Look for Roof Leak Clues After Big Summer Storms
· Mark Mendenhall
A quick ceiling scan after major rain catches small leaks while they're still small money.
Tips & Tricks
Articles
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Stop a Running Toilet by Adjusting the Flapper Chain
· Mark Mendenhall
A toilet that runs on and off all day usually has a chain that's too long or too short.
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Build a Small Storm Kit That Lives in One Place
· Mark Mendenhall
Flashlights, batteries, a phone bank, and water — gathered in one bin before you need them at 2 AM.
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Keep Drains Clear With a Monthly Hot Water Flush
· Mark Mendenhall
Dish soap and near-boiling water monthly melts the grease film before it becomes a clog.
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Find a Hidden Leak by Reading Your Water Meter
· Mark Mendenhall
Your water meter can tell you in 30 minutes whether your house is leaking while nothing runs.
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Fix a Sagging Gate Before It Drags a Groove
· Mark Mendenhall
Sagging gates usually need the hinge side tightened and the diagonal braced, not replaced.
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Fix a Gap Under a Door With an Adjustable Door Sweep
· Mark Mendenhall
A screw-on door sweep seals out drafts, bugs, and water for about fifteen dollars.
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Fix Weak Water Pressure by Cleaning the Faucet Aerator
· Mark Mendenhall
The little screen at the faucet tip clogs with sediment. A vinegar soak restores full flow.
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Make Sticky Windows Slide Easier With Wax
· Mark Mendenhall
Rubbing candle wax or silicone spray in the tracks makes old windows glide again.
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Stop an Outdoor Faucet Drip by Tightening the Packing Nut
· Mark Mendenhall
Most hose bibb drips around the handle are fixed with a quarter turn of one nut.
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Erase Scuff Marks With a Tennis Ball
· Mark Mendenhall
A tennis ball on a broom handle buffs black heel marks off hard floors without bending over.
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Check Window and Door Seals With a Flashlight Before Storm Season
· Mark Mendenhall
A two-person flashlight test finds the gaps that let driven rain into your walls.