All of us have a collection of tools that we have put together over the years. Some of us have been collecting for many years and have a tool for every job, no matter what the job calls for. And many of us have most of the tools we need, although there are times we wish we had more. But if you are just starting out, you may not even have all the basics, or even know what the basics are. And that brings us to The Dirty...
Bringing electricity out to your yard allows you to provide safety on walkways and steps, provide added security and lets you enjoy your yard more often. Low-voltage lighting is the easiest and safest way to achieve this. Low-Voltage Lighting Installation - (You will need an outside outlet protected by a GFCI receptacle. If you do not have a GFCI protected outlet, help with installation is included.) One of the benefits of running low-voltage lighting is that you can make it a DIY project regardless of your experience level. Low-voltage...
There are several systems that operate together to make your homework. The major household systems are heating (with or without central air conditioning), plumbing and the electrical service. Each system has its own possible problems and dangers when you use it or work on it, so be aware of the safety. But, I believe that the electrical system has the potential of being the most dangerous, especially in older homes with services that have not been upgraded in recent years. Finding the Limits of Your Electrical Services The first thing...
Winter time brings about cold weather. Some parts of the United States are colder than others, but the key to lowering heating bills is to winterize your home. This can be done in many different ways. A properly winterized home will produce a significantly lower heating bill. The main items that need the attention when winterizing a home are: Heating unit Windows Doors Attic insulation Cleaning the Heating Unit and Changing the Air Filter To begin the home winterizing process, start by Replacing the air filter to the heating unit and...
One of the most relaxing things found in an older home is quite often a fireplace. Nothing beats sitting beside a cozy fire, drinking hot chocolate and listing to the fire pop and crackle while the cold winter winds howl outside. And if you have a wood burning stove in your home, its comforting to know that your winter heating bill will be much less when you burn wood. But, with this comfort and savings comes danger. Creosote, an oily liquid which is formed by burning wood, can...
