the 5th dimension dressing up ceilings

appreciate your input.<br><br> And for even more do-it-yourself, don 9t forget our monthly project in The Home Handyman! Until next time Janice Home-Dzine online 2 contents painting tips 3 dealing with wet or dry paint spills wall stencilling 4 it 9s so easy to transform boring walls 5th dimension 5 A lightweight ceiling mirror positioned above a dining area is the perfect way to glam up dining and entertaining. products we love 7 easy online Coorplanner dramatic ceilings 8 ceiling medallions and roses offer a new element to interior design crafting with dremel 10 creating your own art is easy with dremel baby doll headboard 11 make your little girl happy this weekend by constructing this sweet headboard to doll up her bedroom.<br><br> modern lightbox 12 add a special atmosphere to every room, even using artiBciallight.Ourwall-mountedlightboxis a brilliant example of how to give your rooms an exclusive touch. as smooth as glass 16 sanding techniques to achieve the perfect Bnishonanysurface. investigate what lies beneath 17 buying a home is risky business.<br><br> After a lengthy search, you 9ve found your perfect house in the right suburb but neglected to investigate what lies beneath the surface. heavenly hammock 21 rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on hot summer days. competition winners / q-zone 25 directory 26 copyright of articles and images, not submitted and licensed by home-dzine or janice anderssen, remain the property of the owner, and home-dzine or janice anderssen claims no intellectual property rights.<br><br> Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen. All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property of Home-Dzine and Janice Anderssen, and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. a word or two Wet paint spills on carpet In the event that you spill paint on a carpet, the Nrstorderofactionistocontainthepaint and stop it from spreading any further.<br><br> Scrape up as much paint as possible, working from the outside of the spill inwards. For the Nrst-time painter, have a bag of cat litter on hand - it 9s great for soaking up paint! Most water-based paints can be washed out of carpet and fabric if attended to immediately.<br><br> Get a bucket of tepid water (slightly warm), a sponge, and an old towel. Arrange the towel around the outside of the paint spill to keep the rest of the carpet fairly dry. Dampen the sponge and start removing the paint without rubbing.<br><br> Keep replacing the water as often as possible. Once the majority of paint has been lifted, remove the remaining spill by moistening and removing the water - use a wet and dry vacuum if you have one. For the last rinse, add a small amount of carpet cleaner to the water.<br><br> Dry paint spills on carpet In some situations dry paint can be scraped off with a razor blade scraper or the edge of a sharp knife. In most cases acrylic paint can be softened with methylated spirits this can aid in removal of the paint. Oil based paints dry harder; mineral turps may soften them if they have not fully cured.<br><br> If methylated spirits or mineral turps do not affect dry paint spills a paint stripper may need to be used. Test paint stripper on a small area of carpet before using. Always be cautious when using thinners or cleaning products.<br><br> Do a small discrete test area on the affected material with the cleaner/ thinner to ensure that it will not damage the material to be cleaned. Prevention is better than mess! When tackling any painting project it is better to remove as much furniture from the room as possible.<br><br> Carpets, Ooors,any furniture or Nttings that remain should be covered with drop cloths. remove wet and dry paint spills Even the most seasoned painting professional occasionally have mishaps. But there are ways that you can prevent spills and spoil when painting a room.<br><br> Here are some relevant tips to guide you. What is a Drop Cloth ? Drop cloths can be bought, or you can recycle old bedding to serve as a drop cloth.<br><br> Canvas drop cloths are the best type to use, and for someone who is planning to do a lot of painting, the ability to use the cloths over and again makes these an economical choice. If you have a small painting project, slit open a plastic refuse bag to cover Coorswhileyoupaint. Home-Dzine online 4 stencilling onto walls You will need: Prominent Premium Matt (2 colours) Stencil brush Masking tape Stencil sheeting (acetate sheets) Craft knife Stencil mat or scrap piece of wood Pencil Spirit level Newspaper Here 9s how: 1.<br><br> Clean walls well with Sugar Soap before painting. 2. Apply two coats of your chosen background colour.<br><br> 3. Use a spirit level to check that you walls are plumb or you will end up with a wall that is out of balance. 4.<br><br> Enlarge and print out your design. (See right and page 6 for traditional damask designs.) Place design under a sheet of acetate or thick plastic sheet and use a craft knife to cut out designs. Work on a cutting mat or scrap piece of wood.<br><br> 5. Beginning in a corner, tape stencil to the surface. If your walls are not plumb, this is the time to make any adjustments.<br><br> 6. Pour some of your top coat colour into a paint tray or bowl. Dab the stencil brush lightly into the paint, and then onto the newspaper to remove excess paint.<br><br> Now apply the brush to cut-out areas of the stencil. 7. Once you have completed the stencil remove it and reposition to repeat the pattern for the entire wall.<br><br> Print out and enlarge to size required Home-Dzine online 5 5th dimension More than a Nfthwall,a ceiling can be used to create dramatic effects, an illusion of space, and add a touch of glamour to any room in the home. Mirrors on the ceiling... pink champagne on ice [Eagles] A lightweight ceiling mirror positioned above a dining area is the perfect way to glam up dining and entertaining.<br><br> In the room left, a traditional damask design has been stencilled on the mirror, and blends perfectly with the chandelier, mirrored table and classic dining chairs. As a substitute to a single, glass sheet, mirror tiles offer far easier installation. Mirror tiles are and safer, way to achieve a mirrored ceiling effect.<br><br> Their smaller size makes them much easier to work with, and to lay out a tile plan. Start by installing a backing of 6mm plywood or supawood, and screw it at regular intervals into the ceiling joists. The backing provides a solid, safe surface to attach the mirror to, the adhesives will be applied to the back of the mirror and will adhere it to the backing.<br><br> them. You will need to use a high-performance adhesive, or have the individual mirror tiles drilled to afNxtothe backing. Alternatively, attach chainlink to each corner of a plywood or supawood framed board, and place the chains on heavy-duty hooks screwed into the ceiling joists.<br><br> And then apply the mirror tiles to the underside of this suspended 8platform 9. To add a touch of glamour to your ceiling mirror tiles, use a stencil to apply damask patterns in varying sizes. (see our traditional damask stencil patterns on next page.) Or, for those of you who prefer to do it the lazy way!<br><br> www.SmartArt.co.za offer self- adhesive graphic stickers in a wide choice of designs, or custom printed with your particular pattern. For more information on stencilling techniques, visit Home-Dzine.co.za - Decorating Centre. If you are in any doubt concerning the installation, it 9s probably not a bad idea to hire a professional or reputable handyman to either perform installation, or to evaluate the work you 9ve done.<br><br> Home-Dzine online 6 traditional damask patterns to print out and enlarge Home-Dzine online 7 products we love Save time with Ooorplans! Buying a new home, rearranging your room, or moving into a new ofNce ? You can save time and have more fun if you lay out your ideas ahead of time.<br><br> I recently discovered Floorplanner - the easiest, quickest, and best looking way to create interactive Ooorplans.Usingpoint-and-click, drag-and-drop tools, you can make your Ooor plan in minutes, and rearrange it as often as you want. When designing or re-arranging interior (or exterior) spaces, drawing up a Ooor planisthe ideal solution for working out the available space and how to best arrange pieces to Nt the space. I usually end up drawing plan, after plan, after plan.<br><br> With Floorplanner it 9s so easy. You can add or remove elements, change Oooringoptions,movewalls,windowsand doors, simply by dragging and dropping. This is perfect for anyone planning additions or re-designing interiors, and - the biggest plus for me - the measurements are in metric.<br><br> It 9s easy to use and works in almost any modern browser, no extra downloads required. You can save your Ooor plans and print them out as reference materials when working with interior designers, architects or contractors. You can even use Floorplanner to plan the landscaping for your garden.<br><br> Elements such as decks, pools, paved areas, beds and the like, can easily be designed and created. And the best feature of Floorplanner is that it is absolutely free. Home-Dzine online 8 dramatic ceilings Ceilings are often neglected in the majority of interiors, yet can provide acoustic value, effectively deNne living spaces, and become an integral element of room design.<br><br> Crown mouldings, ceiling rosettes or medallions are one of the simplest yet most dramatic additions to interiors and make a huge impact on the quality of the ceiling. Even low ceilings can be treated to provide interest and visually increase the ceiling height. Install medallions and rosettes " To attach a ceiling medallion Nrstdetermine and mark the centre point on the ceiling, and then drill a hole at the centre point in the ceiling.<br><br> " If you choose an intricately detailed rose, we recommend that you Nnishtheproduct before installation. Paint the decorative part of the ceiling rose in your desired colour, or apply any paint effect, and allow to dry. Touch up any areas after mounting.<br><br> " Lightly dampen the back of the ceiling rose to prevent excessive moisture suction. Cover the entire back of the rose with a layer of Rhino Art Adhesive to more or less the thickness of a Nnger. " Drill a hole in the centre of the rose, and at regular spaced intervals around the outer area.<br><br> Push a screwdriver through the holes in the ceiling rose to make a hole in the ceiling. " On the other side of the ceiling, secure timber (brandering) in which to screw the rose. Press the ceiling rose NrmlyontotheceilingandNx it with screws through the holes in the ceiling rose and ceiling into the brandering.<br><br> " Fill in any indentations with Spackle or PolyNlla, and touch up with paint once dry.. NOTE: If installation a ceiling rose over an existing light @ttingorfan,ensurethatthepower is switched off at the main circuit board. ABOVE and BELOW: For exceptionally high ceilings, add crown moulding where the wall meets the ceiling and then, approximately one foot below add a small decorative trim, or recessed lighting.<br><br> Ceiling medallions add interest, while highlighting decorative light Nxtures.Theyarealsotheleasttime-consuming project and one that you can easily do yourself. When choosing a medallion consider the design features of the setting and maintain a sense of proportion between the medallion, the light Nxtureand the rest of the room. In today 9s modern interiors, decorative ceiling roses and medallions are becoming popular decor items.<br><br> They can be visible or understated. Ornate medallions come with elaborate carvings that are coloured or more commonly, gilded or given a faux paint effect to bring out the design and serve as stylish backdrops for chandeliers, light Nxtures,orceilingfans. From simple designs to elaborate Ngurines, bas-relief holds a lot of promise in the realms of ceiling decor.<br><br> In a small room, simple designs can adorn the ceiling, especially along the borders. For subtlety, the relief is usually painted the same colour as the ceiling. For grandeur, colours as well as gilded patterns are used with each relief.<br><br> Faux paint techniques and kits, such as those offered by Rust-Oleum, allow a wide range of decorative possibilities for ceiling medallions. LEFT (top to bottom) Distressed ivory given a light spray of antique gold spray. Willow green crackle Nnish.<br><br> Metallic silver spray Metallic gold spray Home-Dzine online 9 decorative rosettes and medallions A ceiling can just be a ceiling, however it can also be your new way of incorporating a sense of style and personality into your home. After all it is your home, create with it what you please. Medallions, and crown moulding are an inexpensive way to create a look that 9s all your own.<br><br> These decorative features look good around a Nxture,bythemselves,orassimple decoration. Take a new view of your ceiling, and imagine the effect that can be created with a decorative moulding. image - ara Home-Dzine online 10 crafting with dremel It 9s so easy to create custom art with your Dremel MultiTool.<br><br> This is a great project for beginners, as it lets you practice as your create! All you need is a 300 x 300mm block of 12mm SupaWood for the base, 4 blocks of 6mm supawood 200 x 200mm, 5 blocks of 3mm supawood 200 x 200mm, wood glue, Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Spray, and your Dremel 300. Dremel 300 series with High Speed Cutters 191 and 192 Here 9s how: 1.<br><br> Apply a layer of wood glue over the entire base/back board. Don 9t be stingy as supawood is very absorbent, but don 9t pile on too much as it will only squeeze out of the sides. 2.<br><br> AfNxthe[4]200x200mm6mmsupawoodblocksinnorth,east,south, west positions and press Nrmly. Fillintheremainingpositionswiththe 3mm supawood blocks. Leave the glue to dry.<br><br> 3. Spray the entire project with Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Spray, or use gloss spray if you prefer. Leave to dry.<br><br> 4. Use a steel measuring rule to mark out lines on the individual blocks to create your desired pattern of vertical and horizontal lines, and dots. 5.<br><br> With the high speed cutters 191 and 192 etch out your lines and grind out the dots. Practice on a spare piece of block before you tackle the actual project, to get a feel for the tool. Use your steel rule to guide you if you need help with the lines.<br><br> Lightly guide the Dremel 300 along the rule. DIY Tip: As this is an ethnic design, don 9t worry about perfectly straight lines - it 9s not meant to be perfect! Finishing Use a wood oil to wipe clean and enhance the colours of the painted and carved wood.<br><br> Use the 192 cutter to create a hole in the back of the board on which to hang your art. easy! baby doll headboard Make your little girl happy this weekend by constructing this sweet headboard to doll up her bedroom.<br><br> The perfect place for dolls - A headboard that doubles as a display case. Here 9s how: 1. Have all your timber cut to size at your local Timbercity.<br><br> 2. Lightly sand the pine blocks for smooth edges. Mount the pine blocks onto the 6mm back board with wood glue and screw from behind the board.<br><br> Position one block at each corner, and one in the centre of the top and bottom (see pic right). Leave a 3mm gap at the top and bottom to Ntthe6mm shelves. 3.<br><br> Glue the [4] x 6mm supawood shelves onto the blocks. 4. Design a doll-shaped stencil and use this to mark out 6 dolls.<br><br> 5. Cut the doll shapes from corrugated plastic, or use your Dremel MultiTool to cut out shapes from 3mm perspex . Tape the dolls together across their backs.<br><br> Push the dolls into place through the open ends of the headboard. DIY Tip: If using a Dremel MultiTool to cut perspex, cut from left to right. Start with a rough cut and then @nishoffwitha more detailed cut, sanding around the edges.<br><br> 6. Drill a hole through each of the corner pine blocks and then attach the headboard to the wall with screws and wall plugs. 7.<br><br> Paint the supawood in your choice of colour. You can use any water-based, acrylic paint. Finish with a water-based glaze coat for added protection.<br><br> source - do it yourself magazine You will need: [4] 6mm SupaWood 60 x 1000mm [1] 6mm SupaWood 600 x 1000mm [6] 50 x 50mm pine x 60mm long Wood screws Corrugated plastic, or perspex Wall plugs and screws TOOLS: Drill/Driver, Jigsaw, Impact/ Hammer Drill, Dremel MultiTool with cutting disk or scroll saw. Buy perspex offcuts from www.plasticworld.co.za Home-Dzine online 11 make in a day! Home-Dzine online 12 Here 9s how: 1.<br><br> To cut shelf openings in the front panel use a pencil to draw the outlines of openings in front panel. Then use a drill and 10 mm wood drill bit to bore a hole in each corner so that the edge of the drilled hole only barely touches the pencil lines, but does not intersect with them. 2.<br><br> Insert jigsaw blade into one of the holes. Cut out the opening along pencil line from one hole to the next. If you have a router with a parallel guide, you can also use this to complete the cutouts.<br><br> 3. Place the front panel on the rear panel exactly as the pieces will be positioned once fully assembled. Use a pencil to copy the outlines of front panel cutouts on rear panel.<br><br> Remove the front panel again. 4. In pencil, draw a line 8 mm below cutouts on back of front panel and front of rear panel.<br><br> Make Nveholes measuring 10 mm in depth along each of these four You will need: 19mm PG Bison Supawood Dowel template and marking points 8mm wooden dowels Countersink bit Wood glue, cloth, clamp clips Sanding paper -120 3 240-grit Folding rule, soft pencil, rubber, pencil sharpener Roller for applying base coat, primer Rust-Oleum Spray Paint Putty or wood putty TOOLS: Jigsaw, sander, drill, cordless screwdriver, router (optional) modern light box You can add a special atmosphere to every room, even using artiNciallight.Our wall-mounted light box is a brilliant example of how to give your rooms an exclusive touch. What 9s more, you can display small items in the two illuminated rectangular compartments contained in the light object. some diy knowledge req uired lines, following the distancing intervals in the illustration.<br><br> You will use these holes later to mount the shelf supports for the perspex bases. The hole diameter is determined by the type of shelf supports used. Please note: Do not drill all the way through!<br><br> Ideally, you should use a depth stop. 5. Drill dowel holes in front panel sides and front panel.<br><br> Since screw holes would disNgurethefrontpanel,use wood glue and dowels for the joints. (If you plan to paint the front panel in colour anyway, you can also fasten the front panel sides from the front with screws). The holes will then be concealed by wood Nllerandpaint.<br><br> Position the front panel sides on the back of the front panel where you want to mount them. Use a pencil to mark the outlines and positions. In the case of corner or T-joints, we strongly recommend using a drill template and marking points, or dowel templates as they are known.<br><br> Measurements and markings alone will not be sufNcienttopositiondowel holes precisely enough so that they lie exactly Oushwith each other. 6. Using a drill and 8mm wood drill bit, bore three dowel holes in the front edges of the front side panels.<br><br> Copy the positions of the holes using dowel templates to the back of the front panel. A drill template is a device that is attached to the workpiece by means of a screwing mechanism. This device guides the drill bit vertically through a metal collar directly into the wood.<br><br> A dowel template is a metal pin with marking point. You insert this pin into the holes on the front side so that you can transfer their positions. To do this, you press the predrilled workpiece precisely in position on the surface of its counterpart.<br><br> 7. Glue the front panel and front panel sides together. Apply glue to the dowel holes and the gluing surfaces of the front panel sides and then insert the wooden dowels.<br><br> Once you have also applied some glue to the holes in the front panel, join all the pieces together. Clamp the joints using clamp clips. Important note: Use clamp clips to press all of the glue joints carefully until the glue has dried.<br><br> Refer to the manufacturer 9s instructions. While pressing the joints, use pieces of scrap wood as buffer blocks to distribute the pressure evenly and avoid leaving unsightly pressure marks on the workpieces. Wipe away any excess glue immediately with a damp cloth.<br><br> Dowel tips Use a wood drill bit to drill holes with the dowel radius into the two pieces that you want to join. The two drilling depths should amount to the dowel length plus 2 mm. For this reason, you should ideally use a drill bit with a centring tip and a depth stop: the latter is a locating stop ring with a setscrew that is Bxedto the required drilling depth on the drill bit.<br><br> Never drill a hole that is deeper than two thirds of the material thickness. Home-Dzine online 13 8. Now lie the front section of the light box on its display side.<br><br> Using a cordless screwdriver and Oatheadscrews (2.4 x 16 mm), Ntthetwolowerlightsbelowthecutouts and rows of boreholes. Fit the third light in the same way above the top cutout. While Nttingthelights,makesurethatallcablesare laid in the same direction.<br><br> You can then guide them downwards through the opening between the perspex base and front side panel and connect them there to a triple plug. This plug is then Nttedinturntothebackof the front panel. As a result, you only require one cable to supply electricity to the light object.<br><br> 9. Connect the rear panel to its (slightly narrower) sides so that these are Oushwiththeouteredgesatthefront. All you need for assembly in this case are Oathead screws (4 x 50 mm) since the overlapping front panel will conceal these from view.<br><br> Predrill the screw holes in the rear panel. Countersink these holes so that the screw heads are Oushwiththesurface. 10.<br><br> Now Nxtherearpanelsectionofthelightboxtothe wall. To do this, use a drill and 8mm wood drill bit to predrill the rear panel. Do not forget to countersink the holes.<br><br> Make sure that the two suspension holes are at the same height. Copy the positions of the boreholes to the wall. Use a Bosch PDO Detector to ensure that there are no lines or cables in that particular part of the wall.<br><br> 11. Depending on the wall construction, use a drill or rotary hammer and 6 mm masonry drill bit to drill holes in the wall, then extract the dust and insert the Nxings. Screw in the appropriate screws with the cordless screwdriver.<br><br> 12. You can now slide the front section onto the rear panel structure: this job should ideally be carried out by two people. Move the front section to the correct height and screw it in place with the cordless screwdriver and Oatheadscrews(4x35mm)through the predrilled holes.<br><br> Refer to the tip above about screwing together two pieces of wood. 13. Fill in any screw holes with wood Nller.Oncedry,sand the area smooth using 120-grit sandpaper.<br><br> Apply a primer of Prominent Premium Matt (white) to the surfaces, and once dry lightly sand with 400-grit sandpaper for an ultra-smooth Nnish. The simplest solution for the perfect Nnishistouse Rust- Oleum Painter 9s Touch Spray Paint . Spray on 2 coats, allowing drying time between coats.<br><br> Bosch PDO Detector You should play it safe if you want to drill in walls: this handy digital detector from Bosch enables you to Bndlive cables, pipes or girders and frames made of metal, as well as wooden substructures with the highest precision and safety. source - bosch Home-Dzine online 14 540 19 1322 19 1360 80 1520 80 160 1200 160 60 60 660 160 120 100 120 160 90 139 19 158 19 cutting diagram for lightbox PRINT OUT THIS PAGE FOR A CLEAR COPY Home-Dzine online 15 as smooth as glass Generally speaking, sanding is a technique used to remove small amounts of material from a wood surface. Coarse abrasives can speed up the sanding process.<br><br> They also can be used to make an uneven surface more level - especially if you follow up with a Nnergrit. Sanding Tips " When sanding Oatsurfacesbyhand,be sure to support the sandpaper with a wood, plastic, or rubber sanding block. This helps prevent spot pressure from your palm or Nngers,whichcancreateanunevensurface.<br><br> You 9ll also want to make sure you always sand in the direction of the wood grain - never across it. " For a perfect Nnish,startwitha120-grit sanding pad for your Random Orbit Sander. Wipe down the surface with a slightly damp sponge to remove all traces of dust.<br><br> Once the wood has dried, sand it down again; this time, use a 240-grit sanding pad. Wipe down the surface for a second time with a slightly damp sponge and let dry. The third sanding run is done 3 again with a 240-grit sanding pad.<br><br> Use a soft brush to clean the surface and then apply sealer, varnish, wax or paint. " Even though power sanders are relatively safe tools, you 9ll want to use them with caution. It 9s also a good idea to wear a dust mask when using a power sander for any extended period.<br><br> The right way to sand If you 9ve ever admired the glass-smooth surface a master woodworker achieves, you 9ve appreciated the capabilities of using right tool. And even if you don 9t have the same experience or skill level, you still can achieve impressive results Sanding is part of the preparation required for virtually every type of surface treatment work. However, you will also require different sanding tools for the various Nnishes: The delta sander is suitable for working on corners; the random orbit sander can sand both Oatandslightlycurvedsurfaces.The orbital sander is used for material removal on smaller Oatsurfaces;thebeltsanderis used for sanding down large Ooorsurfaces.<br><br> Orbital sanders and delta sanders have hardly any risk potential but the sanding dust must be constantly extracted. Random orbit sanders do not require any protective devices, either. As long as you hold the tool with both hands at the intended grip positions, nothing can go wrong.<br><br> In contrast, working with belt sanders demands a certain amount of practice. In order to prevent the machine from spontaneously accelerating forwards when it is lowered onto the workpiece, the belt sander always has to be applied very carefully. You should also hold the machine Nrmlywithoutpressingtoohard.<br><br> Sand all materials in several steps with increasingly Nnergrit(fromgrit80to240-grit sanding paper). Always move the sanding machine along the grain of the wood, never across it. source - bosch Home-Dzine online 16 Home-Dzine online 17 investigate what lies beneath Buying a home is risky business.<br><br> After a lengthy search, you 9ve found your perfect house in the right suburb but neglected to investigate what lies beneath the surface. Sellers in South Africa hide behind the 8voetstoots 9 clause and can get away with a myriad of undetected defects. cAs a buyer you need to do your home- work d, advises Eric Bell, CEO of Inspect- A-Home, a national home inspection company.<br><br> cBuying a home will probably be one of the most expensive investments you ever make 3 you don 9t want to rush into it without checking out some key elements. d Bell recommends a thorough examination of the home, paying particular attention to the following: Damp Do you notice signs of paint blistering or peeling off in places ? You might also see dark stains or a white powdery substance on the walls, ceilings and the inside of cupboards. This could be an indication of damp and, depending on the severity, could be quite expensive to repair.<br><br> Leaky Roofs A good time for house hunting is on rainy days, especially if you are looking at buying an older home. Look for evidence of a leaking roof 3 do you notice any water marks on the ceiling boards, are there any dried streaks running down the walls ? Repairing a leaking roof can be extremely costly so ask the agent to Nndout if there are any problems with the roof.<br><br> Gutters Does the home have gutters ? If so, are they in proper working order? Check for holes, visible gaps, broken off ends and also ensure that the drains/gullies are clear of debris and look unblocked.<br><br> Poor storm water management can cause subsidence of the foundations, which will cause cracks to appear. Cracks Most homes do have some light plaster cracks and these are not cause for concern. However, if you notice large cracks in the walls it would be best to have them analysed as these could be structural cracks, which could impair the integrity of the wall structure.<br><br> If underpinning of the foundations and metal stitching of the cracks is required, be sure that there will be a large bill attached! Swimming Pool Ask the agent to Nndoutifthepoolmotorand the Nltrationsystemareingoodcondition. How old is the pool and has the motor been repaired before?<br><br> If it is a new pool, ask for a copy of the plans and the guarantee. Check the pool paving, is it in good condition and are there expansion joints in the paving around the pool ? Can you notice any cracks on the steps or in the pool ?<br><br> Home-Dzine online 18 Plumbing Turn on the taps to check the water pressure and ask the agent to Nndouthowoldthe geyser is. If it is an old geyser, make sure that it is covered by your insurance policy. Your insurance might want the geyser installation updated to comply with the SANS 10254 regulations.<br><br> Another tip: Oushthetoilets,check the base and behind it to see if you notice any leaks. Paint Does the home look like it has just received a new coat of paint? Most agents advise sellers to paint their homes before placing it on the market.<br><br> However, sometimes a fresh coat of paint is used to hide things more sinister. Ask the agent if you can look inside the cupboards as often sellers touch up the walls but leave the cupboards in their original state. The inside of the cupboards might reveal cracks, damp or even tubes of PolyNlla.<br><br> Ifyoudocomeacross these, you need to investigate further. Home Inspection A professional home inspection is a worthwhile investment. Inspectors are trained to detect defects and they perform a thorough inspection from the roof cavity (check the integrity of the roof trusses) through to the boundary wall.<br><br> They issue a detailed report, supported by photographs, highlighting areas of concern and what maintenance needs to take place to rectify any problems uncovered. They will also provide clients with an estimated cost to repair the items identiNedandthiswill provide you, the buyer, with a tool to negotiate a more realistic price. Home-Dzine online 19 Visit GardenShop to download the latest issue of GardenTalk Home-Dzine online 20 Home-Dzine online 21 heavenly hammock Rock-solid posts and overhead shading make this hammock the perfect retreat on hot summer days.<br><br> All you need to do is to add the hammock. You will need: (Use only quality treated pine) A [2] 140 x 140 x 3000mm posts B [1] 38 x 184 x 4877mm ridge C [4] 38 x 140 x 1960mm crossties D [8] 38 x 235 x 1188mm brackets E [2] 38 x 140 x 4877mm boards F [12] 38 x 184 x 1067mm rafters G [15] 25 x 68 x 4877mm slats HARDWARE: 50-80mm wood screws, 8x65mm galv. lag screws, 8x90mm lag screws, 8x100mm lag screws, 12x100mm screw eyes, washers, 12mm fender washers, chain.<br><br> Concrete mix, wheelbarrow, shovel TOOLS: Circular saw, drill and bits, wood chisels, screwdriver 1. Notch and drill your posts before you set them in concrete. Make the top notch for the ridge board by drilling a 40mm hole through the post and then hand-sawing from the top to the edges of the hole.<br><br> Also drill the 12mm diameter hole 300mm from the bottom for the No. 4 rebar. Follow the measurements on the drawing and cut 32mm deep notches for the crossties (see pic 1.) To cut the cradle for the ridge, measure down 82mm from the top of the post and place a mark in the middle.<br><br> Make an identical mark on the opposite side of the post and drill halfway through the post from each side. Cut from the top down to the hole edges to form your notched cradle for the ridge board (B). 1 For the side notches, make multiple passes with your circular saw set at 30mm deep and then clean out the debris with a wood chisel.<br><br> 2 source - family handyman expert Home-Dzine online 22 Home-Dzine online 23 3 Dig a hole 600mm deep x 300mm wide. Screw a cleat 300mm from the bottom of the post to hold it at the correct depth. Drill a pilot hole, then drive a 400mm long piece of rebar through the post to help bond it to the concrete.<br><br> (see pic 2). 3. Plumb the posts with a spirit level.<br><br> Drive stakes into the ground and screw temporary supports to hold the posts as the concrete sets. Mix your concrete. Angle it slightly to drain water away from the post.<br><br> (see pic 3.) See DIY Tips below before continuing with the next step. 4. Set one end of the ridge into a notch and then walk to the other end and drop it into the opposite notch - a second pair of hands will be extremely helpful at this time.<br><br> You may need to tap the ridge to get it completely seated. Fasten it to the posts with 90mm lag screws set off-centre and one on each side. 5.<br><br> Cut your curved parts while you wait for the concrete to set. Cut your curved brackets (D) from 50 x 250mm pine following the pattern in Fig. B.<br><br> Clamp the brackets to a work surface to keep them from rocking as you sand. Sand both edges and keep the belt sander moving to smooth the curves. You can also lay out the curves with a trammel (large homemade compass) by simply drawing the inner and outer radii of each piece on your timber.<br><br> Use a large deep-throated jigsaw blade for an even curve. A regular blade is thinner and shorter and could wander in thick material. 6.<br><br> Centre the crossties on the post notches and then lag-screw each one to the post with 8 x 60mm lag screws. 4 5 DIY Tips: Dig your holes 600mm deep and 300mm wide. Smaller holes with less concrete may cause the posts to loosen over time.<br><br> If you have a slight slope from post to post, adjust the cleat upon the lower-elevation post so your structure will be close to level. Once the posts are straight up and down, run a string line across the bottom and tweak the posts so their faces are perfectly aligned. Mix your concrete to a @rm,creamyconsistency.Scoopintotheholeanduseastickto pack it in around the post.<br><br> Wait at least two days before adding to the structure. 6 Home-Dzine online 24 8. Centre the 50 x 150mm fascia on each side and align the lower edge with the point on the crossties.<br><br> Drive 80mm screws through the fascia board into the crossties. 9. Brace the fascia temporarily to take out any bow.<br><br> Clamp one end of the rafter to the fascia and screw the rafter to the ridge. Screw through the ridge into the rafter with a pair of 90mm screws at each end. Start with the centre rafter and then lay them out evenly toward each end.<br><br> 10. Install the top centre slat Nrst.Spacetheslatsevenly.Drive in nails every 125mm (from the top down) to help hold the slats in relative position as you fasten the far end. Screw in the slats, then pull the nails.<br><br> Straighten the slats as you screw them to the middle group of rafters. 11. Check the spacing at each junction to avoid wavy slats.<br><br> Screw the roof slats with 50mm screws into each rafter. 12. Drill a 10mm pilot hole and then drive a screw eye into the post.<br><br> Use a lever to help turn the screw eye. Finishing Once you 9ve Nnishedthebuilding phase of the project, seal the entire project with Woodoc Deck Sealer. This tinted low gloss sealer is especially formulated for porous wood decks and decking, such as pine and porous meranti.<br><br> It deep penetrates to nourish the wood and bond with it, forming a tough and hard-wearing, UV and water resistant surface Nnish-Asurfacethatdoesn 9tcrackandOake.Allitneeds for maintenance and refurbishing is a thorough clean down with Woodoc SteelWool and mineral turpentine and then re-application of Woodoc Deck Sealer. 8 9 7. Clamp your brackets in place and centre them onto the post.<br><br> Drill a 6mm deep recess with a 25mm spade bit, then drill a 6mm pilot holes for your 8 x 100mm lag screws (see pic below). 7 10 11 12 winners! Addis Paintware Sets Bronwyn Kennedy - Edenglen Gerhard Hefer - Roodepoort Ian Gomersall - Rooihuiskraal Sarah Ellis - George Addis Paintstick Doris Moloto Michelle Momberg - Goodwood Eric Brink - Germiston Rosemary Sauer - Uniondale Kathy Acutt - Pietermaritzburg Q zone Send your Q & A for decor, decorating and DIY dilemmas to home-dzine@iburst.co.za.<br><br> Q. Jo I have recently changed my old light Bttingsfor more modern ones but am left with holes in the ceilings. Please can you advise how I can repair the ceilings?<br><br> A. Janice You can BxupholesintheceilingwithPolyBlla Interior. Lightly sand around the holes to get the surface smooth.<br><br> Fill in with PolyBlla-useyour Bngertipasit 9slessmessythanusingascraper. Leave to dry and then lightly sand. Since the PolyBlladrieswhiteyoumightnotevenhaveto paint over it.<br><br> Q. Jo I have seen wooden picture frames that have been treated to look like rusted metal, can you tell me how this is done. A.<br><br> Janice That 9s where the Rust-Oleum paint kits come in very handy - they supply everything in kit form that you will need. The Antique Rust is exactly what you need to turn a wooden frame into a rusted metal frame. Q.<br><br> Jo The grouting in the Coormosaicsinmyshower is looking really grotty and I would to remove and replace it. Please advise the easiest method to remove the grouting. A.<br><br> Janice While there is no easy way to remove grout, if the grout is not cracked or damaged and simply needs refreshing, you can remove 4-5mm of the surface and regrout. You can purchase a grout remover from select hardware stores and Builder 9s Warehouse. Or, alternatively, you can get yourself a Dremel MultiTool with a grout removal attachment.<br><br> Although the latter option is obviously more expensive, once you have a Dremel MultiTool you will be amazed at what you can actually use it for! RIGHT: Dremel Grout Removal Attachment Q. Phindiwe I want to put rhinolite on my ceiling but the problem is that they already have straps, so I was told that the straps will crack the rhinolite and show.<br><br> I cannot take them out and put it new ones, but need to change the ceiling. What should I put on the straps that will cover them but also absorb the rhinolite. A.<br><br> Janice Whoever told you that you cannot put Rhinolite on the ceiling is correct. The construction is not stable enough and the Rhinolite will crack and Cakeoff.Thereisaproductthatisavailablefrom Builder 9s Warehouse that is perfect for ceilings. It is a polystyrene tile (about 5mm thick) that can be applied to the ceiling.<br><br> They are fairly large tiles and come in various designs. You can stick this onto the ceiling and then paint over it or leave it as it is. The ceiling is a tricky surface to work on, unless you have a concrete slab.<br><br> There is just too much movement. Why not try a painting effect for something different? Home-Dzine online 25 Links for this issue Bosch Power Tools for DIY CPW Flooring CPW Ceiling, Moulding, Wall products Decorating Centre Dremel MultiTools Garden Shop Home Comforts PG Bison Prominent Paints Rust-Oleum Timbercity Woodoc Need a back-issue of Home-Dzine Online?<br><br> CLICK HERE Want to subscribe? CLICK HERE Need to send us an email? CLICK HERE directory Be Creative!<br><br> With Rollerwall, turn the ordinary... into the extraordinary! Not just for walls Apply Rollerwall to doors, furniture, fabrics, curtains, and much more!<br><br> Buy hand painted canvas prints online at 8Go Shopping 9 Home-Dzine online 26

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