Home Maintenance & Repair Tips: Video Series

Unclog a toilet by taking a rubber plunger and creating a good seal, while pushing up and down at a slow, forceful pace. Plunge a toilet until it sounds like it's draining with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Turning off a main water supply requires finding the shutoff valve, which is typically in the garage area, and turning on a faucet to let any excess water come out after it's been turned off. Locate the main water shutoff valve in a home with advice from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

A sink can be naturally unclogged with baking soda, distilled white vinegar, salt and boiling water. Learn how each ingredient is mixed and how they work to create a flowing drain pipe with ideas from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

When unclogging a kitchen sink, try to use chemicals that have a gel base or thicker content so that it penetrates through the water and heads down the drain. If chemicals are not desirable to unclog a drain, learn about a more natural way to unclog a kitchen sink with insight from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Testing a smoke detector involves climbing up a secured stepladder, hitting the test button on the device and holding it down until it sounds the alarm. Discover ways to wire a smoke alarm to all other smoke warning devices in a home with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Changing batteries in a smoke alarm should be done every six months and requires removing the device's face plate. Keep a fresh supply of batteries when using battery operated smoke alarms and change them regularly with advice from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Sliding closet doors should be maintained by checking the rollers on the back of the doors that run inside the track. Keep a sliding closet door moving fluidly by lubricating the wheels or rollers with ideas from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Remove latex paint from a carpet by first dabbing it with a soft white cloth and then pressing on the stain with a wet sponge. Take out a paint stain from a rug by using warm water and detergent with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

A loose doorknob can be tightened with a long screwdriver while reaching around and holding the knob. Avoid over tightening or stripping the screws on a door lock by getting the screws snug with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

When touching up painted walls, be sure to stir the paint first and apply with a sponge brush for smaller areas. Learn more about touching up painted walls and how paint will start off lighter but will darken to match with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Maintaining an electric garage door involves checking every two-to-three months the point where the garage opener attaches to the garage door. Keep an electric garage door opener well lubricated and check the light bulb periodically with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

When re-caulking a bathtub, remove old caulk first with a removal tool and then place a thin bead of caulk across the tub. Reseal a bathtub properly by cutting the caulking tube at a small 45-degree angle with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Unclogging a shower drain may require using a hanger or plumber snake if the pipe is clogged with hair. Try using commercial grade chemicals to unplug a shower drain first with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Properly maintain a whirlpool tub by cleaning it out every two-to-three months with low-sudsing detergent and warm water. Make sure whirlpool tub jets work efficiently by cleaning them regularly with advice from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

When removing nail polish from a carpet start with a less damaging chemical like hydrogen peroxide and blot it on the stain. Avoid rubbing the nail polish stain to avoid disturbing carpet fibers with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Keeping a bathroom drain flowing can be done by pouring an unclogging chemical down it about once a month. Learn about maintaining restroom drain flow by washing down chemicals with hot water with ideas from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Loosen a stuck screw by first spraying lubricant on it to break up the rust or gently tapping the screw with a hammer. Discover other ways to remove an unmovable screw by using a file and vice grips with insight from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Some of the tools used in carpentry include the handsaw, tape measure, speed square and hammer. Be a prepared carpenter with a toolbox filled with screwdrivers, a skill saw and palm sander with advice from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

When fixing blinds, be sure to lay them out on a flat surface to make it easier to repair any damaged slats. Find out how to repair frayed chords on blinds by removing the plug to the end chords with ideas from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Cleaning tile grout involves using a stiff bristle brush, a bucket and a commercial cleaning product or baking soda. Avoid chemical burn on hands and knees by wearing rubber gloves and knee pads when removing dirt from tile grout with insight from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Unclogging a drain can be done with commercial chemicals or by using a natural unclogging agent like baking soda, vinegar and hot water. Unplug a shower drain with other methods like a coat hanger or plumber's snake with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Maintaining hardwood floors is as simple as dusting regularly and using a polisher to remove scuff marks. Keep hardwood floors shiny and new by using a shammy and after market products with ideas from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Adjusting a garage door to close properly involves checking the micro switch the door hits, which is the gauge for when the opener motor shuts off. Keep a garage door opening and closing smoothly by checking the electric eyes with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

Making square cuts with a skill saw requires proper support for wood and a speed square to guide the cut. Create square cuts on a skill saw by also using a carpenter's square with advice from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.

The hook on a tape measure should be checked periodically to make sure it is at a 90-degree angle to get accurate measurements. Use a tape measure to make accurately measured marks on wood or walls with tips from a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in this free video on home improvement.