10 Tips For A Pittsburgh Home Inspection


Performing a home inspection is an efficient way to identify problems with your property, so you can make necessary repairs and boost your home’s property value. The following tips will help you inspect some of the most complex and major systems in your home, so you can keep your property in good repair. 1. Inspect Your Attic Joists for Rotten Wood Wood that is rotten is generally soft, stained and cracked. Once you find a piece of wood that looks damaged, you can find out for sure if the wood is truly rotten by performing the screwdriver test. Poke the […]

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How To Clear A Green Swimming Pool


Clearing a green swimming pool takes experience and knowledge of the way swimming pools function. If you’ve never taken care of a swimming pool in the past and have no knowledge of restoring chemical balance to swimming pools, then this project may be a little advanced for you. When it comes to swimming pool maintenance, it’s a good idea to start with simple tasks and work your way up to more advanced maintenance later. That said, if you’re already somewhat experienced with swimming pool maintenance, then this is the right task for you. Clear the Swimming Pool Use your net […]

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Cover A Water Stained Ceiling


Ceiling leaks are inconvenient for a variety of reasons. Not only do they ruin possessions and cost money to repair, but the stains from plumbing leaks can be difficult to cover up with standard paint. Knowing how to cover stains from ceiling leaks so that the stains will stay gone is an important part of the clean up process when a leak is repaired. The following tips will help you get the job done. Gather Your Materials Stain-sealing primer Ceiling paint Paint scraper Sand paper Rags Paint brushes Paint tray Stir stick Tarps Paint Over the Stain Allow the stain […]

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Unclog An Ice Maker Water Line


A clogged ice maker water line may sound like a bad problem to have, but most of the time the process of unclogging the water line isn’t very tough. The greatest challenge about this project is finding the cause of the problem, because unfortunately, there are many small things that can cause the refrigerator to stop producing ice. Getting Started Unplug the refrigerator and move it out from the wall. When you do this, you’ll also need to close the water line that leads to the ice maker. The valve should be near the back of the refrigerator. Then, disconnect […]

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Repair Water Leaking Behind Your Shower Tile


Grout is a relatively imperfect product which can deteriorate over time. In a shower surround, grout that crumbles can allow water to seep into the drywall behind the tile. This kind of leak can cause hundreds of dollars of damage in a relatively short period of time. Knowing what to do to solve the problem can save you money on a contractor or plumber. In this post, we’ll discuss the best way to fix a leak and repair the damage. Materials Crowbar Drywall Saw Grout saw Sand paper Tongs Utility knife Cement backerboard Hammer Roofing nails Mastic Notched trowel Bucket […]

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How To Clear A Green Swimming Pool


Clearing a green swimming pool takes experience and knowledge of the way swimming pools function. If you’ve never taken care of a swimming pool in the past and have no knowledge of restoring chemical balance to swimming pools, then this project may be a little advanced for you. When it comes to swimming pool maintenance, it’s a good idea to start with simple tasks and work your way up to more advanced maintenance later. That said, if you’re already somewhat experienced with swimming pool maintenance, then this is the right task for you. Clear the Swimming Pool Use your net […]

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Remove Pesky Water Stains From A Toilet


Mineral buildup from hard water can be very difficult to remove, especially when it’s staining your toilet bowl. That’s why there are so many tutorials online that discuss the removal of hard water stains. There are a variety of cleaners on the market that can help you get rid of those stains, but you may be pleased to learn that one of the most effective cleaners is also one of the cheapest and most natural. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to clean your toilet properly and also talk to you about the best methods of prevention. Tools To […]

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Pipes Make Noise When Toilet Flushes


Banging pipes after a toilet is flushed is a common occurrence in residential properties. Unfortunately, this banging noise is a symptom of a problem that can cause damage to your pipes. Understanding why these noises occur and knowing what you can do to stop the noise can help you take care of your property. In this post, we’ll go over the causes and solutions. What’s Causing the Noise The banging noise you hear after your toilet flushes is very likely caused by a problem known as "water hammer." To understand what’s happening your plumbing, imagine that water flows through your […]

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Why Should You Install a French Drain


If you have water drainage problems on your property, a French drain is an effective and straightforward drainage system that can help rid your property of excess water. Knowing what a French drain is and how it works can help you decide whether or not this type of drainage system is right for your home. What is a French drain? A French drain is a pipe placed in the ground to collect rain water. French drains are often used in yards and in basements that have drainage problems. French drains are used to transport excess water to low lying areas […]

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How To Make A Homemade Flood Alarm


This is an interesting idea for homeowners who have basements that flood: make your own flood alarm. This device, first invented by a trio of high school students in Penang, was created to warn people who need to know about the rise of flood waters on a property. When the water level reaches 3 or 4 inches in height, an alarm sounds to warn people nearby. Making The Alarm Making your homemade flood alarm is going to require some ingenuity, because unfortunately, the inventors of the original model have not provided the world with very clear step-by-step instructions. In this […]

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