We have put together a number of Quick Tips to help the home handyman and do-it yourself individual with home improvements, remodeling, repair and renovation.
In many cases the Quick Tips are responses to questions that we have received by email.
Indicates Quick Tips published within last 21 days.
Different Age; Different Attitudes!
The home improvement Quick Tips are indexed according to the subject.
Quick Tip - Subjects
- Bathrooms
Ugly Pipe In Bathroom
Baseboards In Bathrooms
Fitting Faucets To Basins
Bathroom Floors - Consider The Toilet
Limited Hot Water In Shower
Plumbing Vents
Doing a bathroom remodel..slowly?
Bathroom Floor
Clogged Drain
Bouncy Floor Near Toilet - Bathtubs & Showers
Sealing Screws In Shower
Cutting Cultured Marble
Epoxy Grout In Stall Shower
In Shower Electric Radiant Heat
Bathtub Installation
Bathtub Surround Backing
Shower Diverter Problem
Rust In Bathtub
Bathroom Leak - Cabinets
Flat-pack Wardrobe Wobbles
Building Cabinets
Cabinet Edges - Chimneys & Fireplaces
Chimney Cleaning
Sooty Deposits Above Gas Fireplace
Hot Air Up Chimney!
Chimney Draft
Draft From Chimney
Chimney Repair - Cleaning
Cleaning a Garbage Disposal
Cleaning Raw Wood
Cleaning Air Ducts
Rust In Bathtub
Removing Sap From Wood
Sanding Dust
Removing Glue From Hardwood
Duct Cleaning
Removing Adhesive From Stained Wood
Corroding Brass
Stained Bathtub - Concrete
Concrete Slab Under Stove
Levelling A Concrete Patio
Repairing The Foundation On An Addition
Concrete Mix
Removing Concrete Step
How Much Does Concrete Cost? - Concrete Reinforcing
Using Steel Fibers in Concrete
Rebar In A Concrete Slab
Rebar, Wire Mesh or Fibers in a Slab? - Construction
Converting A Small Log Outbuilding As A Part-Time Habitat
Applying A textured Ceiling
Installing A Ceiling Medallion
Damaged Baseboard
Miter Joints Separate
Quantity Of Plies In Plywood
Jacking A Damaged Beam
Repairing Potholes In An Asphalt Driveway
Using Cantilevers
Crown Molding Installation
Redoing Floor On Front Porch
Replacing Cracked Bricks
Foundation Wall Cracks
Adding A Basement Underneath A House
Jacking Up A Floor
Constructing Rooms In A Clear Span Building
Floor Bounce
Removing Skim Coat From Basement Walls
Pier & Beam Foundation Problem - Decks
Egress Windows & Decks
Deck Board Spacing
Replacing Deck Boards
ACQ Pressure Treated Lumber
Cleaning a Redwood Deck
Composite Deck Material – Recall!
Deck Preservation
Constructing Deck Foundations
Using Cantilevers In Decks - Doors
What Are Architraves?
Towel Bars On Sliding Door Walls
Door Catches On Sloping Floor
Slamming Door Sounds Like Bomb
Sliding Glass Doors
Rough-in For Exterior Door
Storm Door Installation
Sawzall versus French Doors
French Doors
Installing Interior Doors - Drywall
Cracks In Ceiling Keep Reappearing
Drywall Repairs Showing Through Paint
What Direction Should I Hang Drywall On Walls?
Drywall Types
Drywall On Curved Wall
Drywall Over Stucco Ceiling
Removing a Popcorn Texture
Mixing Drywall Joint Compound
Repairing Baseball-Sized Hole in Drywall
Tearing Out Part Of Drywall
Repairing Holes In Drywall - Electrical
LED/Incandescent Christmas Tree Lights
Wiring An Electric Hot Water Tank
High & Low Voltage Cables
Flatwire
Two Wires On A Breaker
Grounding Rods & Standby Generators
Fuse Panel Replacement
Fuse Keeps Blowing
Identifying Electrical Circuits
Noisy Dimmer Switch
Broken Bulb Socket
CAT-5 Plenum versus Standard Cable
Dead Batteries In Smoke Detectors
Garbage Disposal Switches
Painting Outdoor Breaker Panels & Meters
How Does Smart Electrical Meter Work?
Preventing Power Failure
Intermittent Electrical Receptacles
Flickering Lights
Wiring a Light
Changing Fuses to Beakers
Breaker Tripping - Light Switch Is Turned On?
12/2 Wire On A 15 Amp Breaker
Fuse To Circuit Panel Upgrade
Upgrading An Electrical Service
Change Circuit Breaker Or Split Power?
Faulty Ceiling Fan Remote Control - Fences
Crooked Fence Posts
Paint Spray
Removing Wood Stain
Paintbrush Or Roller - Flooring
Bouncy Floor Near Toilet
Broken Corners On An Old Vinyl Floor
Why Are Area Rugs Popular Again?
Squeaky Floors
What Size Screws Should I Use?
Do We Have To Level Our House?
Asbestos In Flooring Adhesives
Professional Flooring Installers
Floor Bounce
Bathroom Floors - Consider The Toilet
Bathroom Floor
Concrete Slab Under Stove
Heating Floors - Flooring - Hardwood
Protecting New Hardwood Floors
Hardwood Flooring Over Sheet Vinyl
Hardwood Flooring On Concrete Sub-floor
Removing Staples From Hardwood Floors
Sanding Hardwood Floors
Hardwood Floor Project
Can't Afford To Refinish My Hardwood Floors
Gaps In Hardwood Flooring
Refinishing An Old Hardwood Floor
Waxing Hardwood Floors
Removing Glue From Hardwood
Hardwood Flooring Finish
Parque Floor Disaster! - Flooring - Laminate
Laminate Flooring On Walls?
Laminate Floors
Laminate Flooring - Buckling Problem - Garages
Weather Strip For Garage Door?
Why Replace Your Garage Door? - Gardening
Organic Fertilizers - Have Their Drawbacks!
Tree Pruning
Australia’s Drought
Gas, Battery, Hand or Electric Powered Tools?
Why Choose Lawn and Garden Tool Systems?
Proposal to Ban Gas Leaf Blowers
Gardening Without Chemicals
Gardening Is Good For The Environment
Hydroponic Indoor Gardening - Green
Solar Powered Water Features
Your Yard and Clean Air
Pollution Levels = Stroke
Conserving Water
California Acted On Pollution as Early as 1990
Gardening Is Good For The Environment
Gardening Without Chemicals
Proposal to Ban Gas Leaf Blowers
Gas, Battery, Hand or Electric Powered Tools?
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- Hinges
Door Catches On Sloping Floor
Kitchen Cabinet Hinges
Gate Hinge Problems
Removing Hinge Pins - HVAC
Boiler Service
Air Conditioners That Use Freon
Getting Shocked At Home
Radiator Heating Problem
Getting Sick When Furnace Comes On
Cleaning Air Ducts
How Do I Maintain A Wood Burning Stove?
Moving Air Conditioning Ducts
Cold Room With Forced Air Furnace
Water On My Windows & Ceiling
Hot Room
Roof Vent Installation
Heating Floors
Pilot Lights - Insulation
Drafts From Recessed Light Fixtures
Drafty Door & Baseboards
Reflective & Insulating Paint?
Attic Insulation - Kitchens
Refrigerator Preventative Maintenance
Inexpensive Backsplash
Cracks In Cultured Marble Sinks
Pewter Countertop
Cabinet Door Pull Screws Are Too Long
Grouting Granite Tile
Kitchen Remodeling - Range Hood
Kitchen Remodeling
Grout Type For A Kitchen Backsplash?
Kitchen Remodel Design
Removing Handle From Kitchen Faucet
Exposing A Brick Wall In Kitchen
Gasket Under Kitchen Sink Faucet
Stainless Steel Countertops
Concrete Slab Under Stove - Landscaping
Solar Powered Water Features
ACQ Pressure Treated Lumber
Gravel Driveway
Water Features & West Nile Virus
The Proper Method For Planting Trees
Removing A Tree House
Fasteners For Pressure Treated Lumber
Flagstone Versus Concrete For A Patio
Walkway Recommendations - Lighting
- Miscellaneous
Joining Pieces Of Baseboard
Carpet Pooling
Repairing Appliances & Other Devices
Sagging Closet Rod
Installing A Standby Generator
Length Of Curtain Rods
Picture Height
Falling Bookcase
Sagging Bookcase Shelves
Keeping On Top Of Home Service Items
Fixtures & Chattels
Locating A Buried PVC Pipe
Carpet Glue
Expired Silicone Caulking
Musty Smell - New Home
Rain Gutter Down Pipe Replacement
Dryer Vent Installation
How Do I Repair A Marble Dresser Top?
Musty Smell In Closet
Hanging Rugs On Walls
Removing A Tree House - Painting
Painting Picture Frames
Painting Copper Heating Pipes
Drywall Repairs Showing Through Paint
Painting Up To A Popcorn Ceiling
Painting With Urethane
Overspray With Paint Sprayer
Best Season To Paint
Polyurethane Versus Varnish
Right Ladder For Exterior Painting
Removing Wood Stain
Painting Door Casings & Trim
Painting Concrete Porch
Cracks In Newly Painted / Patched Walls?
Painting Outdoor Breaker Panels & Meters
Reflective & Insulating Paint?
Paint Spray
Paintbrush Or Roller - Plaster
Cracks In Ceiling Keep Reappearing
Hairline Cracks In Plaster Walls
Plaster Debris
Hanging Items On Plaster Walls
Plaster Wall Patch
Tearing Down Plaster Walls
Drywall Over Stucco Ceiling
Removing a Popcorn Texture - Plumbing
Convert Gallons to GPM
Plumber’s Putty With Cultured Marble
Copper Repiping
Problems With Compression Fittings
Flexible Pipe Couplings
Understanding Plastic Pipe
ABS Pipe Temperature/Pressure
Operating Pressure For PVC Pipe
Cast Iron To PVC Pipe Connector
Deglazing PVC Pipe
New Washing Machine Causes Noise In Pipes
Connecting Cast Iron To Pex Piping
Tankless Water Heaters
No Water Pressure From Well
Avoiding Clogged Drains
Clogged Drain
Air Admittance Valves
Sewer Gas Odor
Plumbing Vents - Roofs & Roofing
Draining A Flat Roof
Roof Moss Removal
Roofing Suggestions
New Roof, No Flashing!
Roof Vent Installation - Safety & Health
How Many Smoke Detectors?
Smoke Detector Service
Beeping Smoke Detector
Dead Batteries In Smoke Detectors
Getting Shocked At Home
Location of (CO) Detectors
Read & Follow The Manufacturer’s Instructions
Pollution Levels = Stroke - Siding
Vinyl Siding
Asbestos Siding Repair
Water Leak After New Siding Is Installed - Sound Proofing
Loud Music
Reducing Attic Floor Noise
Slamming Door Sounds Like Bomb
Efficient Sound Insulation For Walls
Sound Proofing For Residential Dwellings
Sound Proofing - Stairs & Staircases
Replacing Stair Railings & Banisters
Replacing A Staircase
Squeaky Staircase - Steel Studs
Steel Studs In House Construction
Installing Trim On Steel Studs - Tile
Epoxy Grout In Stall Shower
Glass Tile Wall Preparation
Drilling Ceramic Tile
Fast Setting Thinset
Grout Between Porcelain Tiles
Grout Type For A Kitchen Backsplash? - Toilets
Rocking Toilet
Toilet Drain Flange Extender
Cracked Toilet Tank
Toilet Repair
Toilet Flushing Problem
Toilet Leak
Bathroom Floors - Consider The Toilet - Wallpaper
Lumpy Wallpaper Paste
Wallpaper & Sconce Light Fixtures
Hanging Wallpaper in Corners - Windows
Egress Windows & Decks
Drafts From Replacement Windows
Adding Curtain Rods To Window Trim
Choosing The Right Windows For Your Home
Question About A Window Frame
Caulk Between Window Sill & Masonry Ledge
Water On My Windows & Ceiling
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