Ask Jon Eakes

Last Updated: Sunday, May 9th, 2010, Created: Monday, January 5th, 2004

Some temporary tools and fixes - Stik 'n Zip & others.

Often when we are working on home improvements, we need temporary fixes. One that many of us use is that plastic shrinkable window cover for stopping winter drafts. One plastic covering that is less well known is a construction doorway, called Stick-N-Zip, which you can see in the first photo above. This is a thick plastic sheet that you tape to a doorway. Then you put one or two sticky backed zippers onto the plastic, either one down the middle, or one near each side. After the plastic is in place, and the zippers stuck in place, then open the zipper and cut the plastic with a knife. That is actually an important tip in using the Stick-N-Zip doorway. Do not cut the doorway first and then attempt to attach both sides of the zipper -- you just never get it right. Leave the zipper closed, glue it to the plastic, open the zipper and cut the passageway. It works perfectly every time. What is the reason for all of this? To create a dust barrier between the part of the house under renovation and the part of the house you are living in, but allow light and vision through the barrier. You could call it an Anti-Divorce dust barrier. I like these things so much, you will find them in my On-Line Store. Just click on the link below.

Two more tips for protecting during construction: lay a piece of plywood over the bathtub before working on the tiles. It not only gives you a construction platform that you can stand on, but it protects the tub finish from falling tiles and tools as well as grit. You could add a bit of felt between the plywood and the tub for total protection. And always put a stopper in a sink before doing anything over it. That prevents screws and other small things from falling into the trap and turning the small job into a larger plumbing job.

When you want to paint only part of something, we mask off the rest, usually with masking tape. But when the shape is very odd, like the threads on a screw, it is difficult to do a good job with masking tape. Use Vaseline to coat whatever you don't want paint to stick to, and simply wipe it off after the paint is dry.

Did you know that they even make a temporary nail? You can see it in the last photo above. It is called a double headed nail. It is generally used for temporary bracing in construction. You can hammer it in tight. The first head secures the wood into place. But the second head stands proud to allow you to grab it with the ears of a hammer or crowbar and easily remove it once the temporary structure is no longer needed.

Keywords: Dust, Fasteners, Finishes, Glues, Jigs, Masking Tape, Nails, Paint, Sink, Tape, Techniques, Temporary, Tiles

Print Send To A Friend

Article 1867

Privacy | Ruby on Rails Development by Isnor Creative