For Lucas Hall, finding that answer has been trial and error. As a “DIY landlord” for more than two years and founder of Landlordology, an online resource for landlords, he’s gutted three homes and renovated countless others. “I’m just handy enough to be dangerous,” Hall says. He’s suffered more than his fair share of …
4 Ways to Avoid DIY Mistakes — From a DIYer Who’s Made Them All Read More »
Old wiring—even knob and tube wiring that dates back to the early 20th century—isn’t inherently dangerous, but unless you were around when the house was built, you can’t be sure the electrical system is up to code. Plus, materials such as wire insulation can deteriorate over time. Safety issues with old wiring Faulty wiring is …
Keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Hot water heaters work hard for you, providing warm baths, clean clothes, and sparkling pots and pans. So show your water heater some love by following a routine maintenance schedule that will keep it running for its 15-year expected lifetime, and perhaps …
Chlorine keeps swimming pools safe and clean, but there are alternatives to chlorine if you’re willing to pay the price. Chlorine is popular because it handles the three main jobs in keeping a swimming pool clean: It sanitizes (kills bacteria and germs), oxidizes (controls organic debris from perspiration and body oils), and deters algae. The …
We turned to three bloggers for ideas on how to tackle some little, but nagging, household wall and floor issues. A Made-Up Drywall Repair The problem: Concealing drywall damage is a tricky business that requires a handful of drywall tools and materials to make walls look like new. To fix coin-sized holes, many traditionalists use …
