Screw extractors allow you to back out screws whose heads are stripped. These simple and effective devices can be found at large national retail stores that have a hardware department. The extractors have special hardened steel heads with reverse cutting bits. Once inserted into a regular drill they cut into and grab the head of the screw as you rotate the drill in reverse.
Floors that bounce up and down when you walk across them are annoying. The floor may be structurally sound and built within code limits. In almost all cases, the floor can be fixed so that it is solid and does not bounce.
Removing foundation tar is not easy. It can also be dangerous. Do not use solvents like gasoline, paint thinner or mineral spirits because of the extreme fire danger.
Wood siding has been used on houses for hundreds of years. Engineered wood siding is an improvement on traditional siding as it allows us to make the most of our natural resources. If you want the best exterior wood siding, look for wood that contains natural preservatives and has vertical grain. Western cedar is a great wood siding species.
Many people struggle with how to remove wallpaper from drywall. The wallpaper sticks to the paper facing of the drywall and tends to be pulled off the wall exposing the gypsum core of the drywall. Is there a best way to remove wallpaper to minimize damage? It depends upon who you ask.
Metal fireplaces can become flooded by rainstorms or hurricanes. Once the water recedes, is it safe to use the fireplace? The answer is yes, so long as the integrity of the fireplace firebox was not compromised.
AAMA certification of vinyl windows means quality. Windows bearing this special label meet the rigors of independent lab test standards.
Buy vinyl windows that allow you to replace the glass. Avoid having to replace the entire sash or mismatching vinyl color that may have yellowed.
Low e glass windows offer insulation against heat and cold. Two types of low e glass, soft and hard coat, look and perform differently. Soft coat low e glass has a higher r value. This table will compare glass r values.
Low-e window glass provides insulating r value to keep the temperature of the window close to the temperature of the room air. This insulation provides comfort and energy savings. UV blockage varies with the low e glass. Low e film also produces impressive results for your windows.
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