Shutterstock / Africa Studio Things You Need to Wash Every Day: Dishes — It’s just so much simpler to wash a dish after using it at home. That way no one has to try to balance a plate in the sink and no one has to yell about people doing chores. Here are some valuable tips on how to get kids to do chores. Bathroom Surfaces — This should be a daily task just to make prevent an accumulation of unsightly things....
There’s an old expression attributed to Benjamin Franklin: “Time is money.” That phrase carries a lot of weight when trying to decide if you should hire a contractor for electrical work or perform it yourself. Electrical contractors know how precious time is. They have a business to run and workers who need to be paid. They must generate revenue to cover expenses and make a profit. As a homeowner, your time is also a commodity....
Most of us can agree that chipmunks are adorable. From the chirping sound they make to their fat, puffy cheeks and feather boa-like tails, who doesn’t love watching these furry little critters scampering about? Although chipmunks don’t usually cause extensive destruction to property, they do dig up gardens while harvesting fruits and nuts. And their burrowing can damage patios, retaining walls, stairs and foundations. Here, we take a closer look at chipmunks: What they are, what they eat, if they’re dangerous or not, and reasons why you might want to get rid of them....
Chainsaws are versatile tools, great for light pruning, cutting up firewood and more. With all that use, eventually you’ll need to replace your chainsaw bar or chain. But before you buy, know the exact size of each. “Using the wrong size bar or chain can damage the chainsaw and injure the chainsaw operator,” says Vince Christofora of Woodstock Hardware. Read on to learn how to measure your chainsaw’s bar and chain....
mariusz_prusaczyk/Getty Images In mid-March, the Associated General Contractors of America released a survey reporting that more than one-quarter of contractors had at least one project shut down by government officials due to the coronavirus pandemic. Less than two weeks later the AGC published another survey, this time showing the number of projects cancelled by project owners. According to the survey results, 39 percent of contractors reported project owners asking them to delay or halt work....
Family Handyman Chances are you’ve seen paper and fiberglass mesh drywall tape on the shelves of your local home improvement store. What’s the difference? To help you choose the better tape for your application, we’ll look at three factors: adhesion, strength/flexibility and moisture resistance. Adhesion Mesh drywall tape has a tacky backing, allowing it to stick to the wall on its own. Paper tape needs to be embedded in a layer of joint compound....
A tractor’s horsepower (hp) rating is one of the factors that determine whether a tractor is compact (about 25 to 50 hp) or subcompact (typically less than 25 hp). Specification charts aside, buy the tractor best suited for the tasks you need to get done. If you need a tractor to lift round hay bales, choose a compact or larger model. For most homeowner chores, however, a subcompact tractor will work just fine....
Justin Paget/Getty Images Unlimited Home WiFi: A Thing of the Past? With families spending more time at home because of the pandemic, home data usage is on the rise. Under one roof, families are working from home, learning remotely and overall logging more time online. All these activities contribute to a large spike in data usage. On This Page Keep America Connected Pledge In March 2020 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its Keep America Connected Pledge, which saw more than 750 broadband and wireless companies promise to waive late fees and not cut off service because of the coronavirus pandemic....
There’s nothing worse than stepping out into a cold parking lot only to find your car won’t start. While there could be a few reasons your vehicle isn’t starting, a dead battery is a common cause. You can always jump start your car in those situations, but it’s still best to avoid them. And the best way to do that is to take proper care of your battery. But batteries don’t last forever, and eventually, you will have to replace your car battery....
Few things are more discouraging for a DIYer than trying to remove a badly stripped screw head, whether joining wood or other materials. If the head of the screw is so damaged your driver bit or screwdriver can’t grab and turn it, you’re facing a big headache trying to get the screw out. That’s why we tested this trending internet hack, which claims to provide a fast, easy, and foolproof way to remove stripped screws with a regular handheld drill....
One of the most popular siding options for the outside of a home is also one of the oldest. Stucco has been used for centuries and it remains a popular choice for residential siding. Nearly 25 percent of single-family homes built today feature stucco siding, according to a 2019 report from the Stucco Manufacturers Association. It ranks as the second-most popular siding in the U.S. behind vinyl. Here’s why it’s a top choice for so many homeowners....
For the grilling novice, nothing is more reassuring than a meat thermometer and Meater has one of the best meat thermometer’s out there. Meater Meat Thermometer Advantages What makes Meater’s meat thermometer special is that it monitors the internal temperature and the external temperature of your meat while on the grill. From there, it’ll estimate the cook time for your meat, depending upon the temperature you want it at and what you’re cooking....
The United States construction industry in May began to recover from the hollowing impact of the coronavirus, adding back 446,000 jobs over the course of the month. Even with this marked rebound that produced 237,000 net new jobs, construction employment remains 596,000 jobs below its most recent peak in February. “For contractors, this is purely good news,” Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors, said in a press release....
When it comes to a lifesaving need for warmth, adventurers — including pioneering Mount Everest climbers in the 1920s — have turned to down coats. “[Down is] so lofty and traps so much air,” says Patric Richardson, The Laundry Evangelist and owner of Mona Williams, a laundry and designer vintage clothing store at Minnesota’s Mall of America. “That’s what keeps it warm. And it’s so lightweight.” If you already own a down coat or are considering buying one, here’s what makes down stand out, and how to make sure it keeps you warm for decades....
Each year U.S. fire departments respond to more than 300,000 home fires. Those start in all sorts of ways, from people falling asleep smoking to setting the Christmas tree ablaze. But about half start at the kitchen stove, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). “In approximately 80 percent of all fire incidents, a simple portable fire extinguisher is all that is needed to put out the fire,” says Thaddeus Harrington, public affairs specialist with the U....
Many homeowners are still cleaning up the messes left behind by hurricanes, wildfires and other severe weather this past summer. And we’re likely to experience more severe weather in the months to come, resulting in additional damage to homes and properties throughout the U.S. Homeowners insurance to the rescue? Maybe. But homeowners insurance policies vary, so don’t make any assumptions. Depending on the fine print, your policy may not provide coverage for all the damage your home sustains in a catastrophic event, weather-related or not....
Growing and cultivating lush and vibrant houseplants is a great way to bring nature into your home — if you know how to take care of them, of course. But for people lacking that green thumb, houseplants can quickly transform from a lovely centerpiece into an unsightly, withered weed. But what if there was a way for to grow houseplants without fearing they’ll be dried up and dead within a few weeks?...
Motor oil flows throughout a vehicle’s engine to keep it lubricated, cushioned and cleaned. How easily that oil flows depends on its viscosity, or weight. Motor oils with lower viscosity are thinner and flow faster than motor oils with higher viscosity, which are thicker. Here are the different types of motor oil to help you make the right choice. When mechanics say it’s time to “winterize” your car, they usually mean changing out your motor oil for oil with lower viscosity....
Pop quiz: What’s the leading cause of a central air conditioner breakdown? Answer: A dirty filter. Clogged and dusty filters block airflow, cause dirt to build up on the evaporator coils and ultimately can lead to motor failure. Regularly replacing your air filters is the single most important thing you can do to keep your central air conditioner running efficiently. Ready for your crash course on filters? Let’s get started!...
Icy, snowy roads in much of the country demand salt and other ice-melt techniques to make them passable in winter. While road salt (i.e. snow salt or ice salt) and brines are critical to keeping roads safe, they can damage your vehicle. How Does Road Salt Harm Cars and Trucks? Most components of cars, including the body, suspension and brake parts, are made of steel, which itself is an alloy of iron with carbon and other elements....
