Repair & Maintenance

A dryer squeaking can be cause for concern. These helpful troubleshooting tips can help determine what’s causing the noise and how to fix it.

Being proactive and giving your home the care and maintenance it needs could save you a lot of time, frustration, and money in the future.

Unclogging your kitchen or bathroom sink doesn’t have to be a job for the professionals. Before you try breaking up the blockage yourself, consider these best practices to prevent damaging your pipelines.

Follow these chemical-free fixes at the first signs of a partial clog, and you can save your sink from ever going out of order—and yourself the effort of an even larger repair.

As most homeowners are well aware, problems can strike a house suddenly and without warning: a leaky roof or a fallen tree, a burst pipe in the basement or a boiler that conks out during a cold snap. But there is no need to panic! Many common household issues can be dealt with easily and quickly, either DIY or by calling in a handyman or specialized contractor. Start by assessing the damage and figuring out how extensive the repairs are going to be. You may be able to tackle some smaller jobs, including plumbing, electrical work, landscaping, and interior repairs, on your own. More extensive renovations, however, may require a general contractor to oversee the job. But the common repairs that follow typically do not require calling in the big guns.

Don’t let their similar names fool you: Polycrylic and polyurethane are not one and the same. Learn about the pros and cons of these two popular wood finishes so you can choose the right one for your project.

The inside of your oven may be spick and span but the glass on your oven door, not so much. Grease-splattered though it may be, it’s possible to restore the porthole to your oven to spotless condition.

Paintbrushes aren’t just for painting anymore! In fact, even if you don’t have a painting project in your future, you may want to stock up on paintbrushes the next time they’re on sale. Did you know that you can use various types of paintbrushes in the kitchen and around the house as well as in the craft room? Here are just a few unusual uses for a new, clean paintbrush.

Thinking about changing out the locks to improve your home’s security? Start here for a better grasp on when—and how—to rekey rather than replace them altogether.

A musty odor can be a sign that you have a mold or mildew problem. Here’s how to eliminate it with pantry staples or other easy-to-find products.