How to Caulk a Shower Stall Video

Simple Tips on Caulking a Shower Stall

By Mark J. Donovan

Last week I was able to try out some new caulk from DAP on a shower stall caulking project. I did a short video on it, so check it out below.

In the video I show a few simple tips on how to caulk a shower stall. All you need to do it right is some silicone based caulk, a caulking gun, a utility knife, a rag, and some masking tape.

It is important to remove all of the old caulk prior to installing new caulk as silicone caulk sticks well to everything except itself. Use a utility knife to help cut away and scrape out the old caulk.

After removing all of the old caulk and cleaning up the shower pan with a rag, I then apply masking tape just above and below the seam I want to caulk. This helps to get a fast and clean caulk line.

Once the masking tape is applied I then apply a bead of caulk in the seam. When applying the caulk it is important to go at a steady rate so that you do not apply too much or too little caulk.

After applying the caulk, I then use my finger and a moist paper towel, and run it along the bead of caulk.

Finally, I remove the masking tape to achieve a fast and clean caulk seam. After 24 hours I was using my shower again.

How to Caulk a Shower Stall

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First Major Snow of the Season

By Mark J. Donovan

Today we had the first major snow of the season here in southern New Hampshire. We got about 7 inches of heavy wet snow. Fortunately I had prepared the snow blower last week. I checked the oil, cleaned the spark plug and filled the tank.

Due to the weight of the snow I made two passes with the snow blower, once earlier today, and then one final pass after the snow had stopped. I also used the roof rake to take the snow off the roof eaves. The snow was extremely slushy and wet. By taking the snow off the roof eaves I should be able to avoid what would have been the inevitable ice dams. I was particularly concerned with the roof over my garage / bonus room. The roof shingles are in rough shape and I had hoped to have them replaced by now. Unfortunately the roofing contractor that I had lined up 8 weeks ago has been dragging his feet on getting onto the jobsite. Now there is a thick blanket of snow on the roof that probably won’t be melting anytime soon. It will most likely be spring when he arrives on the scene.

After raking the snow off the roof eaves, my son, wife and I shoveled the decks and walkways. Did I tell you already that the snow was heavy :) ? The trick with heavy wet snow is to go slow and steady and take breaks when you need to. Rushing this type of work is what causes many of a folk to drop dead of a heart attack.

In the process of shoveling the snow, I had to run inside to get another pair of gloves. In the process of removing my boots I literally ripped the upper portion away from the bottom part of one of my boots. The boots were supposedly a high quality boot. So much for that. I guess I will be asking for some new boots for Christmas.

With the snow shoveling and blowing complete, its’ now time to focus on the website (HomeAdditionPlus.com) and answer some of today’s questions. Readmore »»

Buying Extension Ladders

Helpful Tips on Buying Extension Ladders as Length is not all that Matters

By Mark J. Donovan

Buying extension ladders involves a little more thought than just finding one long enough. Questions on how will it be used, where will it be stored, how heavy are you, and how strong are you are questions that should first be answered. Buying extension ladders involves a number of considerations.

First and foremost you need to decide upon whether you want to buy a fiberglass or aluminum extension ladder. Answers to the above questions can help you choose between the two. For example, fiberglass extension ladders are the choice of professionals when it comes to working around power lines. Fiberglass is not a good conductor of electricity and thus why fiberglass extension ladders are used by cable and line workers.

Another consideration is how strong are you? Aluminum extension ladders are much lighter than fiberglass extension ladders, and so for many homeowners the aluminum extension ladder is the ladder of choice. Aluminum extension ladders are not as strong as fiberglass ladders and thus it is important to also consider the weight limit when buying extension ladders.

When buying extension ladders it is obviously important to consider length. Make sure you do not buy too short of an extension ladder. An extension ladder should extend several feet above the highest point you want to reach as you should never plan on standing on the top two or three rungs when it is fully extended.

Finally, you need to consider storage of a ladder when buying extension ladders. Fiberglass extension ladders are susceptible to ultraviolet sunlight and thus they should be protected with plastic or some other material if they are to be left outside. Aluminum extension ladders hold up better if left outside.

So when buying extension ladders consider all of these factors first. You’ll be safer and happier for doing so. Readmore »»

The Silent Majority Will Save the United States

By Mark J. Donovan

As I watch the United States rapidly march towards a third world socialistic society, I keep asking myself what happened to our great country and is there any way we can save our nation before it goes over the precipice. The optimist in me suggests the sensibility of the silent majority will eventually rule the day, however the pessimist in me sees an unbridled fervor on the left that has never been seen before, at least not in the United States history.

As I watch the democratic socialist party work to permanently enslave our children into debt and euthanize the elderly, I find myself repeatedly asking the simple question, why. And the single one word answer that is repeatedly whispered back to me from the depths of my own mind is the word, power. Yes, power is truly what this is all about. The leftist socialist government that is currently in control of the United States and its citizens is out to attempt its own version of a utopian fantasy. However their reach for power is not limited to the United States. It is much broader in scope. It is for global domination, a one new world global order. This may sound cliché and conspiratorial in thought, but history has shown repeated examples of similar attempts at global dominance. Fortunately, and what makes me optimistic, is that none has ever succeeded, at least for very long.

At some point innate human natural survival instincts click in and the silent majority stands up and roars. How soon the silent majority reacts to an overreach in power is a function of how fast and hard their way of life is threatened. Today’s democratic socialist party is smart and understands they have limited time to get the noose around our children and seniors necks. No better example of this is the current 1 Trillion dollar health care legislation bills that are being pushed through the house and senate on late Saturday evenings, when news outlets and citizens are paying little attention to their government. Like history’s other corrupt power grabbing politicians, they underestimate human nature. Even though the citizens maybe a little late recognizing what is going on, they eventually do. And when they do, like all corrupt leaders their time is up.

I am hopeful that before the democratic socialist party attempts to sell Alaska to China to pay down some of the United States debt, as well as to prevent Sarah Palin from running for higher office, that the citizens of this great country will see the democratic leadership for what it is. The 60’s generation extremists still looking for that one final trip, where they and everyone else in the world is singing Kum Bay Yah. Readmore »»

Raking Leaves in New Hampshire

By Mark J. Donovan

I spent the better part of today raking leaves up at my home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. I had been told there were a lot of leaves in the yard, but I was still shocked at just how many were on the ground when I arrived upon the scene today. The entire lawn was completely covered in a dense layer of leaves.

As I raked the leaves today, I came to the conclusion that due to all of the rain we had had this past spring and early summer there must have been an increase in leaf production on the trees this year, if not in the quantity of leaves at least in the size of the leaves. For years I have piled raked leaves in the same location. This year the pile was 2x the normal size before I decided to stop piling the leaves in this spot.

I also broke one leaf rake in half, and heard the second one crack as I wrapped up the job. The leaves were dry, but just the sheer volume was too much for my rakes to take.

I also noticed that my gutters were completely stuffed with fallen leaves. Consequently, I found myself up on the ladder digging out leaves from the gutters as well. I then had to use a leaf blower to blow the leaves off of the deck and then finally clean them up with my rake.

Suffice it to say it was quite the project. But it is done and I actually enjoyed the fresh air and exercise. To boot, the yard looks great and the home is finally ready for the onslaught of another New Hampshire winter.

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Ceramic Tile Shower Maintenance

A Properly Maintained Ceramic Tile Shower Can Keep Its Beauty Indefinitely

By Mark J. Donovan

Installing a new ceramic tile shower can really make a master bathroom suite shine. However, regular ceramic tile shower maintenance is crucial for maintaining its beauty. If not properly maintained, a ceramic tile shower can quickly become laced with mold and mildew, showing up particularly on grout lines.

Ceramic tile shower maintenance is fairly simple to do, although it does require some discipline. First and foremost, it is imperative to wipe down the ceramic tile shower walls and floor after each use. You can use a towel or a squeegee to do this, but whatever you decided upon as a tool, it is critical to use the tool after each shower.

The second major ceramic tile shower maintenance item you need to do is to seal the ceramic tile and grout periodically, typically once every year or so. Grout and certain types of ceramic tile are porous. Consequently they can absorb moisture. Moisture will undoubtedly lead to mold and mildew growth, thus the imperative to seal the grout and tile. There are many grout and tile sealers to choose from and they are easy to apply to a ceramic tile shower. Simply wipe on, wait a couple of minutes, and then wipe off any excess material.

So if you want to maintain the beauty of your new ceramic tile shower, make sure you become disciplined in proper ceramic tile shower maintenance. Readmore »»

New Window Blinds Reduce Home Heating Bills

By Mark Donovan

There is a new window blind on the market today that could potentially lower your home heating bills by as much as 35%, according to the manufacturer SolarChoice Heat.

The window blind is a passive heating system that consists of a series of vertical vanes that are actually hollow. As the air is heated in the vanes, it rises out the top of them and draws cold air in from the bottom. In summary, these new window blinds take advantage of the sun’s energy by transferring the sun’s thermal energy to the home.

See "Green Window Treatments That Reduce Home Heating Bills" to get a full description and review of this innovative and green home technology product. Readmore »»