heat lamp or small space heater 12 to 18 inches from the wall containing the frozen pipe. Open the faucet to release any steam. Reposition the heater every 10 to 15 minutes and watch that the heat doesn’t damage the wall surface. This type of frozen pipe typically takes the longest to thaw.

3. For a frozen exterior faucet, open the faucet. Wrap a rag around it and secure with a string or rubber band. Slowly pour a pot of boiling water over the faucet and allow the water to cool. Continue pouring boiling water over the faucet until the blockage is released.

After you thaw a pipe or faucet, prevent future freeze-ups with the following upgrades.

Insulate pipes by wrapping them with fiberglass tape. Look for handy kits at hardware stories and home centers.

Wrap a pipe that frequently freezes with heat tape that plugs into a nearby outlet. Look for a kit with a thermostat that activates the tape as needed.

Replace an exterior faucet with a frost-proof sillcock.

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How Do I Hang Heavy Stuff?

Written on October 9, 2009 at 8:15 am, by How Do I? Guy (Brian Kramer)

Heavy stuff—wall cabinets, large mirrors, shelves, or a big piece of art—need more than mere fasteners to hang securely on a wall. Sometimes a heavy item comes with special mounting accessories, but more often then not, you have to improvise. Here’s how to make a super-strong (yet surprisingly simple) French cleat that can safely support 100 or more pounds if attached to wall studs.

1. Measure and cut a 1×4 pine board approximately two inches shorter than the width of the item you want to hang.

2. Using a table saw or circular saw with the blade set at a 45-degree angle, slice the board lengthwise. You now have two 1×2 pieces: One will attach to the wall and the other to the object.

3. Drill pilot holes along the 1×2 to attach to the object. Apply a bead of wood glue to the back of the ripped 1×2 and mount it an inch or so from the top of the object. Use a level to ensure that the 1×2 is properly placed.

4. Drive flat-head wood screws through the glued-on 1×2 strip and into the back of the object. Choose screws long enough to penetrate—but not crack—the object. Allow the glue to dry completely.

5. Locate the wall studs. Have a helper hold the second 1×2 strip in position and level. Mark the location of the studs on the 1×2 strip.

6. Drill pilot holes in the second strip. Hold the strip in place and drive wood screws through the strip into the wall studs. Work with a helper to lift and set the heavy object on the wall-mounted strip.

Use a French cleat to hang heavy items such as:

Wall-mount cabinets. The lacquered Hyde cabinets from CB2 come in white and lime green. They can be mounted vertically or horizontally, singly or in clusters. cb2.com/family.aspx?c=1240&f=5314

Wall mirrors. At 3-feet square, the elegant Fabienne mirror from Crate & Barrel needs extra support. The extra-wide frame on this mirror is perfect for a French cleat. crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=8045&f=33306

Wall shelves. The Cubby Organizer from Pottery Barn is inspired by mail organizers at vintage hotels. It’s solid mahogany and nearly 30-inches square, so it requires the extra support a French cleat provides. potterybarn.com/products/p13135/index.cfm?pkey=cwall%2Dorganization

Major wall art. Oversized art—like this wood and license plate wall sculpture from Uncommon Goods—benefit from the stability of a French cleat. uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?source=family&itemId=16309

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