Maintenance & Repair

A programmable thermostat is a great investment for your home. It allows your HVAC system to regulate temperature settings automatically, making adjustments for different times of the day or night. This can save you a great deal of money on utility bills.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Are your water bills drowning your peace of mind? Try installing water-saving plumbing devices, such as low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and toilets. You'll fix this financial leak and do your part to conserve our most essential natural resource.

If you’re tired of hearing a constant “drip, drip, drip” from your kitchen faucet, or if you get sprayed by water when you turn it on, don’t immediately call a plumber. You can repair a leaky faucet yourself or swap it out for a new one on any weekend

As a parent, from the moment your child is born you begin to worry about his or her safety. Keeping a child safe from harm is not always easy. The average household is full of potential hazards that pose a threat to a baby or young child. However, all

When you're traveling, nothing gives you more peace of mind than knowing your home will be safe and secure while you’re away. From securing doors and windows to adding security lighting, there are some things that you can do to make sure you have a s

Improve security and update a door by installing a new lockset and deadbolt this weekend. Whether you’re replacing an old lockset or installing one on a new door, it’s something most DIYers can do in no time at all. Keep reading to find out more and the

Ladders are essential tools for home improvements and maintenance. Their use can lead to injury though if utilized incorrectly or carelessly. Before climbing a ladder, be sure you know how to properly use one so that you complete the job successfully

Snow blowers are indispensable tools in areas where heavy snowfall is common each winter. They make clearing walkways and driveways quicker and easier than when using just shovels. If you don’t maintain yours, though, you had best prepare your back f