Home Maintenance

If your sink or bathtub drain becomes clogged, it can be tempting to use toxic drain cleaners to clear the clog, but if you don't want to use a toxic drain cleaner, or you are unable to do so...

Taking care of a soapstone countertop is an easy process. Cleaning the countertop requires minimal effort, and the stone withstands high heat from pots and pans without damage. Oil your countertop...

The homeowner's deck is an oasis from the world where the family can have a barbecue, entertain friends and just sit and relax after a long day at work. Unfortunately, bad weather can ruin a...

Accordion shutters help protect your home during hurricanes or other inclement weather. Since they are folded like an accordion, they can curve around convex windows and walls. Because they are so...

Installing a woodstove as a way to heat one's home is something more and more people are exploring, especially as oil and natural gas prices rise. The fact that very efficient woodstoves are...

Some of the unfortunate Americans have came across the hidden enemy, called termites. You normally cant see them and can't hear them intill you are walking across the floor one day and fall...

Small plumbing problems can easily turn into big ones if they are not taken care of or caught on time. Regular plumbing maintenance is the best way to prevent this from happening. This article...

Mold and mildew can penetrate into the grout between your tiles, especially in a humid area like the bathroom. Not only is mold unsightly, but it can also cause health problems. For major mold...

Mold and mildew affect your basement, carpets, roof and virtually any area that is constantly damp. Although a solution to these problems is available at a corner store, this solution is a...

Driving in the winter months in cold climates often leads to the accumulation of road salt and sand on a vehicle. When vehicles with salt-encrusted tires are parked in a garage, it is likely that...

Seamless gutters can help protect your house from damage caused by excess rainwater near the foundation of the house. Installing seamless gutters requires only basic carpentry skills and can be...

Mold accumulates due to poor ventilation, water damage and high humidity levels. Water-damaged carpeting, upholstery and insulation require aggressive treatments with an extraction vacuum and...

Watching someone roll up an electrical cord, it looks so easy. But if you've ever tried it yourself, you might have found yourself fighting tangled kinks in the cord. With a little patience and a...

If you are moving and you need to ship your lawn mower, it is important to prepare it properly. It is not a difficult process, but failure to take the necessary precautions could result in...

Mold is an opportunistic fungus, thriving in humidity and able to flourish in an array of conditions. Molds decay organic matter, invading the exterior and interior of homes by spreading spores...

A wood burning fireplace has several uses, including reduced heating costs and familial enjoyment like watching the glow of a roaring fire, or roasting marshmallows. Soot is a sticky substance...

Even the cleanest home can fall victim to a mice infestation. These creatures can get inside your walls or beneath your floorboards and cause serious damage to anything they come across, including...

Moen is a high-end manufacturer of home faucets and bathroom/kitchen hardware such as sinks and bathtubs. Many Moen products work on a cartridge system that regulates water pressure and...

Bathtub spouts are not invincible and often need repair or replacement well before you need a new tub unit. A number of problems can occur with your tub spout including a worn-out diverter, which...

Most file cabinets come with some type of keyed locking mechanism. They are easy to use and work well, as long as you have the key, that is. However, if your file cabinet is missing its key---or...

Sterling silver trays can add a beautiful and fancy touch to any special dinner occasion, particularly during the holiday season when extended family is visiting.

Homes more than 20 years old typically have fiberglass insulation, which is a suspected carcinogen. Warning labels from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about the...

Winterize your pool to protect it from freezing temperatures during the cooler months that could cause costly damages to your water lines, pool heater and other devices. Correctly closing up your...

Trex deck materials are a composite of recycled wood and plastic, including sawdust and plastic grocery bags. The combination protects the decking from insects, rot, warping, splintering and UV...

Storing tents in their stuff bags can create an influx of mold and mildew, especially when stored in a damp place like a garage. The curtains (the area that is zipped up to close the tent) are...

Trex is the brand name for an extruded wood polymer product manufactured for a variety of uses, the most common of which is decking. Trex is manufactured with wood products, which give it the...

Removing algae and dirt from your porch railings will help your home maintain its exterior appeal. You may want to complete this simple process as part of your basic home maintenance or prior to...

Silestone is a low-maintenance countertop that does not require sealing. Caring for your Silestone countertop requires simple steps that should be done after food preparation and as part of a...

Pool owners in areas with four seasons need to close their inground pools for the winter. If the proper steps are not taken and the proper materials not used, harsh winter weather can do...

Do you dread going to sleep at night? Is your bed bringing you moments of frustration instead of comfort? Squeaky bed frames are a common problem and can seriously affect a good night's rest....

Living in well-insulated homes, with high R-factor insulation, sealed windows and central heat, we seldom give frozen pipes a second thought. However, there are places where pipes are less...

A telephone outlet is an interface that connects your telephone to one or more telephone lines. Telephone wiring uses a color code, which allows you to identify the function of each wire....

Keeping your brass fixtures beautiful requires regular cleaning. Cleaning brass often makes the upkeep easier. If your brass starts to oxidize and discolor, you will most likely need the help of a...

Many things contribute to the contamination of a pool. Using chlorine is one way to keep the pool sanitized. How often the pool gets shocked depends on how much the pool is used. There are ways to...

Because tung oil has been used in China for thousands of years, it is sometimes known as chinawood oil. This oil, which is produced from cold-pressing the nut from the tung tree, is a highly...

Brass can be a beautiful addition to any bathroom. Well-maintained brass fixtures add a touch of class to bathrooms with their shine. But brass will tarnish easily if not cared for properly. This...

Staining a deck is important to keeping your deck looking nice and in good shape. Staining a deck in the heat of the day can be a tiring, sweaty task, so you may want to wait until the late...

Water in the hot water tank is heated by upper and lower elements. When the water is not getting hot, it is necessary to know how to change a heating element in a hot water tank. If the water is...

Have you recently invested in your home by installing white oak flooring? Do you live in an older home and enjoy the charm of the original oak wood floors? If you are in either of these positions,...

A marble countertop can be a beautiful and durable addition to any home. Marble tolerates the highest amounts of traffic and use with ease and hides any scratches by blending them into its...

In times of economic recession, many homeowners are looking for alternative means for services that were previously paid. Another victim of the dwindling economy--the local pool boy. You can do...

A good way to create usable storage space from deep corner cabinets is to install a lazy Susan corner cabinet. A lazy Susan cabinet may develop some minor problems that need fixing now and then....

There are various types of insulation for the home, but foam insulation has the highest insulation rating. Typically, a professional will install foam insulation in your home, but you can rent...

Self-cleaning ovens have a specialized feature that uses high heat to remove grime and built up food spills. Although it sounds like a relatively hands-off process, you must properly prepare your...

The beauty of a home can become tarnished once you discover you have a rodent problem. Mice are capable of getting into homes through any small crack or hole. Once inside your home, they can...

Woodpeckers drum and drill for one of two reasons: Either they're drumming to announce their presence to a potential mate or adversary, or they're drilling for food or a place to nest. Either way,...

Patio stones make a wonderful addition to a yard. Used to increase the livability factor of backyard living spaces, patios stones incorporate natural elements which can blend seamlessly with the...

Not only does leaving cords lying around your home look awful, it's also dangerous. You can purchase cord reels from your local hardware store. Most come with handles or cranks, making it easy to...

Cedar siding is a good option for homeowners who are concerned about the environment, as well as those who love the look of wood. Cedar is a renewable, biodegradable resource, making it...

You should change the filter in your home air conditioner on a monthly basis to keep your air conditioner freely blowing cool air. This is especially true if you have hairy pets in your home. A...