Replacing Tile Grout
I just finished laying down ceramic tile on my kitchen floor. Once the grout was down, my wife and I decided we don't like …
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Building a Baseball Field: Zoning and Other Considerations Critical to Ballpark Design624
I’m wondering what kind of land I would need if I planned on building a baseball complex. Could I just build it on …
Black Mold in Bath: Proper Ventilation and Moisture-resistant Finishes Are Key
I have black mold on the ceiling in my bathroom and behind the shower wall. There is black mold coming through the plastic wall …
Condo Basement Leaks: Possible Sources of Basement Drainage Problem
I am planning to purchase a condo and during the inspection of the home, I noticed standing water in the basement near the …
Low Water Pressure
I have a well and the water pressure is very low, especially on the 2nd floor where the showers are. It affects the dishwasher …
Killing Mold – Tips for Mold Removal and Prevention
My wife and I are in dire need of your advice about killing a mold problem in our home. In short, coffee-colored blotches began …
Converting a Wood-burning Fireplace to Natural Gas: Conversion Can Be Dangerous As Well As Costly
We’re interested in converting our wood-burning fireplace to natural gas. Natural gas service is readily available in our …
Removing Asbestos Siding: Durable Material Requires Careful Removal and Disposal
Can you tell me what might be done with a very old home with siding containing asbestos? Is there a proper way to safely seal …
Sanding Hardwood Floors: Tools to Use for Easy Hardwood Floor Sanding
I’d like to sand my hardwood floor. What is the maximum depth that you can safely sand a standard ¾ inch thick hardwood …
Thawing Frozen Pipes: How to Prevent and Fix Frozen or Broken Pipes
With all the cold weather in NY, our cold water pipes have been freezing. Now the hot water line just broke, which really …
Repairing Chipped Porcelain Tub
Something heavy dropped and chipped my porcelain white bathroom tub. I tried to apply paint to the affected area, but it rusted …
Bath Remodeling Return on Investment
What is the return on investment for a bath remodeling project? I have an 18-year-old four-bedroom house (1875 square feet) and …
Asbestos Ceiling Tile Risk: Older Building Materials May Contain Asbestos
I found your column online while searching for information on the risk posed by asbestos ceiling tiles. My house was …
Tankless Electric Water Heaters: Water Heating Option Poses Efficiency Issues
Are on-demand tankless electric water heaters capable of supplying sufficient hot water for a three-bath house, or are …
Replacing Flooded Basement Flooring
We recently replaced carpeting with laminate flooring in one room of the basement. Yesterday the pipe broke on the sump pump and …
Locking Window Guards Unsafe: Locked Guards Can Trap Children During a Fire
I have window guards (gates) and am putting locks on them for the safety of my children. Where do I put the keys? They’d …
Garage Floor Paint Option: Three Options Offer Protection and Style
What garage floor paint finishes do you recommend? I just reorganized my garage, and after getting everything up off the floor, …
Trenchless Pipe Repair: Repair Technologies Won’t Damage Landscaping5
I’m looking into trenchless pipe repair, as I need to replace the old terra-cotta waste pipe from my house to the street …
Painting Exterior Surfaces: Preparing Your Home’s Exterior for a Beautiful Finish
I’m planning to paint the exterior of my home in the near future. I’ve never painted the outside of my home before, …
Refinishing Painted Porch Railings: Balustrades: Give New Life to Old Porch Railings
My husband and I are the proud owners of one of only three Sears Honor Built Magnolias known to exist in the United States. The …
Storm Doors Not Needed with Newer Doors
We have a metal front door that faces south. We would like to add a storm door but have heard that this may not be a good idea …
Fixing Roof Leaks: Replace Flashing Around Roof Vents to Prevent Roof Leaks
We are experiencing a roof leak in our 5 year old home and are about to replace the ceiling in my daughter’s room due to …
Heat Pump Thermostat: Add Efficiency to a Two-stage Heating System
Do I need a heat pump thermostat? I have a two-stage heating system that switches from an electric heat pump to a gas furnace …