How to Seal a Door Posted: 29 Sep 2019 01:00 AM PDT Gaps around your door allow air to pass through, creating drafts in your home. This will reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling and can make your home less comfortable to be in. However, it is quick and easy to seal a door. To do it, determine where your air leaks are and cover them with weather stripping. After you apply the weather stripping, you simply need to ensure that your door can still open and close easily before enjoying the benefits of your newly sealed door. [Edit]Checking and Cleaning the Doorway - Tighten the hinges on your door. Lift the door by the doorknob. If you can move it upward, then the hinges are likely loose. Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws holding the hinges in place.[1]
- Some drafts are caused by the door shifting due to loose hinges. Because of this, before you seal the edges of your door, take a few minutes to tighten all of the hardware.
- If the hinge screws spin but won't tighten, it means that the wood in the hole is stripped out. You will need to replace the screws with wider or longer screws so that they can dig into wood that is not damaged. You may also need to fill the holes with wood plugs and re-drive the new screws into those plugs if there is a lot of wood damage.
- Check the state of the old weather stripping. If your door had weather stripping previously installed, it might be damaged or deformed. Check it by running your hand around the perimeter of the door while the door is closed. Feel for air coming in between the door and the frame. Mark the areas where you feel air coming in with a light pencil mark or a piece of painter's tape.
- If you can feel a draft while checking areas that already have weather stripping, you will need to remove the old weather stripping and replace it with a new seal.
- Clean the areas that need to be sealed. Remove old weather stripping that is broken or ineffective by peeling or sliding it away. Then use a damp rag to wipe away any visible dirt and debris from the door frame and the edges of the door itself. This will help you attach your new weather stripping securely.[2]
- Drag the edge of a paint scraper along the top, bottom, and sides of the door and door frame to remove any stuck-on debris from these surfaces.
- Also clean the threshold, which is the bottom of the door frame. If there are grooves along the threshold, run a nail through the grooves to scrape away any gunk that has gotten lodged in there. Then run a lightly damp rag along the threshold and door frame to ensure that the surfaces are clean.
- Buy new weather stripping at a home improvement or hardware store. There are several different types of weather stripping available, so you'll need to decide which one you wish to use. For the top and sides of your door, wrapped foam weather stripping is durable and works well with gaps of various sizes. Weather stripping with a wooden shell is durable yet easier to work with than metal weather stripping, so it makes a good choice for someone who has no prior experience sealing doors. For the door sweep, consider using a metal door sweep with a flexible vinyl flap for greater durability.[3]
- A metal door sweep with a flexible vinyl flap is also fairly easy to install, as the metal piece is screwed down and then the vinyl is inserted into it. More advanced options include storm-proof seals and roller door seals, such as brush or auto-lift vinyl seals that attach to the bottom of roller doors.[4]
- If purchasing a weather stripping kit, note that most kits only contain weatherstripping for the top and sides of your door. You will need to purchase a separate door sweep.
- Rigid door sweeps will not work if the carpet is higher or even with the threshold. When rigid door sweeps won't work, use flexible bulb weather stripping made of vinyl. This attaches to the threshold right under the door.[5]
[Edit]Measuring the Door - Measure the top and sides of the door frame. Close the door and measure along the top of the frame using a tape measure. With the door still closed, measure along both sides of the frame with a tape measure.[6]
- Note that your measurements for the top and sides of the door will need to be made along the door frame and not the door itself.
- To achieve a tight seal, you will need to measure cut pieces of weather stripping that are tailor fit to each side, which means that you will need to know the precise length of each side.
- Measure the bottom of the door. Open the door, then measure the bottom of the door using a tape measure. Unlike the measurements you took for the top and side seals, you will need to measure for the bottom seal by measuring the bottom of the door itself.[7]
- Make sure that you face the inside of the door as you take this measurement. This is the surface that you will be applying weather stripping onto.
- Mark those measurements on the weather stripping. Use a tape measure to measure out each length onto the weather stripping for the top and sides of the door that you purchased. Mark the length of the bottom of the door on the door sweep weather stripping that you purchased.[8]
- Mark each length using a sharp pencil or marker. Make sure that each line you draw is clear and sharp.
- When using a weather stripping kit, you will have two long pieces for the sides and one short piece for the top. Make sure to draw your top measurement on the short piece and your side measurements on the long pieces.
- Trim the weather stripping down to size. Cut the weather stripping at the marks you just measured out. Keep your cuts as clean and even as possible to ensure a tight seal. You'll also need to make sure that the ends of the top piece are angles and one end of each side piece is angled to fit into the top piece of weather stripping. You do not need to angle the bottom end of your side pieces.[9]
- The foam and vinyl portions can be cut using sharp scissors, but you will need a hacksaw or similar tool to cut any metal or wood portions.
- Hold the metal or wood still with one hand and saw through it with the other. Saw slowly so that you cut it in a straight line.
[Edit]Installing Weather Stripping - Tack the top piece of weather stripping in place. Step inside, close the door, and then position the top piece of weather stripping along the top of your door frame. Loosely nail it into place. Only hammer the nails in enough to hold the weather stripping in place.[10]
- Do not finish driving the nails until you add the side pieces.
- This seal must be installed along the door frame and not onto the door itself.
- Use 1-1/2 inch (3.75 cm) nails. Place the nails 2 inches (5 cm) in from either side to prevent splitting. Nails should also be 12 inches (30.5 cm) apart.
- Tack your side pieces into place. Position the side pieces of weather stripping along the sides of your door frame. As with the top piece, your side pieces will need to fit onto the door frame instead of the actual door and the foam should fill the gap around the door. Place each side piece along the sides of the door frame and tack them into place with a hammer and nails.[11]
- If the top angle does not fit into the top piece of weather stripping, file it down. You can use a metal file, sandpaper, or sanding belt to fine-tune these top angles.
- Make small adjustments and check the fit until you reach the proper angle.
- As with the top piece of weather stripping, use 1-1/2 inch nails and place them 2 inches (5 cm) from either end. Nails should be spaced 12 inches (30.5 cm) apart from one another.
- Test the seal. Open and close the door several times to make sure that the weather stripping seals properly. Feel the areas you marked that had air flow to ensure that the weather stripping is doing its job. The weather stripping must completely seal against the door as it closes, and the door must be able to latch and lock.
- Remove and adjust the placement of your weather stripping as needed to achieve a proper seal.
- Set the nails to hold the weather stripping in place. Finish hammering in the nails once the weather stripping along the top and sides of the door seals properly. Check the seal once more after you finish hammering in the nails. Open and close the door to make sure that the seal still holds.[12]
- Determine the proper position of the door sweep on the door. Place the door sweep along the bottom edge of the inside of the door, but do not screw or nail it into place yet. The flexible portion of the door sweep must touch the top of the threshold, but it should not rub against it too tightly.[13]
- Metal door sweeps will already have screw holes in them. Mark the position of these holes onto your door using a pencil or marker. Remove the door sweep temporarily, then drill pilot holes into these marked portions.
- Note that vinyl door sweeps are installed on the threshold instead of the door, however. Align one end of the strip with one end of the threshold. Using your hands, firmly press the flanges, which are the edges of the strip, into the grooves of the threshold.[14]
- Attach the door sweep. Push the door sweep against the bottom threshold of the door. Insert the screws into your previously drilled pilot holes. Use a screwdriver to screw the sweep in place.[15]
- When using a vinyl door sweep, place a wood tapping block over the weather stripping. Strike the block with your hammer to drive the flanges of the weatherstripping deep into the grooves of the threshold.
- Test the seal once more. Open and close the door several times to test the bottom seal. Once the sides, top, and bottom portions of weatherstripping are properly installed, the process is complete. Your door should now be sealed.[16]
- Take each measurement twice before cutting to ensure accuracy.
- Note that weatherstripping should be applied when temperatures are above 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius).[17]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Damp rag
- Paint scraper, if necessary
- Weatherstripping
- Door sweep
- Hammer
- 1-1/2 inch (3.75 cm) nails
- 1-1/2 inch (3.75 cm) screws
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Hacksaw or coping saw
- Sharp scissors
- Sand paper, metal file, or sanding belt
- Measuring tape
- Pencil or marker
[Edit]References |
How to Stop Eating Meat Posted: 28 Sep 2019 05:00 PM PDT The decision to stop eating meat is a very personal one. You might be concerned about animal welfare, environmental impacts, or your own health. Regardless of your reason for giving up meat, you'll be more likely to stick with it if you create achievable goals, replace the meat with nutritious food, and find a diet that works for you. Remember that giving up meat will take some adjustment, so don't stop trying if you relapse or crave meat. [Edit]Setting Yourself up for Success - List the reasons you want to stop eating meat. You might have a vague idea of why you don't want to eat meat anymore or you may have specific reasons. Take a few minutes to write down all the reasons you have for not eating meat. You can refer to this list later if you're struggling and it can remind you why not eating meat is important to you. Examples of reasons could include:[1]
- Lowering your cholesterol or reducing inflammation
- Reducing your environmental impact
- Improving animal welfare
- Make small, achievable goals towards giving up meat. If giving up meat is your ultimate goal, think of all the smaller steps you need to take to get there. Write down goals or barriers that you'll have to get past and celebrate when you achieve them. This can give you momentum for reaching your goal.[2]
- For example, you might challenge yourself to give up eating fast food within 1 week or cutting back the number of meals with meat to 3 times a week.
- Some gradual goals could be cutting out red meat within 2 weeks, not eating chicken within 3 weeks, and not eating pork by 1 month.
- Make some of your goals fun. You could challenge yourself to try 2 new vegetarian ingredients or cuisine each week, for instance.
- Set a deadline for when you want your diet to be meat-free. As you set your goals, continue to make them more challenging so you can reach your goal of not eating meat. It can help to have a deadline in mind so you know you're working towards a specific end.[3]
- You might tell yourself that you want your diet to be meat-free within 3 months. Your goals can gradually work meat out of your diet by then.
- Create a plan to deal with cravings. You may find yourself missing meat or at least thinking about it more. Instead of giving in, try to think of an alternative way to satisfy your craving. You might be craving meat because you want a specific flavor, so try these common swaps:[4]
- If you're craving a filling, butter flavor, eat avocado instead of meat.
- Make a peanut butter sandwich instead of chicken if you're craving protein.
- Eat mushrooms, miso, or parmesan cheese if you're craving a savory umami flavor.
- Don't give up if you relapse and eat meat. You don't have to stop eating meat completely. Even eating less meat than you used to can have positive impacts. Giving up meat can be difficult, especially if you've grown up eating it at every meal. Remind yourself that you can work towards your next goal and you'll eventually be able to stop eating meat altogether.
[Edit]Gradually Eating Less Meat - Make meal plans for a few days or a week. Don't wait until you're really hungry to decide what you want to eat or order. Instead, plan nutritious plant-based meals so you don't have an excuse to just grab a meat-based meal. Set aside a few hours to make a list of the meals you plan to make during the week and the ingredients you'll need.[5]
- If you have time, you could also prep some of the ingredients. Chopping produce ahead of time can make it easier to get a vegetarian meal on the table.
- It's also a good idea to plan some savory snacks since these can curb your cravings for meat. For example, keep smoked nuts, roasted chickpeas, or vegetable chips in the pantry.
- Use a little meat as a flavor instead of the main dish. If you eliminate meat from your diet, you might experience cravings. To reduce cravings, try eating meat as a supporting ingredient instead of making it the focus of a meal. For example, buy a package of bacon and cook just a few slices to crumble into pasta with roasted vegetables.[6]
- For example, instead of cooking lasagna with ground beef, make a vegetable lasagna but include a few slices of chopped prosciutto to give it a little meaty flavor.
- Add new vegetarian ingredients or cuisines to your diet. It's easy to focus on missing meat, but you can distract yourself and your tastebuds by trying new flavors. For example, instead of eating rice a few times a week, make quinoa or farro.[7]
- Swap out your standard meat and potatoes meal for a vegetable and noodle dish, such as veggie udon.
- Try meat substitutes as you cut meat out of your diet. If you really miss the flavor and texture of meat, buy a meat substitute. There are more high-quality meat substitutes than ever, so try a few to see what you like. You can find patties, crumbles or links made from textured vegetable protein, tempeh, or seitan.[8]
- Don't forget to check the freezer section of your grocery store for some of these meat substitutes.
- Add plant-based protein sources to your diet. If you're used to getting most of your protein from meat, you'll need to ensure that you're still getting it in the foods you eat. To get a variety of nutrients, eat different plant-based proteins throughout the day. Try eating:[9]
- Nuts and seeds
- Beans
- Lentils
- Whole grains
[Edit]Trying a New Diet - Talk with your doctor about your nutritional needs. It's always a good idea to consult with your doctor about your diet, especially if you're trying to become a vegetarian to improve your health. Your doctor might recommend that you take supplements that contain:[10]
- Try a flexitarian diet if you want to occasionally eat meat or fish. Some people find that they miss eating meat or want to reintroduce it to their diet. Decide if you'd like to start eating meat again in much smaller amounts. If you'd like to eat meat a few times a week, the flexitarian diet might be the best choice for you.[11]
- Remember that you're not stuck in any one diet. You might transition from a meat-based diet to a flexitarian diet before cutting out meat altogether.
- Determine what type of vegetarian diet you want to follow. Once you no longer eat meat, you need to decide if you'll eat animal products. Some lacto-vegetarians eat dairy, such as milk and cheese, but not eggs while ovo-vegetarians eat eggs but not dairy. Just decide which animal products you'll eat and which ones you'll avoid.[12]
- Lacto-ovo-vegetarians don't eat meat, but they do eat dairy and eggs.
- Eat a pescatarian diet if you want to include fish. If you live somewhere with easy access to seafood, you might want to keep this protein source in your diet while cutting out red meat, poultry, and pork. Realize that you don't have to eat seafood every day to follow a pescatarian diet. You'll still need to include lots of plant-based protein sources, fruits, and vegetables.[13]
- Aim for a variety of seafood throughout the week so you're getting lots of nutrients.
- Consider a vegan diet if you don't want to eat any animal products. If you've been a vegetarian for a while and are eating a nutritious diet, you might decide to stop eating all animal products, such as eggs, dairy, and honey. Research which foods to cut from your diet so you can make the switch.[14]
- Keep in mind that some food products aren't vegan even though they don't have meat in them. For example, powdered sugar isn't vegan because it's processed with bone char.
- Some vegans also choose to give up animal products of any kind, including clothing and home goods, such as leather belts or chairs.
- If your friends or family don't support your decision to stop eating meat, you might not want to tell them. Instead, focus on meeting your goals.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
How to Make a 4 Strand Braided Bracelet Posted: 28 Sep 2019 09:00 AM PDT If you've mastered a basic 3-strand braid and want a bit of a challenge, add an extra strand! Once you get the hang of working with 4 strands of yarn, ribbon, or leather, you'll be surprised at how easy it is to create a complex-looking braid. Make a flat or round 4-strand braid in several colors and then wrap it around your wrist to make a completely unique bracelet. [Edit]Weaving a Flat 4-Strand Bracelet - Cut 4 equal strands of yarn. Wrap a fabric measuring tape around your wrist and make a note of the measurement. Then, cut 4 strands of yarn that are about longer than that distance. This will account for weaving and tying off the ends of the bracelet.
- If you're braiding thin thread, you may want to use 2 or 3 strands for each main strand of the braid.
- It may be easier to learn to braid with at least 2 different colors. Once you become more familiar with making 4-strand braids, you could use just 1 color.
- Tie 1 end of the strands together and tape them to a flat work surface. Gather the 4 strands together into a knot about from 1 end. Lay the strands flat on a table and put a piece of tape across the end to hold the yarn in place. Then, separate the strands so they fan away from each other.[1]
- If you don't want to tape the yarn, try pinning the strands of yarn in place. This would work best if you were working on a flat cork or bulletin board.
- Braid the outer strands towards the center. Take the rightmost strand of yarn and bring it over the strand that's next to it. Pinch the 2 middle strands together and bring the leftmost strand of yarn over them.[2]
- Keep the tension tight as you braid so your bracelet doesn't unravel.
- Bring the right strand over 1 and lift the leftmost strand over 2 strands. Repeat what you just did while keeping the tension on the strands tight so the braids are visible. Move the rightmost strand over the strand that's next to it and then pinch the 2 middle strands together. Then, take the leftmost strand and bring it over them.[3]
- Try to remember that you're working over a single strand from the right and over a double strand when you braid from the left.
- Keep braiding the outermost strands until you reach the end of your yarn. You can stop braiding when you're about from the bottom. Try to keep the tension the same as you work from the top of the yarn to the bottom. For example, don't start really tight and then become loose as you reach the end of the yarn or your bracelet will be uneven.[4]
- Tie the bottom end of the braid. Once you're about from the end of the yarn, stop braiding and pinch the strands of yarn together. Tie the yarn into a strong knot. Then, remove the tape from the top end of the braid.[5]
- Leave the excess yarn that's sticking out from the ends so you can tie the braid into a bracelet.
- Wrap the braid around your wrist and tie the ends together. Since it can be tricky to tie a knot using 1 hand, ask a friend to knot the ends together for you. If you have a long bracelet, you may be able to tie a knot at the ends before sliding it onto your wrist.[6]
- If you make an extra-large bracelet, you can wear it as an anklet.
[Edit]Creating a Round 4-Strand Bracelet - Cut 4 strands of cord, leather, or thick yarn into equal lengths. Wrap a flexible measuring tape around your wrist and add at least to the measurement. Then, cut your firm material, such as cord or leather, into 4 equal pieces according to the new measurement.[7]
- Although you can use a thick yarn, your round bracelet won't be as sturdy as a bracelet made with leather or cord.
- Gather 1 end of the strands in a knot and tie it to your work surface. Hold the 4 pieces near 1 end and tie a knot about from the end. Then, lay the knot on the table and place a piece of tape over it so the knot doesn't slide around. Separate the 4 strands so they fan out and away from each other.[8]
- If you're using 2 colors, alternate the colors when you arrange the strands.
- Wrap the left strand around and through the 2 middle strands. Take the leftmost strand and bring it underneath the 2 middle strands. Take it up and then down between the 2 strands.[9]
- Tug on the strands as you work so the tension shapes the round braid.
- Wrap the right strand around and between the 2 middle strands. At this point, you'll have 4 strands in front of you, but you'll see a slight twist near the top of the middle 2. Take the rightmost strand and wrap it underneath these 2 middle strands. Bring it around and then down between them.[10]
- You may want to hold the 2 middle strands in place with your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to hold the working strand.
- Continue to braid with the leftmost and rightmost strands. To form the round braid, keep bringing an outer strand under and around the middle strands and tug tightly once you've wrapped it. Braid until you're about from the bottom of the strands.[11]
- Remember to alternate braiding the leftmost and rightmost strands so your braid doesn't become lopsided.
- Make a knot when you reach the end and tie the bracelet around your wrist. Make the knot at least away from the bottom of the strands. Then, peel the braid off of the tape and wrap it around your wrist. Tie a knot using both ends of the braid so it doesn't slide off of your wrist.
- If you can't tie the bracelet yourself, ask a friend to help you or tie it before you slide it onto your wrist.
- Try decorating your bracelet by inserting beads onto the strands.
- Make bracelets in several colors or choose 1 for a monochrome look.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Weaving a Flat 4-Strand Bracelet - Yarn in different colors
- Tape
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
[Edit]Creating a Round 4-Strand Bracelet - Cord, leather, or thick yarn in different colors
- Tape
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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