Home Improvements & Maintenance: Video Series

Refinishing hardwood floors requires applying a floor cleaner polisher combination to remove dirt and polish the floor. For hardwood floors on which the polyurethane finish has broken down, purchase a refinishing kit with a stripper and a finish renewer. Avoid having to sand hardwood floors, by using the proper cleaning products with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on home improvements.

To restore hardwood floors, apply a combination floor cleaner polisher directly on the floor, or on a cloth, and work the cleaner into the floor to remove dirt and refresh the finish. Clean hardwood floors periodically with a polisher to avoid more aggressive refinishing projects with advice from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on home improvements.

A refrigerator works by circulating a refrigerant through evaporator coils, so that heat is released and the refrigerant gets very cold. Discover how a compressor and a fan help circulate the cold air through the refrigerator with information from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on appliances.

A refrigerator ice maker works by using a connected water supply to automatically dispense enough water for filling an ice tray, and then calculating when the ice is ready to be dispensed, based on how the ice expands. Learn how a motor in the ice maker rotates to push the ice out of the tray with information from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on appliances.

Fixing a refrigerator that is not getting cold enough, requires removing clogs made of dirt and lint that may have developed on the coils that circulate air flow in the fridge. Contact a qualified service center to fix more complicated problems with a refrigerator using insight from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on appliance repair.

To fix a dishwasher that will not drain, remove any clogs that are blocking the drain line by pouring a paste of baking soda, vinegar and water down the drain, and then pouring boiling water to clear the clog. Repeat the process several times to remove a severely clogged dishwasher drain with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on appliance repair.

A microwave oven operates by setting the cook time and power level to heat food and beverages to the proper temperature, or to defrost frozen foods. Use the automatic cook times and the delay settings on a microwave with tips from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on kitchen appliances.

To use a microwave, place food in a glass or microwave-safe plastic container, choose the time and heating levels or use the automatic cooking buttons for popcorn, potatoes and other foods. Learn to use the re-heating buttons and sensor cooking options on a microwave with advice from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on appliances.

When measuring for curtains, measure the height between the floor and the top of the curtain, and then the width of the window, remembering that the width of the curtain will be less than it says it is due to bunching. Find curtains that will be wide enough and long enough to cover the entire window with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on window fixtures.

It is very easy to remove rust from tools with a home remedy that calls for applying a paste of baking soda and lemon juice to the surface of the tool, and allowing the mixture to dissolve the rust. Wipe off the rust dissolving mixture with a paper towel, using instructions from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on tool care.

One home remedy that removes rust is a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar, which is applied to the rusty object and used to dissolve the rust. Get rid of rust, and then protect the surface from future rust by using a light oil, with tips from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on home improvements.

Make natural rust remover by mixing baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar into a paste, which can be applied to any metal surface that has rust on it. Allow the rust remover to dissolve the rust and then wipe it off using instructions from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust remover.

Remove rust with commercial rust removers, a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice, or by sanding the surface and using a light oil to prevent rust from forming. Keep rust from forming by using a barrier designed to keep moisture off of surfaces with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

To remove rust from hand tools, apply a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to dissolve the rust, or use a light-grit sandpaper to physically remove the rust. Apply a layer of WD40 to keep rust from forming on hand tools with advice from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

Remove rust from a pocket knife by using WD40 and a fine-grit sandpaper, rubbing the edges of the knife lightly to remove light rust. For heavier rust on a pocket knife, use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice with instructions from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

Removing rust from stainless steel usually requires just a little bit of light oil, such as WD40, and some sanding with a fine sandpaper. Avoid etching the surface of stainless steel when removing rust, and consider using a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to gently remove rust with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

To remove rust from steel, spray WD40 on the rust and then sand the area lightly with fine-grit sandpaper, avoiding scratching the surface of the steel. Use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to remove heavy areas of rust with tips from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

Remove rust from tools using a paste of baking soda and lemon juice, allowing the paste to dissolve the rust and then wiping the surface clean with a paper towel. Prevent new rust from forming on tools by spraying them with WD40 occasionally, using insight from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

To remove rust naturally, make a paste of baking soda and either lemon juice or vinegar, apply the mixture to the rusty surface, allow the paste to dissolve the rust and then wipe it clean with a paper towel. Avoid using unnecessary chemicals to remove rust with advice from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

Troubleshoot problems with the HVAC, or heating, ventilating and air-conditioning, system by checking the thermostat, making sure the filter is not clogged, checking that the cut off is still in place and checking the circuit breakers. Contact an HVAC professional if all the simple fixes check out and the system is still not working, with advice from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on home improvements.

Get rust off of a saw by spraying the surface with WD40, brushing off loose rust with a toothbrush and lightly sanding any areas with heavy rust. Avoid sanding the blade of a saw vigorously, as the rust is just on the surface, with advice from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on rust removal.

Using steel wool requires finding the right coarseness of steel wool for different projects, wearing gloves to protect the hands and always rubbing with the grain of the surface. Learn to use steel wool in the same way that sandpaper is used with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on steel wool.

Adjust your thermostat using push dials or programmable buttons to change the temperature in small increments, which will save energy and money. Use a programmable thermostat to keep unoccupied rooms cooler or warmer, depending on the season, with help from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on thermostat temperatures.

Hang a heavy wall mirror by finding high-rated attach points that will screw directly into the dry wall and then applying picture wire that has a high tensile strength to the mirror. Guide the mirror onto the hooks of a wall with your hands using tips from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on hanging mirrors.

To hang heavy objects on walls, install connectors that will hold a large amount of weight and will self-thread into the wall, and make sure the picture or mirror has a chain or picture wire. Locate the center of where the object will hang and then easily straighten the object on the picture wire with instructions from a remodeling contractor and home repair specialist in this free video on hanging pictures.