Squeaky Floors

Living with a squeaky floor is an unnecessary annoyance. Whether you've got hardwood or carpet floors there's a simple solution to eliminate the squeak in just a few minutes.

Your squeak is most likely caused by a loosening of the floorboards or subfloor and the sound they make rubbing against the flooring nails.

  November 16, 2006 | Comments ()

Protect Your Home from Flooding

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and rain storms, aren't the only way water can enter your home and cause damage. You should also inspect and repair the points of entry that water already has into your home such as your refrigerator, dishwasher, sink, clothes washer, water heater, and air-conditioner. As well as shore up your exterior water run-off system which includes your gutters, downspouts, and windows.

  November 14, 2006 | Comments ()

Replace a P-Trap

That u-shaped piece of pipe under your sink is called a p-trap. It's design has two purposes: First, to allow the water from the sink to flow out and keep noxious gas from coming in, and second, to catch items that might go down the drain (wedding rings) before they are swept away. Over time this p-trap can become plugged with hair, dirt, and other debris and the sink will start to drain very slowly.

Draino or liquid plumber can sometimes help dislodge a small blockage but a better option is to use a snake or something called a zip-it. We don't recommend using a plunger as that can push the blockage deeper into your plumbing. When you've exhausted these options you should check out the p-trap. In less than an hour you can remove the trap, clean it, and re-install it. Just follow these steps:

Replacing the P-Trap [KPTV video]
Installing Dual P-Traps [HGTV]
How to Rescue an Item From the Sink [EHow.com]
How to Clear Clogged Drains [Readers Digest]
Replace a P-Trap [DIY Network]

  November 8, 2006 | Comments (2)

Gutter Tongs

In addition to the resources found on our gutter cleaning guide we present this new tool from Brookstone, the Gutter Tong.

  November 6, 2006 | Comments ()

DIY Workshops and Clinics

It's likely that you live near a Lowes or Home Depot as both retailers have conspired to takeover the world, sorry Starbucks has beat them to it, but both stores have more to offer than just tools and materials. Lowes offers instore how-to clinics that cover subjects from designing for the holidays to installing tile. There are no prices listed on their website but you can sign-up online. Home Depot also offers weekly clinics as well as online workshops and how-to clinics for kids age 5-12.

We also encourage you to explore your local community center, YMCA, or community college as many of these organizations offer DIY and how-to classes that are reasonably priced or even free.

  November 3, 2006 | Comments ()