True Value

A water heater is a necessary major appliance for many households. From heating water for showers and baths to running a dishwasher or washing machine, it is a resource that homeowners depend on. Performing routine maintenance will help you keep it running

Filtering the water in your house softens and makes it taste better — not to mention is healthier for you and your family. It also saves you

A flooded basement is one of the most frustrating problems a homeowner can face. Because basements are below ground, water can often infiltrate the space after a heavy rain and cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, not to mention the mess

Before central heating, a home’s fireplace was traditionally a point of congregation for warmth and quality family time. Even if you don’t use your fireplace that often, the fireplace mantel still is a focal point in many living rooms today. Keep you

The fireplace is a centuries-old home feature that, prior to forced-air heat, was often a source of warmth for an entire home. Now that most modern homes have a furnace, the fireplace is usually decorative, or a source of additional heat for a cozy family

Swapping out an old, outdated light fixture adds instant appeal and value to your home, and it isn't hard to do. If you're a novice DIYer, don't be intimidated by working around electricity. This is a weekend project that can be done by even the most

Dimmer switches add flexibility to existing lighting. They also help you save energy, money while adding to the life of your light bulbs by reducing the amount of wattage emitted.

Installing a dimmer switch is an easy home improvement project

Energy costs go up in winter as you try to keep out the seasonal chill. When you add holiday lighting displays to your electric bill, your energy spending can really add up. You can conserve energy and reduce costs by swapping out old light strings with

Under-cabinet lighting can work as both accent lighting and task lighting to make your kitchen a more pleasant and functional space by adding ambiance and enhanced lighting for cooking and preparing meals. There are a number of lighting fixtures and bulb

Approximately half of U.S. households have a garbage disposal installed in the kitchen sink. That’s because disposals are convenient tools for disposing of food waste easily and appropriately in a kitchen sink drain. Today’s models are efficient,

A seasoned cast iron skillet means more than the number of years you’ve put it to good use cooking delicious dinners for your friends and family. A seasoned skillet has a layer of cooking oil or grease that has been baked into its cooking surface, providing a

A ceramic tile backsplash does more than protect your kitchen walls from splatters and spray. It also enlivens it with a decorative splash. It takes care to apply a backsplash and get the desired results; however, it can be completed in a weekend and

Leather furniture gives your space a luxurious and elegant feel, and the best part is that it only gets better-looking and more comfortable with age. To ensure the longevity of your leather furniture though, you need to take care of it by periodically

Garages often seem to be the catchall location for stuff that needs to be stored. If your car stays outside because you have too many belongings hoarded in the garage, get it organized now by following a few simple steps.

Step 1: Purge Your Garage

Installing a new garage door opener is a great way to update a part of your house that gets used everyday — the garage. Today's units are equipped with sensors that will make your garage more child-safe by stopping the door in its tracks should something g

If you want to give your concrete surfaces just a tinge of color versus the look of a solid paint color or plain concrete, consider staining your concrete surface this weekend. Concrete stain works similarly to paint, and is very simple and quick to apply

Your porch's concrete steps take a lot of abuse over time from foot traffic and the elements. Eventually, the concrete can crack, crumble or fall apart, becoming a tripping or slipping hazard.

Assess and Prepare

Carefully examine the

Your foundation literally supports your entire house, so you have to make sure it is sound. Not only do cracks in your foundation look bad, but they can also lead to the eventual loss of structural integrity, which can mean high-cost repairs. Take a look

High ceilings and sound-reflecting surfaces, such as glass, stone, tile and hardwood often can produce unwanted echoes in your home. If you find the reverberations distracting, you don’t have to break the bank to find ways to dampen your rooms’ lively aco

Mirrors and heavy art pieces add a lot to your home’s décor and interior ambiance. But they need to be hung properly to keep them from falling and getting damaged or inflicting damage to your wall or floor. Here’s how to hang items

Chandeliers radiate elegance and accent entryways, dining areas and other rooms. Installing one or any other heavy pendant-style light is not much different than standard fixtures but they can often be hefty and cumbersome to handle while making wiring

Highlight your house and yard when the sun goes down while boosting home safety and security. Check out these ideas for adding landscape lighting and using energy-efficient, low-voltage outdoor fixtures. Everything you need for the project is available

Installing exterior flood lights is a great way to add security, safety and nighttime curb appeal to your home. Whether you need extra light in dark corners of your yard, or around walkways