Many homes across the US have basements for extra storage or finished basements can add substantial square footage to your living space. When it comes to indoor air quality, basements present their own unique set of issues, specifically, moisture control. To tackle these environmental difficulties, homeowners often install a basement dehumidifier, but will a dehumidifier in the basement help the whole house?

When you’re laying out a nice, new layer of porcelain tile, there are certain things you expect. For example, you expect your tiling to stay put. The problem is, using the wrong bonding agent can make it hard to keep your tiles in place. That’s why there’s an ongoing debate between using Versabond versus using Flexbond thinset mortars when you’re laying out tiling. So, what’s the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

Is your dishwasher not draining properly? Too much water in your dishwasher’s bottom could be a sign that something is wrong. Luckily, you can fix it with a few easy steps.

Brand-new fiberglass tubs are built with a protective material that is smooth and glossy in nature. This is known as the “gel coat” and is meant to offer resistance to scratches and other surface damage. But over time, it can wear down, leaving the surface rough and allowing soap scum and dirt to build up.

Not many people have a kitchen sink rack, but those that do know that its both a lifesaver and a major pain. A great way to protect your sink from scratches and rust, if you can fit it in the dishwasher than its easy to clean. If not, you are going to be scrubbing and scrubbing and trying to get inventive to cut back on your cleaning time.

High-efficiency washers are a great choice if you’re looking to conserve water and energy. The water level sensor will determine the amount of water you need based on your load weight. Sometimes, the amount of water is not adequate for an excellent washing of your clothes.

Smoke detectors are some of the most overlooked and underappreciated appliances in your home.  Mounted up high and out sight, they often go out of mind as well.  For you and your family’s safety, you should be asking how long does a smoke detector last?

Hipster homes love industrial looks. This is a fact we all know. Pallet furniture has been a staple of hipsters for ages, and truthfully, it’s a good look. Pallets can be turned into tables, beds, and, yes, freestanding walls, too. If you’ve been looking for a cheap way to make a freestanding wall, the answer might just be found in a pile of pallets.

Cleaning your toilet can be a big pain, but it’s one of those chores that you must do on a regular basis. Thankfully, bleach can make the job a whole lot easier and a lot less gross. If you’ve had to deal with stubborn stains that won’t seem to fade in the past, you may have found yourself wondering if you could leave bleach sitting in the bowl to do the hard work.

There are a number of instances where you may need to reset your NordicTrack treadmill. Whether you need to revert the treadmill back to factory defaults after making some changes, you’ve done some maintenance necessitating a reset, or part of the machine has stopped working, you’ve come to the right place.

Resin furniture, also known as Polywood, can be an attractive and versatile addition to a patio. Affordable and with a wide variety of styles to choose from, you can furnish your outdoor living space with tables and chairs, which will last for years. However, in common with other materials, unless they are correctly and regularly maintained, they can deteriorate over time. Your furniture can start to look dirty, chalky, and worn. So, how do you clean them when this happens?

Whether it is the moldy smell or that feeling of stickiness in the air, humidity is annoying and can even be unhealthy. The choice of whether to use DampRid or a dehumidifier depends on what the situation is. It’s not a case of one being better than the other, but rather knowing when to use what product.

Many homeowners invest in humidifiers, with approximately  eight million sold in the U.S. every year. Humidifiers are an important part of maintaining proper air quality in your home. These machines add moisture to dry air, which makes a big difference, especially for colder months.

As the coldest months of the year are approaching, owning a heated mattress pad becomes a necessity. They are ideal for cuddling up after a long chilly day, as they deliver maximum warmth on days that are so cold that you just want to stay in bed. Not to mention, they can help you remain at a consistent, comfortable temperature overnight thus improving your quality of sleep.

Whether you just purchased a new car, moved to a new state, or got a fun new vanity plate you want to show off, you need some screws for a new license plate. Unfortunately, the screws on license plates are not a simple singular size across the board. In fact, most brands tend to use different screw types and sizes.

If you have ever been stuck on one side of your garage door, then you may know the pain of having a garage door with a broken spring. Whether your springs are simply getting weak, or you have one that has snapped, it can be a scary situation. However, there are still ways that you can open up your garage door.

There are over 51,000 residential electrical fires every year. This results in around 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. One question people often ask is, can an outlet catch fire with nothing plugged in?

Bath mats are an essential part of every bathroom and come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. What they’re made of dictates how they should be cared for. Can you put bath mats in the dryer?

A dehumidifier is supposed to make the inside of your home a more comfortable space. On those days when the air feels heavy and sticky, you’ll be glad to have a dehumidifier on hand.

If there is one vegetable that’s a classic, all-American dinner table favorite, it’s broccoli. The cruciferous vegetables are some of the most widely eaten, not to mention the most detested by children. If you’re like many frugal home chefs, you will want to store broccoli for as long as possible. The question, of course, is how you can do that without making your broccoli soggy or brown.

Just like any other kitchen appliance, microwaves face daily wear and tear. Over time, one of the most common issues microwaves face is peeling interior paint. This can quickly become a fire hazard and even contaminate your food. 

Renting out a basement is complicated. The first step is to make sure your basement is legal for occupancy. If your basement does not meet living standards, and you decide to rent it out anyway, you could face serious legal ramifications. Though basement apartments seem like a convenient situation for landlords and renters, the reality is that many issues can arise if you handle the situation carelessly. 

Some states ban sauna suits, while others say they’re okay. You can use them to shed unwanted water weight and fit into your favorite clothes. But can you put sauna suits in the dryer after you wash them? Here’s what you need to know.

If you’ve gone to retrieve something valuable from your safe only to discover that you’re locked out, we understand how frustrating this occurrence can be. The batteries in your electronic safe are generally slated to last between 8,000 and 10,000 openings. While that is a lot of times to open and close a safe, what happens when the cells become exhausted over time and the batteries have died?

If you own a Keurig coffee maker, you likely enjoy its ability to quickly provide you with a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. This convenience is why many so many people have Keurigs in their homes, as opposed to conventional coffee makers. Your Keurig’s fast delivery of warm water is due to the fact that it stores approximately a cup of water within the housing.

When you first pop dishes into the dishwasher, you usually expect your dishes to be hit with a large jolt of water. This is followed up by some detergent, some jet-provided scrubbing power, and then a nice drying session. However, if your dishwasher doesn’t spray water well, all your dishwashing hopes will be dashed. What causes this, and how on earth can you fix it?

The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in a home. With this appliance, a homeowner is able to preserve a lot of food, and they can also take advantage of a lot of other features that modern refrigerators boast.

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.

Have you ever driven through the countryside, through farming areas? You may have passed by farms with vast fields set far apart from the barn. How do farmers contain their animals in a setup like this? How did the electric fence span the whole area of the field when the barn so far away? Doesn’t an electric fence have to create a loop for it to work?

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

A sump pump relocates water from a basement away from the home. According to Oxford’s Dictionary, a sump is a pit in which liquid collects on the floor of a basement. This pit, more commonly referred to as a basin, is where the sump pump is stored.

According to the Department of Energy, single family water heaters use around 17% of all household energy. This makes water heaters a huge factor in your household energy efficiency levels and corresponding energy bill ( Source).

If you have a recipe that calls for potatoes, and the only potatoes you have are growing buds, these will probably be safe to use. In most cases, it is safe to eat potatoes that are growing new roots on their exterior, but there are steps you need to take to ensure eating them is safe and delicious.

Wood floors can offer a lot as a counterpoint to carpeting. For one, hardwood floors can seriously decrease the amount of dust and other allergens in your home. Not only that but having hardwood floors can even add to the value of your home.

Everyone has used them at one time or another.  We are talking about the ubiquitous green propane cylinders that are popular for fueling camp stoves, lanterns, and tent heaters.  The problem is how to dispose of these 1lb propane cylinders when they are empty.

A water hammer occurs when there is a sudden increase in a pipe’s water pressure when the water is suddenly forced to stop. This occurrence often creates a loud banging sound. Water hammers do more than create an annoying level of noise. These abrupt changes can severely damage a piping system.

Have you ever noticed how on the back of frozen foods, the microwave instructions are never “one size fits all?” You hope that they provide a wattage chart so that you can determine the amount of time the food needs in your particular microwave. Still, you need to know how many watts your microwave uses.

When painting anything on the interior of your home, you need to use primer as an undercoat. The number of coats of primer you need can vary, depending on your desired end result.

A microwave drawer is a modern solution to free up counter space while also adding a sleek touch. In addition to the look, the functionality is unmatched. If you want to take back your countertop while adding a functional and clean look, a microwave drawer is for you. 

Regardless of the size, type, brand, or age of your refrigerator, it won’t be completely silent and may even make some popping noises from time to time. This is simply due to the fact that there are a lot of mechanisms continually working within and around your refrigerator.

As a kitchen fan, there are few things as terrifying to me as seeing a kitchen sink that’s clogged. It’s an issue that can wreck a day of cooking and also cause severe damage to your favorite room. Sometimes, though, clogs aren’t just clogs. For example, sometimes, the sink might only drain when the garbage disposal is on. What gives? And more importantly, how do you fix it?

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.

What’s not to love about springtime? The sunshine, flowers, cute baby animals, picnics in the park, spring cleaning — oh, wait. You might not love to clean (who does?), but spring is the perfect time to refresh your home and enjoy a sense of renewal. 

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.

Although easy to forget, window air conditioners do need to be cleaned. Notably, window AC units become less efficient as they get dirty. In fact, they may even contain mold.

Owning a Honda self-propelled lawnmower makes it easy to cut your grass quickly. However, over time, your mower will need routine maintenance and care. One of the most crucial elements to pay attention to is the drive belt. In some cases, this belt can come loose, which means that you’ll have to adjust the tension by tightening it.

Sausage makes for a delicious treat any time, day or night. Have some sausage links or patties with breakfast or a big fat brat with dinner. There really is no time of day or year where a sausage doesn’t work perfectly.

Whirlpool makes a ton of different household appliances. From stoves to refrigerators and everything in between, you can walk into millions of homes across the United States and find a Whirlpool product somewhere.

One of the joys of completing home improvement projects is finishing them. There is something satisfying about checking it off the to-do list, and enjoying the updates. Joy associated with the job is diminished when small flaws show up. Most projects end well. But one recurring problem is ceilings that look patchy after painting.

Finding a proper bathroom vanity can be difficult enough, but what about when the space is limited as it can be in a mobile home? Just because mobile homes offer lesser space doesn’t mean that they can’t have beautiful, modern aesthetic qualities.

Whether you just moved into your first home or you’re shopping for a gift for your mother-in-law, cookware is a big deal. Whatever reason you’re buying new pots and pans, this guide will help you find the perfect set. The material of the cookware plays a massive role when it comes to picking out high-quality products.

There are tons of uses for 55-gallon barrels, but what’s even better than purchasing one is getting one for free. But is it possible to get such an item without having to pay for it? Read on–we’ll tell you exactly how to do so.

Fireplaces are a great centerpiece, that adds ambiance, and warmth, to any room. Since the fireplace is a focal point, you should try to keep the fireplace glass, as clean as possible. We have an unusual method for cleaning it, which makes it easy!

Adding a fireplace to your house is a great idea whether you want to raise the aesthetics of the living room or just want to get through those daunting winters with comfort.

The windows of our home are essential to keeping our home energy efficient throughout the year. Inefficient windows can really raise energy costs, create unwelcome drafts, and even compromise the safety of the entire home. But some of us haven’t given though to the windows outside of what curtains to use.

Your oven is essential for everything from an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner to a simple frozen pizza. You can bake cookies or broil vegetables with relative ease as long as your oven is functioning properly. In order to ensure your oven cooks consistently and evenly, you need to make sure it is clean and free of burnt debris. But exactly how do you know when it is time to deep-clean your oven?

There’s nothing quite like being cozy during the winter. Depending on the space you live in, it could be an entire HVAC system or something as small as a space heater. The latter can be quite effective for heating small spaces.

Push fittings tend to be known by the popular brand SharkBite. They are sold in just about any major hardware store and through retailers across the web. You might see them in a variety of other names as well, but SharkBite is often the preferred brand.

Basil is a popular herb used in kitchens around the world, known for its intense flavor and sweet smell. Although originally found in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, this member of the mint family has given birth to several varieties that we use worldwide. Sweet basil, or Genovese basil, is more commonly used in our kitchens today. Basil is easy to grow in your home or garden, but beware of any basil leaves turning black.

A fire in a fireplace makes for a cozy and warm evening when the outside temperatures turn cold and blustery.  After the fire is gone, there is always the ash requiring disposal.  What is the best way to dispose of fireplace ashes?