Home Repair & Maintenance

Window putty is used to seal the glass around the window frame so that heat or cold cannot get in or get out and the windows remain solid against the frame itself and don't rattle. This putty will...

Have you recently invested in your home by installing white oak flooring? Do you live in an older home and enjoy the charm of the original oak wood floors? If you are in either of these positions,...

Most schools have a dial lock on all student lockers. The locks feature a circular dial with a series of numbers. To open the lock, you need to correctly stop on a series of three numbers....

A marble countertop can be a beautiful and durable addition to any home. Marble tolerates the highest amounts of traffic and use with ease and hides any scratches by blending them into its...

In times of economic recession, many homeowners are looking for alternative means for services that were previously paid. Another victim of the dwindling economy--the local pool boy. You can do...

Although it serves as an elegant and unique exterior feature to a home, ivy can also be destructive. This is particularly true if ivy removal is done hastily or improperly. However, if you follow...

Black mold, toxic black mold, and "stachy" are common names for Stachybotrys chartarum, but black mold can also be species of Cladosporium, Penicillium, or Aspergillus. These molds are dark,...

Moss often grows on hard surfaces rather than soil because it is rootless. Rooted plants are not able to grow in this condition, and moss keeps all the water. This makes roofs an ideal place for...

A good way to create usable storage space from deep corner cabinets is to install a lazy Susan corner cabinet. A lazy Susan cabinet may develop some minor problems that need fixing now and then....

So, you're sitting there with friends watching your favorite show or sports game on the boob tube when WHAM! The circuit controlling the television goes out. Again. If the same circuit breaker...

Track lighting is great for lighting flexibility, but a flickering bulb in your track lighting is irritating. A flicker can be caused by several things, but it's most likely caused by a problem at...

Rods are a simple and cheap way to keep curtains where the belong--covering your windows. There are many strategies for securing a rod so that it does not sag in the middle and make your curtains...

There are various types of insulation for the home, but foam insulation has the highest insulation rating. Typically, a professional will install foam insulation in your home, but you can rent...

Deck mold is unsightly, foul-smelling and harmful. It will reduce the life of your deck by eating into the wood and weakening the structure, necessitating costly repairs or replacement. Getting...

All home repair and maintenance projects require preparation before a homeowner can begin the task, and dealing with teak wood is no different. Knowing how to care for this delicate wood is...

Self-cleaning ovens have a specialized feature that uses high heat to remove grime and built up food spills. Although it sounds like a relatively hands-off process, you must properly prepare your...

When it comes to your bathroom and shower area, it is important to periodically remove the old caulk and replace it. Since the caulk is constantly wet, it is easy to develop mold and mildew....

The beauty of a home can become tarnished once you discover you have a rodent problem. Mice are capable of getting into homes through any small crack or hole. Once inside your home, they can...

Preventative maintenance on your deadbolt locks is necessary to keep them operating smoothly, but what happens when you neglect this task and the deadbolt lock becomes stuck? First, check to be...

Woodpeckers drum and drill for one of two reasons: Either they're drumming to announce their presence to a potential mate or adversary, or they're drilling for food or a place to nest. Either way,...

Patio stones make a wonderful addition to a yard. Used to increase the livability factor of backyard living spaces, patios stones incorporate natural elements which can blend seamlessly with the...

Paint spots and splatters can mar a set of windows. It seems no matter how small the paint marks may be, they stick out like a sore thumb. This is especially disturbing to those who have invested...

Old wood windows let out a lot of heat during the winter and are no longer the most efficient method for sealing your home. Advances in vinyl window design make vinyl windows air-tight, allowing...

Not only does leaving cords lying around your home look awful, it's also dangerous. You can purchase cord reels from your local hardware store. Most come with handles or cranks, making it easy to...

Hanging--or installing--a new door takes precision for a proper fit and smooth operation. Pre-hung doors, with jambs and hinges already in place and perfectly aligned, make it much easier to hang...

Cedar siding is a good option for homeowners who are concerned about the environment, as well as those who love the look of wood. Cedar is a renewable, biodegradable resource, making it...

Clogged kitchen drains can prevent your household from running smoothly; cooking and cleaning are dependent on a clean and draining sink. There are a number of at-home remedies to remove a clog in...

Like any piece of furniture, swivel chairs may need repair after being used over an extended period of time. Often, squeaks arise in these chairs, and they can be an annoyance in a work setting....

Do you have some old carpet in your house covering hard wood floors? This article will show you how to pull up that old carpet and then refinish those hardwood floors. Taking out the carpet is fun...

Do you have wood trim that has deep nicks or scratches and you are wondering how to repair it? This article will show you step by step how to repair those nicks and scratches.

This is just a brief guide to install your flat screen tv. This will not provide you details just give you a list of what you need.

Depending on what type of flapper you have often depends on what type of toilet you have. The best advice is to take out the old worn out flapper and take it to a plumbing store or a hardware...

Winter is a time of year when we should be conserned with heat loss in our homes. There are some simple tricks and ideas for making your home warmer and saving on heating bills this winter.

Winter can be hard on your home. With only a little money and some work you can get your home ready for the harshest winter.

When you have let your wood deck go for a while and the weather and elements have turned it gray, you need to bring it back to life!!!! We have neglected ours, but you can save it!!! Looks great...

Painting a brick exterior on a house can be a time consuming job, but the results are often worth the effort. Some people adamantly feel that exterior brick should not be painted with house paint,...

How to repair your basic ball valve, a typical ball will have a lever handle. By moving the ball inside the valve, your opening and closing the flow of water through the valve. There's more then a...

Replacing your old kitchen cabinets can be very expensive, especially in today's economy. Instead, why not refinish or repaint them yourself with these easy to follow instructions. If you can sand...

If you have a drafty old house like me and dont have a lot of money to waste..then here is an easy tip to use that will help keep your house warm and save you money on your energy bills!

Many people use a shower every day without ever understanding how the plumbing works and how to fix it. For example, the spout and lever that divert water from a tub spout to a shower head is...

Hard water--water that contains dissolved calcium and magnesium--can leave soap scum and scaling on bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Many people use water softening systems to reduce the dissolved...

Due to weathering, inflexibility and failing joints, traditional flat roofing methods are susceptible to leaking. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene Monomer) rubber is the most effective alternative...

Often the first impression people have of us is the home we live in. We invest in aluminum siding to avoid peeling paint, only to have dirt, pollen and mildew infest our walls. The siding becomes...

With today's technology, getting water is a nearly thoughtless process, as easy as the push of a button or the turn of a lever. Rarely does the thought occur of where the water comes from, or...

Grout installed in moist environments, such as showers, is prone to mold and mildew. Grout that contains no pigments can be easily cleaned with a bleach solution, but colored grouts must be...

You should change the filter in your home air conditioner on a monthly basis to keep your air conditioner freely blowing cool air. This is especially true if you have hairy pets in your home. A...

When choosing fasteners, few are stronger or more versatile than lag screws, which are sometimes referred to as lag bolts. With deep, wideset threads and a pointed tip, all lag-type screws are...

Basement walls often help provide the foundation for a house. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that they be free from any damage that might cause the house to weaken. If you notice cracks in the...

Sealing grout is one of the most important steps in any tile installation, and yet it is the one step that is the most often put off or ignored. Grout sealer keeps stains from seeping into and...

Sometimes kitchen drawers can come off track, as when the slides get bent or broken, or you need to replace a broken drawer or wish to change the style of the door. Replacing cabinet drawers...