Vapor barriers go between the insulation and drywall to prevent problems that come with moisture such as mold. However, vapor barriers can be just as harmful as they are helpful depending on where you install them. So, should you install a basement vapor barrier?

The basement, more than any other area of the home, can become a storehouse for mold growth, moisture concerns, high humidity levels, unpleasant smells and any other indoor contaminants. While unventilated basements are very often prone to stale odors caused by mildew, this lower level is also ordinarily used to store household chemicals.

If you disposed of your Kenmore Elite dishwasher’s manual and are suddenly in need of some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. No need to worry, as it is relatively easy to troubleshoot a Kenmore dishwasher, regardless of the model. Thankfully, Kenmore dishwashers are outfitted with fully integrated reset sequences for when the appliance starts to malfunction or operate out of the norm.

A relaxing backyard space is a desire of many homeowners, providing extra space to entertain, hang out, and eat al fresco. Outdoor furniture plays a large role in creating your oasis. However, it can look worn down if you don’t know how to clean patio cushions.

While carpets are typically easy to clean, wax stains on them can prove a little stubborn. However, there are ways to get that wax off. With the appropriate use of a few household items, you can get rid of every trace of wax on your carpet.

If you are leaving your house for the summer, there are quite a few things that you should do. The temperature inside the home is as important as the temperature outside. Making sure that it stays in the correct range will lower your risk of any problems.

Doing any type of home improvement project is going to be a pricey matter, and if you have to hire a contractor, then things get even pricier. Of course, hiring any contractor comes with a risk. What if work is bad? Or worse, what if they don’t do the work? One of the most common issues people have is dealing with a contractor that charges far higher than what their initial estimate shows. So, what can you do?

Many homeowners are drawn to dimmer switches because they provide any lighting options in one switch. Understandably, many of those homeowners are left confused about the difference between the variety of dimmer switches available.

True story: my mom once destroyed the Thanksgiving turkey by leaving it to thaw in the refrigerator for a week or two. By the time we opened it, we had unleashed a major stinkbomb upon our home. It was a disaster, and that was the year we had a Thanksgiving meatloaf. Since then, I have made a point of knowing how long a thawed turkey can stay in the fridge.

A tap and die set can be a beneficial tool to those who work in a repair business, garage, or for simply your average DIY homeowner. Whether you have a broken screw or bolt that needs to be removed, or you’re hanging a painting, repairing a lawnmower, or performing a do-it-yourself project in your home, your tap and die set will help you to create or repair threads when needed.

If you own a LiftMaster garage door opener, then you will know one of the most essential features is the keypad. This keypad allows anyone with the passcode to enter and is a secure method to obtain access to your garage.

If you are looking to build or repair something, then liquid nails are a fantastic tool to use. When using real nails, you have the possibility of hurting your hands by hitting them with a hammer. This can be tiring, cause pain, and be all-around frustrating. There are also times when a space is too tight to get into with a hammer and a nail. In cases like these, we recommend using liquid nails!

If you are reading this article then you probably have a few questions about how long molasses lasts, or if and when it goes bad. Unfortunately, molasses does not last forever. It also does not last for many years. Instead, the average lifespan of molasses once it is opened is between six and 18 months.

When I was growing up, I didn’t know much about mobile homes aside from the fact that they were supposedly bad with tornados. But then again, not many homes are good with tornado wind speeds. While mobile homes are not exactly lauded for their wind hardiness, there has to be some point that they are built to withstand wind, right? What’s the limit?

No matter how hard you try, it always seems like something gets spilled or tracked on your carpet. As clean as you try to be, sometimes things just get tracked into the house on someone’s shoes or your dog’s feet. Motor oil is one of those stains that make you want to panic. But you don’t have to.

That old retaining wall may have been beautiful when they first made it. In fact, it was probably necessary to protect your yard from erosion or dangerous slopes. However, if you need more room in your yard and you have this big retaining wall in the way, what can you do?

If you have doors in your home that are louvered doors, you know that they can be a chore. Their style might make them look nice, but they can be a bit of an inconvenience when it comes to cleaning.

Sometimes there is just no alternative to cooking on a griddle. Whether you are cooking a meal for many or a meal for one, the griddle can provide a unique sear that other surfaces just can’t replicate. Whether it be a hash or creating the perfect melt, a Blackstone griddle can make for a fine kitchen accessory.

If you are looking to hang something on your walls, you probably already know that you need to find the studs. But if you have plaster walls, you, unfortunately, cannot use a standard stud finder to do the job. This is because stud finders work by detecting differences in densities behind your wall.

Boilers play an important role in any home. These units work by heating water and the house with steam. The steam travels through the house in pipes and radiators. Boilers are expensive to install, but have a long lifespan and are energy efficient.

Not too long ago, we had a friend of mine crash at our place for a while. He then left, but asked to store his backpack at our home. We said sure, but he never really came back. Days turned to weeks, then to months. Eventually, we said that if he didn’t pick up his stuff, it’d be thrown out. He arrived on the scene, ready to pick up his crap the next day. Ever wonder how long it takes before you can throw out a guest’s stuff?

Who doesn’t like a good plate of pasta or spaghetti? This culinary classic is not only delicious but super easy to prepare. On top of that, it is an inexpensive meal to boot. For those reasons and more, you would be hard-pressed to find a home that hasn’t enjoyed this Italian delight at some point.

Getting dents in your carpet may seem unavoidable if you have heavy furniture. However, your carpet isn’t doomed to have dents forever, especially if you take preventative steps. Luckily, we have several easy tips for how to protect your carpet from heavy furniture.

Power outages can throw a wrench in your plans and create a potentially dangerous environment at home. Generators can give any homeowner peace of mind when the power goes out to know that you can still run an important appliance. With that said, what will a 1,000-watt generator run?

There are several things that you should look for when searching for a screen door to keep your cat out of your bedroom:

While there are many different brands of generators on the market, Generac is known for being one of the highest quality brands. Generators are a handy appliance to have in case of emergency. 

Kittens are loving, adorable, and tiny, but they can make big messes. While they quickly adapt to litter boxes, you may have to clean a few messes before then. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to litter train a kitten.

You cannot legally leave your old furniture on the curb. It’s considered a hazard to put furniture on the street, and you can receive fines in some states and municipalities. There are exceptions to the rule if you call your trash collection service and request a large item pickup.

Oobleck is one of the many incarnations of slime that parents have had to deal with over the past 20 years. It’s the homemade version of slime, and as a result, often ends up staining things left and right. Unlike gak, oobleck is one of those things that can pose a serious problem to clothes and carpets. So, how can you clean it up without causing serious damage to everything around you?

Burnt sugar is one of the toughest stains to remove because of its strange consistency. It’s common to burn sugar on your stovetop, but that doesn’t mean that you’re out of luck.

Dyson makes quality vacuum cleaners. To keep them working, you need to do proper maintenance, such as cleaning the filter out. We’re going to show you how to clean a Dyson filter, the easy way.

There isn’t much that can match up to ruining your day quite like an ice-cold shower. Unfortunately, if you have a faulty water heater, this may become your new normal.  Whether the reset button on your hot water has tripped, or you initiated it yourself, you may find yourself wondering how long until you can enjoy hot water again.

The need to install a water softener system is standard with homeowners who use well water or anyone who has an issue with metal buildup. The softening system is designed to remove the metal cations such as calcium and magnesium. Although, how much does a water softener cost to install?

There are few items that are as notoriously unsafe for the dishwasher as a plastic tumbler. Even when you have a tumbler from Tervis, there’s a good chance that you might have concerns about using dishwashers to clean it off. But, Tervis is so durable! It should be able to be washed by a machine, right? Well, we decided to do a little research to find out the truth behind this issue.

Window boxes fit in perfectly in any home and can liven up your exterior when you fill them with plants. Some window boxes don’t require drilling, but you can get around it with others if you use vinyl siding hangers. Whether it be using vinyl siding hangers or purchasing a special window box, let’s take a look at how you can hang a window box without drilling holes.

There is nothing pretty about going to the bathroom. Regardless of that, the simple fact of the matter is that we all use the toilet on a daily basis. With frequent use, there will no doubt be a mess in the bowl sooner or later.

The range hood of your kitchen is one of the most important parts of your appliances. Whether you are cooking and there is a lot of smoke, or there are huge amounts of steam coming from your pot, range hoods help to filter and clear this away. They’re also great for lighting so that you can see what you’re doing. So, what type of lightbulb do you put in a range hood?

When it comes to swaging wire rope, you commonly use a crimping tool to keep the cord from moving. But crimping tools can be upwards of $40, which is a hefty sum to invest when you only plan on using it for one project. Thankfully, this guide will help you understand how to swage wire without any special tools.

There are a few things that parents love as much as helping their kids with arts and crafts. Of course, this can often lead to spills (rather than thrills) if you’re not careful. For most adults, there are few things that are as scary as seeing a large wad of rubber cement getting spilled on the carpet. Thankfully, there are ways to clean it up if you act fast.

If you plan to work with old lead, remove it, or paint over it, you need certification. The EPA has strict lead renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) standards, and you need to comply. Of course, getting lead certified comes at a cost, but how much should you expect to pay?

When you have central air and heat, air vents are typically in each room. Some large rooms have two or three. But what about the return air vents? Do you need one of them or more for each room?

Sleeping without a comfortable pillow can mean a rough night's sleep. In a perfect world, pillows would last forever and never lose their comfort. Sadly, that’s not the case. So, how often should you replace your pillows?

Have you ever looked up into your return vent and seeing something dark and gross looking? You open up the return vent and find this dirty filter covered in stray hair dust and debris. But, is this helping the vent, or is it making things worse? Should you even put a filter on your return vent?

Now more than ever, homeowners are especially concerned about the security of their homes. Much time is spent in searching for the perfect lock for their doors, in order to prevent entry from any unwanted guests.

Most homes will have at least one fan in them. Like with all appliances, fans will require some maintenance once they start getting used regularly. This includes doing things like lubricating their motors to ensure that they still are up and running. Of course, you can’t just use bacon grease on a good fan. So, what can you use, anyway?

The landlord/tenant relationship is supposed to offer mutual protection. For the costs of rent, the tenant should be able to expect timely repairs, safe conditions, and all of the protections and rights that come with being a tenant.

On UpgradedHome, we talk about a *lot* of home improvement projects and tools. One of the better tools to have on hand is Flex tape. It can tape things up while locking water out, making it an ideal pick for people who have stubborn faucets or need to tape up a vent that just won’t stay put. Flex tape is so popular, it’s pretty easy to find. But, where do you go for this quality fixer-upper fave?

Cheesecake is a near-universally loved desert. It can be sweet and unctuous and surprisingly filling as well. Breaking out some cheesecake makes for a great after-dinner treat whether you are hosting or enjoying a quiet night in.

Have you ever gone into the crawl space under your house and smelled the mildew and musk? This scent indicates that there’s a lot of moisture, which is a universal issue in crawl spaces. But this moisture leads to mold which causes lots of damage, so you need to know how to get rid of mold on floor joists in a crawl space.

As a New Jersey citizen, I have learned to take pasta sauce seriously. There are few things that are as upsetting as Italian gravy that’s gone bad, especially in the fridge. If you are like me and have a fondness for some good sauce, you’re wondering how long you can keep it in the fridge before it goes bad. As it turns out, the answer might surprise you…

A flooded septic tank is nothing to mess around with. Your septic tank is responsible for draining all the wastewater from your home, so a flooded one poses a problem. A flooded septic tank can cause sewage to back up into your home’s drains and emit a foul odor. This is a stinky problem you’ll have to deal with sooner rather than later.

If you have kids, pets, or a spouse, you’ve probably discovered Zep’s Foaming Wall Cleaner or Instant Carpet & Upholstery Spot Removal products. People swear by both of these products, and claim that they’ve removed stains they thought it was completely impossible to get rid of! So between the two, which is better?

Whether you are fixing something around the house or doing an art project with the kids, hot glue can prove to be very useful. It is never fun, however, to unintentionally get hot glue on fabric. Fortunately, it is possible to remove hot glue from fabrics. Using a few everyday items, you can quickly restore your fabric to its original state.

Freezing leftovers and any perishable food item you don’t plan on using immediately is a great way to preserve freshness. Food lasts longer in the freezer than it does in the refrigerator, and often tastes just as good once it is properly thawed. While food might last for upwards of months in the freezer, it doesn’t last forever. How long should you store food in the freezer before it goes bad?

A Jacuzzi is a great way to add a sense of calm and luxury to your home. However, there is nothing luxurious about getting into a Jacuzzi full of chunks of black flakes. So, what is the black stuff coming out of my Jacuzzi jets?

No matter where you live or what your lifestyle is like, it’s safe to say that you’ll need some outdoor lighting at night. Dusk to dawn lights are one of the more popular categories of outdoor lighting on the market. This category is meant to turn on when motion hits the light, or when the sun sets. If you have them, you’re probably wondering why your lights keep turning on and off.

Torches have been used for centuries, and while their design might have changed, the truth is that they still remain a major part of our day to day lives. The most common type of torch used today is a propane torch, and they’re reliable…for the most part. Once in a while, your torch might end up getting a clog in it. When this happens, you’re going to have to find a solution.

There are several things that most people are okay with leaking—details about favorite TV shows, news about a much-anticipated fashion line, things that people need to know. Sewer pipes? They’re not one of those things. In fact, a leaking sewer pipe is a serious health risk. Even cast iron sewer pipes can leak a pretty scary amount if left to rot. But, what can you do if your cast iron sewer pipe starts to leak?

Interestingly, the first ceiling fans were made from palm leaves hung on the ceiling. Electric ceiling fans have been around since 1882. Philip Diehl used a sewing machine motor to power a fan he attached to the ceiling.

Leather couches are beautiful additions to living rooms and give a classic touch to the aesthetic. If proper maintenance isn’t carried out routinely, leather can wear and tear quite quickly. This material is often prone to large holes and cracks when it’s not regularly conditioned.