Ceiling fans can last a long time, but nothing lasts forever, and they do tend to start having problems eventually, whether it’s after two years or two decades. Several types of problems can arise with ceiling fans. Sometimes the blades become wobbly; the fan may become noisy; the fan may stop working while the lights work fine, or vice-versa; or it may stop working entirely. Whatever the problem is, very old ceiling fans that stop working properly should probably be replaced. But if you fan is still in good shape in most respects, you can fix it yourself.
If the fan doesn’t work at all
If the fan stops working completely, then the problem is probably electrical. Before you do anything, check the breaker box to make sure there are no blown fuses. If there are not, shut off the power to the room with the ceiling fan. This step is incredibly important for safety, as you’ll be inspecting the wiring. Read the rest of this entry »
A leaky roof may seem like a disaster, but it’s a surprisingly common occurrence, and it usually doesn’t indicate that the whole roof is in need of replacing. In most cases, it just means that you have a spot in the shingles that is either worn away or gathers water for some reason. If you’re lucky, fixing the problem will be relatively simple. In more dire circumstances, you may have to consider bringing in a professional to make the fix.
Shingle roofs
If you have a shingle roof, the fix should be pretty easy. Climb a ladder to inspect the area above where the leak is, and the problem will probably be immediately apparent. If you have a shingle that is curled back, for example, you can use roof cement to put it back into place. If you have a broken or missing shingle, you can replace it with a new one. Read the rest of this entry »
Laminate flooring is an alternative to hardware that is cheaper, doesn’t need to be stained or finished, and helps save trees. Although most homeowners don’t like to use it in rooms that they want to look nice, modern laminate flooring can actually look remarkably similar to real wood, to the extent that casual observers usually can’t even tell the difference. More good news: laminate flooring is quite easy to install, especially compared to hardwood floor. You don’t have to do much in the way of pre-treatment to the floor. In most cases, you can just put it right on top of the flooring you already have. Here’s how to install it.
Step 1: Gather your materials. You’ll need enough flooring to fill your room, some barrier sheeting, some laminate glue, molding for the baseboard, and all the usual tools. Read the rest of this entry »
For anyone who enjoys cooking and spends a lot of time in the kitchen, space is something that we can never get enough of. Even when you have a full set of top-and-bottom cabinetry, those shelves fill up fast and it’s easy to be left with items that you don’t have any more room for. But if you want to simplify your kitchen routine and make your life a little more easy, consider these tips for organizing your kitchen space.
1. Get rid of what you don’t use: Most of us have at least a few items in our kitchen that we keep around even though we don’t use them. We may think that we’re going to have a use for them someday, so we just can’t bring ourselves to throw them out or give them away. But now is the time to be honest with yourself: If you have something that you’re probably not going to use, stop denying it. Also, get rid of any redundant items. Read the rest of this entry »
When a gas stove stops working properly, it usually has to do with the pilot light or one of the lines to or from it. These problems tend to arise when dirt or debris builds up due to lack of cleaning over a long period of time, and they’re usually easy to fix. However, when it comes to gas stoves, safety should always come first. If you smell gas or aren’t sure how a gas stove works, don’t try to repair it yourself. Instead, call the gas company and have someone who knows what they are doing come out to help you.
Here are fixes for some of the most common gas stove problems.
Pilot light out: Most modern gas stoves have a safety button that allows you to turn off the gas flow. If not, locate the valve for the gas and shut it off. After doing so, open a window in the room and allow the area to ventilate. Never light a match when you can smell gas. Once you’ve given any gas plenty of time to clear out, turn the gas back on and quickly hold a match to the light. Read the rest of this entry »
If you live in a low-lying area or in an older home that doesn’t have an adequate basement waterproofing system, then you likely encounter problems with basement flooding from time to time. Fortunately, even if you live in an old home, you can eliminate all basement flooding problems by installing a sump well and a pump. For most homeowners, it’s probably a good idea to hire someone to do this job, but if you’re brave and have some experience with this type of work, you can do it yourself. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Get your materials. You’ll need a jackhammer, a plastic sump liner, about 8 feet of coarse gravel, some concrete, a trowel, PVC piping, and a submersible sump pump.
Step 2: Choose a location. Your sump should be in the lowest part of your basement, and it’s a good idea to place it a foot or so away from a wall. If there’s a corner of your basement that seems to be on a slight downslope from the rest, then that’s probably the best spot. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re running out of storage space in your small bathroom, having a medicine cabinet just makes sense. It’s anyone’s guess why some builders neglect to install this basic convenience, because it’s so simple and crucial, and it’s actually not that difficult to install. If you’re ready to expand the storage space in your bathroom, follow these steps to install a medicine cabinet.
Step 1: Purchase a preassembled medicine cabinet from the hardware store. They come in all shapes, sizes, and designs, so you can pick one that matches the style of your bathroom design. Look for one that has a nice mirror and ample storage space. Read the rest of this entry »
Carpet can be a nice thing to have, but it has a few significant downsides. In addition to the staining that can occur, rips, holes, and splits are often a concern, and this type of damage tends to be permanent. However, even though you can’t necessarily restore a spot on the carpet that has been burned or torn, you can patch it up and make it look good as new. Simply follow these steps to repair your carpet.
Step 1: Find a patch. You may be able to find some identical carpet at the hardware store, or you may have some leftover from the installation. If neither of these options are available, then you might be able to find a patch of carpet in an out-of-the-way spot where a missing square won’t be noticed—for example, in a closet or in a spot where the carpet extends beyond a door threshold. Read the rest of this entry »
When you need to either create or resurface a driveway, your options are limited, but you do have a choice. Each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and they all come with different considerations when it comes to installation and maintenance. Before you plunge headlong into one option, at least consider the alternatives. Here are the main choices that you might want to think about.
Asphalt
Asphalt is the cheapest option, which is the primary reason why it’s the top choice for most homeowners. It also doesn’t show stains, it’s easy to maintain, and it tends to last for a long time—up to 15 or 20 years. For people in colder climates, asphalt is the best choice, as it does not expand and contract, which makes it less likely to crack. In hotter climates, cracking can become a problem. The other main advantage of asphalt is that it takes the color of the gravel you use, so you can make it practically any color. Read the rest of this entry »
Toilet clogs are never fun, and they always seem to happen at the worst times, like when you’re late for something and need to rush out the door, or when you’re having guests over. Fortunately, most toilet clogs can be cleared with a simple plunger, and clogs that require the intervention of a plumber are exceedingly rare. If you’re dealing with a particularly difficult clog, follow these steps to clear it.
Step 1: Obviously, you’ve already flushed the toilet. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have a clog. It’s important not to flush again, as that second flush can be more than enough to cause an overflow. Rather than flushing, back off for a few minutes and give the water some time to drain a little bit. It might not drain at all, but it can’t hurt to try. In the meantime, you might want to put some newspaper around the base of the toilet and put on some rubber gloves. Read the rest of this entry »
