You can avoid using drywall joint compound, commonly referred to as “mud” by covering drywall seams in another manner. For instance, drywall seams in the upper corners of a room can be covered with crown molding. Additionally, if you install your sheets of drywall lengthwise (with the long side parallel to the floor) you can …
How to Finish Drywall Without Mudding [5 Methods to Finish Your Walls] Read More »
If your toilet handle is broken or missing, you can still flush your toilet. All that is required is for you to lift the “flapper” at the bottom of the toilet tank. This will release the water down into the bowl, flushing the toilet. Typically, the flapper can be lifted by removing the toilet tank …
How to Flush a Toilet Without the Handle [3 Foolproof Methods] Read More »
To permanently prevent your outdoor steps from becoming slippery due to rain, snow, or other factors, use no-slip tape on the steps, install non-slip treads, or add a grit additive when painting your steps. If your steps are already slippery due to snow and ice and you need a temporary fix to get through the …
What to Put on Outside Steps to Prevent Slipping [Top No-Slip Techniques] Read More »
To remove ice from tires, use a de-icer spray that is safe for windshield wipers. An ice scraper can also be used to remove ice buildup from tires and wheel wells. To prevent ice buildup on your tires, spray them with a silicone tire treatment. After driving, remove slush buildup in wheel wells to prevent …
How to Remove Ice from Tires [5 Tips for Ice Removal] Read More »
When de-icing concrete, it’s important to use a non-corrosive substance, such as magnesium chloride. This will protect your concrete from damage, won’t harm nearby plants, and will not cause injury to your pet’s paws. Avoid using rock salt. It is corrosive to concrete, poisonous to plants, and is ineffective at low temperatures. What to Use …
How to Melt Ice on Concrete [Ice Control Do’s and Don’t’s] Read More »
To add extensions to your downspouts, first determine where you’d like the water to drain once it exits the extended spout. The runoff destination can be a bed of gravel, garden, or another safe drainage area. Once you’ve planned the best destination for the runoff, make sure your yard is sloped at an appropriate angle …
How to Extend Downspouts Above Ground in 4 Quick Steps Read More »
To keep your gutters from freezing during the winter months, install gutter guards or clean your uncovered gutters. This will prevent debris blockages that lead to frozen gutters. You can also sprinkle a safe de-icer, such as Magnesium Chloride, in your gutters to prevent ice formation. For an automatic de-icing solution, add heating elements that …
How to Keep Gutters from Freezing in Winter [5 Ways to Protect Your Home] Read More »
To keep downspouts from freezing and forming ice blockages, clean your gutters of debris each fall and clear piled snow away from the exits of your downspouts. If your downspouts do become blocked with ice, pour boiling water on the exterior of the downspout where the blockage has formed. Alternatively, you can wrap your downspouts …
How to Keep Downspouts from Freezing [5 Brilliant De-icing Methods] Read More »
Driveway sealer needs to be allowed 4–8 hours to dry before rain. Longer cure times are better, as it takes upwards of 24 hours for driveway sealer to completely cure, but under good conditions, 4 hours of curing time will be enough for your new sealant to resist rain damage. Here are some other important …
How Long Does Driveway Sealer Need to Dry Before Rain? Read More »
There are many ways to protect your car from snow and ice if you don’t plan to use a garage. As winter approaches, it pays to invest in a car cover or windshield cover, determine a safe outdoor parking space away from dangerous structures, winterize your fluids to prevent dangerous freezes, and get a portable …
How to Protect Your Car from Snow Without a Garage [11 All-Weather Tips] Read More »
You can keep wooden steps free of dangerous ice and snow with a number of different tactics. Some of the best ways on how to keep wooden steps ice-free and safe in icy conditions are: These are all quick solutions that work well in icy conditions. However, it’s also important to be proactive. Clear snow …
How to Keep Wooden Steps Ice-Free [5 Easy Methods] Read More »
You can stop dangerous snow avalanches from sliding off a metal roof in a number of ways. The best options to control snow on your metal roof are: Snow guards/snow stoppers, which hold snow in place on the roof, allowing only small amounts to fall at once. Snow fences, which work similarly to snow stoppers, …
How to Stop Snow From Sliding Off a Metal Roof [Top 5 Solutions] Read More »
Black stainless steel is a popular finish for home appliances due to its dark hue that can easily match any kitchen style. The fingerprint and smudge-proof benefits of black stainless steel can also help keep cleaning to a minimum. With that being said, it’s important to learn how to clean black stainless steel the right …
How to Clean Black Stainless Steel [5 Simple Steps] Read More »
