Family Handyman Do-It-Yourself Basics: Save Money, Solve Problems, Improve Your Home

ANotetoOurReadersAlldo-it-yourselfactivitiesinvolveadegreeofrisk.Skills,materials,toolsandsiteconditionsvarywidely.Althoughthe editors have made every effort to ensure accuracy, the readerremainsresponsiblefortheselectionanduseoftools,materialsandmethods. Always obey local codes and laws, follow manufacturerinstructionsandobservesafetyprecautions.

PricingProfessionalservicesandsuppliescanvarywidelydependingonthemarket. Those listed are average costs and are just a guide to costsavings.

Contents

Chapter1

MASTERTOOLSMasterthehammerDrivescrewslikeaproMasteryourdrillWrenchorpliers?MeasureaccuratelyFindastud

Chapter2

ELECTRICALTroubleshootingadeadoutletInstallanin-linecordswitchFixaflickeringlampReplaceaproblemplugReplacealampsocketReplaceapull-chainlightfixtureReplaceafluorescentlightbulbandsocketHowtobalanceaceilingfanHowtoinstallaprogrammablethermostatHowtoinstalladimmerswitchReplaceaphonejackRepairtheTVremote

Chapter3

PLUMBINGShutoffthemainwatervalveReplaceasinksprayerandhoseHowtofixachippedsinkRestorefreeflowtoacloggedaeratorUnclogabathroomsinkwithoutchemicalsQuicklyfixleakycartridge-typefaucetsRepairawasher-typefaucetUnclogashowerheadInstallscaldprotection

HowtofixaleakingshutoffvalveHowtofixacloggedtoiletToiletrunning—fixtheflushvalveToiletseatrepairQuickfixforasluggishtoiletHowtofixsweatingpipesStopasmallplumbingleakStopbangingwaterlinesonyourwashingmachineInstantwatersoftenerfixes

Chapter4

APPLIANCESFixaleakingfridgeStraightensaggingrefrigeratordoorswithtwoturnsofawrench!ClearandcleanrefrigeratordripopeningsFridgeorfreezerwon’tcoolRepairanelectricrangeburnerthatwon’theatGasrangewon’tlight?CleantheigniterHowtoadjustoventemperaturesRemovescratchesfromstainlesssteelappliancesDishwashernotcleaningdishes—trythesesolutionsHowtofixasmellydishwasherGarbagedisposerfixesHowtoreplaceagarbagedisposersplashguardQuietanoisywasherFixaslow-fillingwasherFront-loadingwasherwon’tdrainDryerlintcleaningtipsProtips!Clothesdampafteranormalcycle—trythesequickfixesHowtoreplaceavacuumcleanerbeltVacuumnotpickingupdirt—cleanoutclogsACwon’tcomeon?Checkthefuse

Chapter5

WINDOWSANDDOORSShortenhorizontalblindsReplaceawindowscreenReplaceacasementwindowcrankoperatorStopdraftsaroundwindowsanddoorsRepairingaloosedoorhandleDoorsticking—fixhingescrewsHowtostopadoorfromswingingopenHowtomakeperfect-closingscreendoorsReplaceabrokenscreen-orstorm-doorhandleHowtostopdoordraftsaroundentrydoorsAdustadraggingshowerdoor

Chapter6

WALLSANDFLOORS

PatchadrywallholefastRepairadrywallcrackFixsmallholesandnailpopsHangpicturesstraightandlevelHowtoremoveawallanchorwithoutwreckingyourwallHowtorepairdamagedwallpaperFixbadwallpaperseamsStraightenbubblingwallpaperPaintwallstheeasyway!Protips!MaskingtipsfortheperfectpaintjobProtips!TipsforaperfectpaintjobHowtocaulkatubPatchavinylfloorReplaceadamagedfloortileRepaircarpetsnagsDIYcarpetcleaning

Chapter7

CLEANINGRemovestainsfromplasticlaminatecountertopsCleanastinkygarbagedisposerHowtocleanovendoorglassCleanrangehoodgreasefilterswithadegreaserCleankitchencabinetsMicrowave—steamawaymessesHowtogetredwine,coffee,andtomatosaucestainsoutofcarpetsHowtoremovewaxfromacarpetCarpetcleaningtipsforpetownersCleanwoodwithmineralspiritsErasewhiteringsPolishandrenewwoodfurnitureAttackclosetmildewRemovesoapscumfromtileProtips!MicrofiberclothsProtectyourshowerdoorsfrommineralbuildupHowtowhitengrimygroutHowtowashwindows

Chapter8

EXTERIORStopinvasiveplantsfromtakingoveryourgardenHelpforroot-boundplantsMunch-proofyourflowerbulbsLightenthoseheavypotsProtips!WateringtipsforalushlawnEliminategrubsFixdogspotsongrassCreateacleangardenbededgeInstallasimplerweedtrimmerhead

ProtectoutdoorfurnitureReplaceloose,poppeddecknailsPatchleakyguttersReattachloosevinylsidingPatchholesinaluminumandvinylsidingCleanvinylsidingEasyshinglerepair

Chapter9

AUTOCarwon’tstart—here’swhattodoReplacethe4mostneglectedbulbsinyourvehicleReplaceawindshieldwiperbladeWindshieldwiperarmreplacementHowtofixaleakingsunroofReplacethegasliftonyourcar’shoodPatchatear/holeinleatherorvinylHowtorepairchippedcarpaintWinterizecarwindowsanddoorsLubricatecarlocks,hingesandlatchesMakeyourtireslastProtips!DiagnosingtireproblemsRefurbisholdplasticwheelcoversProtips!Addpizzazzwithbright-coloredpeelablepaintCleandimheadlights

Safetyfirst–always!Tacklinghomeimprovementprojectsandrepairscanbeendlesslyrewarding.Butasmostofusknow,withthe

rewardscomerisks.Thegoodnewsis,armedwiththerightknowledge,toolsandprocedures,homeownerscan

minimizerisk.Asyougoaboutyourprojectsandrepairs,stayalertforthesehazards:

AluminumwiringAluminumwiring, installed inabout7millionhomesbetween1965and 1973, requires special techniques and materials to make safeconnections. This wiring is dull gray, not the dull orangecharacteristicof copper.Hirea licensedelectriciancertified toworkwith it. For more information go to cpsc.gov and search for“aluminumwiring.”

SpontaneouscombustionRagssaturatedwithoilfinisheslikeDanishoilandlinseedoil,andoil-based paints and stains can spontaneously combust if left bunchedup.Alwaysdrythemoutdoors,spreadoutloosely.Whentheoilhasthoroughlydried,youcansafelythrowtheminthetrash.

VisionandhearingprotectionSafetyglassesorgoggles shouldbewornwheneveryou’reworkingonDIYprojectsthatinvolvechemicals,dustandanythingthatcouldshatterorchipoffandhityoureye.Soundslouderthan80decibels(dB)areconsideredpotentiallydangerous.Soundlevelsfromalawnmowercanbe90dB,andshoptoolsandchainsawscanbe90to100dB.

LeadpaintIfyourhomewasbuiltbefore1979,itmaycontainleadpaint,whichisa serioushealthhazard,especially forchildren6andunder.Takeprecautionswhenyouscrapeorremoveit.Contactyourpublichealth

department for detailed safety information or call (800) 424-LEAD(5323)toreceiveaninformationpamphlet.Orvisitepa.gov/lead.

BuriedutilitiesA few days before you dig in your yard, have your undergroundwater, gas and electrical lines marked. Just call 811 or go tocall811.com.

Smokeandcarbonmonoxide(CO)alarmsThe risk of dying in reported home structure fires is cut in half inhomes with working smoke alarms. Test your smoke alarms everymonth,replacebatteriesasnecessaryandreplaceunitsthataremorethan10yearsold.Asyoumakeyourhomemoreenergy-efficientandairtight, existing ducts and chimneys can’t always successfully ventcombustion gases, including potentially deadly carbon monoxide(CO). Install a UL-listed CO detector, and test your CO and smokealarmsatthesametime.

Five-gallonbucketsandwindowcoveringcordsFrom 1996 to 1999, 58 children under age 5 drowned in 5-gallonbuckets.Always store themupsidedownand storeones containingliquidwiththecoverssecurelysnapped.

AccordingtoParents forWindowBlindSafety,599childrenhavebeenseriously injuredorkilledintheUnitedStatessince1986afterbecoming entangled in looped window treatment cords. For moreinformation,visitpfwbs.orgorcpsc.gov.

WorkinguphighIf you have to get up on your roof to do a repair or installation,alwaysinstallroofbracketsandweararoofharness.

AsbestosTexturesprayedonceilingsbefore1978,adhesivesandtilesforvinylandasphaltfloorsbefore1980,andvermiculiteinsulation(withgraygranules) all may contain asbestos. Other buildingmaterials, madebetween1940and1980, couldalso containasbestos. If you suspectthatmaterialsyou’reremovingorworkingaroundcontainasbestos,

contact your health department or visit epa.gov/asbestos forinformation.

→Foradditionalinformationabouthomesafety,visitmysafehome.org.Thissiteoffershelpfulinformationaboutdozens

ofhomesafetyissues.

Masterthehammer

Drivescrewslikeapro

Masteryourdrill

Wrenchorpliers?

Measureaccurately

Findastud

Masterthehammer→Whichweight?A16-oz.hammerisrightformostjobs.

Avoidhammerswithajagged“waffle”textureonthestrikingface.Whenyoumissanail,theydouglythingstosurfaces—oryourthumb.

→StyleThebasichouseholdhammerisacurvedclawbutconsideraversatileripclaw.Whenswungbackwardsitcandigholes,splitwoodandhelpbreakupstuff.

NAILSET

→NailingGriphammerneartheend,lightlybutfirmly.Keepingwriststraight,letthehammerfallnaturally,aidedbyshoulderandupperarm.Hammerthenailtowithin1/8in.ofsurface;countersinktheheadwithnailset.Touseanailset,positionitspointovertheheadofthenailandstrikethetopwithahammer.Filltheholewithwoodputty.(Anailsetisapunch-shapedtooldesignedtosink,orset,nailsbeneaththesurfaceofthewood.)→PullsidewaysTheusualwaytopullanailistolevertheclawstraightup.Butwhenanailwon’tbudge,yankthehandletotheside.Thatputsthepivotpointclosertothenailformorepullingpower.

→PullagainstablockAsmallblockundertheclawdoestwothings:Itprotectsthesurfacebeneathitand

providesmorepullingpower,especiallyafterthenailispartiallyremoved.

protips!

→Holdingasmallnailorbradwhenyoustartisdifficult.Stickthenailthroughoneendofafoldedsheetofstiffpaper.Usingthepaperasaholder,driveinthenail.Thenbeforeseating,tearthepaperaway.

CAUTION:Weargoggles;amiss-hitcansendanailflying.

Drivescrewslikeapro→StyleAscrewdrivershouldhaveacomfortablenonslip

handleandacrisplymachinedbladetip.

→SizeThebladeshouldbethesamewidthasthescrewheadandshouldfittheslotsnugly.Iftoolarge,theblademaynotfittheslotandcandamagesurroundingsurface;iftoosmall,theblademayslipanddamagetheslot.

→DrillbeforeyoudriveInmostcases,youcandriveconstructionscrewswithoutdrillingahole.Ifyouarehavingtrouble,useanawltomakeapilotholeinwood.Forlargerscrewsandmasonry,grabadrillbitthat’sslightlysmallerthanthediameterofthescrew.You’llalsoavoidsplittingthewoodasthescrewsinksin.

→ChoosebetterscrewsPhillips-headscrewsarealoteasiertodrivethanscrewswithasingleslot.Butwhenitcomestoavoidingcam-out,someareevenbetter—“square-drive”screws,andTorx.Avoidtraditionalwoodscrews;theysimplydon’tpenetratewoodaseasilyasmodern“construction”screwsthathavesharpertips.

→Pushhard,reallyhardPressureisthebestpreventionforcam-out.Withenoughpressurebehindit,thebladesimplycan’tslipoutofthescrewhead’sslot.

→ForspeedAsmallelectricscrewdriverspeedsmanytasks,especiallyapplianceandelectronicsrepairs.Usealarger

modeloradrillequippedwithscrewdriverbitforheavyjobs.

→Drivescrewsatanangle“Toescrewing”takessomepractice.Itallowsyoutomakeconnectionsyouotherwisecouldn’tandtohidescrewsunderboardswheretheywon’tbeseen(underadeckrailingasshownhere,forexample).Tomakeiteasier,drillapilotholebeforedriving.Ortryitwithoutapilothole,usingthistwo-steptechnique.

1.Borestraightintothesurfacewithadrillbitthat’sslightlysmallerthanthescrewyou’lluse.

2.Whenyou’vedrilledabout1/8in.intothewood,keepthebitspinningwhileyoushiftthedrilltoasharpangle.

→Standardblade →Phillipsblade →Square-drive→Torxblade

CAUTION:Neveruseslotted-headdriversforPhillips-headscrews.

protips!

→Specialscrewdriversmakeiteasiertoinstallscrewsinawkwardplaces.Useastubbyoranoff-setscrewdriverwherespaceislimited.

Masteryourdrill

→Anelectricdrilliseasytouseevenforabeginner.Whileitsprimarypurposeisboringholes,apowerdrillcanalsodrivescrews,sandandpolishsurfaces,removerustandstrippaint.

→DrillTodrillastraightholeandavoidbreakingabit,holdthedrillsothattheforceyouexerthelpspushthebitstraightin.Placethepalmofyourhandinlinewiththechuck,extendingyourindexfingeralongthedrillbody.Pullthetriggerwithyoursecondfinger.

→StraightinTodrillaholethat’sperfectlyperpendiculartothesurface,tacktwoscrapsofwoodtogetherandusetheinsidecornerasaguide.

→Howdeep?Whendrillingtoaprecisedepth,markthedepthonthebitwithapieceofmaskingtape.Cutthepiecealittlelongandsticktheoverlappingendstogethertomakeaflag.Whentherightdepthisreached,theflagwillbrushawaythedebris.

→BitsAbentbitislikelytobreakanddamageyourwork.Bitsbendeasily,sotestthemforstraightnessbeforeuse.Rollitslowlywithyourfingertipsonaflatsurface.Ifthebitwobbles,it’sbentandneedstobediscarded.

TwistbitThestandardchoiceformostholesupto1/2in.Itboresthroughwood,drywallandmetal.

ModifiedtwistbitIt’sliketheoldstandard,butwithareengineeredtipforfasterdrilling,easierstartingand

cleanerholes.

Brad-pointbitThepointedtipletsyoupositionaholewithperfectprecision,andthesharpouteredges

eliminatewoodsplintering.

MasonrybitThecarbidetipgrindsintoconcrete,mortar,brick,stuccoorstone.

Tilebit

Itboresintoceramictileandevenglass.Someversionsworkwithporcelaintile;othersdon’t.

SpadebitThisisthemosteconomicalbitfordrillinglargeholes(upto2in.)inwoodordrywall.Some

modelshaveascrewtipforfasterdrilling.

CAUTION:Whendrilling,rememberthattheremaybeasurpriseontheotherside.Andifyouhitsomethingthatdoesn’tfeelright,stop.

Wrenchorpliers?→AdjustablewrenchOpentheadjustablewrenchby

turningthescrewmechanism.Thiswillopenthejawofthewrench.Makesureitisopenabitmorethanthesizeofthenut.Sliptheopenjawoverthenutandturnthescrewmechanismsothatitclampstightlyaroundthenut.Turninaclockwisedirectiontotightenit,orcounter-clockwisetoloosenit.Removethewrenchbylooseningthescrewmechanism.(Neveruseadjustableswherealotoftwistingforceisrequired.They’llbreakorslipoffboltheadsifyouapplytoomuchforce.)→CombinationwrenchesThesewrencheshavetwodifferentends—aU-shapedopenendandanenclosed“boxend.”Theboxendslipsoverthetopofnutsandbolts,theopenendslipsinfromtheside.

→SocketwrenchsetAllsetsincludeawrenchhandle,anassortmentofdetachablesockets(sizedtofitdifferentnutsandbolts)andacoupleofextensions.Thesesnapinplacebetweenthewrenchhandleandsockets,extendingthereachofthetoolintodeeperlocations.

NEEDLE-NOSEPLIERS

→Needle-nosepliersNeedle-nosepliersarefinessetoolsthatletyousneakintoconfinedspacesandgrabthingsthataretoosmallforyourfingersorbendwire.Theycomeinbothregularandcurved-jawstyles.

→Slip-jointpliersTheseadjusttotwoormorepositionstoaccommodatedifferent-sizework.Combinationjawsgripflatorcurvedobjects.Somemodelsincludeacrimper.

→LockingpliersGenericallycalled“visegrips,”theycometogetherlikeapairofregularpliersasyoubegintosqueezethem,buttheylockshutwhenclosedalltheway.Theyaresoldinahugevarietyofsizesandjawstyles.

→Channel-lockpliersTheyuseanadjustablejawdesigntogripvarioussizesofround,hexagonalorflatobjects.Thewidthoftheirclosedjawsrangesfromzeroto4inches,dependingonthesizeofpliers.

CAUTION:Alwaysturnanutwithawrench.Usingpliersforthispurposewillroundtheedgesofthenutandmakeitevenhardertoremovelateron.

Measureaccurately→AccuratemeasurementsUsethesamemeasuringtools

throughoutanyprojectyouundertake.Twoseeminglyidenticalmeasuringtoolscanbeoffbyupto1/16in.,enoughtoadverselyaffectarepair.

→BurnaninchThehookattheendofatapemeasureisdesignedtoslipinandoutalittle.Thatmovementcompensatesforthethicknessofthehook,dependingonwhetheryou’retakinginsideoroutsidemeasurements.Butabenthookorwornrivetscanleadtoinaccuracy.Sowhenyouneedprecision,bypasshook-relatederrorsbyholdingthetapeatthe1-in.markandmakingyourmarkexactly1in.beyondthedesiredmeasurement.

→LongerisbetterA20-ft.tapemeasureisbetterthana10-footer,evenifyoudon’tneedtomeasurethatfar.Longertapesgenerallyhaveawider,stifferbladethatwillextendfartherwithoutbendingandfallingtothefloor.Thatmeansyoucanmeasurelongerdistanceswithoutahelperholdingoneend.

→Measureup,notdownWhenmeasuringsomethingtall,workwithgravity,notagainstit.Tomeasureceilingheight,forexample,buttthetapeagainstthefloorandextendittotheceiling.Bendthetapeattheceilingand“eyeball”themeasurement.You’llbeabletogetwithin1/4in.oftheexactheight.

→MeasuretwiceforlongstretchesWhenyouneedtomeasurealongspananddon’thaveahelpertoholdthetape,taketwomeasurementsandaddthemup.Thisisalsoasuper-accuratewaytomeasureaspacethat’senclosedonbothends—insideadrawer,forexample.

1.Measurehalfwaytoaspotnearthecenterandmakeamarkexactlyatthenearestfoot.

2.Measurefromtheothersideandtallyupthetwomeasurements.

CAUTION:Atapemeasurecanhurtyou—really.Soundscrazy,butanycarpenterwillagree:Whenataperetractsfromseveralfeetout,itcanpickupspeedandslamintoyourfingerwithpainfulforce.Slowitdownbyholdingyourfingeragainsttheundersideoftheblade.

Findastud→What’sastud?Studsaresimplythevertical2x4s(or2x6s)

thatformtheskeletoninsideawall.Forheavy-dutyprojects,youneedtoknowexactlywheretheyare.Butformostjobs—likehangingpicturesortowelbars—drywallanchorsarestrongenough.

→StudspacingStudsareusuallycentered16in.apart(orsometimes24in.).Soifyoufindone,youcanfindotherswithonlyatapemeasure.

→Findingstuds

1.Thehigh-techwayYoucanpickupanelectronicstudfinderatanyhomecenterforlessthan20bucks.Justrunthegadgethorizontallyacrossthewallanditwilltellyouwhenitsensesastud.Studfindersworkgreatondrywall.Sometimestheyworkwellonoldplasterandlathwalls,sometimesnot.

2.Thedetective’swayIfyoudon’thaveastudfinderhandy,oritwon’tworkonyourplasterwalls,don’tgiveup.Thebuildersofyourhouseleftsomeclues:

a.NailholesBaseboardsarealmostalwaysnailedtostuds.Examinethemcloselyandyou’llfindtinydotsofwoodfillerthatrevealastudlocation.

b.SwitchesandoutletsElectricaljunctionboxesareusuallyfastenedtostuds.Todeterminewhichsideoftheboxisattachedtothestud,you’llhavetounscrewthecoverplate.Thenslipinabusinesscardalongtheoutersideoftheboxandfeelforthestud.

protips!

→There’snoneedtomarkupwallswithapencil;ascrapofmaskingtapewilldo.Ifyouneedpinpointprecision,stickonthetape,thenmarkwithapencil.

Troubleshootingadeadoutlet

Installanin-linecordswitch

Fixaflickeringlamp

Replaceaproblemplug

Replacealampsocket

Replaceapull-chainlightfixture

Replaceafluorescentlightbulbandsocket

Howtobalanceaceilingfan

Howtoinstallaprogrammablethermostat

Howtoinstalladimmerswitch

Replaceaphonejack

RepairtheTVremote

Troubleshootingadeadoutlet

PROFESSIONALCOST:$45

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$45

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSVoltagetester

When an outlet goes dead, it’s easy to jump to conclusions andassume the worst. But more often than not, the problem issomethingsimple,andyoucansavethecostofaservicecall justbytaking a few steps to trace the cause. Don’t worry if you’re notcomfortable doing electrical work. Better than half the time you’llsolvetheproblemwithoutevenliftingatool.We’llshowyouhowtostart your search for the problem by checking in the most likelyplaces.

Of course, therewill alwaysbeproblems thatarebest left toanelectrician. But if you take these steps first, there’s a good chanceyou’llfindthesolution.

CheckifotheroutletsaredeadTakeafewminutestocheckifotheroutlets,lightsorappliancesareaffected.Switchlightsonandoffandtestnearbyoutletsforpower(useavoltagetesterorpluginalamptotesttheoutlets).

Unplug lampsandappliances fromdeadoutlets toeliminate thepossibility thatashortoroverloadfromoneofthemiscausingthe

problem. Note the location of dead outlets or mark them with apiece of masking tape so you’ll be able to find them again afteryou’veturnedoffthepower.

CheckthecircuitbreakersAfteryouunplugallthedevicesfromthedeadoutlets,thenextstepistocheckforatrippedcircuitbreakerorblownfuse.You’llfindthecircuitbreakersorfusesinthemainelectricalpanel,whichisusuallylocated near where the electrical wires enter the house. Garages,basements and laundry rooms are common locations. Locate thepanelandopenthemetaldoortorevealthefusesorcircuitbreakers.Photos1–4showatypicalmainpanelandtheprocessforresettingatrippedcircuitbreaker.Remembertoturnoffyourcomputerbeforeyouswitchthecircuitbreakersonandoff.

Trippedcircuitbreakersaren’talwaysapparent.Ifyoudon’tseeatripped breaker, firmly press every breaker to the “off” position(Photo 3). Then switch themback on. If the tripped breakerwon’tresetwithouttrippingagain,therecouldbeapotentiallydangerousshortcircuitorgroundfaultcondition.Switchthecircuitbreakeroffuntil you’ve located the problem. In most cases, a tripped circuitbreaker is causedbya temporaryoverloadon thecircuitora shortcircuit in some device plugged into the circuit. But in rare cases, aloosewireinanelectricalboxcouldbecausingtheproblem.

1.Locatethecircuitbreakerbox(orfusebox)andopenthedoortosearchfortrippedcircuitbreakers.

2.Locatetrippedbreakersbylookingforbreakerhandlesthataren’tlinedupwiththerest.Last,pushthebreakerhandlestowardthe“on”position.Trippedbreakerswill“give”alittleratherthanfeelsolid.

3.Thefirststepinresettingatrippedbreakeristoswitchitoff.Don’tjustflickthehandle;pressthehandlefirmlytothe“off”position.Youshouldhearaclick.

4.Finally,resetthebreakerbypushingthehandlefirmlyto“on.”Itshouldlineupwithalltherest.Ifit“pops”back

tothetrippedposition,there’saprobleminthewiringorinsomethingthat’spluggedintothecircuit.

Replaceburned-outfuses

1.Lookinsidethefuseforcharredglassorabrokenfilament—evidenceofablownfuse.Unscrewthesuspectfuseandreplaceitwithoneofthesametypeandamperage.

ChecktheGFCIsGFCI (short for “ground fault circuit interrupter”) outlets, thoseunusualoutletswiththetestandresetbuttons,arerequiredinareasofthehousewhereshockhazardsaregreatest.Theyprotectagainstdeadlyelectricalshocksbysensingleaksintheelectricalcurrentandimmediatelytrippingtoshutoffthepower.Butit’seasytooverlookatrippedGFCIasthesourceofadeadoutletproblem.That’sbecauseinareaswhereGFCI-protectedoutletsarerequired,electriciansoftensavemoney by connecting additional standard outlets to one GFCIoutlet.AcurrentleakatanyoneoftheoutletswilltriptheGFCIandcause all of the outlets connected to it to go dead. These GFCI-protectedoutletsaresupposedtobelabeled(Photo1),butthelabeloftenfallsoff.

LookforGFCIsinbathrooms,kitchens,basements,garagesandonthehome’sexterior.TestandreseteveryGFCIyoufind(Photo2). IftheGFCI“reset”buttondoesn’tpopoutwhenyoupress the“test”button,theremaybenopowertotheGFCIoryoumayhaveabad

GFCI.Ontheotherhand,ifthe“reset”buttontripsagaineverytimeyoupress it, theremaybeadangerous current leak somewhereonthe circuit. In either case, solving the problem requires additionalelectrical testingthatwewon’t coverhere.Refer tootherelectricalrepairmanualsorcallanelectricianforhelp.

1.Identificationlabel.Protected“downstream”receptacleshouldbelabelediftheyhaveGFCIprotection.

2.Pushresetbutton.YoucantestGFCIreceptaclesbypushingthe“test”buttonandthenthe“reset”button.

Installanin-linecordswitch

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverWirestripper/cutterPocketknifeorutilityknife

MATERIALSIn-linecordswitch

Add an in-line switch so you don’t have to reach under thelampshade to flip on a light. The installation is fast, simple anddoesn’trequireanyspecialtools.

Mountan in-line switchon the cord. Several sizesof in-line cordswitches are available at hardware stores, home centers and lampspecialty stores. Lookat the tinyprintingon the cord todeterminewhich size switch you need, SPT-1 or SPT-2. Consult the instructionsheetbeforeinstallation.

Note: Connect an in-line switch only to a cord with a polarizedplug.Apolarizedplughasoneprongwider than theother so youcanonlyinsertitonewayintoanoutlet.

1.Unpluglamp.Slitthecordwhereyouwanttheswitch.Useasmallpocketknifetomakea3/4-in.slitatthedesiredswitchlocation.Donotcutintotheindividualwiresheathing.

2.Cutapartthesmooth,non-identified(hot)wireatthecenterofthesplit.

3.Attachtheswitch.Insertthecordintothewirechannelontheswitchbottom.Presstheswitchhalvestogetherandtightentheswitchscrew.

Fixaflickeringlamp

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSStraight-slotscrewdriver

MATERIALSBulb

Fix a flickering lamp light bulb in several easy steps. First, trytightening the bulb in the socket and plugging the lamp into adifferentoutlet.Ifthelampstillflickers,unplugitandcheckthecordfor frayingwhere it enters the plug. Replace it if necessary. If thecord’s ingoodshape,chancesarethebulb isn’tfullycontactingthemetal contact tab located at thebottomof the lamp socket.Makesurethe lampisunplugged,andadjustthecontacttabasshowninthephotobelow.

Replacethebulbandturnonthelamp.Iftheproblempersists,thelampswitch,socketorcordiswornout.

1.Unplugthelamp,unscrewthebulbandgentlyprythemetalcontacttab1/8in.upoffthebottomofthelampsocketwithastraight-slotscrewdriver.Scrapeoffrustorcorrosionwiththescrewdriverandblowanygritoutofthesocket.

CAUTION:Unpluglampbeforebeginningrepair.

Replaceaproblemplug

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$85

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPocketknifeorutilityknife4-in-1screwdriver

MATERIALSPolarizedreplacementplug

Plugsonlampcordsoftenhaveaweakpointwherethecordentersthe plug. Pulling and flexing can break the wires at this point,leavingyouwitha lampthatflickerswhenyou jigglethecord.Thecureistoreplacetheplug.Todothissafely,chooseapolarizedplug.Apolarizedplughasonebladethat’swiderthantheothersoitfitsintoanoutletonlyoneway.Beforeyoubuyaplug,takeacloselookat the cord.Alongwith other labeling, you should find “SPT-1” or“SPT-2.”Thisreferstothethicknessofthecord’ssheathing,andtheplug you buy must have the same listing so it will fit over thesheathing.

Theplugyoubuymaynot lookexactly like theoneshownhere,but installing it will be similar. Be sure to read themanufacturer’sinstructions.

1.Cutthecordacoupleofinchesfromtheplug.Thensplitaboutaninchofcordwithapocketknifeandstripoff3/4in.ofinsulation.Donotexposeanywire.Ifyoudo,cutbackthecordandstartover.

2.Wrapthewiresclockwisearoundtheterminalscrewsofthenewplugandtighten.Theneutralwiremustconnecttothewiderprong.

3.Slipthebladesintothehousingandpushthebladeholderintoplace.

Theneutralwireconnectstothewideplugbladeandisdistinguishedfromthehotwirebyribs,color,printingorindentationsintheplasticinsulation.

Replacealampsocket

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSScrewdriverPliersWirestripper/cutter

MATERIALSLampsocket

Alampsocketitselfcangobad,butmoreoftenit’stheswitchinsidethesocket.Eitherway,thesolutionisreplacement.Regardlessoftheexisting switch type, you can choose a push-through switch, a pullchain, a turn knob or a three-way turn knob that provides twobrightnesslevels.Youcanalsochooseasocketwithoutaswitchandinstallaswitchcordinstead.

1.Prythesocketshelloutofitsbasewithascrewdriver.Cutthewirestoremovethesocket.Thenloosenthesetscrewsoyoucanunscrewthesocketbase.

2.Unscrewthesocketbasefromthethreadedtube.Ifthebasewon’tspinoffbyhand,grabthetubeandthebasewithaplierstospinitfree.Thenscrewonthenewbaseandtightenthesetscrew.

3.Stripoff1/2in.ofinsulationwithawirestripper(startwithnotcheslabeled16)andtwistthewirestrandstogether.Ifyoupulloffanywirestrandswhilestripping,cutbackthecordandstartoverusinglargernotches.

4.Tieanunderwriter’sknotinthecord.Thenconnectthewiresbywrappingthemclockwisearoundthescrewsandtightening.Connecttheneutralwiretothesilverscrew.

To identify the neutral wire, start at the plug. Thewider plug blade is connected to the neutral wire, andyou’llfindthattheneutralwireisdistinguishedfromthe“hot” wire by different colors, printing, or tinyribs/indentationsintheplasticinsulation.Ifyouroldplugblades are of equal width, replace the plug and cordalongwiththesocket.

5.Pulltheexcesscorddownthroughthelamp.Sliptheinsulationsleeveandsocketshelloverthesocketandsnaptheshellintothebase.

CAUTION:Pulltheplugbeforeworkingonalamp.

protips!

→Anunderwriter’sknotpreventsthewiresfrompullingoutofthescrewterminalswhenthecordistugged.Note:Blackandwhitewiresusedforphotoclarity.

Replaceapull-chainlightfixture

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$70

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverVoltagetester

MATERIALSPull-chainfixture

Pull-chain light fixtures are easy to replacewhen the switchwearsoutorbreaks.Weshowyouhowtoreplaceitsafelyandquickly.It’llonlytakeabout15minutes.

Pull-chain fixtures aremade from either plastic or porcelain, butwerecommendtheporcelainbecause itwithstandsheatbetterandlastslonger.

Caution:Beforestarting,flipthecircuitbreakerofforpullthefuseto disconnect the power to the light, then test to make sure thepower is off (Photo 1). Theremay be an unused bare groundwireinside the electrical box (Photo 3). If it falls down while you’rereplacingthefixture,wrapitinacircleandpushitupasfarintotheelectricalboxaspossible.

1.Testforhotwires.Turnoffthepower,removethelightbulbandunscrewthefixturefromtheelectricalbox.Pullthefixturedown,butkeepyourhandsawayfromthewires.Touchonevoltagetesterprobetotheblackwire,andtheothertothewhitewire.Ifthevoltageindicatordoesn’tlightup,thepowerisoff.

2.Disconnectthewires.Loosentheterminalscrewsandunhookthewiringfromtheoldfixture.Ifthewireendsarebrokenorcorroded,stripoff3/4in.ofsheathingandbendthebarewireendintoahook.

3.Connectthenewfixture.Attachtheblackwiretothegoldterminalscrewonthenewfixtureandthewhitewiretothesilverterminalscrew.Wrapthewiresclockwisesotheycoveratleastthree-quartersoftheterminalscrews.Firmlytightenthescrewssothecopperwirecompressesslightly.Twistthefixturetospiralthewiresintotheelectricalbox.Screwthenewfixturetotheboxsnugly,butdon’tovertightenitortheporcelainmightcrack.

CAUTION:Turnoffpoweratthemainpanel.

Replaceafluorescentlightbulbandsocket

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$60

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverWirestripper/cutter

MATERIALSReplacementbulbFluorescentsocket

Fluorescent light bulbs typically last many years, but when oneflickers on andoff, or the end turns light gray to black in color, itneeds tobe replaced.Another commonproblem is cracked sockets,causedbybumpsfromotherobjectsorstressfromremovingabulb.

1.Unplugthelightandtwistthebulb90degreeswithbothhands.Pulloneendstraightdowntofreeitfromthesocketandthenlowertheentirebulb.Replacethebulbwiththesamesizebulb.

2.Shutdownthepowerandremovethebulb(s).Unscrewthefixtureendcover.Screwlocationswillvary,butdouble-bulbunitstypicallyhaveascrewoneachside,andfour-bulbunitstypicallyhaveanadditionalscrewonthetopcenteredge.Removeallscrewsandpulloffthecover.

3.Slideoutthesockettoexposethewiring.Therewillbetwoorfourwirescomingintothesocket.It’sveryimportanttokeepthewiringorderstraight,socutonesideoftheoldsocketwiringlooseatatime.Stripthewiringback1/2in.

4.Pressthebarewireendsintotheterminalslotsonthenewsocket,beingcarefultoinsertthecorrectwireintoeachterminal.Theterminalslotworkslikeabarbedfishhook;onceawireispushedin,itcannotbepulledout.

Repeattheprocessfortheremainingwiresandthenreplacethesocket.

Note: If the fixture stilldoesn’twork, then theballast isprobablyshotandit’stimetobuyanewfixture.

CAUTION:Turnoffthecircuitatthemainpanel.

protips!

→Theballastbooststheincomingvoltagetostartthetubesandthenregulatesthecurrenttoprovidecontinuouslight.Ballastreplacementcancostasmuchasanewfixture,sobuyinganewfixturemaybeabetterinvestment.

Howtobalanceaceilingfan

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$85

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSYardstick

MATERIALSFanbladebalancingkit

If your ceiling fan wobbles and makes more racket than anunbalanced washing machine load, read on; we’ve got the fix foryou.Ceilingfanwobbleiscausedbyimbalancesinthefanbladesorblade holders,misalignment of blades, excess dust accumulation orjust loose blade holder mounting screws. Restore your fan to itssmooth-runningdaysofoldbeforeyouweardownthemovingparts.

First,make sureall thebladesare tightly screwed into thebladeholder,andthebladeholderisfirmlyscrewedintothefanflywheel.Removeanydustorbuildup from the fanbladeswithahouseholdcleaner.Runthefantocheckthewobbleandtodrythefanblades.Ifthewobblepersists,oneofthebladesmaybeoutofalignment.

1.Makesurethebladesarestraight.Measurethedistancefromtheceilingtotheedgeofabladewithayardstick(mostbladesareangled,sobesuretomeasureonthesamesideofalltheblades).Holdtheyardstickstillandrotatethebladesaroundtomeasuretheotherblades.

Ifanybladeisoutofalignment,gentlybendthebladeholder up or down until the blade is in line with theothers.

2.Turnthefanontoseeifitspinssmoothly.Ifitstillwobbles,pickupabladebalancingkitfromahardwarestoreorhomecenter.Thebalancingclipwillbalancethefanblades,eliminatingthewobble.

Slide the balancing clip on the trailing edge of anyblade,halfwaybetweentheholderandtip.Runthefanto check the wobble. Repeat with each blade, notingwhichonemostreducedthewobble,thenslidetheclipinsmall increments away from the center of that blade.Movetheclip,operatethefan,thenmoveitagainuntilyoueliminateasmuchwobbleaspossible.

3.Setaweight.Peeloffthebackingandsticktheadhesive-backedbalancingweightonthetopcenterofthebladedirectlyinlinewiththebalancingclip.Addmoreweightifneededtogetasmooth-runningfan.

THEBALANCINGKITCONTAINSTHEBLADECLIPPLUSSEVERALADHESIVE-BACKEDWEIGHTS.

Howtoinstallaprogrammablethermostat

YOURCOST:$40

SAVINGS:$160

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSCordlessdrill4-in-1screwdriverLevelDrillbitsetMATERIALSClothespinTapeWallanchors

Savealotofmoney!Learnhowtoremoveyouroldthermostatandinstallanewprogrammablethermostat—withnorewiringrequired.

Youcanreduceyourhome’sheatingandcoolingcostsbyabout15percentwithaprogrammablethermostat.Itautomaticallykeepsthetemperatureatacomfortablelevelwhenyou’rehome,butswitchestoanenergy-savinglevelwhenyou’reawayorasleep.Programmablethermostats are available from home centers and hardware stores.Thehigher-pricedmodelsprovidemoreprogrammingoptions.

1.Turnoffpowertotheheatingandcoolingsystemsatthemainpanel.Removetheoldthermostat.Therewillbeanywherefromtwotofivewireshookeduptotheoldthermostat.Markthewireswithatab(ortape)andtheletterthatrepresentstheterminalandunscrewthem.Removeanddiscardtheoldthermostat.

2.Clipaclothespintothecablesoitdoesn’tslidedowninsidethewallcavityandmountthenewwallplate.Levelthenewmountingplateinpositionandmarkthemountingscrewholes.Drill3/16-in.holes,insertdrywallanchorsandscrewtheplatetothewall.

3.Ifthethermostathasback-upbatteries,insertthembeforewiringthenewthermostat.Screwthesystemwiringtothescrewterminalsonthenewthermostatusingtheletterlabelsasreference(stripthewiresbackifnecessary).Theselettersarestandard;hookthemuptothesameterminalsonthenewthermostat.Snapthethermostattothemountingplate.

CAUTION:Ifyouroldthermostatcontainsmercury,you’llseeasmallglasstubewithashinysilverballinside.Mercuryistoxic.Takethistypeofthermostattoahazardouswastedisposalsite.

CAUTION: Programmable thermostats will work with most gas or oil furnaces andcentral air conditioners. However, heat pumps, electric baseboards and a few othersystems require special features. Read the package to make sure the programmablethermostatyoubuyiscompatiblewithyourheatingandcoolingsystem.Ifyou’reunsure,callyourlocalutilityoraheatingandcoolingcontractor.

protips!

→Thethermostatmayneedtobeconfiguredtoyourheatingsystem.Itmayalsocomepreprogrammed,buttomaximizesavings,setitupaccordingtoyourschedule.Consulttheinstructionsthatcomewiththethermostatforsystemadjustmentsandprogramming.Youwon’tsaveenergyifthethermostatisn’tprogrammedcorrectly.

Howtoinstalladimmerswitch

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYModerate

TOOLSTapemeasure4-in-1screwdriverNeedle-nosepliersNon-contactvoltagedetectorVoltagetester,2leadwiretypeWirestripper/cutter

MATERIALSDimmerswitchWireconnectors

It doesn’t take long to replace anordinary light switchwith a full-featuredimmer.Butwhileyou’reatit,tomakeyourhomesafer,youshould upgrade thewiring tomeet the latest requirements of theNationalElectricalCode.

BuyingdimmersIftheswitchyou’rereplacingistheonlyswitchcontrollingthelight,buya standard single-poledimmer. If the light canbe switchedonandofffromtwoormoreswitches,buyathree-waydimmerswitch.Butyouwon’tbeable todim the lights fromevery switch locationunless you buy a set of special dimmers with advanced electronicsandinstalloneateachswitchlocation.

Most dimmers are designed to handle 600 watts. Add up thewattage of all the light bulbs you’ll be dimming. Then read thedimmer package to make sure it can handle the load. Heavy-duty1,000-and 1,500-watt dimmers are also readily available. Read thepackage if you’ll be installing dimmers side by side in the sameelectricalboxbecause thewattagerating is reducedtocompensateforextraheatbuildup.

Finally,youhavetouseaspecialdevice,notadimmer,tocontrolthespeedofceilingfansandmotors.Mostfluorescentlightscan’tbedimmedwithoutalteringthefixture.

MakesuretheboxislargeenoughToomanywiresanddevicesstuffedintoaboxcancausedangerousoverheating, short-circuiting and fires. The National Electrical Codespecifiesminimumboxsizestoreducethisrisk.

To figure theminimum box size required by the electrical code,add1 foreachhotandneutralwireentering thebox,1 forall theground wires combined, 1 for all the clamps combined, and 2 foreachdevice (switchor receptacle) installed in thebox.Multiply this

figureby2for14-gaugewireand2.25for12-gaugewiretogettheminimumboxvolumeincubicinches.

Tohelpdeterminethegaugeofthewireinyourswitchbox,lookattheamperageofthecircuitbreakerorfuseinthemainelectricalpanel.Fifteen-ampcircuitsareusuallywiredwith14-gaugewireand20-ampcircuitsrequire12-gaugeorheavierwire.

Comparethefigureyougetwiththevolumeofyourexistingbox.Plastic boxes have the volume stamped inside, usually on theback.Steelboxcapacitiesarelistedintheelectricalcode.We’velistedthevolumeof themost common steelboxes in FigureA. If youhaveasteel box, measure it (Photo 2) and consult the chart to see if it’slargeenough.Ifyourboxistoosmall,replaceitwithalargerone.It’spossible to replace a boxwithout cutting away thewall, but it’s atricky job. It’s easier to remove about a 16-in. squareof drywall orplasterandpatchitafterthenewlargeboxisinstalled.

FIGUREA

Height/width/depth(inches) Volume(cubicinches)3x2x2-1/4 10.53x2x2-1/2 12.53x2x2-3/4 14.0

TestyourgroundbeforeyouconnectitNewdimmershaveeitheragreengroundingwireoragreengroundscrew that you’ll have to connect to a grounding source if one isavailable. Houses wired with plastic-sheathed cable almost alwayshave bare copper groundwires that you’ll connect to the dimmer.ButtestfirstusingtheprocedureshowninPhoto3toverifythatthewireisconnectedtoaground.

Some wiring systems, like ours, rely on metal conduit for theground.Ifyouhaveoneofthesesystems,Photo3showshowtotestthe metal box to verify that it’s grounded. If it is, attach a shortgroundwiretothemetalboxwitheitherametalgroundingclipasshown inPhotos 4 and5or agreengrounding screw screwed into

the threaded hole in the back of the box. Then connect it to thedimmer.

If testingrevealsyourbox isn’tgrounded,youcanstill install thedimmer, but youmust use a plastic cover plate andmake sure nobaremetalpartsareexposed.

TheeasypartisinstallingthedimmerSome dimmers, like the one we’re installing, have stranded wiresattached. Photos 7 and 8 showhow to install this type of dimmer.Others have screw terminals instead. For these, strip 3/4 in. of theinsulatedcoveringfromthewiresintheboxandbendaloopineachwithaneedle-nosepliers.Placetheloopclockwisearoundthescrewterminalsandclosethelooparoundthescrewswiththeneedle-nosepliers.Thentightenthescrews.

Itdoesn’tmatter if you reverse the two switchwires toa single-poledimmer.Butifyou’rereplacingathree-wayswitchwithathree-way dimmer, label the “common”wire (it’ll be labeled on the oldswitch)whenyouremovetheoldswitchsoyoucanconnectittothe“common”terminalonthedimmer.

Inmostcases,thetwoswitchwireswillbesomecolorotherthangreenorwhite,usuallyblack.Butoneofthewiresmaybewhite ifyour house iswiredwith plastic-sheathed cable (like Romex). Put awrapofblack tapearoundthewhiteconductor to label itasahotwire.

1.Checkforhotwires.Turnoffthepoweratthemaincircuitpanel.Holdthetipofanon-contactvoltage

detectorneareachscrewterminaltobesurethepowerisoff.Thenunscrewtheswitchandpullitfromthebox.Probearoundinsidetheboxwiththedetectortomakesuretherearenootherhotwiresfromanothercircuit.

2.Calculateboxvolume.Measuretheheight,widthanddepthofmetalboxesandrefertothechartbelowtodeterminetheboxvolume.Plasticboxeshavetheirvolumestampedinside.

3.Testforground.Turnthepowerbackon.Thenplacetheleadsofavoltagetesterbetweeneachscrewterminalandthemetalbox.Ifthetesterlights,theboxisgrounded.Caution:Turnoffthepoweragainbeforeproceeding.

4.Installagroundingclip.Pressagroundingclipand6-in.lengthofbarecopperwireontothemetalboxwithascrewdriver.Cutawayalittlebitofdrywallundertheboxtoprovideclearancefortheclip.

5.Pinchthewireend.Bendthegroundwirebackontotheclipandsqueezeitdowntightsoitwon’tinterferewiththedimmerswitch.

6.Stripnewwireends.Clipoffthebentendofeachwirewiththewirecutter.Strip3/8in.ofinsulationfromtheendofthewires.

7.Connectthewires.Holdthewirestogetherwiththestrandedwireprotrudingabout1/8in.beyondthesolidwire.Matchthesizeofthewireconnectoryou’reusingtothesizeandnumberofwiresbeingconnected.Checkthemanufacturer’sspecificationsonthepackagetobesure.Twistaplasticwireconnectorclockwiseontothewirestoconnectthem.Stoptwistingwhentheconnectorissnug.

8.Attachthecoverplate.Foldthewiresneatlyintothebox.Screwthedimmertotheboxwiththescrewsprovided.Finishthejobbyinstallingthecoverplateandturningonthepowertotestthenewdimmer.

CAUTION:Callanelectricianiftheoriginalswitchisconnectedtotwowhitewires.Thismayindicateadangerousswitchedneutral.

CAUTION: If you have aluminumwiring, don’t work on it yourself. The connectionsrequirespecialtechniques.Callinalicensedprowho’scertifiedtoworkwithit.Thiswiringisdullgray,notthedullorangethat’scharacteristicofcopper.

protips!

→Non-contactvoltagedetectorsareavailableathardwarestoresandhomecenters.Thistypeoftesterispreferedbecauseitdetectsvoltagewithoutdirectcontactwiththemetalconductor.That’shuge—itmeansyoucancheckpotentiallyhotwiresbeforeyouhandlethem.

protips!

→Ifthecircuitbreakerislabeled“15amp,”thewiresareprobably14-gauge,or12-gaugefor20-ampcircuitbreakers.

Replaceaphonejack

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverNeedle-nosepliersMATERIALSNewwalljack

Adeadlineorstaticonyourphonemaybeduetoabadwall jack.Replaceitin10minutes.

1.Removethetwoscrewsonthejackfaceplateanddisconnecttheoldjack.Loosentheterminalscrewsonthebackofthejackanddisconnectthewiring.Holdontothewirewhenyouremovethejacksoitdoesn’tslideoutthebackofthebox.Iftheendsofthewiresarefreeofcorrosion,youcanreusethem,butifnot,cutthemback(leaveenoughwiretoworkwith)andstripoff1/2in.ofsheathing.

2.Connectthenewjack.Pinchthewiresheathingagainstthebackofthenewjackwithyourthumb.Holdthetipofthebarewirewithaneedle-nosepliers,andwrapitclockwisearoundtheterminal.Ifthewiresfromthewallandthejackarethesamecolorcombination,simplymatchthemup.Iftheydon’tmatch,seethechart.Beforeyoumountthenewjacktothewall,makesurethebarewiresdon’ttoucheachother.

Std.Cable Correspondingcolorsinothercables

Red Blue Blue/Whitedashes

Green Blue/White White/Bluedashes

Yellow Orange Orange/Whitedashes

Black Orange/White White/Orangedashes

RepairtheTVremote

YOURCOST:$30

SAVINGS:$70

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSmallscrewdriverButterknifeDigitalcamera

MATERIALSOldtoothbrushRepairkitDishwashingliquid

MostofthetimeyoucanfixyourTVremoteyourselfwithasimplerepairkitandavoidthehighcostofareplacement.

Mostremoteshaveelectricallyconductivepaintonthebottomofeach rubber button. Themore you use each button, themore thepaint wears off. The good news: You can buy a repair kit thatincludes two-part conductive paint. (We used the ChemtronicsCW2605 rubber keypad repair kit, atmcmelectronics.com.) Thebadnews: Youhave to figure out how to disassemble the remote, andeachoneisdifferent.Butherearesomegeneraldisassemblytips.

1.Startbyremovingthescrews.They’reusuallyhiddeninthebatterycompartmentunderlabelsandrubberfeet.Next,takeadigitalphotooftheremotewiththescrewsneartheirholes.Besureyougetaclearshotofallthebuttonsandanyslideswitchesalongthesideoftheremote.Onceyoupopopentheremote,thoseslideswitchesmayflyout.

To separate thehalves,pressabutterknifealongtheseamandlookfor“give.”Pressinatthosepointsandprythe halves apart. Inside you’ll find either individualrubber buttons or a single molded sheet containing allthe buttons. If you’ve spilled anything sticky on yourremote, dunk the rubber buttons/sheet, plastic case andany hard plastic buttons in a bowl of warm water anddishwashing liquid. Brush off the debris, rinse all thepartswithwarmwaterandletthemdry.

2.Followthemixingandapplicationinstructions.Repainteachbuttonwithanewcoatofconductivepaint.(Paintallofthemaslongasyouhavethecaseopen.)Thepaintdriesinabout24hours,butitneedsafull72hourstocurecompletely.That’swhywehadyoutakedigitalphotos—soyoucouldrememberhowtoreassembleyourremotethreedayslater.Don’trushthecuringprocessoryou’llberepeatingtherepairinayearorso.Reassembletheremoteandyou’rereadytosurf.

Shutoffthemainwatervalve

Replaceasinksprayerandhose

Howtofixachippedsink

Restorefreeflowtoacloggedaerator

Unclogabathroomsinkwithoutchemicals

Quicklyfixleakycartridge-typefaucets

Repairawasher-typefaucet

Unclogashowerhead

Installscaldprotection

Howtofixaleakingshutoffvalve

Howtofixacloggedtoilet

Toiletrunning—fixtheflushvalve

Toiletseatrepair

Quickfixforasluggishtoilet

Howtofixsweatingpipes

Stopasmallplumbingleak

Stopbangingwaterlinesonyourwashingmachine

Instantwatersoftenerfixes

Shutoffthemainwatervalve

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$60

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSWrenchHammer

MATERIALSLubricantorpenetratingoilifrequired

Your main shutoff valve is one of the most important disaster-stoppers in your home.When a pipe leaks or bursts, this valve letsyoushutoffwaterflowtoyourentirehome.Takeafewminutestolocateandtesttomakesureyoucancloseit.Inmostcases,you’llfindtwo valves—one before the water meter and one after. Closingeither of them will do the trick. If you have a well, shut off theelectricalswitchforthewellwhenyouleaveforanextendedperiodsoitwon’tpumpanywaterwhileyou’regone.

Therearetwotypesofmainshutoffvalves:

Ball valve The stainless steel ball almost always rotatessmoothlytoshutoffthewater.Butjusttobesure,givethehandleaquarter-turn. Then turnona faucet to see if thewaterisoff.

GatevalvesMostcommoninolderhomes.Thevalvecloseswhenawedge-shapedbrassgateisloweredintoaslot.

IndoorshutoffIncolderclimates,themainwatershutoffistypicallyinthebasement.

OutdoorshutoffInwarmerclimates,themainwatershutoffis typically outside, attached to an exterior wall or in anaccessibleundergroundbox.

1.Agatevalveispronetogettingstuckopen,closedorsomewhereinbetween—especiallyafteryearswithoutuse.

2.Tocloseagatevalve,turnthehandleclockwise.Ifyoucan’tturnthehandle,loosenthepackingnutjustalittle.Butbesuretoholdthehandleinpositionwhileyouturnthenut.Ifthehandleturnsasyouunscrewthenut,you

riskbreakingthevalve.Ashotoflubricantorpenetratingoilmayalsohelp.Thentryagain.

3.Reopeningastubborngatevalveismoreriskythanclosingit;you’remorelikelytobreakinternalpartsandcouldendupwithoutrunningwater.Ifthevalveisstuckclosed,tapitwithahammergently(Photo3).Whenthevalveopensalittle,stopforafewminutes.Thatallowswaterpressureonbothsidesofthevalvetoequalize,insteadofpressingagainstonesideandlockingthevalveinplace.

CAUTION:Shutoffthewatersupplytoyourentirehomewhenyouleaveforovernightorlonger.

Everyinsuranceadjusterhasahundredstorieslikethisone:ThehomeownerslefttownFridayandreturnedSundaytofindthousandsofdollarsinwaterdamage.Themoralofthestory:Beforegoingonvacation, turnoff themainvalve. In less thanaminute, youcaneliminatethemostcommoncauseofhomedamage.

Replaceasinksprayerandhose

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSWrenchsetorbasinwrench

MATERIALSNewsinksprayerandhose

Replacealeakyorcloggedsprayerhoseandheadin15minutes.Thetrickisgettingtothehoseconnectionunderthesink.

Over time, sink sprayers often break or become clogged withmineraldeposits.Orthesprayerhosecanhardenandcrackorwearthrough from rubbing against something under the sink. The bestsolutioninthesecasesisreplacement.You canpick up just the sprayer heador a head andhose kit at ahomecenterorhardwarestore.

Photo1 showshow to remove theentire sprayerheadandhoseassembly.Youmaybeabletogetasmallopen-endwrenchuptothesprayer hose nipple, but space is very tight. If there isn’t enoughroomtoturnthewrench,you’llhavetopurchaseabasinwrenchatahomecenterorhardwarestore.

1.Useanopen-endorbasinwrenchtounscrewthesprayerhosefromthehosenipple.Pulltheoldsprayerandhoseoutofthesinkgrommet.Slidethenewhosethroughthegrommetontopofthesinkandreconnectittothefaucet.

2.Holdthebaseofthesprayerinyourhandandtwistoffthesprayerhead.Screwonthenewhead.

Howtofixachippedsink

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$390

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSSpongeWet/drysandpaper,400-or600-gritEpoxyrepairkitSmallbrush

Youcanfixchippedenameloncastironandsteelsinksandyoucanmaketherepairalmostinvisiblewithaspecialenamelrepairkit.Weshowyouhow.

Youcanfindtwo-componentepoxy(catalystandhardener)intheadhesive section of most hardware stores and home centers. It’susuallyavailableinavarietyofcolors.Ifnecessary,twocolorscanbemixedforamoreprecisematch.

1.First,scrubthechippedareathoroughlywithaspongeandsoapywater.Thenrub400-to600-grit“wet-and-dry”sandpaperoverthedamagedareatoremovedirtandrust,aswellasroughupthechipsoepoxywillsticktoit.

2.Mixthetwoepoxyingredientsaccordingtolabeldirections.Matchtheenamelcoloranddabitintothechippedareatofillthehole.

Use a small brush to fill the chip. If the chip is deep,apply thematerial in several coats, and don’t forget toallowforthedryingtimespecifiedonthelabel.Oncetherepairiscomplete,wait24hoursbeforeyouusethesink,anddon’tscrubthatareaforsevendays.

Restorefreeflowtoacloggedaerator

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$150

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSlip-jointpliersSmallscrewdriverorknifeMATERIALSElectricaltapeToothbrush

Iftheflowfromyourkitchenorbathroomfaucet isn’twhat itusedtobe,theaeratorisprobablyplugged.Anaeratorcanclogslowlyasmineral deposits build up, or quickly after plumbing work loosensdebrisinsidepipes.Usually,aquickcleaningsolvestheproblem.

1.Wrapthejawsofaplierswithelectricaltapeandunscrewtheaerator.Closethestoppersothesmallpartscan’tfalldownthedrain.

2.Disassembletheaeratorandlayoutthepartsintheorderyouremovethemtomakereassemblyfoolproof.Youmayneedasmallscrewdriverorknifetoprythecomponentsapart.Scrubthepartsandreassemblethem.Gunkcanalsobuildupinsidethefaucetneck,socleanitoutwithyourfingerandflushoutthelooseneddebris.

protips!

→Ifthemineralbuildupresistsscrubbingandyouhaveastandardcylinder-shapedaerator,youcanreplaceit.Takeyouroldaeratoralongtothehomecenterorhardwarestoretofindamatch.Ifyouraeratorhasafancyshape(liketheoneshownhere),findingamatchwon’tbeassimple.Sotrythisfirst:Soaktheaeratorpartsinvinegarovernighttosoftenmineralbuildup.Ifthatdoesn’twork,searchonlineforthebrandofyourfaucetfollowedby“faucetparts.”Withalittlesearching,youcanfinddiagramsofyourfaucetandorderanewaerator.

Unclogabathroomsinkwithoutchemicals

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSlip-jointpliers

MATERIALSStiffwireorwirecoathanger

Slow-moving or stopped-up drains are common in bathroom sinks,butluckilythefixisusuallysimpleandtakesonlyabout15minutes.Theproblemiscausedbyhairandgummysoapscumthatgetcaughtonthestopperorpivotrodandclogthedrain.

1.Tuggentlyonthestoppertoseeifit’llcomeout.Ifso,removeit.Sometimesit’llcomerightout.Ifitdoesn’tliftout,it’sheldinbythepivotrod.

2.Unscrewthepivotrodnutandpullouttherod.(Ifyoucan’tloosenthenutbyhand,usepliers.)Withthepivotrodpulledout,you’llbeabletoliftoutthestopper.

3.Togettheclogout,bendawireinatighthook(alight-dutyclotheshangerorshortlengthofelectricalwirewilldo)andfishoutthehair.Runhotwaterdownthedraintohelpclearoutanyremainingsoapscumandtocheckthattheclogisgone.

Ifyoudidn’thave to removethepivot rodto removethe stopper, you can just drop the stopper back downinto the drain. If you removed the pivot rod, first dropthe stopper into the drain. Then line up the pivot rodwiththeslotinthestopperandreinsertit.Finally,hand-tightenthepivotrodnut.Checkaroundthepivotrodnuttomakesureit’snotleaking.Ifyouseedrips,tightenthepivotrodnutslightlywithpliers.

Quicklyfixleakycartridge-typefaucets

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1 screwdriver Adjustable wrench Allen wrench if requiredPliersifrequiredMATERIALSPlumber’sgreaseNewseatsNewspringYoumayalsoneedanewcartridgeandO-rings

We’ll take themystery out of cartridge-type faucets and show youhowtofixthemyourself.Regardlessofwherethefaucetis leaking,youcanmaketheDIYrepairbyfollowingthestepsbelow.Itdoesn’ttake any plumbing expertise, and it’ll finally put an end to thatannoyingleak.

Ifyourfaucet leaksfromthespout, replacetheseatsandsprings(Photos1–3). If itcontinuestodripfromthespoutafterreplacingtheseatsandsprings,replacethecartridge,too.Ifyourfaucetleaksaroundthehandles,theO-ringsonthecartridgearebad.BuyanewkitthatincludesanewcartridgeandO-rings.

1.Shutoffthewatertothesink.Removethefaucethandles.Mostareheldonbyretainingscrewsunderthecapsonthetopofthehandles.(OurhandleswereheldonwithsmallAllenscrewslocatedunderthehandle.)Thenunscrewthelargenutthatholdsthecartridgein.

2.Pullstraightuponthecartridgetoremoveit.Usepliersifyouhaveto,butbesuretoprotectthecartridgewithtapeorarag.Notetheorientationofthecartridgetothenotchesinthefaucetsoyoucanreinstallitthesameway.Removetheoldseatandspringwithasmallscrewdriver.

3.Dropthenewspringintotherecessandpushthenewseatinwithyourfinger.Spreadathinlayerofplumber’sgreasearoundthecartridge.Pushthecartridgeintothefaucet,aligningitwiththenotches.Thentightenthelargeretainingnutwiththewrenchandreplacethehandles.

Leaksusuallydeveloponthehotside,butreplacetheseatsonbothhotandcoldsideswhileyou’reatit.

CAUTION:Mostfaucethandlesaresecuredbyascrew,whichissometimescoveredbyasnap-oncaporbutton.Youmayneedtotap,wiggleorprythehandleabittoremoveit.

protips!

→Newfaucetsareeasytotakeapartandreplacementpartsarereadilyavailableatmosthardwarestores,homecentersandplumbingsupplystores.Ofcourse,therearestillmanydifferentbrandsandstyles,soit’sbesttoshutthewateroff,disassemblethefaucetandtakethepartsalongtoassureaperfectmatch.

Repairawasher-typefaucet

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$150

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSScrewdriverWrenchSeatwrench

MATERIALSWashersValveseatHeat-prooffaucetgrease

Aleakyfaucethasatorturouswayofwearingonnervesandwaterresources.Evenaslowdripcanwastehundredsofgallonspermonth.Luckily, most dripping washer-type faucets can be cured in 30minutesforlessthanadollar.

Torepairawasher-typefaucet,you’llneedtoreplacethewasheron the bottom of the valve stem and sometimes replace the valveseataswell.Replacewashersforboththehotandcoldwaterwhileyou’reatit,notjusttheonethat’sleaking.

1.Turnoffthewater-supplyvalvesandclosethesinkstoppersosmallpartswon’tdisappeardownthedrain.

2.Removethescrewthatholdsthehandleandremovehandle.Thenloosenandremovepackingnutcounterclockwisewithawrench.Removevalvestemassembly.Itshouldpoporscrewoff.

3.Removethewornwasherontheendofthevalvestemandreplaceitwiththecorrecttype:flatorbeveled.The

newwashershouldfitsnuglywithoutbeingforced.

4.Usetheseatwrenchtoremovewornvalveseat.Thenewseatmustmatchtheoldoneexactlyindiameter,heightandnumberofthreads.

5.Lubricatetheworkingpartsofthestemassemblywithheat-prooffaucetgrease.Reassemblefaucet.

protips!

→Takeyourwornwasherandvalveseatalongtothehomecenterorhardwarestoretofindtheexactmatches.

protips!

→Asyoureassemblethefaucet,dabalittlegreaseonthescrewsandseatthreads.They’llscrewinmoresmoothlyandcomeaparteasierforfuturerepairs.

Unclogashowerhead

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPipewrenchPliers

MATERIALSRagsVinegar,whiteorappleciderTeflontapeToothpick

Over time, hard-waterminerals in tapwater buildup and clog thespray holes in showerheads. Fix this problem by removing theshowerheadandcleaningit.

1.Unscrewtheshowerheadbygrippingtheshowerneckwithapipewrench(asshown),grabbingthenutontheshowerheadwiththeadjustablepliersandturningtheplierscounterclockwiseuntilthenutloosens.Protectthefinishesontheshowerheadandwallpipebywrappingthemwithacloth.

2.Opentheshowerheadholesbysoakingtheheadovernightinavinegarbathandpokingtheloosenedmineralscalefreewithatoothpick.Rinsetheshowerheadintapwater,thenreinstallitbyapplyingTeflontapetothewallpipethreads,screwingitonandtighteningitbyreversingthetechniqueinPhoto1.Completetherepairbyturningonthecoldwaterintheshowerandblastingoutanyremainingmineralgunk.

CAUTION: Check the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s Web site to confirm thatvinegarwon’tharmthefinish.

protips!

→Iftheshowerheadistoostucktoremove,tryfillingaplasticbagwithvinegar,tyingthetopofthebagaroundthetopoftheshowerheadandsubmergingitovernightinthevinegar.

Installscaldprotection

YOURCOST:$50

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSLong-handledadjustablepliersMATERIALSPipejointtapeCaulk(fortubspout)Anti-scaldvalve

If the shower water in your bathroom or tub suddenly getsdangerouslyhot,you’renotalone.Someoneturningonwaterinthekitchen or flushing a toilet downstairs changes the watertemperatureforsomeonetakingashowerupstairs.Scaldingwaterisdangerous, especially for young kids who can’t turn it off.Approximately3,800peopleareinjuredand34peopledieeachyearfromexcessivelyhot tapwater, according to theConsumerProductSafetyCommission.

Anti-scaldvalveshavebeenrequiredbycodeforyears,butolderhomes may not have them. And putting them in an existingbathroom means tearing open the walls to access the plumbingpipes.Aneasier fix is toreplacetheshowerheadandthetubspoutwithfixturesthathaveabuilt-inscaldprotectionvalve

1.Unscrewtheexistingshowerheadortubspout,wrappipetapearoundtheexposedthreads,caulkaroundtheopeningforatubspout,thenattachthenewfixture.Whenthewaterreachesanunsafetemperature,thefixtureautomaticallycutsthewaterflowtoatrickle.Flowresumeswhenthewatercools.Codesmaystillrequireananti-scaldvalve(notjustananti-scaldfixture).Checkwithyourlocalbuildinginspector.

Howtofixaleakingshutoffvalve

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$125

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverGroovejointpliers

MATERIALSClothormaskingtape

Drippingshutoffvalvescanleavepuddlesofwateronthebathroomfloor.ThisquickDIYfixissomethingevenanovicecanhandle.

Theplumbing supply shutoff valvesbehind toiletsorunder sinkscangoforyearswithoutbeingturnedoffandthenreopenedagain.Thatinactivitycancausetheneoprenewasherstobecomebrittleorcrustedupwithmineraldeposits, and they lose their ability to sealleaks.

1.Tightenthepackingnutonthetoiletshutoffvalveone-eighthturnclockwisetotrytosealaleakaroundthenut.Wrapclothormaskingtapeonthepliers’jawstoprotectthenut’sfinish.Uselight,steadypressuresoyoudon’tdamagethewaterlines.

Iftheneoprenewashersarestillflexibleandclean,thisshouldworktostoptheleak.

2.Iftheleakpersists,disassembletheshutoffvalve.Turnoffthehousewatermain.Leavethetoiletandsupplylinesintact.Unscrewthehandle,thepackingnutandthethreadedvalvestem.Cleanthewasherswithaclothandflextheneoprenetotrytogetitsuppleagain.Avoidgumminguptheinsideoftheshutoffvalve;don’tuseanypipedopeorplastictapeonthevalvestem’sthreads.

3.Reassembletheshutoffvalve,turnthemainhousevalvebackonandcheckforleaks.Ifthisstepdoesn’tstoptheleak,you’llneedtoreplacethewholevalve.

protips!

→Properlysizedreplacementwashersfortheshutoffvalveareavailablefromplumbingsupplyhousesandbetterhardwarestoresthatstockalargeinventoryofrepairparts.

Howtofixacloggedtoilet

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPlungerwithflange-typecupClosetaugerorplumbingsnake

MATERIALSRubberglovesRags

A poor flush means that your toilet drain is either partially orcompletely plugged. A toilet that’s completely plugged—a no-drainer—is obvious. The toilet bowlwill fill to the brimwith flushwaterandperhapsoverflow.Givethewaterlevel10minutesorsotodrop,thenattacktheproblemwithaplunger(Photo1).

However, most clogged toilets are slow drainers, that is, flushwaterpartiallyfillsthebowlbutdoesn’trushoutandcleanawaythewaste. The water level remains high, then usually drains down tonormalheightwithinaminuteortwo.Soifyoususpectaproblem,testthedrainagefirstasweshowinPhoto2.

1.Don’tflushthetoiletifyoususpectaclog.Makeafirstplungegentlytoexpelairfromtheplungerbell;thenplungevigorouslyinandout.Keeptheplungercoveredwithwater.Stickwithit,plunging15to20timesifnecessary.Iftheplungerfailstoclearaclog,useaclosetauger,asshowninPhoto3.Keeptowelshandytowipeupwaterthatsplashesout.

2.Testthedrainbylettinginsmallamountsofwater—don’tusetheflushhandle.Instead,removethetanklidandlifttheflappervalveslightlytoletacuportwoofwaterintothebowltoseeifthewatergoesdown.Ifit’sstillplugged,you’llhavetopushtheflapperdowntorestorethesealquickly.Flushingacloggedtoiletmayfloodyourfloor!

3.Forstubbornclogs,spinaclosetaugerorregularsnakethroughthedrain.Thehookedspringendshouldbreakthroughtheclogorgrabtheobstruction(suchasarag)soyoucanpullitout.Onceaclogpassesthewaxringintothewiderdrain,itshouldmoveeasily.Iftheclogresistsallyourefforts,you’llprobablyhavetopullupthetoilet.

CAUTION:Wearrubbergloves—thingscangetmessy.

CAUTION:Don’tbesuckered into thinkingthatpowerfulchemicalswilldothemessyworkforyou.Theysometimeswork,but they’reslower.Andwhentheydon’twork,youhaveadrainfullofcorrosivewateronyourhands.Ifyoutriedchemicalsandtheydidn’twork,runasmuchwaterintothetoiletaspossibleandletitsitovernighttodrainthroughtheclog.Then,whenyouplunge,wearsafetygogglesandrubberglovestokeepthewateroutofyoureyesandoffyourbareskin.

protips!

→Forabout90percentofcloggedtoilets,youonlyneedonespecialtool—aplunger.Buyonewithanextensionflangeontherubberbell-shapedend(Photo1).It’sdesignedtofittoiletsbettersoyoucandelivermore“oomph”totheplunge.It’llunplugsinkandtubdrainstoo,ifyousimplyfoldtheflangebackintothebell.

protips!

→Eventheleastexpensivesnakewillclearatoilet.Buttheclosetauger(Photo3)isaspecialtypedesignedtogetaroundthefirstbend,keepdebrisatarm’slength,andstillspinthecoiltohook“foreignobjects.”Arubbersleeveprotectstheenamelbowlfromscrapemarks.ThesesnakesareshortbecausemostobstructionscatchinthefirstS-bendoratthefloorflange.(Plumbersreportthatthemostcommonforeignobjectsaretoys.)

Toiletrunning—fixtheflushvalve

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$125

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSYardstick

MATERIALSFlapper

Whena flushvalve causesa toilet to run,aworn flapper isusuallythe culprit. But not always. First, look at the chain that raises theflapper. If there’s toomuchslack in thechain, it cantangleupandpreventtheflapperfromclosingfirmly.Achainwithtoolittleslackcancausetroubletoo.Photo3showshowtosettheslackjustright.

1.Testtheflapper.Pushdownontheflapperwithayardstickandlisten.Ifthesoundofrunningwaterstops,theflapperneedsreplacing.

Turnoffthewater, flushthetoilettoemptythetankand then run your finger around the rim of the flushvalve seat. If you feel mineral deposits, clean the flushvalve seat with an abrasive sponge or ScotchBrite pad.Don’tuseanythingthatmightroughenit.Ifcleaningtheflush valve seat doesn’t solve the problem, you need toreplacetheflapper.

2.Removetheoldflapperfromtheearsoftheoverflowtubeanddetachthechainfromthehandlearm.

3.Attachthenewflappertotheoverflowtubeandhookthechaintothehandlearm.Leave1/2in.ofslackinthechain.Turnthewaterbackonandtest-flushthetoilet.

protips!

→Yourflappermayscrewontoathreadedrodorhavearingthatslipsovertheoverflowtube.Ifyouhaveanunusualflushvalve,findingareplacementflappermaybethehardestpartofthejob.

Tofindasuitablereplacement,turnoffthewater,removetheoldflapperandtakeittoahomecenterorhardwarestore.Youmaynotfindanidenticalmatch,butchancesareyou’lllocateoneofthesameshapeanddiameter.Ifnot,tryaplumbingsupplystoreorsearchonline.

Ithelpstoknowthebrandandmodelofyourtoilet.Thebrandnameisusuallyonthebowlbehindtheseat.Insomecases,themodelornumberwillbeontheundersideofthelidorinsidethe

modelornumberwillbeontheundersideofthelidorinsidethetank.Matchinganunusualflappercanbecomeatrial-and-errorprocess.

Toiletseatrepair

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverDrill/driver,cordlessDrillbitsetPliers

MATERIALSToiletseattighteningkitToiletseatstabilizerkit

Tighten a loose or wiggly toilet seat with inexpensive rubberbushingsandseatstabilizers.It’sa15-minutefixthat’lllastforyears.

1.Slideonarubberbushingfromthetoiletseattighteningkit,withthetaperedsidefacinguptowardthetoiletseat.Thenusethetighteningtoolfromthekittosnugupthenut.

2.Looptherubberbandsaroundthetoiletseatfromthestabilizerkit,andcenterthestabilizerssotheytouchtheinsiderimofthebowl.Drillastarterholeandsecurethestabilizerswithscrewsfromthekit.

Quickfixforasluggishtoilet

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSCoathanger

MATERIALSPlumber’sputtyPapertowelsLimeremover

Ifyourpoorlyflushingtoiletworkedwellinthepastandyouliveinan area with hard water, chances are the rinse holes around thebottom of the rim have become cloggedwith lime deposits. Clearrinseandsiphonholesarecrucialforcompleteflushingaction.Eventhoughthewaterfromthetankwilleventuallyfinditswayintothebowl, high water volume on the first surge is important for goodflushing.Therehas tobea“criticalmass”ofwater for solids tobeflushed.

1.Useahandmirrortoseetheholesundertherimofthetoilet.Bendacoathangerflatandprobethetipintotheholestopokeoutanymineraldeposits.

2.Drythebottomoftherim,thenrolluppapertowel“ropes”andsealthemagainstthebottomoftherinseholeswithplumber’sputtypushedagainstthebottomoftherim.Sealthesiphonjetholewithanotherglobofputty.

3.Pourabottleoflimeremoverintotheoverflowpipe.Letitsitforanhour(orrecommendedtimeonproduct)toallowthelimeremovertodissolvedeposits.Removeeverythingandflushthetoiletseveraltimes.

CAUTION:Wearrubbergloves—thingscangetmessy.

Howtofixsweatingpipes

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$60

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSTapemeasureSerratedbreadknifeUtilityknife

MATERIALSFoampipeinsulationPeel-and-stickseamsealingtapeorfoilducttape

Ifyourcoldwaterpipesaresweatingmorethanyouareonthesehotsummer days, here’s the simple cure. Run down to the local homecenter, lumberyardor hardware store andpickup some foampipeinsulation.

Thedeluxeversionwepurchasedhasapeel-and-stickseamalongits length. Less expensive insulation lacks this feature, but you cantapetheseamtosealit.Wealsoboughtarollofpeel-and-stickseamsealer to wrap around the joints between tubes. The insulation isavailable in different sizes, so you’ll need tomeasure the diameterandtotallengthofthepipesyouintendtoinsulate.

Theinsulatedtubingkeepsthewarm,humidairfromcondensingonthecoldpipes. Insulatinghotwaterpipesoffers littleadvantage

beyond the possibility of getting hot water sooner at faucets farfromthewaterheater.

1.Measurethelengthofpipeandcutinsulationtolengthwithaserratedbreadknife.

2.MiterthecornersandcutaV-shapednotchwherepipesintersectata“T,”usingautilityknife.

3.Sealjointsbetweenlengthsoftubingwithspecial“peel-and-stick”seam-sealingtapeorfoilducttape.

Stopasmallplumbingleak

YOURCOST:$40

SAVINGS:$110

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSlip-jointpliersSolderingtorchTubecutter

MATERIALSPlumber’stapeRags120-gritsandpaperorclothLead-freesolderFluxCopperpipeCopperfittings

Smallwater leaks at soldered copper joints can be easy to fix. Justtake a little extra care in cleaning and fluxing the joints. Leaks innewlysolderedcopperpipesarerare.

1.Drainthewaterbeforeyousolder.Shutoffthewateratthemainvalveinyourhomeandopenupnearbyfaucetstocompletelydrainthepipewiththeleakyelbow.

2.Drytheoutsideoftheelbowandsand(120-gritpaperorcloth)aroundtheleakingjointtoremoveallsurface

corrosion.

3.Applysolderingfluxaroundthewholejointandapplyheatwithatorchuntiltheoldsoldermelts.

4.Addnewsolderuntilashinyringofsoldershowsallaroundthejoint.It’seasiertoreacharoundthebacksideofthejointifyoubendahookontheendofthesolderbeforeyoustart.Heatthejointjustenoughtomeltthesolder.(Whenthecopperishotenough,thesolderwillmeltlikebutter.Ifthesolderbeadsupandrollsoffratherthanflowing,you’veprobablyburnedthefluxorthecopperisn’tcleanenough.)Letthepipecoolforfiveminutes,thenturnthewaterbackonandcrossyourfingersthatyoustoppedtheleak.

CAUTION:Avoidfireswhenworkingwithaflamingtorch(especiallywhenthewateristurnedoff).Fillabucketwithwaterfirsttohavenearby.Itisalsoagoodideatokeepafireextinguisherhandy.

Don’tsolderclosetowoodorotherflammablematerialwithoutprotectingitfromtheflame.

Stopbangingwaterlinesonyourwashingmachine

YOURCOST:$30

SAVINGS:$120

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSAdjustablewrench

MATERIALS2waterhammerarrestersBucketRags

If your plumbing bangs and clangs like a truckload of scrapmetal,you’vegot“waterhammer.”Waterdevelopsmomentumasitflowsfast throughpipes.Whenavalve closesquicklyand stops the flow,thatmomentum shakes andpoundspipes.Waterhammerarresterscurethisconditionwithacushionofairthatabsorbsthemomentum.

Washing machines have screw-on connections, making them aseasytoattachasagardenhose.

THESLIDINGPISTONABSORBSSUDDENPRESSURECHANGESANDKEEPSTHEPIPESFROMBANGING.

1.Turnoffwatersupplyatthewashingmachinevalves.Placeabucketunderwasherhosestocatchanyremainingwaterinthelines.Disconnectthewasherhosesfromthewatersupplyvalves.Takecarethatthewashersattheendofthehosesdonotfalloff.

2.Dryconnectionswithrags.Screwonthewaterhammerarrestersclockwisetoeachwatersupplyvalve,hotandcold.(Checkthepackagingforinstallationdetails.)Makesurethattherearewashersintheswivelnuts.Secureconnectionbytighteningwithanadjustablewrench.

3.Connectthewasherhosestothewaterhammerarresters.Again,makesurethewashersareintheswivelnuts.

4.Turnthewaterbackonandcheckforleaks.Tightenanyjointsthatmaybeleakingjustabit.

CAUTION:Make sure tomeasure your pipes before purchase to get the correct sizewaterarresters—1/2in.or3/4.

Instantwatersoftenerfixes

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$180

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriver

MATERIALSSafetyglassesBroomBucketToothbrush

Is your soft water not so soft anymore? You can often fix theproblemyourself.However,ifyouhaveanoldersoftener(20yearsorso)andnoneofthesefixeswork,itmayneedreplacement

1.Setthewatersupplytobypass.Put on safety glasses. Check for salt problems in the

brine tank. Startbypushingabroomhandledown intothe salt tobreakup saltbridges (likeadome),blockingsaltfromdroppingtothebottomofthetank.Iftoolittlesaltgetsdissolved,theresinbedwon’tgetcleanandthewaterwon’tgetsoftened.

When the salt level is low (or at least once a year),check for a crust of saltmush at the bottom. This thick

salt paste doesn’t dissolve well, reducing the salinity ofthebrinesolution,andneedstoberemoved.

Scoop out themush at the bottomof the tank, thenpourinhotwatertodissolvetherestbeforeregeneratingthesystem.

2.Pourdilutedresincleanerintothebrinewelltube.Liftouttheaircheckvalve(orbrinevalveassembly)andcleanitinwarmwater.

3.Unscrewandremovethecapthatcoverstheventuriassemblyandfilterscreenandcarefullyremovetheparts.

4.Gentlycleandirtandmineraldepositsfromthescreenandfromtheventuriassemblypartsinapanofwarmwater.(Thesaltywaterflowsthroughthesepartsfromthebrinetanktotheresintank.Ifthescreenandnozzlegetcloggedbysediment,theresinbedwon’tbecleanedandthewaterwillstayhard).

Turnonwatersupplyandrunthehotwaterafteryouturnthesoftenerbackontoflushoutanyhardwater.

CAUTION:Don’t use rocksalt; it containsdirt andother impurities that canclog thesoftener.

protips!

→Beforeyoutearapartyoursoftener,checkthecontrolsettings—especiallyafteralongpoweroutage.Thetimerclockhastoshowtherighttimesothattheresintankiscleanedandrechargedwhennooneisusingwater(usuallyearlymorning).

Alsomakesurethehardnesssettingisstillcorrect—well-waterhardnesscanchangeovertime.Bringasmallcontainerofyourwatertoawatersoftenerdealerforawaterhardnesstest,thenchecktheresultsagainstyoursettings.

protips!

→Cleantheresinbedtwiceayearwithresinbedcleaner(availableatwatersoftenerdealers)ifyouhave“clearwateriron”(dissolvedironmakesaglassofwaterturncloudyorrustyaftersittingforseveralminutes).Otherwisetheresinbedwon’tremovetheiron.

Fixaleakingfridge

Straightensaggingrefrigeratordoorswithtwoturnsofawrench!

Clearandcleanrefrigeratordripopenings

Fridgeorfreezerwon’tcool

Repairanelectricrangeburnerthatwon’theat

Gasrangewon’tlight?Cleantheigniter

Howtoadjustoventemperatures

Removescratchesfromstainlesssteelappliances

Dishwashernotcleaningdishes—trythesesolutions

Howtofixasmellydishwasher

Garbagedisposerfixes

Howtoreplaceagarbagedisposersplashguard

Quietanoisywasher

Fixaslow-fillingwasher

Front-loadingwasherwon’tdrain

Dryerlintcleaningtips

Protips!Clothesdampafteranormalcycle—trythesequickfixes

Howtoreplaceavacuumcleanerbelt

Vacuumnotpickingupdirt—cleanoutclogs

ACwon’tcomeon?Checkthefuse

Fixaleakingfridge

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSLevelScrewdriverPuttyknifeifrequiredHairdryer

MATERIALS3quartersSpongeFlexibletubingthatfitsintodrainhole

Thewatersupply linesthatserve icemakersorwaterdispenserscanleak andmake pools under the fridge. But a fridgewithout thesefeaturescancreatewaterproblems,too.Everyfridgeproduceswaterintheformofcondensationandmeltingice.Whenthesystemthatdealswith thiswater fails, youcanendupwithpuddles insideandoutsideofthefridge.

Waterdrains intoapanunder the fridgewhere it evaporates. Ifyourfridgeisbadlytilted,watercanspilloutofthepan.Levelingthefridgesolvesthisproblem.

Ifthedraintubeinthefreezergetsplugged,waterleaksintothecompartmentbeloworontothefloor.

1.Adjustthefridgesoit’slevelfromsidetosideandtiltedbackward.Stackquartersnearthebackandseta2-ft.levelonthem.Whenthebubbleshowslevel,thetiltiscorrect.

2.Pulloffthefrontcovergrilletolevelortiltthefridge.Turnadjustmentscrewstoraiseorlowerthefrontcornersofthefridge.

3.Toclearthedraintub,removethescrewsthatholdthebackcoverpanelinplace.Onsomemodels,youhavetopryoutplasticscrewcoverswithaputtyknifetoexposethescrews.Useahairdryertomeltanyicebuildup.Sopawaythemeltwaterwithasponge.Thencleanuparoundthedrainhole.

4.Insertatubeinthedrainholeandblowoutanydebris.Anytubethatfitstightlyintotheholewillwork.Poura1/2cupofwaterintothetubetomakesureitdrainsbeforeyoureplacethecoverpanel.

CAUTION:Checkyourowner’smanualfordraintubelocationonyourfridge.

Straightensaggingrefrigeratordoorswithtwoturnsofawrench!

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$110

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSocketwrenchset

Straightenacrookedfridgedoorinlessthanfiveminutes.Yousavemoneybystoppingcoolairleaksaroundthedoor.

Asaggingrefrigeratororfreezerdoordoesn’tjustlookbad.Itcancausethedoorgasketstosealpoorly,andthatmeansyourfridgewillworkhardertokeepthemilkcold.Itcanalsoleadtofrostbuildupinthefreezer.

1.Torealignthedoor,justpryoffthehingecapandloosenthehingeboltsslightlywithawrench.

2.Thenalignthedoorwiththetopoftherefrigerator.Adjustonlythetophingetostraightenanupperdoor.Torealignthelowerdoor,adjustthemiddlehinge.Movingthemiddlehingewillaffecttheupperdoor,soyoumayhavetoadjustthetophingeafterward.Retightenthebolts.

Clearandcleanrefrigeratordripopenings

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSVacuum

Dripopeningsallowwaterthathasmeltedfromthedefrostcycletoflowdowntoapanlocatedbythecompressor,whereitevaporates.Checkyourowner’smanualforthelocationonyourfridge.Oncycledefrost fridges, a channel directs the water to a tube in the foodcompartment (see below).On frost-free types, look for a small capunder the crisper drawers that covers a hole, or an opening in thebackofthefreezerorrefrigerator.Ifthedrainopeningclogs,waterwillbuildupunderthecrisperdrawersandeventuallypouroutontothefloor.

1.Locatethedripopeningandwipeitout,beingcarefulnottopressanydebrisdownintothehole.Suckoutcrumbswithavacuum.

protips!

→Isyourfreezerfulloffrost?Checkthefreezerdoor.Frostisasuresignthatthefreezerdoorisajar.Allittakesisonetoomanycartonsoficecreamtoholdthedooropenacrack.Rearrangethefreezercontentssothedoorclosescompletelyandyoumaysaveonaservicecall.

Fridgeorfreezerwon’tcool

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSCoil-cleaningbrushVacuum

There are lots of malfunctions that can take the chill out of yourfridge.Onecommoncauseofsuddenlysofticecreamorwarmjuiceisasimple lossofelectricity. Ifthe lightdoesn’tcomeonwhenyouopenthefridgedoor,makesurethefridgeispluggedinandcheckthe breaker panel. If the fridge runs but doesn’t get cold enough,chancesareoneofthefollowingfixeswillrestorethechill.

1.Checkthetemperaturecontroldial.Thetemperaturecontroldialinsidethefridgeissometimesirresistibletocuriouskids.Makesureithasn’tbeenturnedwaydown.Adjustthetemperaturecontroldial.

2.Makesuretheventsinsidethefridgeorfreezercompartmentaren’tblockedbycontainers.Theselittleventsonfrost-freefridgesallowairtocirculateinthefreezer.Don’tblockthemorletcrumbsortwisttiesgetsuckedinaroundtheevaporatorfanorclogthedraintube.Tohelpsaveenergy,keepyourfreezeraboutthree-quartersfulltoretaincoldair.Butdon’tpackitanyfuller—theairneedstocirculate.

3.Shutoffpowertotherefrigerator.Cleanthecoilswithacoil-cleaningbrushandvacuumsoaircanflowthroughthem.Inorderforyourfridgetocreateachill,airhastoflowfreelythroughthecondensercoils.Acoil-cleaningbrush,whichisbendabletofitintightareas,doesathoroughjob.

COILCLEANINGBRUSH

4.Withrefrigeratoroff,freeupthecondenserfan.Pulloutthefridgeandunscrewthecoverpanel.Vacuumthefan.Thenstarttherefrigeratortomakesurethefanturnsfreely.

CAUTION:Shutpoweroffontherefrigeratorbyunpluggingorswitchingoffthecircuitbreakerbeforecleaningthecoilsorfan.

protips!

→Onmostolderrefrigerators,thecoilsareonthebackside.Cerealboxesontopofthefridgeorgrocerybagsstuffedbehinditcanreducetheneededairflow.

→Mostnewerrefrigeratorshavecoilsunderneath,wheretheycangetblockedbytrashandpluggedwithdust.Theresultisyourcompressorworksharderandlongerthanitwasdesignedto,usingmoreenergyandshorteningthelifeofyourfridge.

→Evenifyourfridgeisworkingfine,youshouldpulloffthefrontgrilleandcleanthecoilseveryyearforefficientoperation;doiteverysixmonthsifyouhavesheddingpets.

Repairanelectricrangeburnerthatwon’theat

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$115

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverWirebrushSmallscrewdriver

MATERIALSReplacementparts,ifneeded

Ifyourrangehasaburnerthat’snotworking,chancesareyoucanfixit without any special tools. To diagnose a burner problem, gothrough the steps in order. If the burners still don’t work, call aserviceprofessionalforhelp.Ourlistshouldtakecareof95percentof the problems that could occurwith a burner. If you see burnedwires, have a pro look at the range. It could indicate a biggerproblem.

1.Unplugtherange.Removethebadburner.Comparethenonfunctioningburnerwiththeotherburners.Ifitlookspittedandscorched,sliptheburneroutofitssocketandreplaceit.Toremoveaburner,simplyliftitslightlyandpulltheprongsfromthesocket.Youmayhavetowiggleitslightlytogettheprongstorelease.Someburnersareheldbyascrewthatyoumustremove.

2.Tightenaburnerconnection.Wiggletheburnerinthesocket.Ifit’slooseinthesocket,pullitoutandspreadtheburnerterminalsslightlyforatighterconnection.Dothisgently—themetalisfragileandyoudon’twanttocracktheheatingelement!Thencleanthesocketwithawirebrush.Reinstalltheburner,plugthestovebackinandtesttheresults.

3.Removeafunctioningburnerofthesamesizeandtryitinthesocketthat’snotworking.Ifthatburnerworks,replacethebadburnerwithanewone.

4.Inspecttheburnersocket.Ifit’scharredorscorched,replaceitbyremovingthescrewsthatsecureittotherangetop.Thenunscrewtherangewiresandscrewthemtotheterminalsonthenewsocket.Therearetwomaintypesofwireconnections.Socketshaveeitherscrewconnectionsorwireleadsthatyouattachtotherangewiringwiththesuppliedceramicwireconnectors.

CAUTION:Alwaysunplugyourelectricrangebeforeremovingaburner.

protips!

→TipsforbuyingreplacementpartsBeforeyougotopurchaseapart,writedownthebrandname,modelnumberandserialnumberoftherange.Therangewillhaveanengravedplatewiththisinformationusuallylocatedunderthecooktoplidorontheback.LookintheYellowPagesunder“Appliances,Parts”forasupplier.Callfirsttobesurethepartyouneedisinstock.OrorderovertheInternet.

Gasrangewon’tlight?Cleantheigniter

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$115

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSOldtoothbrushNeedle

Aone-minutecleaningwillsolve75percentofburnerproblems.Togetattheignitionsystem,liftthelidofyourstove.Giveitarapwiththeheelofyourhand if it’s stuck. If your stovehas sealedburners,identifiedbytheigniterorlittlenubatthebackofeachburner,thelidwon’tlift.Butyoucancleantheigniterthesameway.

1.Accessthepilotorigniter.Liftthehingedtop.Moststovetopsliftup.However,stoveswithsealedburnersdon’thavetopsthatlift.

2.Toaccesstheignitionsysteminanolder-stylestandardgasrange,popthelid.Ifthepilotflameisout,pokeaneedleintothepilotholetocleanoutsoot(becarefulnottoreamitwider).Brushoffanydebrisandcleanthetubethatleadsfromthepilottotheburner.Thenrelightthepilot.Lowerthelidandturnonyourburnerstotestthem.

2.Onelectronicignitionstoves,it’salittleceramicnublocatedonthestovetoporundertheceramicsealstrikeplate.Alsomakesurethattheroundceramicsealstrikeplateisproperlysealedontheburner.

3.Onasealedburner,cleantheigniterthesameway.

4.Onsparkignitions,cleanthemetal“ground”abovetheigniterwire,too.Itmustbecleantoconductaspark.Closethelidandturntheburnerknobto“Light”totesttheburner.Itclickswhenit’sworking.

CAUTION: All the repairs and cleaning that we show can be safely done withoutshuttingoff thegas to thestove.Butdon’t leaveaburnerdialon. It’ll emitgas into theroom.Ifatanytimeyousmellgas,turnoffthegasattheshutoffbehindtherangeoratthemain supply near themeter and ventilate the room. Then call your local utility or aserviceprofessionalforassistance.(Lookunder“Appliances,ServiceandRepair”inyourYellowPages.)

Howtoadjustoventemperatures

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSInstructionmanual

If the temperature in your oven doesn’t match your temperaturesetting,orifyournewovenjustdoesn’tcooklikeyouroldone,youcan recalibrate the temperature setting. The instructions foradjusting the temperature are in your instruction manual. If youdon’t have amanual, ask themanufacturer to send youoneor goonline and search for a downloadable version. Enter your oven’smodel number along with the words “instruction manual” in thesearchboxandyou’resuretofindwhatyouneed.

You’llneedagood-qualityoventhermometertoseeifyourovenisheatingaccurately.(WeshowanOXObrand).Checklocalretailers(kitchenanddepartmentstorestendtocarrygoodones)orbuyoneonline.

1.Setathermometerintheovenonthecentershelfandlettheovenheattoaconstanttemperature.

2.Adjustthetemperaturesettingusingtheprocedureoutlinedinyourmanualtomatchthetemperaturesettingtothethermometerreading.OnthisGEoven,youpressthe“bake”and“broil”buttonssimultaneously,andthenpress“bake”toenterthetemperature-adjustingmode.Thenyoukeeppressingthe“+”or“-”buttontocoordinatethethermostatwiththeactualoventemperature.

Removescratchesfromstainlesssteelappliances

YOURCOST:$6

SAVINGS:$144

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSandingblock(400-to600-grit)Abrasivepad

MATERIALSRubbingcompoundStainlesssteelcleaner/polish(Orarepairkitwitheverythingyouneed)

Stainlesssteelisagreatlookuntilyouscratchit.Thenitlooksawful.Buffoutugly scratches inyour shiny stainless steelappliancesusingfinesandpaperandrubbingcompound.

1.Startwiththefinestgritsandpaperorpadandzigzagastreamofsandingfluid(orrubbingcompound)onit.Thengentlysandthescratchedarea.Determinethedirectionofthe“grain”andsandinonedirectiononly,followingthebrushedpattern.Don’tsandbackandforthandneversandagainstthe“grain.”

If the scratchwon’t comeoutafter sandingfora fewminutes,moveuptothenextcoarsestgrit.

2.Whenthescratchdisappears,sandtherestofthepaneluntilitblendsin.

You’llhavetodevelopafeelforthetechnique,sostartonaninconspicuousareaoftheappliancepanel.

3.Finishbyapplyingastainlesssteelcleaner/polish.

CAUTION: The sanding technique only works on plain (uncoated) stainless steelpanels. Never try this procedure on simulated stainless steel or stainless panelswith afingerprint-resistantclearcoat.

Hint:Ifyourappliancefingerprintseasily,chancesareit’splainstainlesssteel.

Dishwashernotcleaningdishes—trythesesolutions

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$120

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSScrewdriverWet/dryvacuum

MATERIALSSmallpieceofflexiblewire

When your dishwasher doesn’t clean well, fix it yourself followingthesesimplestepsandavoidtheexpensiveprofessionalservicecall.Asimple cleaning often solves the problem. Start by consulting yourmanual to be sure you’re using the right detergent, loading thedishescorrectlyandmaintainingtherighthotwatertemperature.

1.Pulloutthelowerrackandremovethesprayarm.Thisalsoallowsaccesstothefilterforcleaning.Somesprayarmssimplysnapoff,othersrequireyoutounscrewacapontop.

2.Cleanouttheholeswithasmallwire.

3.Removethefilterscreenifpossible.Otherwise,useawet/dryvacuumtosuckoutthedebris.

4.Makesurethefloatmovesupanddownfreely.Ifthefloatonyourdishwasherisremovable,takethefloatapartandcleanit.Jiggleitgentlyupanddown.

protips!

→Insufficientwaterinthedishwasheralsocancausepoorcleaning.Ifthefloatgetsstuckintheraisedposition,thedishwasherwon’tfillwithwater.Todetermineifyourdishwasherisgettingenoughwater,startawashcycle.Openthedoorwhenyouhearthemachinestopfilling.Thewatershouldreachorcomeclosetotheheatingcoil.Ifitdoesn’t,firstmakesurethefloatvalveisoperatingfreely(Photo4).

Howtofixasmellydishwasher

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSWet/dryvacuum

MATERIALSSmallpieceofflexiblewireRagDishwashercleaner/degreaserDishwasercleaneranddisinfectant

Ifyousmellbaddishwasherodorsafterrunningacycle,don’treachfor the bleach bottle. Bleach is very corrosive to metal parts anddoesn’t solve therootproblem.Thesmell comes frombacteria thatfeedontrappedfoodandgreaseinthestrainerscreenatthebottomofthemachine,inthejetsinthesprayerarmsandalongthebottomedgeofthedoor.

1.Startbycleaningandrinsingoutthefilterscreenatthebottomofthedishwasher.Wet/dryvacuumsworkverywell.

2.Next,cleanoutanyfoodlodgedinthesprayerarmports.Pokefoodparticlesfromtheholeswithaflexiblewire.

3.Cleanthedoorlip.Tipthedoordownallthewayandspraythebottomedgeandlipareawithcleaner/degreaserspray.Letitsoakforawhile,thenscrubitclean.Repeatanytimeyouseebuildup.

4.Onceyou’vecleanedthoseareas,throwinabottleofdishwashercleaneranddisinfectant(DishwasherMagic;orderfromamazon.com)andrunafullcyclewithnodishesordishwashingdetergent.Keepthosecriticalareascleaninthefutureandyourstinkingproblemwon’tcomeback.

CAUTION:Don’treachforthebleachbottle.Bleachisverycorrosivetometalparts.

Garbagedisposerfixes

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$150

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSTongsorneedle-nosepliersHexwrenchorAllenwrench

Whenyoufliptheswitchtoturnonthegarbagedisposerandallyouget is ahum—ora loud,metal-on-metalgrindingnoise—youknowsomething’swrong. Itmight be revivedwith a simple fix.Here arethreethingstotry.

1.Ifyourgarbagedisposerishard-wired,startbyflippingoffthecircuitbreaker.Ifitplugsin,unplugit.

Lookforajam.Somethingtootoughtogrind,suchasa piece of glass, could be jamming the motor. Removethe rubber baffle inside the drain—most just lift out—and shine a flashlight into the hole. Fish out theobstructionwithapairoftongsorneedle-nosepliers.

2.Turnthemotormanually.You’llneedahexwrench.Somedisposerscomewithonebentataconvenientangle,butifyoudon’thaveit,youcanbuyoneatahardwarestoreoruseastandardAllenwrench.Rotatethewrenchbackandforthasshownuntilthemotorturnsafullrevolution,thenremovethewrenchandswitchonthemotor.

3.Presstheresetbutton.Ifyourmotorhasoverheatedbyworkingtoolong,waitfiveminutesforittocooldown,thenpushtheresetbutton.(It’susuallylocatedontheundersideofthedisposer.)Themotormayalsohaveoverheatedbecauseofajam.Ifthemotordoesn’tstartaftermanuallyturningit,trypushingtheresetbutton.Turnonacoldstreamofwaterandturnthedisposerswitchto“on”position;thedisposershouldnowrunagain.

CAUTION:Unpluggarbagedisposerorflipoffthecircuitbreaker.

Howtoreplaceagarbagedisposersplashguard

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$150

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverMATERIALSNewsplashguardStackofbooksBlockofwoodShims

Gotagarbagedisposerthatspits,um,garbageatyou?Forgetaboutreplacingtheentireunit.Youcaninstallanewsplashguardinabout20minutes.Youdon’tneedanyspecialtools.

1.Ifyourgarbagedisposerishard-wired,startbyflippingoffthecircuitbreaker.Ifitplugsin,unplugit.Assembleasupportforthedisposerbystackingupsomebooksandapieceofwoodontop.Thenunscrewandremovethedrainpipe.

2.Todisconnectthedisposer,jamascrewdriverintothelockingringandrotateitawayfromyou.Thatwillreleasethecollarandthedisposerwilldropontothebooks.Supportitwithonehandsoitdoesn’ttipover.

3.Removethetoppieceofwoodfromthebookstacktolowerthedisposerenoughtoreplacethesplashguard.Grabtheloweredgeoftheoldrubberguardandpeelitupandoff.Thenslipthenewoneonandpushitdownuntilitseats.

4.Reconnectthedisposerbyreplacingthewoodpieceandaddingseveralshimsbetweenthebooksandthebottomofthedisposeruntilthelockingringjusttouchesthesinkflange.Thenjustrotatetheringtolockitinplace.Reinstallthedrainline,doaleaktestandgrindaway.

CAUTION:Unpluggarbagedisposerorflipoffthecircuitbreaker.

protips!

→Thehardestpartofreinstallationishoistingthedisposerupandintoplacewithonehandwhileyoutrytoengagethelockingringwiththeother.Shovingseveralshimsbetweenthebooksandthebottomofdisposermaketheprocessgosmoothly.

Quietanoisywasher

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSLevelPrybarWrench

MATERIALSBlockofwood

When awashingmachine cabinet rocks, itmakes a horrible racketduring the spin cycle. The solution is to simply readjust the legs.Fortunately,it’saneasyfix,thoughyoumayneedahelpertotiltupthemachine.

1.Liftthemachineslightlywithaprybartotaketheweightoffthefrontlegs,thenturnthelegsuntilthesideofthewasherisplumb.Adjustthefrontlegstomakethemachinelevelacrossthefrontandfromfronttoback.Thelegscanusuallybeturnedbyhandafterthelocking

nutatthetopofthethreadsisturneddown,butifthethreadsarerusted,useawrench.

2.Afterleveling,lockthelegintoplace.Tightenthelockingnutupagainsttheframeofthewashingmachinetokeepthelegfromturning.

3.Mostwashingmachineshaveself-adjustingrearlegsthatlevelfromsidetoside,butdirt,lintandrustmaykeepthemfromworkingproperly.Ifthebackisn’tlevel,tipthewashingmachineupafewinchesandthensetitbackdownsotheweightofthemachineloosensthelegs.Ifthemachinestilldoesn’tlevelout,theself-levelingsupportmayberustedagainstthewashingmachineframe.Tipthemachineofftheground,thenbreaktheself-levelingsupportloosebytappingthelegs.

Fixaslow-fillingwasher

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSNeedle-nosepliersAircompressorifrequired

MATERIALSInletscreen(ifoldonetorn)

Awashingmachinethattakesforevertofillmayhaveaninletscreenclogged with mineral deposits and tiny particles of debris. Thesescreens catch debris in the water supply and protect a washer’sinternalparts.Often,screensclogafteraremodelingprojectorafterwork by city crews on water mains. Any work on water lines canloosensedimentinpipesandleadtopluggedscreens.

Cleaning the screens is a simple job. The only tricky part isremovingthescreenswithoutwreckingthem(Photos1and2).Don’tjust yank them out. Gently squeeze and twist as you pull. You’lldistort the screens a little, but you canmold themback into shapewith your fingers. If your screensare cemented inplacebymineraldeposits,youmaynotbeabletoremovethemwithoutdamage.Newscreensareinexpensiveandaresoldatappliancepartsstores.

1.Disconnecthoses.Turnoffthehotandcoldwatersuppliesanddisconnectthehoses.Useapairofneedle-noseplierstogentlyremovethescreensforcleaning.

2.Cleanthedirtyinletscreenwithrunningwaterorblowoutdebriswithanaircompressor.

3.Reinsertthescreen.Workthecleanscreenbackintotheinletbypressingaroundtherimofthescreenwithasmallscrewdriver.

4.Checkyourwashersupplyhoses,too.Somecontainscreensthatcanberemovedandcleanedjustlikeinletscreens.Reconnectthehoses,turnonthewaterandcheckforleaks.

protips!

→Ifyourwashingmachineisconnectedtobarerubberhoses,you’reriskingthousandsofdollars’worthofwaterdamage.Underconstantwaterpressure,thesehosesarepronetoleaksorevenbursting.That’swhybuildingcodessaythatthewatersupplyshouldbeshutoffwhenthewasherisn’tinuse—unlessit’sconnectedtono-bursthoses.

No-bursthosesareencasedinawovenmetalsleevethatpreventsweakspotsintherubberfromdevelopingintoleaks.Thehosesareavailableathomecenters,andinstallingthemisaseasyasconnectingagardenhose.

Front-loadingwasherwon’tdrain

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSWoodblock

Afront-loadingwashingmachinethatwon’tdrainmayneednothingmore thana simple filter cleaning,especially if it’saMaytag.Learnhowtoaccessthefilterandhowtocleanit.

Eventhoughsomeinstructionmanualsdon’tmentionit,there’safilternearthewaterpumpthatcatchesstuffbeforeitgetsintothepumpand causes damage. If the filter gets clogged, it canpreventyourmachinefromdraining.Insomecases,acodenumberwillshowuponthedigitaldisplay. Ifyou lookupthecode in the instructionmanual,itwillindicateaproblemwithsudsortellyoutocheckthefilter.OnMaytagfrontloaders, it’seasytoavoidtheseproblemsbycleaningthefiltereverysixmonths.OnnewerMaytagmachines,youcanaccessthefiltereasilybyremovingthefrontpanel.OnFrigidaireandsomeotherbrands,thefilterispartofthepumpandyou’llhavetoremoveahoseortheentirepumptocleanit.

1.Removethefrontpanel.Tiltthewasherbackandslideblocksunderthefrontlegsforeasieraccesstothescrews.Removethescrewsandliftoffthefrontpanel.

2.Twistoffthefilter.Ifyourwasherhasafilterthat’sseparatefromthedrainpump,you’llseeitalongsidethe

pump.Unscrewthefilterbyturningitcounterclockwise.Cleanitoutandreinstallit.

Dryerlintcleaningtips

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$85

COMPLEXITYSimpleTOOLS4-in-1screwdriverMATERIALSDryerbrushShopvacuumorvacuumcleaner

Preventhouse fires.Clean the lint from insideyourclothesdryeraswell as lint caught in the exhaust vent. You can complete thecleaninginabout30minutes.

1.Tocleantheexhaustduct,shutoffthegasandunplugthedryer,thenpullthedryerawayfromthewallanddisconnecttheductfromthedryer.Useabrushandavacuumtoremovethelintintheduct.Ifyouhaveaflexibleduct(especiallytheplastictype!),replaceitwithrigidmetalduct.

2.Tocleaninsidethedryer,unplugitandturnoffthegas,thenopeneitherthetoporthefront.(Theprocedureisthesameforgasandelectricdryers.)Fordryerswithatoplintfilterandasolidfrontpanel,removethelintfilterandtakeoutthetwoscrewsonthesideofthefilteropeningandliftituptoreleaseitfromthecatchesatthecorners.

3.Disconnectthedoor-switchwiresinthefrontcorner,removethetwofrontscrewsthentipthefrontforwardandliftitclearofthebottomcatchesandthedrum.Thedrumwilltipasthepaneldrops,butthiswon’tdamageanything.Justholditupwhileyouclean.

4.Brushoutthelintinsidethelintfilteropeningandvacuumallaroundthedrum.Cleanthoroughlyaroundtheheatingelement,butworkgentlyaroundwiresandmechanicalparts.Usealongbrushtocleanthevent,thenvacuumitfromthetopandback5.Finally,reassemblethedryer.Putthefrontintothedrumandlift,thendropthefrontintothecatchesnearthebottomwhileholdingittightagainstthesides.Reattachthefrontscrewsandwires,thensetthetopbackdown.

Cleaningtechniqueifyourdryerhasafrontaccesspanel

1.Releasethemetalcatches(orremovescrews).Slide a screwdriver into the gap at the top of the

bottompanelatthetwocatchestoreleasethepanel.

2.Vacuumoutthelint.Vacuumaroundmotor,theventandtheinsideofthedryer.Cleancarefullyaroundwiresandsmallpartstoavoidbreakingthem.

CAUTION:Consult yourmanual for instructionsonaccessing theheatingelementorcabinetinterior.

CAUTION:Cleanthoroughlyaroundtheheatingelement,butworkgentlyaroundwiresandmechanicalparts.

protips!

→Built-uplintinsidedryercabinetscausesmorethan15,000fireseveryyear.Lintescapesthroughtinygapsaroundtheedgesofthedryerdrumandfallsintothecabinet,especiallywhentheexhaustventorventcapiscloggedandairflowisrestricted.Thelintcangetignitedbyelectricheatingelements,gasburnersorevenasparkfromthemotor,andtheflamesthentravelthroughthelint-linedexhaustvent.Tomakesurethisdoesn’thappeninyourhouse,checktheexhaustventandtheinsideofthecabinetfrequently.

protips!

Clothesdampafteranormalcycle—trythesequickfixes.

→ Check your dryer setting. If your clothes are damp after anormalcyclecheckthedryersetting—makesureit’snoton“fluffair,”anon-heatsetting.

→Cleanyourdryerfilter.Anothercommoncauseofpoordryingisthe clogged lint filter. The filter may look clean, but it mayactually be covered by a nearly invisible film caused by dryersheets.Thisfilmreducesairflowandforcesthethermostattoshutoff the heat before your clothes are dry. Pull out the filter andscrub it in hot water with a little laundry detergent and a stiffkitchenbrush.

→Also check the ouside dryer vent for any lint thatmay havebuiltupthere.Thelouverdoor-styleventcoversarenotoriousforlintbuildup,whichtrapsheatandturnstheheatoffinthedryer.Pullthecovercompletelyofftogettotheseclogs.

Howtoreplaceavacuumcleanerbelt

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$25

COMPLEXITYSimpleTOOLSFlat-bladescrewdriverMATERIALSReplacementbelt

Whenyourvacuumstartstolosecleaningpower,requiringmultiplepasses to get an area clean, or the self-propulsion loses its zip,chancesareyouneedtochangethevacuumagitatorbelt.Afteronlyafewmonthsofuse,mostvacuumbeltsstretchoutenoughtoslip,causingtheagitatortospinmoreslowly.

Thegoodnewsisyoucandoityourselfinabout15minuteswithtwoscrewdrivers.

1.Removecoverscrews.Unplugthevacuumandturnitover,exposingtheunderside.Backoutthecasingscrewsthatsecurethebottomcover.Releasetheattachmentclipswithaflat-bladescrewdriverandliftoffthecover.

2.Removethebelt.Pryouttheagitatorwithaflat-bladescrewdriver.Slidetheoldbeltofftheagitatorpulleyand

motordriveshaftandslidethenewbeltonthemotordriveshaft.

3.Seattheagitator.Slidethenewbeltontotheagitator.Replacetheagitator,makingsuretheendcapsareproperlyseated.

4.Oncethenewbelt’sonandtheagitator’sbackinplace,turntheagitatorbyhandtomakesurethebeltspinssmoothly,withoutrubbingorbinding.Reassemblethebottomcoverandtest-runthemachine.

protips!

→Replacingthebeltisquickandinexpensive.Newbeltsareavailablefromavacuumpartssupplier(checkonlineforastoreinyourarea).Beltscomeinnumerousbrandsandsizes,sobringtheoldonetothestoreforaguaranteedmatch.

Vacuumnotpickingupdirt—cleanoutclogs

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$30

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSShopvacuumBroomhandle

MATERIALSWirecoathangerorstiffelectricalwire

Ifyourvacuumcleanerisn’tpickingupdirt,andcleaningorreplacingthefilterorthebagdoesn’thelp,youprobablyhaveaclog.

Iftheattachmenthosehasnosuction,eitheritorthehosesuctionportisclogged.Trytounclogusingthesemethods.

1.Shopvacuumtechnique.Useashopvacuumtosuckclogsoutofthesuctionportorhose.

2.Broomhandletechnique.Shovestubbornclogsthroughthehosewithabroomhandle.

3.Bentwiretechniqueforthehosesuctionport.Ifthemachineisn’tpickingupdirtandthebrushesareturning,mostlikelythesuctionportatthebaseofthemachineisplugged.Removethecoverontheundersideofthemachinetoaccesstheport.Bendalittlebarbontheendofacoathangerorstiffelectricalwireanduseittohooktheclogtopullitfree.

ACwon’tcomeon?Checkthefuse

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$145

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSCartridgefuses(ifrequired)

Ifyouturnyourcentralairconditioneron,offandthenonagaininrapid order, chances are you’ll blow a fuse or shut off a circuitbreakerortheairconditionersimplywon’trespond.Bepatientandgivetheairconditionerthermostataboutfiveminutestoreset. If itstillwon’tcomeon,youmayhaveblownafuse.

1.Locatethespecialfuseblockneartheoutsideunit.Pullouttheblockandtakethewholethingtothehardwarestore.Asalespersoncantestthecartridgefusesandtellyouifyouneedtoreplacethem.

Shortenhorizontalblinds

Replaceawindowscreen

Replaceacasementwindowcrankoperator

Stopdraftsaroundwindowsanddoors

Repairingaloosedoorhandle

Doorsticking—fixhingescrews

Howtostopadoorfromswingingopen

Howtomakeperfect-closingscreendoors

Replaceabrokenscreen-orstorm-doorhandle

Howtostopdoordraftsaroundentrydoors

Adustadraggingshowerdoor

Shortenhorizontalblinds

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSFlatheadscrewdriverScissors

Horizontal blind slats that hangbelow thewindowsill are not onlyunsightly but also a strangulation hazard for young children.Mostdangerous are the pull cords. Shortening the blinds to the properheightwillraisethepullcordsandmakeyourhomeasaferplace.

Thebottomrailrunsthroughtheladdercords,andthepullcordsare knotted below the rail on each end. Photo 1 shows how todisassemblethecordsfromthebottomrail.Ifthepullcordsstillhanglowwhenyou’refinished,installacleattostorethemhigher,outofkids’reach.

1.Prytheplugsoutofthebottomrailwithaflatheadscrewdriver.Settheplugsasideforreuselater.Ifthepullcordsarethreadedthroughtheplugs,cutthemoffclosetotheplug.Ifthepullcordsareknottedinsidethebottomrail,cutthemabovetherailtofreeit.Slidetherailoutfromtheladdercordsandsetitaside.

2.Extractthepullcordfromthecenteroftheladdercords,holditawayandcutbothladdercordsabout2in.longerthanthefinallengthtomakesureyouhaveenoughlengthtoinsertthestringsintotheholesonthebottomrail.Allowtheexcessslatstodropaway.

3.Slidethebottomrailbackbetweentheladdercords.Stringthepullcordsthroughthebottomrailandknottheends.Makesurethatthepullcordsareevenandthatthebottomrailhangsstraight.Youmayhavetoadjustthepositionoftheknottoachievethedesiredlengthtoyourblinds.Donottrytoadjustthelengthwiththepullcord.Tucklooseendsintotheholesandreplacetheplugs.

Replaceawindowscreen

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$40

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSAwlor4-in-1screwdriverDrillScissorsSplinerollerUtilityknife

MATERIALSScreenSplineWoodstopblock

Windowscreenscangetpuncturedortorn,butaslongastheframeisingoodshaperepairsareeasyandcanbedoneinafewminutes.Here’showtomakeyourscreenwindowlookgoodasnew.

Knowthesizeofyourwindowwhenyougotothehomecenter.Itwillsellpre-measuredrollstofitnearlyanyopeningsize.

1.Pryouttheoldsplinewithanawloranarrow-tippedscrewdriver.Throwitaway—splinegetshardandbrittleasitagesandshouldn’tbereused.Removetheoldscreen.

2.Securetheframebyplacingwoodenblocksalongtheinsideofthetwolongestsidesoftheframeandsecurethemtotheworksurface.Theblockskeeptheframefrombowinginwardwhenyouinstallthenewscreenmaterial.

3.Positionthenewscreen.Laythenewscreenmaterialovertheframe.Itshouldoverlaptheframeaboutaninch.Cuteachcornerata45-degreeanglejustslightlybeyondthesplinegroove.Thecutskeepthescreenfrombunchinginthecorners.

4.Pushthenewscreenin.Begininstallingthenewsplineatacorner.Usethescreenrollingtoolwiththeconcavewheeltopushthesplineandscreenmaterialintothegroove.Continuearoundtheframe,stretchingthescreenasyougo.Ifwrinklesorbulgesappear,removethesplineandreroll.Smallwrinklesshouldtightenupasyougetbacktothestartingcorner.Whenallfoursplinesareinplace,rollthemagain,thistimewiththeconvexwheel.

5.Trimtheexcessscreenmaterialusingautilityknifewithanewsharpblade.Adullbladewillpullthematerial,notcutit.Cutwiththebladeontopofthesplineandpointedtowardtheoutsideoftheframe.

CAUTION:Ifyourscreenframeistallerthan36in.,itshouldhaveacentersupporttokeepitfrombowinginoncethematerialisinplace.Newerscreensusuallycomewiththissupport. If your longscreensdon’thaveasupport,youcanmakeoneoutofaluminumframestock.It’slocatednearthescreeningsuppliesinmoststores.Thealuminumstockcanbecutwithatinsnipsandtrimmedtofit.

protips!

→Themostpopularreplacementscreenmaterialisfiberglass,thetypeshownhere.Itsflexibilitymakesittheeasiesttouse—ifyoumakeamistake,youcantakeitoutoftheframeandtryagain.Aluminumscreenissturdier,butyouonlygetonechance.Thegroovesyou’vemadewiththescreenrollingtoolaretheretostay.Athirdtypeofscreenmaterialthat’spopularissun-shadingfabric.

Itblocksmoresun,whichmeanslessloadonyourair-conditioningsystemandlessfadingofyourcarpet,draperiesandfurniture.It’salsostrongerthanfiberglassandaluminumscreening,soit’sgreatforpetowners.

Allthreematerialscomeingrayorblacktomatchyourotherwindowscreens.Youcanalsogetshinyaluminumaswellassun-shadingfabricsinbronzeandbrowntones.

Replaceacasementwindowcrankoperator

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYModerate

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverStiffputtyknife

MATERIALSNewwindowcrank

Don’t replace your casement window if it won’t open or shutcompletely.Youcanusuallyreplaceabadcrankoperatorinanhour,and have it working smoothly again; a bargain if the overallconditionofthewindowisstillgood.

Youroperatormayvaryslightlyfromtheoneweshow.However,thereplacementprocessissimilar.

1.Inspecttheoldcrankforwearordamage.Wornandmissingsplinesonthecrankstud,strippedorbrokengears,andworn-outcrankarmsmeanyouhavetoreplacetheentirecrankoperator.

2.Disconnectthecrankarmfromtheguidetrack.Crankthewindowopenuntiltheplasticguidebushingalignswiththeguidetracknotch.Pressdownonthearmtofreethebushingfromthetrack,andthenpushoutthewindowuntilthebushingclearsthetrack.(Usealockingpliersforacrankhandleandpushoutonthewindowtohelpitopen).Iftheoperatoralsocontainsasplitarmoperator,unhookthattoo.

3.Unscrewthetrimmountingscrewsinsidethescreentrack.Removethecasementcoveroffthewindowjambandaccessthecrankinnards.Iftherearen’tanytrimscrews,thecasementcoverisprobablynailedorstapledinplace.Slideastiffputtyknifebetweenthewindowjambandcasementcover.Carefullypryupthecasingsoyoudon’tdamagethewoodparts.Removeallcrankmountingscrewsandliftoffthecrank.Replacerustedorbenttrimscrews.Closethewindowandlockituntilthenewcrankarrives.

4.Comparethenewoperatorwiththeoldtomakesuretheymatch.

5.Installthenewcrank.Lineupthenewcrankwiththeoldholes.Theoldscrewholesareoftenstripped.Ifso,stickatoothpickortwointhemasfilleranddrivethescrews.Thenreattachthecrankarmandcasementcover.

WHENYOUTURNTHEHANDLE,THEOPERATORMOVESTHECRANKARMANDTHESPLITARMOPERATOR.THESPLITARMOPERATORTHENOPENSTHEWINDOWSASH.CASEMENTWINDOWOPERATORSCOMEINSEVERALSTYLES.

protips!

→Youdon’tneedthemake,modelorserialnumberofthecrankoperator.Youjustneedapicture.Snapadigitalphoto,emailittoahardwaresupplycompanyandthecompanywillsellyouanewone.Ormailthecompanyaprintphoto.Youcanalsolookatonlinecatalogstofindanoperatorthatmatchesyours.

Stopdraftsaroundwindowsanddoors

YOURCOST:$40

SAVINGS:$110

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSUtilityknifePuttyknifePrybarHammerBradnailgunNippersorpliersRags

MATERIALSFoamsealantPutty(matchpaintcolor)Spackle(forpaintedtrim)

Ifyourwindowsordoorsareasourceofchillydraftsallwinterlong,the problem could be worn-out seals, weather stripping orthresholds.Thenagain,sloppyinstallationmightbetoblame.Whencoldweatherarrives,holdthebackofyourhandneartheedgesofwindowsordoorstotrackdownthesourceofleaks.Ifyoufeelcoldairflowingoutfrombehindthetrim,chancesarethespacesaroundthewindowanddoorjambsweren’tproperlysealed.

Pluggingtheseleaksisatime-consumingjob:Youhavetopulloffthe interior trim, sealaroundthe jambsandthenreinstall the trim.But if your doors and windows are otherwise fairly airtight, thepayoff canbebig, too. Stoppingdrafts not onlymakes your homemore comfortable but also cuts energy bills (air leaks are a majorsourceofheatlossinmosthomes).

1.Firstinvestigate:Removeonepieceoftrimfromawindoworadoor.Topreventchippingortearingpaint,slicethroughpaintwherethetrimmeetsthewallandjamb.Putanewbladeinyourutilityknifeandmakeseveralpassesoverheavypaintbuildup.

2.Slipastiffputtyknifeunderthetrimandliftitenoughtoinsertaflatprybar.Don’tsimplyforceuponeendofthepiece.Instead,workalongthelengthofthepiece,movingyourprybarandliftingthetrimoffgradually.Protectwallswithashimorascrapofwoodasyougraduallyworkthetrimawayfromthewall.

Atmiteredcorners,watchfornailsdriventhroughthejoint.Topreventthesenailsfromsplittingmiteredends,pry up both mitered pieces together. Then pull themapart.

3.Withonepieceremoved,examinethespacebetweenthejambandthewallframing.Ifthedrywallcoversthespace,trimitbackwithautilityknife.Ifyouseeonlyafewloosewadsoffiberglassinsulationornoinsulationatallbetweenthejambandframing,it’slikelythatallyour

windowsanddoorsarepoorlysealedandneedsealant.Continuetoremovetheremainingtrim.

4.Pullnailsoutthroughthebacksideoftrimwithnippersorplierstoavoiddamagingthefaceofthetrim.Alsowritethelocationofeachpieceoftrimonthebackside.

5.Fillgapswithfoamsealant.Pullinsulationfrombetweenthejambandthewallframing.Sealthegaparoundthejambwithfoamsealant.Somesealantswillpushjambsinwardastheyexpand,sobesuretouseonethat’sintendedforwindowsanddoors(checkthelabel).WechoseDAPTexPlusbecauseit’seasytocleanupwithadamprag.Mostexpandingfoamsarenearlyimpossibletocleanupbeforetheyharden.

Letthefoamhardenandtrimoffanyexcessfoamwithaknifebeforeyoureinstallthetrim.

6.Positioneachpieceexactlyasitwasoriginallyandtackeachoneupwithonlytwonails.Ridgesinthewallpaintcanhelpyoualigneachpieceperfectly.Withonlyacoupleofnailsineachpiece,youcanmakesmalladjustmentsbyholdingablockagainstthetrimandtappingitwithahammer.Thenaddmorenails.Ifyourtrimhasaclearfinish,fillthenailholeswithamatchingcoloredfillersuchasColorPuttyorDAPFinishingPutty.Withpaintedtrim,it’sbesttofilltheholeswithspackleandrepaint.

CAUTION:LEADPAINTWARNINGLeadpaintchipsarehazardous.Ifyourhomewasbuiltbefore1978,callyourlocalhealthdepartmentforinformationontestingandhandlingleadpaintsafely.

Repairingaloosedoorhandle

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverAwlifrequired

Over time, door handles loosen and become difficult to turn andunlatch. Most door hardware made today uses exposed screws,accessible from the “room side” of the door, to connect the twohalves of the handle to each side of the door. But some currentbrands(andmostolderdoorhardware)usehiddenchassisscrews,asetupthatrequiresyoutotakethedoorknobandrose(coverplate)apart to tighten the screws. It only takes aminute to pop off thecoverplate.

Ourdoorhardware is fairly typical,butyoumayhave somethingother than a button to release the knob. Also, some door rosesunscrew from the chassis by hand (turn them counterclockwise)ratherthansnapontoit.

1.Removetheinsidedoorknobbylocatingthebutton(likeourmodel),metaltaborwirecliponthesideoftheknobthatactsasarelease.Usinganawlorsmallscrewdriver,pushthebuttoninalltheway—andatthesametime—pulloffthehandle.Removethedoorrosebyinsertingasmallscrewdriverintothesmallnotchintheroseandtwistingthetooltopopitoff.Becarefulsoyoudon’tchipanydoorpaint.

2.Tightenthedoorhardwarebyopeningthedoor,squeezingbothsidesoftheassemblytogetherandtighteningthetwoscrewsonthechassis.Toreassemble,snaptherosebackonthechassis,depressthereleasebuttonandslidetheknobbackonuntilthebuttonpopsthroughthehole.

Doorsticking—fixhingescrews

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSDrill/driver,cordless

MATERIALS3-in.yellowdichromate(zinc-plated)screws

Onedaythedoorclosessmoothly;thenextdayit’ssticking.Andthesticking grows worse as the weeks pass. It’s a common old houseproblem,butitcanhappenanywhere.

Theproblemis loosehinges.Thesolutionissimpleandfoolproof—biggerscrews!You’llhavethatstickingdoorworkinglikeacharminnotime.

1.Thescrewsholdingthetophingescarrymostoftheweightofthedoorandarealmostalwaysthefirsttopullout,especiallyafterthey’vebeenrepeatedlytightenedovertheyears.Thebestwaytobeefthemupistoreplacethestandard3/4-in.hingescrewswithatleasttwo3-in.screwsthatgothroughthejambsandsolidlyanchorintotheframing.Ifthedoorhasalargehingewithfourscrewholes,justdrive3-in.screwsstraightthroughthetwoholestowardthecenterofthedoor.However,ifthehingehasonlythreeholes,adda3-in.screwthroughthemiddleholeandredrillthetopscrewholeataslightanglesothescrewhitssolidwood.

2.Startthedrillbitatasharpanglesothebitdoesn’tfollowtheoldscrewhole.Assoonasyoufeelafreshholestarting,tipthedrillbitbacktoananglethatwillhitthestud—theangleshownhereshouldworkformostdoors.Ifthebitorscrewfeelslikeit’sslidingofftothesidebetweenthedrywallandwood,redrillatasharperangle.Replaceshorthingescrewswithlongscrewswhenthescrewholesnolongerhold.Anglethelongscrewstowardthestudstomakesuretheycatch.

3.Screwthehingebackinwithyellowdichromate(zinc-plated)screws—thecolorandheadsizeoftheserust-resistantdrywallscrewsareagoodmatchforstandardbrasshingescrews.Ifthedoordoesn’tshutproperlyafterallthescrewsaredrivenin,theymayhavebeendrivenin

toofar,pullingthedoorframeoutofplumb.Justbackthescrewsoutafewturns.

protips!

→Whendrilling,braceyourselfagainstthelatch-sidejambandpushhardtoavoidstrippingthescrewhead.

Howtostopadoorfromswingingopen

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPliersHammer

MATERIALSShimLargenailWoodscraps

Ifyouhaveadoorthatswingsallthewayopeneverytimeyouleaveitslightlyajar,thedoorframeisn’tplumb.Butyoudon’tneedtohiresomeone to take the door down and go through the hassle ofdisassembling everything just to adjust the frame. Instead, try thismuchsimplerfix.

Grab a hammer, a few scraps ofwood, a large nail and a shim.Take them into the roomand close the door. Reinsert the pin andchecktheresults.Ifthedoorstillwon’tstayopen,dothesamewiththelowerhinge.

1.Sticktheshimlooselybetweenthedoorandthejambtoholdthedoorinpositionwhenyoudriveouttheupperhingepin.Knockouttheupperhingepinbytappinganailupfromunderneathwithahammer.Oncethepinisloose,pullitout.

Liftuponthedoorhandletorelievepressureifthepinbinds.Keepthedoorclosedandworkononehingeatatime.

2.Bendthepinslightly.Holdthehingepinwithpliers.Hitthepinwithahammer.Thebentpinshouldkeepthedoorfromswingingopenonitsown.Reinsertthepinandchecktheresults.Ifthedoorstillwon’tstayopen,dothesamewiththelowerhinge.

Howtomakeperfect-closingscreendoors

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverSnap-onlockingpliersifrequired

We’llshowyouhowtoadjustascreendoorsoitclosesperfectly.Bysimplyturningascrew,youcanfixthedoorsoitwon’tslamshutorbehardtopullclosed. Ifyoucanuseascrewdriver,youcanfixthisproblem.

1.Lockthedooropenwiththehold-openwashertoreleasethetensiononthepin.Removethepin.Movetheconnectingpintotheinnerholetomakethedoorcloseharder.Forasofterclose,usetheouterhole.

2.Ifmovingthepinmakesmattersworse,returnittoitsoriginalpositionandtrytheadjustmentscrew.Turnitclockwiseforasofterclose,counterclockwiseforharder.Makeaquarterturn,testthedoorandcontinuemakingquarterturnsuntilthedoorclosesjustright.Ifyourdoorhastwoclosers,treatthemexactlyalike.Adjustboth

screwsequallyandmakesuretheirpinsareinthesameposition.

protips!

→Ifyourhold-openwasherwon’twork,openthedoorandsnaponlockingpliers(suchasaVise-Grippliers)ontotheclosershafttoholdthedooropen.

Torepairthewasher,slipitofftheshaft,putitinaviseandmakeasharperbendinitusingahammerortaketheentireclosertoahardwarestoreandfindasimilarreplacement.Someclosersmountalittledifferentlyfromtheoneweshow.Forexample,youmayfindthatthedoorbracket,ratherthanthecloser,hastwopinholes.

Replaceabrokenscreen-orstorm-doorhandle

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$30

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverMeasuringtapeCordlessdrillDrillbitset

MATERIALSReplacementstorm-doorhandleandlatchPencil

Trade in the broken, shabby push-button handle on your screen-orstorm-doorforashinyneweasy-openingleverhandle.Replacementhandles will fit most aluminum, steel and some wood doors. Thehandlesareavailableathardwarestoresandhomecenters.Youcanswapoutthehandleinabouttenminutes.

1.Removetheoldstorm-doorhandlebyunscrewingthetwoscrewsthatholdthetwohalvestogether.Pulltheinteriorandexteriorhandlesapartandremovethecenterspindle.Discardtheoldhandle.

2.You’llseethreeverticallyspacedmountingholesinthescreendoor(wooddoorsmayrequiredifferenthardware).Measurethedistancefromtheedgeofthedoortothecenterofoneoftheseholes.Thisdistanceiscalledthebackset.Buyanewhandlewiththesamebackset,orusethemanufacturer’sencloseddrillingtemplatetorelocatethe5/16-in.mountingscrewholes.Assemblethenewdoorhandleaccordingtotheinstructionsonthepackagingandslidethespindlethroughthecenterhole.

3.Slidetheinteriorlatchovertheprotrudingspindleandscrewthetwohalvestogetherwiththemachinescrewsprovided.Startthescrewsbyhandtomakesurethethreadsarealignedbeforetighteningthemwithascrewdriver.

4.Holdthenewstrikeplateinplacewiththedoorclosed(haveahelperpushittightfromtheoutside).Markthecenterofthemountingslotsformaximumadjustability.Drill3/32-in.pilotholesinthedoorjambandscrewdownthenewstrikeplatetothedoorframe.(Usetheplasticshimsprovidedtoshimtheplateifnecessary.Adjustthestrikeplateuntilthedoorlatchesfirmly,thentightenthescrews.)

protips!

→Ifatfirstglanceitappearedthatthenewhandlewouldfitintheold holes, but a closer look at the instructions revealed the handlehad to be shifted slightly away from the edge of the door, ratherthan attempt to enlarge the holes and risk a sloppy fit, move thehandle down slightly and drill new holes. Manufacturers generallyanticipated thisproblemandprovideda coverplate to conceal theoldholesontheinsideofthedoor.

Howtostopdoordraftsaroundentrydoors

YOURCOST:$46

SAVINGS:$104

COMPLEXITYModerate

TOOLSHammerWoodchiselNeedle-nosepliersTapemeasureCaulkgun4-in-1screwdriverNailsetStaplerRubbermalletUtilityknifeMATERIALS1-in.bradnailsWeatherstrippingDoorsweepCaulk1/2-instaplesifrequired

With heating costs going through the roof, here’s an easy way tokeep heat from slipping out your doors, too. Take 30minutes andreplace the weather stripping and door sweeps around your steelentrydoors.Plantodothisprojectonawarmdaysinceyou’llhavetoremovethedoors.Steeldoorsuseacompression-stylestripforthehinge side and amagnetic one for the knob side and the top. Butlook at the door and confirm the style ofweather stripping on allthreesidesandthetypeofdoorsweepbeforeyouheadtothestore.You’llfindreplacementweatherstrippinginavarietyoflengthsandcolorsathomecentersandhardwarestores.

1.Toremovethedoor,closeitanduseahammerandapinpunchorathinnailtotapoutthedoorhingepins.Turntheknob,openthedoorslightlyandliftitoffthehinges.

2.Removeoldweatherstripping.Ripouttheold,damagedweatherstripping,pullingitthroughthebradsthatholditin.Leavetheminplaceafterremovingtheoldweatherstrippingoryou’lldamagethedoorjamb.

3.Cutthebradsorpushthemallthewaybackintothegroovewithanoldchisel.

4.Cutthenewweatherstrippingtolengthandreinstallit.Pressthenewmagneticweatherstrippingfirmlyintothegrooveontheknobsideandtopofthedoorframeanddothesamewiththecompressionstripalongthehingeside.Toensurethatthestripswon’tpullout,pinthemwithafew1-in.bradspositionedneartheoldone,especiallyinthemagneticstrips.

5.Attachnewsweep.Pryorslideouttheoldsweep.Runabeadofcaulkalongthebottomedgeofthedoor,tapthesweepintoplaceandthenstapleitattheendswith1/2-in.staplesorthefastenersprovidedwiththesweep.

6.AdjustthedoorthresholdwithaNo.3Phillipsscrewdriver.Adjustallfourscrewsuntilthedooropensandcloseswithouttoomuchdragandanydraftshavebeeneliminated(lookforlightbetweenthesweepandthethresholdwiththedoorclosed).Turnthescrewsclockwisetolowerthethresholdandcounterclockwisetoraiseit.

Adustadraggingshowerdoor

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSSiliconespraylubricantReplacementrollers

Iftheslidingdoorsonyourshowerorbathtubdon’tglidesmoothly,repair them soon. A door that drags on the lower track willeventuallydopermanentdamagetoboththedoorandthetrack.Adragging roller at the top of the door will wear and requirereplacement.

First,makesuretherollersonbothdoorsareridingonthetracksinsidetheupperrail.Sometimes,onerollerfallsoutofthetrackandthebottomedgeofthedoorskidsalongthelowerrail.Inthatcase,you only have to lift the door and guide the roller back onto thetrack.

Ifanoff-track roller isn’t theproblem,you’llhave to removethedoors toadjustandpossibly replace the rollers.Manydoorshaveasmall plastic guide at themiddle of the lower rail. To remove thistypeof guide, just remove a single screw.Others have a guide railscrewedtothedoorasshown.

1.Unscrewtheguideattheloweredgeoftheslidingdoor.Protecttheshowerortubfromscratcheswithadropcloth.

2.Liftthedooroutofitstrackinsidetheupperrail.Tilteachdoorinorouttoremoveit.Wipebothtracksclean.Thenmakesuretherollersturneasily.Ifnot,applyalittlesiliconespraylubricant.Somelubricantscanharmplastic,

socheckthelabel.Ifthelubricantdoesn’tdothetrick,replacetherollers.

3.Screwthenewrollersintoplaceandrehangthedoors.Raiseorlowereachdoorbyrepositioningtherollerinitsslantedslot.Loosenthescrewtomovetheroller.You’llprobablyhavetoremovethedoorsonceortwicetoadjusttherollersforsmoothoperation.

protips!

→Mosthomecentersandsomehardwarestorescarryreplacements.Takeanoldrollerwithyoutofindamatch.Inmany

cases,youcanuseareplacementthat’sslightlylargerorsmallerthantheoriginal.Butbesuretheoriginalandreplacementedgesmatch—eitherroundedorflat(seephotoofrollertypes).Ifyoucan’tfindrollerslocally,type“showerdoorparts”intoanyonlinesearchenginetofindasupplier.

Patchadrywallholefast

Repairadrywallcrack

Fixsmallholesandnailpops

Hangpicturesstraightandlevel

Howtoremoveawallanchorwithoutwreckingyourwall

Howtorepairdamagedwallpaper

Fixbadwallpaperseams

Straightenbubblingwallpaper

Paintwallstheeasyway!

Protips!Maskingtipsfortheperfectpaintjob

Protips!Tipsforaperfectpaintjob

Howtocaulkatub

Patchavinylfloor

Replaceadamagedfloortile

Repaircarpetsnags

DIYcarpetcleaning

Patchadrywallholefast

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSMudpan12-in.widetapingknifeSandingsponge,120-gritMATERIALSDustmaskAluminumpatchPre-mixedjointcompoundPrimerPaint

The traditionalmethod of repairing holes inwalls is to square thehole,putwoodbackingbehindit,cutandscrewonadrywallpatch,and then tape the edges. Aluminum patches, available at homecenters and paint and hardware stores, give the same results withmuch lesswork. The patches,which come in various sizes, are stiffenoughtospanholesandthinenoughtodisappearaftertapingandpainting.

Selectapatchlargeenoughtooverlaptheholeonallsidesbyaninch.Patchescanbecutoroverlappedasneeded.

1.Cleanoffbrokenedgesandtearsaroundthehole.Thencovertheholeentirelywiththepatch,stickysidetowardthewall.

2.Preparejointcompoundpermanufacturer’sinstructions.Spreadthefirstcoatofjointcompoundoverthepatchwithawidetapingknife,flatenoughtoseetheoutlineofthemeshthroughit.Letitdryovernight.

3.Whenit’sdry,applyawidersecondcoatandthenfeatheroutthecompoundonallsidestomakethepatchblendin.Thenapplyafinal,thirdcoatafterthesecondcoatdries.Spreadthecompoundinthincoatsextending8to12in.beyondthepatchinalldirections.

4.Afterfinalcoathasdried,sandthepatchedareawithasandingspongeuntilitfeelssmoothandeven.Primeandthenpaint.

CAUTION:Whenworkingwithdrywallitisalwaysrecommendedtowearadustmask.

Repairadrywallcrack

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSMudpanPainterstapeUtilityknife6-in.tapingknife12-in.tapingknifeSandingsponge,120-gritMATERIALSDustmaskPaperdrywalltapePre-mixedjointcompound

Eventually even the best-built houses develop a few cracks due tosettling,usuallyarounddoorsandwindows.Learnhowto fix themtherightway,sotheydon’tcomeback.

Whetheryourwallsaremadeofplasterordrywall,youcanrepairthecracksintwostepsoveradayortwo—andgettheareareadytosandandpaint.Usepapertape;it’sstrongerthanfiberglasstapeforwallrepairs.

1.CutaV-notchthroughthefulllengthofthecrack,1/8to1/4in.deep,removingallloosewallmaterial.Protectwoodworkwithpainterstape.

2.Embedpapertapeinjointcompoundusinga6-in.tapingknife.Toavoidtrappingairbubblesunderthetape,moistenthepapertapewithwater,layitoverthecrackandsqueezeexcesscompoundandairfromunderneathwiththeblade.Applyanadditionalthinlayerof

compoundandfeatheritoff2in.onbothsidesofthetape.Letdry.

3.Applyasecond(andthird,ifnecessary)coatofcompound,smoothingitout6to7in.onbothsidesofthejoint.Smooththecompoundtoathin,evencoatusinglong,continuousstrokeswitha12-in.tapingblade.Allowtherepairtodrythoroughly,sanditsmooth(avoidexposingthetape)andpaintit.

CAUTION:Whenworkingwithdrywallitisalwaysrecommendedtowearadustmask.

protips!

→Forcracksmorethan1/4in.deep,cleanouttheloosematerialanduseaquick-settingcrackfillerlikeDurabondtobuildupthearealevelwiththewall.Thenusethestepsshowninphotos2and3tofix.

Fixsmallholesandnailpops

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSHammerNailsetUtilityknife4-in-1screwdriver6-in.tapingknifeMudpanSandingsponge,120-gritMATERIALSDrywallscrewsPre-mixedjointcompound

Small holes caused by screws or hooks, wall fasteners or drywallfastenersthatpopuparesimpletorepair,butagaintime-consumingbecauseyoualmostalwayshave to repaint thewalls.Nailpopsarecommon and particularly irritating, because you’re likely to havemorethanone.Butdrywallscrewssometimespopuptoo,asaresultofdampframing thatdriesoutand shrinksduring the first yearortwoinnewconstruction.Thegoodnewsisthatyoucanfixalltheseproblemsyourself.Youonlyneedafew inexpensivetoolsandabitoffinesse.Evenbeginnerscangetgoodresults.

1.Driveapoppednailbelowthesurfaceofthedrywallwithahammerandanailset.Ifyouhavescrews,digthedrywallcompoundfromtheirheadswithautilityknifeandturnthemintightwithascrewdriver.

Thendimpletheholeslightlyconcavewithahammertoindentanyraisededges.Buttakecarenottocrushthedrywall core. In addition, cut away any loose jointcompoundandpapertearswithasharputilityknife.Thisisagoodtechniquetousewitholdwallfastenersaswell.It’susuallyeasiertotapthemintothewallslightlyratherthanpullthemout.

2.Drivedrywallscrewsabout1-1/2in.aboveandbelowthepoppednail.Sinkthescrewheadjustbelowthesurfaceofthedrywall.

3.Preparecompoundwithmanufacturersdirections.Filltheholeswithjointcompound,witha6-in.tapingknife,swipingfirstacrosstheholes,thendownina“+”pattern.Letdry,applyasecondcoat.Thefirstcoatwillshrinka

bit,leavingaslightlysmallerdenttobefilledbythesecondcoat.Scrapetheexcessoffthesurroundingwallsoyoudon’tbuildupahump.Sandlightlytoblendwiththesurroundingwall.Primeandpaint.

protips!

→Besuretoprimethespot.Otherwisethetopcoatwillabsorbintothepatchandmakethearealookdifferentfromthesurroundingpaint.Itisbesttousearollerwhenprimingtohelpraisethesurfacetexturetomatchthesurroundingwall.

Hangpicturesstraightandlevel

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$70

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSLaserlevelLevelTapemeasureHammer

MATERIALSPaperPainterstapeStickynotesPicturehangingwirePicturehooksRubberbumpers

Hangingasinglepictureisaseasyasnailingahooktothewall.Butwhenyouwanttohangtwoormorealignedwitheachother,thingsget complicated. Here’s how pros achieve perfection fast andfrustration-free.

1.Levelandalign.Makepaperpatternsidenticaltothepictures,thenestablishalevellineonthewall.Aninexpensivelaserlevelisperfectforthisproject,butastandardlevelwillalsowork.Whenyou’vearrangedthepatternsperfectly,markthetopcenterofeachwiththecornerofastickynoteasareferencepoint.

2.Findthehangerlocations.Usetwohangersforeachpictureforextrasupportandtohelpkeepthepicturefromtipping.Stretchthehangerwirewithtwofingersspacedequallydistantfromtheedgesofthepicture

frame.Keepthewireparalleltothetopoftheframe.Measurethedistancebetweenyourfingertips.

3.Findthedistancefromthetopedge.Leaveonefingerinplaceandmeasurefromthewiretothetop.Usethisandthepreviousdimensiontopositionthepicturehangersonthewall.

4.Transferthehangermeasurementstothewall.Findthehangerpositionsbymeasuringdownfromthestickynoteandtoeachsidefromthecenter.Aninexpensivelevelwithinchesmarkedonitmakesthismucheasier.Keepthehangerslevel.

5.Nailthehooks.Thenlineupthebottomofthehookswiththemarksanddrivethepicture-hangernailsthroughtheangledguidesonthehooks.

6.Beforeyouhangthepicture.Stickapairofclearrubberbumpersonthebacklowercornersoftheframetoprotectthewallandhelpkeepthepicturelevel.You’llfindthesewiththepicturehangingsuppliesorinthecabinethardwaredepartment(they’recalled“doorbumpers”).

7.Hangthepicture.Slipthewireoverbothhooks.Slidethepicturesidewaysacrossthewiresuntilit’slevel.Usethesameprocesstohangtheremainingpictures.

protips!

→Mostexpertsrecommendhangingapicturewithitscenterabout60in.fromthefloor,orbottomedge6to8in.aboveapieceoffurniture.Usetheseheightsasastartingpoint.Thenadjustthepositionofthepicturetoyourliking,andmarkthetopcenterwiththecornerofastickynote.

Howtoremoveawallanchorwithoutwreckingyourwall

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSNeedle-nosepliers

MATERIALSNailDrywall/patchingcompound

The great thing about hollow wall anchors is that they provide acheap,fastmethodforattachingheavystufftodrywall.Thereareatleast a half dozen wall anchor devices; each works on a slightlydifferent principle. What happens when you want to change thelocation of a family photo or amirror? Some plastic, cone-shaped,expandinganchorscanbepulledoutfromthefrontofthewall.Butthe T-nut headwall anchor shown here can’t be pulled out intact,becauseitsfourexpandedflangeslockupagainstthebacksideofthewall. What’s the trick to remove one? Punch it through the wallwhichdoesminimaldamageandsimplifieswallpatching.

1.First,removethethreadedboltthatattachesyouraccessorytothewallanchor.Now,grabtheT-nutheadfirmlywithneedle-nosepliers,thenbendandpullthecollarbackandforthuntiltheheadsnapsoff.Tominimizewalldamage,avoiddiggingthenoseoftheplierstoowideofthecollar.

2.Pushtheanchorbodyintothewallcavitywithanail.Repairthewallwithpatchingcompoundandthenpaintthespot.

Howtorepairdamagedwallpaper

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$145

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSMetalstraightedgeUtilityknife6-in.tapingknifeShort-bristledwallpaperbrushMATERIALSSpongeExtrawallpaperBluepainter’stapeRedremovabletapeSelf-sticking metal screen patch Drywall joint compoundWallpapersizingoroil-basedprimer

Yourdoorknobhasslammedintothewallonetoomanytimes,andnow it’s punched clear through. The worst wall to repair is onecoveredwithwallpaper.Notonlymust you repair thewall surface,butyou’vegottoundertakethetrickytaskofinstallingan“invisible”wallpaperpatch.Budgetabouttwohoursovertwodaystorepairthewall.Asyouwork,applythesetips.

1.Cutanoversizedswatchofleftoverwallpaperandpositionitoverthedamagedareasoitextendsatleast6in.inalldirectionsbeyondthedamagedarea.Matchthepatterns.Thisextraspaceallowsadequateareaforfeatheringoutjointcompoundaroundtheholerepair.

2.Cutthenewpatchoversize.Don’twetitorapplypaste.Thentapethenewpaper(bluetape)directlyovertheexistingwallpapersothewallpaperpatternsmatch.Toestablishthecuttinglines,placemarkedpiecesoftape(redtape)onthewalltomarkthehorizontalandverticalcuttinglines.Layametalstraightedgebetweentheselines.Whenyoucutthenewpatch,you’llalsobecuttingaholeexactlythesamesizeoutoftheoldwallpaper.Toavoidraggedcuts,putanewbladeinyourknife.Double-cutthroughboththenewpatchandoldwallpaper.Removethepatchandcarefullyscrapeofftheoldwallpaper.

Ifyounickthewall surfacewhenscrapingofftheoldpaper, fill the nicks with joint compound and sand therepairsflat.

3.Repairthewall.Applyaself-stickingmetalscreenpatchovertheholeafterremovingthepatchandoldpaper.Applytwocoatsofjointcompoundinthinlayers,featheringitoutattheedgesandsandingtherepairflat.

Sincetheholerepairwillbecoveredbywallpaper,itdoesn’thavetolookasperfectasaregularwallrepair.

4.Beforeapplyingthepatch(Photo5),sealtherepairedwallbybrushingonacoatofwallpapersizingoroil-basedprimer.Thisstepensuresatighterbondbetweenthewallpaperpatchandthewall.

5.Installthenewpatch.Wetthepatch(ifprepasted)orapplythepaste,carefullymatchingthepatternlinesbetweenthepatchandthewall(stretchthepapersparinglytofit).Smoothoutanyairbubblesorwrinkleswithlongpullingstrokesusingashort-bristledwallpaperbrush.Workthebrushfromthemiddleouttothesides.Useadampenedspongetoremoveanyglueresidueorfingerprints.

Fixbadwallpaperseams

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSRollerorstraightedge

MATERIALSWallpaperrepairadhesiveSponge

Repairingloosewallpaperseamsisfairlysimpleanditdoesn’trequireasteamer.Justapplyaseamrepairadhesive.Itprovidesasolidbondandwill keep the seams from coming loose. It’s available at paintstoresandhomecentersforlessthan$10.

1.Squirttheadhesivedirectlyontothewallbehindthelooseseams,thenpresstheedgesbackintoplace.

2.Usearollerorstraightedgetofirmlypressthepaperagainstthewallanddriveoutanyairbubbles.Wipeawayanyexcessadhesivewithadampsponge.

Straightenbubblingwallpaper

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSRazorknifeGlueapplicatorWallpapersmoothingtoolorplasticstraightedgeMATERIALSAdhesiveSponge

Fixingbubbles inwallpaperbycuttingthemwitha razorknifeandthentheadditionofalittlegluecansaveyoufromcostlyrepair!Theglueapplicatorsandadhesiveareavailableatpaintstoresandhomecentersforlessthan$10.

1.Cutasmallslitinthebubbledarea.Theninserttheendofaglueapplicatorintheslitandsqueezeinalittleadhesive.

2.Wipeawayexcessiveadhesivewithadampspongeandpressthewallpaperagainstthewalltoforceouttheair,usingaplasticstraightedge.

Paintwallstheeasyway!

YOURCOST:$90

SAVINGS:$220

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPaintrollerPaintscraperPuttyknifePaintbrushThreadedwoodenhandle

MATERIALSBucketPainterstapePaintPrimerBucketscreenRollersleeve(1/2-in.napwoolblendroller)

These DIY painting tips will help you roll your walls quickly andsmoothly—without leaving roller marks. We’ll show you the tricksand techniques that painting pros use to get a perfectly paintedroom. All you need are some basic tools to paint fast, get greatresults and make clean-up a breeze. Painting is one of the leastexpensivewaystomakeoveraroom,sograbarollerandlet’sgettowork.

However, even the best techniquewon’tworkwith poor-qualityequipment.Don’twasteyourmoneyonthoseall-in-onethrowawayrollersetupswhenyoucanbuyaprosetupthatwilllastalifetimeforunder $20. Start with a good roller frame, sturdy and designed tokeep the roller cover from slipping offwhile you paint. To extendyourreachandgiveyoubettercontrol, screwa48-in.woodhandle($3)ontotheendoftheroller.Youcouldalsouseathreadedbroomhandle. You’ll need a container for the paint. While mosthomeownersusepainttrays,you’llrarelyseeaprousingone.That’sbecausea5-gallonbucketwithaspecialbucketscreenhungovertheedgeworksalotbetter.

1.Sincerollerscan’tgettighttoedges,thefirstpaintingstepistobrushalongtheceiling,insidecornersandmoldings.This“cuttingin”processleavesbrushmarksthatwon’tmatchtherollertextureontherestofthewall.

Forthebest-lookingjob,you’llwanttocoverasmanybrush marks as possible with the roller. Do this bycarefullyrollingupcloseto insidecorners,moldingsandthe ceiling. Face the open end of the roller toward theedgeandremembernottousearollerthat’sfullyloadedwithpaint.Withpractice,you’llbeabletogetwithinaninch of the ceiling rolling vertically, and can avoidcrawlinguponaladdertopainthorizontally.

2.Agoodrollercoveristhemostimportantpartofyourrollingsetup.Buya1/2-in.napwoolblendrollercoverandgiveitatry.Withpropercare,thismaybethelastrollercoveryou’lleverbuy.

Wool covers do have a few drawbacks, though. Theytendtoshedfiberswhenthey’re firstused.Tominimizeshedding,wrap the new roller coverwithmasking tapeandpeel itofftoremoveloosefibers.Repeatthisafew

times.Woolcoversalsotendtobecomematteddown ifyou apply too much pressure while painting. Rollingdemands a light touch. No matter what roller coveryou’reusing,alwaysletthepaintdothework.Keeptheroller cover loaded with paint and use only enoughpressuretoreleaseandspreadthepaint.Pushingontherollertosqueezeoutthelastdropofpaintwillonlycauseproblems.

3.Loadtherollercoverwithpaintbydippingintothepaintabout1/2in.andthenrollingitagainstthescreen.Fillingadryrollercoverwithpaintwillrequirefiveorsixrepetitions.Afterthat,twoorthreedipsareallyouneed.Leavetherolleralmostdrippingwithpaint.

4.Rollpaintonthewall.Laythepaintonthewallwithasweepingstroke.Startaboutafootfromthebottomand6in.fromthecornerandrollupwardataslightangleusinglightpressure.Stopafewinchesfromtheceiling.Nowrollupanddownbacktowardthecornertoquicklyspreadthepaint.

5.Repeatstep3.Reloadtherollerandrepeattheprocessintheadjacentspace,workingbacktowardthepaintedarea.Don’tworryaboutunevencoverageorridgesatthispoint—justgetthewallcoveredquickly.Water-basedpaintsdryfast.Ifyoumovetooslow,someareaswillbecomestickybeforeyoucansmooththemandyou’llendupwithtexturedifferencesonthepaint’ssurface.

6.Smoothitout.Steps1and2willgiveyouacoveredsectionabout4ft.wide,butitwon’tlookgood.Sogobacktothebeginning—withoutreloadingtheroller—andmakelongup-and-downstrokestoevenoutthepaint.Presslightlyandoverlapyourstrokesby3to4in.Repeatthisprocesstocovertheentirewall.

7.Smooththepaintalongtheceilingusingalonghorizontalstrokewithoutreloadingtherollerwithpaint.Ifyouareskilledenoughtorollwithinaninchoftheceilingwhilerollingvertically,youcanskipthisstep.

8.Laypaintonwallareasaboveandbelowwindowsanddoorswithalonghorizontalstroke.Thensmoothitoffwithshortverticalstrokessothetexturewillmatchtherestofthewall.

protips!

Hereareafewoftheadvantagesofabucketandscreenoverarollerpan:

→It’seasytomovethebucketwithoutspilling.

→Thebucketholdsmorepaint.Youwon’thavetofrequentlyrefillapan.

→You’relesslikelytotripoverorstepinabucketofpaint.

→It’squickerandeasiertoloadtherollercoverwithpaintfromabucket.

→It’seasytocoverabucketwithadampclothtopreventthepaintfromdryingoutwhileyou’retakingalunchbreak.

Useanolddrywallcompoundbucketorbuyacleannewbucket.Addthebucketscreenandyou’rereadytogo.

protips!

Ridgesofpaintleftbytheedgeoftheroller,or“fatedges,”areacommonproblem.Andiflefttodry,theycanbedifficulttogetridofwithoutheavysandingorpatching.Hereareafewwaystoavoidtheproblem.

→Don’tsubmergetherollerinthepainttoloadit.Paintcanseepinsidetherollercoverandleakoutwhileyou’rerolling.Trytodiponlythenap.Thenspinitagainstthescreenanddipagainuntilit’sloadedwithpaint.

→Don’tpresstoohardwhenyou’resmoothingoutthepaint.

→Neverstartagainstanedge,likeacornerormolding,withafullrollerofpaint.You’llleaveaheavybuildupofpaintthatcan’tbespreadout.Startabout6in.fromtheedge,thenunloadthepaintfromtheroller.Thenworkbacktowardtheedge.

→Unloadexcesspaintfromtheopenendoftherollerbeforeyourollbackoverthewalltosmoothitout.Dothisbytiltingtherollerandapplyingalittleextrapressuretotheopensideoftherollerwhilerollingitupanddownintheareayou’vejustpainted.

protips!

Thebestcoatofpaintcan’thidebumpywalls→Fillholeswithlightweightspacklingcompoundandsandthemsmoothwhenitdries.Thengoovertheentirewallwith100-gritsandpapermountedinadrywallsandinghandle.Theultimatesetupforthisjobisapole-mounteddrywallsanderwitha100-gritmeshdrywallsandingscreen,butanymethodofsandingoffoldpaintlumpsandbumpswilldo.Nextmaskoffthebaseboardandwindowanddoortrim.Slidethebladeofaflexibleputtyknifealongtheedgeofthemaskingtapetosealit.Otherwisepaintwillbleedunderneath.

protips!

MaskingtipsfortheperfectpaintjobMasking off baseboard and other trim is a great way to get aprofessional-lookingpaint job.You’llgetacrisp, cleanpaint linewhere the walls meet the trim. And the job will go quickerbecause you’ll avoid the time-consuming “cutting in” with thepaintbrushandcleaninguppaintspattersfromyourwoodwork.

Cleanmoldingbeforeapplyingpainter’stape→Eventhestickiestmaskingtapewon’tstayputifyouapplyittoa dusty, dirty surface. You’ll save yourself a lot of time andfrustrationifyoustarteverymaskingjobbycleaningthemoldingsorthewalltowhichyou’reapplyingthetape.

Pullfromtherolltogetthetapeperfectlystraight→ One of the trickiest parts of masking is getting the tape onstraight and tight against thewall. Position theendof the tapepreciselyandstickitdown.Holditinplacewhileyoupull8to10in.oftapefromtheroll.Laythetaperollflatagainstthewallandrotatetherolltotightenandstraightenit.Slideyourfingeracrossthe tape to press down. Use this technique wherever you’remaskingatarightangletoanothersurface.

Useextratapetomakeperfectinsidecorners→Gettingtwolongpiecesoftapetomeetexactlyinthecornerisdifficult,sodon’ttry.Don’tworryaboutgettingthelongpiecesoftapetomeetinthecorner.Startabout3/4in.fromthecornerandrunthemusingthepreviousmethod.Thengobackandfinishthecornerswithsmalllengthsoftapeusingthetechniqueasshown.

Sealtheedgetopreventbleedingpaint→Sealthetapetothesurfacebypressingitdownfirmlywiththeedgeofaflexibleputtyknifeasshown.Thisisthemostimportantstepingoodmaskinganditonlytakesafewmoments.Ifyouskipit,youriska loosesealthatwillallowpainttoseepunderneath.You’llhavetoscrapeofftheseepedpaintlaterandtouchupthetrim.

Applyfirmpressuebutavoidwrinklingortearingoftape.Youdon’t have to press down the entire width of the tape. Sealingabout1/32in.alongtheedgeisallthat’sneeded.Holdtheputtyknife at an angle as shown. This puts pressure along the criticalwalledgeofthetape.

Useflapstoprotecttrimfromrollerspatter→Extendthepainter’stapewithapieceof3-in.maskingpaper.Itwillstandstraightoutandprotectthewoodworkfrommostrollerspatteranddrips.Applyalongthetoptrimofwindowsanddoorsand along the baseboard. Wider paper may seem like a betteridea,butit’llsagandwon’tprovideasmuchprotection.

Cutbeforeyouremovetape→Letthepaintdryfor24hours.Thenrunasharpbladealongtheedgeof the tape to slice throughthepaint film. Ifyoudon’tdothis,thepaintfilmwilltear,leavinganugly,jaggededge.Removetape at about a 45-degree angle to the painted surface tominimizethetendencyforthepainttopeel.

CAUTION:Cheappainter’stapeisnobargain.Youwanttapethatwillsealtightlytothesurfaceandcomeoff easily.But there’snosingle typeof tape thatwillwork ineverycircumstance.Forgeneralmasking,useScotch-BlueNo.2090.Thereare twoversions: one for standardmasking, and one with less adhesion for masking overdelicatesurfaces.Youcanleavetheseonforupto14days.Youcanalsousethebluetapeonwindowglass. ScotchNo. 2060 is extra-sticky andworkswell for texturedsurfaces likestuccoandbrick. If you’reonlygoing tobuyonewidth,get1-1/2-in.-widetape.Itworkswellformosttasks.

protips!

Tipsforaperfectpaintjob

→ Keep a wet edge. Keeping a wet edge is crucial to all top-quality paint jobs, whether you’re enameling a door, varnishingfurniture or rolling paint on a wall. The idea is to plan thesequence of work, and work fast enough so that you’re alwayslappingnewlyappliedpaintontopaintthat’sstillwet.Ifyoustopfor abreak in themiddleof awall, for example, and then startpainting after this section has dried, you’ll likely see a lapmarkwhere the twoareas join. The rolling techniquewe showavoidsthis problemby allowing you to quickly cover a large areawithpaint and then return to smooth it out—which brings us to thesecondimportantpaintingtechnique.

→ Lay it on, smooth it off. The biggestmistakemost beginningpaintersmake,whether they’rebrushingor rolling, is taking toolongtoapply thepaint.Photo1 showshowto layon thepaint.Thenquicklyspreaditoutandrepeatthelaying-onprocessagain(Photo2).Thiswillonlyworkwithagood-qualityrollercoverthatholdsa lotofpaint.Untilyou’recomfortablewiththetechniqueand get a feel for how quickly the paint is drying, cover onlyabout 3 or 4 ft. of wall before smoothing the whole area off(Photo3). Ifyoufindthepaintisdryingslowly,youcancoveranentirewallbeforesmoothingitoff.

→Getascloseasyoucan.Sincerollerscan’tgettighttoedges,thefirstpaintingstepistobrushalongtheceiling,insidecornersandmoldings.This“cuttingin”processleavesbrushmarksthatwon’tmatch the roller texture on the rest of the wall. For the best-lookingjob,you’llwanttocoverasmanybrushmarksaspossiblewith the roller. Do this by carefully rolling up close to insidecorners,moldingsandtheceiling.Facetheopenendoftheroller

toward the edge and remember not to use a roller that’s fullyloadedwithpaint.Withpractice, you’llbeable togetwithinaninchoftheceilingrollingvertically,andcanavoidcrawlinguponaladdertopainthorizontally.

→Pickoutthelumpsbeforetheydry.It’sinevitablethatyou’llendupwith an occasional lump in your paint. Keep the roller coverawayfromthefloorwhereitmightpickupbitsofdebristhatarelaterspreadagainstthewall.Dryingbitsofpaintfromtheedgeofthebucketorbucketscreencanalsocausethisproblem.Coverthebucket with a damp cloth when you’re not using it. If partiallydried paint is sloughing off the screen, take it out and clean it.Keepawetraginyourpocketandpicklumpsoffthewallasyougo. Strain used paint through a mesh paint strainer to removelumps. Five-gallon size strainers are available at paint stores forabout$1.

→Scrapeexcesspaintfromtherollerbeforeyouwashit.Useyourputty knife, or better yet, a special roller-scraping tool with asemicircular cutout in theblade.Then rinse the roller coveruntilthe water runs clear. A roller and paint brush spinning tool,availableathardwareandpaintstoresforabout$8,simplifiesthecleaning task. Just slip the roller cover onto the spinner andrepeatedlywetandspinouttherolleruntilit’sclean.

Howtocaulkatub

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$95

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSRazorscraperCanopenerorputtyknifeUtilityknife

MATERIALS5.5-fl.-oz.squeezetubetub-and-tilecaulkSandpaper(120-grit)Rag

When the caulkingaroundabathtub starts to crack andbecomeacozyhomefordarkstainsthatsignalmold,it’stimetoreplaceit.Thecaulkisthewatertightsealbetweenthebathtubandthewall.Oncethe caulk’s integrity is compromised, water can invade the wall,causingrotintheframingaroundthetub.Saveyourselfanexpensiverepair—youcanreplaceoldcaulk in less thananhouratalmostnocost.

1.Loosentheoldcaulk.Pusharazorscraperinallthewayunderbothedgesoftheoldcaulkbeadtoreleaseitsgrip.Don’tprythecaulkwiththescraperbecauseyoucouldbreakofftherazorblade.

2.Scrapetheloosenedcaulkoutofthejointwiththepointedendofacanopenerorputtyknife.Oncetheoldgroutisremovedandyouhaveaclean,drysurfaceyoucanapplythenewcaulk.

3.Tubssinkabitwhenfull,sofillbeforeyoucaulk,andleaveuntilthebeadhascured.Thiswillkeepasealjoint

fromcrackingwhenweightisapplied.

4.Usingautilityknife,cutthenozzletipofthecaulktubeata45-degreeanglesotheopeningisaboutthediameterofawirecoathanger.Smoothandroundthecuttipwithsandpaper.

5.Pullthecaulktubedownthetubjointfromtheinsidecornerofthetub.Keepevenpressureonthetubebypushingthecaulkforwardandfoldingovertheemptyportion.Thebeadshouldbesizedsoonlyaslightamountwipesoffwhenyoudragyourfingeroverit.

6.Dampenyourfingeranddragitoverthefreshlylaidbeadofcaulk.Pressthecaulkintothejointwiththetipofyourfingerandscrapeawaytheexcesswiththesidesofyourfinger(itmaytakeafewswipes).Wipeexcesscaulkoffyourfingerwithadamprag.Note:Foracrylic/latexcaulk,dipyourfingerinwater.Withsilicone,sliponasurgical-stylegloveandusealcohol.

7.Includethetilecornerjoint.Caulkupthetilecornerjointiftheoldcaulkhascrackedordeteriorated.

8.Allowthecaulktodry.Thenemptythetubbutwait24hoursbeforeusing.

CAUTION:Don’tusemetalscrapersorrazorsonfiberglassoracrylictubs.Instead,useaplasticputtyknife.Iftheoldcaulkisreallytough,softenitwithcaulksoftener.

protips!

→Tubsandshowersrequireacaulkthatcontainsmoldandmildewpreventionadditives—labeled“forkitchenandbathuse.”Mostare100percentsilicone,butyoucanalsofindsomelatexversions.

→Testthecaulk.Mostcaulksandsealantshaveashelflifeofonetotwoyears,butfewcompaniesbothertosupplyafreshnessdate.Sotakethetimetotesttheproductonanon-poroussurface,suchasasparetileoracleanpieceofglass,tobesureitwillflowsmoothly,adhereandcure.Ifthecaulkisnotfresh,youcouldrecaulkyourentirebathroomonlytofindthatthecaulk,whichshouldbegincuringinafewhours,isstillnotcuredafterthreedays.

→Replacesiliconewithsilicone.Nothingelsewillsticktosilicone,orwheresiliconehasbeen,butmoresilicone.Tofindoutiftheoldcaulkissilicone,cleanoffasectionoftheoldcaulk,letitdry,andtrystickingScotchtapetoit.Ifthetapedoesn’tstick,thecaulkisprobablysilicone.

Patchavinylfloor

YOURCOST:$30

SAVINGS:$170

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSStraightedgeUtilityknifePaintscraperorputtyknifeSmallnotchedapplicatorRollingpin

MATERIALSPatchofflooringVinylflooringadhesiveSeam-sealingkit

You canusually fix a small sliceor tear in your sheet vinyl floorbylifting the looseedges, applyinga little vinyl flooringadhesiveandthenplacingaweightovertherepair.Butforburnsormajorinjuries,a transplant is the solution. Get everything you need at a homecenteroraflooringstoreforlessthan$30.

1.Usingastraightedgeandsharputilityknife,carefullycutoutthedamagedarea.Ifyourflooringdesignhasfauxgroutlinesinit,asmostdo,cutalongtheedgesofthelines.

2.Peelupthedamagedsectionandremovetheoldbackingandadhesivewithapaintscraperorputtyknife.Ahairdryerorheatgun(seton“low”)willsoftentheadhesive.

3.Matchingthepatternprecisely,tapethecut-outdamagedpieceoverthescrap,andusethedamagedpieceasatemplateforcuttingthenewpatchtosize.Testthefitofthepatch.

4.Spreadadhesiveonthefloorwithasmallnotchedapplicator.

5.Setthepatchinplaceandusearollingpintoforceoutanyairpocketsunderthepatch.Givetheadhesivetimetoset,thenapplyavinylseamsealanttotheseams.Differentadhesivesandseamsealantsrequireslightlydifferenttreatment;besuretofollowthemanufacturer’sdirectionsforboth.

CAUTION:Somesheetvinylfloorsareglueddownonlyaroundtheperimeterandcan’tberepairedusing themethodshown.Todeterminehowyourvinyl isglueddown,cuta1/2-in. slit in a hidden spot (at least 8 in. from the floor’s perimeter) and probe theundersidewithascrewdriver.You’llbeabletofeelifit’sattached.

protips!

→Ifyoudon’thavealeftoverscrapofflooringgatheringdustinthebasement,you’llhavetocutthepatchmaterialoutofyourfloor—fromthebackofaclosetorunderthefridge,forexample.

Replaceadamagedfloortile

YOURCOST:$6

SAVINGS:$104

COMPLEXITYModerate

TOOLSColdchiselHammerGroutsawNotchedtrowelRubbergroatfloatScrewdriver

MATERIALSReplacementtileSafetyglassesGlovesThin-setmortarShortlengthofwoodGroutsponge

Whenatilechipsorbreaks,theonlywaytofixitistoreplaceit.Thetotalrepairtimewillbearoundtwohours, spreadoveracoupleofdays.Mostofyourtimewillbespentonthefirstdayremovingthedamagedtile,thegroutandtheoldadhesiveandtheninstallingthenew tile. The final step (done a day or two later) is regroutingaroundthenewtile.

1.Removethedamagedtilewithacoldchiselandhammer.Startattheedgeofthetile,inthegrout.Ceramictileisbrittle—smallpieceswillfly!Wearsafetyglassesandgloves.Becarefulnottochipthesurroundingtiles.

2.Removetheoldgroutwithagroutsaw.Someofthegroutcanbechippedoutwiththechisel;however,you’llneedtosawawayalloftheoldgrouttoensureaproperfitforthenewtile.

3.Scrapeofftheoldadhesivewithacoldchisel.Getridofasmuchaspossiblesothenewtilewilladhereproperlyandlieflat.Scrapingisthebestwaytoremoveoldadhesive.Don’tuseaheatgunorsolventunlessyouwantabigmess.

4.Applytheadhesive(thin-setmortar)withanotchedtrowelonthebackofthetile.Besuretospreadtheadhesiveouttotheedges.Don’tskimpontheadhesive:Toolittlewillmakethetilesitlowerthanthesurroundingtiles.Anyexcessadhesivewilloozeoutandcanberemovedafterthenextstep.

5.Placethetile,makingsurethatthegroutlinesareevenwiththeadjacenttiles.Tosetthetilefirmlyintotheadhesive,useashortlengthofwoodandgentlytapitwithahammer.Ifthetileislowerthanthesurroundingtiles,simplyremoveit,applyadditionaladhesiveandthenresetthetile.Scrapeoutanyexcessadhesivefrombetweenthetileswithascrewdriver.Oncethetileisset,stayoffituntiltheadhesiveisdry,usually24hours.

6.Spreadthegroutusingarubbergroutfloat.Holdthefloatata45-degreeangletothetile.Movethegroutinbothdirectionsatanangletothegroutlinestomakesureitfillsthegapsbetweenthetiles.Letthegroutsetforabout10minutesandthenwipetheareawithadampgroutsponge.Agroutspongehasroundedcornersandisthebestwaytoshapethegroutlines.Oncethegrouthasdried,usuallyovernight,wipeoffanyresiduewithasoftcloth.

CAUTION: Always check the adhesive package for the required drying time beforeapplyingthenewgrout. Ifyourushtheregroutingstepandthetileshifts,you’llneedtostartover.

protips!

Matchingthetileandgrout→Ifyou’relucky,you’llhavesomeextratiles.Ifyoudon’thaveextras,visitsometilestores.Youmightbeabletofindaclosematch.Ifyoucan’tfindanythingclose,youcangetcreativeandreplaceafewmoretilestomakeanewpattern.

→Matchingthegroutcanbeabittricky,eventhoughtilestorescarryawiderangeofcolors.Forthebestmatch,takeapieceoftheoldgroutwithyoutothetilestore.

→Mixsomegroutbeforeyoustarttheprojecttomakesurethecolormatches.Groutchangescolorasitdriesandyoumayfindyou’llneedtodosomecoloradjustingbymixingtwocolors.

Repaircarpetsnags

YOURCOST:$6

SAVINGS:$69

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSScissorsSmallscrewdriverMATERIALSPainterstapeCarpetseamsealer

Ifyouhavearunningsnagincarpetwithwovenloops,don’tworry.Youcanmakearepairsoperfectthatitwillbeinvisibletoeveryonebut you. All it takes is scissors, a small screwdriver, tape and somecarpetadhesive,whichisavailableathomecenters.

1.Gentlytugthelooseyarntofindthepointwhereit’sstillfirmlyattachedtothebacking.Snipitoffasclosetothebackingaspossibleandsaveit.

2.Protectnearbycarpetbymaskingoffrepairareawithpainterstape.Squeezeaheavybeadofcarpetseamsealerintotherun.Useascrewdrivertopresseach“scab”ofthesavedyarn’sdriedglueintothecarpet’sbackingandseamsealeruntilaloopisreestablished.

DIYcarpetcleaning

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$95

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSDIYsteam-cleaningmachine

MATERIALSCarpet-cleaningsoapNeutralizingrinseorwhitevinegar

Carpetprosdoamorethoroughjobthanyoucan,buthiringaproisexpensive.Sothenext-bestapproachistoalternatebetweenDIYandprocleanings.DIY“steam”-cleaningmachinescanbeeffectiveifyouunderstandhowtousethemandtakethetimetocleanyourcarpetcarefully.

Most rental machines weigh more, hold more water and comewithawiderwandthanpurchasedmodels,makingthemusefulforlarger,high-trafficareas.Purchasedmodelsareusuallysmaller,moreportableandeasiertostore.They’regoodforspotcleaningandareeasiertodragupanddownstairs.

1.Vacuumbeforehandtoremovelargeparticlesofsoil.ThenusetheDIYmachineaspermanufacturer’sinstructions.Becarefulandtakeyourtime.Hurryingthroughacleaningwillleavesoapresidue,asoakedcarpetandapadthatcanmoldormildew.Largerrentalmachinesrequireyoutopullthemacrossthefloorratherthanpush.

2.Uselesssoapthandirected.ThesoapusedinDIYmachinesfoamsalotandleavesbehindalotofresidue,whichactsasadirtmagnet.Despitewhatthedirectionssay,useatablespoonorlessofsoapto1gallonofhotwatertopreventsoapresidue.Makeonepass.

3.Useamildacidrinsetoneutralizesoapresidue.DIYmachinesareoftensoldwithaneutralizingrinse,oryoucanmakeyourownusing1cupwhitevinegarto1gallonhotwater.Rinseafteryoumakeonepasswiththedetergentsolution.Letdrycompletely.

4.Vacuumagainafteryoucleanandthecarpetiscompletelydrytopickupsoilthatwickstothesurfaceduringdrying.

CAUTION:→ Don’t overwet the carpet. DIYmachines put a lot ofmoisture into the carpet, andmostdon’thavestrongenoughsuctiontoextractitthoroughly.Makeonlyonepasswiththe soap and water solution. Make one pass with the neutralizing rinse solution. Thenmaketwoorthreedryingpasseswiththewateroff.

protips!

→Youcanrentasteamcleanerfromagrocerystoreorhomecenter.Ifyoupickthemachineuplateintheday,manystoreswillchargeyouahalf-dayrateandletyoukeepthemachineuntilthenextmorning.Don’tforgettobuythedetergent!

→Cleanthecarpetbeforeitbecomesreallydirty.Howoftenyourcarpetneedscleaningdependsonthekindofcarpettrafficyouhave(thinkkidsandpets).Cleanthecarpetwhenthecolorstartslookingdull.Ifyouwaituntilthecarpetisfilthy,cleaningitwillbemuchmoredifficult,takemuchlongerandcostmore.

→Pretreatstainsandhigh-trafficareas.Mixadropofdetergentwithhotwaterinaspraybottleandlightlymistthedirtiestareas.Letsit5to10minutesbeforestartingthegeneralcleaning.

→Removeorelevatefurniture.Ifyourfurnitureistooheavytomove,putaluminumfoilsquares,woodblocksorplasticfilmunderandaroundthelegsofallfurnituretopreventrustfrommetalcastersorstainsfrompaintandfinishesfromtransferringtodampcarpet.

→Letitdrythoroughly.Wetcarpetisaperfectenvironmentformoldandmildew.Afteryoucleanyourcarpets,openthewindows,usefansandadehumidifier,orputtheACona

moderatesetting(72to78degrees)toremoveexcessmoisturefromtheair.Don’treplacethefurnitureorwalkonthecarpetuntilit’scompletelydry.Thiscantakeupto12hours,thoughsixtoeighthoursistypical.

Removestainsfromplasticlaminatecountertops

Cleanastinkygarbagedisposer

Howtocleanovendoorglass

Cleanrangehoodgreasefilterswithadegreaser

Cleankitchencabinets

Microwave—steamawaymesses

Howtogetredwine,coffee,andtomatosaucestainsoutofcarpets

Howtoremovewaxfromacarpet

Carpetcleaningtipsforpetowners

Cleanwoodwithmineralspirits

Erasewhiterings

Polishandrenewwoodfurniture

Attackclosetmildew

Removesoapscumfromtile

Protips!Microfibercloths

Protectyourshowerdoorsfrommineralbuildup

Howtowhitengrimygrout

Howtowashwindows

Removestainsfromplasticlaminatecountertops

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$10

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSRagsRubbergloves

MATERIALSBakingsodaNailpolishremoverCountertoppolish

Get tough on plastic laminate stains. Using the right cleaner andhaving some patiencewill make even themost stubborn stains goaway.Justfollowouradviceandyou’llgetridofthoseuglystainsforgood.

1.Applyabakingsodapastetothestain.Mixbakingsodawithjustenoughwatertoformathickpaste.Applythepastetothestainandlayawetpapertoweloverthepastetokeepitmoist.Bakingsodaisslightlyabrasiveandcanleavefinescratches,sodon’tscrub.Justletthepasteworkforonetotwohoursandthenwipeitoffgently.Bakingsodapasteoftenremovesstainsleftbyfruitjuicesandotherliquids.

2.Fortoughstainsusenailpolishremover.Nailpolishremoverwon’tharmordiscolorplasticlaminate,butplayitsafeandtestonaninconspicuousspotfirst.Wetaragorcottonballwithnailpolishremoverandrub.Usewhiteragstoavoidstainingthecountertopwithfabricdye.Caution:Thissolventisflammable.

3.Thebestwaytopreventstainsistowipeupmessesimmediately;thelongersomethingsits,themorelikelyitistoleaveastain.Acoatingofcountertoppolishcanalsohelp.(Coatingproductsusuallyaren’tnecessaryonnewerlaminate.)Sprayorwipeonaproductmeantforcountertopsandwipeofftheexcess.Yearsofwearleavesurfacesmoreporousandstain-prone;that’swhentheseprotectivecoatingscanmakeabigdifference.Anycoatingproductwillwearoffandshouldbereappliedeveryfewweeks.

CAUTION: Check the label andmake sure any product you use is recommended forlaminatecountertops.

CAUTION: Don’t clean laminate with abrasives like steel wool, scouring pads orscouringpowder.Theymayremovestains,buttheymayalsoleavemicro-scratchesinthesurface,makingfuturestainsmorelikely.

CAUTION:Bleach?There’s no doubt that bleach is a great stain remover. Some laminate manufacturerssuggest using it undiluted on stains, while others warn against using any product thatcontainsbleach.

Sinceyoumaynotknowwhatbrandoflaminateyouhave,testbleachbeforeusingit.Wipe a little on an inconspicuous spot and let it dry. Check the spot for discolorationbeforeyouusebleachonastain.

protips!

→Don’tletanytypeofcleanerorsolventpooloverseamsinthelaminateoralongtheedges.Itcanseepunderthelaminate,weakentheadhesiveanddamagetheparticleboardsubstrate.

Cleanastinkygarbagedisposer

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$25

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSToothbrushAntibacterial grease-cutting kitchen cleanse Orange or lemonpeels

Does your kitchen sink smell bad? Is it coming from your garbagedisposer?Here’showtocleanagarbagedisposerandgetridofthosedisgustingodors.

Evenifyourunyourgarbagedisposeruntilthelastshredoffoodisgone,andyouletthewaterruntherecommendedtime,youcanstillwindupwithanout-of-controlscienceexperimentthatstinksupyourkitchen.Here’s thekey:Cleanunder the splashguardand thechamber.

1.Cleaningthesplashguardiseasierthanyouthink.Youdon’tevenhavetoremoveit.Dipanoldtoothbrushinantibacterialgrease-cuttingkitchencleaner(CloroxAntibacterialDegreaserisonechoice)andliftuponecornerofthesplashguard.Scruboffthecrudandrinsewithcoldwater.Repeatwitheachflapuntilit’stotallycleanandrinsed.Thensubmityourresignationtothestinkpatrol.

Sometimes the splash guard is ripped, broken or justtoodirtytocleanandneedstobereplaced.Don’tworry,it’s not that big a deal. SeeHow to replace a garbagedisposersplashguardtolearnhoweasythatjobis.

2.Tocleanthechamber,runwateratabouthalf-throttleanddropinorangeorlemonpeels.Runthedisposerforfiveseconds.Citricacidfromthepeelssoftenscrusty

wasteandattackssmellybacteria.Givetheacidabout15minutestodoitswork.

3.Turnonthewaterandthedisposeranddropinafewicecubes.Placestopperontop.Flyingshardsoficeworklikeasandblasterinsidethedisposer.

4.Runthewateruntilthebowlisabouthalf-full.Thenpullthestopperandturnonthedisposertoflushitout.

Howtocleanovendoorglass

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$105

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverMATERIALSRubberglovesNylonscrubpadDegreaserGlasscleanerPapertowels

It’s a mystery how baking slop gets deposited between oven doorglass panels. Cleaning themout looks impossible, but all you reallyneedtodoisdissassemblethedoor.It’ssimpleandtakeslessthananhour.Really.

1.Removetheovendoor(consultthemanualforhowtounlockthehingesandliftthedooroff).Thenremovetheexteriortrimpanelbyremovingthescrewsthatsecurethefrontpaneltotheovendoorframe.Notetheirlocationandstoretheminacup.Thencarefullyliftoffthepanelandsetitaside.

2.Removetheglass.Removethescrewsfromtheglasshold-downsandsetthemaside.Notethelocationoftheretainingtabsaboveandbelowtheglass.Liftouttheglassandhandleitcarefully(it’sexpensiveandbreakseasily!)andcleanit.

3.Cleanoffthecrudwithanylonscrubpad,hotwateranddegreaser.Rinseanddry,thencleanwithglasscleaner.Wearglovestopreventfingerprintsasyouplacetheglassbackontotheovendoor.Besuretheglasssitsinsidethelocatingtabsbeforeyoureassemblethehold-downs.Theninstallthehold-downchannelsandscrewsandthetrimpanel.Putthedoorbackontheoven.

Cleanrangehoodgreasefilterswithadegreaser

YOURCOST:$6

SAVINGS:$9

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSRubberglovesAutowater-baseddegreaser

Running your vent hood grease filter through the dishwasher canyielddisappointingresults.Likewisewith“greasecutting”householdcleaners. Clean the stubborn grease from your range hood filterquicklyandeasilywithamixtureofautowater-baseddegreaserandwater.

1.Fillthesinkwithhotwateranddegreaser,dropinthefilterandletthedegreaserdoallthework.Thefilterwillcomeoutsparklingcleaninjustafewminutes.

2.Rinseitoffandletdry.

Cleankitchencabinets

YOURCOST:$4

SAVINGS:$11

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSSpongeorclothRubberglovesAll-purposecleanercontainingorangeoil

Greaseanddirtbuilduponkitchencabinetsovertime.Noneedtohavethemrefinished—givethemagreatcleaning!

1.Heataslightlydampspongeorclothinthemicrowavefor20to30secondsuntilit’shot.Carefulnottoburnyourselfwhenremoving.

2.Putonapairofrubbergloves,spraythecabinetswithanall-purposecleanercontainingorangeoil.Forstubbornspots,letthecleanersitforfiveminutesfirst.

3.Wipeoffthecleanerwiththehotsponge.Wipeinthedirectionofthewoodgrain.Rinseandreheatthespongeasitbecomessaturated.Thenwipethecabinetswithacool,dampcloth.Theorangeoilleavesashinycoating.Thisworksforanywoodormetalsurface.

Microwave—steamawaymesses

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$15

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSMeasuringcupLemonSponge

Yourmicrowavestillcooksbutthebaked-onfoodandspillshaveyouthinking it’s time to replace it.Wait—it’s easier to clean than youthink.

1.Partiallyfillameasuringorcoffeecupwithwaterandaddasliceoflemon.Boilthewaterforaminute,and

thenleavethedoorclosedandletthesteamloosenthemess.

2.After10minutes,openthedoorandremovethecup.Takeouttheturntabletocleanit,thenwipedownthetop,bottom,sides,anddoorofthemicrowavebeforeputtingitback.

protips!

→Sterilizesponges.Yourdishspongesmellslikelastnight’sdinner,anddetergentwon’thelp.Timetotossit,right?Wrong.Pouradashofwhitevinegarorlemonjuiceinabowlofwater,soakthespongeandthenheatitinthemicrowaveonhighforaminute.Theheatwilldeodorizeanddisinfectthesponge—evenafterwipingupraweggorchicken.

Howtogetredwine,coffee,andtomatosaucestainsoutofcarpets

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$110

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSWet/dryvaccum

MATERIALSCarpetstainremovalproductorhomemadesolutionWhiteclothSmallsiliconebrushorspraybottle

Gettingasmuchoftheliquidandsolidsoutofthecarpetasquicklyas possible is the singlemost important part of removing a carpetstain.Butblottingandscoopingcanactuallydrivethestaindeepintothecarpetbackingandpad.Instead,reachforyourwet/dryvacuumandvacuumup the spill.Convertyourwet/dryvac towetmodebyremoving thepaper filter and installinga foam cover (if equipped)beforesuckinganythingup.

1.Suckupthemess.Pushthehosedirectlyontothecarpetfibersandleaveitinplaceforseveralseconds.Don’trubordragthehoseoverthecarpet.Movetoanadjoiningspotandrepeatasmanytimesasrequiredtoremoveasmuchofthespillaspossible.

2.Applyacleaningsolution.Useastore-boughtcarpetstainremovalproductormakeyourownbymixing1/4teaspoondishsoap(clearisbest)to1cupofwater.Pourthehomemadesolutionintoaspraybottleandapplyagenerousamounttothesoiledarea,butdon’tsaturateit.Letthecleaningsolutionsoakintothefibersforafewminutesbeforemovingontothenextstep.

3.Blotgently.Foldacleanwhitecloth(dyedfabriccantransfercolortothecarpet)intoasmallsquareanddabthecarpet,startingattheoutsideedge.Rolltheclothtowardthecenterandrefoldtheclothtoacleansectionasyousoakupmorestain.

Your goal is to move the carpet fibers, spread thecleaner slightly, and soakup the stain.Avoid aggressiveblotting. That just drives the stain deeper into the pile,backingandpadding.Afterblotting,useyourwet/dryvacagaintoremoveasmuchcleaningsolutionaspossible.

4.Rinsethestainedarea.Daborspraycleanwaterontothestainedarea.Neverpourwaterdirectlyontothecarpet—it’llpushthecleaningsolutionintothebackingandpaddingandcancausemold.

Don’t leave cleaning solution in the carpet. Leftoverchemicalsattractdirt,causingthespottogetsoiledfasterthan the rest of the carpet. So rinse the stained areamultipletimeswithclearwater.

Vacuumtherinsewaterbetweenapplicationsuntilyouremoveasmuchfinalrinsewateraspossible.

5.Cleanyourshopvacuumrightaway.Dumpsomedisinfectingcleanerintoabucketofwarmwateranddropyourhoseintoit.Emptythetankandrinseboththehoseandtankwithwater.

CAUTION:Aftersuckingupasmuchofthespillaspossible,resistthetemptationtohitthe stainwith strong cleaners like vinegar and hydrogenperoxide right out of the gate.Thoseproductscansetthestainandevendiscoloryourcarpet.

CAUTION: Pet vomit and fecal and urine stains require additional neutralization anddisinfectionsteps.

Howtoremovewaxfromacarpet

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$20

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSIron

MATERIALSButterknifeHeavy-dutycarpetcleanerSpoonWhitecottontowels

Candlewax accidentally dripped on a plush carpetmay look like ahopelessmess,butwithacoolhead,ahot ironanda fewtricksofthetrade,youcanmakeabigwaxmessdisappear.

1.Scrapethehardenedwaxloosewithabutterknife(begentlewithBerbercarpets;theloopsfrayeasily).Vacuumuptheloosewaxandscrapeoffanyremainingwaxchunks.

Scraping the knife against the carpet will probablyleave the area a little fuzzy. To remove the fuzz, lay ascissorsflatonthecarpet.Pushdownlightlyonthepivotofthescissorsandtrimoffanyfuzz.

2.Dampenawhitecottontowel,folditinhalfandplaceitoverthewax.Pressanironseton“high”overthetowelfor10seconds.Theheatwilldrawthewaxoutofthecarpetandintothetowel.Repeatuntilthewaxisgone(youmayhavetoholdtheironinplaceforupto30seconds).Ifthetoweldriesout,rewetit,andifitbecomesloadedwithwax,grabanotherone.

3.There’sagoodchancethewaxwilldiscolorthearea,especiallyinalight-coloredcarpet.Takeoutthespot

withheavy-dutycarpetstainremover.Spraycarpetcleaneronthestainandrubitintothecarpetwithaspoon.Dabitdrywithacleanwhitetowel,thenletthecarpetair-dry(itwillappearslightlydarkeruntilcompletelydry).Light-coloredcarpetsanddarkstainsmayrequireseveralscrubbings.

CAUTION: Do not iron over a paper bag. It can overheat and burn the carpet, andshouldnotbeusedtoremovewax.

Carpetcleaningtipsforpetowners

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSHandheldextractorPuttyknifeDustpan

MATERIALSOxygenatedbio-enzymecleaners

Manypetownersdoexactlywhattheyshouldn’tdowhentheycleanuppetmesses.Butifyoulearnhowtocleanuptherightway,withtherightproducts,youcanpreventapermanentstain.You’llgetthebestresults ifyouhavetheproductsandacarpetextractor inhandwhenyoudiscovertheaccident.

1.Buyahandheldextractortosuckliquidsfromthecarpet.Hitthecarpetassoonaspossibleandvacuumlikethere’snotomorrow.

Warning:Usingpaper towelsor rags toblotupurineandvomitsoaksupthesurfaceliquidbutstillleavesalotinthecarpet.Andstompingonthosepaper towelsonlymakes it worse. That forces the liquid deeper into thepaddingandthenintothesubflooring.Instead,investinahandheldcarpetextractor.Don’tuseashopvacuum—thesmellwill linger inthefilterand it’smuchhardertocleanthanasmallextractor.

2.Tofinishcleaningupaurinestain,freshordried,useaurine-specificbio-enzymaticcleaner.Itneutralizestheureaanduricacidandeliminatesproteinsandstarches.Ordinarycarpetcleanerscan’tdothat.Infact,usingacarpetcleanerbeforeabio-enzymaticcleanercansetthestainpermanently.Liquidmessesspreadasthey’reabsorbedintothecarpet,soalwaystreatalargerareathantheoriginalstain.

3.Forsolids,sinktheedgeoftheputtyknifeintothecarpetattheedgeofthemess.Thenpushitforwardtoscrapethesolidwasteupandintothedustpan.Scoopingupthesolidswithpapertowelsorragscanactuallyforcethemintothecarpet.

4.Forallsolidmesses,saturatethestainwithanoxygenatedbio-enzymaticcleaner.Letitsitfor45minutestoseparateadditionalsolidsfromthecarpetfibers.Thencleanupthosesolids.Bio-enzymaticcleanerstakealongtimetowork.Justletthetreatedareaair-dry.Thenusethehandheldextractorvacuumtoraisethenap.

protips!

Moreaboutcleaningsolutions→Homeremediesthatusevinegarandbakingsodasimplymasktheodorforashorttimeanddon’teliminatethecause.Instead,buyaproductmadeforyourparticulartypeofpetmess.

→Commercialpetcleaningproductsrangefromafewdollarstomorethan$20perquart.Theleastexpensiveproductsusuallycontainacarpetdetergentforthestainandanodor-maskingchemical.Sincetheydon’tactuallyneutralizethesubstance,thesmellusuallyreturnsonhumiddays.

→Spendmoretogetaproductwithenzymes.Theseproductsaregoodforsmallsurfacestains.Butifyou’redealingwithalargestain,onethathassoakeddeepintothecarpetoronethathasalreadydried,spendmoreyetanduseaproductwithbacteria,enzymesandanoxygenbooster.

Cleanwoodwithmineralspirits

YOURCOST:$11

SAVINGS:$14

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSRubberglovesMineralspiritsWhitesoftclothCottonswabs

Polish buildup and dirt embedded in wood can muddy the finish.Takea tip fromfurniture restorersandclean itwithmineral spirits.Mineral spirits is a gentle solvent that dissolves years of grime andresiduefromcleanersorpolisheswithoutharmingwoodfinishes.Getitatahomecenterorpaintstore.

1.Soakasoft,absorbent,cleanclothwithmineralspiritsandwipethefinish.Workinawell-ventilatedareaand

rememberthatthefumesareflammable.Keepapplyingandwipinguntiltheclothnolongerpicksupdirt.Thendoafinalwipewithafresh,cleanrag.

Hang the clothoutdoors todrybefore throwing it inthetrash.

2.Cleancrevices,groovesandcarvedareaswithcottonswabsdippedinmineralspirits.

CAUTION:Don’tusestrongersolvents;theymightdissolvethefinish.

Erasewhiterings

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$20

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSPetroleumjellyRubberglovesRagsMineralspiritsDenaturedalcoholFurniturewax

Spilled water or a wet glass can leave a white stain on woodfurniture. Often, complete stripping and refinishing are the onlysolution. But sometimes you can remove water marks in a fewminuteswithout harming the finish quicklywithpetroleum jelly orone of these solvents. Both solvents give off nasty fumes, soworkoutside in a well-ventilated area. If you think the piece might beespecially old or valuable, consult an antiques dealer before tryingtheseremedies.

1.Slatherpetroleumjellyontheringandletitsitovernight.Often,theoilinthejellywillpenetratethefinishandrendertheringinvisible.Ifthatdoesn’twork,goontotryoneofthesolvents.

2.Rubthestainwithasoftragdippedinmineralspirits.Iftheoriginalfinishhasacoatingofwaxoverit,there’sagoodchancethatonlythewaxhasturnedwhite.Mineralspiritsremoveswaxwithoutharmingtheunderlyingfinish.Havepatience;themineralspiritsmaytakeafewminutestosoftenthewax.Ifthestaindisappearsbutleavestherubbedarealookingdull,cleantheentiresurfacewithmineralspiritsandapplyanewcoatoffurniturewax.

3.Ifmineralspiritsdoesn’twork,gentlywipethestainusingasoftraglightlydampenedwithdenaturedalcohol.Alcoholcandamagesomefinishes,sotestitonaninconspicuousspotfirst.Stopeveryminuteorsotoexaminethefinishtomakesureyou’renotdamagingit.Again,havepatience.Sometimesalcoholcandrawoutmoisturethat’strappedinthefinish,butitworksslowly.

Ifyoudon’tseeanyresultsafterfiveminutes,refinishingistheonlywaytoremovethemark.

Polishandrenewwoodfurniture

YOURCOST:$18

SAVINGS:$77

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSRubberglovesRagsMineralspiritsFine-tipbrownmarkerPastewax

If you have wood furniture that’s looking dull, don’t rush to arefinisher; revive the shinewith pastewax.Wax is amore durablecoatingthanliquidfurniturepolishanditwon’tattractdustasmanypolishes do.Waxwill fill and hide very fine scratches, but itwon’thidedentsordeeperscratches.

1.Cleanthewoodusingasoftclothdampenedwithmineralspiritstoremovegrimeaswellasresidueleftbyfurniturepolishes.Openwindowsforventilation.Whenthemineralspiritsdries,buffoffanyresiduewithadrycloth.Touchupscratcheswithafine-tipmarkerbeforeyouwax.Visitanartsupplystoretofindawidearrayofbrowns.

2.Wrapawalnut-sizedballofwaxinacloth.Asyourubwiththeball,waxwilloozethroughtherag.Rubonthewaxinacircularpattern.Applyonlyenoughwaxtoformathingloss—aheavycoatjustleavesyouwithmorewaxtobuffofflater.Ifyouhaven’tusedwaxbeforeandyou’reworkingonalargepieceoffurniture,waxandthenbuffsmallareasnomorethan3x3ft.

3.Don’twaitforthewaxtodrycompletelyandformahazethewayyouwouldwithcarwax.Fullydriedfurniturewaxisveryhardtobuffsmooth.Waitonlyuntilthewaxpartiallydriesandbeginstolookdull(typically15to30minutes).Thenrubthesurfacewithacottonclothtoremovetheexcesswax.Theragshouldglidesmoothlyoverthewaxwithonlyalittleelbowgrease.Turnandrefoldtheclothfrequentlytoexposecleancloth.

Ifyou’vewaitedtoo longandcan’trubouttheswirlsofwax,simplyapplymorewax,thenwaitandwipeagain(solvent in the second coat of wax will soften the firstcoat).

4.Awaxfinishdoesn’trequireanyspecialcare;simplydustwithadryordampcloth.Awaxcoatingwilllastmonthsorevenyearsdependingonhowheavilythefurnitureisused.Whenthefinishagainlooksworn,scuffedordirty,justcleanandrewax.Don’tworryaboutwaxbuildup.Eachnewwaxjobdissolvesandremovesmuchofthepreviouscoat.

protips!

→Waxisavailableinseveralcolors.Mosthomecentersandhardwarestorescarryonlylight-coloredwax,whichisfinefor

mostfinishes.Butdon’tuselightwaxondarkfinishesthathaverecessesinthegrain.

Yellowishwaxthatfillsthetinycrevicesinthesurfacewilllookbad.(Thiswon’thappenonglossy,soliddarkfinishes.)Forwaxinavarietyofcolors,checkwoodworkingandpaintstoresandonlinesuppliers.Youcanalsousedarkwaxtodeepenthecolorofafinish.

Attackclosetmildew

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$130

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSRubberglovesBleachScrubberbrushStain-blockingprimerPaintbrushPaintwithmildewcide

Closetsareoftencool,dampanddark—fungusparadise.Here’showtodealwithmoldandmildewinclosetsoronotherwalls.

1.Determineifit’smoldordirtonthewalls.Mostmoldisunmistakable,butsometimesitjustmakesasurfacelookdirty.Foraquicktest,dipaswabindilutedbleach(1partbleach,16partswater)anddabitonthewall.Ifthespotquicklylightens(orkeepscomingbackaftercleaning),assumeit’smold.

Mold test kits are available that detect the presenceand identify the type of mold, but they won’t helpdeterminethecauseorwhattodoaboutit.

2.Tocleanandkillmildew,mixthreepartsofwaterandonepartbleach.Scrubthoroughly,butdon’tworryifthestainsdon’tcompletelydisappear.

3.Primethearea.Mildewstainscanbleedthroughpaint,socoattheareawithastain-blockingprimerbeforepainting.

4.Addmildewcidetopaintorusepaintthatalreadycontainsmildewcide(checkthelabel).

CAUTION:Afewtypesofmoldarehighlytoxic.Ifyouhaveanallergicreactiontomoldoraheavyinfestationinsideyourhome,callinaprotoanalyzethetypes.

CAUTION:Don’tmixammoniaoranydetergentcontainingammoniawithbleach.Thecombinationformsapoisonousgas.

protips!

→Runadehumidifierindamprooms.

→Cutclosethumidity.Chemicaldehumidifiersarenontoxicproductsthatabsorbmoisturefromtheair.

→Leaveclosetdoorsopenorreplacesoliddoorswithlouvereddoorstoincreaseairflow.

Removesoapscumfromtile

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$95

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSBucketNon-scratchnylonscrubberNylongroutbrushGlasscleanerBleach-containing,nonabrasivesoapscumcleanerSqueegee

Numerouscleanersareavailabletoremovesoapscumfromtile.Butifyoufacelayersofsoapscumbuildup,stickwithaneffectivebleach-containing,nonabrasiveproduct.

Scum cleaners commonly contain bleach (sodium hypochlorite),whicheffectivelycutsthroughsoapscumandkillsmildew.BesuretoREAD THE PRODUCT LABEL and match it to the material (tile,fiberglass,etc.)beingcleaned.

1.Coattheentiretiledsurface(grout,caulkandall)withanall-purposecleanerthatattackssoapscum.Wait5to10minutestoallowtheproducttowork,whichsavesyourscrubbingelbow.

2.Removeremainingvisiblescumanddepositsbyapplyinglightpressurewithanon-scratchnylonscrubber.Reapplyproducttodifficultareasandscrubuntilclean.

3.Removestainsanddepositsongroutorcaulkbylightlyscrubbingbackandforthwithagroutbrushorold

toothbrush.Reapplyproductasneeded.

4.Rinsetheentiretiledsurfacethoroughlywithadripping-wetsponge.Pushitbackandforthacrossthetopofthewallsorinsewaterstreamstothebottomofthewall.Repeatuntilallcleanerisremoved.Then,startatthetopofthetilewithabathroomsqueegeeandmovedownwardtoremoveasmuchwateraspossible.

protips!

Microfibercloths→Throwouttheoldcottonragsandthepapertowelsyouusetoclean with and use microfiber cloths instead. These cloths arecomposedofultrafinesyntheticfibersthatarewoventogethertocreate a “microfiber.” The fibers rub together during cleaning,creating a static charge that attracts dirt and dust, so you cantackledustingchoreswithoutusingspraysorchemicals(althoughyou can still use them if you want). The tiny fibers have sharpedges that scour well, but they aren’t abrasive, so they won’tscratch surfaces. Use the cloths for cleaning appliances, sinks,showers, and TV and computermonitors, and for drying dishes,washingwindowsandanyotherchorethatrequiresacloth(wetor dry). Microfiber cloths leave a streak-and lint-free finish, areveryabsorbent,andcanbewashedandreused.

You’ll find microfiber cloths wherever cleaning supplies aresold. You can also buy them in bulk atwholesale clubs and usethem throughout your house for all kinds of other cleaningchores.

→ Polishwith amicrofiber cloth. For that finishing touch—aftercleaningsurfaceswithyourfavoritecleaningsolutionanddryingthem offwith amicrofiber cloth, polish them to amirror finishwithadrymicrofiber cloth.Microfiber clothsareperfect for this

becausetheypickupdust,wipeoffsmudgesanddon’tshedanyfibers.

Protectyourshowerdoorsfrommineralbuildup

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$55

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSqueegee

MATERIALSGlasscleanerMagicEraserAuto-glasstreatment&rainrepellentMicrofibercloth

When the beads of water left on your glass shower door dry out,they leavemineralsbehind thatareatbestunsightly, andatworstcanbe toughasnails to remove if you let thembuildup.You canavoidbeadingwater altogether by coating theglasswith an auto-glasstreatment

1.Startbycleaninganymold,mildeworstreaksofftheglasswithaglasscleaner.UseaMr.CleanMagicErasertogetintothecracksintexturedglass.Scrapeofftoughbuildupwitharazorblade.

2.Drythedoorswithamicrofibercloth.

3.Treatthedoorswithawater-repellentproductlikeAquapelorRain-X(availableatautopartsstoresandhomecenters).Followtheinstructionsonthepackagetoapplythetreatmenttoyourshowerdoorglass.Theseglasstreatmentsformaninvisiblefilmontheglasstoincreasewaterrepellency,causingwaterandsoaptobeadupandrunofftheglass.(Squeegeeoffthewaterafterbathingtokeepsoapscumfrombuildingupagain.)Sprayorwipeontheglasstreatment,thenwipeitoffwithamicrofibercloth.Overspraywon’tharmsurroundingsurfaces.Theproductsrepelwaterforsixmonths.

Howtowhitengrimygrout

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSSpongeChamois(2to3)RubberglovesDAPKwikSealGroutRecolorKitGlasscleaner

If your tile grout is dirty and stained but still sound, considerwhitening the grimy grout with colorant. It’s an easy, inexpensivefour-step process with a DAP Kwik Seal Grout Recolor Kit. The kitcontainseverythingyouneedandcoversabout100sq.ft.of4-in.tile(smallertilewillhavemoregroutlinesandrequiremorematerial).

1.Spongeonthepre-treatsolutionandletitsitforfiveminutes.Thenscrubthegroutwiththesuppliedbrush.Wipecleanwiththechamois.

2.Applycolorant.SquirtathinbeadoftheColor+Sealcoatingonthegroutlinesina2-sq.-ft.section.Thenscrubthecolorantwiththegroutbrushincludedinthekit.

3.Removeexcesscolorant.Wipetheexcesscolorantfromthetileusingthechamois.Wipeonlythetile,notthegroutlines.Letdryfor30minutes.

4.Bufftoremovehaze.Applyalightmistofglasscleanerandbuffthetilewithacleanragorchamois.Letdryfora

full24hoursbeforeexposingittowater.

Howtowashwindows

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$241

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS10-or12-in.squeegeeReplacementblades(rubbers)Scrubber

MATERIALSBucketHanddishwashingliquidLint-freeragsorsmalltowels

Wash your windows the fastest way with crystal-clear, streak-freeresults.Thekeystosuccessarebuyingagoodsqueegeeandkeepingitfittedwithasharp,newrubberblade.Ahigh-qualitysqueegeewillhaveametalframeandareplaceablerubberblade.Thesamehigh-qualitywindowwashing tools the pros use are readily available athomecentersandfull-servicehardwarestores.

You don’t need fancy buckets or special soap. Any large bucketwilldo.Justaddacoupleofgallonsofwaterandaboutateaspoonof dishwashing liquid and you’re ready to go. In warm weather,you’llgeta littlemoreworking timebyusing coolwater. If you’veprocrastinated so long that you’re washing windows in below-

freezing temps, add windshield washing solution until the waterdoesn’tfreezeontheglass.

Scrubberorsponge?It’suptoyou.Ascrubberworksgreatandisworthbuyingifyouhavealotofmediumtolargepanesofglass.Butagood-qualityspongeisallyoureallyneed,especiallyifmostofyourwindowpanesaresmall.

1.Dipthescrubberinasolutionof1teaspoondishwashingliquidtotwogallonsofwater.Squeezeexcesswaterfromthescrubber.

2.Scrubtheglass,workingatallanglestocleantheedges.Makesuretocovereverysquareinchoftheglass.

3.Tipthesqueegeesothatonlythecornercontactstheglass.Then,startingatthetopcorneroftheglass,cleananarrowstripofglassfromtoptobottomononeside.Thiscleanstripmakesiteasiertostartthehorizontalstrokes.

“Fanning”techniquesusedbyprostakepracticetomaster.Instead,themethodweshowallowsyoutogetgreatresultsimmediately. We’re moving the squeegee horizontallyacrosstheglass(Photos4–6),butverticalstrokeswillworktoo. If you work vertically, angle the squeegee to directexcesswatertowardtheuncleanedarea.

4.Squeegeeacrossthetop.Pressthesqueegeebladeagainsttheglassintheuppercornerandpullitsteadilyacrossthewindow.Concentrateonkeepingthetopofthesqueegeeincontactwiththetopedgeofthewindow.

5.Wipethebladeofthesqueegeeonthecleantowelinyourfrontpocketorwipeitacrossthescrubbertoremovedirtandexcesswater.

6.Workdownthewindow.Beginagain,withthetopofthesqueegeeoverlappingthepreviousstrokeabout2in.Pullthesqueegeeacrossthewindowatanangletodirectexcesswaterdown.Wipeandrepeat.

7.Usetheraginyourpockettowipeupexcesswateralongthebottomedgeofthewindow.Thenpokeyourfingerintoadryspotonaseparatelint-freeragandrunitaroundtheperimeterofthewindowtoremoveanyremainingsuds.Wipeoffanystreaksusingacleanareaofthelint-freerag.Changeragswhenyoucan’tfindanyfresh,cleanareas.

8.Youcanuseasqueegeeinsidethehouse,too.Washdivided-lightwindowswithaspongeandasmallsqueegee.Ifyoucan’tfindasmallenoughsqueegee,youcancutoffalargeronetofityourglasssize.Scrubtheglasswithawrung-outsponge.Thekeyistosqueezemostofthesoapywateroutofthespongetoeliminateexcessivedrippingandrunning.Thenusethetipofthesqueegeetoclearanarrowstripatthetop(sametechniqueasPhoto3).Pullthesqueegeedownandwipetheperimeter.Keeparaginyourpockettowipethesqueegeeandquicklycleanupsoapywaterthatrunsontothewoodwork.Useaseparatecleanragtowipetheperimeteroftheglass.Newmicrofiberrags(Photo7)workgreatforwindowcleaning.

Howtochangeyoursqueegeeblade

9.Toremovetheoldblade,grabtheendofthebladeandstretchitouttoexposethemetalclip.Slidetheclipoff.Thenslidethebladeouttheoppositeend.Bladeswithoutclipsareheldbyscrewsandtheclamponthehandle.

10.Installthenewblade.Slidethenewbladeintothemetalchannel.StretchitasinPhoto10andreinstallthemetalclip.Ifnecessary,cuttheendofthebladetoleave1/8to3/16in.protrudingfromthechannel.

Tipsforhard-to-cleanwindows

11.Therazorbladesolution:Removepaintspecksandlabelswitharazorblademountedinaholder.Alwaysuseanewbladetoavoidscratchingtheglass.Wetthe

windowfirstandpushthebladeacrossonce.Rinsethebladeandrepeatonthenextsectiontoavoidtrappingdebrisunderthebladethatcouldscratchtheglass.Don’tusearazorbladeontemperedglass.

protips!

→Microfiberragsworkgreatforwindowcleaning.They’reavailableinthecleaningsectionofsomehomecentersandhardwarestores.

protips!

→Buyagoodsqueegeeandreplacethebladefrequently.Lookforreplacementblades,alsocalledrubbers,whereyoubuythesqueegeeandpickuptwoorthreetohaveonhand.

Theproswetalkedtochangetheirsqueegeebladesasoftenasonceaday.That’sbecauseyoujustcan’tdoagoodjobiftheedgeofthebladebecomesnicked,slicedorroundedoverwithuse.

Ifyoursqueegeeleavesstreaksorjustisn’tperforminglikenew,don’thesitatetoreplacetheblade.Youcangetalittlemoremileageoutofbladesthataren’tnickedorslicedbysimplyreversingthemtoexposeafreshedge.Whenyoustorethesqueegee,makesurenothingtouchestheblade.

protips!

Driedpaint,stickylabels,treepitchandbugcrudmaynotyieldtoplainsoapandwater.Hereareafewtipsforremovingthistoughgrime.

→Scrapewettedglasswithanew,sharprazorbladetoremovedriedpaint(Photo11).

→Removetreepitchorbugdroppingswithafinewhitenylonscrubpad.Wettheglassfirstandrubinaninconspicuousareatomakesureyou’renotscratchingtheglass.

→Add1/2cupofammoniapergallonofwatertohelpremovegreasydirt.

→LoosenstickyresidueleftfromlabelsortapebysoakingitwithaspecialtyproductlikeGoofOff.You’llfindGoofOffinthepaintdepartmentathardwarestoresandhomecenters.Thenscrapeofftheresiduewitharazorblade.

Stopinvasiveplantsfromtakingoveryourgarden

Helpforroot-boundplants

Munch-proofyourflowerbulbs

Lightenthoseheavypots

Protips!Wateringtipsforalushlawn

Eliminategrubs

Fixdogspotsongrass

Createacleangardenbededge

Installasimplerweedtrimmerhead

Protectoutdoorfurniture

Replaceloose,poppeddecknails

Patchleakygutters

Reattachloosevinylsiding

Patchholesinaluminumandvinylsiding

Cleanvinylsiding

Easyshinglerepair

Stopinvasiveplantsfromtakingoveryourgarden

YOURCOST:$4

SAVINGS:$41

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSUtilityknifeSpade

MATERIALSPlasticpot,10-in.deepmin.

Manyplantsmultiplybydroppingseedsandbysendingoutrootsthat establish new plants. A layer of mulch will prevent the seedsfromtakingroot.Buttostopthoseaggressiveroots,youneedasolidbarrier. Replant the spreading plants inside underground “collars.”The plastic collars should extend at least 10 in. below ground topreventtherootsfromsneakingunderthem.Note:Thistrickwon’twork with plants such as strawberries or mint that spread aboveground.

1.Sliceoutthebottomofa10in.deep(min.)plasticcontainerwithautilityknife.

2.Pushthis“collar”intothesoil(ordriveitdownwithamallet)toencircletheplantanditsinvasiverootsystem.Ifthesoilhasbecomecompacted,cutaroundtheplantwithaspadefirst.

Helpforroot-boundplants

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$45

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSUtilityknife

MATERIALSGloves

If you buy potted plants or shrubs, they may well be root-bound.Withnowhereelsetogrow,rootsformtightcirclesinsidethepot.Astheplantgrows,thetightlywoundrootspreventwaterandnutrientsfromreachingtheleaves.

1.Beforeplanting,gentlycoaxtheserootsoutwardwithyourfingers.

2.Iftherootsareverystubborn,makethreeorfourverticalcutsintheroot-ballwithasharpknife.Onceplanted,wateroftentohelptheplantgetestablished.

Munch-proofyourflowerbulbs

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$65

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSWirecutters

MATERIALSGlovesPoultrynettingWirestaplestakes

Keep hungry critters from snacking on your freshly planted flowerbulbs.

1.Afterplanting,stakepoultrynettingoverthebed.Youcaneitherremovetheclothintheearlyspringorletplantsgrowthroughtheholesandleaveitthroughoutthegrowingseason.

2.Ifyouwanttohideit,justcoverwithsoiloralightlayerofmulch.

Itisagoodideatocleanuptheplantingsitewhenyouare finished, because any bulb debris—like the paperytunicsthatfalloffthebulbs—canattractthesquirrels.

protips!

→Keepascrapbookofplantdata.Storeplanttagsandsticksinsideacheapphotoalbum.Youcanadddetailssuchaswhenand

wheretheplantswerepurchased,specialcareoreventheplant’slocationonasketchofyouryard.

Lightenthoseheavypots

YOURCOST:$9

SAVINGS:$46

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSScissors

MATERIALSFoampackingpeanutsLandscapefabricPottingmix

Asimplesolutiontolightenlargepotsandcreateproperdrainage.

1.Fillthepotone-thirdtoone-halffullwithfoampackingpeanuts.Theynotonlymakethepotlighterbutalsoprovidespacefordrainage.

2.Fitaroundpieceoflandscapefabricbetweenthesoilandthefoamtokeepthematerialsseparate.Youcanusealightpottingmixthatcontainsplentyofvermiculiteandpeatmosstomakethepotevenlighter.Somepackingpeanutsdissolveinwater;besuretotestyoursbeforeputtingtheminthepot.

protips!

WateringtipsforalushlawnProperwateringisthesinglemostimportantthingyoucandotokeepyourlawnintip-topshape.Andeventhoughlawnwateringis pretty simple, there are tricks and tips that can help you savetime and money. Here are some of our best tips for wateringquicklyandefficientlytomaintainastronglawn.

Wateringwisdom→Adjustyourwateringtotheconditions.Differentareasofyourlawn will have different watering requirements. The key is tomakenoteof this as youwater so you can tailor yourwatering.For example, south-facing hills may require more water; areasundertrees,less.→Keepwateringinadrought.Don’tbelievethecommonwisdomthatgrassgoesdormant inadrought. If youdon’tprovide yourgrasssomemoistureinadrought,itwilldie.→Waterinthemorningifpossible.Thegrasscanbenefitfromthewaterallday long.Plus,watering intheeveningmayencouragethegrowthofharmfulfungi.

Buyanimpactsprinkleronatripod→ Impactsprinklersareevenmoreversatile ifyoubuyonethat’sattachedtoatripod.Thesearegreatfor largeareasbecausetheextraheightincreasesthedistancethesprinklerwillthrowwater.There are other benefits too. You can easily adjust the spraypatternwith lessstooping,andyoucandirectthesprayoverthetopofbushesandflowergardens.Andfinally,theadjustablelegsallowyou to levelout the sprinkleronunevenground.Look fortripodimpactsprinklersathomecentersandgardencenters.

Usingwellwater?Runallyoursprinklersatonce→Constantstartingandstoppingwillprematurelywearoutyourwellpump.Ifyou’reusingawelltoprovidewaterforyourlawn,try to connect asmany sprinklers as possible tomaximizewaterflow. This will keep the well pump running continuously andincreaseitslifespan.

Addaremotehoseconnectionforeasierwatering→ If you’re constantly dragging long lengths of hose from thehousetothefarcornersofyouryard,considerahoseconnection.Dependingonhowmuchtimeandexpenseyouwanttoputintoit,thiscanbeassimpleasalengthofgardenhoseconnectedtoafencewithpipe straps,oranundergroundpipecompletewithavacuumbreakeratthehouse.Eitherway,you’llsaveatonoftimeandeffortbynothavingtodealwithlonghoses.

Checksoilmoisturetodeterminewateringtime→Commonwisdomforestablishingthecorrectlengthoftimetowateristoplaceapiepanintheyardandnotehowlongittakesto fill 1/2 in. deep. But the expert we talked to prefers amoreaccuratemethod that takes soil conditions into account.Heaviersoildoesn’tabsorbmoisturenearlyasfastaslooseorsandysoil,soitneedstobewateredlonger.

Afteranextendedwarm,dryperiod(drysoil isthekey)setupyour sprinkler and set a timer for 30minutes. Then turnoff thewaterandcheckthesoilformoisturedepth.Dothisbypushingashovelintothelawnandtippingitforwardtoexposethesoil.Seehow deep the water has penetrated. Moist soil will be darker.Yourgoalistorunthesprinkleruntilthewaterpenetrates3to4in.intothesoil.

If the water has not penetrated far enough, restart thewateringandcontinuetokeeptrackofthetime.Checkagain inanother15minutes.Withtrialanderror,you’lleventuallyarriveattheoptimal lengthoftimetowaterforyoursoiltypeandwaterpressure.

Waterinthefall→Yourlawnstillneedswaterinautumn,eventhoughtheleavesarechanging,thegrowingseasoniswindingdownandyourgrassisn’t growing fast. Fall watering helps your lawn recover fromsummerstressandgainstrengthforthewinterahead.Also,ifyoufertilize in the fall, watering is necessary for the fertilizer todissolveandsoakintothegroundwhereit’sneeded.Sodon’tputyourhosesorsprinklersawayuntilthegroundstartstofreeze.

Watergrassseedcarefully→Seedingisagreatwaytogrowalawnorpatchabarespot.Thekey to success is proper watering. For seeds to germinate andgrow, they must be kept constantly damp until the seedlingsestablishroots.Oncetheseedssprout,adryperiodofevenadaywilllikelykillthenewsprouts,andyou’llhavetostartover.

Seedscoveredwithfabricormulchormixedwithamulch-likeproductstandabetterchance.Butevenwiththisprotection,youshould water lightly at least once or twice a day during hot orwindydays.Sprinkletheseedswithalightmistuntiltheysprout.Ahardsprayorbigdropletsofwaterwillwashtheseedsawayormakethemclumptogether.Aftertheseedssprout,keepwateringonceadayuntilthegrassisreadyforitsfirstmowing.

Choosethebestsprinklerforyourneeds

IMPACTSPRINKLERS

→ Impactsprinklersareagreatall-aroundchoicebecausethey’reso adjustable and generally waste less water. But theremay bebettersprinklersforsmall,difficult-to-waterareas.

ROTARYSPRINKLERS

Rotarysprinkler Ifyouhavejustasmallcircularareatowater,theroundwateringpatternofarotarysprinklerisperfect.

SOAKERHOSE

SoakerhosesLong,narrowspaceslikeboulevardsareeasiesttowaterwithflatsoaker/sprinklerhoses.

OSCILLATINGSPRINKLER

OscillatingsprinklerForsquareorrectangularareas,it’shardtobeatanoscillatingsprinkler.It’snotthemostefficientdesign,butthe spray pattern makes it easy to water all the way into thecorners.

→SavewaterwithanimpactorrotarysprinklerSprinklersthatspraywaterhighintotheairorbreakupwater

intoamistareveryinefficient,especiallyifyou’rewateringwhenit’s hot and dry. A large percentage of the water will simplyevaporate before it ever reaches the grass. Impact and rotarysprinklers,ontheotherhand,canbeadjustedtokeepthewaternearertheground;thewatercomesoutinstreamsorlargedropsthat fall quickly to the groundwithout evaporating. You’ll savewater andmoney using an impact or rotary sprinkler wheneverpossible.

Eliminategrubs

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSShovelBroadcastspreader

MATERIALSGrubinsecticide

Grub-chewedturfhaspatchyareasthatwiltanddie.Youcaneasilypulluptheaffectedturfifyoutugonit.Anotherindicatorofgrubsmaybe increasedraccoon,birdormoleactivity.They liketodigupand eat the grubs at night.While thismay soundgood, themoleswillkillthegrassastheyforageforgrubs.

Lawngrubsare the larval stageofmothsandbeetles.Thegrubseattherootsofgrass,settingthemupfordeathbydehydration.

To remedy,bevigilant.Arebeetles swarmingaroundyourporchlight? Inthenextmonth,keepaneyeoutforpatchesofgrass thatwiltorareblue-greenonhotdays.Theymaybelarvae-infested.

1.Checkforgrubs.PiercethelawnwithashovelinaU-shape.Peelbackthelawn(asthoughrollinguparug)andcountthewhitegrubsina1-sq.-ft.area.

2.Ifyoucountsixto10grubs(whitewormlikelarvaewithblackheads)undera1-ft.-squareareaofsod,treatyour

lawnwithagrubinsecticide(availableathomecentersandnurseries).Followthemanufacturer’sdirectionscarefuly.Ortalktoaprofessional(search“GrassService”online)abouttreatingyouryard.Theywillbefamiliarwiththegrubproblemsinyourregionandthemostsuitabletreatmentmethods.

3.Ifyouspotthegrubsbutyourcountislowerthansixpersquarefoot,babyyourlawntostrengthenitsnaturaldefenses.Mowonhigherbladesettingsandwaterthoroughlybutinfrequentlytoencouragethegrasstogrownew,deeproots.Donotcutoffmorethanone-thirdofthegrassheightateachmowingtoavoidstressingtheplant.

protips!

→Molescaneattheirweightinwormsandgrubseveryday,sotheyfindhealthy,well-wateredlawns—whicharefullofwormsandgrubs—veryattractive.Tunnelingasfastasafootperminuteunderthesod,onemolecanmakeanaverageyardlooklikeanarmyinvadedit.

Ifyoucanlivewiththem,theygenerallywon’tcauseanyserious,long-termdamagetoyouryard.However,ifyoucan’t,you’llhavetotraporremovethem.Thepopulationdensityofmolesisgenerallynomorethanthreeperacre,socatchingevenonemighttakecareoftheproblem.

Fixdogspotsongrass

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSHoseSpade

MATERIALSTopsoilGrassseedoryardpatchmixtureorsod

Dogspotsareroundpatchesabout4to8in.indiameterwithdeadgrass in the middle, encircled by dark green grass. They’re mostapparentintheearlyspringwhendormantgrassfirstbeginstoturngreenagain.

Dog urine contains high concentrations of acids, salts andnitrogen,whichburn(dryout)thegrassrootsandkillthem.Asrainwashes the area, the urine is diluted and the nitrogen spreads,causing the grass surrounding the spot to grow faster and turngreener.Youhave to replant yourgrass; itwon’t comebackon itsown.

1.Soakthepatchuntilthegrassissoppingwettodilutetheurineacidsandsaltsandwashthemdeeperintothesoil,beyondthegrassroots.Letthehoserunforatleastthreeminutes.

2.Scrapeupthedeadgrasswithahandrakeandremoveit.Roughuptheareatoloosenthesoil1/2in.deep.Seedsgerminatebetterinsoftsoil.

3.Sprinkleona1/2-in.-thicklayeroftopsoil,thenpepperitwithgrassseed,oruseacommercialyardpatchmixture(availableatmostnurseriesorhomecenters)orevensod.Inanycase,thesecretofgoodgerminationiskeepingtheseedmoistuntilthenewgrassisabout3in.high.

4.Whenyou’rewateringnewseed,moistenthesoildailyandkeepitdamp—butdon’tsoakit.Overwateringisacommonmistake.Growthshouldtakefourtosixweeks.

protips!

Anounceofprevention

→Soak.Soakyourpet’sfavoriteareasinyourlawntogetthesaltsoutoftherootzonebeforetheykillthegrass.→ Fertilize. Fertilize your lawn in the spring toboost theoverallcolorandmaskthedarker-greendogspots.→Train.Trainyourpettourinateinadesignatedarea.Replaceorrepairthegrassinthisareaannuallyorcoveritwithmulch.→ Hydrate. Keep your pet well hydrated to make its urine lessconcentrated.

Createacleangardenbededge

YOURCOST:$62

SAVINGS:$178

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSquarespadeHacksawShovel

MATERIALSGlovesStringAluminumedgingFileStakes

The simplestandmost subtleborders thateffectively separateyourlawnfromgardenare4-in.-deepstripsofsteel,aluminumorplastic.Theyallbendeasilyintosmooth,gracefulcurvesandstopthespreadof grass roots. However, painted aluminum and steel offer thesleekest, most refined look because they almost disappear againstthegrassandgardenbed.Theplastictypeshaveaprominentblackbulgealongthetopedge.Allworkbestonfairlyeventerrain.

We chose aluminum because it was much lighter. You get aprofessionallookwithouttheheavyliftinganditwon’trust!

Plantosettheborderwiththetopedgeabout1/2 in.abovethesoil level to maintain the lawn/garden separation and keep rootsfrom crossing over the top. This makes the border almost invisibleandallowsyoutomowrightoverthetop.

1.Cutanarrow,4-in.-deeptrenchwithoneverticalsidealongthelawnedge.Shavetheverticaledgetosmoothoutcurves.Followastringlineforstraightedges.

2.Snaptogetherthe8-ft.bordersections,droptheedgingintothetrenchandlayitagainsttheverticaledge.Cut

thefinalsectiontolengthwithahacksaw.Be aware that the thin top edge can hurt bare feet.

Aftercuttingit,makesureyouroundoffanysharpedgeswithafile.

3.Supporttheedgingwithstakes.Drivethestakestosetthedepthatabout1/2in.abovethesoillevelofthelawn.Iftheedgingdropstoolow,pryitupwiththetipofyourshovel.Thismakestheborderalmostinvisibleandallowsyoutomowrightoverthetop.

4.Backfillalongtheedgingwithsoilfromthegardenbed

andcompressitfirmly.Leaveroomontopformulch.

5.Theendresultisacleanstripthatsubtlyseparatesthelawnfromthegarden.

CAUTION:Callyourlocalutilitiesor811tolocateundergroundlinesbeforeyoudigandinstallalledging.

protips!

→Thekeytosettingthisborderistocutacleanverticaledgealongthegrasswithasquarespade(Photo1).Thenyoucanlaythebordertightlyagainsttheedgewhenyoustakeandbackfillit.Simplyfollowtheedgesofyourlawn,makingsmooth,gradualcurves.Tomakesmooth,sharpcurves,bendtheedgingaroundacircularform.

protips!

→Steeledgingisthemostcommonmetaledging,althoughyoumightnotfinditatlocalnurseries.Lookforitatlargergardencentersoratlandscapesuppliers,whichiswheremostprosgetit.

(Search“LandscapeEquipmentandSupplies”onlineorinyourYellowPages.)Steeledgingcomesin4-in.-wideby10-ft.-longstripsinavarietyofcolors.Keepinmindthatit’lleventuallyrust,especiallyinasaltenvironment.It’sheavy,floppystuffandneedsalmostfullsupportwhenyoutransportit.

→Aluminumedging,besidesbeinglighterandstiffer,won’trustandisalsoavailableinawidevarietyofcolors.Lookforitthroughlandscapingsuppliers,althoughitmightbedifficulttofind.Youmighthavetoorderit.Besurestakesareincludedwithyourpurchase.

→You’llfindblackplasticedgingateverygardencenterandhomecenter,sometimesinbothregularandheavy-dutythicknesses.Buythethickermaterial.Itbetterwithstandsthoseinevitablebumpsandhardknocksthatgowithlawnmowing.

Installasimplerweedtrimmerhead

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$20

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSocket/ratchetset

MATERIALSReplacementtrimmerheadandstring

Ifyou’veeverstruggledtoreplaceorpulloutastringtrimmer line,you’lllovethisfix!

The frustrating old trimmer head can be replacedwith an easy-loadingversion(adapterrequiredforsomemodels).EchoInc.(echo-usa.com) produces a universal trimmer head with a string-loadingsystemsosimpleyourkindergartnercouldfigureitout.Shortpiecesofstringlinearepushedintothetrimmerhead,andalockingsystemcatchesthelinelikeafishonahook.Tochangetheline,simplypullitthroughthecutterheadandpushinanewpiece.

Photos 2 and 3 show how to mount the replacement head onmachines with threaded shafts. Before mounting the new head,determinewhich triangular adapter piece and retainingnut fit thethreadedshaft.

1.Removethetrimmerhead.Removethespooloflinefromthetrimmerhousing.Themostcommonmethodistopushin,twistandpulloffthespool.Ifyourtrimmerheaddiffers,followthemanufacturer’sinstructionstoremovetheoldhead.Theheadisattachedtothetrimmerwitharetainingnutorbolt.Ratchetitfreeandpullitoff(somenutsandboltswillbereverse-threaded).

2.Slideonthenewhead.Slipthelargefenderwasheroverthethreadedshaftandthenewtrimmerheadoverthewasher.Slidethetriangularadapterpieceontotheshaftandalignwiththetriangularrecessinthetrimmerhead.

3.Fastenthehead.Slidethesmallfenderwasheroverthetriangularadapterpiece,attachtheretainingnutandtightenitsecurely.

Protectoutdoorfurniture

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSDropclothSafetyglassesGlovesSeveral disposable containers Epoxy, clear-coated for woodGlossysparvarnishSeveralnatural-bristlebrushesChina-bristlebrush120-gritsandpaper220-gritsandpaper

If you’d like to preserve the natural wood appearance of youroutdoorfurnitureoryourwoodentrydoor,takealessonfromboatbuilders.Boatbuildersandrestorersusemultiplecoatsofepoxyandspar varnish to protect wood—instead of spar varnish alone—because the combination is much stronger than either finish isseparately. Epoxy creates a tough, flexible moisture barrier; sparvarnishaddsdepthandUVprotection,whichkeepstheepoxyfromyellowingandeventuallydisintegrating.

The epoxy, a special type for clear-coating wood, is sold atwoodworkingsuppliers,hobbyshopsandmarinesupplystores,orgoonline. It’sexpensive,butwhenfully cured, the finish isvery toughandwilllastforyears.

1.Sandandcleanthewood,thenstainitifdesired.Mixtheepoxyresinandhardenerthoroughlyinadisposablecontainer.Abatchwillstarttohardeninabout30minutes,fasterifit’shotout,sojustmixasmallquantitythefirsttimetoseehowfaryouget.Applytheepoxywithaninexpensivenatural-bristlebrush.Spreadtheepoxy,thenlightlydragthebrushbackthroughtoevenitoutandeliminatebubbles.Workquicklyandallowthethickepoxytoflattenwithoutbrushingittoomuch.You’llneedanewbrushforeachcoat.Whentheepoxyinthecontainerstartstostiffenandfeelwarm,discardthecontainerandthebrushandmixanewbatch.

Allowtohardenovernight,thensandthoroughlywith120-grit sandpaper to flatten out any ridges and flawsand apply another coat. Themanufacturer recommendsthreecoats.

2.Sandthefinalcoatofepoxyafterithascuredforatleast24hourswith220-grittocreateasmooth,scratch-freesurfaceforthevarnish.Thenvacuumthesurfaceandwipeitwithadamprag.

3.Applythreecoatsofoil-basedexteriorglossysparvarnish.withahigh-qualitychina-bristlebrush,brushing

withthegrain.Sandthevarnishbetweencoats.Addcoatsofvarnisheveryfewyearstokeepthefinishlookingfresh.

protips!

→Two-partepoxy.Mixtheresinandhardenerthoroughlyinaclean,disposablecontainer,intheproportionsspecifiedbythemanufacturer.

Replaceloose,poppeddecknails

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSDiagonalcutterCat’spawHammerorprybarCordeddrillDrillbitset

MATERIALSShimorverythinwoodblocks2-1/2in.deckscrews

Deckingswellsandshrinksasitgoesthroughrepeatedcyclesofwetand dry seasons. This frequently causes nails to loosen and pop upabovethedeckboards.Youcandrivethemdownagain,butchancesarethat’sonlyashort-termsolution.They’llprobablypopupagain.The long-term solution is to remove the popped nails and replacethemwithdeckscrews.

The trick is to pull the old nails without marring the decking.Alwaysuseablockunder yourprying tool.Andworkon tough-to-get-out nails using several steps. A diagonal cutter works well fornails that only protrude slightly (Photo 1). The slim jaws can slipunderthehead.You’llonlyraisethenailaslightamount,soyoumayhavetorepeatthisprocesstwoorthreetimes.Oncethenailheadis

high enough, you can grip it with a cat’s paw or hammer clawwithoutmarringthedeckboard(Photo2).Besuretousethinwoodshimstoprotectthedecking.

1.Startwithadiagonalcutter.Grabslightlyprotrudingnailsdirectlyundertheheadwithadiagonalcutter.Rollthecutterbackontoshimtoprythenailupslightly.

2.Yankthenailwithcat’spaw.Taptheclawofacat’spawunderthenailheadandleverthenailup.Finishpullingwithahammerorprybar.Again,protectthedeckboardwithashimorthinblock.

3.Replacethenailwithascrew.There’snoneedtodrillapilotholeifyousendthescrewdowntheoldnailhole.(Onedrawbackofscrewsisthattheirheadsarelargerthannailheadsandcanbeunsightly.Werecommendthatyoubuydeckscrewsinacolorthatmostcloselymatchestheageddecking.)Standonthedeckboardtoholditdown.Thendrivea2-1/2in.deckscrewdownintotheoldnailhole.Setthescrewheadflushtothesurface.

4.Minordentswilldisappearwhenthewoodswellsafterthenextrain.

protips!

Solutionsforstubbornnails

→Iftheheadbreaksoffastubbornnailandyoucan’tgetitwithaprybar,trypullingitwithlockingpliers.Gripthenailtipandrollthepliersovertogetitgoing.

→ If thenail shankbreaksoff,don’tworry. Justdrillapilotholebeside the nail and drive a screw. The screwheadwill cover thenail.

Patchleakygutters

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$80

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSStiffscraperWirebrushScissorsorrazorknife

MATERIALSRoofandgutterrepairtapeSpecialadhesiveprimer(ifrequired)

Gutterleaksusuallystartatrustyspotsorseamsthathaveopenedupbecauseofexpansionandcontraction. Ifyourgutter isstillbasicallysound,theeasiestwaytostopthe leak isbycoveringthedamagedareawithroofandgutterrepairtape.

1.Preparethegutterbyscrapingoutasmucholdtarorcaulkaspossible.Cleantheareaaroundtheleakwithastiffscraperandawirebrush,thenrinseoffalldustandwipecompletelydrytogivethetapeacleansurfaceforbonding.

Ifthegutterisbadlyrustedorhasbeenheavilycoatedwith tar that you can’t scrape out, spray on a specialadhesiveprimerbeforeapplyingthetape.

2.Cutthegutterrepairtapewithascissorsorarazorknifelongenoughtooverlaptheleakyareabyatleast6in.ineachdirection.

3.Tearthepaperbackingoffthetapeandlightlyadhereoneedgeofthetapetothetopofthegutter.Startingatthecenter,presstapefirmlyintoplace.Followthecontoursofthegutterandsmoothoutallthewrinklesandbubbles.Overlaplongseamsbyatleast1in.andendseamsby4in.

CAUTION:Makesureladderissecure.

Reattachloosevinylsiding

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPrybar

MATERIALSSidingremovaltoolorziptool

Vinylsidingisinstalledbyinterlockingthetopandbottomedgesofthe panels. Properly installed, the panels should stay permanentlylocked together. If youhavepanels thathave separated frompoorinstallation, impact damageor severeweather, first check for cluesthatthesidingwasimproperlyinstalled.Theinstallermayhavetriedto straighten unlevel courses by pulling the panels up taut, orpressingthemdown,thennailingthem.Orperhapsthenailsweren’tdrivenstraightandlevel,resultinginpanelsthatlaterbuckled.

Vinylsidingpanelsmaycomeundonebecausetheseproblems—orrepeatedtemperaturechanges—allowthepanelstoexpand,contractandloosen.

SIDINGREMOVALTOOL

1.Buyasidingremovaltoolatahomecenterorasidingretailer.Thistoolcanbeusedforvinyl,aluminumorsteelsiding.Thehookonthetoolgrabsthelockingfaceunderthebottomedgeofeachpanel.

2.Toreattachapanel,firstusethesidingtooltograbthepanel’slockingedge,thenpulldown.Atthesametime,usetheheelofyourhandtopushthepaneledgetocatchthelockingfaceonthelowersidingcourse.Workthesidingtoolandheelofyourhandalongtheedgeoftheloosenedpanelinthismanneruntilthetwocoursesofvinylhavesnappedbacktogether.

3.Ifitdoesn’treattacheasily,checkthenailingtechniqueonthelowercourse.Ifthenailsweredriventootight,thenailingflangemaybedimpled.Itslockingfacewon’tbeinastraight-linepositiontoeasilyreceivethenextpanel.Takeaprybarandcarefullyworkitbehindthenailhead.Backthenailoutuntilthedimpleistakenoutofthenailingflange.Thesidingremovaltool(shown)isamustforbothremovingsidingpanelsandreconnectingthem.Whenyou’reremovingalockedpanel,you’llhavetowigglethesidingtoolasyoupushituptosuccessfullygrabthelockingface’sedge.

Patchholesinaluminumandvinylsiding

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$95

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSCaulkgunUtilityknife

MATERIALSColor-matchedcaulk

Nailholesinaluminumandvinylsidingaretoughtorepairwithoutreplacingtheentirepiece,butasquirtofcolor-matchedcaulkfromasiding supplier will solve the problem for a lot less money andaggravation.

An easy, nearly-as-good fix that keeps water out and is almostinvisible from several feet away is to fill the hole with a color-matched caulk. Home centers don’t usually stock it, but sidingwholesalers that sell to contractors carry caulks specifically blendedfor dozens of different shades of siding. If you know themanufacturerandcolornameofyour siding,youcanget theexactblenddevelopedforthatshade.Otherwise,bringasamplepieceortakeaphotoandaskasalespersontohelpyoumatchit.

1.Findcaulkcolorstomatchdozensofdifferentsidingcolorsatsuppliersthatselltosidingcontractors.

2.Beforefillingthehole,wipethesidingclean.Squirtenoughcaulkintotheholetofilltheareabehindthehole.Avoidsmearingexcesscaulkalloverthesurroundingsiding—thelessyougetonthesiding,thelessobvioustherepairwillbe.

3.Oncethecaulkisfullycured(whichcouldbeseveraldays,dependingonthetype),trimitflushwiththesidingusingastraightedgerazorblade.

Cleanvinylsiding

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$235

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSBucketSoft-bristlebrushSpongeNylonscrubpad

MATERIALSGeneral-purposecleanerNonabrasivebathtubcleanerAmmonia

Vinylsidingusuallycleansupeasilywithnothingmorethansoapandwater, and a yearly scrubbing will keep it looking new. If leftunchecked,itcancauseyourhome’sexteriortolookdirtyanddingy.

1.Forbasiccleaning,usegeneral-purposecleanermixedwithwarmwater.Applyitwithasoft-bristlecleaningbrush,scrubbingthefulllengthofeachlap.Startatthebottomtoavoidstreaking,anduseyourgardenhosetorinseoffeachsectionbeforeitdries.

Mold shows up as black spots on siding, especially indamp and shady areas. You can scrub away the surfacemold in amatter ofminuteswith a 1-to-8 bleach/watersolution.

2.Fortoughspotslikepaintdrips,tar,andpencilandpenmarks,useanonabrasivebathtubcleanerornylonscrubpad.Useammoniacleanersorasolutionof1partbleachin4partswatertocleanmoldandmildewstains.(However,nevermixammoniaandbleach.)Rinsethoroughlywhilethesidingisstillwet.

Don’t use paint thinner, nail polish remover, spotremovers, paint remover, straight chlorine bleach orfurniture cleaner on vinyl. These types of cleaners candamagethesurfaceofthesiding.

CAUTION:Don’tmixammoniaoranydetergentcontainingammoniawithbleach.Thecombinationformsapoisonousgas.

CAUTION:Don’tusepaintthinner,nailpolishremover,spotremovers,paintremover,straightchlorinebleachorfurniturecleaneronvinyl.

Easyshinglerepair

YOURCOST:$5

SAVINGS:$95

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSPuttyknifePrybarHammer

MATERIALSShinglesGalvanizedroofingnailsLeatherglovesRoofcementandacaulkinggun

Abrokenshingle isbothuglyanda leakwaitingtohappen.Butaslong as you can find matching shingles (and you’re not afraid ofheights),therepairisstraightforward.

Pick a day when the weather is moderate (between 50 and 70degreesF)todotherepair—toocoldandtheshinglescancrack;toowarm and the shingle sealants are tough to break. Replacing theshingle will only take about 10 minutes—just be careful not todamageanyothershingle.

1.Eachshinglehasanadhesivetarsealantstripdownthecenterthatgripstheshingleaboveit.Gentlytapaflatbarundertheshinglestobreaktheseal-downstripsfreetogetatthenailsandgetthedamagedshingleout.Don’tforceit—shinglesripeasily.Loosenthetabsunderthebrokenshingleandthenexttwocoursesaboveit.

TYPICALNAILLOCATIONS

2.Shinglesarefastenedwitheightnailseach—fouratthecenterjustabovethetabslotsandfourthroughtheshingleaboveit—andyouhavetoliftupalltheshinglesthatcoverthosenailstoremovethem.

3.Afterallthetabsareloose,wedgethenotchoftheflatbarupunderthedamagedshingletoeachnail,centeringthenailintheflatbarnotch.Toavoidrippingshingles,gentlyworktheprybarunderbothtabsasyoupushitup.

Pop out the nails by prying underneath the shingleinsteadoftryingtodigthenailheadoutfromthetopofthe shingle; that will wreck the shingle. Then push theshingle down from the nailhead and pull out the nail.After removingthecenter rowofnailson thedamagedshingle,lifttheundamagedshinglesaboveitandremovethenextrowofnails.Thenpulloutthedamagedshingle.

4.Slidethenewshingleupintoplace.Gentlyliftthetaboftheshingleabove,proppingthetabsaboveasyounailtoavoidbreakingthem.Nailthecenterrowfirst,thenthecenterrowofthecourseaboveit,nailing1/2in.overfromtheoldholes.Nailatthetopoftheslotsbetweenthetabs,justabovethesealantstrip.

5.Sealthelooseshingletabstotheroofwithroofcementandacaulkinggun.

protips!

→Ifyoudon’thaveafewextrashinglesstoredinthegarageorattic,takeascrapoftheshingletoahomecenterorroofingsuppliertofindamatch.Youmayhavetobuyafullbundle.

Carwon’tstart—here’swhattodo

Replacethe4mostneglectedbulbsinyourvehicle

Replaceawindshieldwiperblade

Windshieldwiperarmreplacement

Howtofixaleakingsunroof

Replacethegasliftonyourcar’shood

Patchatear/holeinleatherorvinyl

Howtorepairchippedcarpaint

Winterizecarwindowsanddoors

Lubricatecarlocks,hingesandlatches

Makeyourtireslast

Protips!Diagnosingtireproblems

Refurbisholdplasticwheelcovers

Protips!Addpizzazzwithbright-coloredpeelablepaint

Cleandimheadlights

Carwon’tstart—here’swhattodo

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$75

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLS4-in-1screwdriverAdjustablewrenchRagsBatteryterminalcleanertool

MATERIALSProtectiveeyegearGlovesBatteryterminalprotectivespray

Youturnthekeyandhearthedreaded“click.”Sure,youmayneedanew battery, starter or alternator. But before you condemn eitherthebatteryorthechargingsystem,followthesesteps.

Turnonyourdomelightandturnthekeyagain.Ifthedomelightdims,focusyourattentiononthebatteryanditsconnections. Ifthedomelightdoesn’tdim,thestartermotorisn’tdrawingpower.Havethestartercheckedbyaprofessional.

Check the battery voltage. Scratch clean contact areas on thebatterypostsandtestthebatteryvoltagewithatestmeter.Afullycharged battery should read 12.7 volts. At 50 percent charge, thevoltagedropsto12.1volts.Alowreadingcanbetheresultofpoor

electrical connections, a problem with the charging system or abatterythatisattheendofitslife.

Youcan’talwaysseecorrodedbatteryandgroundconnections,socleanallofthem(Photos1–3).Startwiththebatteryterminals.Note:Disconnectthenegativecablefirstandreconnect it last.Thencleantheconnectionbetweenthebatterynegativecableandtheengine.

Finally, clean the connectionbetween thebatterynegative cableand the body. If the car starts, the problem is solved. If it doesn’t,take the car to the shopandexplainwhat tests you’vedone. Thenhavethebatteryandthestartingandchargingsystemscheckedout.

1.Checktheposts.Disconnectthenegativebatteryterminalandthenthepositiveanduseawireterminalcleanertocleantheposts.

2.Cleantheinsideoftheterminalswiththeoppositeendofthecleaningtool.

3.Protectterminalsbyapplyingalightcoatofbatteryterminalprotectivespray(red).

CAUTION:Disconnectthenegativecablefirstandreconnectitlast.

CAUTION: Always wear eye protection and rubber gloves when working with a carbatterytopreventaccidentalinjuryfrombatteryacid.Andneversmokearoundthem!

Replacethe4mostneglectedbulbsinyourvehicle

YOURCOST:$12

SAVINGS:$38

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSFlat-bladescrewdriverorsmallprybarMATERIALSGlovesAutomotivelightbulbsasrequired

Here’showtoreplaceauto lightbulbsyouneverthinkofuntilyouneedthem.These are the fourmost commonly neglectedbulbs that can affectyourdrivingexperience.Checkyourstoseeiftheywork,andpickupreplacementsatanyautopartsstore.

Maplightbulbs

1.Pryoffthelensandpullthebulboutofthespringterminals.Snapinanewbulb.

Domelightbulbs

2.Pryoffthedomelightlensandspreadthespringterminals.Droponesideofthe“torpedo”-shapedbulboutofthesocketandliftthebulbout.Reversetoinstall.

High-mountstopbulb

3.Aburned-outhigh-mountstoplightbulbcanalsoearnyouaticket.Thesebulbsareusuallyreplacedfromtheinsiderearwindshield.Pryofftheinteriortrimcover.Thenrotatethesocketaquarterturnandswapoutthebulb(s).

Licenseplatebulb

4.Unscrewthelensorreleasethelockingtab.Twistthebulbsocketaquarterturnandpullitout.Pushandtwistinanewbulbandreinstall.Aburned-outlicenseplatebulbcangetyouaticket,soreplaceitifneeded.

Replaceawindshieldwiperblade

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$20

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSNeedle-nosepliers

MATERIALSBathtowelWiperrefills

Stop annoying streaks and chatter from worn wiper blades. Makeyourcarsafer.Replacetheminminutes.

Yourwindshieldwiperassembly consistsof threebasicparts: thelower wiper arm that protrudes up from the cowl, the blade thatattachestothewiperarmandtherubberrefillthatwipestheglass.The thin rubber refill is thepart that eventuallybreaksdown fromextremeweather conditions,dustanddirt.Mostoftenyoucan justreplacethewiperrefill.

However, the blade can also become weak and lose its tensionagainsttheglassorevenbendslightlyfromiceandsnow.Ifyouhaveproblems with chatter, or if the entire blade isn’t making contactwiththewindshield,replacetheentireblade.Bothjobstakeonlyafewminutes. It’sagoodideatoreplacethewholeblade(soldwithrefills)everytwoyears.

1.Pullthewiperarmbackfromtheglass,thendoubleupabathtoweloveryourwindshieldjustincasethewiperarmsnapsbackagainsttheglass.Thenmeasureyourwiperbladetogettheexactreplacementlength.Measurebothbladesandbuyrefillstheexactlengths.Don’tassumetherefillinsertsarethesamelengthonthedriver’ssideandthepassenger’sside.Oneisoftenaninchormorelongerthantheother.

2.Oncethearmispulledback,pivotthebladesothebottomofthebladeflipsuptowardthetop.Locatethesmallshinyretainingclipsneartheendoftherefill.Pinchthemtogetherwithaneedle-nosepliersandstartslidingouttherefill.Oncetheclipsslideunderthebladeclamp,setthepliersdownandpullouttheoldrefillwithonehandwhilesupportingthebladewiththeother.

3.Carefullyslidethenewrefillintothesameendyoupulledtheoldonefrom.Makesurethenewrefillisheldbetweeneachclamp(toavoidscratchingyourwindshield)andthattheretainingclipclicksintopositioninthelastclamp.Gentlypivotthearmbackintoposition,releasethearmandrepeattheprocessfortheotherside.

protips!

→Wiperbladesshouldbereplacedeverysixmonths,especiallyifyouparkoutsideandyouliveinthedesertorinotherdustyconditions.

Windshieldwiperarmreplacement

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$15

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSocket/ratchetsetFlat-bladescrewdriver

MATERIALSWiperarm

Do your windshield wipers leave unwiped spots for no apparentreason,evenafteryoureplacedtheblades?

Allwiperarmshaveahingeatthebasethatallowsthearmtoflexas it follows the curvature of the window. If the wiper skips overcertain spots, even with a new blade, chances are the hinge isbinding from corrosion. It’s most common on rear window wiperssincethey’reusedlessoften.

You can oil the hinge, but that’s just a temporary fix—thecorrosion and binding usually return. To fix the problempermanently,replacethewiperarm(availableatanautopartsstore).

1.Allwiperarmsfitontoasplinedshaft.

2.Somewipersareheldwitharetainingnut.Toreplace,lifttheplasticprotectivecoverandremovetheretainingnut.Thenpullthearmoffthesplinedshaft.

3.Otherwipershavealockingclip.Liftthewiperarmafewinchesofftheglassandslidethelockingclipout.Thenlowerthearmandpullitoffthesplinedshaft.

Howtofixaleakingsunroof

YOURCOST:$10

SAVINGS:$90

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSShopvacuum

MATERIALSPVCtrapadapter,tofitvacuumhosePVCcap,tofitadapterPVCbarbedadapter,3/8-in.Vinylhose,tofitbarbedadapterSpeedometercable

You’vegotwateronyourseatsrightbelowthesunroof,andyou’reabouttotakemattersintoyourownhands.We’rewarningyou:Putdown the caulk gun and step away from the vehicle. Usually it’ssimplyadraintubethat’scloggedwithdebris.Thenthewatercan’tdrainanditoverflowsintothecabin.Andthat’sasimpleDIYrepairthatyoucandoinabout20minutes.

Open your sunroof and look for the drain holes in both frontcorners.Thosetubesrunthroughthedoorpillarsanddrainthroughto the rocker panels. You may be tempted to run a coat hangerdownthetubesorblastthemwithcompressedair.Don’t!Youmightpoke the wire right through the tubing or disconnect it from thedrain hole. Then you’d have to remove the entire headliner toreconnect it—a big job. Instead, use a shop vacuum and small-diametervinyltubingtosuckouttheclog(seePhoto1).

If that doesn’t do the trick, try running a very small flexible“plumbing”snakedownthetubetobreakuptheclog.(Actually,it’saspeedometercablefoundatanyautopartsstoreforabout$8.)

1.MakeahosereducerwithordinaryPVCplumbingpartsandattachavinylhosetotheend.Thenvacuumthecrudoutofthewaterchannelandthedraintube.

2.Snakeoutareallystubbornclogwithaspeedometercable.Twistthecableasyoufeeditdownthetube.

CAUTION:Ifcleaningthetubesdoesn’twork,don’ttrytodisassemblethemechanismorbendthesheetmetaltogetabetterfit.That’sajobforatop-notchbodyshop.

Replacethegasliftonyourcar’shood

YOURCOST:$50

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSSocket/ratchetsetSmallflat-bladescrewdriverLiftsupportclamp

MATERIALSGaslifts

Gasliftsthatholdupcarhoods,trunksandrearhatchescanwearoutand become a problem, especially in coldweather.Why risk injuryfrom a falling hatch? Here’s how to fix the problem quickly andcheaply.

Buyapairofgas lifts (always replace themasapair)atanautopartsstore.Theycost$16to$25each.Right-andleft-sideliftsoftendifferonly in very subtleways, sobeforeyou leave theparts store,ask the clerk to label them. Labeling will save you time andfrustrationwhenyougethome.

The lifts attach to thehood and fenderwith bolts or a ball andsocketarrangement.Theboltstylesareeasytoidentify.Justremovetheboltsandreplacethelift.Theballandsocketstyleshavea“C”-

shaped clip that prevents the socket frompopping off the ball. Toremove the ends from the ball studs, just insert a small flat-bladescrewdriverintothecenterofthecliptopryitout.That’llallowyoutodisengagetheballandsocket.UsethescrewdrivertopryouttheC-cliponthereplacementliftandsnaptheendontotheball.

1.Supportthehatch.Liftthehatchslightlyhigherthanitsnormalopenpositionandhaveafriendholdthehatchupwhileyouremovethegaslift.Orlockthehatchinplacewithaliftsupportclampattachedtotheliftshaftwhileyouworkontheoppositelift.

2.Disengagethelift.Removethetopportionofthegasliftfirst.Jamaflat-bladescrewdriverintothedepressioninthecenteroftheC-clamp.(Useasocketandaratchettoremovethebolted-in-placevariety.)Thenpullthegasliftofftheballstud.Reversetheproceduretoconnectthenewlift.

Avariationontheballandsockethasplasticfingersthatsnaparoundtheball.Toreleasethetensiononthefingers,pryoffthefour-leggedfrictioncapandpulltheliftofftheballstud.

CAUTION:Don’trelyona2x4toholdthehatchopen—it’snotasafealternative.

Patchatear/holeinleatherorvinyl

YOURCOST:$15

SAVINGS:$135

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSGlovesLeather/vinylrepairkit

Learn how to use inexpensive, DIY-friendly repair kits to fix smalltearsinleatherorvinylcarseatsbeforetheygetbigandugly.

A leather/vinyl repair kit takes only an hour. But don’t expectperfection. You’ll still see the tear, and you probably won’t get aperfectcolormatch.However,thisfixwillcontainthetearandlookbetterthanagapinghole.

You can buy a kit at any hardware store, home center or autopartsstore.

1.Followthecleaninginstructionsinthekitandtrimthedamagedareatoremoveanyfrayededges.Thencutthebackingfabricsoitextendsunderthetearbyatleast1/2in.Tuckthebackingunderthedamagedareatoformapatch.Thenapplyadhesivearoundtheedgesandthemiddle.Letitdryfortherecommendedtimebeforeaddingcolorant.

2.Mixtheheat-setcoloredfiller.Takeyourtimeandgetasclosetothecolorasyoucan.Applyjustenoughcoloranttofillinthetear.

3.Coveritwiththetexturedmatandapplyheat.Touchtheheatingtool(includedwiththekit)tothefaceofahotclothesiron.Thenpressthehottoolontothetexturedmat(foraslongasrecommended)andholditinplace.Letitcool.

4.Removethematandcheckouttheresults.Thepatchwon’tbeperfect.Butitsurebeatsthelookofatearorburn.

Howtorepairchippedcarpaint

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$130

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSSoapCottonclothAutomotivepolishingcompoundDenaturedalcoholAutobodytouch-uppaint

Remember that gravel truck traveling at 70 mph that suddenlyswitchedlanes infrontofyouandbouncedafewmarble-sizerocksoffyourhood?Nowyou’vegotseveraltinychipsinyourpaintfinishthatcouldgrowtoquarter-sizerustspotsinafewyears.Takecareoftheproblemrightawayforafewdollars,andyou’llsaveyourselfbigmoney later on, not to mention the embarrassment of driving aprematureclunker.

At an auto parts store, you’ll find a display of auto touch-uppaints.Lookupyourcar’syear,makeandmodelinthebookletatthedisplay. You’ll find a list of factory colors that cars like yourswerepaintedthatyear. Ifyouhaveawhitevehicleandthereisonlyonewhite listed for it, just buy that one. If you don’t know the colornumber for your car, you’ll have to find it on your vehicleidentification plate. This can be challenging. The plate may belocatedunderthehoodonthecowl,neartheradiatorshieldoron

the jamb of the driver’s door. Some owner’s manuals will tell youwheretolook,oraquickcalltoyourdealerwillhelp.Onceyoufindthenumber,buya small bottleof touch-uppaint. If you can’t findthecorrectcoloratthedisplay,checkwiththedealer.Dealersoftencarry colors for the cars they sell. Also, buy a small can of autoprimer.

Now just follow our photo sequence to fix that chip, andremember,don’tdothisrepairinthedirectsunorifthetemperatureisbelow50degreesF.

Thefixweshowhereisforfreshchipsthathaven’tstartedtorustyet.Ifyouseearustspot,orhaveadentalongwithyourchip,you’llneedtodoamorechallengingfixthanweshowhere.Keepinmindthatthisrepairwillbevisibleunderclosescrutiny,butifyoubuytherighttouch-upcolor,it’llbeunnoticeablefromafewfeetaway.

1.Thisisatypicalrockchipthatyoucanfixwiththisprocedure.Infact,evenifthechipisaboutone-fourththesizeofadime,youcanstillrepairit.

2.Cleanthechipwithsoapandwaterandthendryitwithasoftcottoncloth.Rubadabofautomotivepolishingcompoundoverthechiptogentlysoftenanyraggededges.Justadozenswirlsorsowilldothejob.Toomuchrubbingcoulddamagetheclearcoatoverthepaintandmakeacloudymess.

3.Cleanthefinishwithdenaturedalcohol.Don’tflooditwithalcohol.Justafewwipeswithasoftclothwilldo.Thealcoholwillremoveanywaxorremaininggrime.

4.Applyaspotofprimerwiththebuttendofapapermatch.Filltheareawithinthechip,justtouchingtheedgesofthesurroundingpaint.Lettheprimerdryforatleastahalfhour.

5.Putasmallamountofpaintovertheprimercoat.Alwaystestthecoloronapieceofpapertomakesureitmatches.Thetestwillalsogiveyouafeelforhowmuchpainttoloadontotheapplicatorbrush.Applyasecondcoataboutonehourlater.Letthepaintcureforseveraldaysandrubitoutagaingentlywithpolishingcompoundtofeathertheedgesoftherepair.

TOO FAR GONE. This is a chip that should have beenrepairedlongago.Themetalinsidethechiphasrustedandstarted to lift the paint at the edges. This fix is less do-it-yourself-friendly and requires sanding, priming andpainting.

CAUTION: Don’t do this repair in the direct sun or if the temperature is below 50degreesF.

protips!

→Ifyoucanonlyfindspraypaintwiththerightcolornumber,youcanuseitbysprayingabitofpaintintothecapandapplyingitwithafineartist’sbrush.

Winterizecarwindowsanddoors

YOURCOST:$20

SAVINGS:$20

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSSiliconesprayordryTeflonGlasscleanerPapertowelsRags

Freezing water can seep into the window tracks and create dragwhen you try to open the window. That drag can damage thewindowregulatorcables,costingyoualmost$300.YoucanavoidtheproblementirelybylubricatingthewindowtrackswithspraysiliconeordryTeflonspraylubricant.Siliconestaysslickevenincoldweather,so windows slide smoothly, lessening the wear on your windowmotors.

If water seeps between your door and weather stripping andfreezes,youcouldbefrozenoutofyourcarortruck.Topreventthewater from freezing you out, coat both theweather stripping andthematingdoorsurfaceswithspraysilicone.

1.Lowerthewindowandshootthesprayrightintothefrontandbackwindowtrack.Applyenoughlubesoitdripsallthewaydownthetrack.

2.Thenoperatethewindowthroughseveralopenandclosecyclestospreadthelubealongtheentiretrack.Use

glasscleanerandapapertoweltoremoveanyspraythatlandsontheglass.

3.Wipethesiliconelubeontoyourdoorandtrunkweatherstripping.Toavoidsprayingsiliconeintoyourcar’sinterior,sprayitdirectlyontoacleanrag.

4.Repeattheprocedureondoormatingsurfacesandthetrunklid.

Lubricatecarlocks,hingesandlatches

YOURCOST:$30

SAVINGS:$45

COMPLEXITYSimpleTOOLSNailfileRags

MATERIALSGraphitelubricantWD-40WhitelithiumgreaseSiliconespray

By the time you start hearing those annoying squeaks and groanswheneveryouopenyourdoor,hood,gastanklidortrunk,thenew-car thrill has probably faded. Recapture some of that new-car feelwithafewsimplelubricatingtechniques.Withjust10minutestwiceayear,youcanquietthosepeskynoisesandavoidcostlyrepairs.

All you need are a variety of inexpensive lubricants, which willcomeinhandyforhouseholdproblemsaswell.Whitelithiumgreaseisgoodformetal-to-metaljointslikehingesandlatches,whichneedaclinginggreasetorepelwaterandholdupunderharshconditions.WD-40isforlight-dutylubricationandfreeingupstickingorpartiallyrusted hinges and latches. Silicone spray is great for lubricatingnylon, plastic and metal when only a thin layer of lubricant isnecessary. And because silicone dries, it won’t get clothing greasy.Graphite lubricant is the rightchoice for locks—itwon’tattractdirttofinelockmechanismslikeanoilwould.

Doorlocks

1.Addgraphitetodoorlocks.Wedon’tthinkmuchaboutourdoorlocksuntilthekeybreaksoffinthecylinder.Keepthesedelicatemechanismsmovingfreelywithablastofdrygraphitepowder.Pushthedustprotectorflapbackslightlywithasmallmetalnailfiletogetatthelock.Aquickpumpofthetubewilldispenseenoughgraphite.Movethelockcylinderwithyourkeyseveraltimestoworkthegraphiteintothemechanism.Dothistoyourtrunklockaswell.

Hoodhinges

2.Lubricatehoodhinges.Wipethehingeareawithacleanragandsprayitwithwhitelithiumgreaseorafewdrops

ofordinarymotoroil.Movethehingeseveraltimestoworkthegreaseintothehinge.Besuretogetitintobothsidesofeachhinge.Wipeawaytheexcesstokeepitfromcollectingdebris.

Gastanklid

3.LubricatethehingewithWD-40.Thegastanklidreallytakesabuse,especiallyinsaltyenvironments.GiveitasquirtofWD-40afewtimesayeartokeepitfromrusting.Wipeawayanyexcesstokeepitfromdrippingontoyourcar’sfinish.

Trunkhinges

4.Lubricateyourtrunkhinges.Usethesamemethodyouusedforthehoodhinge.Don’tlubricatethegasstrutsthatslowthetrunkmovement(youcouldruinthem).

Hoodlatch

5a.Cleanthehoodlatch.Wipeawaygrease,dirtandsandwithacleanrag.Trytogetanybitsofsandthatmaybeembeddedintheexistinggrease.

5b.Spraylubricantandgreaseonthecleanlatch.SpraywithWD-40,thenmovethemechanismseveraltimes.Wipeitagainandgiveitaliberalcoatingofwhitelithiumgrease.

Doorhingesandlatches

6a.SpraydoorhingesIfthedoorsqueakseverytimeyouopenit,thehingescouldbeboundbycorrosion.SpraythehingeswithWD-40tofreethem,andmovethedoorseveraltimestoworkinthelubricant.Oncethehingesareinworkingcondition,justsquirtthemwithwhitelithiumgreaseormotoroil,operatethedoorseveraltimesandthenwipeanyexcessaway.

6b.Lubricatedoorlatches.Checkthedoorlatchforcorrosion.Manydoorlatchesnowhaveanonmetalliccompositemechanism,whichshouldbelubricatedwithashotofsiliconespray.

CAUTION:Don’tlubricatethegasstrutsthatslowthetrunkmovement(youcouldruinthem).

Makeyourtireslast

YOURCOST:$0

SAVINGS:$100

COMPLEXITYSimple

TOOLSDigitalpressuregaugeTread-depthgauge

Oneofthemostcriticalmaintenancechoresforcars ischeckingthetiresregularly.You’llsavehundredsofdollarsandextendthelifeofyourtires.

Mostdriversignoretheirtiresuntilit’stoolate.Thentheyhavetospend big bucks to replace them. However, you can diagnose tireproblems and correct them early by performing three criticalmaintenancechores:checkingthetirepressure,measuringthetreaddepthregularlyandrotatingtiresevery6,000miles.

1.Alltiresloseair,socheckyourtireseverymonthwithadigitalpressuregauge.(Digitalgaugesareeasiertoreadandmoreaccuratethantraditionalgauges.)

Alwaysusethesametirepressuregaugeandchecktheair pressure first thing in themorning, not after you’vedrivenonthemorthey’vebeensittinginthehotsun.

2.Inflatetothepressureslistedonthecarmaker’sdecal(onthedriver’sdoororjamb),NOTthemaximumpressurelistedonthetire.Therecommendedtirepressureisbasedontheweightofyourparticularvehicle,notthetirebrandortreadstyle.Neverassumethatthemaximumairpressureshownonthetire’ssidewallisthesameasthe

recommendedtirepressure.Fillingtothemaximumpressurealwaysmeansyou’reoverinflatingyourtires.

3.Removethevalvestemcap.Don’tloseit—onsomesensorsthecapistheantenna.Centerthegaugeoverthevalvestemandpushonitinonequickmotion,thenrelease.Presstheairhosetipontothevalveforafewsecondsandthencheckitwiththegauge.Ifyouhaveoverfilled,releaseairfromthetire.Depressthecenterpinofthevalvestemwithafingernailoratool—youshouldhearasteadyhissascompressedairjetsforthfromtheoverinflatedtire.Releasetheairinsmallincrementssoasnottoreleasetoomuchair,checkingthetirepressureoftenwhileloweringthetirepressure.Replacethevalvestem.Repeattheprocessforeachtire.

4.Useatread-depthtiregaugeeveryothermonth.Forgetaboutthepenny-in-the-treadtrick.Atreaddepthgaugeonlycostsafewdollarsandisfarmoreaccurate.Measurethetreaddepthabout1in.fromeachedgeandthenthecentertread.Theyshouldallbethesameorwithin1/32in.Ifthey’renot,itistimefornewtires.RefertotheProtipforDiagnosingtireproblemstofindtheproblemsotherthanwear.

5.Rotateyourtiresevery6,000miles.

CAUTION:Atirepressuremonitoringsystemmeasuresthetire’spressureandnotifiesthedriverwhenpressuredrops25percentbelowthemanufacturer’srecommendedlevel,whichcanbeasmuchas8lbs.off.

protips!

Diagnosingtireproblems

Badalignment→ Vehicle is out of alignment, and its tires are rolling on theiredges. The car most likely pulled to the side, but the driverignored it. Ignoring the problemwas costly. The tires wore outfaster,andthevehiclestillneededalignment.Ifyourtreadiswornononeside,getyourvehiclealignedASAP.

Underinflatedtires→ Underinflation is the most common tire wear problem. Thecenter treadpuckers towardthe rimbecause there’snotenough

pressuretokeepitincontactwiththeroad.Sothefullweightofthecarridesontheedges.Inadditiontoprematurewear,lowtirepressure causesexcessiveheatandpossibleblowouts.Theownerofthesetiresneverbotheredtokeepthetiresinflated.

Overinflated tires → Although overinflated tires may give youslightly higher gas mileage, they can cause much more seriousproblems than they solve. Overinflated tires carry the entireweight of the car on themiddle portion of the tread. Only thecenter treadwas incontactwiththeroad.That’swhythecentertreadworemorethantheedges.

Onwetroads,thecentertreadcan’tpumpthewaterouttothesides(thinkofasqueegeewithabulgeinthecenter).Sothey’remore prone to hydroplaning (like water skiing) and also morelikelytoskidinastoporinaturn,andblowoutonhardbumps.The bottom line: Overinflation is costly and dangerous. Alwaysfollowtheinflationpressuresshownonthecar,notthetires.

Front-wheel-drivecars→ The front tires on front-wheel-drive cars carry a heavier loadand perform more work (steering and braking). So they wearfasterthantherears.Rotatingtiresevery6,000milesspreadsthewearacrossallfourtires.Skipitandyou’llfindyourselfwithtwobald tires in the front and two halfway good tires in the rear.You’llloseabout25percentofthetireset’slife.

Refurbisholdplasticwheelcovers

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$175

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALS120-gritsandpaperHeavy-dutycleanerScrubbrushMetallicspraypaintforplastic

Mostplasticwheelcoversarepainted.Afterawhile,thepaintpeelsand all those curb kisses gouge the plastic. You don’t have to buynewwheelcovers.Justrefinishtheoldones.

1.Startbyscrapingthepeeledareas.Thenfeatherthepeelededgeswith120-gritsandpaper.Sanddownhighridgesonthegougesuntilthey’relevelwiththerestofthewheelcover.

2.Washthewheelcoverwithheavy-dutycleanerandascrubbrush.Rinseanddry.Thenpainttheentirewheelcoverwithametallicspraypaintratedforplastic.

protips!

→Newerplastic-typehubcapsandsomewheelcoversareusuallyheldinplacebyaretainingwireringthatsnapsintotabsonthewheel.Whenre-installingsuchacaporcover,takecarethatyoudonotbendorbreakthetabs.Checktomakesuretheylookevenandflush.

protips!

Addpizzazzwithbright-coloredpeelablepaint

→Peelablepaintisthelatestcraze.Carbuffsuseittoprotecttheirwheelcoversandrockerpanelsoverthewintermonthsortogivetheir rides a shot of color. Peelable paint is a spray-on rubberycoatingthatpeelsoffwhenyou’redonewithit. Ifyouscratchit,youcansimplyrecoatit.

→When youuse peelable paint outdoors, it should be removedafterthreemonths.Youcanleaveitonlonger,butit’llbeharder(orimpossible)toremove.

→ Peelable paint is available at auto parts stores, home centersandcraftstores.Rust-Oleum,Dupli-ColorandPlastiDiparethreewell-knownbrandsofpeelablepaint.

Cleandimheadlights

YOURCOST:$25

SAVINGS:$50

COMPLEXITYSimple

MATERIALSHeadlightrestorationkit

Road grit and the sun’s UV rays can really do a number on yourheadlights.Thegrit literallyblastsoffthefactory-appliedprotectivecoating,andthesuntakescareofwhatevercoatingisleft.Thenthelenses cloud over, dramatically reducing the amount of light theyproject.You’vegottwochoices toseeclearlyagain.Youcaneitherrestoretheoldheadlightswitharestorationkitandasparehour,orspend$40to$250eachonnewheadlights.Toughchoice,huh?

1.Beforeyoubuyakit,checktheheadlighttoseeifthewearisontheoutsideofthelens.Ifyouseemoisturedropletsontheinsideofthelensorhairlinecracks,theproblemisontheinsideandtheheadlightcan’tberestored.Ifitlooksandfeelslikefrostedglass,therestorationwillprobablywork.

2.Shopsmart—buyacompleteheadlightrestorationkit.Thekitshouldincludetapetomaskofftheheadlight,clear-coatremover(activator),sandpaper,polishingcompoundandcloths,glovesandabottleofUV-blockclearcoat.

3.Startbymaskingofftheareasaroundtheheadlighttopreventpaintdamage.Thenapplythe“activator”solutiontosoftenanyremainingclearcoat.Wipethelensclean.

4.Next,wet-sandthelens,startingwiththecoarsestsandpaper,andworkyourwaytothefinestgrit.Applysomeelbowgrease.Wet-sandthelensinacircularpatternwithmediumpressure.Rewetthelensfrequentlywithclearwater.

5.Drythelensandthenpolishthesurfacewiththeclarifyingcompoundandthepolishingcloth.

6.Cleanoffallthepolishingcompoundandmakesurethelensisdrybeforeyouapplythenewclearcoat.Wipeontheclearcoatandletitdryforfourtosixhoursbeforedriving.

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Do-ItYourselfBasicsispublishedbyTrustedMediaBrands,Inc.©2017Allrightsreserved.Thisvolumemaynotbereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.TheFamilyHandymanandReader’sDigestareregisteredtrademarksofTrustedMediaBrands,Inc.

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Family Handyman Do-It-Yourself Basics: Save Money, Solve Problems, Improve Your Home

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