Leaky Pipes - Household Repairs
How to Use -- Contents
Slightly Creaky does extensive research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access the various categories from any of our web pages using the top or side menus. Each category has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.
Categories
Updated July 9, 2008
To simplify your research, we have several categories. Please scroll down, use the index link, or use your browser's "find" or "search" feature to get the the area you are seeking.
- Plumbing
- Carpentry (including painting)
- Electrical & Electronics
- Cleaning
- Outside the House
In case you need it... (From The Natural Handyman)
Handy Calculators for Length,
Area, Weight and Volume
Recommended Site
Michigan State University Extension:
Home Maintenance And Repair
Updates
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This listing is the result of more than 500 hours of research. It is the property of Slightly Creaky and may not be reproduced in any form. Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each organization.
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Recommended Reading
Although some of the articles are written in a stylized academic fashion, we believe that the best site for online home repair and projects, especially for cleaning hints and minor repairs, is the Michigan State University Extension:
Home Maintenance And Repair site. There are over 1,000 articles set up alphabetically by topic.
Plumbing
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Plumbing
| Bathroom Sink Repair | " A friend of mine had some trouble with a bathroom sink and discussed the best way to fix it with me. I offered some advice and asked him to document his adventure for the website and he agreed, this is his story…" |
| The Water System | " The plumbing in your house is made up of two systems: the clean-water supply system and the waste water system. Both systems require periodic attention to keep in good operating condition. However, before you make any major changes in your plumbing, find out what your local plumbing codes require. Most communities have adopted some type of plumbing code." |
| Fixing a Dripping Showerhead | "There’s nothing quite like listening to water drip throughout the night to spur you into a home repair task. In my case, the problem was with my relatively new shower. After turning off the valve, water would continue to drip…and drip…and drip, about 7 feet to the shower floor, where each drop made a nice “smack!”" |
| Plumbing Problems and Fixes | "Each year, thousands of people are seriously burned from ordinary tap water. In most instances it occurs with children under the age of 5 and adults, 65 years and older. " |
| Repairing Ceramic Disk Faucets | From Better Homes & Gardens. "When you raise the faucet lever of a disk faucet, the upper disk in the cartridge slides across the lower disk, allowing water to enter the mixing chamber." |
| Water Quality: Making Sure It's Safe | "Water quality isn't something to be taken for granted, especially for people who have a well, spring or other private water supply," |
| do-it-yourself project help Plumbing |
How-to Information |
| Bathroom Projects | From HammerZone. Basic bathroom repairs and projects. |
| Plumbing Noises | "Plumbing can make many weird noises which can have many causes and; sometimes, they're not easy to isolate and fix. I've tried to collect common causes given on alt.home.repair." |
| Toiletology | Eleven chapters and dozens of articles on maintaining a toilet. |
| Kitchen and Bathrooms Time for a facelift? |
Repair a sink, add some tiling, more articles. |
| Fixing a Chronically Wet Basement | "Chronically damp basements are more than a nuisance. Moisture can lead to a number of problems, including peeling paint, mold, and that musty smell that seems to hang in the kitchen." |
| Understanding Humidifiers and Humidification | "When winter looms ahead, our thoughts turn from air conditioning and dehumidification to humidification... adding moisture to our homes during the cool, dry winter months. Some of use will purchase new freestanding or central humdifiers... others of us will be trying to keep our old units working properly." |
| Winterizing The Plumbing System |
"If the temperature inside a house gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) it's likely that the water supply pipes and the drain traps will freeze." |
| Plumbing Projects & Repairs | From HammerZone. Basic plumbing repairs and projects. |
Carpentry
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Carpentry
| Carpentry Project Plans | From the Bob Vila Home Improvement Library. "Learn about making project plans in your home carpentry projects with Bob Vila, including information about building a playground, crackle painting, making a plate display rack, and more." |
| Easy to Build Carpentry Projects for Home and Garden | "Here are some handy projects and carpentry tips " |
| Woodworking & Finishes | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Learn about the materials, hardware, and special skills used in common household carpentry projects like shelves, cabinets, built-ins." |
| Wood Library | A to Z pictures of types of wood. |
| Furniture and Wood Care | "Some of the tips on this page are from the out of print book "Housekeeping Workbook-How To Do It" "House Care And Cleaning" by Balderston Published by Lippencott 1935" |
| Anatomy Of A Woodworking Project | "Have you ever thought about the process from start to finish of a woodworking project. There is a lot more involved in the process than you think. Most of us skip thru each process not really thinking about how each step affects the overall project." |
| How To Install Folding Attic Stairs | "Regardless of the brand of folding stairs you choose, the installation procedure will be very similar. However, specifics such as the size of the "rough opening" or fastening locations may vary. Always refer to the manufacturer's directions for your stairs." |
| Fixing Stripped Out Wood Screws | "The most common fix for simply replacing the stripped screw is to put a little white glue in the hole and then fill it with toothpicks." |
| Wallpapering | "Don't be afraid to tackle a wallpaper job,its not as difficult as you may think. I have step by step instructions for you and when you are finished, you will be glad you decided to give it a try." |
| Installing Wall Cabinets | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Find step-by-step instructions for repairs and improvements to your home's plumbing, electrical system, furnace, air conditioner, walls, floors, siding, decks, roofing, and basement." |
| Stripping and Refinishing Wood Furniture and Cabinets | " So...you found a great piece of furniture at a yard sale but the finish is terrible or you have decided that those old kitchen cabinets are in need of a new look so its time to do a little refinishing! Before you get too carried away think about this, Refinishing that yard sale special or grandmas old desk can be a big mistake. You need to first establish if it is worth anything "as is"." |
| Trim & Finish Carpentry | From HammerZone. Basic carpentry repairs and projects. |
| The Flooring Center | " Everything you need to know about Carpet-Hardwood Flooring-Tile floors-Mixed media flooring How to Install-How to Care for-Stain removal-and more " |
| Woodworking and Carpentry Tips | "Tips and woodworking tutorials on Cutting Moldings, Gluing, clamping, wood veneers, and more" |
| Replacing an Asphalt Shingle | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Protect your home by keeping the roof in tip-top shape." |
| Door Projects | From HammerZone. Basic door repairs and projects. |
| Windows and Doors: Installing & Repairing | " This is the section where you'll learn how to install most window and door products, in most residential situations. " |
| Doors & Windows | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Step-by-step instructions for repairing interior and exterior doors, adding locks, and installing new doors." |
| Fireplace Safety | " If constructed properly, fireplaces will perform safely and dependably. Fireplaces, just like anything else, wear over a period of years and need to be maintained to extend their life. Here are check lists to follow for safely installing, maintaining and operating a fireplace. " |
| Repair and Painting of Sprayed Popcorn Texture Ceilings |
"The texture comes from polystyrene or Styrofoam bits of varying sizes mixed into a sticky liquid base. The product is purchased dry and mixed with water, and is available in various textures. The amount of water used in the mix is critical to a good job. Too little water and the product will not spray smoothly. Too much and it will tend to show small cracks as it dries, plus its hiding ability and adhesion will decrease." |
| Storing Paint | "Upside down, in a cool place where it can't freeze, and where it won't hurt anything if a can leaks a little. Full cans keep better. Heat accelerates deterioration, so try not to store it in direct sunlight, a hot attic/garage, or next to something warm like a water heater or furnace. " |
| Painting Articles | From The Natural Handyman |
Electrical & Electronics
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Electrical & Electronics
| Free Electrical Answers | "I am a retired electrical contractor and my hope is to give everyone a better understanding of electricity and the electrical trade. The objective of this free service is to make the material on this web site basic enough so that everyone can understand." |
| Wiring: Simple Projects | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Learn about your home's electric systems and the special skills needed to perform common electrical improvements and repairs, including testing and troubleshooting light fixtures, switches, thermostats, and doorbells." |
| Wiring a Basic On/Off Switch to a Light | "A step-by-step guide to wiring a basic on/off switch to a light." |
| Everybody Needs A Good Flashlight | "Strangely, I've found some people get very emotional about their flashlights." |
| Lighting Articles | "The human eye is a very complex device. The manufacturers of light bulbs have developed means of measuring light that are meaningful to them, but are not intuitively meaningful to laymen. Below is a glossary of common terms." |
| Electrical Wiring FAQ
|
" Frequently Asked Questions on Electrical Wiring " (Best to use your browser's "Find" feature to search for what you need.) |
| The World of Whole House & Attic Ventilation Fans |
"A well-designed home has an attic ventilation system that requires no homeowner action whatsoever. Not living in a perfect world, most of us should examine our attic ventilation needs and the deficiencies in our home's design. There are many things that can be done to improve attic ventilation... and many problems that can occur if you ignore it!" |
| How to Install a Ceiling Fan | "Installing a ceiling fan can be an intimidating project. This article provides a step-by-step guide to this project." |
| Electrical Projects | From HammerZone. Basic electrical repairs and projects. |
| Replacing a Breaker in Your Panel | "Can a do-it-yourselfer safely replace a breaker in their panel? The answer is yes, with the proper precautions." |
| Older Home Wiring: Problem With Overloaded Circuits |
"Older homes were not built to accommodate the demands of today's modern appliances and other electrical devices. It can be dangerous to overload circuits. " |
| Repairs & Basic Home Wiring Projects Articles | Do-it-Yourself Repairs - step-by-step guidelines |
Cleaning
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Cleaning
| Cleaning Tips and Household Helpers | "Tips for Cleaning. Household Helpers to make your life easier! Tips from the 1800's, 1900's and 2000's!" |
| Household Hints & Help | From University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension |
| Barefoot Lass | "Barefoot Lass's Hints & Tips" is a website filled with interesting and helpful information on everything from removing crayon marks from walls, finding the best hangover cure to making a clarifying face mask. This site will save you time and money with hundreds of tips for the home, cooking, beauty, laundry, pets, health and so much more. " |
| Household Hits Blog | "Household hints, helpful tips and ideas to make everyday life easier." |
| Cleaning Bronze | " Keep bronze pieces as clean as possible. Accumulations of dust and dirt can eat into the metal surface. Dust regularly using a soft cloth. Do not rub too vigorously, especially on any protruding parts. " |
| Washing Machine Wizard | "Washing Machine Wizard delivers simple to follow information on Top loaders, Front loaders, Combos and other types of washers." |
| 15 Housekeeping Tips That Save Time | "If you are like me, you are probably always on the lookout for housekeeping tips that can save you time. Being the mom in the house, I was somehow secretly nominated to be in charge of keeping our humble abode clean and tidy. I quickly realized that with a few good housekeeping techniques and a little persuasion, I could make the jobs around the house feel less like hard work and more like a labor of love." |
| Household Hints and Tips | Tips submitted by readers. |
| Cleaning Brick Fireplaces | " If the fireplace is to be used for family entertainment such as popcorn popping, or marshmallow toasting, etc., it would be wise to have brick or stone fireplace front surface sealed so as to resist absorption of grease or oils, and smoky soot. " |
| Time Management | "Do the months seem to be flying by? Does it seem like there are fewer hours in the day? This is the time of year we think about all the things needing to be done or would like to have done. Time demands are different for each person and family. Let's take a look at what consumes most of a family's time. Major time demands include personal time, jobs, family time, home/yard/car time, friend and community time. Many families are very involved in sports activities year round. To effectively manage one's time and achieve the goals one has set, follow these suggested tips:" |
| Household Tips & Other Good Ideas | From the "Homespun Garden." |
| Household Hints | A collection of brief articles on hundreds of topics. |
| Household Cleaning Hints and Tips | "The following articles provide sage (and easy-to-follow) household wisdom to keep your abode in tip-top shape. " |
| What's Underfoot: Carpet Care | "This article is a very complete study of carpet care starting with basic cleaning chores, professional cleaning methods and finally stain removal techniques. Anyone with a carpet in their life can benefit from reading this piece! " |
| Cleaning and Repairing Flooded Basements | "Before you enter a flooded basement turn off the electricity, preferably at the meter." |
| Safe Pest Removal | "How to Remove Pests from the household without poisons" |
| Home Cleaning Tips Library | "Home cleaning can be a grueling chore, but home-cleaning tips can help make it less intense. Learn helpful general home-cleaning tips." |
| Household Hints & Help | From University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension |
| Identifying Mysterious Stains on Textile Furnishings | " Mysterious spots (changes in color) on carpets, upholstery, or other textiles in house may come from spills of common household chemicals." |
| Kitchen Cabinets - Regular Cleaning | " Kitchen cabinets collect more grease, food spills, and moisture than most other parts of the house. Grime builds up fastest around handles of doors and drawers, which are constantly opened by sticky hands. Greasy soil comes off more easily if it isn't allowed to build up too long. " |
| Refrigerator Cleaning | " Clean refrigerator compartment regularly, even though it does not require defrosting. Turn it off and unplug. Remove all food and removable interior parts. " |
| Laundry Cleaning Tips and Laundry Hints | One example: "Did you know that a piece of stale bread will remove fresh spots on leather and suede gloves? Just rub the spots with the bread!" |
| Stain Removal | "Stain removal techniques can vary drastically depending on the type of stain and the stained surface. Learn stain removal techniques." |
| Learn to do Laundry | "Before you head all the way to the neighborhood laundromat (or, for the fortunate few, to the washer and dryer downstairs), you should make sure you have the following:" |
| Preventing Mildew | " Dampness in a basement, or any other structure, is often caused by condensation of moisture from humid air onto cooler surfaces. Excessive moisture may indicate that repairs or additional insulation are needed. " |
Outside the House
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Outside the House
| Repair or Replace A Damaged Mailbox Post | "The hardest part of a mailbox installation can be removing the old box or post! So I'm going to make the assumption that you wish to replace the box and the post." |
| do-it-yourself project help Retaining Walls |
How-to Information |
| Yard and Garden Projects | From HammerZone. Basic outdoors repairs and projects. |
| American Flag Etiquette | "When being displayed, the flag should always be allowed to fall free. It should not be drawn back or up, in folds. Also, it should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, floor, water or other items. This is important to remember when display flags along sidewalks and in yards. If it does touch anything beneath it, correct this mistake quickly. If the flag is soiled from touching the ground or dirt, the flag should be cleaned with a mild soap solution and dried before being displayed again." |
| Deck Planning | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Get ready for your deck project by choosing the right site and preparing accurate plans. This section also includes tips on designing special-purpose decks." |
| Decks.com | Deck plans, deck building, repairs, staining, indeas. It's all here. |
| Deck Industry Association | "The DIA website exists to allow deck builders, designers, deck company personnel and owners, (as well as the manufacturers and distributors of related products), a place to have an exchange of information. Anyone with an interest in this fast-changing industry can benefit." |
| Garden Structure | Compares the type of decking structures and materials and looks at the myths behind the advertisements. |
| Applying Semi-Transparent Deck Stain | "Applying semi-transparent deck stain to a wooden deck it not difficult and by following a few simple instructions, the homeowner will have the deck that they desire." |
| Ideas for Deck Design | “There are several types of deck stain available and each offer different benefits. But before you stain a deck, you have to finish the surface properly to ensure the stain will adhere properly. Here's a quick run-down on deck stain and their differences...“ |
| Amazing Decks | Shows examples of deck stains with a link to a "how to" guide. "As you look out into your back deck, you realize the time has come to brighten up the deck. Re-finishing your deck is a good thing to do, not only does it enhance your backyard by providing a new look for your deck, it provides protection against moisture rot, insects and everyday wear and tear. The problem, of course, is how do you find the time and where to begin?" |
| Get the Most from Your Deck Stain | “A deck stain must do much more than any regular house paint. It needs to resist abrasion, UV light, heat from the sun and water. Each of these represents a particular challenge that must be met in order for the deck stain to last as long as possible.” |
| Finding a Contractor | From FEMA. " Always take the time to evaluate the contractor who may be doing the job. Every disaster has its share of con artists trying to take advantage of disaster victims. The State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recommends the following steps when hiring a contractor..." |
| Finding the Right Contractor | "Finding the right contractor for a remodeling or expansion job on your home is a matter of being proactive in searching out the right people and businesses and doing your homework to ensure that the work will be done in the way you want it. With some time investment in research and checking information, some time investment in talking with potential contractors for your job and their previous customers, and some time investment in thought and evaluation, you can have a remodeling experience that will be pleasant and successful." |
| Tips for Finding a Professional Contractor | "When selecting a contractor, ask questions. A professional will not dodge a question. He or she will answer each and every one. The anxiety that you are feeling should diminish with each answer. If not, something is wrong. The answers that a professional will offer should help to make you feel more comfortable." |
| How to Find Out if a Contractor is Licensed. | "All states that license contractors and tradesmen keep lists of license holders." |
| The Basics of Wells | "In its simplest form, a well is simply a hole drilled down into an aquifer. A pipe and pump inserted into the hole are used to draw water out of the ground, and a screen filters out unwanted particles and other material that might clog the pipe. Wells can be a variety of different shapes and sizes, depending upon the type of earth they're cut into and the amount of water that they're designed to pump out." |
| Driveway Cracking? How To Concrete Resurface Quickly And Easily | "Concrete resurfacing is a method of repairing concrete sections when they are cracking or discolored. This usually happens over time and concrete resurfacing will help restore the look of the area to one that is much more attractive. There is also decorative concrete resurfacing which still restores the look of the concrete but also adds a decorative touch to it." |
| How to Resurface a Driveway | "Learn how to repair and resurface an asphalt driveway; watch a video showing how to clean, repair and resurface a driveway." |
| Fences, Paths & Drives | From Better Homes & Gardens. "Step-by-step instructions for building and repairing wood fences, stone walls, outdoor steps, driveways, paths, and walkways." |
| Exterior Paints | "I don't know what to think about that respected, nationally known, consumer product rating magazine's paint ratings. They are very different every time a new rating comes out. I try to summarize the '93 and 2000 ratings further down so, you can see for yourself but, this table gives some examples of the scatter of top brand paints:" |
| Lawn Care Library | "Lawn care is important in maintaining a beautiful home. Learn everything you need to know about lawn care, from sprinklers to composting to planting a lawn." |
| Deck & Porch projects | From HammerZone. Basic deck repairs and projects. |
| Septic System Basics | "Roughly one-quarter of all American homes disposes of their wastewater through onsite (unsewered) systems. Using such systems, individual homeowners are responsible for the treatment and disposal of their own wastewater. Most are typically located where centralized wastewater treatment is unavailable or impractical, such as in rural areas. The most popular onsite method currently in use is the septic system. Septics use the soil to treat small wastewater flows. When properly constructed and maintained, septic systems both are reliable and safe." |
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