|
Plumbing - Caulking You can save yourself a lot of headaches and money if your bathroom and kitchen fixtures and surfaces are properly sealed – usually with caulking. Successfully applying caulking is not hard if you know the right technique. The real trick is knowing how and where to use caulking. There is a very good resource on how to prevent water damage near kitchen sinks, bathroom lavatories, basins, tubs or showers in About.com’s home repair section.
|
|
|
Electrical - GFCI's A "GFCI" is a ground fault circuit interrupter. A ground fault circuit interrupter is an inexpensive electrical device that, if installed in household branch circuits, could prevent over two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions still occurring each year in and around the home. Installation of the device could also prevent thousands of burn and electric shock injuries each year. Currently most jurisdictions require GFCI protection for every receptacle outlet and motor connection in every location where someone might be and the environment might be wet, moist or damp. Yes, that means everywhere in a bathroom, all the countertop outlets in the kitchen, and within six feet of the sink in the wet bar. It also means everywhere outside and all of the electrical circuits associated GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection should be provided. Circuit breaker and receptacle-type GFCIs may be installed in your home by a qualified electrician. Receptacle-type GFCIs may be installed by knowledgeable consumers familiar with electrical wiring practices who also follow the instructions accompanying the device. You can find a good step-by-step guide to installing a receptacle GFCI at: Click Here . When in doubt about the proper procedure, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to install it yourself. |
|
Roofing - Check Up Your roof is potentially the second most expensive repair/replacement you might face (the foundation being first). As with most things in life an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Perform a roof checkup in the spring and fall to help diagnose potential problems early. The National Roofing Contractors Association has a good roof checkup guide for homeowner’s and can help point you to a reliable roofer – if needed. Click Here for details. |
|
|
Kitchen Counters - Laminate Repair |
|
Kitchen Counters - Laminate Repair From the DIY Network: Nothing in your kitchen takes more abuse than the countertops. But you can repair minor damage easily and inexpensively. You can repair small chips on the work surface of the countertop with laminate-repair paste. It's available in a variety of colors, or you can mix it to match the color of your countertop. Materials needed (depending on the nature of the repair) may include:
Cleaning solvent (e.g., rubbing alcohol)
Laminate-repair paste
Putty knife
Heat gun
Contact cement
Sandpaper
Adhesive/sealant
Wood molding
See the complete DIY Network Article. |
|
|
Forced-air Furnace and Heating Repairs |
|
A majority of American homes are equipped with forced-air central heating systems. Inside the furnace of a typical forced-air system, fuel--either some type of combustion fuel or electricity--is converted to heat. Most heating systems operate reliably for a long time if they are well-maintained. Before you call a furnace technician for a repair or roll up your sleeves to do the work yourself, call your utility or check their Web site--in many areas, the utility company will send a technician to your home to check minor furnace problems for free. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
