DIY Builds
DIY Builds
Photo: Auston
20mm gravel is the largest acceptable sized stone and is suitable for heavy work. 10mm gravel suits paths and also finer concrete mixes. Ballast is a mixture of sharp sand and stones and is used for concrete.
Dog poop attracts rodents. “Dog waste is often a leading food source for rats in urban areas,” D'Aniello says. Although it is good that the waste...
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Pallet wood projects are a great way to make something from scrap wood that you can sell online, at craft fairs, or at local flea markets. If...
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Many DIY and building jobs require the use of cement to make either concrete or mortar. Portland cement, is a fine powder that is made up of mixed lime and clay. Ordinary Portland Cement (sometimes called OPC) is grey in colour, although a more expensive white cement is also available as are various colour additives. Aggregate, a mixture of sand and stones, is added to the Portland cement to make the concrete or mortar. You can mix the sand and stones yourself, or buy them ready mixed. When sand and cement are mixed with water a chemical reaction takes place, which causes hardening. Unfortunately this means that due to the moisture content in the air the cement will start to harden and deteriorate if kept for a long time after opening the bag. Therefore, you should only buy what is required for the job at hand. When mixing your own mortar the proportion of sand, cement and water have to be varied according to the job. Therefore for small repairs, it can be more sensible to buy ready-mixed mortar, as the essential ingredients are already correctly proportioned and mixed together. For a basic mix the recipe is 3 parts of sand to 1 part of cement. If the mortar is being used in an exposed location lime is often used as an additive to the cement to reduce the amount of water drawn into the bricks. This prevents the cement from drying out too quickly and shrinking, and creates a stronger bond. Please bear in mind that if you do add lime you also need to add more sand to balance out the recipe, an appropriate ratio would be 6 parts of sand to 2 parts lime and 1 part cement. You also need to be aware that the mortar will set more quickly and you will therefore need to work more quickly or mix a smaller batch. The recipe should also be altered according to the weather and may require more or less sand or water be added to the cement. If very cold lime can be added and warm or hot water used to help it set more quickly.
Can Water Damage A Refrigerator? Yes, it is certainly possible that water will damage a refrigerator. Usually, flooding or a major leak will wreak...
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A 2×4 can span a maximum of 6' 7” when spaced 16” apart and used as a floor or deck joist. When used as a ceiling joist or a roof rafter, a 2×4 can...
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suits paths and also finer concrete mixes. Ballast is a mixture of sharp sand and stones and is used for concrete. is a mixture of sharp sand and stones and is used for concrete. Sharp sand has a gritty feel and is similar to the sand used to condition soils and composts. Use sharp sand for: Concrete For rendering floors and walls has a gritty feel and is similar to the sand used to condition soils and composts. Use sharp sand for: . Soft sand is a finer grade of sand used for Bricklaying mortar For bedding paving slabs For rendering walls
Mounting the TV on Studs Mounting the TV to wall studs is always preferred. Studs are strong enough to hold weights well exceeding 100 pounds....
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Can you put a plastic shed directly onto grass, dirt or gravel? Not really. Plastic sheds aren't susceptible to water damage themselves. But if the...
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Combine equal parts vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and spritz this solution on the mold. Let the solution dry for one hour, then wipe...
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How many footings do I need for a shed? There is no hard-and-fast answer, but a good rule of thumb (if using concrete foundation piers) is one shed...
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