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:  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? See more »

How to Resurface Your Kitchen Cabinets

How to Resurface Your Kitchen Cabinets

Your home is your castle, but it's also a huge financial investment. It won't hurt to use a little elbow grease and spruce things up -- starting with your cabinets.

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Is your vinyl siding killing you?

Is your vinyl siding killing you?

Vinyl makes many consumer goods safer and more affordable. However, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) releases toxic fumes and when burned, it produces hazardous smoke.

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Name the Price: Home Renovations

Name the Price: Home Renovations

So, your house needs some work. The kitchen, for one, could use an overhaul, and you've always meant to add an extra bedroom. But you have no clue how much it would cost -- and if it would even be worth it to spend the money.

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The Ultimate  Home Repair Quiz

The Ultimate Home Repair Quiz

There are two basic types of homeowner: the do-it-yourselfer, and the kind who immediately calls in the handyman when there's a leak. But there's hope for the home-repair averse. This quiz will show you that it's not so hard to do it yourself.

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Top 5 Things that Devalue Your House

Top 5 Things that Devalue Your House

Letting a house slip into disrepair is a surefire way to decrease its value -- but what are the more subtle qualities that cut down on a home's worth?

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Ultimate Termite Quiz

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.

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What are the deal breakers of a home inspection?

What are the deal breakers of a home inspection?

Before you buy a home, you need to know exactly what you're spending so much money on. But what if the inspection comes back with major flaws? At what point do you walk away from your dream house? That depends on you.

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What's the best way to keep pests out of my home?

What's the best way to keep pests out of my home?

There's no place like home -- unless yours has been overrun by cockroaches, mice and ticks. When the exterminator is on vacation and you need an immediate fix for your pest problem, what can you do?

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What's the one thing you can do to increase the value of your home the most?

What's the one thing you can do to increase the value of your home the most?

When you sell your home, you want to maximize its value, but be careful -- you could end up spending more than you get back. Choose your home improvement projects wisely.

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Home-Repair Materials Basics

Home-Repair Materials Basics

To do basic home-repair jobs, you need to know how to select building materials and how to use them. Any home-repair job should start with the right tools. Learn more about basic home-repair materials.

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How Do You Replace Damaged Siding?

How Do You Replace Damaged Siding?

When clapboards or shakes are rotten or broken, your home's siding can no longer do its job. Damaged siding lets air, water, dirt, and insects through to the inside. Learn how to replace damaged siding.

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How to Do Brick and Concrete Repairs

How to Do Brick and Concrete Repairs

Aging brick and concrete home elements may require repairs. Save money when you follow these easy instructions to repair mortar and loose bricks, fix concrete stairs, and fill cracks in walls or potholes.

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How to Do Home Electrical Repairs

How to Do Home Electrical Repairs

There are many electrical repairs you can make without the help of a professional electrician, including replacing wall receptacles and rewiring lamps. Read this article to learn how to do basic home electricity repairs yourself.

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How to Hang an Interior Door in 4 Steps

How to Hang an Interior Door in 4 Steps

Hanging or installing an interior door isn't terribly difficult. You probably can tackle this home improvement project in an hour or two with the necessary materials and tools. Learn more.

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How to Install a Fluorescent Light

How to Install a Fluorescent Light

Consider replacing some of your old incandescent fixtures with fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent light provides shadow-free illumination, but, best of all, fluorescent bulbs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Learn how to install a fluorescent fixture.

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How to Install Ceramic Tile

How to Install Ceramic Tile

Installing ceramic tile is easy with modern fast-setting mastics, sealants, and grout. Whatever style or size you choose to install, the principles are the same. Learn how to install ceramic tile.

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How to Install Weatherstripping

How to Install Weatherstripping

Rising energy costs make a cold, drafty house a misery that grows increasingly expensive. Sealing your home with weatherstripping can keep you warm all winter long. Learn how to install weatherstripping.

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How to Repair a Deck

How to Repair a Deck

A deck can be a great spot for peace and tranquility. Caring for a deck, though, can be a nightmare because they constantly exposed to the elements. Learn how to repair a deck.

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How to Repair a Garage Door

How to Repair a Garage Door

There are two main components to a garage door: the door itself and the opener. If you can make both types of repairs, your garage-door problems will be minimal. Learn how to repair a garage door.

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How To Repair a Leaky Roof

How To Repair a Leaky Roof

From blocked gutters to loose shingles, the types of problems that can cause a leak in a roof are numerous. Use the tools in this article to help you make these kinds of home repairs.

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