Tile is the top choice for bathroom floors and walls because of its durability and water resistance. But even though tile is mostly waterproof, moisture does gradually seep through over the years, especially around the edges. If your tile is mounted on drywall, enough water will seep through to eventually turn the wall into a soggy mush. When this happens, you’ll begin to see tiles cracking or even falling off. While this may sound severe, the good news is that it makes the problem areas easy to identify. And in the end, fixing the problem is quite easy.
Assess the damage
The first step is to figure out how extensive Read the rest of this entry »
Over years of weather and daily use, it’s common for asphalt driveways to become dotted with unsightly potholes that present tripping hazards and can even damage vehicles that drive over them. If you want to avoid the costs of hiring someone to fill your potholes for you, you can fix the potholes yourself by following these steps.
Step 1. Clear out all the loose pieces of asphalt that are around the pothole. If there are any pieces that can’t be picked up because they’re still partially attached to the surrounding asphalt, use a chisel or a hammer to break them away. Then, clear out all the debris and sweep the area around the pothole. You might even want to rinse it out by spraying it with a garden hose. Read the rest of this entry »
Ceramic tile is one of the most durable types of flooring in the world, and it usually lasts a lifetime. But accidents do happen, and it’s normal for wear and tear to open up a few cracks in a tile floor after many years. As a result, you’ll probably have to replace a broken tile sooner or later. Fortunately, it’s a pretty simple task that you can do yourself. All you need are a few tools.
Step 1: The first and most challenging part is to find a new tile to match the old one. There might actually be a few sitting in some dark corner of your home—in the basement or under a staircase, for instance. If this isn’t the case, the next thing to do is check hardware stores and online stores for matching tiles. If you can’t find a perfect match, you may have to settle for the closest one you can find. You’re also going to need some grout that matches the old color, but this is easier. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re having problems with one of the electrical outlets in your home, it could be that the wire has shorted, in which case the wiring will need to be replaced. If you can afford to bring in an electrician, that’s probably the best idea, as working with wiring can be difficult, and you don’t want to make things worse. But if you are skilled with home-repair tasks and want to make the fix yourself, here’s what to do.
Step 1: First and most importantly, turn the power off. Don’t mess around with electricity. Go to your fuse box and switch the circuit breaker off, and then make double certain that the power in that room is off by trying lights and other outlets. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re tired of doing your dishes by hand or are looking to upgrade an old and inefficient dishwasher, it might be time to make that leap. Modern, energy-efficient dishwashers can save you money on power and water, and if you get a good one, you won’t even have to pre-rinse your dishes in the sink. What’s more, if you’re moderately proficient with home repair tasks, then you can do it all yourself without having to call a plumber or electrician. Here’s what to do.
1. Connect the water supply: Of course, if your replacing an old dishwasher, you might not have to worry about this step. But if you’re installing a dishwasher in this kitchen for the first time, you’ll want to make two holes in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. Use a 2-inch hole saw to cut the openings about 3 inches above the floor and 2 inches from the wall. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’ve lived in your house for years and your basement has never flooded, this doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear. The elements that keep water from seeping through foundations wear down over time, and many homeowners find themselves suddenly deluged, usually in spring. If you’re not prepared for this, it can mean huge costs. You’ll have to have the water pumped out, which can be expensive, and then you’ll have to pay for repairs.
Avoid this situation by making your basement flood-proof now. It’s a relatively simple process that is much less costly than dealing with the problem after the fact.
Unless you have personal experience with construction and water management, you’re probably going to need to work with a professional on this. Check the phonebook or internet for “Basement waterproofing” specialists, and look for someone who places a lifetime guarantee on their work.
Install a sump pump Read the rest of this entry »
An electric drill is an essential tool for anyone interested in performing maintenance around the home. Whether you’re a beginner in the realm of home improvement or you’ve been doing this for years, you’re going to want to have a trusty drill that you actually enjoy working with. If you’re not sure where to get started, here are some of the criteria to keep in mind when choosing an electric drill for your home improvement tasks.
Go cordless
If you can find a drill that meets all your needs Read the rest of this entry »
If you live in or near a hurricane zone, then you can’t be too safe. Hurricane seasons seem to get more and more severe as each year passes, and it’s only a matter of time before a big one hits your region. Rather than waiting until the last days before that storm bears down on your area, you might want to think ahead and take steps now to make your home hurricane proof. You may thank yourself later on. Here are some important things to keep in mind when hurricane-proofing your home.
Watch the roof: Shingle roofs need to be replaced every few years. Read the rest of this entry »
Whether by accident or through wear and tear, practically every patch of drywall gets damaged sooner or later. Fortunately, fixing the holes in drywall is a relatively easy process, and if you’re careful about it, you can make it so the old damage doesn’t show at all. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to repairing a hole in drywall.
1. Make a patch: Get a patch of drywall that is the same thickness and material as the wall you will be fixing, and cut out a square or rectangle that is big enough to cover the damaged spot. Hold the square against the wall over the damaged spot and trace its outline with a pencil. Read the rest of this entry »
Installing a window air conditioner unit could not be simpler, but many people are afraid to do it because they’re worried that they won’t do it correctly. But if you’re careful not to drop the unit and you follow the instructions included in the manual that comes with your machine, you shouldn’t have any trouble. For most window air conditioning units, here’s what you will do:
1. Choose the location: Install your unit in a window that faces a clean and quiet side of your home. Make sure there is a nearby electrical outlet that can handle the air conditioner’s plug. Read the rest of this entry »
