Extension Cords: Repair, Don’t Replace

Extension cords are getting more expensive due to the rise in copper prices. Keep your extension cords in good condition by replacing damaged plugs and sockets. Cut off the old plug from the end of the cord. Use a knife to cut the jacket coating on the outside of the wires. Be careful not to…

Easy Ladder Storage

Ladders can be cumbersome when it comes time to store them, but did you know that keeping them low is much easier than trying to tuck them into a crawlspace or an overhead storage rack in your garage? You may have overlooked some valuable storage space along the lower parts of the walls in your…

Professional vs. DIY Floor Refinishing

When it comes to refinishing your floors, you might think it’s a bargain to DIY and refinish them yourself. But, if you’re working with old flooring or irreplaceable wood, you may want to stop and rethink that decision for a moment—you’ll be living with the finishing job for a long time and there’s not a…

Create Vertical Cabinet Space

Most cabinets are designed with horizontal storage in mind. While this works for the basics, there are plenty of items in a kitchen that could benefit from vertical storage options. Cookie sheets, cake pans, muffin tins and other tall baking equipment all store more easily vertically. Standing them on end makes them easier to pull…

How to Unclog a Slow Sink Drain

It’s usually easy to fix most backed-up sink drains in your home with a few simple tools. Your kitchen and bathroom basins have two places where most debris can turn into a nasty clog. Clean them out regularly to keep your drains free-flowing. Purging them is often a disgusting, smelly, but necessary task. P-Traps Collect…

How to Install Deck Lighting

Installing new deck lighting is possible without using professional services. If you know the dos and don’ts of installing a new light, it can even be easy. The right lighting can improve the look, feel, safety, and usability of your deck area. If you want to save money on deck lighting, consider taking a DIY…

Choosing the Right Size Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans move air around the room, saving you money on energy bills. In the summer, set the fan to run in a counterclockwise direction, moving cool air around the room. In winter, set the fan to clockwise to draw warm air up from the floor. To move the correct amount of air around the…

Perfect Paint Lines Every Time

Have you ever carefully placed painter’s tape and painted a wall only for the tape to cause an uneven or jagged line once you remove it? Professional painters use a simple trick to prevent this. When you use painter’s tape to block an edge, the paint will likely cover part of the tape. This creates…

Best Practices for Smoke Detector Maintenance

Smoke detectors can help protect you and your family in the event of a fire, but they need proper maintenance to work. Here are some tips for keeping your smoke detector running: Test a smoke detector monthly by pressing the test button. If the detector chirps, then it’s operational. Replace smoke detector batteries once a…