May 2018

Leaking Hose Bib

Ok, so a regular client called with a leaky outside hose bib, i.e., the faucet that you hook up a hose to for watering shrubs and such. As I so often do, I said, great, I will come right over. Quick and easy service call.

Well . . . . not so fast.

So the process is pretty straight ahead. First you try tightening the packing nut. If that doesn’t work, you unscrew it and replace the rubber washer.

Again . . not so fast.

Predecessors had dealt with this thing which was probably 50+ years old before, and that packing nut . . was ON THERE. Like Godzilla had tightened it. So, I applied penetrating oil several times over 2 days, and FINALLY I was able to loosen the packing nut. I can’t tell you how satisfying it was to finally make it move.

So . . . Done? Pull out the handle and stem? NOT SO FAST. At the top of the threads there is a metal washer, and this thing was rust-welded on there, So I had to pry it off. and FINALLY . . . OUT.

So, off to Ace Schwarz Hardware, where Brendan was magical in helping me get the old rusted washer screw out, finding the right new washer, and providing new packing material for the blown metal ring. And, VIOLA:

It WAS leaking, but NOW IT AIN’T.

Normally I shy away from plumbing stuff, as pressurized water is just too dangerous, but I will do work on outside fixtures, as worst case we soak the lawn.

Dryer Vent Fix

So a very nice lady, new client, asked me to come over and fix some paint blemishes. In looking around for a place to get a sample I noticed that her dryer vent had come loose. Apparently the cleaning lady had moved the dryer and the way the vent had been installed did not allow for any moving about.

This kind of thing is not good. It means the damp lint-filled air coming out of the dryer is coming into the living space. And this was a gas dryer so carbon monoxide was coming in too. Not to mention the smell of the fabric softener etc.

So, off to home depot. I got a flexible piece of vent pipe and some foil tape and fixed it up.

It was a difficult problem because the gas pipe is right where the exhaust vent is, so they are competing for the same space, but I was able to work around it. And now if the cleaning lady or anyone else moves the dryer, it has some flex and won’t come loose. Of course, whoever did the previous install also failed to install a clamp on the vent where it meets the dryer exhaust, so, more to do. The stuff I see! Amazing.

Welcome to my Handyman Blog

Recent posts:

Tenant Changeovers

The Smoke Detector Always Chirps Twice

Drop Cloth Mania

Harder than Chinese Algebra /

And Still More Lint (Under My Frij and Yours)

Mapping a Panel / Lint Lint Lint

Lockpicking 101 / Fixing a Wet Drop Ceiling

Hi there and thank you for visiting my handyman blog. My name is Justin and I work in Metrowest Boston (MA) (i.e., Newton, Waltham, Belmont, North Cambridge, and so on). The best way to contact me is to send pictures of your issue(s) to me at handyauthor@gmail.com.

So let’s get right to it. Here is a list of the most common jobs I do for folks. Note I am not a former construction guy; I do mostly smaller jobs:

deal with doors that don’t open or close or latch

troubleshoot kitchen drawers and cabinet doors

install shades

basic locksmithing, e.g., swap out knobs and deadbolts, fix latches, etc.

cosmetic work on drywall, e.g., patching holes therein

caulking of tubs and sinks

replace broken window glass

replace sash cords on old wooden windows, and address window function generally

replace screen mesh, build new screens from basic kits

fix / install downspouts, up to 9 feet

very basic electrical, e.g., rewire a lamp, replace a switch, etc., doorbells,

thermostats

hang pictures

deal with screen door hardware, i.e., closers, wind chains, handles

and latches

small patches to vinyl siding

dryer vents, I have never done a full install but I often repair them and tape them. I don’t have the full kit needed to do major long distance vent lint cleaning, but short runs, I can usually do something.

furniture kit assembly

install mortite weatherstripping on old wooden windows

install toilet seats

smoke alarms (install battery operated, replace wired models)

and, I just have a talent for figuring out and fixing odd little puzzlements.

There is of course a massive list of little things like plunging clogged drains, . etc. etc. etc. I am not a plumber but, little drain fixes, we can talk.

a large part of my work is devoted to correcting improper installations that someone else did. I could tell you stories.

I DON’T do

pipes that contain pressurized water

anything structural, i.e., stuff that people put their weight upon,

like flooring, bannisters, grab bars, stairs

landscaping or gardening

janitorial

precise carpentry

much of anything on a roof

moving jobs

The best way to contact me is to EMAIL PICTURES of your issues to me at handyauthor@gmail.com. You can also call me at 781 330 8143. If I don’t answer it means I am up on a ladder somewhere, so please do leave a message and I will call back within 24 hours. Tell me what’s going on, we can have a pleasant little chat. And I will be very up front with you about whether your needs are within my skill set or no. Thank you for visiting! 🙂 Best, Justin

PS The story: years ago when I was a freelance musician, I had an apartment in Jamaica Plain that was absolutely fabulous. It was huge, and it was cheap. I mean insanely, borderline grand larceny cheap. So I never wanted to kick my sleeping dog landlord and make him think hey, maybe I should raise Justin’s rent. So, even though I knew very little to start, whenever anything broke in that house I just figured out how to fix things myself. Then in the wake of the great recession, I found myself managing the office of an electrician. There I learned a LOT about electrical work, but I was also introduced to the business of driving to someone’s house, fixing something, and getting paid. So I mentioned to one of the electrician’s clients that I was thinking of becoming a handyman, and she hired me on the spot. And the rest, along with watching 9,000+ how-to youtube videos, is history.

I am primarily a fix-it guy rather than an install a new thing guy.

Posts about past jobs:

Drawer Fixes
Replacing broken windows
Replacing Broken Window Sash Cords
Fixing Holes in Drywall
Bathroom Caulking
Rewiring Lamps

The magnificent Jordan Rich recently interviewed me on his Podcast. Check it out! — jl

Window Boxes

Well this was a new one, a new client called and asked me to install some window boxes.

Fortunately the manufacturer had a how to video, but even then, it was one of those things you have to be super careful about, as those boxes get heavy especially when full of water. So, here we go.

So here is the house front, you can see holes in the vinyl siding where the old box was. I was hopeful that the previous installer had located the studs for me (heavy window boxes must be in a stud, preferably two).

The studfinder said yes altho the feel of the lag screws was a little soft, so I ended up moving the locations a little. It was hard because the box had to be centered on the window, but the studs were not centered. Lots of measuring and math!! And the box, even when empty, was pretty heavy.

The blue tape is telling me how to center the box, also where the studs are supposedly located. Here I have installed the lag screws. It all felt good. And level.

So once installed I had to put a bead of clear silicone on the top edge, I always take the extra effort to make a caulk bead look nice with my magic tricks. All the holes in the siding had to be caulked as well. Nice and waterproof.

And done:

Oy that was a tough coupla hours in the hot sun putting in two of these, but customer was very happy. I am eager to see it with flowers blooming.