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.

It is important to winterize a rain barrel to ensure it doesn't freeze during the winter months. This is certainly not an issue if you live in Tuscon. However, if Boston is where you live, you...

Ion exchange water treatment is a method for purifying water. The process removes certain minerals from the water and returns other minerals in their place. This method is used in a variety of...

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...

Poor yard drainage usually becomes noticeable after a large rainstorm and you realize you have a lake in your backyard or water pooling near the foundation of your house. Water pooling around the...

Water damage can strike at any time, creating a mess and substantial cleanup costs. When you are on vacation, however, the damage can become devastating to a home. Water could be leaking in your...

Water can cause severe problems to a house's or structure's foundation. Water damage and leaks caused by surface water is easily repairable; however, if the damage is caused by groundwater,...

A lot of things make their way down the drain, such as hair, grease, food, soap scum and shaving cream. These things can build up and cause a nasty plug, rendering your sink useless. If you want...

The bladder pressure tank is a tank that contains pressurized air and water. The air and water is separated by a membrane or bladder. The main functions of the bladder pressure tank are to...

When the bladder pressure tank pump cycles on and off rapidly or more than five times per hour the water pressure in the house is not good. You may notice lights in the house flickering when you...

Most people have a toilet plunger in their home. If you move often, they get lost or maybe you are a new homeowner. Everyone should have a good toilet plunger when an emergency arises, you just...

Pool De filters, Permanent media filters, hepa vacuums...all the filters which are made of nylon or a plastic weave are washable and reusable. These function great for a while and then you start...

To increase water pressure, you must increase the volume available to your system or increase the pressure but at a lower flow. For most domestic situations, increasing volume is not an option and...

You can calculate the weight of water contained in plumbing with a few simple formulas to estimate the volume of a pipe. Due to differences in pipe fittings, the answer obtained will be slightly...

Radiant floor heating is a system of applying heat underneath or within a floor. A hydronic radiant floor uses plastic or metal tubing to carry hot water to the areas (or rooms) to be heated. The...

Tiling is a messy job, requiring the use of grout and other similar products. If these products "cure," or become dried, on the tools you used to apply them, they can be difficult to remove. It is...

Traditionally, a stucco building requires three layers of stucco. The first layer is the scratch coat. The brown coat layer is next. The final top layer is the stucco coat which can be colored...

Flood water is very damaging to your house and its components. Not surprisingly, if your HVAC unit gets flooded, it will probably cease to function. This can lead to very high repair costs that...

Calcium deposits form on surfaces that hard water touches. Although these deposits occur naturally, they can cost you a lot of money if you don't remove them. Calcium deposits can cause a water...

Most people have experienced a hot day outside and were too lazy to go inside and get a drink, so they just drink from garden hoses. You might think if you just let the water run for a bit you...

Estimating the average cost for a water well may depend upon how deep drilling has to go in order to hit water, and what type of pump is best suited for your needs. Estimating the cost of a...

Chlorine is an essential chemical in any swimming pool. It is designed not only to keep the pool free of germs, creating a healthy environment, but also to keep it clean and alleviate any...

Leaks in the foundation of a house can be caused from cracks in the foundation walls or water that is not properly draining away from the home. Cracks in the foundation walls can be repaired by...

The toilet's tank should fill up in less than a minute after flushing. A toilet flapper that functions correctly helps refill the tank by preventing water from leaking into the bowl. If you have a...

Muriatic acid (also called hydrochloric acid) is one of the most dangerous chemicals available for amateur use in the home. It is not a primary solution cleaning product, but rather a last-resort...

With high energy costs even for minimal winter heating, most people with summer homes in Northern states do a complete winterizing process come fall. This prevents burst water pipes, both...

Making a water heater last longer is simple and easy to do. While it won't guarantee a really long time, it will definitely add more time to this needed appliance.

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...

Checking your oil tank for water buildup is an essential step in ensuring you get the most out of your heating oil. Condensation in an oil tank will result in internal corrosion and a reduction in...

Air bubbles in toilet plumbing may be an indication that you need to take action immediately. Normally, air in the toilet indicates that there is some kind of blockage. Getting rid of the blockage...

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...

If the pipes in your bathroom sink are worn out, they may need to be replaced, because the water must go somewhere. Whether the pipes are metal, PVC or plastic, the method to connect them is...

Delta brand faucets enjoy a good reputation as a well-made yet economical product. While Delta's quality construction standards provide many years of trouble-free use, environment and age can...

Sodium silicate, formed from sodium carbonate and silicon dioxide under heated conditions, is known as liquid glass. It is widely used in industry; for example, the automobile industry uses it to...

When the ants come marching in, you may feel all hope is lost. Whether it be a home or garden infestation, ants can be incredibly difficult to be rid of and can pose problems for children and...

Homes that use well water have either a submersible water pump or an above-ground water pump. Submersible water pumps do not lose their prime. Above-ground water pumps will lose their prime from...

Efflorescence is salts and minerals that rise from the inside of concrete to its surface and appear as a powdery white coating. The substance can also appear as a hazy film or streaks of white...

During rainy seasons, flooding can cause all sorts of problems when it comes to your basement. Not only can basement flooding damage some of your belongings, but it can also cause other problems...

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...

A leaky foundation can be a troublesome household problem. Although the repair is tough and takes time, it can be done without any professional help. Nonetheless, make sure you understand 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...

Iron content in water is generally not unhealthy, not even the bacteria that feed off the iron. However, rust can stain dishes and toilets and clog appliances and water filters. The treatment...

Water is often naturally high in calcium or magnesium, which makes washing clothes and dishes more difficult and leaves detergent films on clothes or deposits on dishes. Salts such as sodium or...

Want to dampen your spirits quickly after a shower? Finish your song, grab your softest towel and then step into a puddle on your bathroom floor. Your heart will sink deeper than that rubber duck...

The siding on a home is exposed to extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice and excessive heat. These conditions may cause mold to form on the siding. Mold on siding can diminish the...

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...

Water pressure gauges enable the user to identify any possible problems with the water system. Fluctuations in water delivery can be observed by an accurately operational gauge. Over time, these...

Many RV owners think of their RV just like a small home. Just as with any small home, repairs or improvements can be needed. Most RVs come with fixtures that are made from plastic and not of the...

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...

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...