How To Level a Subfloor

A level subfloor should be achieved before laying down any type of floor covering such as wood planks, tile, or carpet. One Project Closer helps a reader level their subfloor in preparation for laying down vinyl tile.

  August 26, 2008 | Comments ()

8 Tips for Preventing Electrical Fires

It's easy to overload an electrical socket but there are other ways you can put your home in danger of electrical fire. Here are some tips from Reader's Digest for preventing electrical fires.

1. Never overload an electrical receptacle with extension cords or three-way adapters. If you need to plug a lot of things into a single receptacle, use a power strip.

2. Never run electrical cords under carpets or rugs, over nails, in traffic areas, or where there is chance of wear.

3. Don't misuse extension cords. Never use a standard household extension cord for a major appliance or a heat-producing appliance; instead use a heavy-duty appliance cord that can carry the load.

4. When purchasing any electrical device, choose only one that carries the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM) rating.

5. Don't pull on an electrical cord to unplug it. Grasp the plug firmly and pull out straight so you don't bend the prongs.

  August 19, 2008 | Comments ()

The Trouble with Cockroaches

It's too bad we all don't have cockroach killing birds to keep these pests from entering our homes. No matter how clean you keep your place, cockroaches can still find a way in. But it's not just the gross-factor that makes us what to get rid of them, the microscopic stuff they leave behind can be harmful to your pets and you as well.

  August 15, 2008 | Comments ()

Fix Those Potholes Yourself

Winter after winter can wreak havoc on your driveway. Whether it's potholes or just cracks, you can fill them in yourself with EZ Street. This site offers all the information you'll need to prepare and then fill in your holes with their product.

  August 13, 2008 | Comments ()

Reader Question: Refrigerator Seal Leak

A reader recently submitted the following question regarding their refrigerator seal not functioning properly. We've encountered this issue a lot and in times of saving energy, making sure our appliances are as efficient as possible is paramount. We've tackled this issue before in this post, Refrigerator Gasket Replacement, but hopefully our other readers can help him out.

My refrigerator has two visible places where the old, dry, rubberish seal is not firmly, flushly, sealed... the rubber seems bent and warped at one place near the bottom opening corner, and one on the top, oddly it seems somehow lower than it should be - leading directly into the inside of the 'frige - so it's not just that the seal is'nt flush against the outer perimeter, the holes lead directly inside to where it's cold.

  August 11, 2008 | Comments ()

Clean Your Concrete

The concrete that makes up your driveway, sidewalk, garage floor, and pathways needs periodical cleaning to remove any excess oils, dirt, debris, and moss that can build up quickly over a short period of time.

  August 7, 2008 | Comments ()

Make Termites Skip Your Home

Finding termites in your home can make you gasp. I'm sure that is how Mary over at Shelterrific felt after she found the little buggers underneath a damp section of her basement wall. According to Orkin, 95% of termite damage in North America is caused by the Subterranean Termite which thrives in underground moist environments (such as basements).

  August 5, 2008 | Comments ()

20 Tips for Staging Your Kitchen for an Open House

The Kitchen Designer has come through again with some great tips for preparing your kitchen to show during an open house. It takes more than just wiping down the counters and clearing the sink.

Here are the first 10.

  August 4, 2008 | Comments ()