Home DIY

As the saying goes, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." Smoke detectors are amazing: They're pretty inexpensive, but they save thousands of lives each year. Learn all about nuclear and light-sensing smoke detectors.

By Marshall Brain

Most of us are entirely dependent on electricity, so a power outage can become seriously annoying. Learn about the generators and inverters that can put an end to home power failures.

By Marshall Brain

A fascinating look inside a combination lock!

By Marshall Brain

People use safes to keep their valuables, well, safe. But in movies, thieves can open one using a little concentration and a good ear. Could you crack a safe that easily?

By Robert Valdes

A forced-air distribution system is just what the name implies. Air is forced from the furnace through ducts to registers in various rooms. Learn to troubleshoot a forced-air distribution system.

By Walter Curtis

Repairing floors is easy if you know what you're doing. From annoying squeaks to sanding hardwoods, learn how to do it yourself when it comes to floor problems.

By Walter Curtis

Windows are a major source of heat-loss in most homes. They also may stick shut when they're painted or swell shut from humidity. Learn tips on how to keep your windows working properly.

By Fix-It Club

Painting can be a task that takes a couple of hours, a half day, or more. Whatever the size of your painting job, the techniques remain the same. Learn how to paint a room.

By Walter Curtis

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.

By Fix-It Club

Most plumbing problems occur at or near such fixtures as sinks, tubs, and toilets. Sometimes, however, the pipes themselves are the root of the problem. Learn how to repair pipes.

By Fix-It Club

Heating systems are usually trouble-free. But no matter what type of furnace you have, there are several things you can do to keep the system in top condition. Learn how to maintain a furnace.

By Fix-It Club & Patrick E. George

Learn how to unclog a drain, whether it's hair in a bathroom sink or a major blockage in your home's main drainpipe. These tips will help you out.

By Fix-It Club

A dripping faucet is the most common plumbing problem but one of the easiest to repair. Yet many people ignore it and leave it unrepaired. Imagine each drip as a penny lost and you may reconsider.

By Fix-It Club

Find out how to fix a spray hose in this article, whether your issue lies in the aerator, flexible sink hose, diverter valve, or other area.

By Fix-It Club

Learn how to fix pipes in this article, which addresses such common problems as pipes that leak, make a lot of noise, or become frozen.

By Fix-It Club

Staining wooden furniture isn't just a matter of stripping off one finish and applying another. The finish is only as good as the preparation for it. Learn how to stain wooden furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Repairing wooden furniture is a process that can take many forms. There are numerous types of wooden furniture, so the types of repairs are similarly varied. Learn how to repair wooden furniture.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Is Grandma's hand-me-down hutch looking a little worse for wear? Instead of tossing out those favorite furniture pieces, why not take on a refinishing project? Find dozens of tips in this article.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

In places where uranium is common in the soil, radon is a popular topic of discussion. Even though radon is "completely natural," it can be a real health hazard. Learn how radon forms and why it is so dangerous.

By Marshall Brain & Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

In movies, burglars can open a lock using a paper clip. Is it really so easy? The basic process of picking a lock is simple, but it takes practice to get it right.

By Marshall Brain & Tom Harris

Repairing driveway cracks is a simple and rewarding project. Find out the keys to repairing driveway cracks to stop a smaller problem from becoming a larger one.

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.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Whether it's a kitchen sink full of murky water or an overflowing lavatory, you've probably experienced a clogged drain before and reached for the drain cleaner. But how do drain cleaners work?

By Linda C. Brinson

Pepper spray is a common law enforcement and self-defense tool -- it's easy to carry and easy to use, and although it's extremely irritating and debilitating, it generally doesn't cause any problems in the long run. How does this spicy weapon work?

By Caitlin Uttley

The United States has nukes, and so does Russia. Iran and North Korea have conducted nuclear tests, as well. In the event of a nuclear attack, what are you supposed to do?

By John Fuller