Home Repair & Maintenance

Toilets are heavy but can be fragile. Old toilets may have attachment bolts that can be brittle. It is sometimes easier to remove the two components together then remove the tank from the bowl.

When it comes to your bathroom and shower door, it is essential to occasionally remove the old caulk and replace it. Since the caulk in the shower area is constantly wet, it easily develops mildew...

Wooden shutters may be found both on the inside and outside of a house. Interior shutters are most likely installed in a different manner from exterior ones. You probably will have to unscrew the...

There are single handle and double handle sinks. Most newer Delta kitchen sinks are single handled ball valves. The single handle ball valve operates both hot and cold water. This ball on a stick...

Brick exteriors are attractive and never require painting. However, they still require maintenance. The mortar joints between each brick can weather and deteriorate. The process of clearing the...

While it is feasible to tile right over existing surfaces, it is always better to remove the old materials so that any unseen issues can be addressed and the floor level remains consistent....

Area rugs come in many styles, shapes and colors to complement almost any interior decorating plan. Due to the heavy foot traffic they receive, as well as the shifting and movement of furniture,...

At some point, your InSinkErator will wear down and need to be removed from the sink and replaced. While hiring a professional to remove it is a possibility, removing the InSinkErator on your own...

If you are repairing or removing your hardwood floor, there are a variety of techniques. The best technique requires a methodical approach, as well as specialized tools.

The removal procedure for a Kohler faucet is similar to that of other faucets. Once you have collected the tools and turned off the faucet's water supply, you will be working under the sink to...

Any floor covering containing more than 1 percent asbestos is considered asbestos flooring. You can call a licensed asbestos contractor to remove asbestos floor tiles, or you can do it yourself....

A storm door protects your inside door from the elements and offers an additional layer of insulation. Removing a storm door is relatively simple; but if you're not an experienced home handyman,...

Repairing a dripping or leaking disc kitchen faucet is a straightforward process. Most likely, you will be able to repair it by taking the faucet apart, cleaning it and putting it back together....

Your shower head or tub spout starts dripping and no matter how tight you try to turn the handles, the dripping will not stop. More than likely, your shower diverter has worn out. Most often, the...

Removing certain odors, especially cigarette odor, from a room or car can prove difficult without the right products at your disposal. However, newer products like Room Shocker and other...

Bathtubs are a dirty, grimy area. Many times mold or some kind of scum is growing in a bathtub. This can cause the handles to get corroded or even look unsightly. The handles in a shower are a...

Weslock door hardware is manufactured by the U.S.-based Weslock Company. The company produces residential locks and auxiliary hardware devices for interior and exterior doors. Most Weslock units...

Screws are placed under a great deal of stress when used in construction projects. This is because often times the screws are the only form of support, such as keeping the structure erect or...

Concrete provides an ideal subfloor over which to install tile. One of the first steps to installing tile is to thoroughly clean the concrete slab to remove any dust, dirt, oil or wax from the...

Whether you are repairing a faulty thermostat or upgrading to one that is programmable, replacing your thermostat is a quick project that can save you a lot in home heating and cooling bills. Old...

Grout is important to ceramic tiled bathrooms, as it not only fills in the gaps between the tiles, but deters moisture from seeping into the tiles. Over time, grout may become cracked, crumbly or...

If you are taking something apart to repair or replace it and discover that a Philips head bolt is stripped, what do you do? Removing a stripped Phillips bolt can be a simple task with the right...

Sometimes your house siding may become damaged or broken. Failure to repair your broken siding will result in further damage to the interior of your wall. If you are planning on repairing your...

Calcium and magnesium deposits are a common problem in places with "hard water." The stains left behind by mineral deposits are sometimes difficult to get rid of if left unattended for too long....

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...

Ceramic and porcelain tile are traditionally used in bathrooms, kitchens and other moisture-prone areas in the home. While these tiles are relatively durable, they may break or chip over time due...

Repairing your roof can be done after you remove old shingles, or you can shingle over one layer only. Shingling over too many layers can disrupt the airtight seal on your roof.

Mirror clips are used to hold mirrors to a wall. They are used alone, or sometimes with mirror adhesive to ensure that the mirror cannot fall off of the wall. Removing the clips is a very easy...

Removing a damaged (or stripped) screw is often a trying experience because it can slow down an entire project. The frustration is compounded when the screw becomes even more damaged as you try to...

When removing carpeting and the carpet backing from a floor, often what is left behind is carpet glue residue. The glue is used to keep the padding in place, which it does really well. Removing...

Removing a lockset from a steel door is a simple process that can be achieved by a novice do-it-yourselfer. A lock may need to be removed if it is being replaced with a new handle and lockset or...

It happens to everyone. You flush the toilet and either nothing happens or the water starts to rise. Toilet obstructions are usually pretty minor and can be cleared with either a plunger or a...

Industrial automatic coffee makers are typically connected to internal plumbing by a copper water line. If you are moving your automatic coffee maker to a new location, the water line will have to...

Slate is durable choice for flooring. Slate virtually repels stains, and its beautiful mix of red, green and black colors are definitely eye-catching. Homeowners moving towards "greener" solutions...

Whether you have an unwanted screw or simply need to make changes to your wall, removing screws from drywall is very easy. If performed carefully, there will be little additional damage to the...

Steel doors are a durable and long-lasting alternative to the classic solid wood door. They are made of thin sheets of steel wrapped around an insulated core and are often painted to create the...

Many homeowners have old doors somewhere in the house that they no longer have the keys for. If these doors are locked, it can be difficult to remove the lock and replace it with a unit that...

Outdoor light fixtures are convenient for lighting up the entryway to a home as well as brightening porches, patios and decks. An outdoor light fixture can also be a necessary safety feature. Many...

Leaving bathroom leaks to fend for themselves is a serious economic mistake many homeowners make. A leaky faucet can cost more than a new washer. Mold, damp, pipe replacement as well as an...

When you first painted that deck it looked great. Now, years after the job, the paint is weathered and peeling. Perhaps you are contemplating replacing the deck. Maybe you are about to call a...

The bathroom is no place for a leak. Plumbers are expensive, and water damage can mean new fixtures and fittings. Repairing a faucet leak in a bathtub as quickly as possible can reduce the amount...

Medeco is a U.S.-based hardware manufacturer known for its high-security locksets. The company produces locks that are designed to resist picking and tampering. These locks are similar to other...

During a remodeling effort, you might remove old molding, paneling or cabinets that leave a line of caulk still attached to a painted wall. Pulling the caulk from the wall is likely to lift the...

Shower diverter valve stems wear out over time from constant contact with water. There are rubber washers that keep water from leaking around the stem. When these washers wear out, your diverter...

Though it may seem intimidating, removing a door frame from a brick building is relatively easy. The frame is connected to the wall on either side with anchors or fasteners. These anchors are then...

If you're new to woodworking, using a table saw with one blade may be intimidating enough. The thought of stacking several blades side by side and flipping the switch could be terrifying. It...

Old, dried glue can be one of the most challenging substances to clean after. When it dries onto a surface, a bond is created that can be a difficult to remove. Glue residue is especially...

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp and shaded areas. Mold can grow on just about anything, including woodwork. It is important to remove mold because it can eventually damage the wood. Mold can...

Sink faucets are either going to leak, break or look outdated after years of use---it's inevitable. When it is time to replace them, it is a good idea to know how to remove sink faucets to prepare...

Getting ready to show your house? For an open house? Or are you just sprucing up? Removing rust from register vents is an easy way to improve the look of your home's interior. Be sure to be safe...