home repair library

 

Any household requires general home repair. Learn how to fix leaky roofs and sticky doors and use general home repair tips to knock items off your to-do list.

Featured Article:  Ultimate Termite Quiz

Most termites are actually beneficial -- they eat dead plant matter and contribute to the recycling of nutrients in the environment. Unfortunately, that dead plant matter could be the wood in your house. See more »

5 Eccentric Homes with Hidden Passageways

5 Eccentric Homes with Hidden Passageways

If you're the type of twisted person who loves to scare the bejesus out of your friends and family, then we've got some houses for you.

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5 Home Repairs You Really Should Know How to Do Yourself

5 Home Repairs You Really Should Know How to Do Yourself

Owning a home can be a dream come true, but it's more than just relaxing weekends on the deck and intimate evenings in front of the fireplace. That's right; you have to work at it to keep it running smoothly.

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Can you block neighbor noise in a townhome or condo?

Can you block neighbor noise in a townhome or condo?

Millions of Americans live in apartments or townhomes where they share at least one wall with their neighbors. And in most cases, that wall doesn't drown out the noise. But there are things you can do to get some peace and quiet.

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Can you build a house with found objects?

Can you build a house with found objects?

One man's bottle cap may be another man's doorbell. Whether they're working from economic necessity, an artistic bent or environmental motivation, some people build their homes from everyday objects.

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Do houses really settle?

Do houses really settle?

It's a dark and stormy night, and you hear mysterious creaking noises in your home. Perhaps you explain them away by reassuring yourself that your house is just settling. But is that a more plausible explanation than paranormal forces at work?

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How do I know if termites are eating my house?

How do I know if termites are eating my house?

Their mission is covert and highly dangerous -- they've just got to heed their insatiable hunger for cellulose. But what happens when termites claim your house for dinner?

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How do roaches get into homes?

How do roaches get into homes?

You catch it out of the corner of your eye -- a dark creature crawling up the wall behind your couch. Then the unspeakable -- it dives at your hair. Good grief, it flies? And why is it here?

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How do you replace a seal under a toilet?

How do you replace a seal under a toilet?

A friend told me that the bad smell coming from my toilet indicates that the seal under the toilet is broken and needs to be replaced. He also said that I could probably do the job myself. I'd like to try.

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How does toxic mold make you sick?

How does toxic mold make you sick?

It's not just a homeowner's nightmare -- toxic mold can damage your lungs and suppress your immune system. Where does it come from, and how can you keep it out of your home?

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How Doorbells Work

How Doorbells Work

You probably don't spend too much time pondering the inner workings of a doorbell, but it's actually a pretty cool device once you get inside. Find out exactly what happens when someone rings your bell.

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How Historic Districts Work

How Historic Districts Work

Does your neighbor regularly display appallingly bad taste? Would you rather not live next door to a tacky, new strip mall? Historic districts could be the answer to your neighborhood woes.

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How House Construction Works

How House Construction Works

Have you ever wondered how a house is built? Or what holds up the ceiling and walls? And how do you keep the rain out? It's a complex process that involves quite a bit more than you may think.

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How House Moving Works

How House Moving Works

Do you want to buy a house for $1? You can, if you're willing to pick it up, haul it somewhere else and finance the whole move. But is house moving more of a headache than a bargain?

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How Houseboats Work

How Houseboats Work

A houseboat's one way to stay at the beach. It might sound exotic, but day-to-day life on a houseboat poses some unusual challenges -- like staying afloat.

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How is an aging baby boomer generation changing the design of homes?

How is an aging baby boomer generation changing the design of homes?

Would you want to trade your familiar digs for a nursing home? If you answered "heck, no," you're like millions of baby boomers who plan to age in place.

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How long would it take for your house to fall completely apart?

How long would it take for your house to fall completely apart?

What would happen if you stopped taking care of your house? Would it completely fall apart? How long would it take?

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How Prefab Houses Work

How Prefab Houses Work

Prefab houses are growing in popularity as larger sizes and more options become available. Learn about prefab houses and find out how they are constructed.

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How the Bioscleave House Works

How the Bioscleave House Works

Frustrated by the inevitable onset of death? What if you could reverse that fate in the Bioscleave House? It's an innovative abode that could keep you alive -- and will keep you guessing.

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How to Choose Router Bits

How to Choose Router Bits

A router might just be the most versatile tool you can own -- but in a world without router bits, it would be nothing more than a spinning motor.

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How to Reface an Appliance

How to Reface an Appliance

If you'd like to change the look of your kitchen, but the price tag is too high to contemplate, there may be a less expensive solution. Now, you can cover your appliances completely, or even paint them for a new look.

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