Even the comfiest, most beloved sofa can lose its cachet when the upholstery fades from sun exposure or wear and tear. Whether the couch is a family-friendly shade of navy, an adventuresome scarlet red or a tame brown, faded spots large or small bespeak neglect and apathy. Restore faded upholstery with paint. Reupholstering is an option, but the time and expense -- even for the DIY enthusiast -- can be daunting.

Rotary tools such as the Dremel have allowed do-it-yourselfers around the world to pick up projects that otherwise would have required a specialist. One of those jobs is grinding the head off a bolt. All you need is some spare time, the right attachment for the Dremel and some basic carpentry tools, along with a work space, and you can quickly and easily grind the heads off as many bolts as you need to finish your project.

Hardness in water is a result of dissolved minerals, usually calcium with components of magnesium, iron and others. Unlike other softeners, magnetic softeners do not remove or replace these minerals, but are sometimes reported to reduce the scaling effect of hard water. Magnetic softeners are relatively cheap and easy to install and have not been proved to be harmful. Locate the water line at a point near your home's foundation.

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.

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.

Completely replacing a leaky roof is a very expensive repair job. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to undergo such repairs at just any time. However, letting the roof continue to leak is not a good option either, as this can cause more damage on the interior of your house, and in the end, cost you more money. One tiny nail hole in a roof can cause a problematic leak. Some cost effective ideas help preserve the rest of the house until you save for a new roof.

Decorating a small attached living and dining area can be a headache, and creating distinctly separate rooms with minimal space can be a design challenge. But a tiny living space doesn’t have to feel like a shoebox; with a little guidance and preparation, your home can go from cluttered and cramped to wonderfully cozy. And the best part? Your renovation doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Empty out the living and dining rooms, moving the furniture well out of the way for now.

Roof trusses have revolutionized roof framing. A king post truss is a simple, triangular gable truss with a center brace known as the king truss. The truss has four main parts. The top two diagonal pieces that serve as rafters are known as the upper cords. A king post truss is used to form a standard gable roof. The bottom horizontal, which serves as ceiling and upper floor joist, is known as the lower cord.

Memory foam is a revolutionary product that is becoming increasingly popular for use in mattresses and cushions. Memory foam can crease like any other foam product, but because of its chemical makeup, these creases are a bit more stubborn to remove. Memory foam mattresses are becoming increasingly popular. However, there is a relatively simple way to remove the creases in any memory foam surface. Things You Will Need + Spray bottle Hair dryer Satin cloth Iron Fill your spray bottle with plain tap water and spray the crease.

Created with synthesized polymers, synthetic polyester fabric is an inexpensive and durable option for many items. With the proper care and cleaning, polyester will last for many years. Like other fabrics, if you allow damp polyester to sit for an extended period mold will begin to form. Clothing, draperies and upholstery are just a few of the items made from polyester. If left untreated, mold will feed off the polyester leaving an unsightly stain and possibly deteriorating the polyester beyond repair.