Home Repair & Maintenance

Cat owners have all dealt with the problem of cats urinating outside of the litter box at some point. When you get to the urine quickly, clean up is simple and fast. If you get to the urine...

Removing paint from concrete prior to staining is an important step in the staining process. If unwanted paint is left on the concrete, it may show through the stain. Also, paint on concrete will...

Urethane caulk is often used by professional contractors and homeowners because of its durability and flexibility, and because it is water-resistant and can be painted. Urethane caulk will adhere...

Unless your bath tub is badly rusted or pitted, painting it yourself may be easier than you think. While you'll need to use epoxy enamel paint for the inside of the tub (available in kits, making...

Mold is one of the most prevalent micro-organisms within a home as well as one of the most dangerous. Molds release tiny spores, and when these spores land on a wet area, they grow. Because mold...

Although a fire can quickly damage a home, the smoke produced by the fire can be almost as damaging. Smoke can not only stain surfaces in your home, it can also leave a noxious odor on everything...

Warm colors like brown and red lend themselves well to rustic styled homes as well as Victorian "painted ladies." Brown stained wood siding paired with redwood-colored trim or lighter brown with...

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...

Scratches, dings, and spills are just a few reasons why you may have a blemish on your painted wall. If the damaged area is large, repainting that one wall with a matching paint is the best option...

Granite paints applied to counter tops are removed like any other paint. You have three choices in removal strategy--chemicals, heat or sanding. In general, paint stripper is the easiest and...

Many people don't consider refinishing their wood furniture after it becomes old, scratched and damaged. They usually throw it way and purchase a new piece. Refinishing wood is not overly...

Styrofoam can be finished to replicate nearly any surface from wood grain to brick to stone. The lightweight, easily sculpted material makes a flexible medium for many architectural details from...

Finishing a garage is quite a complex project requiring you to obtain knowledge of installing insulation, electrical and drywall among other skills. You might wish to do the entire project...

Painting the fence in your yard is an easy, albeit repetitive task that can improve the appearance of your home's exterior. Many fences are built using pressure-treated lumber, which is wood that...

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...

Spraypainting can be very simple to do and can leave great results. This article will give you some tips on surface preparation, choosing the right paint, and cleaning up.

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,...

This article will tell you how to remove, paint, and replace vinyl or plastic shutters with "shutter loks". You can freshen up a shutter to look new again with the same color or give...

For many homeowners, the garage is simply an extension of the home's living space. For those who want to improve the look and function of the garage, floor epoxy provides a finished look with...

There are two different types of possible smoke damage that can occur in a home fire: general discoloration and bubbling/blistering. While it may seem like a very difficult process, fixing your...

Columns are part of the structural integrity of many porches, halls and entryways. They add style and elegance to these areas while opening up the space and giving support to the ceiling....

Stain doesn't hold up as well as paint on exterior wood doors, especially if the door is exposed to the sun. Once your stained exterior doors have started to fade, painting over them is the most...

Whether you plan to redecorate your kitchen or just want to spruce up that refrigerator you've had for years, you have some concerns about what kind of results you can get with paint. Don't worry;...

Properly preparing and painting the interior of your windows will give your room a new look and add to the energy efficiency of your home. Painting your window also helps to protect the wood...

Bathroom remodels are a great way to add value to your home. Unfortunately, replacing cabinetry can get very expensive. Refinishing an old vanity can bring new life to your bathroom. A change of...

Your home is one of your biggest investments. You will want to maintain it as such to retain its value. Painting or siding the exterior is a great way to do this.

Many homeowners can be intimidated by the possibility of trying to paint window sills because sills are consistently exposed to the elements and require careful preparation before being repainted....

While staining a previously painted deck is time-consuming and takes a lot of energy, the converse is far simpler. If you have been putting off painting your deck because you are dreading the...

No kitchen cabinet coating is going to be as durable as the baked-on factory paint on painted cabinets, and poor preparation or poor quality paint will result in chipping. Preventing paint from...

Removing paint from a deck is a job done by a combination of two methods. Mechanical and chemical means are available to the homeowner for a professional finish. There are also two types of...

You must remove mold and mildew in an attic, along with any dry rotted wood, prior to remodeling. First find the moisture sources and eliminate them (i.e. repair roof leaks and/or seal them before...

In this day and age, almost everyone needs an outdoor shed for storage and utility purposes. These sheds come in a variety of sizes, colors, and materials but one thing is for sure, they wear...

Bubbles or blisters on painted wood veneer and other smooth surfaces are usually caused by moisture or vapor trapped under the paint film. This usually happens when either the surface or the air...

Hardboard siding is a composite wood-based product attached to the exterior of homes. It provides long-term resistance to various weather conditions. Nonetheless, proper maintenance and repair...

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....

Painting your wooden house is a relatively inexpensive way to improve "curb appeal," making your house more attractive and easier to sell. Though the process is simple, it's more than a matter of...

When building or remodeling a house, installing good windows can be an expensive investment. Many homeowners choose to do necessary periodic maintenance on their windows to avoid the cost and...

Cracked paint in a bathroom is usually due to the underlying substrate (plaster or drywall) deteriorating or flexing with temperature and humidity changes. Bathrooms can be hostile environments...

Metal galvanized steel siding is not a common residential building material and is used more often on sheds, barns and commercial buildings. Although very durable, it can rust, despite being...

Aluminum was a common exterior siding and door material during the mid-1900s. Typically sold in a range of factory-finished paints, it was inexpensive and very durable. Over time, the paint...

Painting a two- or three-story home can be challenging if you're not used to working with heights and from ladders. To paint a second-floor exterior, you'll need at least a 24-foot extension...

Sealing outdoor features such as decks, patios, pathways and fences is essential to prolonging the life of the items. Wood quickly degrades when exposed to the weather and patios are subject to...

Keeping moldings looking fresh and white isn't always so easy. Because many moldings are in high traffic areas they tend to be exposed to lots of dust and dirt. In addition, many moldings are not...

Exterior windows need to be kept in good condition, not only to keep the exterior of your house looking sharp, but to keep the edges sealed and energy-efficient. Window sash, sill and trim are...

With the popularity of faux painting and the wide range of specialty tools and finishes available in paint stores, even an artistic klutz can not only lighten paint on walls but can add depth and...

If your concrete patio, walkway or driveway is looking a little worse for wear, adding a coat of paint can make it look brand new. Painting concrete is much cheaper than replacing it, and you can...

When choosing exterior paint colors for your home, you should consider all the architectural features. This includes brickwork and masonry, wood decks and one element many people forget--the roof....

The easiest way to finish interior wood trim is to do so before you hang it. Painting or staining small pieces of wood is much easier when they are sitting on a flat surface, like a floor, than...

Restoring interior wood trim is a great way to save money by not having to go out and buy new trim. If you have an older home, some of the wood used from the trim back when the house was built is...

Cedar shake siding can provide an attractive and durable look for a house. This low-density, lightweight softwood weathers and changes color naturally, and it can remain untreated. But homeowners...