Home Repair & Maintenance

Installing a vanity light fixture on the ceiling can be done. While it is not common, it most certainly is possible. The wiring will be the same as with any other fixture. The only complicated...

Discolored spots on your ceiling are a sign of moisture from above. Once you have repaired the leak that's causing the problem, you are left with unsightly stains in your ceiling. These moisture...

Heating ducts can make for an unattractive ceiling in your basement. Hanging lower than the ceiling and made of galvanized metal, they are unappealing next to your nicely painted drywall ceiling....

Ceiling repairs are generally the same as wall repairs, and whether the surface is drywall or plaster, it's usually most effective to make patches with drywall and drywall compound (also called...

Recessed pot lights are an attractive way to light rooms in your home. Although it rarely happens, fixture can become faulty and not work properly. When this happens you need to know how to change...

Unsightly stains on your ceiling can be embarrassing, but, rest assured, there is an easy fix for this problem. Most ceiling water stains are a result of a leaking roof, so once that problem is...

One of the trickier parts of doing your own electrical work is getting the wire from point A to point B. Quite often, there are obstacles in the way and more times than not, a floor or ceiling to...

At one time, acoustical ceilings were quite popular and were installed in millions of homes. Today, many of those homes still have "popcorn" ceilings, which are prone to water stains. One of the...

While most furnaces are set on the ground vertically, sometimes it is necessary to hang a furnace from the ceiling. Whether the reason is space restrictions or you just would like your furnace up...

As bathroom fans have become the standard (and the law) in modern homebuilding, fan designs and features have become quieter, more energy efficient and more user-friendly than ever before. And...

Even though the term "single pole switch" sounds as if it's meant to control one light fixture, the device can control several fixtures. Wiring a single pole switch is not a difficult task, and...

When redoing your garage or simply trying to place vinyl on the ceiling, this small change can enhance the entire look of the garage. You want to use vinyl that wears well and is easy to install....

There are two basic ways to wire two or more light fixtures together -- in parallel and in series. Most homes feature parallel wiring. Parallel wiring allows the other lights in the circuit to...

Ceilings can be damaged by age, water damage or something that goes on in the room below them. Repairing them depends on a number of things, namely the amount of damage done to them as well and...

Wiring motion sensors to interior lights is a great way to save energy while adding a little convenience to your home. Interior motion sensors are perfect solutions for controlling the lights in a...

A shaky ceiling fan is bothersome because it often makes noise. However, when a ceiling fan shakes it adds stress to the fan's bearings and the screws holding the fan's parts in place: a shaking...

Painting color on white walls makes a dramatic change in a room for relatively little cost and effort. You might hesitate to use a dark or vibrant color, thinking the room will look smaller....

In situations where aesthetics are less important than simply having an easy-to-install bright source of light, like in a shop, garage, basement, or greenhouse, hanging a flourescent light fixture...

Ceiling fans can be a great addition to any room, as they aid in the circulation of air, as well as provide light. A remote-controlled ceiling fan appears and operates much the same as a standard...

Although a ceiling fan is an excellent energy saver that can both cool and heat a room, it is bothersome when the fan produces an annoying buzzing noise. This is particularly true when you are...

It is important to keep a ceiling fan properly lubricated for two reasons: It will add to the life of the fan, and a fan's motor can burn out if it's not properly lubricated, becoming a safety...

A loud ceiling fan can be annoying, especially if it makes a squeaking noise or prevents you from falling asleep. A ceiling fan can be loud for a wide variety of reasons, including blades that are...

Ceiling fans may be mounted to an existing ceiling box if the box is properly secured and can support a fan. Unfortunately, plastic electrical boxes, the type most commonly used in household...

Ceiling fans are great for circulating the air in the home. The most abused part of the ceiling fan is the pull chain, which is connected to the motor switch. Pull chains get broken off and motor...

Wiring a ceiling fixture is one of the easier electrical jobs a homeowner can perform. However, because the work being performed is overhead, there are steps you need to take to ensure the job is...

Most ceilings are made of drywall. The hole left in the ceiling after you remove a light fixture can be patched using simple drywall patching techniques. The great thing about drywall is that it...

Installing a fluorescent light box in the ceiling of a room is relatively easy. Replacing an existing light fixture with a fluorescent light box is a snap. Everything is in place, and it's a...

No one wants to encounter a leaky ceiling in their home. Finding the cause of the leak can be frustrating, but that is the first thing you must do before trying to repair the leak. If you do have...

The roof of a home is the most important structure in maintaining adequate protection from outside elements and correspondingly takes the brunt of weather's wear and tear. Roof maintenance is...

Cracked plaster is common in older homes, because the homes have shifted and settled over the years. This can cause unsightly cracks. If repairing the plaster is not possible or too expensive,...

The bathroom is a private place for many people, a spot where they can relax and unwind from the day. But part of that privacy comes from an exhaust fan, which not only helps to vent away any...

There are several ways that you can finish the ceiling in your garage. Your ceiling can be left smooth or it can be textured. Some homes have the same finish in the garage as inside the home. The...

It is possible to paint your acoustical ceiling tiles and make your ceiling look new again. That's the good news. The bad news is that some acoustical ceilings are easier to paint than others, and...

Sagging ceilings are more prevalent in older homes. Sagging can occur for a variety of reasons, such as water damage, a broken beam or loosened fasteners in your ceiling material.

Home remodeling and repairs can seem like a daunting task, but they have lifelong rewards and add value to your home. Updating lighting fixtures or ceiling fans can be part of the process. With...

Textured ceilings and drywall seams can be tricky. Moisture damage and normal wear and tear can cause these areas to become brittle and tough to work with. The key is properly preparing the area...

Many homeowners and builders whose houses have basements are faced with the problem of whether basement insulation is necessary. At first consideration, it seems like a no-brainer; doesn't...

A noisy ceiling fan can be very agitating. If your ceiling fan is brand new and is making noises, and you are sure that it is installed properly, there is probably a manufacturer's defect. In this...

Plaster ceilings are delightful characteristics of old homes. It was the preferred material for ceilings before drywall came along in the 1950s. While restoring these ceilings can keep the...

A wobbly or noisy ceiling fan can be aggravating. Noisy or wobbly ceiling fans are typically the result of an imbalance that causes uneven blade rotation. One or more of the blades can be weighted...

Plumbing in a basement can run along the ceiling or between the floor joists and may be an eyesore that you want to conceal or cover up. One way in which you can cover plumbing is to install a...

The repair or replacement of a ceiling beam is difficult for many reasons. First, the ceiling beams carry the weight of all the floor above. Second, if the beam is in between the first and second...

Cathedral ceilings with their vaulted angles and artistic design can be a beautiful structural addition to any home. However, ceiling stains can make even the most amazing architectural designs...

It is not uncommon for a ceiling fan cord to break. Replacing a ceiling fan cord requires also replacing the switch located inside the housing unit of the fan. Replacement switches with cords are...

With newer homes being build more airtight than ever and with an increased awareness of energy-saving and green living, alternatives to air conditioning are being considered by more homeowners....

Drop ceilings consist of suspended rails that hold up ceiling tiles to create a lower ceiling. Drop ceilings can be useful for a number of reasons. There may be water pipes located above them, or...

Wiring multiple light fixtures on one line is a great idea when it comes to illuminating a large space, like a garage or basement. However, the idea of doing it can leave some homeowners...

Ceiling fans can be a wonderful addition to most rooms, but some design experts believe that they can take away from a room's overall look. Due to this change in trends, more and more people are...

Finding water leaks in a basement is a relatively easy thing to do. Whether you're inundated with leaks in your basement or suspect one one or two culprits, a few simple steps will allow you to...

Restaurant ceiling tiles are manufactured from the same materials as those installed in the home. As with any ceiling tile, restaurant ceiling tiles will become discolored over time, making the...