Lean Times Make More DIYers
"Do It Yourself" is a coping mechanism for tough times.
It’s
finally official: we’re in a recession. And, with the fear
of possibly being laid off, more of us are becoming
do-it-yourself-ers (DIYers). You don’t want to hire help, so
you need tools to help you accomplish tasks safely – and
often by yourself. Here are some of the tools we’ve
discovered that can help you out.
Tackling projects like painting or cleaning may involve
moving heavy furniture such as couches or armoires. The best
way to move a couch is to lever it off the floor with
Lift Buddy™ then place a sliding disk under each leg.
They look like plastic coasters that are slick on the bottom
with a non-slip surface on top. Several brands such as
Magic Sliders™ or
EZ
Moves™ are available at hardware stores or online. And
while you’re moving, take the opportunity to lay the couch
on its back to affix the smaller sliding disks permanently
on each leg. Next time rearranging the room will be a lot
easier.
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The
best way to move heavy boxes or case goods, like chests of
drawers and heavy armoires, is with
BigSlider™ utility
mover. It’s a big sheet of sliding plastic with a handle and
rope. This tool replaces the old piece of carpet or used
cardboard box. It’s thin and flexible, but not so thin that
you can’t shove it under whatever you’re trying to move.
Tilt the item up a little to get it started; push, pull,
roll, or walk the item on to the sheet; then slide by
pulling the big handle. The best things about BigSlider are
not losing the disks as you’re moving and easily getting it
out from underneath the load when you get where you’re
going.
Outdoor winter preparations can also tax the back with leaf
raking, moving heavy potted plants, or repairing walks and
driveways. For raking, start with a comfortable tool. The
Fiskars rake,
Slapshot Rake, and
Pivoting rake all look interesting – can’t wait to get
one since our leaves all fell on the Gulf Coast this
weekend! Change sides about every ten minutes when raking
leaves to balance the strains and load on your body. That’s
a good rule of thumb, but judge by the feeling in your
muscles instead of the clock. Don’t overdo on either side
without a rest.
While you can strain your back with over-zealous raking, the
greater danger comes after the raking is completed and you
begin bagging and removing the leaves. Lifting weights that
you are not used to can strain your back muscles seriously
and quickly. It can happen in an instant, and you are more
vulnerable after you have already been working these muscles
with raking. Don’t overfill the bags and make them too heavy
to lift, but even bags that are not overloaded can strain
your back by lifting from an awkward position.
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It
is common to use wheelbarrows or garden carts to move loaded
lawn bags, but people will also drag full bags, or put
leaves on a tarp anddrag the tarp to dispose of the leaves.
The problem with these solutions is that the bag is easily
torn, and the tarp can be awkward to handle. Again, we like BigSlider™ because it holds the bag open so one person can
rake straight in, and it reinforces the bag. Once you shimmy
it out of the bag, just roll the load on its 2 by 5 foot
sheet to easily move up to six bags in one trip without
straining your back. It’s also good for moving heavy potted
plants under cover before it freezes.
Another ergonomic, you-can-do-it-by-yourself tool is
CreteSheet.™ Whether
you’re pouring a patio, putting in fence posts or repairing
the driveway or sidewalk, it helps you mix up to an 80-pound
bag of concrete in less than ninety seconds with one or two
people. The ground carries the weight of the concrete and
water, and the mix is more thorough than using a bucket,
mixing tub, or wheelbarrow -- not to mention easier on the
back -- and easier to clean up. It’s also great for mixing
mulches, soils, and plaster.
Finally, to all you newbie DIYers: before you take on any of
these tasks, don’t forget to stretch and warm up your back!
TOUGH. SIMPLE. EFFICIENT.
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