A list of Universal Design new home features you should consider BEFORE building or remodeling your house. Plus reasons to consider “aging in place” in the home of your dreams! I encourage you to give these Universal Design principles a lot of thought before building or remodeling your house!
Home Maintenance
The more care and maintenance you put into your home, the longer it will last. Here you'll find step-by-step instructions for keeping your home well-maintained year round. From floor repairs to DIY plumbing and other home maintenance tasks, we've got lots of unique tips that will save you time and money!
DIY PVC Pipe Repair: See How To Fix A Broken PVC Water Pipe Yourself Using A Slip Pipe That Costs Less Than $3
Need to do some PVC pipe repair? A $2.87 slip pipe fixed my broken PVC water pipe and saved me hundreds of dollars in plumbing repair bills. If I can do it, you can too! Here’s how to fix a broken water pipe yourself using a slip pipe.
10 Reasons You’ll Probably Want To Get A Central Vacuum System
Portable vacuum cleaners are better than ever these days, but a central vacuum system has the winning edge! See why… Here’s what I’ve learned about central vacs, including the cost and DIY installation info too.
Thinking Of Putting A Hot Tub Inside Your House? Pros & Cons Of Indoor Hot Tub Installation
Thinking of installing an indoor hot tub? At the very least, don’t do it yourself! Although an indoor hot tub gives you more privacy and fewer maintenance issues, you have to think about mold inside, weight capacities on your flooring, and the multitude of electrical and plumbing issues that could arise. Here are the pros and cons of indoor hot tub installation.
Sealing Granite Countertops 101: How To Tell If Granite Has Been Sealed, How To Remove Granite Stains, And How To Seal Granite
Wondering if you should use a granite sealer on your countertops? The short answer is: Yes! I’ll help you determine if your countertops need sealed right now or if you can wait awhile, whether to use a topical sealer or an impregnator sealer, how to seal granite countertops yourself, and how to remove stains from granite.
How To Keep Your Condensate Line Flowing Freely: Easy Steps To Clean & Clear A Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Save money by reading this before you call an HVAC professional — because keeping your condensate drain line clean and clog-free is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to maintain your HVAC system’s condensate line — whether you have a gravity flow line (like most people do – including myself) or an a/c condensate pump (like I recently installed).
What You Need To Know About Impact Resistant Windows Before Buying Hurricane Windows For Your House
Impact resistant windows are a coastal homeowner’s best friend — especially during hurricane season! If you’re thinking of retrofitting your home with hurricane windows, here’s what you need to know before you begin the process of replacing your regular windows with impact resistant glass.
Installing A Gas Range Where An Electric Range Once Stood Can Be Challenging! (Trust Me… I Did It)
Converting a 220V hardwired connection into a 110V standard plug when you install a gas stove is best left to a trained professional, but you can see here how it’s done first. Here’s my gas stove installation story — including 3 setbacks that I encountered while installing a gas range in my kitchen.
How To Cover A Concrete Cinder Block Wall
Concrete cinder block walls are sturdy and easy to build, but can often be unattractive when compared with the rest of your home. By covering a cinder block wall with surface bonding cement, you can increase the water resistance of the wall as well as the durability while creating a uniform surface that will blend with most architectural styles.
How To Choose The Right Deck Stains For Your Home And Stain Your Deck Yourself
Knowing which deck stain to choose is only half the battle. I recently refinished my 21 year old deck and I want to share the tips and tricks I’ve learned about finding the best deck stain and how to clean and stain a deck. It’s a great diy project that can be done in one weekend.
DIY Garage Door Repair vs. Professional Garage Door Repair: 6 Reasons Why You Probably Won’t Be Able To DIY It
Have a broken garage door? Should you try DIY garage door repair or call a professional? Here are the 10 most common reasons your garage door isn’t working, which ones you can tackle yourself, and when it’s time to call for professional garage door repair. Find out here if you have the right tools, the time, or the knowledge to take on this repair project yourself.
Need A New Water Heater? (Us, Too.) See The Hot Water Heater Rental Cost vs. The Cost Of Buying A New One
Did you know that you can rent a water heater, as opposed to paying full price for the installation of a brand new one? See if renting a water heater is better than buying one – based on the hot water heater rental cost compared to the cost of buying a new water heater. See the pros & cons of each, as well.
3 Ways To Cut Cast Iron Pipe For DIY Plumbing Repair Projects
Knowing how to cut cast iron pipe is essential for do it yourself plumbing repair projects. There are basically 3 ways to get the job done: a hacksaw, a cold chisel, or a snap cutter. See which one is BEST for cutting cast iron pipe.
Laminate Wood Flooring Or Hardwood? How I Chose Between Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
What’s better? Hardwood or laminate wood flooring? The flooring debate continues between laminate wood flooring and real hardwood. You’ll want to things like budget, durability, and resale value when weighing the pros & cons of both. I’ll help you decide what’s best for you!
How To Repair Screeching Faucet Problems: My DIY Kitchen Faucet Repair Tips
Got screeching faucet problems? Here are the 5 main causes of faucet problems, plus photos and the steps I used to do my own kitchen faucet repair. You can too – It’s DIY time! Still think you need a plumber? I’ve got tips before you hire a plumber for more serious issues as well.
Soundproofing A Room Is An Easy DIY Project: Simple Steps For Soundproofing Your Home Or Apartment
Are you living in a noisy environment – like me? I’ve learned a lot about soundproofing a room + Tips for soundproofing your home. Hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me.
Carpet vs Hardwood Floors: 5 Things You Should Consider Before Installing Carpet Or Hardwood Flooring
I’m trying to decide between carpet and hardwood floors right now. Here are some pros & cons to consider before choosing hardwood flooring or carpeting for your home.
How Much Does It Cost To Drill A Water Well?
Want to know how much it costs to drill a water well? You’re not alone. I’m sharing all the best tips from a custom homebuilder – to help you dig own well.
A Preventative Home Maintenance Checklist For Fall
Here is a preventative maintenance checklist (for inside your home AND outside your home) for the Fall season. Tips for saving money on your home heating bills, too!
5 Surprising Things Homeowner’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Here’s a list of what homeowners insurance covers and what homeowners insurance doesn’t cover. Plus, what you can do about it to protect yourself!
Remodeling Your House? You’ll Need A Building Permit! 5 Facts About Building Permits Homeowners Often Overlook
Don’t get caught remodeling your home without a building permit… it can be a costly mistake! Here’s when you need a building permit, and when you don’t.
Concrete vs Cement vs Mortar: Which One Should You Use When Building Or Remodeling Your Home?
Trying to decide between concrete vs cement? They have very specific uses. Cement is rarely used by itself. Concrete is used in most building projects.
Curb Appeal Ideas: 5 Outdoor Home Improvement Projects You Can DIY To Save Over $3,000
DIY curb appeal ideas & exterior home improvement projects. See how much it costs to stain a deck, seal a driveway, add a gravel path, paint vinyl siding, etc
9 DIY Home Improvement Ideas That Don’t Cost Much Money
Increase the value of your home without spending much money. From curb appeal to minor repairs – these 9 home improvement ideas will make a huge impact.
How To Repair A Damaged Metalbestos Chimney Yourself
It was annoying having to repair a metalbestos chimney in the middle of winter, but it wasn’t difficult. It’s a simple DIY roof project that anyone can do.
Home Air Filters: How To Choose The Best Air Filter For Your House
Buying the best air filter for your money is pretty simple once you understand what MERV ratings mean and how they relate to your HVAC system’s performance.
Home Energy Audit vs. Home Energy Review: What You Can Expect + How To Do It Yourself!
A home energy audit can save you thousands of dollars in energy costs. Here’s the difference between a home energy audit and a home energy review.
How To Increase Home Energy Savings: 4 Simple Things You Can Do
One of the best ways to save money is to look into home energy savings. Here are 4 things you can do to save money month in and month out.
I’m Fed Up With My Kenmore Elite He3t Washing Machine Problems!
If you have a Kenmore Elite H3 Washer that sounds like rocks rolling around in the spin cycle, you need to read this. It’s a difficult & expensive repair! Mine also consistently had problems with the door lock. I will outline the repairs for these issues and share a lot of reviews of this particular Kenmore washing machine so if you’re making a buying decision, read this first!
How To Install A Dual Flush Conversion Kit… A Great Water Saving Toilet Device!
My old toilet is like new and it’s smarter, too. See how I installed a dual flush converter kit, a standard flush valve, and a new fill valve.
Septic System Maintenance: Important Tips To Prevent Septic System Problems
If you have a septic system, there are many important facts that you need to know in order to keep it operating as designed. I’ve got a lot of useful tips that you can use to help you maintain your septic system.
How To Apply A Garage Floor Coating In Your Home
Make your garage floor look like a car dealer’s showroom (or better) by applying a garage floor coating. It’s a fair amount of tedious work that anybody can do but it will be worth it in the long run if you follow a strict set of guidelines. Follow these DIY tips to get the job done right.
DIY Washing Machine Repair: How To Replace The Door Latch On A Washer
Washing machine repair is probably just a telephone call away for most homeowners but if you are the DIY type, like me, you’ll give it a shot to see if you can make the repair on your own. I replaced the door latch on my Kenmore Elite washing machine and pocketed the savings. Here are all of the steps I took and the step by step results… and some tips on how to avoid some common issues that sometimes arise during a washing machine repair.
Exterior House Painting Ideas: How To Choose Exterior House Paint Colors + Tips For Working With A Painting Contractor
Having your house painted by an exterior house painting contractor could be a real hassle if you don’t choose wisely. Be sure that they are easy to work with and don’t pay them until the job is 100% complete and only if you are 100% satisfied.
How To Use Acrylic Latex Caulk
Applying acrylic latex caulk is easy to use if you know how… right?. Even though it already is pretty easy to use, I’m sharing some of my most helpful caulking tips so everyone will think you hired a pro.
Exterior Paint Color Schemes: How To Choose An Exterior House Paint Color
If you are in the process of choosing a house paint color for your upcoming project, there are quite a few things to consider before making your purchase.
How To Choose And Install A Ceiling Fan
Install a ceiling fan yourself to save money. It’s a good DIY project that can be tackled with patience and a bit of fortitude. I have a few helpful tips to help you through and a guide on how to buy a ceiling fan.
Fix Loose Wall Receptacles By Using Electrical Outlet Spacers
Remodeling a room in your house? If you’re installing paneling or beadboard wainscoting over drywall, chances are you’re going to need to electrical outlet spacers on your receptacles to make them flush to the wall. Here’s a simple and cheap solution that only takes a minute to install over your electrical wiring for a professional finish.
How To Get Rid of Bats From Your Home or Building
What do you know about getting rid of bats from your home? I do. Here are step by step instructions for bat removal plus tips to keep yourself safe from the bats and getting in trouble for inhumane treatment.if you don’t follow the rules. If you’ve got bats in your home that need to be removed, this is the preferred, humane method for getting it done. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s cheap.
Guidelines For Water Heater Life Expectancy
Water heater life expectancy will vary on the type of fuel it runs on and a few other important factors. Learn how to choose a water heater that will save you money in the long run.
Save Money and Conserve Water At Home By Installing A Dual Flush Kit In Your Toilet
A simple way to conserve water and save money at the same time is to install a dual flush kit on your old toilets in your home. They’re pretty cheap and they work as advertised. My comparisons will help you decide which brand to choose. A look into high-efficiency toilets (HETs), too.
Everybody Needs A Li’l Water Putty In Their Life
If you’ve got a little bit of exterior wood rot to repair and it makes economic sense to fill the hole rather than replace the whole piece, I know of a product that fits the bill. It’s a good value and nice to have on-hand when something comes up needing a little miracle, especially when you’re about to paint.
How To Repair A Wood Door That Sticks
I have a solid oak door that wasn’t opening or closing properly. It was rubbing the bottom threshold just a little too heavy so it needed to be dealt with. Time to get the plane out and make things right.
Reclamation Of A Kid Bathroom: DIY Painting For The Soul
Repainting a purple bathroom into something more appealing was a very rewarding experience. It wasn’t easy but it was well worth the trouble because it looks 1000% better than it did before it does now.
Living On The Lower End of a Townhouse Row Has a Downside – Water Leaks From Above
I learned that living in a townhouse on the lower end of the row has a definite downside to it. Water will flow downhill should your neighbor’s have a water leak in their dwelling. Don’t let this happen to you. Buy or lease on the upper end whenever possible.
Extend The Life Of Your Hot Water Tank By Replacing The Anode Rod
Spend a little time giving your hot water tank some TLC by replacing the old, corroded anode rod yourself. It’s not as difficult as you may have thought. These simple instructions guide you through the process.
How to Make a Fiberglass Repair on Your Shower or Bathtub
Fiberglass tub repair can be done easily without hiring a professional if you follow these tips. If your bathtub repair includes fixing cracks, you should know that It isn’t necessarily the easiest of DIY home fix-it projects but you could prolong the usefulness of the tub by following these clear and concise instructions to seal the cracks.
How To Fix or Replace a Kitchen Sink Sprayer
Nervous about kitchen sink repairs? Don’t be! If you have an issue with your kitchen sink sprayer you’re gonna love the step-by-step instructions provided in this article. Fixing a kitchen sink hose sprayer is an easy DIY repair job for any homeowner and will help you gain confidence to tackle other DIY projects in your home.
DIY: How To Replace a Toilet
Clear and concise DIY instructions on how to replace a toilet on your own. Add it to your DIY bookmarks for future reference. Great advice to save yourself a small mint by replacing the toilet on your own rather than calling on a plumber.
How To Insulate Your Electrical Outlets With Foam Gaskets
Where’s that cool draft coming from in your house? Could it be the electrical outlets? Eliminate that possibility by learning how to install inexpensive foam gaskets on all of your home electrical outlets. It’s a quick and easy DIY project.
