We-Ha Fixer

12/03/2024

Some assembly required? Before you buy affordable flat-box furniture on Amazon, find out how many parts need to be assembled and how long that might take. I assembled a vanity desk and bench for a past client yesterday. I felt terrible it took me 8 nonstop hours to complete the 55 steps/59 pages, with all the right tools and experience. By my count, the box contained about 70 parts and more than 500 pieces of hardware to join.

I went online for guidance after the fact. It stated: "While customer reviews are not available, the product description states that assembly is easy and does not provide information about time requirement."

Way to go Amazon. I hope the client demands a full refund.

12/01/2024

Worthwhile stop at https://www.facebook.com/riverbendbookshop on Park Road on Small Business Saturday. Happy to see Tim Snyder's book on the shelf. It was timely in 2017, doubly so now. Regardless of how you voted last month, please read (or reread) this book. And support local book stores.

11/18/2024

If you have casement windows and spring-loaded internal screens be sure to leave a gap behind the window treatment brackets so you can lift the screens to get the bottoms in the slots. If the blind or shade brackets are too far back in the window frame you will not be able to remove the screens.

Sadly, I ran into this problem installing screens today at a beautiful $1.3 million Avon home. Actually, the guy who installed the windows when the house was built in 1993 was stumped when he tried last week. The screens had gone right in during construction. That was before the blinds were added.

11/15/2024

I stripped old wallpaper and painted after extensive plaster repair on a big job last week. Then I hung some of the new peel and stick wallpaper a client had bought on another job this week. The project turned out well with tight seams, excellent pattern match and no air bubbles. But I much prefer regular prepasted wallcoverings.

The key to hanging wallpaper is knowing where to start (and end) because that is where the pattern is unlikely to match. I started this one at the corner above the hinge end of the door because only eight inches met in the most inconspicuous spot.

11/04/2024

Back inside this week doing plaster repair, drywall, finish carpentry, and wallpaper removal. Took advantage of unseasonably warm weather last week for pressure washing, painting, staining and wood rot repair outdoors. That's a first for this late in the season.

09/14/2024

It has been a great week for repairing screens, pressure washing, repairing rot and painting gutters and trim in West Hartford.

09/06/2024

James Taylor has been a constant in my life since I was a guitar-paying kid. Got to see him live one more time in Bridgeport with Meghan last night (Father's Day gift worth waiting for). Primo center aisle seats. James is 76 but still has the magic. He signed merch and posed for selfies the entire intermission and disarmed passing trains with humor (I've seen fire and I've seen train...) I probably was singing Meghan "You can close your eyes" in that old photo. Apologies for the delayed We-Ha Fixer start this morning. It was a late night. No. Handyman was not on the set list.

09/05/2024

Before and After -- Removed carpeting from foyer and upper landing to expose original hardwood floors. Pulled nails and staples. Filled holes in risers and sanded skirt boards and risers. Finished with Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane (Semigloss tinted Crisp Linen to match surrounding woodwork). Eight hours for night and day transformation.

09/04/2024

When was the last time you cleaned the coils under your fridge? These reminded me of the VRBO commercial where the renters ask "Is there a door behind all these spider webs?" Your fridge will last longer and run more efficiently if you keep the coils clean.

When you pull the fridge out from the wall, be careful not to disturb the ice maker water line. And unplug the appliance before you begin.

This fridge also had a clogged defrost tube so melting ice flowed out the bottom of the freezer and onto the floor rather than into the tray under the appliance, where a little fan would help it evaporate.

08/26/2024

Old Bilco doors often don't get much respect. While they are irrelevant to curb appeal, they certainly can impact the view from the patio or deck. It took me a couple of hours to sand and paint this West Hartford bulkhead. Fortunately, the client agreed to scrub it down over the weekend so I could get right to work this morning. My preferred paint for neglected metal bulkheads is Benjamin Moore Super Spec Direct To Metal Alkyd maintenance coating from John Boyle Decorating Center.

08/23/2024

Pocket doors are a good alternative when the swing of a hinged door would create an obstruction, but they are much more challenging to fix if the rollers go off the track, the hardware pulls out of the door or the roller wheels need lubrication. I fixed a 60-year-old pocket door for a friend today. It involved removing the casing and the top and slot stops from one side, reinforcing stripped screw holes with toothpicks and wood glue and reassembling the hardware.

The most important thing to know is which side will provide access to the hardware nuts or screws. Hint: Probe for a notch in the door frame above the head stop.

Pocket door hardware has two components: the wheels that ride in the track and the brackets that secure the hanger bolts to the door.

Clean the track and lubricate the wheels while you have access. Then lift the door into position and slip the hanger bolts into the rollers. Secure the bolts with the nuts or screw and replace the stops and trim.

Pocket door hardware often comes with a thin, offset open-end wrench. It's a lot easier to tighten the nuts with the special wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Hangers-National-Upgraded-Quick-Release/dp/B0CGVJVRBG?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3SRI4RT5JNSNI

08/02/2024

Replacing a toilet seat is an easy, 5-minute DIY project, right? Well, not if you have a sleek, skirted Kohler Persuade Curv 1.6 / 1.0 GPF Two Piece Elongated Comfort Height toilet. I discovered this week that it was impossible to unscrew the bolts in the old seat because the inaccesible seat anchors just spun. There is no way to stabilize them to withdraw the bolts unless you have a special proprietary Kohler tool I didn't know existed. Lacking one, I had to saw off the old bolts with my oscilating multitool and punch the loose anchors through the holes in the stool.

Installing replacement anchors is even more fun. First order a nine-piece seat anchor kit (which includes 2 proprietary tools, 2 expanding metal anchors, 2 seat bolts, a setting bolt,a flat washer and a lock washer) for $32.25. The kit costs nearly as much as the new Kohler seat (which comes with its own bolts and anchors you toss).

The Fixer would like a word with the Kohler engineer responsible for this insane, overpriced design.

07/28/2024

Great time to contact We-Ha Fixer to address the maintenance, repair, installation, assembly and improvement projects around your home: Painting, drywall and plaster repair, pressure washing, deck restoration, dryer vent cleaning, smoke detector updates, baby gates, tweaking doors and locksets to close and latch without sticking or squeaking, replacing weatherstripping, replacing light fixtures, curtain rods, blinds and shades, wood rot repair, outdoor power equipment maintenance, drain cleaning, basement waterproofing... Email or text me for priority scheduling. - Tom

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07/18/2024

Hope you have been enjoying summer between the storms. I finally have caught up on We-Ha Fixer client and family projects and am available for new work (when not kayaking, cycling, camping and playing my many string instruments). Please email me today if you need painting or handyman help, including repair, maintenance, assembly, and construction. Include contact info and photos with your list for quick response and scheduling.

I also am available for consultations so you avoid pitfalls and ensure things are done right if you are planning to do it yourself or hire contractors for a big job. Think low cost peace of mind insurance. As a former national home improvement magazine editor, I still enjoy empowering others as much as doing the work. - The Fixer

06/07/2024

Kathy and I saw Ken Burns when Audie Cornish interviewed him in Hartford. He is a wise student and teacher of history. Everyone should consider his recent Brandeis commencement address, particularly the end.

Ken Burns, H’24 delivered the keynote address to the 2024 undergraduate class during the 73rd Commencement Exercises.Brandeis Commencement: https://www.brand...

05/08/2024

I encounter a lot of dogs on my handyman and painting projects. This Bernedoodle was on the job I finished today. He was the best: Handsome, chill and so well trained. I arrived with a few treats in my pocket the first day and we became fast friends. I will miss him.

03/28/2024

Locating studs to mount stuff on plaster walls is challenging because the vertical framing is recessed behind spaced horizontal wood lath, rough-coat plaster and finishing plaster. With drywall surfaces the studs are just 1/2-in. deep and easy to find. I've used a pro-grade Zircon MultiScanner ($74) with limited success in the past. I switched to a Mecurate MSF60A Stud Sensor ($26) today and am amazed how well it works on plaster walls. It also detects electrical cables and metal studs. Not surprised it is an Amazon's Choice product. I hang a lot of big paintings, heavy mirrors and curtain rods on We-Ha Fixer clients' older homes with plaster walls. The Mecurate is a priceless peace of mind addition to my toolbox.

03/14/2024

First big project since I returned to work. Huge room, high ceiling and lots of prep, but the paint job turned out great. I painted their old house in West Hartford before they listed it. Now I am helping at the new house. Not sure if the bathroom or deck will be next. Past clients and their referrals keep me busy.