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James Carey
James Carey is an award-winning, licensed contractor with millions of people nationwide through a weekly radio program and syndicated newspaper column, both titled On The House. He also appears regularly on CBS News Saturday Morning.
Articles & Books From James Carey
Step by Step / Updated 04-26-2016
Over time, mortar tends to deteriorate. Not only are cracked and deteriorating mortar joints unsightly, but they also diminish the integrity of the surface and can allow water to get behind the brick or block and cause major damage. You can avoid these problems by tuck-pointing the brick or block foundation, which means removing and replacing cracked or missing mortar.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
The P-trap is that curved pipe that you see beneath any sink in your home. Unfortunately, the trap’s water-trapping ability extends to hair, grease, debris, and soap scum. This makes a P-trap the number-one location of clogs in the sewer system. If the P-trap becomes only slightly clogged, then you experience slow drainage in the fixture.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Few home-maintenance projects are easier than sealing an asphalt driveway. Mostly you need a strong back to maneuver the big, heavy buckets of sealer. When you’ve gathered everything you need, follow these steps to fill even large cracks in your asphalt drive:
Using a putty knife, remove debris from any large cracks and then sweep the entire surface with a push broom.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Galvanized pipe is notorious for rust, corrosion, and leaks. When this happens, the most prudent solution for a permanent repair is to remove the damaged section and replace it with a new section of threaded pipe.
Replacing a section of threaded pipe is not nearly as difficult as you might imagine, thanks to the wide assortment of threaded sections of pipe that are now standard inventory at most hardware stores and home-improvement centers.
Article / Updated 05-12-2016
Maintenance performed regularly and on schedule provides optimum longevity and helps prevent potential breakdowns or malfunctions. Beyond maintenance procedures for operational sake, the primary (and most important) reason for checking, inspecting, and constantly tuning up your home is to ensure maximum safety for you and your family.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
One of the more basic forms of home maintenance is also simple: cleaning. Nobody loves to clean, but the following homemade formulas make cleaning a breeze. Plus, you always know what’s in the cleansers you’re using.
All-Purpose, Handy-Dandy Cleaner: This solution works well to clean and freshen just about any surface.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Whenever you’re about to start a maintenance project, run through these lists to ensure that you have all the tools you need:
Basic Equipment
Other Handy Equipment
Bucket, 5-gallon
Brass brush, toothbrush-size
Caulking gun
Chisels, cold and wood
Circular saw
Construction screws, assorted
Clamps
Cutting oil
Cl
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Screen patch kits are available at hardware stores and home centers. They’re inexpensive and easy to install (the process takes less than a minute). You can also use any of the following methods to repair small holes in window screens, depending upon the type of screen material:
Apply a small amount of clear nail polish to a small hole or tear in a vinyl or fiberglass screen.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
One of the absolute best ways to prevent slow or clogged drains is to be careful about what you put into them. Clever, eh? Cooking grease, coffee grounds, hair, and soap scum are four of a drain’s biggest enemies. Do whatever you can to avoid introducing any of these items into a drain. Here’s how:
Save cooking grease in an old coffee can or cardboard milk container.
Article / Updated 03-26-2016
Did you know that your water heater will function better and be safer if you do a little routine maintenance? Some water-heater experts recommend testing every six months. More frequent testing can reduce the chance of a leak caused by mineral and corrosion buildup. The temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR valve) opens to release pressure buildup in the water heater when the temperature or the pressure get dangerously high, preventing a possible explosion.