Home Maintenance

Ducts in your home, such as those used for heating and cooling, can develop leaks or may require sealing when they are installed. Air leaks that occur in vent ducts must be sealed not only to...

Hilti is a respected manufacturer of power-actuated systems. These systems use a kind of nail gun to fire a nail that has a powder charge on its head into steel, concrete or other materials. The...

Wasps often make their way into homes through cracks in attic walls and ceiling joints and through exhaust vents such as those found in an upstairs bathroom. If you have discovered wasp activity,...

Wooden shutters may be found both on the inside and outside of a house. Interior shutters are most likely installed in a different manner from exterior ones. You probably will have to unscrew the...

Leather dye is not easy to remove once it has been applied. Unlike paint or other topical colorings, it is a stain and is designed to permanently soak slightly into the leather. There are,...

The key to burning your own firewood is in the drying of the wood. Wood needs to cure at least six months to burn well, and you must cut and stack the wood properly. Improper wood drying can lead...

Pests eating house wiring can lead to costly repairs or, potentially, house fires. To get rid of these pests it is necessary to understand what pest you're dealing with and then choose the most...

Bird watching can be a wonderful activity or hobby, and spotting bluebirds, listening to sparrows sing and spying glorious swans paddle atop waters is fulfilling. However, if you are met with a...

Learn how to set a mouse trap without hurting yourself

Urine stains happen. Regardless of the culprit, it is very important to effectively and quickly clean up stains from carpet and upholstery to prevent urine odor. Urine odor will linger until the...

Before the development of modern polyurethane and epoxy finishes, floors were protected with more natural products, including linseed oil. Linseed oil, a product of flax, was an effective...

Travertine is a natural, porous limestone tile available in two varieties: natural and honed. Natural travertine is travertine left in its natural state. Ridges and indentations give it a casual...

Occasionally you'll find a stray screw in your home peering stubbornly through a piece of wood, plastic, or metal, proving to be a safety threat to you and your family. If not taken care of,...

Silverfish, wingless, silver or brown, soft-bodied chewing insects that grow up to three-quarters of an inch long, have flat, oval-shaped bodies covered with microscopic scales. They have three...

There are two different types of possible smoke damage that can occur in a home fire: general discoloration and bubbling/blistering. While it may seem like a very difficult process, fixing your...

Urine stains are unseemly, but the smell is unbearable. Finding and removing the source of the stench can be difficult, but afterward, the clear, fresh air is worth the trouble.

Pervasive odors can be difficult to eradicate. The best way to breathe easy is to find the source of the odor, clean it and apply an anti-odor agent to the area.

When the seal around your sink is new, water cannot pass through it. Over time though the seals around sinks become damaged, cracked and dried out. When this happens, the seals no longer keep...

A sliding door is wonderful in that it creates an almost invisible barrier between the indoors and out. However, it's occasionally necessary to lubricate the sliding door to make sure it opens and...

Considered one of the most effective forms of natural insect control in the world---consuming up to half their weight in mosquitoes, flies, and moths each night---bats can be a nuisance if they...

Vapor barriers are one the best ways to protect your home from unwanted moisture. Installed on either the exterior of the home during construction or on the walls of a basement, the added...

Floor furnaces are located beneath the floor, usually in a crawlspace or basement. The vent is located on the floor above the furnace, and is usually covered with a metal frame. The pilot is...

Vinyl paneling is often used in both the interior and exterior siding of homes. It is a popular choice of material due to the low level of maintenance required and easiness to clean. Most surface...

Polyurethane caulk is incredibly durable, which makes it a good choice for outdoor caulking or caulking around floorboards and other high-traffic areas. A tube of polyurethane caulk will be more...

A sad but unfortunate truth is. Most homes do develop foundation issues over time. Whether it be a damp and leaky basement, to actual structural issues. A damp or wet basement can actually...

Urethane is the most common surface finish for hardwood floors. Urethane comes in an oil-based, moisture-based and water-based finish, each composed of a different mixture of synthetic resins and...

Porcelain is commonly used in bathrooms due to the fact that it's one of the easiest surface materials to clean. Tougher stains may occur due to normal wear and tear and age. Old porcelain may...

Cabinets set the tone for the look and feel of your entire kitchen. After years of wear and tear, your kitchen cabinets can start to look worn and dirty. Refinish your kitchen cabinets to...

Removing paint from a deck is a job done by a combination of two methods. Mechanical and chemical means are available to the homeowner for a professional finish. There are also two types of...

An above-ground pool is a big investment that must be maintained properly to keep it functioning as it should, year after year. It is important to take every precaution to ensure that the pool...

An outdoor spa can be a relaxing and therapeutic haven after a hard day. The hydrotherapy that an outdoor spa provides can help relieve stress, headaches and sleep problems as well as ease tired...

Vinyl siding is a plastic exterior applied to homes and buildings for decoration and weatherproofing. The main component, polyvinyl chloride, gives it the name and makes it relatively...

A cylinder door lock consists of a keyed cylinder mechanism contained within the operating trim for the lock. It will typically include an inner and outer knob or lever for operating the door,...

Sooty, dirty and grimy fireplace stove pipes are fire hazards. If left alone, deposits in the chimney stove pipe can become overheated to the point that they ignite. After only a few moments, the...

You may be tempted to discard and replace your old electric stove, but a little cleaning and reconditioning often gives new life to an old stove, updates your kitchen and saves you money. With a...

Ceramic floor tile is durable and, in most cases, easy to clean. In fact, ceramic tile usually needs nothing more than a damp mop to keep it looking like new. Ceramic floor tiles that are exposed...

In so many ways, gasoline is the life blood of our modern world. Automobiles, generators, lawn mowers and so many other motor-powered machines run on gas. Aside from powering our machinery,...

Fiberglass tub surrounds can become dull or stained after years of use. To bring the surround back to life, replace it or repaint it. Replacing a tub surround can be expensive and labor-intensive....

Discovering leaks in your crawl space is disheartening. You start to worry about the integrity of your foundation, the safety of your home, and the expense that is going to be involved in the...

One of the most common ways a house loses heat is by having an attic pull-down ladder that is either not insulated properly or not insulated at all. With just a short trip to the local hardware...

Termites survive by eating wood. Trailers are generally not wood frame construction but trailer residents often have wooden furnishings that termites can destroy. In general termites are so...

Mold and mildew will not only physically damage the areas where they grow but will also affect the respiration of people who come into contact with it. Mold and mildew grows on organic materials...

Soil settling is a primary cause of cracks in a concrete slab. Soil compaction increases the density of the soil, making it less prone to moisture and settling. To compact soil correctly for a...

Adult raccoons typically build nests in hollow trees during the springtime to protect and raise their young. In suburban areas, raccoons have found a new place to set up their day care centers:...

There are a few simple steps you can take to have an energy efficient home. Taking the time to inspect the areas in your home where energy escapes, can save you money each month on your energy bill.

Garages are, by nature, less tightly sealed than houses. Their big doors let in more moisture and cannot close as tightly as normal house doors. Humidity can be a problem if metal tools, dry...

Cedar shingles are known for their distinct look and durability. Maintaining the cedar shingles ensures they keep their attractive appearance and protective qualities. Weathering of cedar shingles...

Whether you connect to a public sewer line or a private septic system, your septic drainage system is an important element to your home value and to comfortable living. It is the guts and...

Maintaining appliances is often neglected and sometimes, it isn't until the sink is actually clogged that it gets any attention. Clogged sinks can be eliminated, and fixing a drain is fairly...

Most showers are constructed with fiberglass, which is a very durable and strong material. A fabulous characteristic of fiberglass is its ability to repair easily. You can restore almost any...