HowToDoThings.com Recent Home Maintenance & Repair Articles

How To Open a Door with a Credit Card

gin rummy — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:12:15 -0500

You're away from your apartment again and you know exactly where your keys are -- right on top of the dresser drawer. You run to the landlord but alas, he is not there. Not much of a different situation whenever you need him, but when it comes time to collect the rent he's there on the dot all the time. Go figure.

How To Keep Cool without Air Conditioning

gonzo — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:07:12 -0500

A fun day at the beach is nice and all but when you are home you would like to live like an Eskimo in the middle of a bikini competition. If it is hot outside, nothing beats the cool artificial air that a ten horsepower air conditioner can bring. But, wait!!! The unthinkable happened. The A/C is broken and you just can't get it fixed. On top of that, either there is nobody within a thousand miles who can fix the old clunker or worse, you just don't have the money to get it fixed.

What are you going to do? You could live miserably in 100 degree weather or you could try these simple steps to keep cool without an air conditioner. Try them out; what do you have to lose except the sweat off of your brow?

How To Remove Hard Water Stains from Sinks and Tubs

Patrick Henry — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:59:04 -0500

How To Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater

Ryan_Utah — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:59:40 -0500

How To Replace a Damaged Lamp Socket

ramb37 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:03:00 -0500

How To Paint Pressure Treated Lumber

ralexander — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:40:22 -0500

How To Install a Washer Dryer Hookup

fester1 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:54:03 -0500

How To Solder

fester1 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:41:57 -0500

How To Install Ceramic Tile

fester1 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:12:47 -0500

How To Replace a Toilet

ramb37 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:14:59 -0500

How To Keep Bats Out of Your House

Marilisa560 — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:48:59 -0500

Live near a wetland or river? Then chances are your home will attract bats, particularly if the home is older, has an open chimney or attic vents. Now bats in your yard are a wonderful thing: A single bat will eat her entire weight in insects in one evening. Bats are a safe, natural environmentally friendly insecticide. We live on a river, yet we enjoy bug-free evenings all summer long.

Bats in your home present a problem, however. While bats do not often bite and are rarely rabid, they are carriers of rabies. Pets, cats in particular, are in special danger from bats; your pets will chase the bats and naturally the bat will bite. One of our cats once caught a bat in midair. He scooped the bat out of the air and put the bat in his mouth, all in one incredibly fast movement. Thankfully, he was not bitten, but he easily could have been. Also, bat feces (or guano) is quite toxic.

How To Troubleshoot a Circuit Breaker

ramb37 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:16:29 -0500

How To Get a Bat Out of Your House

Marilisa560 — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:18:02 -0500

Bats in the house are a common problem, especially in the summer and in older homes or those near a river. Bats are helpful little creatures; a bat will eat her entire weight in insects each evening. Obviously, this is great news for the prevention of West Nile, malaria and other insect-born pathogens. Bats are a great natural pesticide, also: Fewer insects = less need for harmful sprays and foggers.

How To Reset a Circuit Breaker

ramb37 — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:00:22 -0500

How To Replace a 3-Way Switch

ramb37 — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:39:12 -0500

How To Repair Ceramic Tile

bronwyn — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:08:11 -0500

Ceramic tiles are durable by nature, but homeowners will find that there are some common problems with this material. Tiles can frequently break and grout will eventually need to be replaced. Luckily, problems with ceramic tiling are actually quite easy to fix, as long as the tile was installed after 1960. If your tile predates 1960, it may have been set in a masonry base and you will need a contractor to repair it.

How To Tell If Your Roof Needs Repair

Crichey — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:17:09 -0500

Generally, a home is the biggest purchase that most people make in their life. More and more homeowners are taking on do-it-yourself projects and major chains like Home Depot and Lowes offer free classes in all kinds of projects. However, sometimes you may not be aware a problem exists. In this article, we're going to take a look at the roof of a home and how to tell if it needs to be repaired or if the entire roof needs to be replaced.

How To Powerwash Your Home

estaban2501 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:35:05 -0500

Powerwashing your home may seem odd, but you really need to do it if you plan to paint your home or if you need to remove dirt and any other unwanted debris. Many people don't see a need to powerwash a home before they paint it, mainly because they think that the paint will just cover up the dirt or that it's useless to wash a home because it will be dirty again in a matter of days. The unfortunate truth is that you need a clean surface in order for the paint to form a good hard bond. You would never see an artist paint a picture on a dirty canvas so why would you paint a dirty house? Fortunately, powerwashing your home is not that hard and it can add years to your paint job.

How To Help Stop Global Warming

bronwyn — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:46:09 -0500

Global warming is scary and can seem extremely overwhelming! However, each of us has a part, however small, in stopping climate change. By reducing your carbon footprint, or how much your activities contribute to global warming, you can do your part to stop it. Remember that your activities can contribute both directly and indirectly to global warming.

How To Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

handeeman — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:06:15 -0600

This is a simple and easy way to get a toilet to flush fully without using a plunger. It works about 70% of the time. Also use this technique if you THINK the toilet might clog (you can see the signs if things are not going down the way they should). If your toilet always plugs, it could be the sign of something wrong with the wax O-ring under the toilet, or a sign that the toilet is cracked somewhere.

How To Go Green Without Spending a Dime

plumwine100 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:44:24 -0600

Sure, going green is so trendy these days, its almost chic. But there’s nothing chic about spending a small fortune on pricey “enviro-friendly” devices, especially when gas prices are soaring. So can you go green without going broke? Absolutely. In fact, going green can save you a little green on the backend. Just follow these simple steps to help save the environment without spending a dime.

How To Garden Safely with Children at Home or in School

Marilisa560 — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:56:26 -0600

Gardening is in my list of top five learning activities. It's natural, therapeutic, hands-on, interactive and a great learning tool. Whether you teach plant care, botany lessons or gardening at home with your children or in school as a teacher, there are several areas to consider and steps to follow to ensure safety.

How To Make a Good Solder Joint

rik — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:57:05 -0600

WARNING: This work refers to electrical soldering only.

Learning the correct technique means you can ensure trouble free soldered electrical joints which will be reliable over a long time, and progress to make cheap, easy repairs to your electrical equipment if they develop simple circuit joint faults.

How To Put Out a Grease Fire

Larado — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:27:48 -0600

Okay, say you're frying something in a frying pan and your grease catches fire, what should you do?

Items to always have on hand:

How To Kick Down a Door

Larado — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:57:36 -0600

You may need to kick down a door for many reasons, you locked your keys in a locked room, or your house, and for whatever reason you need to get in and can't utilize or wait for other means. Before we start let me just say that, if at all possible, you should use another means to get through the door that's locked, it's safer and generally easier; that said, lets get started.

How To Implement Heating Efficiency Ideas

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:52:31 -0600

Saving money on your water heater is a great idea. There are so many different things you can do to save hundreds of dollars per year with very little work. Let's review some things to look for when dealing with the different types of plumbing parts associated with water heaters.

How To Remove Sediment from a Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:06:19 -0600

All water that enters into a water heater contains natural minerals of some kind. Heating the water causes the minerals to separate and fall to the bottom of the tank. Usually this sediment build-up is made of calcium carbonate. One sign of sediment build-up is a sulfur (or rotten-egg) smell around your water heater. With gas water heaters, sediment problems may cause the entire heater to become noisy while on.

How To Install a Chair Rail

Larado — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:01:11 -0600

Chair rails can be a fun and rewarding item to install in your home. They can range from simple to highly extravagant but either way it adds a touch of class to any room or living space, and is also really fun to install.

Tools:

Pneumatic Finish Nailer, 15 gauge
Air compressor and air hose
Miter box and saw
Tape Measure
Level
Caulk
Caulking Gun
Sandpaper
Primer
Paint
Pencil
A buddy

Instructions:

How To Implement Safety Tips for Water Heaters

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:06:16 -0600

Much of the maintenance work on a water heater will have to be performed by an electrician or plumber. But some maintenance and improvements can be done by a homeowner. However, if you are not comfortable with performing such tasks, always call a professional. Here are some safety tips to follow before working on your water heater:

How To Snap a Chalk Line

Larado — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:09:00 -0600

Most people snap a chalk line for one reason: They need a line to follow. You could be laying tile, or framing a room, or even just cutting a large board. Whatever the reason, being able to snap a chalk line is a very useful skill that is frequently needed for projects around the house.

Items needed:

Chalk box
An assistant
Hammer
Nail
Tape measure

Instructions:

How To Stucco

dlphns13 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:55:48 -0600

So you want to learn to stucco? I will do my best to show you the quickest and cheapest way to do this. You will need some patience and a few tools that you can pick up at any home improvement store.

How To Fix a Loose Brick in Your Step

dlphns13 — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:20:47 -0600

Do you have a loose brick in your step? Not sure how to fix it or who to call? Well I will save you a lot of time and money with this quick and easy fix.

How To Take a Home Inventory

bronwyn — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:44:16 -0600

Although you hope you'll never have to use it, a home inventory is something that is important to take. A home inventory is a list of all of your personal possessions and their value. This is necessary for insurance claims, whether it's renters' or homeowners' insurance.

Get insurance. Make sure that you have homeowners' or renters' insurance. Many people mistakenly think that they only need insurance if they own their home. However, renters' insurance can also protect your belongings, and tends to cost much less than homeowners' insurance.
Set aside some time to record all of your belongings. Luckily, you don't have to record every pair of socks. Make sure you record the most expensive items - computers, electronics, etc. - and group the other items.

read more

How To Keep a Fireplace Clean

bronwyn — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:34:06 -0600

There's no better place in your house on a chilly winter night than in front of your fireplace - but is your fireplace safe? Do the soot stains bother you? The good news is that cleaning your fireplace and keeping it safe go hand in hand, and are even fairly easy!

Have a chimney sweeper come every year. This part is essential for fireplace safety, and you can't do it alone. You need a professional to clear any obstructions in the chimney and remove all extra creosote and other buildup. This flammable material in your chimney is a risk factor for house fires, so don't delay!

read more

How To Save Money on Anode Rods

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:27:28 -0600

The article provides an inside look at the water heater industry and anode rods in particular, which are an essential part of every water heater. Here are a few tips to help you understand more about the water heater industry and anode rods:

How To Decide Whether to Buy a New Water Heater or Stick with Your Old One

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:31:32 -0600

The information in this article only applies to tank-type water heaters (gas or electric). It does not include information on solar water heaters or tankless water heaters.

How To Upgrade Your Water Heater's Drain Valve

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:58:34 -0600

The drain valve is located near the bottom of the water heater tank. Many water heaters come with drain valves that are prone to leaks or breakage. Plastic cone valves (these have a cone-shaped handle) and plastic faucet valves often drip, freeze and/or clog with sediment. Even after only one use, plastic valves often leak. Also, because the drain valve is made of plastic, the threads on the valve are easy to cross-thread when attaching a garden hose to it.

How To Keep Your Electric Heating Elements from Failing

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:41:51 -0600

The following applies to electric water heaters only. The heating elements in an electric water heater are susceptible to sediment buildup, burnout and sudden failure. Learn how to clean and inspect the heating elements in your electric water heater.

How To Prevent Rusting in a Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:17:10 -0600

What Are Plastic-Lined Nipples And Why Do I Need Them?

Pipe nipples are small fittings that connect two pipes together. Many pipes and pipe nipples are made out of brass or copper because these metals are “noble” metals. This means that brass and copper do not chemically react with oxygen—the cause of corrosion or rusting—as much as other metals do (such as steel). The hot and cold water lines on top of the water heater are usually made of brass or copper. Unfortunately, most water heater tank linings and pipes are made out of steel. If these different metals touch each other, the brass or copper will actually promote rusting on the steel tank while the brass or copper remain rust free.

How To Inspect a Leaky Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:41:57 -0600

Inspect your fittings. Don’t know which fittings you need to inspect? Check all of the following; make sure the fittings are tight and dry. Use a cotton swap or Q-tip to wipe around the areas to make sure they are free of moisture and rust.

read more

How To Shrink Power Bills by Conserving Energy with your Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:37:39 -0600

This article teaches you how to save money by instituting all the following devices: Electric temperature controls, heat traps, low-flow shower heads, pipe insulation, recirculating system controls, vent dampers and water heater blankets.

Electric Temperature Controls (Electric Water Heaters Only). An electric temperature control allows you to shut down the water heater when no one is home or when everyone is asleep. This will reduce heat loss and save you money. Call your utility company or a plumber to help you install this device.

How To Save Yourself from Cold Showers by Knowing More About Dip Tubes

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:43:59 -0600

Standard Dip Tubes. A dip tube is a long, straight plastic pipe attached to the cold water inlet, above the water heater, and into the tank of the water heater itself. Its purpose is to ensure that new cold water enters the tank at the bottom. Hot water naturally rises above cold water, so the hot water will be used first since the hot water outlet is at the top of the tank. If the dip tube breaks, cold water will enter at the top of the tank and will be immediately sent through the hot water outlet. This results in a cold shower or bath.

read more

How To Handle Corrosion Problem Spots in a Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:57:01 -0600

Corrosion can cripple the life of your water heater no matter if you have a tank-type, commercial or solar water heater system. Learn where the 7 trouble spots for water heaters are and how to protect your water heater from corrosive elements.

How To Operate Electric and Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:30:09 -0600

Gas Controls

Gas water heaters have a thermostat inside the water of the tank, which is then connected to the front control at the bottom of the water heater. On the front control there is a dial with three settings: ON, OFF and PILOT. Above the dial is a knob with a recessed screw which controls the gas flame. Below the bottom of the dial are three tubes. The largest tube, always in the middle, is the natural gas supply tube. The medium-sized tube, usually the one on the right, feeds natural gas to the pilot light switch. The smallest tube, usually the one on the left, is called the thermocouple. The thermocouple allows you to control the amount of gas fed to the pilot after it has been lit, therefore controlling the size of the flame. Lastly, the burner assembly is attached to the tubes and control; it can be removed for cleaning, but do not take apart the control itself.

How To Repair Broken Pipe Nipples on Water Heaters

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:14:37 -0600

Many pipes and pipe nipples (small fittings that connect two pipes together) are made out of brass because brass is a noble metal. This means that brass does not chemically react with oxygen and cause corrosion or rusting as much as other metals, such as steel. Unfortunately, most water heater tank linings and pipes are made out of steel. If the two metals touch each other, this causes the less noble steel to corrode or rust. To prevent this, many heaters use a plastic lining in the tank, which allows the brass plumbing to touch the steel water heater tank; the plastic interior will not rust or corrode. If you have steel plumbing, you should not install a brass pipe nipple.

How To Consider a New Water Heater for Your Home

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:06:09 -0600

Gas or Electric Tank Water Heaters.

Tank water heaters are the most common type of water heater installed in American homes. You will have a gas-powered water heater or an electric water heater depending on what power source your house runs on. If the rest of the house is powered by gas you will have a gas-powered water heater; if it runs on electricity, you will have an electric water heater. Because of this, trying to compare the two is somewhat impractical. However, you can compare gas to gas or electric to electric.

How To Clean and Remove Sediment from a Commercial Water Heater

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:43:47 -0600

Commercial water heaters have several features that differ from residential water heaters. To begin with, commercial heaters produce a minimum of 75,000 British thermal units whereas residential heaters residential water heaters produce anything less than 75,000 British thermal units.

Also, commercial heaters have a clean-out port on the side of the water heater; residential heaters must utilize the drain valve and require specialized equipment in order to clean them. With commercial gas water heaters, there is more than one gas flue and automatic ventilator, and with commercial electric heaters, there is often an ignition feature.

One other difference is that on a commercial water heater, the cold water inlet is at the bottom of the tank instead of the top. This allows cold water to enter the tank at the bottom—a definite improvement over residential heaters.

How To Install, Inspect and Evaluate Anode Rods in Water Heaters

johnnyhayneser — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:31:41 -0600

An anode rod is necessary because it prevents any corrosion of a water heater's metal lining. As long as a serviceable anode rod is installed, the metal of the rod will wear away instead of the water heater lining. The anode rod produces an electro-chemical reaction within the water, which protects the water heater.

Anode rods are attached to the top of the water heater with a ¾ inch hex head screw. Most rods are approximately 3 feet 8 inches in length: just a few inches shorter than the water heater itself. The core of an anode rod is a steel wire framed by one of three different metals: aluminum, magnesium or zinc. All anodes are made from one of these three metals, and each type of rod has a particular use.

How To Upgrade Your Electrical Service

jmkokurewicz — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:10:08 -0500

A very common, and anxiety-producing question that many homeowners have asked me through the years is whether or not they need to upgrade their electrical service. Their anxiety is well founded because changing a service is disruptive, complicated, and costly. However, these homeowners recognize that not changing their service can limit what they can do or add to their home, or in some cases, can lead to the unimaginable disaster of their home burning down to the ground (maybe even with their family in it).

So the first thing is to understand what a service change is.

How To Be Safe Around Your Electrical System

jmkokurewicz — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:31:27 -0500

So, you've decided to take care of a problem in your electrical system on your own, saving yourself some time and money. Great! However, electricity can be dangerous so here are some basic precautions and tips that are essential for you to review BEFORE embarking on your project.