If you have a radiator in your home, be sure to “bleed out” trapped air in the system at least one to two times each year. Air trapped in the radiator blocks the flow of water and makes the system run inefficiently.
Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain completely free of mold. If there’s some mold in the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing the ventilation (running a fan or opening a window) and cleaning more frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep the mold to a minimum.
If you find that today’s home prices require you to make compromises (as is probably the case for most first-time buyers) look for homes that you could expand or upgrade in the future, to add the space or amenities you can’t afford today.
Herbs can help repel insects in the vegetable garden, and provide important habitat for beneficial insects.
During a power failure, a votive candle contained in glass can provide bright, continuous light for many hours and even days. A flashlight may only work for a few hours. The flame on a votive candle is also safe from drafts and sudden blasts of wind. Votive candle are widely available in grocery stores.
The Truth in Lending Act gives homeowners three days from the day the account was opened to cancel their credit line. However, the homeowner must inform the lender in writing within those three days. According to the FDIC, the lender then must cancel its security interest in the home and return all fees paid.
When you reorganize your basement or garage, buy yourself a number of cardboard boxes all the same size instead of scrounging various-sized used boxes. This way they will all have covers and you can stack them neatly. Mark each box with a big letter and number, like A-1, A-2, etc., on all four sides and top. Use a three-ring binder to write down the box number and its contents.
Here’s a tip on how to increase the life of old wooden gutters. The first step is to lay a new rubber liner along the inside the gutter. Adding copper flashing along the edge seals the liner, adds extra durability, and allows water to run off easily. Finally, add a second strip of rubber on top of the flashing for extra protection.
The big secret in finishing wood is in the sanding. To speed up the sanding of flat surfaces when using a vibrating sander, some pros will insert two sheets of sandpaper into the sander at the same time. Then, when the top layer becomes either worn or ripped, they simply tear it off and the second layer of sandpaper is already in place.
When painting from a paint can, give it a half turn periodically throughout the job. Dipping the brush into the can alternately on one side of the can and then the other automatically keeps the contents stirred at the surface and prevents a surface film from forming. Also occasionally sweep the tip of the brush back and forth through the paint, especially with a fast-drying latex.
