Home Maintenance

Downspout diverters are used to divert water away from the foundation of your home or to divert water to landscaped areas of your yard. All diverters attach to your existing downspout, and the...

While spiders in the home may have their benefits, as far as killing other unwanted insects, most people don't want the arachnids around and may desire a home remedy to get rid of them as opposed...

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...

Aluminum siding is fairly low-maintenance and, like vinyl, comes in nearly any color, size and style. Some companies even offer aluminum siding that resembles wood siding, making the possibilities...

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...

Iron bacteria are not unhealthy to humans, but they can create a sludge that narrows pipe diameter, impairing water flow. The rust-colored sludge in the water chamber of your flush toilet comes...

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....

A cement foundation generally encounters two problems -- leaks and cracks. Both of these can be repaired with enough time and dedication -- but the tasks are not easy. Leaks require massive...

A metal roof can last 30 years or more, compared with the standard 12 to 20 years of a shingled roof. To add to their appeal, many roofs come with warranties that last up to 50 years, and some...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Caulking on vinyl surfaces does not require a different approach than other applications. Vinyl is a non-porous surface; it is solid and cannot absorb water. This surface, like metal and glass,...

Whether your furnace is gas or electric, you should follow many of the same maintenance procedures. You can complete some steps yourself, but you will want to hire professional help for any major...

A pest control cleanout is designed to gain quick control of a large roach population. Each step in the procedure performed alone will decrease the roach population; done together, they will...

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...

The roach's egg case is a ticking time bomb that can produce as many as forty new roaches at a time. Because roaches tend to drop their egg cases where they live, in cracks and crevices, normal at...

Vermiculite is a popular material used in attic insulation. It has a pebble-like appearance, is a pour-in material, and is light brown to gold in color. Vermiculite mining in America resulted in...

Caulking your bathroom or outdoor areas is a useful maintenance strategy to ward of moisture damage to floors and walls. It also creates an appealing boundary between tiles and the tub walls of...

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...

Learn how to set a mouse trap without hurting yourself

Before electricity was discovered and the light bulb was invented, people had to either get everything done during daylight hours or rely on candlelight to complete tasks. Thankfully, we now have...

According to the Consumer Energy Center, an improperly sealed home can waste 10 to 15 percent of your heating dollars. Even just a 1/8-inch gap under an exterior door can let as much cold air into...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Grease traps are an integral function of any commercial kitchen that produces significant amounts of food. They are required by local and state food service regulations and prevent municipal...

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...

Termite infestation can be a costly and difficult problem for any homeowner, but traditional extermination methods use pesticides and harsh chemicals that are dangerous to the environment. Organic...

Dusting the furniture and wiping down the TV screen are common chores we're all used to. But dust and matter can also build up in less than obvious places, such as your air ducts. Air duct...

Shaklee's Basic H is a liquid cleaning agent, which the company claims to be effective, nontoxic for users and safe for the environment. The product comes in a concentrated form and is advertised...

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...

Termites cause more monetary damage to homes than any other terrestrial creature on the planet. It’s pests like termites that cause homeowner’s to stress and worry. You usually don’t see them...

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,...

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...

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...

Taking good care of your deck is important to your home's appearance. Using sealants and stains on its wood surface keeps it both beautiful and safe. Understanding the particulars of your wood...

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...

Dry rot is caused by wood-destroying fungus that springs up when water penetrates wood, allowing the fungus and various bacteria and insects to infest the wood. Dry rot fungus feeds on the cells...

Because mold grows in damp (or humid) areas that receive little light, a basement can be the perfect place for it to thrive. To get rid of mold from a basement, the first thing you must do is...

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...

Any homeowner with the smallest yard and an extra eight feet of parking space will swear by the benefits of owning a small utility trailer. Even if you already own a pickup, having a utility...

Very often, people make judgments about your business, your restaurant or your home based on their impression of your washroom. Nothing says "slacker" like ancient grime on the bathroom sink and...