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How long does it take to paint a bedroom?

Dave Farquhar DIY September 2, 2016July 16, 2017hardware store

How long does it take to paint a bedroom? Well, it depends. But I can tell you what it depends on, and how to make it take less time.

It depends on the tools you have. Or whether the bedroom is empty or furnished. It can even depend on the kind of paint you use.

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

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Patch screw holes in wood fast

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording August 11, 2016January 28, 2019

I was working with a construction professional to fix some doors in a rental house. We had some holes that didn’t line up, which meant we needed to patch them before we could drill new ones. He asked me for some toothpicks. It turns out toothpicks are a fast way to patch screw holes in wood.

Insert a toothpick in the old hole, along with a drop of glue, then break it off flush with the surface. Insert additional toothpicks as necessary.

Dave Farquhar

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Self stick vinyl tile in a basement

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording August 9, 2016October 22, 2022

Someone asked me if you can use self stick vinyl tile in a basement. The answer, usually, is yes.

Vinyl can be ideal for basements because it is inexpensive and water resistant.

Dave Farquhar

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How to fix loose vinyl tiles

Dave Farquhar DIY August 2, 2016September 1, 2017

Sometimes a vinyl tile pops loose. When it happens, it’s best to replace it with a new one. But if the tile is old enough, replacements may not be available. When that’s the case, here’s how to fix loose vinyl tiles.

First things first: if the tile is asbestos, just glue it back down, disturbing it as little as absolutely possible. That’s the safest thing to do.

Dave Farquhar

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Use thread sealing tape to keep screws and bolts from backing out

Dave Farquhar DIY July 8, 2016October 22, 2022Plumbing, PTFE

Frequently I have a problem with self-assemble furniture not holding together as well as I would like. The bolts back out over time the legs in our kitchen chairs get wobbly. Or a bolt from an office chair falls out completely and something that used to work stops working. If I don’t notice the mystery bolt on the floor and the malfunction on the same day, I get other problems. Here’s a trick to keep screws and bolts from backing out while still leaving it possible to disassemble the piece if needed.

Dave Farquhar

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Who makes Barracuda garbage disposals?

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording July 7, 2016April 4, 2023Emerson Electric, EZ, home improvement, InSinkErator, Waste King

Barracuda is a private-label brand of garbage disposal you can find at Menards home improvement stores. They are usually the least expensive disposal on Menards’ shelf. But who makes Barracuda garbage disposals?

Dave Farquhar

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Drain cleaner in garbage disposals

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording July 1, 2016February 17, 2017tin

Is it safe to use drain cleaner in garbage disposals? Generally, the answer is no. Unfortunately I speak from experience.

Dave Farquhar

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Lawn mower wheel height adjuster stuck? Free it!

Dave Farquhar DIY June 28, 2016September 17, 2023Lawn mower, WD

I had a lawn mower wheel height adjuster stuck hard a week or two ago. I bought it off a neighbor for $20, so I expected a few problems. I fixed it with a screwdriver and a hammer.

Dave Farquhar

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Hole in wall repair made easy

Dave Farquhar DIY, Landlording January 15, 2016February 3, 2022caulk

When fixing up a house or changing things around, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to patch some holes in the wall. Small nail holes are easy to fill with a bit of spackle applied with your fingertip, but bigger holes can be tougher, unless you know a couple of tricks that make hole in wall repair easy.

Dave Farquhar

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How to replace an AC power cord

Dave Farquhar DIY December 17, 2015September 2, 2017amperage, amps, power cord, tin

A damaged power cord doesn’t have to mean the end of life for a tool or appliance. Power cords are usually replaceable with simple tools and minimal expense. Here’s how to replace an AC power cord.

If you can open up the device, do this. Open it up, snip the bad cord off, tie a knot in the replacement cord and splice it onto the remainder of the old cord.

If you can’t open the device, do this instead. Snip the cord off above the defect, splice the replacement cord onto what’s left and insulate it well with heat-shrink tubing.

Here’s how.

Dave Farquhar

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