Home Maintenance

If you have an outdoor pool, chances are good that you spend quite a bit of your time removing things such as bugs and leaves that have fallen into it. One solution that some pool owners have...

We drop a significant bundle of money on those granite countertops so it's prudent to learn how to keep them in top shape; wiping and polishing them is not enough. Granite is a porous stone and...

Underground or subterranean termites are the most common type of termites in the United States. They are notorious for invading homes and for being hard to kill. In fact, going on the offensive...

A chimney is a tube connected to a heat production unit that carries exhaust from the inside to the outside air. You might think of bricks when you think of a chimney, but modern chimneys can be...

Termites are one of the most feared insects among homeowners. According to doityourselftermitecontrol.com, over $2 billion is spent yearly on controlling or preventing termite infestations.

Garage door batteries will typically last up to five years before they wear out. Once the battery starts to wear down, you'll find yourself pressing your garage door opener button several times...

Bats like to roost and build nests in attics and other places in your house where it is dry and safe. Bats don't chew on wood or damage your house, but their waste products will make for a foul...

The gutters around your home catch rain coming off of your roof and direct the run off away from the homes foundation. When the gutters become clogged it is necessary to remove the debris. The...

Fireplaces are a great way to heat your home and also create a cozy atmosphere. Fireplaces though can cause great risks and hazards to your home unless you properly maintain them and get informed.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) imposes several regulations governing residential mailboxes. Among these standards are specific requirements regarding the proper height of a mailbox. To...

Resetting your garage door remote is a good idea when you buy or rent a new home. Just as you would change your locks as a way to protect your home, resetting your garage door remote can protect...

Brass is a beautiful choice of decoration to accent any home. Brass finished handles can provide a sophisticated look to any kitchen, living room or dining area in your home. However, brass has a...

Carpenter bees get their name from their habit of boring into wood to lay their young. Although they appear similar to the average bee, they live their lives as solitary creatures rather than in a...

It can be frustrating trying to open your garage door when the battery is going out. Once the battery dies, you will need to replace it or you will have a difficult time getting into your garage....

Carpet beetles are small insects that can cause a lot of damage when they infest a home. The beetles may get into a home through cracks or open doors and windows, or they may come in on your...

Performing a reset on a garage door opener is a wise thing to do if you have recently purchased a home with an opener. By reprogramming the keyless entry and remotes, you can make sure that no...

After years of use, the tile in your shower may make your bathroom look dirty and old. Old grout, which is typically discolored and cracked, is often the culprit in this situation. Fortunately,...

Wood heat is more intense than the heat produced by gas, electricity or fuel oil. It's a radiant heat comparable to that from the sun, according to woodheat.org. Wood heat has other advantages:...

It happens in a second. In the midst of primping and preparing for an evening out, a slight movement of the hand or head and the "clink" of an earring falling down the bathroom sink drain is...

If you live in an urban area, there is a good chance you've experienced a problem with pigeons. Aside from the nuisance factor, pigeons gathering at your home can result in sanitary issues. Pigeon...

Garage door openers are a convenience that sometimes go under-appreciated. When the remote entry does not seem to communicate properly, owners can become frustrated. If you find that your remote...

Rubber mats are used in showers to prevent slipping by providing a surface with traction on which to stand and move. Keeping your shower mat clean helps maintain an aesthetically pleasing bathtub...

A chimney cap keeps rodents and birds from getting inside your chimney and wreaking havoc. A cap also keeps rain out of the chimney, which is important since moisture and water could compromise...

Marble sinks are beautiful, modern touches to homes. With their elegance comes an equal amount of work. Because marble is porous, the natural stone easily absorbs unwanted elements. Marble takes a...

Rhythm Clocks create magical enjoyment with rich sound and an enchanting display of moving parts every hour on the hour. Rhythm clocks are made with either a Clarion Sound System or Dynamic Wave...

You'll find that sharpening a knife with a water stone is quite easy, with one exception: you must maintain a consistent knife angle throughout the process. The first few times you sharpen your...

Homemade ammonia cleaners are easy to make, less toxic, and definitely more economical. Ammonia cleans windows without the streaking that commonly occurs when using vinegar and water alone. ...

Covering a pool for the winter is easy and necessary. Covering it is not the only step in closing a pool, but is is by far the most important step. During the fall and winter, leaves, dirt and...

Natural stone sinks can add class and are a nice touch to any home decor. With their beauty comes maintenance and work to ensure they last a long time. Due to the porous surface of natural stone,...

A sump pump is a suction pump that removes fluids out of a low and compact area of the house that is susceptible to accumulating standing water full of chemicals and debris. The moisture from...

Dirt and stains can swiftly accumulate on the grout in between tiles. Because of the porous consistency of grout, removing this filth can be a challenge. With a simple cleaning product and a bit...

Mold is nasty and dangerous. If you clean it up yourself, do so with care. When assessing your mold problem, carefully consider whether you should call in a professional. If the affected area is...

A furnace filter removes airborne particles that can damage furnace parts and reduce efficiency. Many brands and types are available. The choice depends on whether you have specific air quality...

If a woodpecker is pecking on your home's walls, roof, windows or siding, the problem is more than just a noisy annoyance--your home is under attack! The damage caused by constant pecking can not...

Knowing how to lock screws is essential when assembling anything that may be subject to high vibrations (like an engine) or pressure (like a ceiling fixture). Locking screws decreases the chance...

On a summer's day, with the air conditioner keeping your house cool, the coffee maker keeping your coffee hot, and your hairdryer, dishwasher and microwave oven running, you may run into a...

Storm windows are a good addition to any home. Besides providing an extra window to help lessen a storm's damage, they also provide an additional layer of insulation. Storm windows may seem to be...

Window film is a cheap and effective way to help insulate against cold weather. Window film is a thin plastic applied to the windows of your home to keep warm air inside the house. It's is a good...

Closing off rooms in your house is an easy way to save money on heating bills in winter. That small, unused bedroom, closet or back room can add many dollars to your gas bills over the course of a...

Birds in the barn can cause messes, noise, and they eat your other animals' food. The most common culprit is the barn swallow. They are protected by federal law, so if they have laid eggs in their...

Grout and tile sealer provides a layer of stain protection on flooring, which is particularly important for more porous stone tiles, matte finish ceramic tiles, and lighter color grouts. Applying...

Simple Green is an all-purpose cleaner initially developed for industrial use. However, for more than 30 years since the product was patented, it has been used in the home as well. This versatile...

When you get ready to clean the exterior of your house, you may find an annoying presence on your siding: spiderwebs. Spiders gravitate toward areas such as eaves and around windows and shutters....

Many homeowners replace their existing, dilapidated decks with composite decking. Composite decking holds up much better than traditional wood decking. It needs very little, if any, repair work....

Ever notice how your shower curtain liner starts to get dingy after using it for a while? A liner is used to protect the decorative outer curtain and keep splashed water within the shower...

When spring arrives, it is inevitable that birds will try to nest under the eaves of your home. Although birds can be a welcome addition to your yard, having their nest on your house can pose...

Scale deposits on your pool tile and surfaces not only are unsightly but can also damage important equipment such as your heater if the deposits are formed over long periods of time. Pool scale...

Builders use concrete to make floors because it is an extremely durable material. Concrete has the ability to withstand high traffic and last for years if proper care is taken. However, if you...

A crack in the floor of a fiberglass shower can cause water damage and other problems if not immediately taken care of. One option is to tear out the old shower and buy a replacement. This will...

Stone tiles provide beautiful and durable floor coverings in any room in your home and are often chosen as a patio flooring material or to create pathways near swimming pools. Because stone is...