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On the Level: How to Hang a Picture Properly

Hanging a picture may seem like the simplest of all home improvement projects. While it is quite easy, there are factors like wall type and object weight that you need to consider before hammering away. If youre a beginner or if youve hung pictures before but always done some in a hit or miss kind of manner, these tips will come in useful.
The first thing you need to do is purchase the right fasteners for your picture and your walls. The most common fasteners for hanging things are picture nails and hooks. While these are the most common type of fastener, they are not the most appropriate or effective ones to use in all cases.
If you are going to hang anything on a concrete, stucco or brick wall, then you should not try to use a regular nail. A concrete screw will securely anchor your object and will prevent you from chipping the walls surface. If you use a nail in a concrete or stucco surface, you can end up removing chunks of the wall around the nail when hammering.
If your object is heavy, then you might want to insert a plastic anchor or molly bolt-for fastening into the hole to ensure that there is no damage to your wall. Make sure that you are using the right type of fastener for your wall surface.
Once youve figured out the type of wall surface and the most appropriate fastener to use, you will need to decide on placement.
The first thing you want to decide is how high you want to hang the object. The basic rule of thumb is to hang pictures so that the center of the picture is at eye level. Have someone hold a tape measure against the wall and then stand back and see what number is at your eye level thats where the center of your picture should be.
Once you decide on the height on the wall, you need to measure the picture itself to determine the mounting height. You will then measure from the bottom of the picture to the highest point of the hanging wire. You can then figure out the hanging height by subtracting half of the pictures height and adding the difference of the eye-height level you measured before.
Your measuring isnt done yet though. You want to take that figure and measure that distance on the wall so you can make a mark where the bottom of the hook will hit. After you have that vertical mark, you want to measure horizontally to ensure that your picture is in the center of the space. Next you will mark where the vertical and horizontal lines cross.
Holding the faster in place, you will nail or screw the fastener into the wall. After the nail or screw is in place, you want to carefully hang the object on the wall. Make sure you are careful not to mark or scrape the wall with the frame.
Once the picture is on the hook, you should step back to see whether it is level. You can shift the picture to either the left or the right to adjust the level.
If you find (after hanging) that the picture is either too low or too high, you can adjust the wire on the back of the picture rather than making a new hole.
If you are planning on hanging multiple pictures and/or objects on one wall, then you want to plan out your measurements very carefully. Start by holding up your pictures or laying them on the floor in the pattern you want. Measure the wall space and measure each picture to ensure that you have enough space. You want to make the vertical and horizontal marks for each picture rather than just guessing. It is often easier to offset the pictures when you estimate. If you do want all of the pictures even, then you need to use a level and be really exact in your measurements. A laser level can be useful in these types of situations.
Dont be intimidated with all of these steps if this is your first time hanging a picture. Taking your time and doing all the prep work outlined above will ensure that your picture is centered, level, and really adds character to your space.

Far and away above any other consideration is the price.

Furnace Fall out Three Things to Check before Calling an Expert


Before you start losing it and screaming at your furnace in the dead cold or the heat of the summer time, stop and take a deep breath. Your furnace might not be working because of a few simple issues that can be fixed quickly. Sometimes the simplest thing is right before your eyes, and when youre agitated you can miss them. Take a few moments and read about 3 common things that can go wrong, and more importantly what you can do to keep your furnace working.

Here are 3 tips to use before you call your service repairman.

1. Check your Setting. People have actually called a service technician and theyve found out that the only problem was that their temperature setting on their thermostat control was not turned to the proper setting for heating or cooling their home. Thats not only embarrassing, but a very expensive call for something so simple. Be sure and check.
2. Check Breakers and Service Switch. If your service switch isnt on, or any of the other switches arent on, the furnace wont run. The service switch is located near or on the furnace. Look at the main breaker box in your house too. If its been tripped it wont come on either. Sometimes all thats need is to replace the service switch if its gone bad.
3. Outside Disconnect Switch. Go outside and look around the unit. Youll find a switch that you can flip to turn the outside fan on. Again check your main breaker box inside the house to see if that control has been changed to the off position. Replace outside service switch if needed, as a service technician can easily replace it.

If all of these things are in working order then itll be time to call your local service company for a complete inspection of your furnace unit. Dont attempt to try to diagnose any serious issues. Not only could you hurt yourself or others, you could void the warranty on your furnace. Youll be completely responsible for the cost at that point. Be wise and call.

Before a major problem develops there are ways to lengthen the life of your furnace.

Filters. Regularly change your filters on your furnace. Its recommended by professional HVAC heating, venting and air conditioning service technicians to change them on monthly bases. If youre furnace type can be fitted for a washable filter, then youll save some money by using them. You can save some money too by buying your standard filters in bulk. Most hardware supply stores or home improvement stores will either have them in stock as bulk, or they can special order them for you too. When thinking about changing your filters dont forget to include any time that there is a high volume of foot traffic. Holidays and times when doors will be fanned open such as in the summer time, might require you change the filter more. Pet dander will cause more clog for your furnace too.
Vacuum and Wipe Down. Another way to lengthen the life of your furnace is to clean it. Grab a shop vacuum thats works well and clean the furnace. Make sure you vacuum is in good working order, the last thing youll need is it to be leaking more debris back into the furnace.
Replace Insulation. If your furnace has insulation around or inside the door be sure to examine it for brittleness or huge pieces of it missing. It can further clog up your furnace by being pulled into it when the fan kicks on. It wont take long for it to burn up a motor.
Inspect Wiring. Go outside and look at the wiring that connects your outside cooling and heating fan to see if there are frayed wires or loosening wires from it to the house. Clean away debris from around the fan and if possible wash off the unit with a mild detergent. Pull out any leaves or garbage out of the grill of the fan, so it can run with maximum efficiency.
Clean Vents Inside and Out. Go and take the time to clean out your floor vents. Also look outside and check your duct work to make sure that it hasnt fallen or become tangled. Naturally you run the unit harder because youre not staying cool or warm in the winter, if there is anything clogging or obstructing the air flow. This will shorten the life of your furnace.
Furnace Inspection. Make sure to schedule a yearly inspection on your furnace.