Home Improvement

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Ash Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring has been a popular choice for homeowners for quite some time. No matter what your style, hardwood flooring creates a timeless look. It also increases your home’s resale value!

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What Is The Best Adhesive For Shower Tiles?

When you’re tiling your shower, there are two things that you want to be sure of. The first is that you want your shower to be waterproof. The second is that you want to make sure that your shower tiles actually stick. That’s why so many people want to know what the best adhesive for shower tiles currently is.

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How Much Does It Cost To Hook Up Electricity To A Mobile Home?

Mobile homes offer the chance to reduce costs and move in quickly. Land preparation is much easier and cheaper than building a traditional brick-and-mortar home, and that makes mobile homes quite enticing. So, how much does it cost to hook up electricity to a mobile home?

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12+ Types of Bathtub Faucets For Tubs, Showers, And Counters

The design of your bathroom can minimalistic and efficient to farmhouse or vintage. Oftentimes, the bathtub hardware that you choose is influenced by the specific bathtub design, your budget, and the style that you’re going for in your bathroom space. In addition to creating your dream space, the faucet you select impacts water flow, which ultimately affects the quality of the soak that you enjoy in your tub.

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Can Two GFCI Outlets Be On The Same Circuit? (Find Out Now!)

Electrical work is one of the hardest things to wrap your head around as a homeowner, and that comes right down to outlets. The standard outlet for American homes is the ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI outlet. They are effective and protect you from electrical shock, but can two GFCI outlets be used on the same circuit?

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How To Install Soffit Under A Porch (Quickly & Easily!)

By installing soffit boards underneath the roof system of your porch, you’ll create a cleaner look for your outdoor living area. Not only does installing a soffit complete the look of your entire porch, it also helps to insulate your home, shielding it from outdoor temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

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How Much Does It Cost To Build A House In Idaho?

Idaho runs neck and neck with Texas as the current most popular state for relocation. Low population densities, low costs of living, beautiful landscapes, and many other positives make Idaho a haven for many people. In addition, the cost of building a home in Idaho is a favorable factor.

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How To Install A Shower Stall In A Mobile Home (Do This!)

Bathroom remodels are one of the most popular projects for many homeowners. Remodeling a bathroom in your mobile home can present some special challenges. A popular and often necessary upgrade in a mobile home is replacing a shower stall or shower pan in a bathroom.

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How Much Does It Cost to Finish Drywall?

Completing a new room often involves installing some kind of material over the bare walls and the ceiling. Many homeowners opt to use drywall for that specific task because it can cover up the space while introducing some useful benefits. Drywall being fire-resistant, easy to work with, and affordable means it can be a positive addition to your home.

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How To Frost Shower Glass

There’s nothing like a hot shower until someone barges in to use the bathroom, or your toddler rushes in to ask a question. Suddenly, your beautiful glass-door shower seems a little too…revealing.

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Tile Vs. Wood Kitchen Flooring: Which One Is Better?

When it comes to kitchen flooring, you have tens of options, including hardwood, natural stone, ceramic tile, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, and cork. Most homeowners end up narrowing down to tile and hardwood, but then, deciding between the two is often difficult. This decision will only be easy if you understand the  benefits and drawbacks of the two flooring materials.

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How To Fix Hairline Crack In A Fiberglass Tub

Anytime you have a hairline crack in your fiberglass tub, it can be a frustrating experience. You may be wondering how long it will take before this crack turns into a much larger issue. So, how do you fix a hairline crack in your tub?

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Is Bathroom Sink Water Safe To Drink? (Find Out Now!)

It’s the middle of the night, and you’re thirsty. The closest drink is from the bathroom sink. But is it safe to swig? Will you get sick if you sip from the tap? The answer might surprise you.

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How Much Do Pool Repairs Cost? [By Type & Material]

Adding a swimming pool to your home can be beneficial in a variety of ways. For instance, having a swimming pool is just a lot of fun because you can take a dip whenever. You can even use the swimming pool to stay in shape and it also increases your home’s resale value.

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Curb Mount Vs. Deck Mount Skylight: Which Is Right For Your Home?

A skylight can be a beautiful addition to a home. In addition to providing a beautiful look at the sky, they can help give an infusion of natural light and can help keep homes warmer during the colder months of the year.

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How Long Does It Take To Install Laminate Flooring?

Laminate is a commonly used synthetic flooring option for homeowners. It’s popular among professionals as well as avid DIYers. But, how long does it take to install laminate flooring?

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How To Install Vinyl Soffit Over Wood

When it comes to maintaining your roof, there typically isn’t a lot to be done unless you got an old or poorly made roof. Still, there will come a time where you are looking to have essential maintenance done or perhaps are looking to make a change to some of the materials.

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How Much Does Tuckpointing and Repointing Cost?

The brick walls that line your home, your garden, and other parts of your property are remarkably durable. They can be left constantly exposed to the elements and they will remain sturdy. Choosing brick walls to line your property is a decision you will not regret.

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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Steel Frame Homes?

As pop star Maren Morris says, “The house don’t fall when the bones are good.” That sentiment has been the title of a hit HGTV show, too. So what exactly does it mean for a house to have “good bones?”

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What Is The Drain Hole In My Basement Floor? (Find Out Now!)

If you’ve ever spent time checking out your basement floor, you may have noticed that it has a drain hole. You might assume that this drain hole has something to do with draining excess water. But do you know exactly what the drain is, how it works, and what system it connects to?

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How To Reduce Traffic Noise In The Backyard

Having a home with a backyard is a blessing. It allows you the opportunity to enjoy nature, peace, and tranquility, especially in the summer months. There are all sorts of leisure activities perfect for the backyard, including grilling, sunbathing, and reading. But if your backyard is near a busy street, your backyard tranquility might be stifled by irritating noises. While it is easy to block the sight of traffic, is it possible to reduce the traffic noise in your backyard?

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What Is A Self-Grounding Outlet?

Before GFCIs and self-grounding electrical outlets, there were a lot more individuals getting electrocuted by rogue currents. But now, it’s very rare for such an event to happen, mainly because of the two devices above.

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8 Bedroom House Plans (with Drawings)

In America today, the average home is roughly 2,600 sqft., compared to an average household size of 2.6. About three people living in 2,600 sqft might seem rather comfortable, yet many people opt for much larger homes. It could be they need the space, or it could be they want to show off a lavish home.

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How To Remove Faucet Handles Without Screws

For many years faucets handles were easy to remove.  Turn the screw in the middle of the handle and off it came.  New designs and new technology have made the screw in the faucet handle almost a thing of the past.  How then do you remove a faucet handle with no screw?

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Can I Run Electrical Conduit Above Ground? (Find Out Now!)

Your new workshop is sitting happily behind your landscaped backyard. The only thing lacking is electricity in the shop. Unfortunately, the pedestal that holds your electric meter is on the other side of your beautifully landscaped backyard. Ditching to run the electrical lines underground would destroy much of your landscape. You wonder if you can run electrical conduit above ground?

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Americast Vs. Vikrell Bathtubs: Which One Is Better?

You may be remodeling an existing bathroom in your home or prepping a bathroom for an investment house. In either case, when it comes to deciding on a bathtub, there are several choices. Often the choice boils down to bathtubs made of Vikrell or an Americast bathtub.

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What Is The Standard Shower Valve Height? (Find Out Now!)

The height of your shower valve has less to do with comfort and more to do with your shower’s plumbing setup. Shower valves are not universal, and it can be difficult to figure out the ideal height for your shower. So, what is the standard shower valve height?

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Why Your Light Switch Is Buzzing (Possible Causes & Fixes)

We are fortunate in the US to have one of the most stable and dependable electrical systems in the world.  Most of us don’t give a thought to coming into a dark room and flipping an almost silent switch to bring light to the darkness. However, it can become disconcerting when a simple light switch starts to buzz.

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Finishing Basement Without Permit [Is It Really Illegal?]

If you’re planning on selling your house soon or want to finish your basement just because, you’re probably wondering if its a must to get a permit. Well, if you’re thinking about skipping this process, don’t.

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Is A Rainshower Head Right For You? (Find Out Now!)

Rainshower heads transform an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary spa experience. The fixtures have an aesthetic and functional appeal that is hard to resist.

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How Much Does Window Well Installation Cost?

Window wells are an often overlooked, but very important, part of protecting the interior of your basement. If you have water leaking into your basement, the problem may be caused by your window well or lack thereof. Whether you don’t have window wells installed around your basement egress windows or need your existing ones replaced, you may be wondering how much it costs.

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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Handscraped Engineered Hardwood?

Handscraped hardwood flooring is a favorite in many homes, offering a warm and distinctive look to a room. Hand scraping can provide you with unique-looking floors–at a price. But, for a more affordable version, engineered hardwood also offers styles with a hand-scraped look.

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Why Does My Bathroom Smell Like Urine? (Possible Causes and Fixes)

The rest of your house smells perfectly fine. Yet, you can’t get your bathroom to stop smelling like pee. You’ve washed and scrubbed every surface, so what’s the deal? Why does your bathroom still reek of urine?

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How Much Does It Cost to Insulate a House? [By Area of Your Home]

Home is where the heart is and that’s a statement that resonates with just about everyone. There is simply no substitute for your home because that’s the place where you can feel most comfortable. To create that comfortable home environment, you need to insulate it properly.

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What Is A Tamper-Resistant Receptacle? (Find Out Now!)

When you first have kids or get a new pet, one of the things that you need to do is consider baby-proofing your home. There are a lot of hazards in and around your home that you may need to watch out for. For example, almost everything electronic can be hazardous to young kids. That’s why people are told to get tamper-resistant receptacles. But, what on earth is a tamper-resistant receptacle supposed to be?

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6 Types Of Toilet Flanges (With Photos)

It is easy to overlook toilet flanges, but they are just as important as the drainpipe itself. A toilet flange connects the toilet to the drainpipe in the floor or subfloor. So, what are the main types of toilet flanges?

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Bathroom Vent Leaking Water When It Rains? (Do This!)

Water dripping into your bathroom from anywhere there isn’t supposed to be water is cause for concern.  This concern is especially true of bathroom vents, which typically lead through the roof to the outside.  A leak from a bathroom vent when it rains should be investigated and repaired as soon as possible.

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What Happens If Spray Foam Insulation Gets Wet?

When spray foam insulation gets wet, it is easy to get worried over what may happen. You may wonder if you have to throw the whole thing out. Thankfully, damp spray foam insulation is not the end of the world.

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How Much Weight Can a Stud Hold?

When trying to hang up decorations, TVs, shelving, or even lights on a wall, you have to take into consideration the wall studs throughout your home. So, the main question you have to ask yourself is: how much weight can a stud hold? We’re here to answer that for you right now.

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Composite Vs. Vinyl Siding: What Are The Major Differences?

Vinyl siding is extremely popular, even if you’re in a location that is famous for being rough on siding. When you’re trying to get new siding, you’re going to be presented with vinyl options as well as options that are less common. One of the rarer ones is composite siding. For the right home, composite can be the best choice ever. For others, it’s all about vinyl. The question we’re asking today is, which is better overall?

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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Wall-Mounted Faucets?

When doing home renovations, the placement of a bathroom or kitchen faucet can be an afterthought. It’s one of those design elements we don’t really think about— a faucet is a faucet is a faucet, right? Wrong!

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How to Cut Studs For Roof Pitch: Measurements & Tools Needed

For the do-it-yourselfers out there, building a new roof can be a way to save thousands upon thousands of dollars. Whether it is for your home or a new structure going up, a roof can be an expensive proposition.

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How Much Does Concrete Resurfacing Cost?

Concrete is a remarkably durable material, but it’s still not immune to different types of damage. Over time, the concrete you installed may start to look worn down and its outermost layer may become uneven as well. Demolishing and replacing that old concrete may seem like your only option, but it’s worth noting that you can resurface it.

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Why Does My Shower Sound Like A Kettle?

One of the most alarming and frightening noises that your plumbing can make is a high-pitched squeal. It sounds similar to a shrieking tea kettle and it usually happens while you’re taking a shower. If your shower sounds like a tea kettle, then there are several different things that could be happening.

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Can I Use 12/2 Wire For Lights? (Find Out Now!)

Are you planning to install new lights in your home and are unsure which type of wires should be used for lighting – 12-2 wires or 14-2 wires? You’re not alone. This is a question that often stumps many homeowners. Fortunately, we’re here to help answer: “Can I use 12/2 wire for lights?”

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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Subfloor?

The structural integrity of your home is dependent on numerous elements working together. For instance, the finished flooring you see all the time is just one element of a complete system. That system is also typically made up of joists, underlayment, and your subflooring.

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How Many Amps Does A Water Heater Use? (Find Out Now!)

People often tend to forget about things they grow used to in a home. A water heater is one of those appliances that are well hidden we tend to forget. The only time we know, it is there is when the hot water is not working.

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How Much Is A Contractor Allowed To Ask For Upfront In California?

Ah, the age-old tradition of hiring a contractor for your home. Fixing up your home is a pricey endeavor, and it’s actually one that carries a fair bit of risk. There are plenty of cases where contractors asked for large sums of money for a project upfront, only to bail mid-project. To ensure that you don’t get fleeced, contractors have a limit on how much they can ask for upfront in California. But, how much is it?

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How to Anchor a Gazebo Without Drilling

A gazebo might be a great addition to your backyard patio or lawn. You can escape the heat of summer or have protection from the rain. Unless you have a concrete slab that you can drill into, you may find it difficult to anchor a gazebo.

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How Thick Should Interior Walls Be?

 Many homeowners have asked themselves at one point or another: “Can I build a wall myself?” People consider it for many reasons – whether they are renovating a new home, preparing to sell, or trying to create more space for their growing family.

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How To Fix A Crumbling Asphalt Driveway

Driveways are supposed to be a place where your car can feel at home…and where your car’s wheels won’t get too banged up. When you first kick off your driveway’s life, the asphalt is smooth and accommodating. Unfortunately, wear and tear can happen. If left for too long, asphalt cracks turn into crumbles, and then you’ve got a mess to deal with. So, how do you fix this problem?

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Sprinkler Valve Won't Shut Off? We Have a Few Quick Fixes

If your sprinkler valve will not shut off, it can become a big problem. When you cannot shut your sprinkler valve off despite your efforts, it can waste water, create a mess, and even damage the lawn.

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How To Quiet A Noisy Air Conditioner

Your air conditioner is a real savior in the hottest months. One AC unit can turn a completely unbearable sunrise into a pleasant morning in bed under the covers. There is so much to be thankful for when it comes to having the modern convenience of temperature and humidity control. But sometimes air conditioners are very loud. In fact, an AC unit can get so loud, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. But how do you quiet a noisy air conditioner?

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What Causes Yellow Stains On Toilet Seats? (Find Out Now!)

Let’s be honest. No one wants to have to use a yellow toilet seat. And as a homeowner, you don’t want your guests looking at one in your house. While you may immediately think a yellowing toilet seat means it’s dirty, but this isn’t necessarily true.

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What Wire Size For 30 Amp 240 Volt Circuit?

Wiring your home is a tricky business. There are all sorts of factors to take into account when you start planning an electrical project that involves re-wiring. There are the safety considerations, the locations and the appliances themselves. You even need to take special care when choosing all your electrical wire to make sure it can withstand the electrical demands. So when you are choosing the wire for a 30 amp 240 volt circuit, what gauge should you select?

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Stucco Vs. Fiber Cement Siding: Which One Is Better?

The main job of your siding is to protect your home from the elements – particularly precipitation and the negative effects of excess moisture. However, in addition to practicality, your siding also serves an aesthetic purpose and can drastically impact the value of your home. With this in mind, your choice in siding should be based on aesthetics, maintenance needs, durability, environmental impact, installation, composition, and overall costs.

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Best Flooring Types for Concrete Slab: Plus Pros/Cons & Costs

When you decide what type of flooring to put on top of concrete slab in your home you are essentially working with a blank slate. There are several types of material you can choose from. All of them have pros and cons, but some types are definitely more appealing to most homeowners than others.

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How To Fix A Broken Tile Without Replacing It

In the DIYers world, we always want to find the best ways not to buy something. One of those things comes from tiles and how we can fix them without replacing them. Using this guide, you will be able to handle any tile fixing projects.

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10 Corner Cabinet Lazy Susan Alternatives (For Better Storage)

Getting the most space out of your kitchen’s layout has always been a significant issue, especially if your home isn’t that big. That’s why corner cabinet lazy susans have been a mainstay in most homes. However, they aren’t perfect. Their circular builds can get jammed with stuff, and you might lose out on some storage space.

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Shoe Molding Vs. Quarter Round: What's the Real Difference?

When people first walk into your home, one of the first things they’ll notice is your flooring and your trim. However, if there’s a gap between the trim and the floor, it’s going to stand out like a sore thumb. If this happens, you likely didn’t use shoe molding or quarter round to finish your trim or flooring project.

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