The Tao of project delays

Getting back to work

Adrian T. Miller

Unless you have a contractor on retainer while you were away, all the household projects you put off doing while you went on hiatus are now waiting for you at home.

Whether you plan to jump right in or have time to relax, you should consider the condition of your tools and materials.

Being smart workers, you took care of your tools while you were gone, by putting them back in their boxes, closets, sheds, or covering them with tarps.

If not, you may now have to bring a very expensive shopping list to your local hardware store. Storing these items properly will let you know right away which ones may need servicing.

For tools and material left outside on a deck or in a loose-boarded shed, be sure to carefully examine the area for unwanted squatters (spiders, wasps, vermin, etc.) that might have made your work area their new home.

Use caution when dealing with these pests. Let insect sprays ventilate before going back to work. If you opt for the humane approach, encourage mice, snakes, and the like to leave voluntarily by making loud noises and rearranging the environment.

Check any removable power tool accessories, such as saw blades and drill bits, for rust or damage. Make sure these are in good condition and properly cleaned before use. This can be done with a light wire brush or fine grade of metal sandpaper.

With power tools, watch for moisture. The tool may look in order, but turn it over and shake. If water drops come out the vent or grate, allow it to dry completely indoors before plugging it in.

Certain types of material, like wood, do not tolerate inclement weather and will bow if left for long periods in the rain. Concrete blocks, on the other hand, can withstand almost anything and be used right away.

Always begin an important job with dry, undamaged wood. Wood that is wet may change shape after a build and deform your finished product. Warped wood can throw off every measurement you made.

Strap wet wood to dry wood or to objects that do not warp in water, like a metal beam. If you can, move the wood indoors and allow it to sit for a couple of days. Though construction jobs have special tools to dry wood, your personal hair dryer is not going to do the job. You will just have to wait.

Organize your screws and nails so that you know exactly what you have ready for the tasks ahead. You can approximate which types you will need and have a running count for your imminent trip to the hardware store.

If you are not a seasoned construction professional or if your memory is spotty, bring either the cover of the screw and nail boxes to compare types or collect samples of these restockables for comparison.

Some types of screws and nails may have gone out of stock or been discontinued altogether by the time you return to the job. Be prepared to improvise.

When in doubt, buy all the materials that you need at the beginning of a job, making allowances for the unforeseeable. Lean towards standard sets of screws and nails, rather than small quantities of specialty items; there is less chance that what you need will be unavailable when you go to restock it.

Reacquaint yourself with the work area and any instructions you wrote down. You'll never realize until that moment how important a simple list of measurements can be.

Inspect not only what you have done, but how you did it. Every project is unique. When inspiration strikes, run with it, but stay within your budget. Pick up that craftsmanship spirit right where you left off.

Have a question, comment or complaint? Write Adrian at comments@avistarr.com

The Tao of Do-It-Yourself is intended to de-mystify simple home and auto maintenance projects. It is not a substitute for professional repair services. If your vehicle or appliance has a problem you cannot identify or if you suspect it is operating in an unsafe manner, always refer to the proper specialist right away.

A.T. Miller is an electronics technician who builds control panels for gas turbine engines. He is also a fledgling author with one published book. At home, he is an amateur repairman, plumber, electrician, carpenter, and auto mechanic. His most important job is that of husband and father.