One of the biggest questions that DIYer's ask is how to fix a squeaky door. A person could go down and buy a new door and/or hinges, but this could end up costing a lot of money. There are several methods to getting rid of those squeaks and ... [Read More]
How To Fix A Crack In The Ceiling
Saturday, May 16th, 2009
When you live in a house for awhile, you may begin to notice cracks forming in your ceilings. These can happen for a number of reasons, from the fact that the house is settling and the frame has moved, to the types of materials used in the construction of ... [Read More]
How To Replace A Broken Tile
Saturday, April 25th, 2009
You don't have to hire a contractor to repair or replace broken tiles in your home. It's actually very basic and something you can do on your own. Most of the tools required for the job are probably tools you already have around the house. Here are ... [Read More]
De-Winterizing Question
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
Chaney B says, I am about to head over to the home we are buying to clean. It has already been de-winterized once for the inspection, but was re-winterized to wait for closing. I was told and have read on your page online to just run the water and it ... [Read More]
Mortar Joints Failing
Saturday, August 9th, 2008
Roberta H writes, I have been living in my new home for some time now & have been asking for the contractor to clean the brick because it is obvious that they never were. Well, last week they finally sent someone to clean the brick with a pressure washer & ... [Read More]
Lukewarm Shower Water
Sunday, June 1st, 2008
Dan H writes: We recently moved into a new home & although the showers get warm enough for me to take a shower, my wife would like to be able to take a "hot" shower or bath. The water at the bathroom & kitchen faucets is considerably hotter, what would ... [Read More]
Rusty Hot Water
Monday, May 19th, 2008
Ben D asks, We had a hot water recirculating system installed recently & now we are having rusty looking water on the hot side. Do you have any idea of what would be causing this?
It sounds like someone installed a recirculating pump meant for a hydronic heating system instead of ... [Read More]
“Crackly” Sound In Laminate Flooring
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
Rhonda L writes:
My laminate floor suddenly started making a "crackly" sound when we walk on it.
The only things we can think that caused it are using too much cleaner, (our
housekeeper may have used something other than the made-for-laminate cleaner),
the temperature got very hot outside (but our home inside is not ... [Read More]
Bathtub Surround Preparation
Saturday, April 26th, 2008
Donnie J says, my bathroom is gutted to the studs, & I'll be tiling the bathtub surround. Should I drywall this area & then put up cement backer-board, or dose the backerboard go directly over the studs? Do I need felt paper?
Don't put up drywall under the backerboard. I am ... [Read More]
Polarity Matters
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Mike L writes, On old fashioned lamp plugs, both prongs on the plug are the same size & the lamp works any way you plug it in. On new plugs the prongs are different sizes. I've been told this is to keep the polarity constant. What is polarity & why ... [Read More]

