Articles & Books From Home Improvement & Appliances

Article / Updated 10-17-2024
Floor squeaks happen, and when they do, most of us just tolerate them as a part of the “charm” of living in an older house! But as annoying as squeaking floors can be, they have a rather simple cause and solution – and squeaks rarely indicate a structural problem forming under foot.No matter what kind of finish flooring you may have — carpet, vinyl, tile, or hardwood — unless your home is built on a concrete slab, underneath it’s wood.
Article / Updated 10-16-2024
When basements leak, people panic. The good news about these unplanned indoor pools is this. While wet basements are often thought of as one of life’s biggest home repair headaches, basement water problems are generally easy and inexpensive to fix. Yes, that’s right–easy and inexpensive!The basement is one of the greatest untapped spaces in any home.
Article / Updated 10-16-2024
Protect your pipes from freezing this winter! Discover essential tips to prevent burst pipes and costly water damage with our expert advice.When the mercury drops, your water pipes become increasingly vulnerable and may freeze and burst. When water freezes, it expands, and the force of that expansion can split a copper pipe wide open.
Article / Updated 12-11-2023
Updating kitchen cabinets make tired drab kitchens look fresh again. Knowing how to update kitchen cabinets, can save you the cost of completely replacing them. Most cabinets, no matter how unattractive or outdated, can be drastically improved by following the tips below. Clean your cabinets. A good cleaning may bring new luster to tired but handsome wood.
Article / Updated 09-18-2023
After you have attached your faucet and water supply and set your sink, it’s time to connect the sink drain. Drain kits come in different materials and configurations, but installing them is a snap. Choose the kit with the configuration for your sink type, and you’re halfway home!You have a couple of choices for drain kits: chromed metal kits and PVC drain kits.
Article / Updated 09-18-2023
Much of the work of sink installation takes place before you set the sink into the countertop. Taking your time with the preliminary work ensures a smooth installation. In most cases, the old plumbing configuration will work with your new sink. But if you’re making a major change in the design of the new sink, be sure that the old plumbing fits the new sink’s requirements.
Article / Updated 09-18-2023
A food disposer takes the place of a sink basket and drain piece on one of the kitchen sink bowls. To install this appliance, consult the installation instructions that come with the unit, because the steps vary among brands. Here are the basic steps for installing any food disposer: Remove the sink basket (if one was installed).
Article / Updated 09-05-2023
Sometimes, home repair jobs call for everyday items and not just tools. This shopping list has non-tool items you should have around for home repairs:All-purpose utility knife: A myriad of uses and handy when you’re doing a fix-it project.Bin or Klitzsealer: The only two primer/sealers that seal water-stained drywall or cover crayon, ink, and felt-pen marks on walls.
Article / Updated 09-05-2023
When getting bids from a professional for a home repair project, make sure you know exactly what the job entails. Research your contractor, like calling the BBB to see if any complaints are filed, before you sign a contract. Before hiring anyone for your home repairs, make sure you ask these questions:Do you have a list of referrals?
Article / Updated 09-05-2023
Have you ever noticed how decorations on a wall can look so organized and attractive in some cases and just be a distracting mess in other homes? If you follow these steps, you can create a perfect grouping every time, without making frustrating mistakes: Measure the wall space that you want to fill. Outline that exact size on your floor using masking tape.