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How To

Strategic Measures for Substantial Energy Cost Reduction in Your Home

Build it Hermanus Strategic Measures for Substantial Energy Cost Reduction in Your Home

Efficient energy management is not only environmentally responsible but also a smart financial decision for every homeowner. Fortunately, there are numerous straightforward and cost-effective strategies that can significantly lower your energy bills. 

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore various areas of your home, providing elaboration on key practices to help you maximize energy efficiency and minimize costs.

Lighting Overhaul

Turn Off Lights When Not in Use: 

It sounds simple, but turning off lights when they’re not needed can make a noticeable impact on your energy consumption. This includes both internal and external lights.

Upgrade to CFL and LED Bulbs: 

Investing in compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs is a wise choice. Not only do they use significantly less energy, but they also have a longer lifespan, reducing the frequency of replacements and saving you money in the long run.

Motion Detectors for Smart Control: 

Installing motion detectors in areas that are frequently unoccupied, such as the front door or side path, is a savvy move. This ensures that lights are only activated when needed, preventing unnecessary energy consumption.

Annual Cleaning of Light Fittings: 

Dust accumulation on light fittings can reduce their output efficiency. Regularly clean your light fixtures to maintain optimal brightness and minimize the need for higher wattage bulbs.

Efficient Laundry Practices

Optimal Load Size: 

Only run your washing machine when you have a full load. This maximizes the efficiency of each wash cycle and reduces the overall number of laundry cycles, saving energy.

Cold Water Wash: 

Utilizing cold water for washing clothes is a simple yet effective strategy. Heating water for laundry contributes significantly to energy consumption, and cold water can achieve satisfactory results while cutting down on costs.

Air Drying on the Clothesline: 

Instead of relying on a dryer, take advantage of the natural elements. Hanging clothes on a clothesline, especially on warm days, not only conserves energy but also imparts a fresh scent to your laundry.

Strategic Kitchen Management

Optimize Dishwasher Use: 

Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load. This maximizes the efficiency of each cycle and minimizes water and energy consumption.

Mindful Refrigerator Use: 

Open the refrigerator only when necessary to conserve energy. Regularly defrost your refrigerator and freezer to prevent ice buildup, as this improves efficiency and reduces energy usage.

Utilize Cooktop Over Oven: 

Whenever possible, opt for the cooktop instead of the oven. Cooktops generally use less energy, contributing to energy savings over time.

Scheduled Appliance Maintenance: 

Regularly perform maintenance on kitchen appliances, such as the fridge, dishwasher, and oven. This ensures optimal performance, reducing the likelihood of energy inefficiencies.

Door Latch and Gasket Maintenance: 

Check and adjust door latches as needed and replace worn door gaskets. Proper seals contribute to energy efficiency by preventing unnecessary heat loss.

Energy-Saving Strategies in the Bathroom

Water-Efficient Showerhead Installation: 

Installing water-efficient showerheads and flow restrictors can significantly reduce energy costs associated with water heating.

Opt for Showers Over Baths: 

Opting for showers instead of baths conserves both water and energy. Shorter shower durations contribute to further energy savings.

Consider Solar Hot Water Systems: 

Investing in a solar hot water system can be a substantial upfront investment but pays off in the long run by harnessing renewable energy for water heating.

By implementing these practical and budget-friendly strategies, you can transform your home into an energy-efficient haven while substantially reducing your energy costs. 

At Build it Hermanus, we recognize the importance of sustainable living, and our range of products includes energy-efficient solutions to support your efforts in creating an environmentally friendly and cost-effective home.

Pop into your local Build it Hermanus today, for building materials, do-it-yourself home improvement tools, and expert advice.

Or log on to our online store, and shop from the comfort of your home: www.buildit-store.co.za

Follow us on social media, to stay up to date with our latest sizzling specials and promotional offers!

Build it Gansbaai/Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.

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Do It Yourself How To

Get Crafty: Create a Stylish DIY Concrete Tray with Ease!

Build it Hermanus Blog Create a Stylish DIY Concrete Tray

Who said DIY home decor was only for the pros? Today, I’ll show you how to whip up your very own fabulous concrete tray using the reverse casting technique. With straight handles and a smooth surface, this functional piece will add a touch of elegance to your space in no time.

Okay, let’s get started on making your very own concrete tray! But first, grab your favorite beverage and put on some lively music. It’s time to unleash your inner DIY enthusiast!

Materials List for Your DIY Concrete Tray:

The Tray Mold:

  • These 5″ handles (the coolest ones you can find, of course)
  • PVC casing 2 ¼” (this stuff is a dream to work with)
  • 1″ Foam insulation board (or ¾” plywood if you’re feeling adventurous)
  • Dowel ¼” diameter
  • (8) Wood screws 1 ¼” #8 or 10
  • Power drill
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • ¼” Forstner bit (for those perfectly clean dowel holes)
  • Scissors
  • Acetate film sheet (optional, but it helps keep things smooth)
  • Snap-off razor knife
  • Painter’s tape
  • 12″ Ruler
  • Orbital sander
  • Level – 9″
  • Dremel Multi-tool or flush trim saw (for the fancy finish)
  • Chisel

Concrete Materials:

  • Concrete mix
  • Disposable bowl
  • Disposable cup
  • Durable nitrile gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Safety mask – rated for silica dust

Sealing and Finishing:

  • Orbital sander
  • 180 and 320 grit sandpaper
  • Sealer
  • Foam brush
  • Silicone bumpers

Now, before we dive in, let’s have a quick chat about some material notes:

Tray Thickness and Handles: Initially, I thought we were limited to a ¾” thick tray due to the screw length for the handles. But fear not! You can go all the way up to a luxurious 1″ thick tray. 

It’s sturdier and less likely to crack. Plus, it won’t weigh you down too much. Trust me, even the ¾” version is lighter than it looks!

PVC Casing: Ah, the beauty of PVC casing. It’s like a concrete maker’s secret weapon. It cuts like butter, and concrete won’t stick to it. Working with it is an absolute breeze, making your DIY dreams come true.

Foam Board: If you’re not feeling the foam, you can swap it out for ¾” plywood. Just be cautious about concrete seeping into the plywood around the dowels. However, using plywood allows you to overlap the base with the sides and screw them together, making vibrations a piece of cake.

Forstner Bit: Don’t underestimate the power of the Forstner bit! It ensures clean dowel holes in the foam, preventing any concrete mishaps. We want those dowels to fit like a glove and keep things sturdy.

Acetate: Want that flawless finish? Consider using acetate as a layer between the foam board and concrete. It smooths out any imperfections and gives your tray a polished look.

Dremel Multi-tool or Flush Trim Saw: While a multi-tool makes life easier, a flush trim saw can also do the trick. If you opt for the saw, it’ll require a little more effort. But hey, we’re all about enjoying the process, right?

Timing: Good news! This DIY adventure should take you less than 2 hours of actual working time. But remember, patience is key. Allow 2-4 days for curing and sealing. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your concrete tray!

Alright, let’s jump into it!

How To Make A DIY Concrete Tray in 12 Steps

Step 1. Cut Your Base Mold Piece

Let’s kick things off by cutting the foam board for the base of your concrete tray. Grab your retractable snap-off blade knife and get ready for some foam-cutting fun! 

Start by scoring the board lightly with a pencil, then go over it with the blade to make the cut. 

Remember to use the factory-cut edges for the best results. Make two cuts, keeping the blades long and holding the knife as perpendicular to the board as possible. Voila! You’ve got your base mold piece, measuring a cool 18×12″.

Step 2. Cut Dowel Pieces

Now it’s time to tackle the dowel pieces. Grab a hand or miter saw and cut the wood dowel into four equal pieces, each measuring 2″ in length. Aim for ninja-level precision here and make sure all four pieces are the same length.

Step 3. Cut The Sides Of The Concrete Tray Mold

Let’s shape things up! Take the PVC molding and cut it into four pieces: two measuring 18″ and two measuring 13 ½”. These will be the sides of your concrete tray mold. Get those PVC cutters ready and let the cutting commence!

Step 4. Cut Acetate To Fit The Base

Time to add a touch of smoothness to your tray. Lay a piece of acetate film on the table and place the foam board on top. Carefully trace around the base and cut the acetate to fit perfectly with a trusty pair of scissors. This will give your tray a flawless finish.

Step 5. Fasten The Sides Of The Concrete Mold Box

Let’s secure those sides, shall we? Wrap the PVC boards around the foam base and use clamps to hold them in place. Attach the short ends to the long ones by drilling two pilot holes and then screwing in each screw. Keep it tight and secure!

Step 6. Cut The Holes For The Handle’s Screws

Now it’s time to plan the perfect spot for your handles. Place the acetate on top of the foam base, ensuring a snug fit without any air bumps underneath. 

To keep things clean and precise, tape the ends with blue tape. Measure 4 ½” from each edge and mark the centre for your screw hole. 

Double-check that everything lines up with the handles. Carefully drill the holes using a low torque setting on your drill. Insert the dowels into the holes, stopping when they are flush with the bottom of the foam base. These exposed dowels will serve as your fill line for the concrete mix.

Step 7. Mix The Concrete And Cast The Tray Mold

It’s time to get your hands dirty with concrete mixing! Aim for a mud pie consistency by combining two batches of concrete mix. Scoop the mix into the Mold until it’s flush with the tops of the dowels. 

Remember not to fully cover the dowels, but a little bit is fine. Give the Mold a good vibration to release any air bubbles and ensure a smooth surface. Slide the Mold back and forth on your work surface to self-level the mix and use an orbital sander without sandpaper to vibrate along each side. 

Take your time with this step, and don’t be afraid to vibe it for about 15 minutes if needed. Before letting it cure, carve out a bit of concrete around each dowel to ensure a flush fit for the screw heads.

Step 8. Demold The Tray

The moment has arrived to unveil your masterpiece! Unscrew the sides of the Mold, but make sure the tray has a frosted appearance and the sides are no longer moist. 

Place a towel on your work surface, flip the Mold over, and gently remove the foam board and acetate. Hang on to that acetate sheet—it might come in handy for the next step.

Step 9. Fasten The Handles To The Concrete Tray

Time to add some handles to your tray! Before you proceed, let the concrete cure for an additional day or two to ensure maximum strength. 

Once you’re ready, use a Dremel multi-tool or a flush-cut trim saw to cut the dowels flush with the tray. Take extra care not to scratch the tray while cutting. If needed, protect the tray with the saved acetate sheet. Pre-drill pilot holes for each handle screw, ensuring they align perfectly. 

Turn the tray on its side and drill the screws until they peek through the wood on the front side. If any screws don’t align with the handles, use a larger drill bit to redrill the pilot hole. Secure those handles in place!

Step 10. Sand The Serving Tray

Time to smooth things out and make your tray even more beautiful! Grab an orbital sander and some sandpaper (180 or 220 grit) to sand the bottom of the tray. Switch to a 320 grit pad and sand the top and sides for a flawless finish. 

Even if you love that glossy sheen, lightly sanding it is important to prevent easy scratching. Don’t forget to go over the back of the tray again with the 320 grit.

Step 11. Seal The Tray

Give your tray the royal treatment by sealing it. Use a foam brush to apply the sealer to the top, then flip the tray over by its handles and seal the sides and back. 

If you have any rough edges, make sure to push the brush into them to get that sealant deep into the holes. Applying a second coat is highly recommended for added protection. Wait approximately 24 hours before applying the second coat, and within 6-8 hours after sealing, your tray will be ready to use!

Step 12. Add Silicone Bumpers To The Bottom Of The Concrete Tray

Last but not least, let’s ensure your tray doesn’t scratch your table. Attach silicone bumpers to the bottom of the tray—one at each corner, about an inch in. These little protectors will keep your table safe while adding a touch of style to your DIY creation.

And there you have it—a fantastic, handmade concrete tray that’s ready to impress! Enjoy serving your favourite goodies in style while basking in the glory of your DIY prowess.

Send us a photo of your new concrete tray, we would love to see it, you can upload your images in the comments section!

Plan your next DIY project with Build it Hermanus and get the job done right, first time. Please follow us on social media to stay up to date with our latest sizzling specials and promotional offers!

Or log on to our online store and shop from the comfort of your home: www.buildit-store.co.za

Build it Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.

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How To

How to Paint Wood to Achieve Smooth Results

Build it Hermanus How to Paint Wood to Achieve Smooth Results

This is a great guide for homeowners who are not professional painters, on how to get a super smooth coat of paint when you need it, cabinets, woodwork, trim, these all need smooth paint without unsightly brush marks.

Painting wood seems like such a basic project that people often attempt short cuts or rush the project and end up with poor results. 

Mastering the techniques of painting wood surfaces is not difficult, follow these tips and you will end up with beautiful results, let’s begin with what you will need.

Equipment / Tools

  • Plastic Drop Sheeting
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Bucket
  • Clean Cloths
  • Random Orbital Sander or Sandpaper
  • Vacuum
  • 70mm Paintbrush
  • Roller With a High-density Foam
  • Paint Tray

Materials

  • TSP (tri-sodium phosphate)
  • 180-grit and 220-grit Sandpaper
  • Tack Cloth
  • Primer
  • Enamel paint or an Interior Acrylic-latex Paint
  • Paint additive such as Penetrol or Floetrol (optional)

Cover Your Work Surface and Clean the Wood

Drape plastic sheeting over the floor or other work surface to protect it from paint spills. The plastic keeps the paint from soaking through to the floor and helps to contain paint spills.

Mix a solution of TSP with warm water according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, wet a cloth in the water and firmly squeeze it dry, then wipe down the wood to remove all the dirt and oils.

Let the wood dry completely, now check for large nicks, gouges, and scratches, if necessary, fill these with a wood filler.

Note: TSP is a strong cleaner and degreaser that is used for cleaning surfaces in preparation for painting, but you could substitute it for a similar product.

Prep the Wood and Sand Your Primer

A good paint job is in the preparation before you even touch a paint brush. Without a smooth base, you can’t get a smooth finish.

Sand the bare wood to 120-grit, this will give the primer a good hold and create the right base to start with. Paint your primer onto the wood, if the primer looks transparent or streaky, prime a second time.

Sand the primer down with 220 grit paper once the primer has dried enough, for a super smooth feel before your final paint. Between each sanding we recommend that you use a vacuum cleaner to remove the majority of the dust, then clean off the remaining dust with your tack cloth. A tack cloth or tack rag is a gauze-like, lint-free material, impregnated with a waxy  substance used to remove dust and dirt from wood.

Note: Too much pressure on the tack cloth will be counter-productive, lightly wipe it across the surface, as not to press the tack cloth’s embedded wax onto the surface.

You can Use Additives

There are additives that you can use, like Penetrol and Floetrol for your paint that slow down the drying process and makes the paint less sticky.

Thinner paint lays down better and helps hide brush marks.

Penterol Oil-Based Coating Additive is a versatile low-odour additive to improve penetration, adhesion and flow of oil-based paints, stains, varnishes, and primers. It is a versatile blend of natural oils with a penetration power 3 times more than water and has a powerful bonding ability.

Floetrol is a latex paint additive that makes interior and exterior latex or acrylic paint flow and level like oil-based paints, while compensating for the adverse effects that weather and surface conditions have on paints and primers.

Buy The Right Paint

Do not skimp on buying a good quality paint, for woodwork and cabinets, you should consider Enamel paint, which dries harder than regular paint.

Put it On, Leave it Alone

Roll the paint on with the foam roller, smooth it out and leave it alone. The quicker you can get the surface covered, the more time the paint has to smooth out as it dries.

Note: Unlike the nap-style roller, the foam roller soaks up paint like a sponge, preventing drips and splatters. High-density foam roller covers work better with thinner latex paint than with oil-based paints.

You can use the paint brush to fill in the creases. Keep a wet edge at all times to prevent lap marks, do not add a second coat of paint during this step, as this can cause the paint to tear.

If you find any defects while the paint is drying, you will have to fix it later with the next coat.

For the best results, if possible, let the piece dry overnight before using it, paint becomes more durable after it fully cures. Remember that some of these are techniques that take a little practice to get just right, so don’t be frustrated if it takes a little time to get perfect, as in everything else, practice makes perfect.

For your convenience all the products and materials are available from the Build it Hermanus store, please feel free to ask any of our experienced salespeople for assistance or advice when purchasing a product, we are here to make your shopping experience as memorable as possible.

Build it Hermanus offers local delivery, supplying the greater Overberg area with building materials, do-it-yourself home improvement tools, and expert advice.

Please follow us on social media to stay up to date with our latest sizzling specials and promotional offers! Or log on to our online store and shop from the comfort of your home: www.buildit-store.co.za

Build it Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.