Home Maintenance

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...

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...

Staining a deck shields the wood from sun and moisture damage. Stain protects the wood from cracking and fading, and increases the longevity of the deck. Although several application methods...

Love the look of a stained door but fear your fiberglass door is unstainable? Fear not: A fiberglass door can be stained. Although standard wipe-on stain normally applied to wood cannot be used...

Concrete walls are durable and offer solid protection around your home. Because they are subject to many outdoor weather conditions, concrete can sustain dirt and soiling over time. Cleaning scuff...

We love our pets, but sometimes the problems they cause can put a strain on our relationship with them. After the initial chewing by puppies and scratching of furniture by cats, a well-trained pet...

Few things are as cozy and inviting as a warm fire in a fireplace on a cold winter's night. Before lighting that first fire of the season, however, you must make sure that your fireplace is safe...

In the 13th and 14th centuries, weavers used tapestries as a way to create wall art depicting historical scenes, biblical stories or myths. Over the years, the process transitioned from a...

Concrete countertops should definitely be sealed because, unlike granite and some marbles, concrete is a very porous material. Due to this it can easily be stained by food, beverages and other...

When you remove ivy that has grown up your siding, you're usually left with dark stains and tiny suckers all over the wall. Ivy holds itself in place with these suckers, casting tendrils that grab...

A wood stove can be an inexpensive and efficient alternative for heating your home. One of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wood stove's safety and efficiency is to keep the...

A clean grill makes it easier for you to cook your favorite grilled dishes. The caked-on black grime prevents even heat transfer to your food and can also leave a charcoal residue on dishes that...

Wood treatment helps to prevent fungus and algae from growing on wooden structures outside. It also can prevent damage by insects and microbes. Cleaning and sealing of treated wood should occur...

There are many simple ways to remove rust safely. Rust is a chemical reaction called oxidation that creates iron oxide. Rust appears as reddish-brown spots and occurs when oxygen and water are...

A gas fireplace is a convenient way to lower heating bills without dealing with the mess of logs, but just as with any appliance, you must maintain gas logs. When dealing with ventless logs, you...

Pinch-pleated drapes are an elegant addition to any window. Often made of delicate fabric, they should not be dropped into the washing machine. These drapes can be dry-cleaned if necessary, but...

Although a cozy fire in the fireplace is pleasant on a cold winter's evening, chimneys gather soot, creosote, dust and debris that can present a fire hazard. The buildup can also interfere with...

It is essential to keep living environments mold-free; mold can cause health problems such as respiratory problems, congestion, and lung and skin irritations, and it can also cause asthma attacks...

If your home is in an area that has hot, humid summers, you may have a problem with roof moss. Moss not only damages a roof, it detracts from the exterior appearance. You can use household bleach...

Cleaning and staining your deck is a lot of work but worth the effort. Wear old clothes, safety glasses and rubber gloves to keep from staining your hands. Choose a fair weather day for the task. ...

So fall came, you threw the cover over the pool and didn't look at it again for months. Then, warm weather arrived. When you removed the cover, the pool looked like a green, swampy mess. Many pool...

Gutters can become stained with unsightly dark lines, which can be difficult to remove. These marks, called "tiger stripes," are caused by a variety of reasons. Roofing tar and asphalt can leach...

Brick fireplaces give any room a warm, cozy feeling no matter what the season. However, if you use your brick fireplace regularly, then the front can become grimy and the bricks may get dark with...

Chimneys come in many shapes, sizes and finishes. Many chimneys are made from stainless steel, which helps conduct heat well and prevents the buildup of creosote inside the chimney. Still, regular...

Is your tub covered with a film of soap residue? Have you scrubbed and scrubbed yet can't get it to break down? Well, with a few common household supplies and some simple steps, your tub will be...

In hard times of our economy, this is an easy cheap way to clean the outside of your home. It can be done two to three times a year.

With the increase of in home wood-burning devices comes the need for regular chimney cleaning. Regardless of the type of wood or method of burning, every chimney needs to be cleaned at least once...

Proper maintenance of your fireplace should include regular cleaning of your chimney. If you keep your chimney clean, you will reduce the incidence of chimney fires. The goal is not to make your...

One little oil leak in your car can stay with you forever on your driveway. But it doesn't have to. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get most if not all of an oil stain out of...

Cedar is a beautiful wood, and a cedar deck is an attractive addition to any home. However, the wood can lose that beauty if left unprotected from the weather. Select a color and type of stain...

Log homes are a beautiful convergence of human need and nature. A log home fits into its natural surroundings with less intrusiveness than standard homes. Log homes are typically found in rural...

One day you may decide you want to finish your basement. You have keep it damp and moisture free. The brick or cement walls of your basement should not feel moist or clammy to the touch. They...

Cleaning buildup from your chimney should be done once a year. The fall seems to be the ideal time for this, especially if you use your fireplace often in the winter. Soot and creosote deposits...

Cleaning your swimming pool does not have to be an expensive, labor-intensive job. But to keep the interior of the pool clean and fresh will require an unswerving time commitment. You will need to...

The National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD) advises the public to perform yearly maintenance on chimneys in order to prevent house fires. Over time, chimneys can become clogged by built up...

Our animal friends the snail and slugs are lovely in their own realm, but they occasionally tread into our view by leaving an iridescent trail across our window screens. The proteins in their...

Welding aluminum materials is slightly different from welding other materials, such as iron. It requires additional material preparation and a different technique to acquire a solid weld. You will...

An electric fan placed in an open window is great for exhausting hot air or fumes from a room or switched to pull cool air in from outside. In time, a window fan will collect dirt and grime...

A brick house requires very little maintenance. However, the brick will occasionally get dirty due to rain, mildew or soot from a chimney. Using a pressure washer to clean the bricks is the...

Gloss paint has proved, over the ages, to be one of the most versatile paints known. It is extremely durable against weather, holds its shine even under harsh conditions, and requires less...

Well-seasoned cast iron pots and pans are revered by cooks for their ability to heat evenly and retain heat. They're nearly indestructible, easy to clean and maintain, and have a natural nonstick...

Over time, waterproof covering can wear off of a deck. Wooden deck floors should be waterproofed every three to five years. You can save money and time by completing this home improvement project...

Painting isn't the funnest project in the world, but cleaning your brushes and rollers can be a pain in the tush. So, we all have those 3 day paint projects. Maybe you are painting the outside of...

Every homeowner must deal with daily chores, for the maintenance of their home. Among house chores, window cleaning is at most peoples least favorite. After reading this article, not only will...

Water leakage in a basement can cause a multitude of problems for a homeowner. Standing water can cause mold and mildew growth and is an open invitation for unwanted bugs and other pests. Over...

There is nothing like a cozy, warm fire on a chilly night to soothe the nerves and create a romantic mood. However, there is a lot more to using a fireplace than just lighting a fire and enjoying...

When brick pavers loose their original beauty and dirt becomes embedded within the surface, it is necessary to acid wash the pavers. You need to select the appropriate materials, know how to mix...

Annual cleaning of your wood-burning stove's chimney is a recommended maintenance task. Removing built-up debris such as creosote will reduce the chances of a dangerous flue fire. By following a...

Mildew on grout is a common problem in high-moisture rooms such as bathrooms. Grout stained with mildew is unsightly and in severe cases it is smelly. Hydrogen peroxide effectively removes mildew...

Creosote, a flammable, oily buildup and natural byproduct of wood fires, will coat the inside of your chimney the more fires you burn in your fireplace or stove. A layer of creosote and soot forms...