Tips

How to Troubleshoot the Door Latch on a Maytag Dishwasher

In order to run your Maytag dishwasher you need to be able to lock the door latch securely. The latch must come into contact with the switch in the top of the dishwasher cabinet in order for the dishwasher to turn on. Over time the door latch may malfunction. Rather than calling a repair service right away, you should troubleshoot the latch to your dishwasher door in case the problem is something simple that you can resolve on your own.

Homemade Hose Reel | HomeSteady

Air and water hoses left lying about are unsightly, dangerous and can be severely damaged by exposure to the sun. Hoses should be stored on a reel to prolong their life and prevent accidents. There are many types of hose reels available from a variety of sources, such as department stores and home centers, but most are poorly made of plastic and, while they look good, won't last very long.

How to Use a Volt-Ohm Meter to Test Electrical Fuses

The best way to find out if a fuse has blown is to use a volt-ohm meter. They are relatively inexpensive and come in two types, analog and digital. Analog volt-ohm meters have a needle that moves from left to right. Digital volt-ohm meters use an LCD readout display. Volt-ohm meters are easy to use. Before using your volt-ohm meter you should be familiar with its functions, as per manufacturer instructions.

How to Make Styrofoam Cement

Adding Styrofoam to cement instead of gravel is a great way to make a lightweight solution and recycle some of that excess foam that is found in nearly every box shipped with a delicate item. It keeps your packages from getting damaged, but it's a nuisance to get rid of. Styrofoam is one of the main materials used to pad items during shipping. Styrofoam is being added to landfills at an alarming rate.

Water Is Leaking From My Maytag Dishwasher's Front

Dishwashers use hot water to help sanitize and clean your dishes, and this water is sprayed around the tub via a spray arm. Water leaks in Maytag dishwashers are often caused by common problems, such as faulty seals or components. If your Maytag portable or built-in dishwasher is leaking from the front, see if you can figure out where the leak is originating. Fixing the leak yourself saves you money on service repair fees.

How to Sand Pressure Treated Lumber

Pressure treated lumber is wood treated with chemicals that keep it from deteriorating. It is used when a structure's framing must touch soil, water or concrete. It has a blue-green tint and a distinct chemical odor. The chemicals used to treat lumber are toxic, so you must take safety precautions to protect yourself and anyone around you when cutting or sanding pressure treated lumber. Always wear a protective dust mask, goggles and gloves, as well as long sleeves and pants.

DIY Solar Water Heaters for a Cold Climate

Build your own solar water heater to provide hot water for household use as well as space heating within your home. The main challenge when building a solar water heater that will be used in a cold climate is the threat of water freezing within the system. A solar water heater can take many different forms. The most common way of overcoming this problem is to install a glycol loop, with all of the exterior components of the system circulating a glycol antifreeze solution, which transfers heat to water inside the house through a heat exchanger.

How Much Electricity Does a Heated Mattress Pad Use?

Table of Contents Average Energy Usage Size Size of Wires and Age Material Consumer Preference Although many people are building houses that have incredibly efficient HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) systems installed, many people still live in houses with poor insulation and HVAC. Older houses are particularly prone to these problems. In the winter, this can make the house too cold for comfort and result in astronomical heating bills.

How to Get Green Fungus Off My Sidewalk

Fungus occurs on sidewalks when water pools up and the sun cannot dry the area. Although many fungi are green, they are not a part of the plant family. Fungus grows by absorbing the nutrients from their surroundings -- in this case, water and other organic matter found on the cement. Things You Will Need + Bleach White vinegar 5-gallon bucket Deck brush Garden hose Not only does green fungus on a sidewalk look disgusting, it can also make walking on the sidewalk dangerous.

How to Remove Deck Nails

Loose deck nails can allow deck boards to warp and present a tripping hazard. As a deck ages, the foot traffic causes boards to move slightly. This movement can cause the nails in the nail holes to move as well. This movement enlarges the holes the nails are in and causes the nails to inch up out of the holes. Consider removing the deck nails and replacing them with screws to help keep your loose boards fixed tight to the floor joists.