Both central air conditioning return vent covers were smashed. Oddly smashed. I could almost picture a toddler on a Fisher Price trike having a blast slamming into them repeatedly… because nothing else really seemed to fit the damage I was seeing. But no matter what really happened, we were preparing the home for rental in […]
Indoor
How to Replace a Dead GFCI Outlet
GFCI Outlets, often referred to as GFI outlets or just GFIs, are used to reduce the risk of significant electrical shocks and injury. If you used a hair dryer this morning, you probably plugged it into a GFCI outlet. We’ve all seen GFIs in our homes – they’re the electrical receptacles with the ‘test’ and […]
How to Convert a Fluorescent Fixture to LED Lighting
I was within minutes of ordering my fluorescent fixture replacement bulbs and ballasts when it hit me. There must be a way to retrofit highly efficient LED lighting to existing fluorescent fixtures. I mean – if there isn’t, let’s start that company right now, right? So, I went to Amazon and immediately found a number […]
Replacing a Central AC & Heating (HVAC) System
My home’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system died. It was 21 years old. Replacing your home’s central air conditioning and heating system requires a Local HVAC Professional, of course. Actually, it’s even more likely you’ll have a team of two at your home – and the project will span most of the day. […]
How to Repair a Leaky Basement Wall
My basement wall started leaking water right into my office – and right by my guitars too. Fortunately, I spotted it quickly and it was a very slow leak. One that I could easily patch myself with hydraulic cement. But no matter how small the leak, it’s ‘a leak’ and it has to be dealt […]
Troubleshooting and Repairing a Broken Doorbell
During the ten years I’ve lived at this house, my doorbell has died on me twice already – and now it’s dead again. Replacing a doorbell isn’t terribly complicated, but given the repeated failures I’ve had it seemed a good idea to really check on everything more carefully than I’d done in the past. This […]
Trim Work Design Tips: From Casing to Crown Molding
So I’m finally ready to begin a long-overdue dining room architectural trim work design, and I want it to include all the classics: fluted casings, crown molding, shadow boxes. Maybe some textured faux finish or wallpaper accents? Possibly a hardwood floor as well?? A project like this can be a very significant undertaking. But before […]
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