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 How to fix a doorbell
Begin by
testing the button to make sure it works. Doorbell buttons are commonly
the culprit. Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws that secure the
doorbell cover to the house... |
How to fix a lamp socket
With the lamp unplugged, the shade off, and the bulb out,
you can remove the socket. Squeeze the outer shell of the socket just
above the base and pull the shell out of the base (the shell is often
marked... |
How to remove a broken light bulb
Before you start to remove the broken bulb, turn off the
power to the light (or unplug the lamp, if that’s what you’re working
on). Then, with the light switch... |
How to replace a pull-chain switch
First, make sure that the switch is broken, not just the
chain. If you find a short bit of chain sticking out of the fixture,
pull on it to see if the light turns on and off. If so... |
How
to install a programmable thermostat
Turn off the power to the furnace at the main service
panel. Then, remove the thermostat cover... |
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How to remove a wall switch
To remove the old switch, first shut off the power to the
switch. Remove the decorative cover- plate from the switch by unscrewing
the two screws that hold the plate to the switch box... |
How to
install a wireless wall switch
To install the receiver switch, you’ll need to deter mine
which wire carries current from the service panel. Bend both the wires
so they are as far apart as possible. Turn the power back... |
How to fix a
bad receptacle
Shut off the power to the switch at the main service
panel. Remove the decorative cover plate from the receptacle. Set the
screw and the plate aside. With the cover plate off you will... |
Installing a tamper-resistant receptacle
Shut the power to the switch off. Remove the decorative
cover plate
from the receptacle by unscrewing the screw that holds the plate to the
electrical box. Set the screw and the plate... |
How to inspect
your plumbing
There are two basic kinds of pipes in a plumbing system:
supply pipes and drain pipes. Supply pipes are always full of water
under pressure and drain pipes (which include vent pipes that only... |
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Understanding floors
Soundproofed floors have an extra layer to dampen noise. When patching a
damaged area of your floor, replace the floor covering on top of the
sound barrier material. The sound barrier is not altered... |
Removing and
replacing sink trap components
Before removing a sink trap, place a bucket under the
trap to catch water that spills out. Loosen the slip nut at one end of
the trap (a P-trap is seen here). Use channel-type pliers if the nut
won’t unscrew... |
Choosing flooring
Today’s homeowner is faced with
an extensive range of flooring choices. Selecting the right floor can almost
be harder than installing it... |
Painting Tools
These are the tools you’ll need for your painting toolbox. All these
tools are available at almost every home improvement center, paint store,
and hardware store... |
Decorating tools
These are the tools you’ll need
for your decorating toolbox. All these tools are available at almost every
home improvement center, paint store, and hardware store... |
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How to
frost-proof your plumbing
OUTDOOR FAUCETS. Remove hoses from all outside faucets
when freezing weather approaches. Shut off the water to the faucet at
the shutoff valve inside. Drain the pipe from the shut off to the spout
by opening... |
Evaluating Floors
Floor coverings wear out faster than other interior
surfaces because they get more wear and tear. Surface damage can affect
more than just appearance. Scratches in resilient flooring and cracks in
grouted tile joints allow moisture to wear away... |
Safety first
Although the methods in this site have been reviewed for
safety, it is not possible to overstate the importance of using the
safest methods you can. What follows are reminders--some do’s and don’ts
of work safety... |
Panting and
papering tools
Painting is a job do-it-yourselfers tackle more than any
other, and the one where, for a modest investment, they can use the same
high-quality tools professionals use: a basic roller and a good-quality
brush... |
Choosing paint
Paint comes in various sheens, ranging from flat to high-
gloss enamel. Gloss enamels dry to a shiny finish and are best for
surfaces that need to be washed often, such as bathroom or kitchen walls
or woodwork in any room... |
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Demolition tools
When a home improvement project begins with demolition work, some
do-it-yourselfers begin to salivate Finally, a chance to vent
frustrations over every leak, squeak, and repair that didn’t pan out and
to pound part of the house into oblivion... |
How to fix
a compression faucet
Most compression valves have a threaded metal spindle
with a disc-shaped stem washer on the end. When the spindle is screwed
all the way in, the stem washer covers a hole, and water flow to the
spout is stopped. Drips from the spout happen... |
Drywall finishing
tools
To finish new gypsum drywall or repair damaged panels on
existing walls, you need a pair of drywall knives and a larger blade for
spreading and smoothing compound over wide seams between panels. The
basics will do for most projects, although... |
Hand tools
Many do-it-yourselfers already
own the basic hand tools required for building and remodeling walls and
ceilings. Unless you plan a special application, such as installing ceramic
wall tiles, you won’t need any specialty tools. But if you are in the
process... |
Problem solving -
Cleaning hardwood floor
Immediately
dean spills with a dry cloth. Avoid ribbing the spill into the floor.
Once the spill is soaked up, use a damp cloth to blot the remaining
residue on the floor. Rinse your cloth often and thoroughly wring it
out... |
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How to hang a
picture
On each side of the frame, mark 8” down from the top.
Purchase D-rings or picture hooks rated to support the approximate
weight of the picture or mirror (package labels on the hardware give the
suggested weight ranges). |
Learn About Layout tools
A basic collection of rulers, squares, and levels should
serve on most home improvement projects. But it always helps to follow
the adage “Measure twice and cut once,” particularly... |
How to clean &
repair clogged gutters
Clean dense debris from gutters using a putty knife or a
narrow drywall knife. Put the debris in a bucket instead of dropping it on
the ground... |
How to fix a
sliding screen door
You can’t remove the screen door until you release the
tension on the roller wheels. Back off the adjustment screws, then lift the
door out of the channel that holds it captive... |
Installing safety
coverplates
You can get much of the protection of a tamperproof
outlet with a safety coverplate. Adding one takes only minutes and requires no contact
with wiring. Remove the old... |
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How to fix a
broken window pane
Wearing heavy leather gloves, remove the broken pieces of
glass. Then, soften the old glazing compound using a heat gun or a hair
dryer. Don’t hold the heat gun too long in one place because... |
How to install a
new towel bar
Position the towel bar and make a mark along the outside
of the mounting trim on each side. (Try to avoid positioning the bar so
the new holes will fall directly over the old ones.) Repeat for the
other side... |
Installing a built-up cornice
A built-up molding is a good way to create an elaborate
ceiling molding without paying a small fortune for a custom made pieces. On
this job, we started with a backer board that supports... |
Building codes &
permits
Building permits are required for any remodeling project
that involves a change or addition to your home’s structure or
mechanical systems. Building permits are issued... |
Cleaning carpet
Carpet cleaning machines can be rented by the hour or by
the day To deep clean your carpet push the machine forward over a 3-ft.
square area, releasing the detergent and rotating the brush... |
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Ceiling - wood
planking
In theory you can use any type of wood plank on a ceiling,
including shiplap and other types that are normally used for exterior
siding. But those materials generally are 3/4 inch thick, which is not only
unnecessary on a ceiling... |
Lighting options
Good lighting plays a key role in efficient design--and goes
a long way toward defining the personality of the room. With the proper
fixtures in the proper places, lighting can help you avoid working in
shadows... |
Fixing a leaking
skylight
A skylight is a great addition to just about any room,
especially one that is starved for natural light. But one of these units
can also be the source of water leaks that cause internal... |
Installing attic
stairs
If you want to add living space to your attic and don’t have a full set
of stairs going up there, you should hire a professional to make and
install a staircase for you. But if you just want a better way... |
Ceiling
- Building and using a deadman brace
Installing drywall is usually a two-person job. To have help
carrying and lifting the panels makes the work a lot easier. But help is not
al ways around when you need it. Fortunately... |
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Hanging curtains
Curtains can dress a room in
elegance, lighten the room’s mood, or do little more than filter incoming
light--it’s completely up to you. Choosing them may take some time, but
hanging them can be a breeze... |
Patching large
hole or repairing small hole in drywall
Minor blemishes to drywall surfaces are easy to repair by
just filling the spots with joint compound, letting it dry, and sanding
it smooth. But larger holes require more... |
Installing a wall
niche
The space between the studs
on interior it walls is the greatest untapped supply of storage space in
your house. In a typical wall, this space is 14½ inches wide by 3½ inches
deep. Just about every medicine cabinet... |
Installing a
ceiling medallion
Plastic ceiling medallions are lightweight, easy to install,
and look exactly like traditional plaster medallions once they are painted.
Medallions are available in different sizes and patterns... |
Building a
glass-block wall
Glass-block walls and windows not only add a distinctive
design element to this room, they also allow filtered light in without
sacrificing privacy. These blocks aren’t... |
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Building a
soundproof wall
There’s a lot of noise around these days, both inside and
outside the house, and most of us would like to turn down the volume a
bit. Fortunately, the truck rumbling by doesn’t sound as bad as it
could... |
Dealing with home
emergencies
Be Prepared - Not
every emergency can be prepared for, but if you live in an area prone to
hurricanes, floods, earth quakes, or tornadoes, you should have basic
emergency supplies on hand, and your family... |
Finishing drywall
seams - Pages 1 2 3 4
Finishing drywall is one of those jobs that get easier with
practice. The more comfortable you become with the tools and materials, the
faster the finishing will go and the better results you’ll get. For the
beginner... |
How to fix a
concrete chip-out and concrete crack
Drive a form board next to the sidewalk and undercut the
broken section with a cold chisel and hammer. This will create a modest
keyway that will give the patch something extra to grip... |
Installing backer
board
In wet areas, cement-board is better backing for ceramic tile
than regular or water-resist ant drywall as it will not degrade if it should
get wet. Although it’s usually ½ inch thick and is installed much like
drywall... |
