Friday, November 21, 2014

How to Clean Up a Backyard Sump Pump

Fig.1 Spraying grill
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Electrical breaker panel (turned back on)
Trash/Disposal can  
Water hose with spray
Water 
Wet Vacuum

This job is located in the City of Pomona, a multilevel condominium in a beautiful rural setting with mature oak trees and a well established community. Mrs. Baker lives near multiple trees and had an established slump pump that had been installed two year ago and set to automatically remove any water within an established level in the sump tank. The pump presently was not working. This is a  regular fall job that must be done before the wet weather comes to Southern California.   

This post shows the seven steps to cleaning out the backyard sump pump so it can be ready for the incoming storms.   

Step 1: Identify if the submersible sump pump is working. Fig.1 above show that a water hose with jet is removing any leave and dirt away from the sump pump grill and surrounding area. 
Step 2: Remove the plastic pump grill and look inside the tank. Fig.2 and fig.3 shows the pump is full of dirt, leave and other plants debris.
Fig.2 Sump pump tank
Fig.3 More floating plant debris
Step 3: Fig.3 shows the next move is to remove the large leaves and anything your fingers can grasp. If the wet stuff give you the creeps use a wet vacuum to remove the debris from the tank.
Fig.4 Large leaves
Step 4: Fig.5 shows the garbage that was removed from the sump pump and place on the trash can lid.
Fig.5 Trash removed
Step 5: Fig.6 and fig.7 shows the use a water hose with attached jet to remove the loose dirt and small debris from the tank. Flood the tank until the water is clear. Use the jet on the pump drain pipe to try to remove any possible blockages.
Fig.6 Overfill the sump pump tank
Fig.7 Clean water
Step 6: Fig.8 shows the sump pump was placed on automatic. Fig.9 shows the electrical breaker panel had turn itself off. Fill the tank with water and turn the pump back on.
 










Fig.8 Pump cleaned
Fig.9 Electrical panel
Step 7: Fig.10 shows that once the pump was turned on the water was forced out by the pump out of the drain pipe and onto the cement driveway leading the runoff away from the house.
Fig.10 Pump water removed


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Note: The DIY Advisor assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any jobs. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed contractor if in doubt about any steps on these posts. All names were changed to protect client's privacy. DIY Advisor. Reproduction of site content including photos without permission prohibited. All rights reserved. © Copyright 2011-

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Thursday, November 20, 2014

How to Repair a Damaged Can Opener

Fig.1 Feed gear
By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:   
Loctite® Adhesive Spray
Damaged manual can opener

This blog is about fixing and saving money. So when my manual can opener decided to take a holiday. The choice seemed simple, repair it. 

This post shows the four steps to repairing the feed gear and crank shaft and returning the manual can opener back to work. 

Step 1: This can openers has two handles that squeeze together so the two gear can lock onto the metal can. Fig.2 shows both gears. On the left side of fig.2 is the top gear, which is a circular sharp blade for cutting the top of the metal can. On the right of fig.2 is the bottom gear, which is also attached to the feed gear moving the can backward and the other side of this gear is the large black plastic handle that needs to be turned manually.
Fig.2 Can opener gears
Step 2: Inspect what is wrong with the kitchen tool. Find out why the manual can opener would not work? Fig.3 shows that the can opener is missing the handle. Without the handle the can opener cannot move the can backwards to cut the top. Fig.4 shows the black plastic handle.
Fig.3 Missing handle
Fig.4 Crank handle
Step 3: Fig.5 shows the black plastic handle is no longer secured on the crank shaft the metal spindle falls out of the chrome base. 
Fig.5 Crank shaft spindle
Step 4: Just pressing the black handle back on the crank shaft will not repair the can opener. During its parts installation the handle was melted over the crank shaft and thus fused itself to the metal spindle. Fig.6 shows that to make sure the handle is secured use a spray adhesive inside the black handle and put the spindle gear back into the can opener. Apply pressure on the black plastic handle until the handle is snapped into place. The adhesive will dry and the kitchen tool is ready for its next can. Fig.7 shows the can opener ready for its next can to open, this job is done. 
Fig,6 Spray adhesive
Fig.7 Repaired

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Monday, November 17, 2014

How to Make Redwood Raised Garden Beds


Fig.1 The plan
By Gary Boutin
Assembled by Jag

Supplies and Tools:
Claw hammer  
Cordless drill
Chip brush; one time use
Copper-Green Wood Preservative Spray
Leather work gloves  
Star Flat Head Wood Deck Screws #10 - 2-1/2 in. (Torx bit included)
Measurement tape
Miter box
Pressure Treated Lumber HF Brown Stain 2 inch x 6 inch x 8 feet (3)
Titebond Original Wood Glue, 16 fluid ounces

Jag stopped by his local The Home Depot for a special raised garden bed that he wanted to make for his wife. He came to the Anaheim Super Store - Lumber/Building Materials area for information and lumber cuts for his project. He needed to understand the difference between Treated Wood and Douglas Fir dimension lumber. 

This post shows the ten steps to assembling a special raised garden bed. 

Step 1: Arrive at your nearest The Home Depot and talk to an associate. If your project involves working with wood, ask for the location of Lumber/Building Materials.
Step 2: Explain the lumber associate about your project. For this project, fig.1 shows that Jag had his plans in his head and together we put the plans on paper.
Step 3: He looked at several thicknesses of lumber to help him decide which wood would last longer. Jag also was inquisitive about what type of metal screws to use on his project. We discussed the hardware and decided to purchase (Fig.2) DeckMate Star Flat-Head Wood Deck Screws #10 2-1/2 inch.  
Fig.2 DeckMate star flat-head 
wood deck screws
Step 4: We decided that the treated 2x6 lumber would be perfect against rot and last a long time in this dry California climate. Pressure-Treated Hem-Fir Lumber is for above ground use and is treated with Copper azole. This lumber has been stained Brown and is paintable. The Home Depot provides a Material Safety Data Sheet for treated lumber.
Step 5: As the raised garden is being assembled, the cut portion of the treated lumber will need to be painted with a Copper-Green Wood Preservative. This preservative protects the wood against the weather and wood eating insects. The Home Depot also provides a Material Safety Data Sheet for your review. 
Step 6: Floor assembly: Fig.3 shows that by placing the lumber on the floor, Jag saw how to secure the corner with two 2x6 lumber and where to drill the wood deck screws into the corner braces.
Fig.3 The assembly #1
Step 7: Floor assembly: First layer. Fig.4 shows that placing the first row on the floor showed him how to assemble the sides of the garden bed.
Fig.4 The assembly #2
Step 8: Floor assembly: First and second layer: Fig.5 shows that the wood was placed on top of each side showing Jag how to build up the walls.
Fig.5 Wood stacked second layer
Step 9: Fig.6 shows the 2x6x4 stacked on The Home Depot lumber cart. Fig.7 and fig.8 shows that each piece was marked to help Jag in the assembly. Fig.9 shows the wood cuts of treated lumber are ready to make his raised garden.
Fig.6 stacked ready to assemble 2x6x4
Fig.7 Long pieces
Fig.8 Short pieces

Fig.9 The project
Step 10: Before the project was finished, Jag had to cut the top piece of the project into 45° degree cut using a Miter Box. After the cuts the top pieces were applied with a Cordless Screwdriver driving in the deck screws into the walls. Fig.10 through fig.12 shows different views of the finished raised garden. All that needs to be done is planting the flowers for Jag's wife. 
Fig.10 Side view finished product
Fig.11 Top view finished product
Fig.12 Job finished finished product
Jag's e-mail note: Thanks you so much for your help today at Home Depot. Attached are the pictures of finished product. It came out really good, Jag. Fig. 10 through fig.12 are the three pictures sent by Jag for this post. 



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