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How To Turn Your Balcony Into A Useful Space

Robert Johnson
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How To Turn Your Balcony Into A Useful Space

Urban living has encouraged many people to make use of every inch of space they have in their homes. For city dwellers, balconies are often part of the home ownership or rental package, and most likely, the balcony is only used for a few hours a week, just to view the skyline or hang out for a little bit. But with some DIY skills and a bit of creativity, it isn’t hard to turn a balcony into a precious little space. We’ve got a few ideas on how you can transform your balcony into something really useful for you.

Mini Garden

mini garden

You don’t have to have a wide backyard to put your green thumbs to work. Green-ify your balcony by bringing in potted plants of your choice. It could be purely flower plants or some herbs that you can use for cooking too. The secret to achieving a beautiful balcony garden is to plan out the setup beforehand. You can opt for DIY layered pot stands, hanging planters and a vertical setup on the wall to maximize the space that you have available.

Living Room Extension

living room extension

This idea is especially helpful for those with limited space in their apartments. If you have a small interior area for your living room, you can plan to use the space you have in the balcony to create a larger common area. It can be achieved by having glass doors that can be fully opened to give a feeling that the balcony and the inside space are one. Next, style the balcony in a way that it would mimic the style of the living room. The technique for doing this is using the same palette, fabrics, materials and even finishing touches like small potted plants or candles.

Home Office

home office

Take advantage of your lovely balcony view by turning it into a productive space. This could be done by first laying down some interlocking deck tiles or one of these 10 Amazing DIY Floor Ideas That Don’t Cost A Fortune if you have a balcony floor that needs to be covered up. Take the minimal approach and style it with only the essentials. Make a simple DIY office desk from a durable wood that can last through weather changes, especially when you have an open balcony. Add an office chair, some light fixtures, few artworks, and voila—you’ve got yourself a beautiful office space with a view.

Reading Nook

reading nook

Creating a reading nook can be as simple as bringing some cushions, pillows and blankets out onto your balcony. But if you’ve got time for a weekend project, you can DIY a couch or a seating area with reclaimed wood or pallets, have a look at our guide on Upcycling Wood Pallets Into Furniture . In case you want to take the project into another level, you can design a simple book case or build shelving in one of the walls that can be used as a display not only for your books, but plants and other decor too.

A Cozy Escape

a cozy escape

A cozy escape can mean a lot of things to different people, but we know that everyone is up to have a place for relaxation where they can put their minds at ease. The balcony may be a limited space, but it is enough to accommodate a place where you would love to hang out and clear your mind for a bit. Some great ideas for this are putting up a bench swing, adding a colorful hammock, and bringing in a huge wicker chair to curl up in. Decorative details could include plants, fluffy rugs, and tons of lights that would look lovely at night.

Transforming your balcony can be a fun project to take on, especially with the various options you have on how to create a useful space. Depending on your needs and skills, you can take the balcony project into a full swing DIY project and take advantage of a usually neglected space to add a fun and cozy place in your home.

If you’re up for more uncomplicated projects to upgrade your home with new cool pieces, check out these simple home DIY ideas that are totally beginner-friendly.

 

How To Replace A Damaged Or Cracked iPhone 6s Screen

Michael Klements
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How To Replace A Damaged Or Cracked iPhone 6s Screen

If you’ve ever owned an iPhone or other smartphone then you’ll know that no matter how well you look after it, you’re going to drop it once or twice. If you’ve dropped your iPhone 6s and this has resulted in a damaged or cracked screen, you don’t have to send it in for repairs, you can repair it yourself for a fraction of the cost. All you need is a replacement screen which is available online from around $15 – $35 (depending on the quality) and a simple tool kit which is usually bundled with the replacement screen. This repair takes around 30 to 60 minutes to complete and is fairly easy to do.

In the guide below, I’ll show you step by step how to replace the screen on your iPhone 6s.

As I’ve said in the introduction, most of the replacement screens available online come with a simple toolkit bundled with them. Although these are not the best quality, they are usually sufficient to do the repair on your phone once or twice. If you do happen to damage the tools, you can get cheap tool kits on Amazon or invest in a more premium one if you think you may have to do the repair again in the future.

For other models, have a look at the guides below:

What You Will Need To Replace Your iPhone 7 Plus Screen

  • Replacement Screen & Tool Kit
  • iPhone Repair Tool Kit – Buy Here
    • Note – your replacement kit may come with a basic tool kit. This is usually good enough to get the job done but the screw driver heads often strip after a few screws.

How to Replace your iPhone 6s Screen

The replacement of your iPhone 6s screen is done in four stages, first you’ll remove the existing screen, then you’ll need to remove the components which you still need to use, then install these components onto the new screen and finally install the new screen on your iPhone.

The most important thing to keep in mind when doing this replacement is to keep your screws well organised. The screws inside your iPhone are different types, sizes and lengths and it is very important that you put the correct screws in the correct place. It is easy to get confused and lose track of your screws. I like to draw a quick sketch of each bracket or component and lay the screws onto the sketch over the hole they came out of.

The next thing you may not be familiar with is the ribbon cable connectors. These are very fine connectors which simply “snap” into place, similar to Lego. To separate them, you can slide your spudger underneath the connector and pop it off. To connect them again, make sure that they two are correctly lined up and simply pressed down on top of the connector and you’ll feel it snap into place.

Here is the complete video guide to replacing the screen:

Good luck with the repair and let us know how it goes for you in the comments section below.

If you enjoyed this guide, you may be interested in these 5 Secret iPhone Codes You Didn’t Know About or find out how to Charge your iPhone Battery the Right Way.

How To Choose The Right Floating Pond Fountain

James Dean
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How To Choose The Right Floating Pond Fountain

Home owners decorate their property with various accessories to make it feel warmer and more visually appealing. From creating beautiful gardens and lawns, to decorating the interior of your home with accessories, there are several things you can do to add appeal and value to your homes. Adding a floating pond fountain is something that home owners can do to improve their landscaping appeal.

There are several types of floating pond fountains available for your home to provide not only aesthetic appeal, but also encourage aeration, circulation and add value to your home. Here are a few things to look out for when looking for the right one for your home.

If you’re looking to add an affordable pond to your garden, have a look at this great guide to Turn an Old Tyre into an Amazing Pond.

The Right Fountain for the Right Size Pond

Home owners might be under the wrong notion that a pond fountain can provide just the right amount of aeration for their pond. This does however depend on the size of the pond. In the case of larger ponds, a pond fountain would not be adequate to introduce enough oxygen into the water and circulate it. In these cases, a bottom aeration system would be a better option. For smaller ponds, the right kind of pond fountain can be perfect for both circulation and aeration.

It is an Economical Option

When choosing a pond fountain, you can opt for a fixed or a floating one. Floating ones turn out to be a better and more economical option. A floating one can be held in place with bricks, and moved around to different areas of your pond to create different effects or to aerate different areas. They are a lot easier to install and manage when compared to fixed ones and they consume less power, making them a cheaper alternative.

Choosing the Right Size for your Floating Pond Fountain

The very first thing you need to decide on is what kind of spray pattern or shape you would like the pond fountain to create, and how high you want the spray to be. It is important to get the right size pump and motor for the size of the pond. Depending on the height of the fountain and the shape you wish it to create, you can choose the motor and pump size as well as the model. Most manufacturers include some information on the pump size, fountain spray pattern and height on the product packaging or data sheet.

The second thing to decide on is whether you want to attach a light kit. Light kits turn your fountain into a spectacular night time garden feature. For residential areas, a 3 light kit is the best option, while a 6 light kit is preferred mostly for public installations.

The last thing you need to think about is where you want to place it. With a floating fountain, you can change its location as and when you wish. The location will determine how long your power cable will be and in some cases, how much piping you will need to the spray outlet. You also need to determine what type of power you will need for your particular use, some manufacturers offer solar and other renewable energy options.

These are some of the simple things to keep in mind when you are looking to buy a floating fountain for your home. There are several fountain types (have a look at these) you can opt for and you need to determine which pond fountain is the best for your home. The right choice for your home can increase its aesthetic appeal, increase its value and provide just the right kind of aeration and circulation needed to keep your pond thriving.

How To Replace A Shattered or Cracked iPhone 7 Plus Screen

Michael Klements
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0
How To Replace A Shattered or Cracked iPhone 7 Plus Screen

If you’ve ever owned an iPhone or other smartphone then you’ll know that no matter how well you look after it, you’re going to drop it once or twice. If one of these drops has resulted in your screen getting cracked or completely shattered then you’ll want to get it replaced and getting it replaced by the manufacturer is really expensive when in reality it is actually quite an easy fix. All you need is a replacement screen which is available online from around $20 – $50 (depending on the quality) and a simple tool kit which is usually bundled with the replacement screen. This repair takes around a half an hour to an hour to complete.

In the guide below, I’ll show you step by step how to replace the screen on your iPhone 7 Plus. Although this guide is done specifically on the iPhone 7 Plus, the iPhone 8 plus is quite similar inside as well.

As I’ve said in the introduction, most of the replacement screens available online come with a simple toolkit bundled with them. Although these are not the best quality, they are usually sufficient to do the repair on your phone once or twice. If you do happen to damage the tools, you can get cheap tool kits on Amazon or invest in a more premium one if you think you may have to do the repair again in the future.

For other models, have a look at the guides below:

What You Will Need To Replace Your iPhone 7 Plus Screen

  • Replacement Screen & Tool Kit
  • iPhone Repair Tool Kit – Buy Here
    • Note – your replacement kit may come with a basic tool kit. This is usually good enough to get the job done but the screw driver heads often strip after a few screws.

How to Replace your iPhone 7 Plus Screen

The replacement of your iPhone 7 Plus screen is done in four stages, first you’ll remove the existing screen, then you’ll need to remove the components which you still need to use, then install these components onto the new screen and finally install the new screen on your iPhone.

The most important thing to keep in mind when doing this replacement is to keep your screws well organised. The screws inside your iPhone are different types, sizes and lengths and it is very important that you put the correct screws in the correct place. It is easy to get confused and lose track of your screws. I like to draw a quick sketch of each bracket or component and lay the screws onto the sketch over the hole they came out of.

The next thing you may not be familiar with is the ribbon cable connectors. These are very fine connectors which simply “snap” into place, similar to Lego. To separate them, you can slide your spudger underneath the connector and pop it off. To connect them again, make sure that they two are correctly lined up and simply pressed down on top of the connector and you’ll feel it snap into place.

Here is the complete video guide to replacing the screen:

Here is a summary of the steps involved in replacing your iPhone screen:

  1. Turn off the iPhone.
  2. Use the pentalobe screw driver to remove the two screws at the bottom of the phone.
  3. Position the suction cup on the screen near the bottom in an uncracked section.
  4. Pull the screen away from the body of the phone and insert your pry tool to gently lift it away. Be careful not to stick the tool in too far or you might damage the ribbon cables.
  5. Slide the pry tool down the edges of the phone from the bottom to the top to loosen the side clips.
  6. Slide the screen down and out of the clips at the top of the body of the phone.
  7. Use the tri-point screw driver to remove the screws on the battery and digitizer cover plate.
  8. Remove the cover plate and use your pry tool to unclip the ribbon cable connectors using your pry tool.
  9. Remove the top cover plate screws.
  10. Remove the cover plate and again use the pry tool to unclip the ribbon cable connectors.
  11. The old screen should now be free.
  12. Remove the screws on the camera and ear piece cover plate on the old screen.
  13. Remove the cover plate and then the remaining screws, the ear piece should then come loose.
  14. Use your pry tool to gently lift the ribbon cable assembly off of the screen body. Be careful not to pull the ribbon cable too hard or you may tear it or damage some of the components.
  15. Remove the screws securing the home button assembly.
  16. Remove the cover plate, then unclip the ribbon cable connector.
  17. Fold the top connector back and then gently pry the ribbon cable assembly away from the screen body. Feed the home button assembly through the front of the screen.
  18. Remove the screws securing the large cover plate on the back of the old screen.
  19. Gently pry the ribbon cable away from the back of this cover plate along the bottom edge.
  20. Position the cover plate onto the new screen and make sure that the ribbon cables are neatly positioned behind the cover plate without being folded over or crushed.
  21. Replace the screws on this large cover plate.
  22. Replace the home button assembly, these is a small black plastic peg which is used to locate it.
  23. Clip in the ribbon cable connector.
  24. Replace the home button assembly cover plate and screws.
  25. Remove the adhesive strip cover on the top of the screen by the ear piece.
  26. Replace the camera sensor assembly and then the ear piece.
  27. Replace the cover plate and screws to secure the components. Make sure that they are all in the correct positions and are aligned correctly. The components should not be forced or squashed by the bracket or they may break.
  28. Remove any left over sticky residue from the edges of the phone body. This residue forms a “gasket” which keeps the iPhone water resistant.
  29. If your replacement screen came with a replacement gasket, fit it now and make sure that it lines up with the edges of the phone body.
  30. Clip in the camera ribbon cable connector and replace the cover plate and screws.
  31. Clip in the battery and digitizer ribbon cable connectors.
  32. You should now test the screen and make sure that everything works correctly before sticking the screen down with the new gasket. If it all works correctly then you can start closing up the phone. If not, check all of the ribbon cable connectors, they may not be seated correctly.
  33. Slide the top of the screen into the phone body.
  34. Then work from top to bottom pressing the sides of the screen down and onto the new gasket.
  35. Finally, snap the bottom edge into place and then replace the two pentalobe screws.
  36. Test the phone again to make sure that everything you’ve moved still functions correctly and you’re finished.

Good luck with the repair and let us know how it goes for you in the comments section below.

If you enjoyed this guide, you may be interested in these 5 Secret iPhone Codes You Didn’t Know About or find out how to Charge your iPhone Battery the Right Way.

Arduino Controlled 8 x 8 x 8 LED Cube

Michael Klements
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Arduino Controlled 8 x 8 x 8 LED Cube

This 8 x 8 x 8 LED cube is probably one of the coolest Arduino projects we’ve come across. You’ll learn how to control 512 LEDs independently using a simple ATmega32 Chip or Arduino Uno / Duemilanove micro-controller. You’ll also learn how to use multiplexing, a process of turning LEDs on and off individually in a way that makes numerous LEDs appear to be on simultaneously.

The guide we’d like to recommend has been written up by chr and he has really done an awesome job of taking you through the step by step instructions to build and program your LED cube. We’ve provided the full link the this guide below.

It will take you a few days to build the hardware and then a day or two to complete the programming but it will definitely be worth it when you see the results.

Have a look at the video below if you still need convincing.

According to chr, this project looks far more complex than it actually is and you should be able to complete it as long as you have a basic  understanding of:

  • Simple Electronics
  • How to Solder
  • How to use a Multimeter
  • Programming in C or The Arduino IDE – This is optional as he does provide the full working code which you’ll just need to upload.

The cube costs around $67 to build with the ATmega32 chip or $73 if you’re building it with an Arudino Uno.

The full guide to building the cube can be found on chr’s Instructable Guide.

LED cube With LEDs Off

If you’re new to Arduino you may want to read through our guide on Getting Started With Arduino before you take on a more complex project.

Have a look at the cube running Conway’s game of life simulation:

Would you like to learn more about this project? Are you interested in projects similar to this one? Then Practical Arduino Projects is the book for you, available now on Amazon as an eBook or in Print form.

Practical Arduino Projects

Let us know if you’ve built an LED cube in the comments section below. We’d love to hear how yours has turned out and what you’ve used it to display.

35 Useful Things To Ask Alexa – Amazon Echo

Michael Klements
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35 Useful Things To Ask Alexa – Amazon Echo

I’ve put together a list of 35 interesting things to ask Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant available on their line of Echo products. These include some commands native to the Echo, a few skills (Echo apps) and some smart home products I’ve found useful and listed below.

This video was made using the Echo Dot 2nd Generation but all of these commands will work on Amazon’s full line of Echo products.

Here are the links to the products used in the video as well as Amazon’s currently available Echo products:

Get the Echo here:

The lighting is controlled by Philips Hue. You can buy the components individually or in package sets. The starter set I’ve listed here is the best value for money to get started with the Philip Hue products – Philips Hue Starter Set. There are also some cheaper alternatives available such as the Philips Hue White which has the same smart home functionality but without the different light colour options.

The TV and media devices are controlled by the RM Mini 3 Universal Remote. This is a small USB powered black  cylinder which can be positioned anywhere in sight of the TV and media devices and can be programmed as a universal remote to control the devices through your Echo as well as your phone.

If you live outside of the US and you’ve been considering getting an Echo device, have a look at our experience Using An Amazon Echo or Echo Dot Outside The US.

Let me know some of the useful things you’ve asked Alexa in the comments section below.

iPhone 6 Lightning Charger Port Assembly Replacement

Michael Klements
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iPhone 6 Lightning Charger Port Assembly Replacement

Here is a complete video guide to replacing the lightning connector assembly on an iPhone 6. This replacement fixes problems with the lightning port/connector, charging, syncing or connecting to your computer, the headphone jack and the bottom microphone as they are all part of the same assembly. There is a large range of generic iPhone components available online, but make sure that you buy a good quality replacement as your lightning port will be used on a daily basis for charging. We wouldn’t recommend buying a replacement part which costs less than $5, the typical range for this replacement part is $8-$14.

This is an intermediate repair and you should be familiar with working with small electronics or cellphone repairs before attempting this repair. You’ll also need an iPhone repair toolkit which includes a pentalobe screwdriver in order to remove the screws at the bottom of your iPhone.

We’ve also done a few other iPhone 6 repairs such as replacing the display, replacing the volume and mute button assembly and replacing the battery.

What You’ll Need For Your Lightning Port Assembly Replacement

  • Lightning Connector Assembly (Used Here) – Buy Here
  • Lightning Connector Assembly (More Expensive) – Buy Here
  • Lightning Connector Assembly With Basic Toolkit – Buy Here
  • iPhone Tool Kit – Buy Here

How To Replace Your Lightning Port Assembly

Follow the step by step video guide below to change your lightning charger port assembly.

Make sure you keep all the screws really well organised when removing them so that you know which ones go where, there are a number of different types, sizes and lengths of screws.

It is not necessary to remove your display assembly entirely while replacing this connector assembly but you need to be really careful not to bend or tear the thin ribbon cables which connect the display to your iPhone’s logic board. If you don’t feel comfortable working around these ribbon cables then rather remove the display, there is a link to the video guide to removing your display within the video below.

Good luck with your repairs and let me know how it went in the comments section below.

The Absolute Beginners’ Guide to Making Your Own Terrarium

Melissa Lobo
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The Absolute Beginners’ Guide to Making Your Own Terrarium

If you have a natural skill for gardening but you don’t have enough space to actually do it, you could consider making a terrarium instead. A terrarium offers great benefits. It can humidify air during winter, improve your indoor air quality, give your creativity an outlet and reduce anxiety. Terrariums are easy to create and maintain. They can even turn into a family project.

This is a guest post by Melissa Lobo from Project Female, more information on the author can be found at the end of the article.

What You’ll Need For Your Terrarium

  • A clear glass container: It could be anything you like – a mason jar, a rare beauty from an antique store; lidded or open. However, the taller your container, the better. An old coffee pot also makes a great container.
  • Miniature rocks: You could use bagged pea gravel or expanded shale that you can find in plant nurseries.
  • Activated charcoal: You can find it at box stores or nurseries.
  • Peat or sphagnum moss: This can also be found at nurseries and box stores.
  • Potting soil: Consider using high-quality soil that is specially intended for plant containers.
  • A miniature spade
  • A mist bottle
  • Plants: Choose your plants on the basis of your container – open or closed? For an open container, succulents can basically survive anything, so they’re an easy choice for beginners. On the other hand, a closed container needs moisture-resistant plants like small palms, ferns or orchids.

Now You’re Ready To Set Up Your Terrarium

Step 1: Prepare Your Container

Clean the container thoroughly, inside and out, and remove any price tags. This is to ensure that there are no chemicals or substances that can hinder the healthy growth of your plants.

Step 2: Add The Rocks And Pebbles

After preparing the container, place the pebbles and the rocks inside. This  will serve as drainage. Water can settle under the rocks and pebbles, thereby preventing flooding. The thickness of the pebbles and rocks will be dependent on your container size. The ideal depth should be half an inch to two inches.

Step 3: Place The Activated Charcoal Inside The Container

Expect this part of the process to be a bit messy. Activated charcoal comes in the form of shards or minute granules. Remember that you only need a small amount, just enough to cover the pebbles and rocks. What it actually does is improve the environmental condition of your terrarium, eliminating odor, fungi and bacteria.

Step 4: Add The Soil

Bear in mind that the type of soil you use in a terrarium depends upon your plants. For instance, if you are using tropical plants, soil from tropical areas is best to use. The depth of the soil should be enough for your plants to take root

Step 5: Do Some Planting!

Take out the plants from their pots and make sure that you’re not damaging the roots. Be gentle while you’re doing this. If the roots are too long, you could probably trim them. Position the roots inside the container using a pencil, brush end, spoon or your fingers. Put more soil on the top and compress the soil around the plant base. Continue to add more plants in the container, but do not place plants near the edges as far as possible. This is to prevent the leaves from touching the sides as the plants grow.

Step 6: Accessorize Your Terrarium

After the plants are positioned inside the jar, you may add some accessories to your terrarium. These accessories can include moss blanket, figurines, unused toys, metal objects, stones, sticks, and rocks. Use accessories to make your own little world in there.

Step 7: Find A Place For Your Terrarium

After you’re done creating your little garden, it is now time to find the perfect spot for your terrarium. This is a bit challenging, since you need to ensure that the plants receive a good amount of indirect sunlight. For the plants to grow optimally, it is best to choose a location that is near a window that faces the east. Morning light is enough for most plants. Moreover, plant metabolism is more active in the morning. On the other hand, spots near windows that face the north offer poor light, so avoid putting your terrarium there.

A couple of things you really should keep in mind when you’re figuring out where to keep your terrarium:

  1. Don’t keep it near an air vent.
  2. Position the terrarium at eye level or higher. You get a much better view of it from the side than from the top.

Step 8: Maintain Your Terrarium

After a couple of weeks, assess your terrarium to see if it needs more water, or if water is pooling at the bottom. If it’s too dry, add more water. If it is too wet, open the container for a day and allow the water to evaporate. If the interior of your container is foggy, that means that there’s too much water.

Condensation, however, is normal in a terrarium. In a closed terrarium, the entire water cycle happens in miniature Trapped moisture will condensate inside the terrarium and water will drip inside the glass. Therefore, you have now created a mini tropical rainforest environment.

Another thing you need to do in order to maintain your terrarium is to rotate it a quarter turn every week or two so that all plants can receive enough light. This also prevents your plants from growing only in one direction.

Losing a plant or two inside your terrarium is normal, so don’t be too guilty about it. You can always replace it.  Find the same plant again or try something new.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you don’t have access to outdoor gardening, creating an indoor garden that can be placed on your table is a great alternative. The small worlds that are formed by plants, rocks, moss, and other materials inside a terrarium can be both fascinating and inspiring. Terrariums are not just convenient and easy to care for, they’re also a pleasure to look at and admire.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in Turning an Old Tyre into an Amazing Pond.

Our Favorite Apps for Home Improvement Projects

Jane Crosbie
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Our Favorite Apps for Home Improvement Projects

Looking for ways to streamline your home improvement planning and make the process smoother? One of the things you could do is assimilate a collection of apps for exploring design ideas, selecting colors and making the hands-on tasks easier (e.g. apps which contain digitalized versions of DIY tools).

This infographic from Senator Windows picks out a few apps which come in very handy when you’re preparing to launch a home improvement project. You’ll definitely thank yourself for having these in your collection once the work starts and you’re progressing towards the home design you’ve always wanted.

Our Favorite Apps For Home Improvement Projects

Now that you’ve got the apps to help your plan and manage your home improvement projects, here are our favorite DIY Home Improvement Projects That Make Your Home Worth More.  We also love these 10 Weekend Projects to Seriously Add Value to your Home. Have a look through these projects for some additional inspiration to get busy this weekend and start making improvements to your home.

Have you used any really cool or useful apps to assist you with your home improvement projects? Let us know about them in the comments section below. We’d also like to hear about your home improvement projects and how they turned out.

Important Things to Consider When Installing A Backsplash Around Counter Outlets

Caryl Anne Crowne
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Important Things to Consider When Installing A Backsplash Around Counter Outlets

Installing your own backsplash can be a relatively quick and easy task, but the process can get a lot more complicated if your counter outlets are an afterthought in planning. The following are some useful tips for what to focus on and how to be safe while installing your backsplash. If you need some creative inspiration for your backsplash, have a look at these 10 DIY Backsplash Ideas Which Look Great.

This article is a guest post written by Caryl Anne Crowne, a contributing writer and media specialist for Mr. Electric.

Turn the Power OFF

It should go without saying, but turning off the power is a step you do not want to forget. Turn off all electricity in the area where you will be working, and double check that it is off to your outlet using a voltage detector. This is the most important step to eliminating risk!

Outlet Extenders

Once the power is off, you can remove the outlet cover and insert outlet extenders in to the outlet boxes. When the outlet boxes are more than ¼ in. behind the wall surface, the National Electrical Code requires the use of extenders, so go ahead and put them in before you start working on the backsplash. These will also serve as a guide for placing the tile. Extenders can be removed later when you begin to grout.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

Every installation is different, but you should always start from the left or right bottom corner of the area you plan to tile and work until you get close to the outlet. Once you have reached the outlet, hold up the tile sheet that is meant to be installed in that area. Using a grease pencil, you can mark the location of the outlet on either the sheet or the tiles themselves. PRO TIP: A quilter’s square (a clear ruler found in craft supply stores) makes a great tool for marking cut lines since you can see the tile underneath the ruler.

There may be many different ways to cut the sheet down to fit, so before you cut, make sure your plan for cutting gives you the least number of pieces. This will make it easier to line up the joints. Also, make sure you are using the appropriate tool for the type of tile that you are installing, whether it’s a utility knife or a tile nipper. You don’t want the tiles to shatter when you start to cut.

measure twice, cut once

Check for Gaps

Once your tiles are cut and installed around the outlet, you are going to want to check for gaps. The goal is for your tile to end just below where your cover screws in. Take the cover plate that you removed earlier and gently place it over the outlet. You will want to make sure that the edges of the plate are touching the edge of the tile before you begin to apply the grout. You should have about twenty minutes after the tile is installed where the tile can still be moved and made to fit.

After your installation is complete, just secure the outlet cover back in place and turn the power back on. Congratulations! By following these troubleshooting tips, your backsplash is sure to look professionally installed, and you have kept yourself safe in the process.

If you’ve installed your backsplash already and you need another, try Add A Plug Outlet To A Drawer.

Have you installed your own kitchen backsplash? Let us know how it went in the comments section below.

installing kitchen backsplash

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