Family Handyman Tripp Lite, model TLP76MSG, Surge Protector and Power Strip Awhile ago, I created a power charging station where I could amass a bunch of my battery chargers. All the chargers were connected to one power strip. It did help organize my shop, but it always bugged me that all those chargers sprang to life when I turned on the power strip even when I only needed to charge one battery....
What is a paint can opener? As the name suggests, the primary function of a paint can opener is to open the pressed in lids of pint, quart and gallon paint cans. Usually made of steel, a paint can opener has a curved end to open paint cans. The beveled end fits between the lip of the lid and the lip of the can and the bend just past the beveled end allows for leverage to be applied to the lid....
If your fridge has a built-in ice machine, you may have occasionally noticed the ice cubes coming out gray in color. When this first happened to me, I didn’t know what to make of it. Was my fridge broken? Had my ice been poisoned somehow? Thankfully neither hypothesis was correct. That said, gray ice cubes in your fridge’s ice maker shouldn’t be ignored. Learn exactly what causes this unpleasant occurrence and the proper way of dealing with it....
Few things can transform the look and feel of a home like a fresh coat of paint. When it’s time to repaint your home, knowing how much it should cost can keep you from overpaying. Learn the best way to estimate the cost and the amount of paint you’ll need, along with the best time of year to paint and how often to do it. Benefits of Painting Your Home Raises your home’s value; Boosts curb appeal; Protects your home from termite and insect damage; Protects your home from moisture and mildew damage; Extends the lifespan of your siding; You can personalize the appearance....
iStock/Darren Townsend Mold Call a Pro for Mold Removal: If you can smell mold, but you can’t find the mold or moisture problem. If there is so much mold that you can’t remedy the problem easily. If there are highly susceptible individuals in your home. This could include those with respiratory conditions such as severe asthma or allergies, and those with a weakened immune system caused by HIV, chemotherapy or an organ transplant....
My desire to teach people to build a tiny house comes from the joy and satisfaction I felt designing and building a tiny house for my son and daughter-in-law. Structural integrity is key, but I firmly believe that the tiny home needs to be aesthetically pleasing as well as structurally sound. Skylights for homes are one way to add beauty, light and the illusion of space. Open-able skylights (sometimes called “roof windows”) do more to improve the atmosphere inside this tiny house than anything else....
Say goodbye to the fussy Christmas tree skirt and hello to the Christmas tree collar. Christmas tree skirts hide unattractive tree stands, provide a soft surface to place presents, and can be another tree decoration. But the tree skirt has been around almost as long as the tree stand, invented way back in 1879. Christmas decor trend-setters have decided it’s time for an update. Here’s our rundown of the trendy Christmas tree collar....
With months of lost income, health risks on the job and customers who’ve grown surlier during these long months of the pandemic, service workers have had a tough time of it. But there’s one bright spot for service workers: Many customers are tipping more generously, perhaps showing appreciation for workers who keep showing up in spite of all the stress. If you’re planning a house move or a long-distance move in the near future, you may wonder if the broad category of “service workers” includes movers....
A majority of American households have hard water, which includes minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water can cause rashes and dry skin, as well as build-up in pipes, faucets and appliances. Having soft water can make your life a little more comfortable; here are the top reasons why you need one. Mineral buildup from hard water, though, can be prevented with a water softener that removes those naturally occurring elements....
Dealing with patches of dry grass in your lawn can be a real challenge. They seem to mysteriously show up without warning and quickly wear out their welcome. Determining the reasons why those patches of dead grass are there in the first place will help you figure out a game plan to fix them once and for all. What Is Dry Grass? Dry grass is unhealthy or dead grass. It’s the result of an underlying problem that needs to be corrected before you can restore the area to its original healthy condition....
Slow yet fearless, the Florida Woods cockroach (Eurycotis floridana) is a southern pest, found primarily outside but known to wander indoors for a safe and food-filled shelter in the warmer climates around the world. What are Florida Woods Cockroaches Commonly found in the southeastern United States, the Florida Woods cockroach is a particularly foul-smelling roach, hence its name the Florida stinkroach. Larger and slower than some other types of cockroaches, this pest enjoys warm and moist climates, making Florida a perfect home for them,...
Thinking of switching from your old-school electric or gas stovetop to a next-generation induction model? You’re not alone. The increasing demand for energy-efficient and time-saving kitchen appliances has led many homeowners to take a closer look at these trendy — though costly — stoves. Induction stoves may have hit the headlines just recently, but this type of cooking technology has been around for decades. Frigidaire was the first to demonstrate induction stoves in the 1950s, and Westinghouse released residential models in the early 1970s....
Sponsored by Moen Though we like having the handheld sprayer, there have always been some problems. The sprayer fits into a little bracket, but sometimes twists so the spray goes sideways. My wife, who is almost blind when she takes her glasses off, has a heck of a time getting the sprayer back where it goes. And ditto for our grandchildren, who can’t reach it easily. However, the new Moen Attract handheld shower with magnetic docking may have solved all those problems....
Whether you already have a living room renovation in mind or you’re just looking to stock up on this painting necessity, paint roller deals are the perfect start to any paint project. Save on traditional paint rollers, textured roller covers and edgers in various sizes and materials—all that’s left to purchase is the paint bucket! As Sales Editor of Family Handyman and a self-identified DIY fanatic, I’m always looking for the best paint roller deals....
Sadeugra/Getty Images Common Bath Fan Problems and Solutions The humble bath fan does more than prevent a foggy mirror after a hot shower — it pulls moisture out of your house. Without it, excess humidity can cause mold growth and peeling paint, or bigger problems like rotten window frames, damaged drywall and wood decay inside walls. Repair costs can easily reach thousands of dollars. On This Page On the other hand, a fan that wasn’t installed properly can actually cause more damage than no fan at all....
When you’re ready to sell your first home, you need to be prepared for what is in store. Just like there are things you should know before buying your first home, the same goes for selling your first home. Parts of the home selling process can trigger strong emotions about the memories you’ve made. But it’s important to remember that the sale of a property is a business transaction. You’re Not Selling Your Memories, You’re Selling Property When you first list your home, it’s common to be excited and feel like you want to be the one to tell potential buyers all about the house....
We might be fussing over our gardens so much that we’re actually harming them. As it turns out, all of that tilling, spading, hoeing and weeding can be destructive because it disrupts the habitats and hard work of all those helpful little creatures who turn our plain dirt into rich soil. No-till gardens, AKA no-dig gardens, are growing in popularity because of their effectiveness and environmental benefits. In a no-till garden, you don’t turn or mix the soil to prep it for planting....
If you’ve done much interior painting, you probably agree it’s harder than it looks. One reason is the inherent difficulty of achieving a smooth wall surface. Modern paint rollers make the job much faster and easier, but there’s one problem: Many rollers are made of fibrous wool or a synthetic version of wool. This leaves the painted surface even but somewhat textured. Some homeowners find it ugly, preferring perfectly smooth, shiny walls....
Maple is a unique wood amongst the American hardwoods. One of the hardest domestic timbers, yet it is reasonably easy to machine and consequently used in a huge variety of applications. It is sought out for its strength, stiffness and density. The wood also has some of the most beautiful figure in variations such as fiddleback, quilted or bird’s eye. I will walk you through everything you need to know about maple to give you the confidence to use it in your next woodworking project....
When warmer temperatures arrive, so do mosquitoes. You know you need to protect your bare skin from these flying predators, but you also need to protect yourself from the diseases they can carry such as Zika and the West Nile Virus. Beyond that, they’re a nuisance, which is why we’ll go to great lengths to keep mosquitoes away from our home and ourselves. As far as personal mosquito repellent, products with DEET are considered the best choice to keep the playing pests away....
