Eastbourne Handyman Jim

We're expanding!
This week Ralf has come on board. He's an experienced plasterer, and also enjoys the odd bit of brickwork! He will take the place of Graham who has moved to Felixstowe.
Ralf is young fit and healthy - all those things that I was once! Five weeks ago he became a dad for the first time, and is now champing at the bit to do a lot of work.
And thanks to Andi Emma Adam and Milo who deliver leaflets for Jim'll Fix we have a very busy diary. So if you need a Carpenter Plumber Electrician Painter Plasterer Gardener or Brickie give me a call.
Jim on 07930 335 937 or email me.

Plumbing: Change a ball valve on a toilet cistern

As a handyman I get called to many overflow problems.

There are many variations on this theme.

Whether its a toilet cistern, cold water tank, or the central heating header tank, the process is generally very similar.

I've taken a couple of photos while on the job to show you what neeeds to be done.

The object in question is a side entry low level cistern. It's probably the simplest to do.

In a ideal world the sequence is as follows:

1. TURN OFF THE WATER!

2. FLUSH TOILET!
(Let out at least some of the water)

________________________

3. DISCONNECT BALL VALVE FROM SUPPLY
(usually 15mm pipe - but not always)

_____________________________

4. UNDO BACK NUT AND REMOVE BALL VALVE
Normally two nuts hold the ball valve in place -
one on the inside and one on the outside.

5. FIT NEW BALL VALVE

Just reverse the order of doing the above.

Turn water on and check for correct function AND LEAKS!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again it's a simple process, but simple doesn't mean easy, and be aware, there are things that can go wrong.
If you are in any doubt - call me (Jim) on 07930 335 937.

What senior citizens are worth?

I have a very dear friend called Zena Parker. She's in the late summer evening of her life. She has every imaginable thing wrong with her, would be bed-ridden if she could manage to get into it, but despite all that she is STILL an absolute powerhouse of an 80 year old.
She never complains, never. I tell you this because I popped into see her on my rounds today, and she gave me this little poem/verse/prose (can someone explain to me the difference). It has nothing to do with handyman things, it's just a bit of fun.

We old folk are worth a fortune!
We’ve silver in our hair,
Gold in our teeth,
Stones in our kidneys,
Lead in our feet,
and gas in our stomachs!

I’ve become older since last I saw you,
and a few changes have come into my life.
Frankly, I’ve become a frivolous old woman.
I’m seeing six gentlemen every day!

As soon as I wake up Will Power helps me out of bed, then I go and see Jimmy Riddle and then it's time for breakfast with Mr. Kellogg followed closely by the refreshing company of Mr.Tetley or my other friend who I know only by his initials PG!

Then there’s someone I don't like at all - Arthur Itis. He knows he’s not to come, but he insists on being there, and what’s more, he stays all day and night. He doesn't like to stay in one place, so he moves me from joint to joint.

I’m also flirting with Al Zheimer -- I’d tell you more but I can't remember much about him! After such a hectic day, I’m always glad to get into bed with Johnny Walker

The Vicar came to call the other day and said at my age I should be thinking of the hereafter. So I told him I did, all the time, for no matter where I am -- the bedroom, the kitchen the sitting room or even in the garden, I ask myself,
" Now what am I here after "

Well I'll close now and hope that Will Power is your constant companion but do make sure that his friend Emma Royd doesn’t creep up on you from behind! And do watch for that crafty crafty so and so, Gerry Attric....

Bye for now Anonymous

Looking for DIY help?

As many of you will know, I am always searching the net for info on just about anything.
Here are a few sites that are full of videos. I didn't collate them together - it was the fellas at Dumb Little Man - Tips for life. Please pay them a visit at http://www.dumblittleman.com/
The following text comes from DLM - enjoy!
If you are looking for a project or need some help on a current one, there is a good chance the following sites will have something for you.
5min is a place to find short video solutions for any practical question and a forum for people wanting to share their knowledge.
About.com has a video library that is simple to explain. They have a ton...everything from scrambling eggs to staining furniture.
Expert Village is a repository of how-to videos and articles featuring advice from recognized experts in their fields.
SuTree is an online index and library for free video-based lessons, tutorials, lectures and how-to's.
VideoJug is every aspect of life explained and illustrated through an ever-growing number of common sense, informative, helpful and entertaining videos.From
ViewDo: "When the written word won’t suffice, and a picture can’t quite get the point across either, a ViewDo gives you the detail and perspective you need to get the job done."

Change a euro cylinder fitted into a lock

This morning I was a carpenter and plumber.
First I had to hang a door and then put up some shelves, and then I had to fit a new cistern in a downstairs cloakroom.

At the next call I had to change a euro cylinder in a patio door.
Many eurolocks are relatively simple to change, however it does depend on the design of the lock but the procedure for removal of a typical mortice lock in a door would be as follows:
Locate the screw which retains the cylinder (this will normally be approximately level with the bottom edge of the cylinder).
Remove the retaining screw.
Insert the key into the cylinder and turn the key around to line up the cam and enable the cylinder to be removed. It is not normally possible to change a cylinder with an offset cam when the keys have been lost. In these circumstances the cylinder may have to be drilled and the unless you know what you are doing I would suggest you give me a call.
The procedure outlined above may vary with some locks but the method is likely to be similar.
To install a new cylinder reverse the above directions.
If you don't wan't to do it yourself give me a call on 07930 335 937

An overview of how to grout tiles

I was asked by a customer today if I would give her an idea how to grout a worktop back splash herself. Here's a quick overview of what I suggested she needed to do.

Tile grout requires two main tools.
A good sponge.
A rubber float that has a crisp edge.
Floats can be found at virtually any tile shop.
Grout sponges are synthetic and have rounded edges.
You will also need two clean buckets.

Mix the grout in a bucket until it resembles the consistency of fairly stiff double cream. It should be able to stick onto a knife without any trouble.
As you begin to mix, the grout will probably seem lumpy.
Mix it for about two minutes and then just let it sit for a few minutes.
After the few minutes you will notice that the lumps simply disappear with a little more mixing. Pour tepid water into the other clean bucket.

Be aware during the next stage grout will get all over the tile and it’ll look a mess!
Starting at the highest point and working down, grouting about a half to a square metre at a time, apply grout to the tiles. Wet the rubber float, and using back and forth strokes, spread the grout across the tiles. Cross over the grout joints between tiles at a 45-degree angle while holding the rubber float at a 45-degree angle. The grout lines will look over full and messy at this point. Now pull the float across the tile at a 45-degree angle to remove the excess grout. Remove as much excess from the tile as possible with the rubber float.

Immerse your sponge in the bucket of clean water. Squeeze the sponge to remove ALL the water. Now gently rub the sponge across the face of the tiles in a circular motion. The sponge will quickly fill up with grout. Rinse it out and squeeze the sponge almost dry again. Do this over the area you grouted until the tiles looks fairly clean. The joints will still look quite rough. Rinse the sponge again, turn the sponge on its edge and run the sponge lightly up and down the grout line. Do this process over again on all grout lines and it will look first class. Remember to keep the sponge rinsed and dried. Remember to keep the water bucket reasonably clean

When you do everything properly, the joints will look perfect.
There will still be a haze on the tile.
Wait about an hour or so until the grout firms up, and remove the haze with a clean, almost dry sponge. Let the new grout dry for about 24 hours and then with a soft towel polish away any residual grout haze. Job done!

If you don’t fancy doing the job yourself – give me a call on 07930 335 937

Here's a list of things I do

I'm always being asked can you do this or can you do that
so here is a list in alaphbetical order of some of the things I can do

Add or remove shelving
Aviaries built
Bathroom accessories hung
Bird houses built
Blinds installed
Bookcases made to measure
Cat enclosures
Carpentry & Joinery
Ceiling fans installed
Central Heating*
Wardrobe organizers installed
Clothes Dryers
Decks and Decking
Dog Kennels
Doors hung, repaired, or adjusted
Dual Flush Toilets Installed
External Painting*
Fencing & Gates
Fireplaces installed
Fixtures installed or replaced
Flat Pack Kits Assembled
Garden Maintenance
General Repairs*
Glazing*
Hanging pictures and whiteboards
Hardware replaced
Hardwood floors
Install curtain poles
Install Fly screens
Install Hand rails
Internal Painting*
Landscaping & Gardening *
Light fixtures installed or repaired
Locks fitted
Mailboxes installed
Maintenance
Mirrors hung
New appliances installed
Outdoor grill/fireplaces
Painting & Decorating*
Pergolas
Pet Doors
Pet flaps
Picture hanging
Plumbing
Pressure Cleaning*
Renovation
Repair simple leaks
Replacement of Sash Cords
Roofing Repairs*
Rot repair
Shelving
Shower doors installed
Skylights*
Small repairs
Smoke Detectors
Staircases & Handrails
Storage sheds
Swing sets
Switches replaced
Toilets installed or replaced
Trim carpentry
Vent fans installed
Waste Disposals installed or repaired
Weather stripping
Window Shutters
Windows & Locks
Windows repaired

if you need help give me a call on 07930 335 937

Dripping toilet overflow

If your toilet/water tank/CH header tank overflow is dripping, there's probably a problem with the Ball valve - occasionally it can be the ball itself.

If the washer inside the valve is faulty, replacing the washer in a ball valves is false economy! Replacing the ball valve is by far the best solution, it's relatively simple to do
Here's a brief overview of the procedure
First, isolate the water supply to the cistern/tank, then you'll probably need to bail out some water using a small jug or cup. Using a large spanner or water pump pliers undo the nut holding the water supply pipe to the Ball valve and disconnect. Undo the nuts which are holding the valve to the cistern. Refit the new Ball valve and tighten all nuts before reconnecting the water inlet pipe to it. Let the water in Check for leaks Make sure the new valve operates freely. Reward yourself with a cup of tea. You deserve it In an ideal situation it's a very simple procedure, but that doesn't mean it can't go wrong . If you are in any doubt call me on 07930 335 937.

Install a concealed hinge (eg. Cupboard)

Yesterday, I was asked twice(!) how to install a kitchen/wardrobe hinge.
So I decided to make a quick video to save me trying to explain.
From thought to finished production took ten minutes, so don't expect Stephen Spielberg quality!