Tri State Spring Home Lawn and Garden 4-4-24 Digital Edition

How to Install a Ring Video Doorbell

Pre-Installation Setup: Charge the Battery

A Ring Video Doorbell can be hardwired into your previous doorbell system (Ring includes all the necessary tools and materials to do so) or used with a battery. The battery does not come charged, and either way you decide to mount the Ring Doorbell, you will need to charge the battery. Ring gives you all tools and materials you need to mount the doorbell, whether you mount it to brick or concrete.

Pre-Installation Setup: Download the App

Download the Ring—Always Home app to your smartphone, available on iOS and Android devices. This app helps you set up and install Ring devices, control settings and group devices together. You can scroll down the store page and find another compatible app called Neighbors by Ring. This app gives users a quick look into crime in your surrounding area. Think of it as a cross between Nextdoor and a police scanner. After downloading the Ring–Always Home app, create an account. Once you’ve made your account, you can begin installing your Ring Doorbell. The Ring–Always Home app will also walk you through the setup process. Tools and Supplies

Now, it’s finally time to mount the Ring Video Doorbell. While each Ring Doorbell kit contains different extras, they all come with everything you need for installation, including a screwdriver! However, you may want to use a power screwdriver to cut-down installation time.Before drilling, set the Ring Video Doorbell in place and mark where the screws go. Drill pilot holes and fasten the doorbell in place. If you’re mounting to brick or concrete, you’ll need a carbide drill bit. Luckily, concrete anchors are included with the Video Doorbell. Hammer drills are preferable for drilling into concrete, but a regular drill works just fine. If you are mounting to wood, you can fasten the Video Doorbell with the included screws.

Directions:

1. Insert the battery pack into your Ring Video Doorbell

2. Connect the doorbell to your home’s Wi-Fi and the Ring App

3. Select your prefered motion settings, tell the app what angle you’re mounting the camera at, and if you have stairs up to the doorbell

4. Fasten the doorbell to the exterior of your home

5. Replace the front plate and fasten it to the rest of the doorbell

You did it! Now your Ring Video Doorbell should be ready to go, and you’ll sleep better at night with the added home security.

Step #1

How to Stain a Deck for a Beautiful, Long-Lasting Finish

Prep forDeck Staining

Before applying any stain or paint, you must prep the deck's surface. Use a belt sander or orbital sander to sand the deck lightly, working in the direction of the wood grain. Thoroughly sweep the deck to remove any wood dust particles. Mix a batch of deck cleaner according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply it, then scrub with a stiff brush. Make sure to scrub in the direction of the wood grain to clean the surface thoroughly. Depending on how dirty your deck is, this might be a process you'll need to repeat to clean the wood completely.

Step #2

Power-Wash the Surface

After you've scrubbed your deck, use a power washer to rinse off the cleaner. Use the fan or 40-degree nozzle careful not to get too close to the wood. The heavy, direct water pressure can damage the deck's surface. Allow the deck to dry completely, which can take 12-24 hours.

Step#3

Apply Stain on the Deck

Once the deck is completely dry, use painters tape to protect your home's siding adjacent to the deck. Then apply stain or paint with a roller. Work carefully to avoid blobs and streaks. Stain small, 3-foot-square sections at a time, then pause with the roller and brush the surface with your large paintbrush. This step eliminates drips and puddles and creates a more natural brushstroke. Make deck staining is done along the wood grain.

Step#4

Stain the Remaining Details

Use a smaller paintbrush to stain deck railings, spindles, stairs, skirt boards, and other remaining deck portions. Pay close attention to the edges of the boards so you don't have brushstrokes that run against the grain. Let the stain dry for 48 hours before walking on it.

How To Paint ARoom

Step #1: Make a Plan

Making all the decisions you need to make before getting started on your painting project will save you time, including: Choose your color. Paint color samples are essential to selecting a color you’ll love. Choose your finish. Note: If your walls have imperfections, flat or matte finishes are more forgiving than semi-gloss and gloss finishes. Choose your products. Consult with your local Benjamin Moore retailer to select the right paint products. Gather your materials. Will you need an extension pole or a lader to reach higher parts of your space? Do you have drop cloths, brushes, rollers, painter’s tape and all the painting supplies you need? Look at your job holistically before getting started. Prep your space. Place a drop cloth down on the floor and to cover any furniture. If you’re painting your trim, molding or baseboards a different color from your walls, tape off your molding-wall border.

Step #2: Prep the Walls

When prepping a room for painting, it’s important to prepare your walls. Inspect walls for imperfections and repair any cracks or small holes. Sand down any repaired areas with 220-grit sandpaper and a sanding sponge. Vacuum up any sanding dust and wipe your walls down again with a damp rag. Allow the walls to dry completely.

Step #3: Clean the Walls

Wipe away any dust from sanding with a damp rag. Thoroughly clean your walls with damp rags or a sponge and warm water, starting from the top and working downward. Allow the walls to dry completely.

Step #4: Paint the Ceiling

When it comes to painting a ceiling, using the right product will make this part of your project much easier. Waterborne Ceiling Paint has a forgiving ultra-flat finish offering superior hide that covers any DIYmistakes. Tape off the borders of your ceiling. Cut in the edges of your ceiling with a paintbrush. Switch to a roller to roll an even coat of paint onto the remaining surface area.

Step #5: Paint Trim, Moldings and Baseboards

If you’re painting your trim, molding or baseboards a different color from your walls, tape off your molding-wall border. If your trim, molding or baseboards have been previously painted, you don’t need to use primer. If not previously painted, apply an even coat of Fresh Start®High-Hiding All Purpose Primer with a paintbrush and let dry completely. Use a paintbrush to cut in your project edges and apply an even layer of Regal®Select Interior paint to your trim, molding or baseboards.

Step #6: Paint the Walls

If your walls have been previously painted, you don’t need to prime them. If you’re working with unfinished drywall, use a paintbrush to cut in your wall borders with Fresh Start®High-Hiding All PurposePrimer. Switch to a roller and roll the primer onto the remaining surface area. If you’ve used primer, allow it to dry completely before you paint your walls. To start painting, cut in the edges of your walls with Regal®Select Interior paint using a paintbrush. Switch to a roller and roll your paint along the wall to evenly cover the rest of your project area.

Step #7: Let Dry and Apply Second Coat

For your ceiling, trim, molding and walls, allow your first coat of paint to dry completely before applying a second coat. If you’ve taped off your trim, remove your painter’s tape immediately after applying your final coat of paint. Let your freshly painted ceiling, trim, molding and walls dry completely before returning the area to everyday use.

Ten Tips On Clearing Out Clutter

If you’re like most Americans, you’ve lost something valuable because of clutter, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey. The most common thing lost? Important documents and bills. So that you don’t have to deal with such difficulties, here are 10 tips to help you get organized:

Tip 1:

Start small when starting to declutter. Pick one area or room and sort through your stuff. Purge items no longer used and assign the keepers a place.

Tip 2: Keep things orderly. Create zones for certain activities or categories and store all related items in that zone.

Tip 3: Have a young family? Make it a game with your kids to get organized. Create a treasure hunt and you may rediscover items once thought to be lost.

Tip 4: Organization needs consistency. Talk to your significant other or roommate about maintaining a united front on keeping things organized.

Tip 5:

Enlist help for larger organization efforts. Invite friends over to help clear out clutter; pay them with pizza and cold drinks for their work.

Tip 6:

Donate duplicate or unwanted items to a charity that can then use your extras to support those in need.

Tip 7: Pick your battles. Start with what is manageable, like a closet, and work your way toward larger projects, such as the basement or garage.

Tip 8: Create routines. Make it a habit to tackle a new area of the home every month.

Tip 9:

Put it away now. Done using something? Instead of letting things pile up, put them away immediately. You can have plenty of places to put stuff when you get storage units, shelving and orgaization kits from Gladiator GarageWorks. View them all at www.gladiatorgarageworks.com.

Tip 10: Enjoy the spoils of victory. Cleaning and organizing is a daunting but rewarding task. Enjoy your accomplishment.

A neat and manageable garage, basement and life can start by your straightening a single shelf.