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A Guide to Drilling Into Ceramic Tiles

Don’t worry if you find yourself needing to drill into ceramic tiles to attach an accessory in the bathroom, laundry or kitchen; the required hole(s) can be drilled with a normal masonry drill bit.

Before you start the project you may also wish to refer to A Quick Guide to Using a Masonry Drill Bit and A Quick Guide to Using Wall Plugs.





A Quick Guide to Using a Spirit Level

A spirit level is an essential tool for making sure whatever you are constructing or installing is straight and/or level. It can be used for both horizontal and vertical jobs i.e. for posts and walls as well as shelving etc. It is an essential tool which is very easy to use.





A Quick Guide to Checking if Your Spirit Level is Accurate

When using a spirit level it is important to remember that it is a precision instrument and can become inaccurate if it is treated roughly or accidentally dropped.

Before purchasing a level you can use the following steps to make sure it is not faulty.

If you already own one, it is wise to occasionally check the vial’s accuracy.





A Quick Guide to Choosing and Using a Ladder

Whether it’s washing the windows, cleaning the gutters or painting, one of the first tools you need is a ladder. For general use around the home a ladder should last a lifetime, so you need to choose one that is going to suit your present and future needs.

Hopefully the following information will help you to decide. Also included are safety tips on how to correctly use your new ladder.





A Guide to Managing Black Portuguese Millipedes

The black Portuguese millipede, Ommatoiulus moreleti, is a native of Portugal and was accidentally introduced to Australia, first appearing in South Australia in 1953. They have since invaded all the southern mainland states.

They are attracted to light and will enter buildings at night, although once inside they do not breed and will eventually die.





A Guide to Removing and Replacing a Broken Ceramic Tile

If you have a ceramic tile that has been cracked or broken, don’t despair, this is a job that the handyperson can easily do (provided you have a spare tile).

The level of difficulty is only determined by the type of adhesive (glue) and the type of substrate (what the tile is attached to).





A Guide to Controlling Ants

About the Lifecycle

Ants are social insects and live in colonies. Usually there are 3 distinct castes: workers, queens and males. Some species also have “soldiers”.

Eggs are laid by the queen, then develop into larvae, pupate and become adults. The workers feed and care for the queens and developing brood, and are the ones seen foraging for food and water, often at great distances from the colony.





A Guide to Living Greener – Disposing of Used/Broken Energy Saving Lamps

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps or CFLs is not only better for the environment but will also save you money.

It should be noted however, that energy-saving CFLs do contain small quantities of elemental mercury.

While most modern CFLs contain fewer than 5 milligrams, which is approximately equivalent to the tip of a ballpoint pen, you should always handle the lamps with care and store them appropriately to prevent the likelihood of breakage.





A Guide to Living Greener – Cleaning Your Oven

The best way to keep your oven clean is by practising prevention. You can do this by wiping up spills as soon as you can after they happen, and if you are able, line the base of your oven with aluminium foil (don’t cover any vents) to catch any drips and fat.

However no matter how careful you are, at some point you will need to give your oven a good clean.





A Quick Guide to Unsticking a Padlock

Over time a padlock can become hard to close or difficult to turn or remove the key.

While this can be a frustrating problem it is one that can be easily fixed by simply using some graphite and following the steps below.