HowTos

How To – Repairing Stripped Bolts And Threads

There are a number of times when working on your car or home that you end up messing up the threads on a bolt or spark plug or wind up with a nut that you strip the heck out of.

So what can you do in this situation other then grab a beer and start crying …..

Well in some cases you are going to endup replacing the item or bringing it to a machine shop …

How To – Choices In Outdoor Furniture Styles And Materials

Spending time outside relaxing is something we all like to do and garden furniture can provide seating and eating areas along with shade from the sun and a place to get away at the end of a hard day.

Some of the things that you have to look at when planing an outside furniture arrangement include:

How much you want to spend
How long do you expect the furniture to last
What materials go best with your lifestyle
Is …

How To – Automotive Trim Removal And Tools

Interior and Exterior Trim on vehicles is installed in a way that fasteners are hidden from view. This makes the removal of these parts without damaging them one of the more difficult processes in auto repair.

For the most part understanding how trim parts are attached is a combination of experience and guess work. The process should be performed slowly and with much thought to find exactly where and how you should pry on a …

How To – Finding Energy Star Rebate Programs

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The Federal Government works with product manufacturers and distributors to provide discounts on products used in our businesses and homes that reduce energy consumption.

Often the rebate information is listed on the product in the store when you purchase it but more often then not rebates never make it to the consumer.

You also have situations where a retailer might push a non-rebate product over a rebated product because they make more on …

How To – Is Your Home In A Radon Zone?

Every home in the USA has a potential to have Radon Gas problems but where you choose to live can mean you have a higher potential for this dangerous gas.

No matter where you build you should always have a Radon Test performed before you finalize your purchase.

Once you have realized you are at risk you should take necessary steps to reduce any exposure.

If you are building a new home then there are methods to vent gasses from below your foundation …

How To – Bamboo Flooring A Green Alternative

Bamboo flooring has made its way into design centers and is quickly being seen as a lower cost and green alternative to traditional hardwood floors.

Because bamboo grows very quickly smaller amounts of land can be used to harvest larger amounts of material. Bamboo can grow to harvest size in just 5 years while traditional hardwoods like Oak might take 50 to 100 years or more.

There are a variety of treatments including carbonizing and  staining …

HowTo – HVAC Filters For People With Allergies

Forced air HVAC systems are inherently dirty when compared with baseboard heaters because air is circulated throughout the home. Additionally any allergens or viruses will be spread from room to room.

So what can you do to reduce the health concerns?

With the proper use of filters you should be able to reduce the particulate matter that can cause normal irritation and with a UV Light filter you should be able to kill bacteria and viruses …

How To – Exterior Insulation Considerations & Methods

In the past few years there has been a movement in the remodeling industry to add insulation to the exterior of buildings when new siding is being applied. Here we will look at the advantage of this process and drawbacks that come with it. It is important to weigh the good and the bad when implementing any new technology.

The process is relatively simple as far as the installation of the foam board insulation goes.

First …

How To – Simple Ways To Save Money In The Garden

This year especially people will need to take a long look at how they tend to their yards and gardens.

Remember saving money should never lead to neglect. If you let your yard go to weed because you don’t want to buy that $20 bag of weed and seed you will regret it for years to come. Also watering can be an added expense but if you see your shrubs beginning to wilt during a …

How To – Pipe Insulation Save Money Better Comfort

Whether its been a long cold day and you need just need a hot shower to relax or if you just hate waiting for the water to run hot in your faucets there is a simple inexpensive way to reduce water and fuel use for heating hot water and improve the quality of your services.

Insulating Hot Water lines has been a necessity for a long time in homes that have an unheated crawl space …