Home Maintenance

A humidor is a box, usually made of wood, that preserves an ambient environment for storing cigars. Relative humidity in the humidor ideally is 70 percent, although a slight variation is...

A pocket organizer (often called wall pockets) is a useful device to help put papers and items in an easy-to-find and easy-to-reach place, and yet, out of the way enough to remove large amounts of...

Mercury separations in thermometers commonly occur for a variety of reasons. The most common is shipping and handling. Thermometers in this condition can be corrected through a simple procedure...

Natural stone, such as granite and travertine, add a touch of elegance and class to any home bathroom, kitchen sink or counter top. While stone is a popular choice for homes, it does take some...

After years of wear and tear fiberglass bath tubs will most likely need to be repaired or replaced. Fiberglass is non toxic when it's in a solid form and can be thrown away in the garbage. In...

One of the most effective ways to winterize your home is to apply caulk to cracks and openings. This blocks places where wind and cold can penetrate the home, and prevents your heat from escaping....

Acidic well water has a pH level of less than 7.0 and can be very problematic as it causes metal parts of the water system, such as faucets, to corrode. Too much acid in well water is typically...

Caulk is both a sealant and glue that helps keep shower tiles in place and also prevents water from seeping underneath tiles. Correctly caulking shower tiles is important since any water trapped...

From kids kicking the fence, to accidentally running the lawn mower into it or your teenager tapping the fence with the car, scuff marks on inevitably found on your PVC fence. PVC fencing, or...

A wide gap in any surface that requires caulking will require more than one step for a watertight, airtight seal. A wide gap will cause caulk to simply fall into the opening, which is...

In an era when resources are becoming scarce and bills are increasing, energy conservation is a valuable practice. It is especially important to conserve water, because it is used so often and is...

If your house is infested with rats or mice (or you're just keeping those rodents as pets), chances are that you have had to deal with the smell of rodent urine in your house. As overpowering as...

Sealing a cement driveway will extend the longevity of the surface. Cement driveways are exposed to a lot of wear and tear and, over time, may begin to deteriorate, become discolored or form...

It is not uncommon for mold to grow in a basement. Mold thrives in damp, humid environments. Basements often provide both of these ideal conditions for mold to grow. The key to preventing mold...

Cleaning shower glass might be relatively an easier task than cleaning the synthetic shower surface. If you do not clean shower glass periodically the soap stains can accumulate to forms thick...

The kitchen is the noisiest room in most homes. With today's big open great rooms, the noise is no longer confined and often can be heard in rooms meant for relaxation, like bedrooms. A kitchen...

All of us have had it happen. Maybe you banged your wall when installing that last new bed frame. Or maybe an over-assertive new puppy had helped to "redecorate" your walls with a few,...

Packing is used in compression style faucets. These faucets use packing and washers to create a seal when the handle is in the closed position. When you open the handle it breaks those seals to...

Energy efficiency is an important homeowner consideration. Many people go to great lengths to block drafts with caulk, plastic sheeting and foam insulating materials. But there is a source of air...

Water leaks cause the water bill to increase. The dripping could also keep loved ones awake at night. The cause of a leaking faucet is normally worn out washers in the valve stem assembly. These...

Decks often have a lot of horizontal space beneath them. Usually, this space is difficult to use and can be a problem with children and animals crawling under the deck. This type of environment...

Compression faucets work off of the handles. When the handle is in the "on" position, the washers inside the valve stem assembly open up to allow water to flow through. When the handle is in the...

When it's time to move out, it's time to focus on getting security deposits back. Remember those checks for first and last month's rent you wrote all those years ago? They've been sitting in your...

Bathtubs are a dirty, grimy area. Many times mold or some kind of scum is growing in a bathtub. This can cause the handles to get corroded or even look unsightly. The handles in a shower are a...

A valve stem assembly is the key to a faucet. It allows water to pass through when the handle is in the "on" position. It also prevents water from accessing the faucet when the handle is in the...

As the cold winds of winter approach, now is a good time to cover up your home's crawl space vents. Crawl space vents allow the air from outside to ventilate under the house to prevent moisture...

Carpenter bee damage can be quite extensive and carpenter bee control can be quite frustrating. This article will tell you how to control carpenter bees naturally with the use of almond oil. ...

Leaves, debris, dirt, dead bugs and even a dead bird may find their way into your house gutters. When gutters become blocked, there is nowhere for rainwater and melting snow to go. Water...

Hanging heavy decorative objects, like a wall mirror with a wooden frame, can be a challenge. The safest way to hang a wooden-framed wall mirror is to locate the wall studs to support the weight...

For many years now, fiberglass has been the substance of choice for bathtubs and shower enclosures. While fiberglass is lighter-weight, easier to handle and less expensive than porcelain, it can...

If your TV reception needs a boost, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to build your own outdoor television antenna. Whether you want to scrap cable TV altogether, or just add clarity for...

You just poked a hole in the drywall, now what? Following these simple instructions you will have your drywall looking like new in no time!

A wood deck makes a beautiful addition to the exterior of any home. Over time, the deck may become dirty from its extreme exposure to the elements. It is not uncommon for algae, mildew and dirt to...

Landscape lighting bulbs have to fight the elements. There are so many elements that can cause them to lose their brightness and fail. You can install a new MR-16 light bulb and watch it fail in a...

Remodeling your bathroom and replacing the tub may leave a large gap between the tub and floor or walls. This situation leaves you with a couple of different choices for a remedy. You can either...

Maxforce is a leading product manufacturer in the pest control industry because their products are highly effective. Maxforce produces a variety of products intended to treat common pests in both...

Decorative finish treatments and synthetic materials can create countertops that look very much like stone, marble and granite. Cement, plaster and a variety of paints and stains can be used to...

A squeaky hinge is a common and annoying problem in most households, but, thankfully, it's easy to fix. Hinges usually squeak due to rust forming on the hinge because of moisture. This rust is...

Brick is elegant and timeless, but at times it seems like a magnet for dirt and dust. Weather, fireplace soot, mold and water stains can leave a red brick wall looking less than its best, but...

Everyone has had a mishap while using a microwave at least once. Whether you burnt a bag of popcorn or let a bowl of soup boil for too long, the stench can be relentless. You don't have to replace...

Maglite has been selling flashlights since 1955. The company makes a miniature version of its popular flashlight called the Mini Maglite AA. The Mini Maglite AA is a handy item to keep around the...

A washing machine is a useful household appliance, but if it isn't level to the ground, you may have a "walking washer" on your hands. An un-level washing machine can be caused by the floor or the...

The goal of owning rental property is to have more money coming in than going out each month. Besides taxes, mortgage payments and insurance, there are other factors to consider when budgeting for...

Powerwashing a concrete driveway is a simple task you can perform to maintain the beauty of your home. While cold water washing will work with chemicals, hot water is the way to go. You will...

Stepladders are good for giving you a little boost to reach those areas of your house that are just too high or that you can't safely reach on your own. Stepladders take a lot of wear and tear but...

Cabinet doors can take a lot of abuse over time from heat, moisture and grime and acquire a lackluster appearance. Restaining cabinet doors can completely renew their look; however, this is a...

Swimming pools are a great source of leisure and fun for many homeowners, but what to do when you have to travel and cannot attend to the maintenance of your backyard oasis? Arriving home after a...

Teak furniture and cabinetry have a natural golden honey color that fades to a silvery gray if it is left untreated. Although this does not affect the wood's durability, many people prefer the...

The porch is the first impression your home gives to visitors. It provides a pleasant area for visiting with family and friends or just sitting with an iced tea enjoying a relaxing evening....

It's not easy to work in a dark space, so putting light under a deck may be a requirement at your home. You'll need light if you want to paint the deck, use the space beneath it for storage or...