Posted in Storage | |

Building a storage shed, contrary to what some people think, is not a very difficult task. If you are armed with the right tools and the right information, you can easily build a storage facility of your choice. In this article, we take a look at the five steps involved in the process if you’re wondering about how to build a shed.

Step 1 – Determining Your Storage Needs

If you are thinking about constructing a shed, you need to first determine what you are going to use it for. Do you want to store garden supplies and tools? Do you want to store firewood? Or perhaps you want to use it as a workshop? Maybe you want to store your RV, boat, and dirt bike? Once you determine your storage needs, you will have a clear idea of what type of shed you want and how big it should be.

Step 2 – Getting Into the Specifics

Once you know what type of shed you want and what you are going to use it for, you can then get started with the planning process. One of your first decisions will be the design. The most common design is either the gable or the gambrel roof. The saltbox configuration is another choice particularly if you live in a windy area. If you a going to build your shed using your house as one side then you’ll want to consider a lean-to design. You’ll then need to choose a foundation type whether it be a timber frame foundation, dirt floor foundation, or a concrete foundation.

Finally, you’ll need to decide what material you want to use for your shed. The possible choices include plastic, metal, or wood.

Step 3 – Getting a Building Permit

Another step in process of learning how to build a shed concerns the building regulations in your town. Zoning laws in many parts of the country require storage sheds to be constructed a small distance away from the property line, fence, and buildings. The distance may vary from six inches to three feet or more depending on the locale. So, you should be aware of the zoning requirements in your area. In most cases, building a 12×12 foot structure does not require a building permit, however, anything bigger, may require that you have one. So, consult the authorities in your local zoning office before you get started with your building project. Also, contact your local utility to find out where the electrical, gas, and water lines run through your property and build your shed a few feet away from the area.

Step 4 – Get a Plan

A plan not only provides instructions on how to do the construction, but also tells you what kind of materials you can use and what type of tools you need. Right from laying the foundation to installing doors and windows, you can learn everything from a detailed plan. If the instructions are clear and detailed, you will never get stuck and wonder what you need to do next. You can find a huge variety of plans online where you can take a look at them, analyze the pros and cons of each type and choose one for your design that best describes the building process in a clear yet detailed manner.

Step 5 – Get All the Required Materials and Tools

Once you have a comprehensive plan that tells you how to build a shed, you should get all the materials and tools you need for the project beforehand. Once you do, you will have everything you need to get started – the right tools, the right materials, and the right instructions. Having everything you need before you start will save you time and energy and allow you to complete your project quickly.

Your Guide when installing a new Toilet   
Author: admin

February 26, 2011

Posted in DIY | |

There are many people who would want to have a new toilet installed at home. With a new toilet come the expenses associated with it. The rising prices of the materials to be used for the installation of the toilet would make most people think twice on hiring a professional to do the job. There are many tutorials that can guide you on the proper procedures of what to do to have a new toilet installed properly. These guides would be very helpful when you would opt to do the whole project on your own.

When you know something about plumbing then you would not need any help from a professional but if you just want to do the job yourself in order to save on the cost then you would need to consider these points before going on with the project yourself. This can help you decide if you are fit to do the whole project by yourself or you would need the help of a professional.

Before starting with the project you would need to evaluate first the area where you need the toilet installed. This would give you a good idea of what is needed for the installation. The area should be within easy reach to the nearest water line. Water supply is very important for a toilet to function properly therefore an easy access to the house’s water supply line is very important.

You would need to consider the drain pipe as well. This should have the right dimensions in order for the toilet to drain properly. You would not want to deal with a stuck toilet in the future. Having the proper drain pipes installed can save you the trouble of having to redo the whole project. This saves you the cost of having to hire a plumber in case your toilet gets stuck often.

You would also need to have the right materials for the toilet. This should match the diameter of the drain that you have prepared to prevent any leaks. Leaks under the toilet can be very nasty and can cause damage to the flooring of the bathroom requiring you to repair it which can cost more. The proper level of the floor is also important to have the toilet lay flat to prevent damaging the ceramic when you sit on it. An uneven toilet can crack needing you to replace the whole set which costs more than you would expect. With this you can decide if you can do it alone or hire a professional for the job.