Home Improvement

A heat pump not only heats your home during the winter, it also cools it during the summer. Proper maintenance is important. Find out how to troubleshoot a heat pump.

By Walter Curtis

Hot water and steam systems work similarly, and are still used in existing homes. Some routine maintenance is required to keep them working properly. Learn how to troubleshoot a hot water and steam system.

By Walter Curtis

Older homes often have lath-and-plaster walls. Latex paint will hide hairline cracks in plaster, but only temporarily. Larger cracks actually are easier to fix. Learn how to repair cracked plaster.

By Walter Curtis

A thermostat is a highly sensitive control instrument that responds to even the slightest changes in temperature. It can be a source of some frustrating problems. Learn how to maintain a thermostat.

By Walter Curtis

A few simple restoration techniques can revive an old finish on wooden furniture. This can save you time and money, and help you hold onto a good piece of furniture. Learn to restore furniture finish.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Compared with a clogged toilet, tank troubles can seem relatively insignificant. Yet strange noises or continuous water running can be more than annoying; it can cost money. Learn to repair toilet tank problems.

Because tubs and sinks are used practically every day, the caulking between the fixture and the wall often cracks or pulls loose. This allows water to damage the surrounding wall. Learn to caulk bathroom fixtures.

By Walter Curtis

Heating systems keep our homes warm during the winter, and air conditioning keeps us cool in summer. But do you know how HVAC systems work?

By Walter Curtis & Desiree Bowie

Heating and cooling systems are usually trouble-free and easy to maintain. No matter what type of systems you have, there are several things you can do to keep them in top condition. Learn more with the information inside this article.

By Walter Curtis

Equipping your at-home workshop with the right tools can save you time when you are attempting any furniture restoration or repair project. Learn the proper primary tools to include in your workshop.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Usually it's easy to unstick a stubborn door. To diagnose the problem, close the door, watching it carefully to locate the binding point. From here, there are several potential strategies. Learn to unstick a door.

By Walter Curtis

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.

By Walter Curtis

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.

By Walter Curtis

New doors need a lockset. Some doors come predrilled for standard-size locksets, others will require drilling. Mortises also need to be cut for the lockset and strike plate. Learn the details to install a lockset.

By Walter Curtis

If fences make for better neighbors, then doors make for happier families. But not if a door is squeaking or sticking. Learn tips on how to keep doors in your home working properly.

By Walter Curtis

For refinishing or repairing furniture, it's important to have basic materials like abrasive powders, adhesives, and sandpaper. Other materials like painter's tape aren't used frequently, but they are also important to have ready. Learn more.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Furniture should be bleached if the surface is marked by stains, black rings, or water spots; if the wood is discolored or blotchy; and if the color is uneven. Learn how to bleach furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Sealer coats are used between finishing steps to ensure even penetration of stains and finishes, to prevent bleeding of stains and fillers, and to make the finished surface smoother. Learn how to seal wooden furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Wooden furniture can be spoiled by small damage to the surface. Some stains are easily removed, while more damaging spots may require refinishing. Learn simple methods to repair small stains quickly and effectively.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Loose joints on wooden furniture can cause long-term damage to the rest of the frame by increasing stress on other joints. Learn how to repair joints and stop small structural problems from becoming big ones.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Removing old finish from wooden furniture is a lengthy process, but knowing the proper techniques and professional shortcuts can save you time and money. Learn how to strip wooden furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Veneer is a thin layer of wood glued to wooden furniture. Veneer is very prone to blistering, cracking, or falling off. Learn how to fix damaged veneer and replace broken or missing sections of veneer.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

A well-designed pantry can hold much more than food, including dishes and cookware. But designing an efficient kitchen pantry space can be a challenge. Corner shelves and rolling baskets are a start, but learn what else to use.

By Debra K. Melchior

Garages almost always hold more than just our cars, so designing a versatile garage and workspace requires careful planning. Find tips and advice on organizing your garage.

By Debra K. Melchior

FoIP faxing is a method of sending faxes over the Internet. Learn about FoIP protocols and how FoIP allows older 3G fax machines to transfer over the Internet.

By Julia Layton