Consumer advocates say you should hire repair and remodeling contractors who are “licensed, bonded and insured.” What do those terms mean? And why are they important to you as a homeowner? Triple protection These three provisions protect both the consumer and the contractor. State law often requires licensing. Electricians and plumbers, for example, are required… Read more »
Oil stains on your driveway or garage floor are unsightly and stubborn but can be removed or significantly diminished. Here’s how. Tools you will need Soap or a solvent is your primary tool for lifting oil stains from concrete. If the stains are recent, dish or laundry soap is a good first resort. If the… Read more »
Sterling silver is a precious metal for elegant flatware, serving pieces and jewelry. It requires maintenance to retain its gorgeous luster. Here’s how to keep that shine and preserve the life of family treasures using items you’ll find in your pantry. What is sterling silver? Pure silver, also known as fine silver, is too soft… Read more »
Your appliance colors were stylish when you bought them, but now they are dated. Or perhaps you want to inject some fun, bold color into your kitchen. If your appliances run fine and have plenty of life, you don’t have to trade them in for new ones. Instead, just paint them. Here’s how. A wide-ranging… Read more »
If your home’s exterior is painted, you know the story: That beautiful paint job begins to show wear and tear after five to seven years, requiring you to repaint. What if there were a longer-lasting alternative? Ceramic house paint is incredibly durable and offers a number of advantages over latex exterior paint. Here’s what you… Read more »
Children may complain about chores, but studies show that helping around the house benefits kids into adulthood. Kids are less likely to resist doing chores if you start early, but what chores can you assign to a toddler? Surprisingly, our children can handle more tasks than we think they can. Here’s a guide to age-appropriate… Read more »
Older homes have a charm and character that’s hard to find in brand-new construction. If you’ve bought one, you may want something different than today’s modern decor. Fortunately, you can freshen an older home’s look while remaining true to its original style. Check out these tips for decorating an older home. Begin at the beginning… Read more »
Workstation sinks are an increasingly popular option in kitchen design. These sinks can improve workflow and efficiency but typically take up more space than standard sinks. Is a workstation sink right for your kitchen? What is a workstation sink? A workstation sink combines the functions of a sink and a work area into one space…. Read more »
Maintaining consistent soil moisture is vital to keeping the foundation of your home stable. You may need to water your foundation with persistent high temperatures and drought. At other times you may need to take steps to keep water away from it. Here’s what to know about protecting and maintaining your home’s foundation. Soil responses… Read more »
You can’t afford shoddy work when high winds or hail damage your roof. Unfortunately, bad actors roofers often exploit besieged homeowners after storms strike. Here’s how to protect yourself and find a quality roofing contractor. Predatory practices When damaging storms rake a neighborhood with hail or high winds, signs advertising roofing contractors pop up like… Read more »
In neighborhoods with a homeowners association (HOA), you may have to get approval for remodeling or landscape projects from the association’s architectural control committee (ACC). What is this committee’s purpose? How do you get approval for your plan? Here’s what you need to know. What does the architectural control committee do? The architectural control committee,… Read more »
The newly painted walls in your living room look beautiful, but the drips of paint you’ve discovered you left behind on your hardwood floor? Not so much. Fortunately, dried paint drops or spills can generally be cleaned up. Here’s how to remove paint from finished wood. Act fast The most important step you can take… Read more »
If you’re considering a pool for your home, you’ll need to decide whether you want a traditional chlorine pool or a saltwater one. Each option offers its own advantages and disadvantages, so let’s look at what you need to know. How chlorine and saltwater work Both traditional chlorine pools and saltwater pools, also called saline… Read more »
A basement flood is a homeowner’s nightmare. You must remove the water and begin cleanup right away. Spring into action with these steps. Preparation for cleanup If your basement is flooded with only a few inches of water, you can likely handle the cleanup yourself. However, hire a professional water removal service for more water,… Read more »
Whether you’re locked out of your house or vehicle or need to change the locks on your new home, a good locksmith is an invaluable resource. Here are a few tips on what to look for when hiring a pro. In most states, a locksmith must be licensed. Usually, states require the license number to… Read more »
Medical experts recommend cleaning out your medicine cabinet every six months and safely discarding expired medications. But what is considered proper medication disposal? Here’s a handy guide to safe and proper medication disposal. Find a drop-off location. It’s easier than ever to properly dispose of expired and unused medication. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency provides… Read more »
Toilets are used repeatedly each day, so problems inevitably develop. Here are four common toilet problems you can fix yourself for minimal money and hassle. Anatomy of a toilet Here’s how a toilet works. The water supply line comes out of the wall near the floor level. (You’ll see it on the left side when… Read more »
If you haven’t cleaned your tile grout in a while, it may be discolored, moldy or coated in soap scum. Here’s how to get your grout squeaky clean and looking like new. Types of tile grout Grout is used between tiles on flat surfaces. There are three types. Two of the three are cement-based grout,… Read more »
Home service contractors joke that they charge more to correct botched work a homeowner has attempted than to do the job themselves in the first place. But there are some DIY projects where shoddy work is no laughing matter. Instead, it may be dangerous and illegal. If you are not trained and licensed, do not… Read more »
We all know cleaning helps reduce our risk of illness, but do you know the distinction between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting? Here’s a primer on the important differences. Clean first The first step in either sanitizing or disinfecting is to clean the surface, which means removing visible dirt. The Centers for Disease Control say that… Read more »
