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DIY Fiberglass Tub Repair: Tips For Fixing A Scratched Or Cracked Bathtub/Shower

fiberglass-tub-repair

We received this question from a reader: We have a fiberglass tub, and 7 years ago when we moved into our brand new house with brand new tub, there was a chip or crack in a couple places of the tub, so the builder "fixed" those spots, but really they ended up looking worse, and have seriously yellowed over the years. What should we have done instead of letting him "sand down" the cracks? They were like hairline scratches, rather than deep cracks, but his "repair" actually made it worse. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fixing Things, Home & Garden Tagged With: , ,

How (And Why) To Clean The Air Ducts In Your Home

clean-air-ducts

Have you noticed a collection of lint and/or dark spots building up around the edges of your carpeting? That's an indication that your forced air furnace is acting as a recirculation system for the dust that's contained within the ductwork of your home. Perimeter buildup on the floor and ceiling corners -- especially around your floor registers -- is a good indication that it may be time to get your ductwork cleaned!   Here's what you need to know...   … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cleaning Things, Home & Garden Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Organized Garages: Attached vs Detached & Finished vs Unfinished

garage-shelving

Over the years, I have owned about a half dozen different homes. What's the first thing on my priority list when I move into a house with no garage? Build one! ...Usually before the last of the boxes is unpacked from the move. Living in the snowbelt makes it almost mandatory for me to have a garage to protect the family vehicles as well as other motorized tools and equipment. As Jay Leno would likely confirm, there's no such thing as too large of a garage! Did You … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home & Garden, Storing & Organizing Things Tagged With: , , , ,

Drywall Tools 101: How To Fix Drywall With Spackle vs Joint Compound

drywall-joint-compound

About to undertake a home improvement project that involves drywall? There are a bunch of different drywall tools to help make your  job easier. But if this is your very first DIY project that involves installing or replacing drywall, then your biggest question is probably which of these you should be using: Spackle (seen here, on the left); or Joint compound (seen here, on the right)      Generally, the term joint compound is used by those who, for whatever … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fixing Things, Home & Garden Tagged With: , ,

Stylish Home Wallpaper Tips: Modern Wallpaper Designs + How To Hang Wallpaper Yourself

You may be wondering, "Who would even consider wallpapering in today's modern home?"  But, the fact is, many people do choose to use wallpaper as part of their home decorating scheme. And you know what? Wallpaper can actually look quite nice when selected and applied properly!   With today’s new peel and remove wallpaper, the old days of standing with a steamer and a scraper for days are pretty much over. If you haven’t looked at wallpaper in the past few years, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Decorating Inside & Out, Home & Garden Tagged With: , ,

Tankless Water Heater Cost, Pros & Cons, And Installation Tips

Tankless water heaters for the home are becoming very popular -- especially when you think about the fact that heating water accounts for 25% of the energy used your home. It only makes sense to heat water more efficiently, if you can. Unlike a conventional water heater that is constantly "on" in order to have hot water available when you need it, a tankless water heater is different in that it turns "on" only when it's needed and heats your water on demand. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fixing Things, Home & Garden Tagged With: , , , , , ,

9 Tips Before You Hire A Home Repair Handyman

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Every now and then, you may need a little help with home repairs and maintenance issues. You've probably heard about handymen who come to your home to fix things that you may not have the knowledge or ability to do yourself. For the record, not all handymen are carpenters, electricians, or plumbers. Some confine their efforts to yard work, clearing brush, mowing grass, and general outdoor maintenance instead of indoor home repairs. Regardless, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a … [Read more...]

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Find Businesses That Help You Go Green ~ 5 Green Home Improvement Websites

It seems as if everyone is trying to go Green these days. Homeowners are no exception when it comes to looking for ways to do things around the house that are eco-friendly rather than wasteful and harmful to the environment. This includes exploring green home improvement and remodeling options. Many are also trying to build homes that use materials and processes that are not harmful to the environment.     Following are 5 sites that can help you find businesses in your local area … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Decorating Inside & Out, Home & Garden Tagged With: ,

12 Best Home Improvement Projects That Benefit Home Sellers Most

best-home-improvement-is-cleaning-by-Melissa-Ann-Barrett.jpg

HomeGain surveyed 1,000 Realtors nationwide and asked for the top 12 DIY home improvements that cost under $5,000 and benefit home sellers. Guess what?... The #1 home improvement that Realtors recommend to home sellers -- based on cost and return on investment) is:  Cleaning and de-cluttering! That's right. It costs $200 on average to do the proper amount of cleaning and decluttering prior to a move, yet it can increase your home's value by as much as $1,700. That's an 872% return on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home & Garden, Moving/Buying/Selling A Home Tagged With: , , , ,

When It Pays To Hire A Professional For Home Repairs & Home Projects And When It’s Better To Do It Yourself

What's on your to-do list these days?  Does it include one or more projects around the house that you might be able to hire a professional to do for you instead? I've already told you about my recent carpet cleaning experience (...where I wish we would have called a professional to clean the carpets for us instead of spending 2 days doing it ourselves!). We learned a valuable lesson there.  In addition to paying to rent the carpet cleaner machine (and the carpet cleaning solution), three … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fixing Things, Home & Garden Tagged With: , , , , ,
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