Today's P.I.T.S!

Today’s P.I.T.S!

Alan Graham

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2010 Alan Graham. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/12/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4490-9852-0 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-9851-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-9850-6 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010903175

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Introduction

My background in the construction and maintenance industries extends itself throughout my entire working career. Therefore, I felt the nature of a book like this should have been written by a person who is knowledgeable and experienced in the construction and maintenance industries. So I took a chance to share my wisdom and the results are what is printed in this book.

I am a veteran in the renovation and remodeling fields with more than three (3) decades of experience behind me. Beginning to climb the ladder of success from the level of a novice handyman, at the young age of 14 was not an easy task. My work history stems from working for apartment building landlords and private property owners in New York all the way up to owning my own minority-managed, maintenance-contracting company. My group of skilled tradesmen was and is still called

Graham Renovations. Our vast skills are primarily concentrated on interior, residential, renovations and remodeling of apartments, cooperatives, condominiums, duplexes, private homes, town houses and triplexes also.

My company was created on May 15, 1992. It was initially based in [The] Bronx, New York. I felt it was mandatory to relocate my business to the Southeast region of the United States due to extreme climactic inclemency’s in New York City.

I decided on a final location which would be more contusive to a calming, colorful, and comfortable climate of Florida’s sunny East coast; South Beach - Miami in June, 2004.

The following is a list of my academic and business-related accomplishments throughout my illustrious career:

Certificate: Residential Building Technician – April, 2010

Certificate: Nutrition (Cornell University) – February, 2010

Certification: Residential Plumber – January, 2010

New York certificate for a sole proprietorship, renovation company–January, 2010

Certificate: Building Construction Technology – August, 2008

Certificate: Employability Skills Training– October, 2007

Certificate: Electrician‘s Helper - March, 2007

Diploma: Real Estate Appraiser - July, 2006

Florida certificate for a sole proprietorship, renovation company- February, 2005

Certificate: Lifetime Membership (Handyman Club of America) - March, 2004

Diploma: Home Remodeling & Repair- June, 2003

Diploma: Home Inspector - August, 2002

Bachelor of Science: Residential Building Technology - June, 2001

Assisted with 24 home-building projects on the East Coast;

April, 1981-May, 2001 Technical High School Diploma: Architectural Drafting and Building Construction - June, 1981

Dedication

I decided to dedicate this book to all those who believed, loved and gave me support during my tediously laborious journey from nowhere to somewhere. My belief is that these amorous attributes were offered because I was perceived as a finisher not a quitter. The following individuals whom GOD put in my path throughout my life were; but definitely not limited to:

Of course, my parents – Eugene and Ruth Graham, My beautiful children and grandchildren, Edita A. Amaro, my ex-wife Brenda Lee Cuevas, Maria De Jesus, Selwyn Le Bourne - (my electrical guru), Zayda Lora, Carl McBean, Jeannette Medina, Anna Monroe, last but not least; the lovely Gidget Padilla

I’VE ALWAYS SAID THIS BOOK WAS CREATED FOR THE WEEKEND WARRIOR-ENTHUSIAST WHO HAS THE INTENT AND DESIRE OF COMPLETING THEIR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITHIN A WEEKEND"!

Acknowledgement

Many ‘Weekend Warriors’ need [and are in search of] a down-to-earth, uncomplicated, reference book to turn to when they have repair or renovation questions on their minds. This holds especially true during the beginning or partially through a weekend project that they are unfamiliar with. I feel this is the type of book readers have looked for on the internet, at local book stores or in a public library; but couldn‘t find it.

I have constantly come in contact with various "skilled tradesmen who were asked: What are your proficiencies in construction? Approximately 90% of them were quick to boast: I do it all! Well, I am "not that tradesman’. I have always lived by this motto: Whatever I proclaim to be good at, I am good at! I have never claimed to be, nor wanted to be an electrician, a full-time roofer, boiler or pool mechanic. Nevertheless, I have dabbled in those trades to a certain extent but in all good consciousness; not skilled enough in those fields to say I am competent working on them.

There are various terms and technical jargons (also known as fluff in the administrative circles) that are combined with other useless bits of dialogue which frustrates even the most diligent of readers and tradesmen alike. Reading that excess amount of boring information does not inform [nor leads you to find] the need-to know knowledge which you were initially in search of.

Readers don’t need to wade thru ‘miles’ of unwanted literature until they fall asleep! Do-it-yourselfers want accurate, clear, concise, easy-to-absorb, updated information they can use to make reasonable decisions about their renovation projects. Having a reference book like this is like having a tradesman standing next to you!

THIS BOOK IS INTENDED TO EDUCATE!

IT WILL NOT COMPLICATE OR MISLEAD YOU TO THE POINT OF FAILURE IN ANY OF YOUR PROJECTS!

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

CHAPTER 1 CARPENTRY TOOLS

CHAPTER 2 PLUMBING

CHAPTER 3 LIGHT–ELECTRICAL WORK

CHAPTER 4 TILING

CHAPTER 5 PLASTERING

CHAPTER 6 PAINTING

CHAPTER 7 LOCK INSTALLATIONS

CHAPTER 8 DRY WALLING (A.K.A. SHEET ROCKING)

CHAPTER 9 CARPET INSTALLATION

CHAPTER 10 GLAZING

CHAPTER 11 DOOR INSTALLATIONS

Notes

Glossary

CHAPTER 1

CARPENTRY TOOLS

1. Different Tools for different Jobs

(The following tool costs are estimated and will vary from region to region):

1.   25’ or 30’ tape measure - $10 to $30

2.   20 oz. straight-claw hammer - $15 to $25

3.   Torpedo level (9") - $7

4.    2’ level - $20 to $40

5.   3’ level (aluminum) - $16 to $20

6.   4’ level- $16 to $70

7.   3/8" Various speed reversible [cordless and or electric])

drill - $30 to $90

8.   Set of different sized and types of drill bits (1/8 up to 3/8) - $30 - $60

9.   Good quality Phillip (star-head) screwdriver - $10

10. Good quality flat screw driver - $8

11.  4-way (also known as a 6-way tool) screwdriver - $6

12. Set of quality, steel-butted wood chisels (½ to 1½) - $20 to $40

13. 2 cold chisels (for breaking stone and cement) ½ & 1 - $8 to $10 each

14. Chalk line (Pop line) - $8 to $10

15. 3 Carpenter’s pencils (flat & about ¾" wide) - $1.50

16. Interchangeable-blade utility knife - $6 to $15

17. Combination square (for making 45º and 90º angles) - $8

18. Speed square (a 6" triangle for making 45º and 90º angles) - $6

19. Orbital, square-faced or rectangular [long, hand-held] sander - $30 to $80 

20. Package of different grades of sandpaper - $6

21. Stud finder - $20 to $360

22. Safety goggles/glasses - $3 to $20

23. Hard hat - $12 to $25

24. An 18" combination (rip/cross-cut) hand saw - $20 to $40

25. A 7¼" circular saw inclusive of a combination bit - $40 to $225

PLUMBING TOOLS:

1.   2 pair of Channel Locks [blue-colored slip-joint pliers] (12") - $32

2.   1                                                                 (9") $14

3.   1                                                               (6’)$10

4.   14" aluminum pipe wrench - $44 (or a [heavier] 14" steel wrench - $26)

5.   Lump hammer (mini sledge hammer weighing between 3 to 5 lbs.) - $14

6.   Roll of Emory cloth (for roughing-off smooth surface of copper facing) - $4

7.   Bottle of flux (for anti-oxidizing of copper pipe’s surface) - $8

8.   Tank of Mapp Gas (yellow propane tank for sweating copper tubing) - $10

9.   Roll of sweat (copper tubing solder [Lead free, 95/5 or silver])

- $9 to $12

10. Fire shield (to prevent starting fire when sweating copper pipe) - $12

11. Hand-held mirror (to see if sweat flowed around copper pipe - $7

12. Adjustable wrench (10") - $12

13.                      (6") - $10

14. Combination wrench (open on one end and closed on the other) [5/8"] - $9

15.                                                                   [½] -$7

16.                                                                   [7/16] -$5

17. Pair of heavy-duty, leather-palmed work gloves - $5 to $20

18. Quality flashlight (w/ batteries) - $5 to $20

19. Pair of tweezers (for removing small items or hair from a drain line) - $5

LIGHT-ELECTRICAL TOOLS:

1.   Small hand-held electrical tester - $4

2.   Voltage tester - $20 to $40

3.   2 Pairs of needle-nose (bird’s-beak) pliers - $18 each

4.   Linesman’s pliers - $18 to $22

5.   Crosscutters (Diagonals) - $15

6.   3 colors of electrical tape (Black, Green and White) - $3 per roll

7.   1 roll (25 feet) of 12 - 2 Romex wire (optional [in case you want to add an additional outlet or switch in a room] - $15 to $19.

8.   A pair of medium strength density, all- rubber gloves (direct shock preventive) - $8

9.   Continuity tester - $ 17 to $39

TILING TOOLS:

1.   ½ X ½ X ½ notched trowel (for installing 18 x 18" tiles and larger) - $12

2.   ¼ x ¼ x 3/8              "          other sizes and types of floor and wall tiles - $10

3.   3/32" V-notched trowel (for the installation of clear-set (glue) for all flooring vinyl-sheet material-installations including an adhesive for reassuring the bond of self-adhering stick-on floor tiles). - $8

4.   At least 3 tiling sponges (these are the sponges that are yellowish-orange in color and are about 2 thick by 4 wide and 8" long). You want to constantly change sponges while working. - $3 each

5.   A medium density pair of rubber gloves (not plastic!) so any mortar, glue or constant contact with clean or dirty work-water will not adversely effect your skin - $6

6.   A 3"stiff (not flexible) scraper for mixing or removing excess mortar or grout (which can protrude up between the tiles - $7

7.   A package of nuisance (dust) masks so you don’t inhale dust from different mixable products (mortar, grout, etc.) - $4

8.    A grout float (preferably a green or black) forces grout into the space in between tiles - $11

9.   A tile cutter about 16 to 18 in length or a wet saw used exclusively for cutting ceramic, glass, granite, quartz, marble, Saltilito, and Terrazzo tiles to be installed on a floor or on a wall. These tools can rented from your local tool rental store or from almost any home remodeling center at a cost from $12 to about $60 per day per tool depending on where you rent your tools at.

PLASTERING and TAPING TOOLS:

1.   10" Metal taping knife - $17 to $20

2.   8                          - $14 to $16

3.   6                         - $12 to $15

4.   5                           - $8 to $10

5.   4                           - $7 to $ 9

6.   3                           - $6 to $8

7.    2                           - $4 to $6

8.    A quick changeable utility knife - $9 to $17

9.   A pair of disposable (white fabric not cotton) overhauls - $10 to $20

10.   A pair of lightweight (preferably cotton) work gloves - $2 to $4

11.   A painter’s hat or cap - $3 to $5

12.   Two rolls of "blue painter’s tape - $4 each

GLAZING TOOLS:

1.   A dependable caulking gun (my preference is the orange one) - $3 to $5

2.   You will need 2 tubes of glazing-caulking per window (inside and out) - $4 each

3.    Depending on the type, number and size of your window[s] to be repaired, you will depict