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Home maintenance includes keeping siding clean, replacing cabinet hardware, putting up drapes and fixing kitchen faucets. Get tips on keeping up a home with this free video series on home maintenance.
There are 29 videos in this series:
Cleaning water-based paint from paintbrushes requires rinsing them under warm water to remove the excess paint, lathering them with regular dish soap and rinsing them before shaking off excess water. Clean out paintbrushes, wrapping them in paper towel to keep the bristles soft, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Cleaning light dust and grime from vinyl and plastic blinds simply requires wiping them down with a damp rag or sponge, or taking them outside and using detergent for dirtier, heavier stains. Maintain blinds on a daily basis for easier cleanup with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Hanging a picture requires determining what type of hardware is needed, measuring the point where the nail will go and installing the right hardware into the drywall or stud. Use a level to aid in hanging a picture straight with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Measuring a window for curtains depends on the type of curtains hung, whether they should hang longer than the floor, hang inches above the window or extend out past the window frame. Measure for curtains, paying attention to where they will hang, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Measuring windows for shades requires measuring inside the window frame and subtracting half an inch for wiggle room, and then measuring from the top of the window to the window sill, adding a couple of inches to be safe. Fit shades into a window frame, allowing space to pull the shade down below the window sill, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Cleaning paint from carpet begins with blotting the area to remove excess paint. Next apply soapy water and continue blotting the stain with a sponge until the paint has been removed. Remove fresh paint from carpet, vacuuming over the spot once the stain is removed, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
To diagnose refrigerator problems, note if the refrigerator is receiving power, if it is cooling food properly, if ice is being produced and if water is being filtered well. Check the breaker, the temperature control and the built-in filter to diagnose refrigerator problems with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Diagnosing dishwasher problems requires checking the power source, the water source and the filter in the back to make sure the basic functions are operating properly. Find out what's wrong with a dishwasher, making sure to check the cycle buttons on the front panel, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Controlling garbage disposal odors requires keeping the rubber flap clean, feeding half a lemon into the disposal to clean the blades and pouring a cup of white vinegar and a batch of boiling water down the drain to remove grease and debris. Get rid of odors from the garbage disposal with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
To diagnose washing machine problems, check to make sure it is draining properly, make sure the water valves are open and check the positions of the knobs on the front of the washer. Detect a washing machine malfunction by routinely examining its basic components with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Fixing a vacuum cleaner can include taping up an exposed wire, replacing the cord connector, changing the vacuum bag and replacing a broken belt. Find out how to repair a vacuum cleaner, keeping all areas free of debris for the best suction, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Diagnose microwave oven problems by checking the power source, realigning the rotating table or calling a professional repair service to fix the electronic controls. Detect issues with a microwave oven with advice from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Cleaning or replacing a furnace filter requires shutting off the HVAC unit, pulling out the clips that hold the old filter in place and inserting a high-efficiency filter, making sure it faces the right way. Replace a furnace filter every 90 days, or more often with pets and dusty environments, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Disposing of paint, whether oil- or latex-based, requires allowing it to completely dry in the can before putting it in a regular household garbage can. Paint is considered hazardous waste in its liquid form. Get rid of paint safely, taking wet paint to a landfill for proper disposal, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Maintaining an air conditioner requires taking apart the condensers during the summer months to hose off yard clippings and scheduling routine maintenance visits with a professional service company. Keep an air conditioner working its best with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Measuring kitchen cabinets for a kitchen remodel requires making a rough sketch of the kitchen, noting where the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and sink are located, then measuring the surrounding areas. Map out a sketch of the kitchen layout to aid in measuring for cabinets with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Balancing a washing machine tub requires calling a professional repair service to take the washer apart and re-balance the weights and counterweights located on the inside. Keep a washing machine tub balanced by avoiding heavy wash loads with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Hanging a mirror requires marking the spot to install hardware, using a stud finder to determine the hardware necessary and either screwing hardware into a stud or installing a drywall anchor for extra support. Hang a mirror on the wall, making sure to center it at an appropriate height, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
To clean vinyl siding, simply hose it down or add a cup of bleach to every gallon of water used with a power washer to break down heavy soiling. Keep vinyl siding clean, remembering to scrub from the bottom and rinse from the top, with instructions from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Measuring stairs to install carpet requires adding two inches to the width of the stairs to account for folded edges, or subtracting six inches from the width to account for a carpeted runner. Figure out how much material to purchase to carpet a set of stairs with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Cleaning a dryer vent after every load of laundry helps keep it stay clean on a daily basis, and using a static duster to get inside the dryer vent trap helps maintain proper airflow. Keep a dryer vent free of lint with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Cleaning a hot tub requires draining it and using a mild detergent to clean the surface of the tub, avoiding chlorine products if it is not a chlorine-based hot tub. Keep a hot tub clean, making sure the chemicals are always in balance, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
To balance HVAC air flow, adjust the diffuser blades to close off seldom-used rooms and open up main living spaces. Maximize the cool air in the summer and the warm air in the winter with instructions from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
To get finger nail polish out of carpet, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the stain and gently blot the area with a soft cloth or paper towel, increasing the strength of chemicals in the case of a stubborn stain. Remove finger nail polish stains from carpet, being careful not to remove the carpet's natural color, with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Measuring for a new counter top requires mapping out the layout of the kitchen, taking note of where the plumbing will go and adding a few inches allowance for an overhang. Measure out a counter top area, including an area for a back splash with tips from a licensed home repair specialist in this free video on home maintenance.
Home remodeling is a great way to repair and replace broken items in a home. Additionally, home remodeling can bring an outdated home to contemporary standards or can maintain the classic or historical look of the home. Home repair is often the last thing homeowners want to spend money and time on. However, as many DIYers know, homeowners can do their own home repair with instructions from home renovation and construction professionals. In this free video series on home maintenance, a licensed remodeling specialist demonstrates several home upkeep tips. Find out how to diagnose problems with household appliances such as the refrigerator, the dishwasher, the AC unit and the microwave. Get harsh stains out of carpet, and find out how to measure for curtains and blinds. Maintain a home on a regular basis to keep it clean, organized and updated.
Tim Gipson Tim Gipson is a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in Nashville, Tenn. He holds a MST and BS from Middle Tennessee University. Gipson is insured, licensed and bonded with the state of Tennessee.dkdk
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